Joe Podulka stands out as a seasoned financial leader whose extensive career is characterized by strategic insight and significant contributions to multinational corporations. Recently, Joe launched Green Mitten Finance, a financial and operational services company, where he leverages his deep expertise from prominent roles in major firms.
Before establishing Green Mitten Finance, Joe was the CFO at Emergent Payments and held the roles of CFO and VP of Finance at Hearst Corp. There, he managed the Accounting and Finance departments for the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com, demonstrating his skill in financial oversight, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving growth strategies.
Joe’s 11-year tenure at eBay/PayPal saw him in various significant roles both domestically and internationally. In his final role at PayPal, Joe assembled and led an elite team to assess new global business ventures. His responsibilities spanned key areas like mergers and acquisitions, major commercial deals, strategic partnerships, and product innovation. Under his leadership, PayPal adeptly navigated the evolving market, expanding into mobile, digital goods, consumer/merchant credit, point-of-sale solutions, and new geographical markets, solidifying its leading position in fintech.
A graduate of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Stanford University, Joe’s academic background complements his professional accomplishments, underscoring his commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.
Now, at Green Mitten Finance, with his proven track record in financial strategy and leadership, Joe Podulka advises startups and other tech-focused companies. Beyond his financial expertise, Joe is known for his talent in building and nurturing international teams, streamlining operations, and revitalizing struggling business functions. His diverse skill set includes P&L management, acquisition integration, and strategic consulting for organizations of all sizes.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day follows a fairly structured routine. Upon waking up, I dive into my email inbox and catch up on the latest sports scores. Then, I tackle the NYT Mini Crossword, a daily mental warm-up that gets my brain firing on all cylinders. Once the kids are off to school, I shift gears into work mode, scheduling most of my meetings for the morning to free up my afternoons for deeper, uninterrupted work sessions. This segmentation of tasks helps me stay organized and ensures that I can allocate sufficient time to each activity throughout the day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I’ve discovered that my best ideas often materialize when I’m engaged in activities unrelated to work, such as exercising, taking a leisurely walk, or simply going about household chores. It’s during these moments of mental liberation that creativity thrives. Once an idea crystallizes in my mind, I rely on a combination of persistence, resilience, and the iterative process of trial and error to bring it to fruition. Through disciplined repetition and determination, I transform conceptual sparks into tangible realities.
What’s one trend that excites you?
A trend that particularly intrigues me is the resurgence of analog experiences among younger generations. It’s refreshing to see a shift towards less reliance on technology in certain aspects of life. From the revival of vinyl records to the renewed interest in old TV shows and movies, there’s a nostalgic charm to embracing analog formats. Even the preference for tangible items like ‘point and shoot’ cameras and classic footwear like Converse All-Stars speaks to a desire for authenticity amidst a digital age dominated by AI-driven solutions.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Curiosity is a habit that has profoundly impacted my productivity as an entrepreneur. I’m constantly seeking new knowledge and insights, whether through interactions with people outside of work or by engaging in diverse activities. By maintaining a broad network of connections and staying open to learning opportunities, I continually fuel my entrepreneurial endeavors with fresh perspectives and ideas.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be to embrace new experiences and opportunities with a resounding “yes.” While I’ve always been relatively adventurous, I recognize that there were missed opportunities where I could have shown even more enthusiasm and positivity. Cultivating a mindset of openness and eagerness towards unfamiliar situations can lead to unexpected growth and fulfillment.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Apps on your phone should be called “dots”. After grad school, I worked at a start-up called DoDots. This is before smartphones and the apps you use today. DoDots took specific frames within web pages and put them into Dots that could be accessed on the desktop or within a feature phone without using a browser. Some of the most common in the early days were stock tickers, sports scores, and news headlines. While it got off to a great start with some well known partnerships, ultimately the market was not ready for such an innovative technology. It’s all about having the right idea at the right time, and DoDots was just too far ahead of its time.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Consistently prioritizing organization has been a game-changer for me, and I wholeheartedly advocate for others to adopt this habit. Whether it’s structuring my daily tasks, maintaining meticulous file systems, or simply making my bed each morning, the practice of organization streamlines life’s complexities, especially during busy periods. By instilling a sense of orderliness in both my physical surroundings and daily routines, I cultivate a profound sense of accomplishment and clarity, empowering me to tackle challenges with efficiency and ease.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When feeling overwhelmed or unfocused, I try to take a break or change my environment. Exercise, walking, or just getting out of my chair to get a snack breaks up whatever I’m doing and changes what I’m thinking about. I find that doing some sort of activity around lunch time breaks up my day and helps me stay focused in the afternoon. It also helps me feel good about something I accomplished that day. On the weekends, working outside or playing sports also acts as a distraction and provides some relief to being overwhelmed.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Everyone says this, but “networking”. Building solid relationships with people and staying in touch has been the greatest catalyst to starting my own business. Nearly all of my clients are repeat customers or have come through recommendations. It also helps to do quality work.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Without getting into details, staying the course and falling back on my core values and integrity are critical. While I try to live by the Golden Rule, not everyone you meet is looking out for you or has your best interests in mind.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
At this point in time, I’m likely giving away a future idea that is outside the scope of realistic consideration. So while I can’t imagine when this would be possible, as a kid I could also not have fathomed the internet or AI. My idea: When teleportation is available to the masses (yes teleportation), I feel there could still be fees and limits associated with its use (similar to airline booking and tickets), so too many people don’t show up to the same place at the same time. You wouldn’t want everyone to suddenly appear at a Taylor Swift concert on the other side of the country or outside the Super Bowl five minutes before the game, creating congestion and chaos. Dynamic pricing (see StubHub) based on destination demand would drive “traveler” fees. How this would all work is beyond my comprehension, so I’ll leave that for another generation.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
While likely not the best answer, it’s Google Sheets. I use it a ton for work, but also for family travel, the home budget, and as a way to keep track of everything. Files are easy to find and share, and I don’t have to worry about saving changes or accidentally deleting something important I spent hours working on.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that has resonated with me lately is Scarcity, specifically how different things can decrease our mental bandwidth, distorting the way we process information and make decisions. Recognizing that I cannot truly multitask, or when my mind is full, the capacity to think about or discuss other things is limiting. Having this insight at times helps me better manage how I operate and interact with others.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently finished watching the second season of Tokyo Vice. While shows about underground gangs of Tokyo is not a genre I typically watch, there were a few things I enjoyed about it. Overall, I liked the story and mystery that unfolded over the two seasons. Each episode ended in somewhat of a cliffhanger, so I found myself watching part of the next episode each time I watched it. I liked that the show was primarily in the local language and integrated elements of Japanese culture into the series. I also had to pay more attention because of the subtitles 🙂 Finally, it was recommended by my dad, so I was able to share that experience with him.
Key learnings
- Accomplishing even small things helps contribute to a fulfilling day.
- The benefits of staying curious and open to new experiences build over time and can lead to unexpected future opportunities.
- Changing your scenery throughout the day, even briefly, refocuses or resets the mind and lets new ideas in.