Written by Julie Lokun, JD The Mediacasters LLC
Cody Harvey, one of the founders of Kennected, is hard to quantify. It is difficult to put this country -boy -done -good into a box. Harvey is an unlikely CEO who prides himself on family, authentic connections, and serial entrepreneurship. The genesis of Harvey’s love for entrepreneurship began less than a decade ago as he perfected the art of couch surfing with a net worth of one dollar. The last dollar in his pocket became the fuel for him to never look back and drive sustainable success. Fast forward to the present day, Harvey reigns over a multi-million-dollar empire.
Harvey’s brainchild, Kennected, is an Indiana-based tech company that is reimagining what tech should look like. Kennected provides sales enablement tools that specialize in outreach & prospecting. This evolution of Harvey’s and CEO Devin Johnson’s vision is met with critical acclaim as Kennected continues to land on the Inc 5000’s list for two consecutive years.
Harvey’s journey from LA Fitness Manger to multi-million-dollar CEO is built on the foundation that a hearty handshake and eye-to-eye connection, trump everything. Harvey commands corporate brilliance in an old-fashioned way, reminiscent of the 20th-century tycoons. The Kennected team weaves a fine balance between innovation and reverence toward pioneers of the past. Ultimately, Harvey believes relationships are everything.
How is Cody Harvey doing things differently?
Harvey, along with his four partners, understood from day one that tech innovation must embrace pioneers from the past. This business strategy is a nod to past leaders in the tech world, understanding their successes and then taking them to the next level.
The leaders at Kennected chose to execute their mission with a 360-degree approach. This approach was conceived by understanding the deficits in the market and formulating proactive solutions.
While not physically located in Silicon Valley, the valley vibe is palpable. While nestled in the bustling city of Indianapolis, the forward-thinking Kennected team prides itself on embracing Midwest cultural norms that exude an indescribable warmth. The objective is to offer a Google-esque quality, anchored in good old-fashioned norms and values. The corporate structure offers a fervent reminder of the laissez-faire constructs of tech demi-gods, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. However, what sets them apart is their unrelenting commitment to building authentic relationships while providing state-of-the-art technology.
What is your business name and how do you help your clients?
Kennected Inc. and Breakout Social are tools facilitating massive growth and networking opportunities for businesses worldwide. The foundational principle the software offers is premised on relationship building. Kennected propels business relationships and prospecting through lead generation tools, while Breakout Social fuels professional networking using a voice audio app. It all boils down to providing clients with the technology they need to build meaningful relationships, save time, and simplify opportunities. Kennected and Breakout are both technological innovations that have the underpinnings that create exponential opportunities for growth. Tell us more about the founders Cody Harvey: Co-Founder and President of Kennected Inc and CEO of Breakout Social With one dollar in his pocket, Cody Harvey co-founded Kennected, an Inc. 5000 tech company that is revolutionizing business. Fast forward five years, Cody is sitting at the helm of a multi-million-dollar business and is reimagining leadership by going back to the basics. Cody is an emerging leader who understands the need for innovation while embracing the lasting power of a handshake. Cody is driven by connection and is democratizing barriers for creatives, entrepreneurs, and businesses through social audio.
Devin Johnson Co-Founder and CEO of Kennected Inc Devin is the current Chief Executive Officer of Kennected - an Indy-based SaaS company with over 15,000 users. He is a serial entrepreneur, an inspiring leader, and an adept marketer. As the CEO of Kennected, Devin directs the daily workflow and is responsible for the overall success of over 100 + employees and reaching over $15m in sales in gross total. His leadership led to Kennected being a recipient of the coveted INC. 5000 ranking at 583 - for 832% growth in 2021. His vision is to build a world where people value relationships even more than money; where people feel inspired to help their fellow business professionals each and every day. This vision has directly led to Kennected being voted a “Top Place to Work” in Indianapolis. Devin’s employees see him as an inspirational and empathetic thought leader who always maintains both a positive work environment and a culture of hard work, thoughtfulness, and understanding. He always leads by example - bringing out the absolute best in others.
What kind of audience do you target your business towards?
The Kennected team focuses on providing small and medium-sized business owners with accessible products to maximize growth and networking. Without creating a powerful base of networking opportunities, a business will fail. Harvey and his team understand the pain points of an emerging business leader and educate, innovate, and prepare for challenges in their business models.
What are your current goals for your business?
Kennected is projected to develop a full sales enablement platform within the next year, to help business owners scale their businesses. Harvey and Johnson are leading the Growth as a Service revolution (as opposed to the standard SaaS–Software as a Service). GaaS is the brainchild of Harvey and Johnson, born as a direct result of the struggles they see within the constructs of emerging business models. The concept of GaaS radically changes the blueprint in the tech world by simplifying growth opportunities for solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Growth is the key component in building a sustainable business, and Kennected is forging the way to fuel businesses with opportunities with an easy-to-use UX. Driven by results, GaaS will efficiently impact the bottom line. More specifically, GaaS will house products and develop innovative tools that ensure growth by removing the middleman and providing structure for business planning. With the immense financial pressure 2022 has created for many businesses, GaaS looks to create products that are inflation-proof and combat volatility. This looks like software that enables talent acquisition, lead generation, and accessible document preparation, just to name a few. The Kennected team is committed to rolling out high-quality software that is easy to use and will hit projected milestones. Migrating from the standard "SaaS" company to "GaaS"is a calculated deviation from the norm.
What is social audio?
Social audio is where social media meets audio conversations. These conversations have the potential to create professional relationships with people all over the world. It has been said that social audio is like networking on steroids. The power of our voices is the most organic connector human beings possess and social audio facilitates this with simplicity and ease. The Breakout App simplifies the networking experience and enriches the process by facilitating real-time conversations.
