TLDR;
In this episode of Unencrypted Chatter, Cheri Hotman, founder of The Hotman Group, shares her journey from corporate cybersecurity to entrepreneurship. She discusses the importance of company culture, the challenges of sales and marketing, and the need for adaptability in business. Cheri also highlights the significance of people and processes in building effective security programs, emphasizing that technology alone is not enough.
- Cheri's transition from corporate to entrepreneurship was driven by a desire for a better work environment and the opportunity to help multiple companies.
- Building a people-focused culture and recognizing the value of young, passionate team members has been crucial to her company's success.
- Overcoming the challenges of sales and marketing required Cheri to seek help and delegate tasks to experts.
- Adaptability and a willingness to adjust plans are essential for navigating the unpredictable nature of business.
- Effective security programs rely on people and processes, not just technology, and require ongoing effort and improvement.
Welcome to Unencrypted Chatter [0:14]
Joe Patty and Serenity Smile introduce the podcast and guest Cheri Hotman, founder of The Hotman Group, focusing on her entrepreneurial journey in cybersecurity. The episode is part of an entrepreneurship series.
Meet Cheri Hotman, Founder of The Hotman Group [0:23]
Cheri Hotman is introduced as the founder of The Hotman Group. The hosts express their excitement to learn about her experiences in starting and running her own cybersecurity company.
Why Cheri Left Corporate Life [0:39]
Cheri explains her decision to leave corporate life due to a toxic environment that affected her health and well-being. She wanted to pursue her passion for cybersecurity and help companies protect their data and people. This transition allowed her to assist multiple organizations and address diverse challenges, which she found more fulfilling.
Passion for Cybersecurity & Helping Companies [1:23]
Cheri discusses her passion for cybersecurity and her desire to help companies improve their security posture. She enjoys solving complex problems and protecting data and people. Her move to entrepreneurship allowed her to work with various companies and tackle different challenges.
From One Boss to Many: Clients & Teams [1:51]
Cheri jokes about the misconception that entrepreneurs don't have bosses, clarifying that she now has numerous "bosses" in the form of clients, staff, and partners. This highlights the responsibility and accountability that come with running a business.
Building a People-Focused Culture [2:30]
Cheri emphasizes the importance of intentionally building a positive company culture at The Hotman Group. She values her team members, especially the younger generation, and enjoys mentoring them. She appreciates their fresh perspectives and critical thinking skills, which complement her experience.
Starting Solo or Growing a Team? [3:57]
Cheri admits she didn't initially plan to grow a team. Her primary focus was on quality of life and leveraging her past contracting experience. However, as her network expanded and opportunities arose, she realized the potential for growth. COVID-19 surprisingly boosted her business due to the increased need for cybersecurity with remote work.
COVID’s Unexpected Impact on Business Growth [4:55]
Cheri notes that the COVID-19 pandemic led to unexpected business growth due to the increased need for cybersecurity as more people worked from home. This period was one of the busiest for her company.
Challenges of Being an Entrepreneur [6:17]
The hosts transition to discussing the challenges Cheri faced as an entrepreneur, acknowledging that there were likely "bumps along the way."
Sales & Marketing as the Biggest Hurdle [6:37]
Cheri identifies sales and marketing as her biggest challenge, as she prefers focusing on the technical work. She acknowledges the importance of these functions and relies on her team members who excel in those areas. She learned that aligning work activities with personal strengths leads to greater enjoyment and success.
Learning to Ask for Help & Delegate [8:26]
Cheri discusses the importance of recognizing one's limitations and seeking help from experts. She realized she didn't need to be a marketing or legal expert and instead partnered with professionals in those fields. This shift lightened her mental load and allowed her to focus on her strengths.
Hard Lessons in Trust & Legal Protections [10:08]
Cheri shares that she wishes she had known earlier that not everyone has your best interests at heart. She emphasizes the importance of having proper insurance and legal documentation to protect the business. She advises entrepreneurs to consult with attorneys to understand the liabilities and risks involved.
Planning vs. Adaptability in Business [13:15]
Cheri reflects on the importance of having a business plan but also being adaptable. While planning can save time and effort, being too rigid can cause one to miss opportunities. She emphasizes the need to balance intentionality with the ability to seize moments and make good business decisions for the long term.
Healing After Corporate Burnout [15:04]
Cheri shares that after leaving her stressful corporate job, she took time to heal and invested in coaching training to become a better leader. This period of self-improvement helped her to get over the burnout and prepare for her next move. She advises others in similar situations to allow themselves time to recover before making major decisions.
From Coaching Training to Cybersecurity Consulting [17:09]
Cheri discusses how her coaching training helped her transition into cybersecurity consulting. The training improved her ability to empathize and lead, which were valuable skills in her new role.
Starting the Business & Landing First Clients [17:56]
Cheri reveals that she started her LLC before leaving her corporate job. After completing her coaching training, she reached out to her network and quickly landed her first clients.
Cybersecurity Challenges Today [18:46]
The conversation shifts to current cybersecurity challenges. Cheri, drawing from her consulting experience, shares insights into the common issues she observes across different organizations.
Understaffed Teams & Compliance Pressures [19:16]
Cheri notes that most of her clients are understaffed in their cybersecurity teams. She also observes that many companies focus on compliance due to customer pressure and regulatory requirements. They often get bogged down in questionnaires and certifications.
Beyond Compliance: Building Real Security Programs [21:16]
Cheri stresses that compliance should be a means to an end, not the end itself. The true goal is to build a robust security program that protects the business, data, and people. She emphasizes that compliance is intended to mitigate risk and provide a baseline for security.
People & Process Over Technology [21:36]
Cheri emphasizes that cybersecurity is a "people process game" and that technology alone is not sufficient. She highlights the importance of getting people to change their behavior and adopt secure practices. Coaching and accountability are essential for driving these changes.
Closing Thoughts & Takeaways [22:13]
The hosts thank Cheri for sharing her experiences and insights. They appreciate her analogies and express interest in having her on the show again. Cheri thanks the hosts for the opportunity to join the podcast.