In this concise 6‑question interview, Professor Pete Alexander talks with Jacques Philippe Pivallier, founder and managing partner of OzoneX, a venture capital fund dedicated to supporting underrepresented founders—women and people of color. Jacques explains that he loves every aspect of his work, from mentorship and building businesses to investing and creating impact, all unified under OzoneX. He emphasizes that the most critical lesson for companies is to focus on the human element—relationships, integrity, and trust—rather than just technical or financial knowledge. He advises leaders to define a "North Star"—a clear, enduring purpose—and avoid shortcuts, especially in a fast‑moving news cycle. Jacques recommends fellow investor Joel Solomon, author of The Clean Money Revolution, for his experience and willingness to speak truth to power. He shares a personal anecdote about his first job at a local park in high school, highlighting the value of responsibility and doing any work well. The episode concludes with his contact information (email, LinkedIn, Instagram) for listeners who want to connect.
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This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and what you do.
Thank you, Pete. It's a pleasure to be here with you today. I'm always happy to carve out a few minutes to come spend some time and have a conversation. I'm Jacques Philippe Pivallier. I run a venture capital fund called OzoneX, and we specifically target underrepresented founders, namely women, people of color, groups that have been largely marginalized, and we ensure that they're getting, you know, financial and other support in order to thrive.
Jacques Philippe, it is so have you on the show. Question number 2: What is something that makes you smile and/or laugh about working in your industry?
You know, I think some people you might ask that, it might take a while to figure it out. For me, it's quite easy. It's literally everything I do in my industry. I sometimes think of what I do as a compilation of many things that I've enjoyed throughout my career. So I enjoy mentorship and support of others. I enjoy building businesses and enterprise. I enjoy investing. I enjoy the construct of impact and support. And historically, I've done that simultaneously through different activities, kind of night and day and weekends, uh, whereas with OzoneX, I'm able to do it all under one roof and work with people that I really appreciate and have tremendous respect for. So, you know, I love everything that I do.
Oh, I love it. And I could hear the passion in your voice. It's really fun. Question number 3. I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?
I think, and it's funny because, you know, I did finance at Georgetown, business school at Dartmouth, and you learn all this stuff. But I remember I had a dean at Dartmouth sit me down one time and he said, look, The things you're learning here are going to be super important in kind of the first 5 years out because it'll help you progress. But the most important stuff is the, the people elements, and it's the relationship, it's the human elements. And so I'd say, I'd imagine there's definitely a robust chapter in that book on humans and relationships and integrity and establishing trust. And I would really, if you could only read one chapter, then that's the one I would really suggest that one leans into if they want to stand the test of time.
And I think what you're saying about the test of time is so, so right because, yeah, it's about the people. Because if there's no trust, as you said there, I imagine it's just going to be a terrible place to work. So question number 4, other than the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice or insight would you give to other business leaders?
You know, the first thing that comes to mind is to really have a North Star, have something that you stand for, and be willing to take risks and go for it and don't be compelled to follow the crowd, especially in this day and age where the news cycles are so short and everybody's chasing kind of the easy way of things. You know, I would suggest that, you know, someone really, you know, hone in and look to, you know, have something specific and be dedicated and focus and continue to build over time. And, you know, don't look for shortcuts is what I would say.
I think that's really insightful. And I like how you say it, looking for the North Star, because yeah, there is no shortcuts to getting there. You use that as basically the direction you have to go and just stick to it. So it's very insightful. Thank you. Question number 5. What other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?
Hmm. I mean, there's so many business leaders that I admire and respect. One that just comes to mind in the moment, I was on a panel with him some time ago and, you know, since developed a good rapport, a guy named Joel Solomon. He wrote a book called The Clean Money Revolution, and what I like about him is he has a great deal of experience. He's been in the investment world for, you know, 30, 40 years, so he brings that knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, but at the same time he has tremendous heart and he's willing to, you know, speak, you know, truth to power and really tell it like it is. And it's kind of a rare thing these days, and so I think the audience would benefit a lot.
Perfect, I'll reach out to him. Thank you for that referral. And our final question, question number 6, please tell me about your first job.
First job, um, I guess that would be in high school, and it was at the local park up the street from school. And so, you know, it was interesting. It was good to start making some money of my own, and yeah, you know, I learned quite a bit just in terms of follow-through and responsibility and, you know, being willing to do any kind of work, and that there's just value in getting a job done and doing it well. And one of the things I partially picked up there and I've generally shared with folks is no matter what the job is, give it your all and do it at your best capacity. Because oftentimes when people are doing jobs that they don't enjoy, they don't do it well and you actually end up doing that same job even longer because no one else wants you. So, Yeah, that was one of the things I learned from working at the local park. It was called Cagney Park in North Miami, you know, many moons ago.
Oh, great story. I love just that you shared that. And it's so fun to hear, you know, how you— what you learned from that too, because that's that, you know, if we look at even the worst jobs and stuff, there's always something that we can learn to take a, you know, positive learning to whatever else we move on to. So great story. And Jacques Philippe, thank you so much for being on the show. How can people find you?
They can find me by emailing me jacques@ozonex.com, or they can find me on LinkedIn, Jacques Philippe Yvelgette, or Instagram, Jacques P. Yvelgette. And, you know, I welcome any insights, ideas, and, you know, Professor Pete, I look forward to building and collaborating with you, and thank you again for having me.
Well, I appreciate that, and I thank you for being on the show. And this is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks everyone for listening.
