Allen Gannett, founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a competitive intelligence tool for marketers, on the importance of trust between team members at a startup and how mindfulness makes you a better founder and manager.

As you step off the elevator and into the buzzing TrackMaven offices near Dupont Circle, an illuminated marquee sign greets you with an unexpected, “Ruff." Digital marketing and dogs don't seem to have much in common, right? Turns out, there's a lovable corgi pup that would beg to differ.

In this episode, we talk to DC-based tech entrepreneur Allen Gannett about his early punk-rock-infused business endeavors; overcoming bias as a sole founder; the art of raising funding pre-product; and how a corgi became the unlikely mascot of a company that's changing the way digital marketers think.

As a kid growing up in New Jersey, Allen thought he was destined to become a lawyer. But he consistently found himself drawn toward the fast-paced world of tech. In 2012, he founded TrackMaven, which has since grown to 50 employees. Below is a peek at the TrackMaven "tower" in Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC.

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Trust, I think you find when starting a business, is by far the most important thing.

Allen can be reached at @allen. TrackMaven at @trackmaven and www.trackmaven.com. The Protagonist: @hughandcrye, #theprotagonist.

The book The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz was mentioned in this episode.