TheBridge profile: Nick Myers
Name: Nick Myers
Current city: Boston, MA
Current job: CEO & Co-founder, Phoenix Tailings
Past job: Lead Associate at Techstars
Q. How are you currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? Phoenix Tailings is the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company. By harvesting the value held within mining waste, Phoenix Tailings creates metals without any direct carbon emissions or toxic byproducts. Our products include rare earth metals, iron, PGMs, and pigments.
Q. Job advice in three words? Persistence and adaptability.
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? The Wing
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Policymakers can show innovators how innovation fits into the larger policy ecosystem. For example, Phoenix Tailings makes critical materials used in electric vehicles, which in turn are impacted by tax rebates, infrastructure spending around chargers, and many other public policy issues. While they do not impact Phoenix Tailings directly, it's important for innovators to be aware of them because of the second-order effects on startups and the larger economy.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Innovators can teach policymakers about unintended or unknown consequences of government policy. The best intentions from policymakers passing laws to encourage or discourage certain behavior can go awry when they do not fully understand their impact on companies. For example, many regulations passed to protect workers from dangerous factory conditions made sense at the time, but now they inadvertently make it harder to open modern, safe manufacturing facilities because the regulations have not been updated to reflect technological advances.
Q. Can you describe a skill you have carried throughout your career that has always proved to be valuable? The ability to identify and assess business opportunities. This skill involves being able to spot potential gaps in the market, and to evaluate the feasibility and potential profitability of a business idea. Additionally, having strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills is beneficial to overcoming the challenges a company faces on a daily basis.
Q. What is the best job interview question you have ever been asked? Give an example of a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Tatte Bakery
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend?
Books:
"Good to Great" by Jim Collins
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey
"The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber
"Start with Why" by Simon Sinek
Podcast: "Masters of Scale" LinkedIn
Long-form articles:
"The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton Christensen
"The Power of Vulnerability" by Brené Brown
"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz
Q. Why are you part of TheBridge community? Why do you think it's important this community exists for tech, policy and political professionals? TheBridge is a community of tech, policy, and political professionals, which aims to provide its members with resources, networking opportunities, and access to experts in order to help them navigate the intersection of technology and policy. This community is important because technology has become an integral part of our lives and it has a huge impact on our society and economy. With the rapid pace of technological innovation and the increasing impact of technology on policy and politics, it is important for professionals in these fields to stay informed and connect with others who share their interests and concerns. TheBridge helps its members to stay informed about the latest developments in technology and policy and provides them with the opportunity to connect with other professionals who are working on similar issues. It also helps them to gain a better understanding of how technology is shaping our world, and how they can use their skills and expertise to make a positive impact. Through its programs and events, it provides opportunities for members to learn from and connect with experts in their field and also to share knowledge and collaborate with others on important issues. In summary, TheBridge provides a valuable service to its members by helping them stay informed and connected in the fast-moving and rapidly evolving field of technology and policy. It also serves as an important platform for fostering collaboration and innovation among its members.
Q. Each day is different, but are there certain skills you think are essential to your job?: Persistence and discipline
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career? Be patient with yourself
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Not giving up
Q. If you had to live in another city, which would it be? San Diego
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