Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Lettmann.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m the CEO and Founder of Kardia Ventures and I am a dynamic COO, tech entrepreneur, angel investor, US Air Force Veteran, and global adventurer with a warrior’s heart. Let me explain.
My story starts off serving on active duty in the US Air Force in Aerospace Flight medicine. While hanging out of Blackhawk helicopters on medical rescues over the Turkish mountains and supporting Air Force One medicine were all amazing and exhilarating missions, I knew that I wasn’t long for a medical career. What I had a passion for was running the operations aspects of a business and so, I jumped on an opportunity offered to me to run a semiconductor practice when separating the Air Force in 2000. That thrust into the tech world was all I needed – I immediately found my desired industry and proceeding to pursue my MBA in Technology Management while running a technology consulting practice at the Pentagon.
Along the way, in my career, I became a Business Transformation and Acquisitions expert, Business Process Engineer and certified Coach. I led software and hardware integrations and implementations for hundreds of clients on all types of technology platforms globally. As a Business Optimization Executive, in a startup acquired by EMC (Dell), and Fortune 500 companies like Adobe Systems, I directed programs with Operations teams for Supply Chain, Digital Media, and Big Data and Analytics.
Because no learning is lost and I have an adventurous spirit, I became a full-time entrepreneur again three years by Co-Founding SimpleDisability, where I am the COO for the funded SaaS platform company in Silicon Valley. We use data analytics, machine learning, and digital marketing operations to improve the buying and selling process in the insurance industry. Creating a new in-market software platform has been another exhilarating adventure!
Kardia, meaning heart or center, is my consulting business whereas a time-tested Operating Officer, I serve enterprises and startups by diagnosing, evaluating, and most importantly, implementing business solutions for value-driven operations results.
As for that heart warrior statement…
Has it been a smooth road?
Right about the time that I thought I was at the top of my business game, life had a transformation ready to teach me what really mattered – it gifted me my WHY.
In 2006, I unexpectedly fell critically ill from a virus that impacted my blood and organs, and I spent the better part of a year in recovery. I went from consulting on $100M global deals in Fortune 500 Tech companies to not being able to even tie my own shoes, in a matter of moments! After over half a year in the hospital fighting organ recovery, to make matters more complicated, when I thought I was finally better, my heart was too damaged by the virus to function properly. And so, to save my life after being resuscitated – I had open heart surgery.
Thankfully, dying five times has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me – it transformed all elements of my life. Not unexpectedly, I struggled physically over that year, but the reinvigorated passion and purpose in my life came from realizing that there was more “heart” I could infuse into my life, my relationships, and my business. So, I got really busy living a limitless life – each day waking up with a conscious decision to make an impact on the world around me.
I took on bigger and bolder challenges – I led more of a digital nomad lifestyle, I traveled to over 55 countries, I founded two new companies, I raised millions in investments, I became an Angel Investor, I became a radio host (ESPN BizTalk), and much more. I show up every single moment like I am meant to be there – because I remember what it’s like to not be!
Have I had business challenges? That’s a resounding YES. There was that time that we lost a $30+M strategic deal, there were times I couldn’t make payroll and the performance of my business suffered and so did investment input. There were years not taking a salary as a founder, there were naïve mistakes with business partners, BUT, none of them were heart surgery. And that’s the gift.
When challenges come, just like when debilitation and heart surgery did, I asked myself, “why is this happening FOR me?” Each time, I had a big NO – a YES was on the horizon. I’m known for having large doses of grit, so rejections are just fuel to gain something better, something more meaningful, and heart-filled. I learned how to let go easier to make room for more success. I often say, “NO mud, NO lotus!”
For me, based on my “Kardia” story, I believe it is necessary to be the best versions of ourselves, and this includes how we innovatively operate our businesses.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kardia Ventures story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a Business Optimizer – a digital transformer with a human focus. Did you know that 85% of businesses still fail because of one reason? Execution. At Kardia, I apply 20 years of executing effective operations to implement changes that drive organizational performance as well as individual excellence.
I provide consulting and advising to global enterprises and startups for provide benefits like: increased strategic potential of entire business vision, streamlined operating processes and business models, enabled Sales and business operations teams, faster time to value and increased ROI, improved customer insight and customer journey, and maximized value from core systems across organizations.
In San Diego, I am a Board Advisor for The Founder Institute, EvoNexus, Girls In Tech and SmartMoney Veterans. Specifically, I advise on effective business strategies and operations to innovative startups in order to grow the ecosystem of diverse founders who embrace their responsibility to co-create new innovative technologies meant to serve elevated business quality and social good. In addition, I am an accredited Angel Investor with a thesis and portfolio around disruptive SaaS platform technology.
Beginning in 2018, I am a radio co-host at ESPN 1700 BizTalk Radio, for a series called “Women of Impact”, which showcases extraordinary Southern California businesswomen with inspiring stories who’ve broken barriers to positively impact their communities. I often serve as a speaker at events, conferences and in the press on topics such as Business Optimization, Angel Investing, Entrepreneurship, and Women and Veterans in leadership.
My global impact on the operations of energetic high-tech companies with talented and inspiring people who are united by their grit and passion is what I am most proud of in my business. In addition, let’s face it, the world needs heart today more than ever – my mission is to serve people that are full of heart and are committed to doing extraordinary things.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In general for operations and technology, if more than 50% of businesses are failing due to lack of operational execution, I see the need for entrepreneurs and enterprises alike to fully embrace digital transformation. So, with cloud, shadow IT and mobile, I primarily see this on platforms that reduce the number of systems needed, ensure point-to-point integrations disappear and API’s are utilized for increased profit, productivity, innovation, engagement, and collaboration. Digital operations, while it will increase customer experience, will also increase agility. Technology excellence will consist of digitization, process redesign, automation, and very advanced big data analytics.
Contact Info:
- Website: kardiaventures.com
- Phone: 619-559-5115
- Email: amanda@kardiaventures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kardiaventures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kardiaventures/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KardiaVentures
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalettmann/
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