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says I want to be part of something, the answer is, ‘Absolutely.’ ”
Oakley describes the immediate impact for Vibenomics, which
had been in operation at the time for less than six months.
The investor reaction went from “it’s an interesting idea, but I
probably won’t get involved because I don’t know these guys running
it” to “it’s an interesting idea; with somebody like McCorkle being
behind it, now we’ll put some money down.”
High Alpha, Hyde Park and Allos Ventures were all part of a
2017 funding round.
Oakley adds that McCorkle’s presence has also attracted high-
quality talent in a very competitive landscape.
“Scott, when he gets a vision … it is so clear, so direct. I don’t
think that can be taught. It is amazing to watch it happen. I consider
myself a hard worker but I’ve never seen anybody in my entire career
that has a motor like Scott. And the genuineness in how he does it. He
treats everybody in the organization the same.
“He doesn’t expect the same work ethic from you,” Oakley goes
on, “but he pulls you along. Eventually you will start working that
hard or you will get left behind – and you don’t want that to happen.”
Webber cites hard work, strategic thinking and people skills as
primary attributes for McCorkle. “He is so passionate about what he
does from a work perspective. He does what very successful people do
– he lives it seven days a week.”
Dorsey disputes the “workaholic” label for McCorkle, citing the
latter’s commitment to family and community pursuits. But he does
contend that “Scott is tremendously driven, a hard worker and will do
what it takes to get the job done.”
Final thoughts
McCorkle on giving back: “There were those along the way who
sure helped me in feedback, investments, introductions. There is a
feeling then of wanting to help others. It’s also that it’s just fun to do,
to see ideas come to life and to be part of the brainstorming or
feedback around those ideas.”
On entrepreneurs and ideas: “Clearly, entrepreneurs come up
with ideas. But it’s the rare entrepreneur that’s also the inventing
entrepreneur. Torchlite is Susan Marshall’s idea and it’s a great idea,
and I feel like I’m every bit the entrepreneur helping her make her
idea successful. Don’t sit around with a bunch of crappy ideas slowing
you up from being an entrepreneur.”
His passion for products: “It is the active creation – it’s making
something out of something. It’s the most fun you can have working,
being part of a team and a company that conceives some idea that
should exist to solve some problem, then building that. That’s what I
love to do. I’m a product person at heart. That active creation is
addicting.”
Outlook for the next three to five years: “I think it’s, see how
things develop. Growing companies, helping companies be successful,
working hard to provide a return for investors. There’s a lot of work
ahead with these companies, but it’s very exciting.”
Tiffany and Scott McCorkle with ExactTarget co-founder Chris Baggott
(back to the camera) at Rise of the Rest. 120WaterAudit, where Tiffany is
COO, earned the $100,000 pitch prize.
McCorkle answers questions from panelists during his “pitch” at the Rise of the Rest tour stop in Indianapolis in mid-October. The Vibenomics name was
unveiled that day.