Leading with Intention and Insight: Lessons from the Startup Journey with Adam Hill

In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts, Jesse Freese sits down with Adam Hill, seasoned startup leader and one of StartupExperts’ 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025.

Adam shares his journey through the startup ecosystem — from co-founding an accelerator in North Carolina to leading People Operations and recruiting for venture-backed tech companies in New York. Now at Sidecar, a FinTech supporting early-stage investors, Adam reflects on what he’s learned across five startups and one recent acquisition.

Together, Jesse and Adam explore the realities of startup leadership: building processes that scale, learning from hindsight moments, and balancing ambition with well-being. Adam also shares his insights on the evolving role of AI in hiring and the importance of staying intentional about your career — from setting clear expectations to knowing when to walk away.

Tune in for an honest, down-to-earth conversation about growth, reflection, and leading with intention in the fast-paced world of startups.