Host Gregg Garrett speaks to Jacob Zuppke, President and CEO of Whisker, about how product-in-use data can become a meaningful voice for a product’s user – human or non-human – as well as Jacob’s career ascent as a Specialist Generalist. Jacob also shares his “Top 3”: Whisker founder Brad Baxter, who has bravely allowed him to lead; Josh Chandler, who problem-solves with him while burning the midnight oil; and his entire Whisker leadership team, who leads with humility and leans on one another. And you have to hear what he says about “going deep”.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

During this episode:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:11) Product-in-use data

(7:23) Meet Jacob Zuppke

The “Top Three”:

(10:39) Brad Baxter: Has bravely allowed Jacob to lead

(23:41) Josh Chandler: Problem-solves with Jacob while burning the midnight oil

(32:17) Jacob’s Whisker leadership team: Leads with humility and leans on one another

Other Points of Interest:

(41:51) Whisker’s home base

(45:15) The Connected World’s impact on pets

You Have to Hear This:

(53:30) “Going deep”

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Jacob Zuppke: LinkedIn

Whisker: LinkedIn | Website | Jobs

Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About

CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn

ABOUT JACOB ZUPPKE

Jacob’s passion for creative engineering solutions and innovative marketing campaigns has transformed Litter-Robot into one of the best-selling and highest-rated products on the international market. Since 2015 when Zuppke joined the team, Whisker has grown from 25 employees to 650+ employees. Jacob originally joined Whisker in 2015 as a marketing consultant, then became VP of Marketing & Business Development, Executive VP, COO, President, and then President & CEO in January 2022. 

Jacob is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, previously attending Oakland University. Prior to joining Whisker, he founded and grew two successful startup companies that were later acquired. Jacob’s dedication to innovation within pet care is influenced by his own pets. He, his wife, and their two daughters have 2 Siberian cats named Lexie and Phoebe, and a Yellow Labrador named Emma.