Insights from the Top: Net at Work Co-Founder and Co-CEO on Building Culture, Talent, and Growth

At Net at Work, we believe that great businesses are built on great people, purposeful culture, and a relentless drive to evolve. That’s why we’re excited to share highlights from a recent episode of the Great Talent, Great Business Podcast, where our co-founder and Co-CEO, Eddie Solomon, sat down with host Rob Levine for a candid, in-depth conversation about Net at Work’s journey, lessons learned, and what it really takes to build a thriving technology advisory firm in today’s fast-changing world. 

The Early Days: Learning by Doing 

Eddie’s entrepreneurial story is one of learning through experience—and sometimes, through mistakes. In the podcast, he recalls Net at Work’s very first acquisition, a deal that seemed successful until half the acquired employees quit soon after. “They didn’t feel like they had any control, they weren’t empowered with the decision, and they had no knowledge of what was happening,” Eddie shared. That experience became a turning point, shaping how Net at Work approaches both acquisitions and employee integration today. 

Talent First: The Heart of Every Acquisition 

With over 40 acquisitions under their belt, Eddie and his brother Alex have refined their approach to growth. The lesson is clear: in a professional services business, talent is everything. “We don’t build houses, we don’t make food—we’re all about the conversations we have internally, with our teams, and with our clients. That’s how we move the needle,” Eddie explains. 

When evaluating acquisition targets, the Net at Work team prioritizes the talent joining their organization, sometimes even above the client book itself. “Without the employees joining, it makes it very difficult to engage with those clients because it’s new, everybody’s nervous, it’s a very important part of their business,” Eddie notes. The focus is on ensuring a strong cultural and operational fit, and on investing significant time upfront with new team members to build trust and transparency. 

Culture: From Afterthought to Cornerstone 

Culture wasn’t always a top priority, at least not in the early days. Eddie admits that, like many founders, he was initially focused on survival and growth. But as Net at Work expanded, the importance of a defined, vibrant company culture became undeniable. “It’s all about the culture of the organization. We hope we’re hiring very motivated people who want to do a fantastic job and love what they do, and then we try to inspire them to really be part of our purpose and make an impact with our clients,” Eddie reflects. 

Over time, Net at Work formalized its core values, making them both a reflection of who we are and a guide for who we aspire to be. This clarity has been essential for maintaining a unified culture, especially as the company scaled and diversified. 

Listen to the Full Conversation 

Ready to dive deeper? Listen to the full episode of the Great Talent, Great Business Podcast featuring Eddie Solomon, and discover how Net at Work continues to build a company where people—and their growth—are at the heart of everything.