How is social audio different from social media?
Social audio refers to the use of audio-based platforms and technologies for social interaction and communication. The power of social audio lies in its ability to create a more intimate and authentic form of communication compared to traditional social media platforms. Unlike social media, where users often curate a polished and filtered image of themselves, social audio allows for spontaneous, unscripted conversations that are more true to the speaker´s personality and character. Additionally, social audio provides a platform for individuals to connect with others in real time, creating a sense of community and belonging. As social audio continues to grow in popularity, it is likely to become an increasingly important tool for individuals and businesses to build meaningful connections and relationships online. Social audio allows for real-time information, from people you would otherwise not be able to connect with. You can voice your opinion on topics and have real-time conversations that propel progress. All humans desire to be heard and validated, this platform allows for all voices to be heard.
Tell us more about the power of social audio!
Social audio differs because it is a voice-only app. Social audio detours from filtered pictures, fancy short videos, or eye-inducing promotions. Social audio superstars are Clubhouse, Fireside, Twitter Spaces, and the newest addition to the social audio family, Breakout. Social audio is changing how people connect and network. Social audio provides real- time audio that allows listeners to participate in the dialog actively. Social audio offers a rich context to have conversations and connect on a deeper level.
How can your business transform using social audio?
One conversation can have a transformative effect on a business. Social audio is the conduit to these conversations. Social audio provides a road map to meaningful conversations and relationships, as it enables individuals and businesses to connect with others in real time and engage in authentic, unfiltered conversations. By using social audio platforms such as Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces, or podcasts, businesses can engage with their audience, gain valuable insights, and build strong relationships that can drive growth and success. Additionally, social audio provides a more human touch to communication, allowing businesses to create a sense of community and trust with their customers. By leveraging the power of social audio, businesses can transform their entire approach to communication and relationship-building, leading to improved customer engagement and overall success.
What is the Breakout App?
Breakout social audio app offers a unique approach to catapult businesses, creatives, and podcasters into a larger arena of networks. Breakout prides itself as the first social audio app that allows its users to monetize and disseminate their brand and messaging globally. Networking, collaborations, partnerships, and friendships are plentiful on this app. According to Cody Harvey, “Breakout has been met with wild success in the beta version and the official version of Breakout Social will launch mid-May”.
What is Kennected Inc?
Kennected is a premiere sales enablement platform that focuses on lead generation for business owners. It has been exalted as an Inc 5000 top private company for the past 2 years.
What is most important about building a business– take on the future of the tech sector, what does the landscape looks like for tech entrepreneurs and CEOS?
Rule 1: It is imperative to have the right people surrounding you. The foundation of every business should be predicated on the importance of their most intimate relationships. CEOs need to understand that to be successful people trump profits every day.
Rule 2: CEOs need to be conscious of the team they build. It is a must to have a team who compliments your weaknesses. This begins by being self-aware about leadership styles, strengths, and weaknesses and optimizing internal potential.
Rule 3: Leave your ego at the door. CEOs should not be driven by ego because it can have a detrimental effect on their decision-making and leadership style. When a CEO is solely focused on their personal image and reputation, they may prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability, leading to decisions that are not in the best interest of the company or its stakeholders. Additionally, a CEO driven by ego may struggle with delegation, micromanage their team, and refuse to listen to feedback, hindering innovation and growth. Instead, CEOs should focus on building a culture of collaboration and transparency, where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and concerns. They should prioritize the company´s values and goals over their personal ambitions and be willing to take accountability for their actions. Ultimately, a CEO who leads with humility and a commitment to the greater good of the company and its stakeholders is more likely to achieve sustained success and leave a positive legacy.
What are the concerns you see in the tech industry and how can they be mitigated?
The tech landscape is experiencing growing pains- but it is important to recognize opportunities. Opportunities present themselves in both finding talent and recognizing what is broken. The magic of innovation is born when things are dismantled. There is an opportunity to course correct and return stronger. With the looming onset of a recession and increased inflation, companies are being preemptive but cutting costs and taking radical measures to survive. This downturn in the market is part of a natural business cycle so you need to be prepared with appropriate capital. It is important to be proactive instead of reactive. The fun part is when the market zigs-you have the power to zag.
How do you scale a team with a modern approach?
Today’s workforce values servant leadership and empathy. Take the time to understand what your employees want and need. Employees are not focused on the dollar amount, like in days past, they are hungry for work-life balance and fulfillment. Creating a company culture is critical to the overall health of any business. Building a team that thrives is about building a vision that is bigger than any of us. Everyone, instinctually, wants to be a part of something big and leave a legacy. As a CEO or entrepreneur, we have the power to be inclusive in something so powerful. Take time and invest in a three-dimensional approach to developing your team. Once you have identified the driving force behind your teams reevaluate your internal structure. Be creative and infuse a corporate culture that is in direct alignment with the vision of all.
How is AI going to change how people do business with each other?
AI is projected to be an integral cog in the modern business model. AI will make things more efficient, and quicker and eliminate nominal jobs. While the reduction of nominal jobs may seem ominous, AI promises to offer a higher value on creativity. Our voices, vision, thoughts, and perspectives cannot (yet) be captured through artificial intelligence, thus creatives will be in high demand. AI has the power to streamline output in the corporate landscape, which can lead to cost savings and improved performance. AI can also provide businesses with valuable insights and data analysis, helping them make informed decisions and identify new opportunities. The exciting part of the future of AI is that it will improve customer experiences, with chatbots and virtual assistants providing personalized and immediate assistance. However, with these benefits come some challenges, such as ensuring the ethical and responsible use of AI and managing the potential displacement of jobs. The onset of AI will soon become a staple in the day-to-day life of all businesses and with strategic implementation, there will be an immense ROI.
