No episode 93 from AmplificaCast, Eric Klein welcomes Taize Wessner, president of Virtueyes, for an intense and inspiring conversation about how build a successful business without giving up her personal essence, values and faith. Taize's trajectory combines discipline, strategic vision and strong family roots that, together, have led her to become one of the main leaders in the technology focused on the Internet of Things (IoT).
The origin: family roots and the first contact with entrepreneurship
Taize's journey began in her teens, when at the age of 14 she decided to trade her allowance for work in her father's business. Still unsure of what she wanted to be in the future, she already demonstrated something essential for anyone seeking build a successful business: ambition, responsibility and discipline. This early experience, combined with the family's entrepreneurial environment, formed the foundations of what would become his growth mindset.
The school of scarcity: lessons learned at the family-owned distributor
Working at a security equipment distributor with few resources and high financial complexity was a milestone in her training. Taize faced low margins, high default rates and the constant need to negotiate with banks. In this challenging environment, she learned firsthand what not to do when trying to build a solid business.
The main lesson? Avoid capital-intensive businesses without a financial structure. For those who want to know how to build a successful business, understanding the limits of cash flow and the viability of the model is essential. It was in this context that Taize developed crucial skills such as resilience, leadership under pressure and reading complex financial scenarios.
The Turning Point: Building Virtueyes with a Customer and Technology Focus
In 2012, after selling the distributor, the opportunity arose to invest in a new business. With the encouragement of her father, Taize founded Virtueyes, focused on the Internet of Things market. Starting with just three people and a lot of determination, she knew how to use previous difficulties as a guide for how to build a successful business based on customer experience, innovation and personalized solutions.
Today, Virtueyes serves sectors such as agribusiness, electronic security and smart cities, growing at double digits per year. The strategy of actively listening to customers and co-creating solutions has been one of the pillars of growth. For Taize, it is not just about technology, but about delivering real value, something that is only possible with listening, empathy and impeccable execution.
Leadership with Purpose: How to Build Teams and Scale with Culture
During the episode, Taize shares her insights on lead with values, something vital when we talk about how to build a successful business. The selection of executives at Virtueyes goes beyond technical skills; it seeks people with a sparkle in their eyes, a thirst for learning, and who align with the company's principles.
For her, organizational culture is as important as strategy. Therefore, she establishes clear processes, regular feedback cycles, and a governance structure that balances autonomy with responsibility. This management focused on high performance and mutual respect guarantees sustainable results and an environment where talents thrive.
Agenda, discipline and execution
One of Taize’s most memorable statements is about the importance of a well-organized schedule. She rejects the myth of the “success schedule” and emphasizes that each person needs to find a rhythm that works for them. However, she emphasizes that discipline and clear priorities are essential for anyone who wants to know how to build a successful business.
In her routine, client visits, internal mentoring, strategic planning and even moments of faith are previously organized. This structure allows her to be present where it really matters — with clients, strategic decisions and team development.
Faith as a foundation for difficult decisions
Unlike many executives, Taize speaks naturally about the role of faith in her journey. For her, trusting in spiritual principles, such as the belief that “all things work together for good,” is an essential emotional support in the face of crises, losses and critical decisions.
She believes that knowing how to build a successful business involves maintaining serenity even in uncertain times. This balance between reason and spirituality strengthens her ability to lead, make firm decisions and inspire those around her.
Innovation that comes from the customer
Another key point of the episode is Taize's view on innovation. For her, real innovation does not arise in isolated laboratories, but in direct contact with the customer. By visiting companies, listening to real pain points and participating in meetings with the sales team, she is able to identify opportunities that make a difference.
This approach is a concrete example of how to build a successful business: placing the customer at the center of the strategy, strengthening the relationship and transforming feedback into new products, improvements and competitive advantages.
Advice for female executives
In closing, Taize leaves a direct message for women who aspire to leadership positions. She states that self-confidence is built daily, facing the fear of making mistakes, the fear of exposing oneself and the constant comparison with others. For those who dream of starting a business or advancing in their career, it is essential to remember that learning how to build a successful business also requires emotional courage and inner strength.
She encourages other women to share their stories, speak up in meetings and believe that they are capable, even when the corporate environment seems hostile. Female representation in leadership is still low, but with courage and authenticity, it is possible to change this scenario.
Taize Wessner's story shows that build a successful business It requires strategic vision, courage to start over and discipline to sustain growth with purpose.
If you haven’t listened to episode 93 of AmplificaCast yet, search for it now on Spotify or YouTube. It’s almost two hours of high-value content for CEOs, technology managers and entrepreneurs who are looking to take things to the next level.
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