Episode 14

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Published on:

6th Jul 2020

Maestros of Infrastructure

From the halls of Julliard to the world of critical infrastructure, twin brothers Zachary Smith and Jacob Smith have been orchestrating their careers and approaching business through a balanced left and right-brain strategy that includes discipline, learning, rules, creativity, problem-solving and an openness to integrating “outside voices.”

Innovating at the intersection of hardware and software and known in the industry as the founders of Packet, now an Equinix Company, the brothers started off as musicians, before transitioning from music to the technology space. Zach left his double bass behind twenty years ago to start a web hosting business for his music friends. Jacob became involved in the technology space much later, after a career as a professional bassoonist and a digital marketer. 

In 2014, the brothers decided to try a venture together, their first joint effort since starting a lawn mowing business together as kids! They co-founded Packet, a company focused on the automation of infrastructure with Zach as CEO and Jacob as CMO. Their mission was to create a more efficient model for how technology is bought, sold, consumed and leveraged. The time was right as the world of specialized hardware was becoming more important even while users were being abstracted away from it. On top of that, there was an impending generational shift in the profile of buyers—from IT-focused buyers to developers or software-focused buyers.

This #NomadFuturist podcast unveils their incredible journey, passions and insights about what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs in the world of critical infrastructure—both on a professional and personal level. They offer the following advice for those interested in transitioning into the space:

“Anytime is a good time to enter the tech space as technology is changing so fast. You must be willing to ask questions and be the dumbest person in the room. Then surround yourself with people who are way smarter than you and figure out what you can do better than them!”

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About the Podcast

Nomad Futurist
The #nomadfuturist show is a true tech podcast phenomenon. The two hosts are technologists and futurists, so they really know their stuff, and following their in-depth conversations feels like you have a backstage pass to a gathering of the best of the
The nomads put a new spin on the tech genre by shining a light not only on technology but also on the human side of the digital age. Tune in if you find yourself thinking about how to integrate into the digital landscape and be a part of the evolving industry.

For over two decades, Phil and Nabeel have provided a powerful catalyst for organizations to create a vision of the future and the will to innovate. As futurists, they deliver a dynamic and entertaining vision of change, blending technology, economics, demographics, culture, and human nature.

With real business experience and a deep understanding of technology, the two nomads know the difference between science fiction and useful forecasting. Rather than focusing on the distant future, they devote themselves to scanning the horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, thereby sharing a compelling vision of tomorrow’s opportunities.