Podcast Summary: "How a $16 Million Start Up Is Revolutionizing Remote Work For Military Spouses" #154

Introduction In Episode #154 of "On The Homefront with Jeff Dudan," host Jeff Dudan engages in an in-depth conversation with Liza Rodewald, co-founder and CEO of Insta Teams. The episode delves into Liza's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges faced by military spouses in employment, and how Insta Teams is addressing these issues through innovative remote work solutions. Released on February 27, 2025, this episode offers valuable insights into building a mission-driven business that empowers a unique and underutilized talent pool.

Guest Background Liza Rodewald introduces herself as a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in software engineering and computer science. She has founded four different businesses and is deeply integrated into the military community as a military spouse. Living in North Carolina with her active-duty husband and four children, Liza brings a personal understanding of the mobility and employment challenges faced by military families.

Identifying the Problem: Military Spouses' Employment Challenges Liza highlights the significant employment hurdles for military spouses, noting that they face a five times higher underemployment rate compared to the national average. Despite 85% having some college education and 28% having owned or operated their own businesses, frequent relocations—averaging every 2.5 years—hamper their ability to maintain continuous employment. Liza emphasizes the untapped potential within this community, stating:

“There is this type of talent who have no idea how to connect with companies that have these remote opportunities that they can keep.”
(04:10)

Building Insta Teams: Solution and Model Insta Teams was founded to bridge the gap between skilled military spouses and businesses seeking reliable remote employees. Liza explains that the company employs over 500 professionals and runs a job board that connects military spouses with thousands of job opportunities. The focus is primarily on customer experience (CX) roles, leveraging the strong interpersonal and multitasking skills inherent in military spouses.

“Our attrition rate is really low... the dedication of military spouses to the job. Once they get them, the last thing they want to do when they move is start over again in the job.”
(10:40)

Technology and Business Strategy Liza discusses the technological innovations that set Insta Teams apart. Recognizing the limitations of traditional Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that often disqualify candidates with frequent relocations, Insta Teams developed a skills-based hiring platform. This system prioritizes skills over chronological resumes, ensuring that military spouses are given fair consideration based on their abilities and experiences.

“Make it a skills-based hiring platform where the skills come first, not a chronological resume.”
(14:27)

The company also invests in skills development through partnerships with Grow with Google, enhancing the employability of their community members in evolving fields like AI and cybersecurity.

Fundraising and Growth Raising $16 million in venture capital was a pivotal moment for Insta Teams. Liza attributes their successful fundraising to building authentic relationships with investors and maintaining transparent communication. Participating in the Founder Institute program played a crucial role in expanding her investment network, especially given the unique challenges of being a military spouse with familial responsibilities.

“There is a power in relationships and to be authentically building them along the journey.”
(55:54)

Remote Work Discussion The conversation shifts to the broader debate around remote work. Liza advocates for intentional and role-specific remote work strategies, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. She highlights the importance of balancing remote and in-person interactions to foster team cohesion and professional growth.

“There is not a one size fits all. For every demographic, age, role, all of that has to be taken into consideration.”
(34:33)

Company Values and Culture Insta Teams prides itself on strong core values that guide its operations and company culture. These include taking ownership, building teams, embracing change, and leading with intentional curiosity. Liza and Erica, the co-founder, actively promote these values through monthly and quarterly awards, ensuring that the internal team dynamics remain robust and aligned with the company's mission.

“We team build to build teams... making sure that that bond is strong and that we are in sync with each other.”
(61:40)

Future Plans Looking ahead, Liza envisions Insta Teams expanding its global footprint while continuing to be the largest employer of military spouses. She aims for the company to be recognized as a leader on a global scale, further empowering military families through sustainable remote employment opportunities.

“We want to continue to be the largest employer of military spouses. That's our goal.”
(63:18)

Conclusion and Contact Information In closing, Liza shares her philosophy of sticking to principles and never giving up, encapsulating the resilience required to build a successful venture. She encourages listeners to connect via LinkedIn or through the Insta Teams website for those interested in employment or partnership opportunities.

“Stick to your principles and your values and to never give up. Don't quit.”
(64:53)

Jeff Dudan wraps up the episode by thanking Liza for her inspiring insights and highlighting the impactful work Insta Teams is doing to revolutionize remote work for military spouses.

Key Takeaways

• Addressing Underemployment: Insta Teams effectively leverages the underutilized talent pool of military spouses by providing remote job opportunities tailored to their unique lifestyle.
• Innovative Technology: The shift to a skills-based hiring platform ensures that capable individuals are not disqualified due to frequent relocations.
• Strong Relationships: Building and maintaining authentic investor and partner relationships is crucial for successful fundraising and growth.
• Flexible Remote Work Strategies: An intentional, role-specific approach to remote work can enhance productivity and team cohesion.
• Core Values and Culture: Upholding strong core values fosters a resilient and aligned internal team, essential for scaling the business.

Notable Quotes

• “There is this type of talent who have no idea how to connect with companies that have these remote opportunities that they can keep.” (04:10)
• “Make it a skills-based hiring platform where the skills come first, not a chronological resume.” (14:27)
• “We want to continue to be the largest employer of military spouses. That's our goal.” (63:18)
• “Stick to your principles and your values and to never give up. Don't quit.” (64:53)

Contact Information

• LinkedIn: Liza Rodewald
• Website: instantteams.com

For military spouses seeking employment or companies interested in partnering with Insta Teams, visiting the website or reaching out via LinkedIn is encouraged.