Navigating Waterfront Challenges: Leadership and Growth with Dena Prastos - Indigo River

Dena Prastos delves into her journey in waterfront architecture and her mission-driven entrepreneurship at Indigo River. She shares the challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business and the impact of creating New York City's waterfront code. The discussion touches on specialization and on-the-job training in AEC, delegation, and the balance between quality control and task outsourcing. Dena talks about leadership growth, managing senior leadership disagreements, and the role of consultants in scaling a business. The episode also explores evolving business processes, software tools, team feedback, company culture, and talent acquisition.

Connect with Dena Prastos -  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denaprastos/  Website: https://indigoriver.com/   Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/   Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration -  Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration   Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help  

(0:00) Introduction to floating cities and writing the first waterfront code for New York City (0:45) Introduction of podcast hosts Will Foret and Justin Neagle (1:21) Sponsor: Technology Consultation Service (2:44) Guest Dena Prastos's background in waterfront architecture (6:08) Mission-driven entrepreneurship at Indigo River (8:23) Challenges of becoming a certified woman-owned business (10:28) The impact of creating NYC's waterfront code (11:41) Specialization and on-the-job training in AEC (14:25) Delegating responsibilities and training challenges (17:16) Quality control versus task outsourcing strategies (20:08) Implementing accountability and performance improvement plans (24:38) Leadership growth and embracing the CEO role (26:04) Managing senior leadership disagreements and decision-making (27:45) The role of consultants in scaling a business (28:28) Evolving business processes and the importance of software tools (32:10) Lessons learned from Indigo River's rapid growth (36:10) Team feedback mechanisms and the value of annual evaluations (39:48) Intentionality in company culture and mission-driven growth (43:15) Talent acquisition and fostering employee development (44:48) Indigo River's 3-5 year vision and the future of AEC technology (47:01) Advice to a younger self and entrepreneurial insights (51:09) Final thoughts and career advice (52:05) Closing remarks and podcast outro