Jon Mest is the CEO of ChatRank and JustReachOut, where he operates at the intersection of data, growth, and marketing. Throughout his career, he has worked across companies like Thomas Weisel Partners, 1010data, and Sika Health, building a strong foundation in using data to drive scalable growth strategies.

At ChatRank, Jon is focused on helping businesses win in the era of AI-driven search, where relevance and quality matter more than ad spend. He also leads JustReachOut, a PR platform that enables companies to secure media coverage through targeted outreach, analytics, and proven frameworks. With a background in applied mathematics from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Wharton School, Jon brings a data-driven perspective to helping businesses amplify their visibility and compete more effectively in evolving digital landscapes.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 - Intro
01:24 - Jon's Journey Through Data, Growth, and Startups
03:16 - Building ChatRank and JustReachOut
05:21 - How AI Is Reshaping Startup Teams
07:55 - Why Jon Chose Bootstrapping Over Venture Capital
10:51 - Building the Product You Actually Need
14:35 - How AI Search Is Changing Brand Discovery
16:56 - The New Rules for Startup Growth in 2026
21:38 - Building an AI-First Startup Team
26:26 - Jon's Favorite Activity To Get Into a Flow State
27:23 - Jon's Piece Of Advice For His Younger Self
28:55 - Jon's Biggest Challenges at ChatRank and JustReachOut
31:03 - Instrumental Resources For Jon's Success
33:46 - What Does Success Mean for Jon Today
35:37 - Get In Touch With Jon

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