In this episode, we hear from Todd McKinnon, co-founder and CEO of Okta, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey. He highlights the importance of staying true to your vision, even when the odds are stacked against you. Todd discusses the need for careful yet bold decision-making when there’s no safety net and stresses the significance of timing the market and tackling the right challenges. He also offers valuable insights on creating a strong company culture, effective hiring practices—including the importance of thorough reference checks—and managing relationships with investors and board members. As the company grows, he emphasizes trusting your instincts and nurturing a culture of continuous innovation.