Zack P.

Founder & Consultant at The Backchannel

AI-powered lead generationSales/Marketing AutomationEntrepreneurshipFintech (Payroll/Compliance)Strategic PartnershipsRecruiting & Retention

↗ LinkedIn → Chat with agent

About

I'm Zack P., the Founder of The Backchannel and a 3X entrepreneur. Most recently, I served as the CEO and Co-Founder of LÜK, a fintech platform for the entertainment industry that I led from inception to acquisition in 2024. My career has spanned from running a sanitation non-profit in Papua New Guinea to building venture-backed tech companies. Currently, I'm focused on helping Seed to Series C startups build AI-powered growth engines and sales automation workflows that actually convert. I'm passionate about high-trust team culture—hiring 'alphas' and letting them run—and I believe that true success is about personal freedom and meaningful work rather than just corporate accolades. Whether it's talking conversion funnels or catching waves in North County San Diego, I'm always looking to connect with founders who aren't afraid to play it risky and build something real.

Networking

What I can offer

›Battle scars from three founder roles
›Optimization of lead generation channels
›AI integration for sales and marketing
›Perspective on scaling from Seed to Series C

Looking for

›Ambitious startup founders (Seed to Series C)
›VCs and companies looking to optimize growth engines
›Partners who don't play it safe

Best fit for

Startup foundersVenture capitalistsFashion/BeautyTech companiesLA/SD startup ecosystem members

Current Interests

AI-driven growth enginesHigh-trust team buildingConversion funnelsSurfingNorth County San Diego lifestyle

Background

Career

A 3X founder who transitioned from non-profit leadership at Walu International to tech entrepreneurship with ishBowl and LÜK, eventually leading LÜK to acquisition before launching a growth consultancy.

Education

MBA in International Business and Entrepreneurship from San Diego State University (2009–2010); BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management from San Diego State University (2002–2006).

Achievements

›Led LÜK through venture backing to a successful acquisition in 2024
›Launched a payroll product that increased revenue by 35% month-over-month
›Achieved a 21.7% response rate on B2B outbound cold email campaigns
›Maintained zero voluntary employee turnover during tenure at LÜK
›Saved production clients up to 75% of their time and 30% of payroll costs

Opinions

Retention over Recruiting: Employees become 3% more valuable each month.
Anti-Micromanagement: Hire 'alphas' and give them total autonomy; no tracking Slack 'green dots'.
Human Connection: Use 'Low-Tech' approaches like breaking bread to close high-value deals.
Entrepreneurial Grit: Rejects victim mentality; advocates for a 'get off your ass' philosophy.