Off the Record
Off the Record is a podcast exploring the lives and stories of Twin Cities executives. Join the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, in partnership with Platinum Bank, for robust conversations with local leaders as they share pivotal moments in their lives, some of their career highlights, and their goals for the coming years. You know their names and faces, now get to know their stories.
Off the Record
Cale Johnston, founder and CEO of Roy and former CEO of ClickSWITCH, on his entrepreneurial drive and his legacy
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Cale Johnston enjoyed noteworthy success with his first fintech startup, ClickSWITCH, which he sold in 2021. But despite his positive experience, Johnston is prioritizing a smaller-scale legacy as he looks at his career in aggregate, he says in this episode of the Off the Record podcast.
“(Five years ago) my focus and my drive were about the company,” Johnston, who is now the founder and CEO of athletics platform Roy Inc., says, but it didn’t take long for people to forget about the business after he sold it. “My legacy needs to be focused on what goes on between the four walls of our house. My kids, my wife, my family.”
Johnston talks with hosts Kathy Robideau and Dave Faust about his career journey. Listen to learn more about:
- The value of a good coach (5:08).
- What led Johnston to the idea for ClickSWITCH (9:40).
- Working with check services company Harland Clarke (16:38).
- How the Q2 acquisition of ClickSWITCH came about in 2021 – and why Johnston took the deal (23:25).
- Finding fulfillment and purpose after a business sale (29:30).
- Johnston’s goal to democratize sports with Roy (32:59).
- Coming full circle as a coach for his kids’ sports teams (47:38).
Leaders like Johnston understand the value of moving quickly and acting creatively, just like Platinum Bank. Learn more about business banking with a different kind of bank.