A Comedian, A Salon Business and A Software Geek with Erika Wasser

Lifetime at Work: Interviews with Founders, Investors and Advisors

Episode 73. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Erika Wasser, co-founder of Prospr, a software tool designed to manage frontline employees across multiple locations.

Erica shares her journey from starting a salon chain to co-founding a software company, discussing the challenges faced by non-technical founders, the social importance of salons and barbershops, and the common issues in managing deskless workforces. The conversation delves into the significance of well-informed teams for customer experience, the power of culture-building tools, and strategies for overcoming communication barriers in large-scale businesses.

Erika also provides insights on the role of AI in frontline operations, the importance of inclusivity and flexibility for employees, and her personal experiences with failure and resilience in entrepreneurship.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 00:16 Meet Erica Wasser: From Standup Comedian to Entrepreneur
• 01:09 The Birth of Prosper: Solving Frontline Communication Challenges
• 02:19 Real-World Examples of Communication Breakdowns
• 05:23 Building Prosper: A Non-Technical Founder’s Journey
• 07:49 Erica’s Career Journey: From Entertainment to Salons
• 12:12 The Role of AI and Technology in Frontline Work
• 17:51 Engaging Frontline Employees: Strategies and Insights
• 22:58 The Chipotle Effect
• 23:38 Challenges in Building a Business
• 25:15 The Software Industry Transition
• 26:53 The Unique Salon Experience
• 29:47 Navigating Growth and Marketing
• 32:29 The Future of Venture Capital
• 36:30 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 38:34 Conclusion and Contact Information