Wayne Schepens, an accomplished cybersecurity professional and strategic leader, has served as the managing director at LaunchTech Communications since January 2015. With over 20 years of cybersecurity experience, Wayne Schepens co-founded Soteria Network Technologies and later transitioned it into Lookingglass Cyber Solutions. His expertise extends to various domains, including go-to-market strategies, product positioning, and analyst relations.
His career includes a pivotal role as vice president at W2 Communications from 2010 to 2014. During his time there, Mr. Schepens led groundbreaking initiatives in go-to-market services, product messaging, and strategic positioning for technology companies. His impactful contributions helped build W2 Communications’ security practice.
Apart from his professional achievements, Mr. Schepens has been an active mentor and support team member at Mach 37, where he imparts his extensive knowledge of go-to-market campaigns, media relations, and fundraising for start-ups to cohorts. His commitment to community service is evident through his donations to Lady of the Fields Catholic Church, the American Heart Association, and Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
Mr. Schepens holds a master’s degree in systems engineering from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the State University of New York Maritime College. He has earned numerous accolades, including the Superior Civilian Service Award.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I often work out in the morning before work but sometimes hit it after work or in the evening. During the morning, I am busy supporting existing cybersecurity clients or meeting with new business prospects that are made up of emerging cybersecurity companies. I typically skip lunch and spend the afternoon writing and/or catching up on my work tasks. That could be anything from documenting meeting outcomes in SalesForce, reaching out to new prospects, working on reporting revenue and metrics to the Board of Directors or strategizing on new product releases. I manage my day with my calendar and task lists.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Typically, an idea I pursue comes from an opportunity for improvement or a direct need that I run across. I find the best way to attack them is to not spend too much time overanalyzing. I like to pick a direction and run with it. If it’s not the right direction, I will figure it out fast and adjust, but if it is, I saved time by being decisive.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I am very interested in how AI can help make analysts more efficient by digesting large amounts of data in a very short timeframe while aiding in documenting results clearly and concisely. I think there is a lot we can learn by leveraging AI for mundane activities while spending more time on more complex issues.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Being proactive vs reactive.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Keep on truckin.’ You had it right, make sure you don’t get too serious and bogged down with concerns or worry about how things will work out. They always seem to, no matter how difficult the challenge. You certainly will face struggles, but keeping an even keel and continuing to have fun along the way is what makes life great and you successful. And finally, if you don’t know if you can afford to attain a major goal… pull the trigger… the added pressure will force you to find a way.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That I am super positive most of the time.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Be confident in your convictions and behaviors no matter what others think. It’s not about impressing others, it’s about being yourself.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Sometimes I just take a break and do some sort of manual labor. This is why I coach high school baseball. It gives me a chance, at the end of the day, to completely shift my mindset from working in a technical environment to just doing what I love where I love to do it. Being so good at something that you don’t have to think is wonderful. You just go into auto-mode, and it gives your mind a rest.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Lead with yourself and lean on your experiences. Always be your best salesman. The best way to earn new business is to demonstrate value and provide validation. Sharing prior experiences and examples of how you helped is absolutely critical. And establishing rapport with your prospects makes it easy for them to trust you. Trust is everything. If you believe it, it will be easy to convince others.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Moving too fast can sometime come with painful consequences. However, if it’s done in the right setting, it also can be your biggest asset.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Ha! Easy. I have been talking about this for more than five years. Everyone takes tons and tons of digital pictures with your phones. And no matter how well you try to search using timelines or organizing in folders, its often a challenge to find that one you can clearly picture in your mind that you took or was sent to you. We need an app that can see what you see or envision what you envision and then produce the image. It needs to happen instantly without query or thoughtt.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I love using my Slopes app for skiing. It’s so fun seeing how fast you went and how much vertical you skied. But if we are talking about productivity, I love using RightCapital financial planning software. It gives me great comfort knowing I can plan out the rest of my life and have an over 90% confidence in achieving those goals.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of my favorite books is Richistan. It explores the rise of self-made millionaires and billionaires in America, showing how they live, spend, and struggle with wealth in ways that set them apart from old-money elites. It taught me that everyone has issues no matter their situation. It also showed the pitfalls to avoid as you build your wealth. In the end, you can’t take your money with you so you may as well enjoy the ride.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I love Breaking Bad and have rewatched the series eight times. It is a great way for me to relax (watching something I have already seen) and calm my mind at the end of the night. The series is great in how it shows the difference between everyone’s struggles around the same issue. Walter White’s lifestyle change impacts everyone in the family and outside of the family differently. And it’s amazing to see the chain of events one change can initiate.
Key learnings
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. And give yourself a break, you don’t have to be everything to everyone.
- Take risks, it’s the only way to get ahead.
- If you demand success, it will come.
- Always “embrace the suck” as it is those who do that will build the tools to excel.
- Fill your day with variety, it is the spice of life!