Episode Summary
In this episode of Process Unpacked, host Amir Khorram, Vice President of Meegle US, sits down with Steve Grubbs, CEO of VictoryXR, a pioneer in immersive education technology. Steve shares his journey from starting five companies to leading a global platform revolutionizing spatial 3D learning. VictoryXR’s innovative approach combines VR, AI, and hands-on virtual experiences to transform education, enabling students to hold a human brain or travel to historical sites—all through immersive technology.
Steve dives into the challenges and rewards of scaling a business, highlighting the importance of integrating the right systems at the right time. From leveraging project management tools to understanding the critical role of data, Steve shares actionable insights for businesses navigating growth. He emphasizes the power of speed as a key advantage for startups in a fast-paced, tech-driven world.
The conversation also explores how AI and emerging technologies are disrupting industries. Steve provides practical advice for leaders to stay adaptable, make informed decisions, and harness tools like Meegle to optimize workflows and foster innovation. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs and executives alike.
Guest-at-a-Glance
💡Name: Steve Grubbs
💡What he does: CEO
💡Company: VictoryXR
💡Noteworthy: Founded five businesses, leads in immersive education technology.
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Key Insights
Integrating AI into Education
Steve Grubbs explores the transformative impact of AI on education through VictoryXR’s platform. By combining VR and AI, the company creates immersive learning experiences that allow students to explore cadaver labs, travel on virtual field trips, and receive tutoring from AI-powered avatars. Grubbs notes that AI’s integration into education is just the beginning of a broader disruption across industries. He emphasizes the importance of embracing AI as a tool for personalization and efficiency in learning. For VictoryXR, the next 12-24 months will focus on expanding conversational AI to enhance engagement and outcomes for students.
Tailoring Systems for Business Growth
Grubbs highlights the importance of introducing systems at the right stage of business growth. He warns against adopting tools too early, as they can add unnecessary complexity, or too late, when chaos might take over. For VictoryXR, systems like QuickBooks and project management tools were phased in strategically as the team expanded. He stresses the importance of choosing industry-relevant tools, evaluating costs, and ensuring the right personnel manage these systems to maximize efficiency and maintain agility.
Using Data to Drive Decisions
Steve emphasizes the value of using data to focus on what matters most. At VictoryXR, data helps identify marketing opportunities, track project performance, and measure productivity within teams. For example, the popularity of their free frog dissection experience led to an effective entry point for subscription sales. Grubbs advocates for tracking specific metrics, avoiding perfection paralysis, and focusing on outcomes. By measuring the right aspects of operations, VictoryXR channels its resources efficiently to propel growth.
Communication as a Strategic Advantage
Grubbs underscores the significance of proactive communication in business relationships. He advises his team to avoid passively waiting for responses and instead use multiple communication methods, such as email and LinkedIn, to ensure clarity. For VictoryXR’s educational clients, email remains the primary method, but Grubbs encourages meeting people where they are. He stresses that consistent communication builds trust and ensures projects progress smoothly. For startups, being persistent and adaptable in communication can help overcome inefficiencies and create lasting client relationships.
Episode Highlights
Scaling VictoryXR Through Immersive Technology
Timestamp: [00:03:00]
Steve Grubbs explains how VictoryXR has established itself as a global leader in immersive education, offering virtual reality (VR) and AI-driven tools that revolutionize learning. He describes the platform’s versatility, enabling students to explore 3D cadaver labs, conduct virtual chemistry experiments, and take history field trips—all through spatial learning. Grubbs highlights the challenges of introducing new technology in an industry that has been slow to adapt but notes that momentum is building as adoption increases. VictoryXR’s subscription model provides scalable access to schools, universities, and homeschoolers, creating opportunities to expand further into conversational AI for personalized learning experiences.
“Our platform allows you to learn in a vast number of areas. You can hold a human brain or a heart in your hand, travel the world on history field trips, and so much more.”
Finding the Right Time to Introduce Systems
Timestamp: [00:09:00]
Grubbs discusses the delicate balance of implementing business systems at the right time in a company’s growth. He warns against adopting processes too early, which can stifle agility, or too late, which can lead to chaos. For VictoryXR, project management tools and accounting systems were gradually introduced as the team grew. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring tools to specific industry needs, selecting cost-effective options, and assigning the right person to manage them. For small businesses, finding a linear-thinking, detail-oriented individual is critical to ensure smooth operations and efficiency.
“You want to avoid putting systems in place until you actually need them because they add complexity. But there’s a point when systems save you lots of time and money.”
Navigating AI’s Impact on Industries
Timestamp: [00:07:00]
Grubbs reflects on how AI is transforming industries by integrating robotics, immersive technology, and conversational tools. He predicts that AI will impact every sector, even those traditionally viewed as hands-on, like farming. Drawing comparisons to past technological revolutions, such as the internet and personal computers, he emphasizes the urgency for businesses to adapt to the AI era. He suggests that leaders focus on understanding AI’s potential and finding ways to integrate it into their operations to remain competitive and efficient.
“With AI, robotics, and immersive tools, every single business will be disrupted. Even farming won’t be the same—it’s already moving toward fully automated processes.”
Building Trust Through Transparent Communication
Timestamp: [00:36:00]
Steve discusses the importance of adapting communication methods to meet client preferences, particularly in industries like education. While many VictoryXR clients rely on email, Grubbs encourages his team to go beyond passive communication. He advocates for a proactive approach, using follow-ups and multiple channels like LinkedIn to ensure clarity and accountability. Grubbs also trains his team to avoid the mindset of “waiting” and instead focus on consistent, clear messaging to maintain momentum and build trust with clients.
“I train people to be the squeaky wheel. Ping, ping, ping. If they get upset, it’s not going to be a deal-breaker. Don’t wait—communicate more than one way.”
Top Quotes
- [00:03:30] Steve Grubbs: “VictoryXR is the global leader in spatial 3D learning education. You can hold a human brain or heart in your hand, travel the world on history field trips, or conduct hands-on virtual chemistry experiments.”
- [00:07:15] Steve Grubbs: “AI, robotics, and immersive tools will disrupt every single business. Even industries like farming, traditionally seen as hands-on, are transitioning to fully automated processes powered by AI.”
- [00:09:10] Steve Grubbs: “You want to avoid putting systems in place until you actually need them. Systems add complexity, but when introduced at the right time, they save you significant time and money.”
- [00:15:30] Steve Grubbs: “That which is measured receives the focus. But if you’re measuring the wrong things, your focus shifts away from the factors most likely to propel growth.”
- [00:36:45] Steve Grubbs: “Don’t wait. Communicate. Ping, ping, ping. If you’re worried about upsetting someone, don’t let that hold you back. Consistent communication builds trust and ensures progress.”
- [00:05:45] Steve Grubbs: “Our move into spatial 3D AI and conversational AI avatars that teach and train will be a big growth area for us in the next 12 to 24 months.”
- [00:08:45] Steve Grubbs: “Major tech changes like the internet and personal computers disrupted the entire economy. AI is following the same trajectory, reshaping every industry in its path.”
- [00:11:00] Steve Grubbs: “The key to finding the right project management tool is threefold: industry relevance, cost efficiency, and having the right person to manage it effectively.”
- [00:18:30] Steve Grubbs: “Startups can’t compete with large corporations on resources, but where we can win is speed. Fast execution gives us a unique edge in the marketplace.”
- [00:37:10] Steve Grubbs: “Most people assume their email is the most important one in someone’s inbox. It’s not. Don’t assume silence means they’ve seen it—follow up consistently to ensure clarity.”
