“You’re Incorrect, Tommy” - Inside Xtremepush’s Culture of Challenge

In this episode, Leo talks with Tommy Kearns about how rugby shaped the way he runs a company: trust, loyalty, accountability, direct feedback and a role for everyone. He is clear about what he does not want around him. "I don't want yes men around me." Everything gets challenged until the team reaches alignment, and then everyone commits.

He also covers the harder parts of the story. Tommy lost his money in the property crash after selling his Mexico business. Xtremepush was bootstrapped and profitable within 13 to 14 months. It then took growth capital in 2021 and went negative for nearly 24 months. He also talks about the 2023 Thunderbite acquisition, why Xtremepush put CRM, gamification and loyalty into one platform, and why he thinks trust matters more in the AI era.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Tommy Kearns is CEO and Co-Founder of Xtremepush, a leading company now serving 230 iGaming brands around the world, including more than half of the EGR top 50.

He is a technology entrepreneur with a track record in the global internet and mobile industry. He builds businesses that solve large customer problems for large enterprises, with technology and automation where relevant.

His core skills include customer analytics and engagement, digital strategy, mobile and system application development, innovation, business planning, market entry analysis and deployment, and building commercial partnerships.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00:00 Introducing Tommy

00:03:00 Rugby career at Connacht and the lessons that carried into business

00:08:00 Challenge and commit: no yes men and the leadership team

00:12:00 Why toxicity is viral, Leaders for Leaders and hiring for urgency

00:19:00 Lean culture: single-digit churn, pod systems and Keep Driving Hard (KDH)