Josh Shaw
How Josh Shaw Built MISSION and Turned an Entrepreneur’s Mindset into Executive Leadership
Building a successful company rarely follows a straight line. For Josh Shaw, it has meant taking risks, changing direction, surrounding himself with the right people, and learning to become comfortable with uncertainty.
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Josh Shaw, founder and Executive Chairman of MISSION and Operating Partner at Topspin Consumer Partners, to discuss his journey from college entrepreneur to experienced founder, investor, and private equity leader.
Josh shares how his first venture, Student Advantage, grew to 550 employees and $100 million in sales before going public, followed by Go Smile and eventually Mission. What began as an idea to create innovative accessories for athletes evolved into a company dedicated to cooling technology for everyone from professional athletes to workers facing extreme heat on the job.
But Josh is equally candid about what happens behind the success stories. Entrepreneurship requires resilience, calculated risk, and what he calls a “no quit” mentality. It also requires knowing when to pivot rather than holding onto an idea simply because it was the original plan.
Now working alongside executives through Topspin Consumer Partners, Josh brings those lessons into private equity, leadership, and hiring. He explains what separates strong executive candidates, how leaders can approach a transition into private equity, and where AI can create meaningful value without replacing human judgment.
Throughout the conversation, one principle remains consistent: great businesses are ultimately built by great people and strong cultures.
Episode Highlights
(04:04) How MISSION evolved from serving elite athletes to helping people work and perform safely in the heat
(09:02) Josh's entrepreneurial beginnings and the rapid growth of Student Advantage
(14:18) Why successful entrepreneurs must become comfortable being uncomfortable
(19:38) How the idea for MISSION began and where its name came from
(24:45) Why entrepreneurs don't need to invent something completely new to create value
(26:04) Why people and culture remain fundamental to business growth
(29:08) Josh's transition from entrepreneurship into private equity
(33:50) A practical path for executives interested in entering private equity
(37:27) Three ways Josh believes businesses can create value with AI
(41:25) What separates strong executive candidates during interviews
(44:39) How candidates should and shouldn't use AI when preparing for interviews
(46:35) Why AI works best when combined with human judgment and oversight
“Being an entrepreneur does not mean you have to be an inventor.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
How resilience and calculated risk shape successful entrepreneurs
Why knowing when to pivot is as important as persistence
How MISSION evolved into a focused cooling technology company
Why people and culture remain essential to sustainable growth
How executives can gain experience in private equity
Where AI can improve executive and organizational efficiency
What Josh looks for when interviewing senior-level candidates
Why preparation and authenticity matter in executive interviews
How to use AI as a tool without replacing independent thinking
Listen to the Episode
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Connect with Josh Shaw on LinkedIn
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