In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Calvin Hendryx-Parker, CTO and co-founder of Six Feet Up.

Calvin shares the origin story behind Six Feet Up’s unforgettable name—drawn from his family’s mortuary business—and how servant leadership, community involvement, and trust became foundational principles for building a durable software consultancy. From hosting websites on a literal coffee-table server in a San Francisco apartment to becoming an AWS Hero and Tech Executive of the Year, Calvin’s story is anything but conventional.

Calvin delves into community-driven growth, long-tail relationship sales, and why he believes genuine connection beats aggressive pipelines every time. He explains how building and nurturing developer communities like Indie Py shaped both his leadership style and Six Feet Up’s talent strategy, why introspection and self-awareness matter more than hustle culture, and how staying agenda-free has led to consistent, sustainable growth. Calvin also shares his outlook on leadership, optimism, global empathy, and why helping people come together may be the most powerful business strategy of all.

Join us in the Hoosier State to explore Calvin Hendryx-Parker’s approach to leadership, learning, and creating momentum without forcing it in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
Six Feet Up, Inc.
http://www.sixfeetup.com

Calvin Hendryx-Parker's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinhp/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
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