New York Launch Pod: A Podcast Highlighting New Start-Ups, Businesses, and Openings in the New York City Area (NY Launch Pod)

Yotam Cohen, the visionary founder of Daisy Property Management, steps on to the New York Launch Pod. Prepare to be inspired as Yotam shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he is reshaping the landscape of real estate operations through innovative technology. In this insightful conversation, Yotam introduces us to the transformative power of Daisy Property Management. Discover how their state-of-the-art platform leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline and optimize property management processes, ensuring seamless operations for owners. Delving into the intricacies of the real estate industry, Yotam sheds light on the pain points faced by property owners and managers and explains how Daisy's innovative solutions tackle these challenges head-on. As the conversation unfolds, Yotam emphasizes the importance of customer-centricity in driving innovation and success in the real estate industry. Hear stories of how Daisy has revolutionized the landlord-tenant relationship by prioritizing transparency, responsiveness, and efficient communication. Whether you're a property owner, real estate professional, or simply fascinated by the intersection of technology and property management, this episode offers invaluable insights into the future of the industry. Join us as we explore the pioneering work of Daisy Property Management and its commitment to revolutionizing real estate operations through innovation, efficiency, and an unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.

JoAnna Hartzmark, steps back on the New York Launch Pod to discuss the growth of Revelle. Revelle is a groundbreaking platform reshaping the way women shop for jeans. In this engaging conversation, JoAnna takes us through the incredible journey of Revelle's transformation over the past year. Discover how Revelle is tackling the age-old problem of finding clothes that fit perfectly without the frustrations of inconsistent size charts and multiple returns. JoAnna shares how Revelle's algorithmic technology has evolved, empowering women to shop with confidence and ease. From starting with jeans as a testing ground to becoming a holistic shopping experience, JoAnna sheds light on the brand's mission to help women feel beautiful in their own skin.

Tximista Lizarazu, the Co-Founder and CEO of Fraîche steps back on to the New York Launch Pod. Since the last time Tximista was on the podcast, a lot has changed for Fraîche . Fraîche is an innovative vending machine that delivers fresh food to offices, catering to companies as they return to the office and seek to attract talent. Tximista explains that Fraîche has experienced tremendous growth, multiplying their revenue by ten in just nine months. They have achieved this with a small sales team and are now looking to close an extension round to hire additional sales reps and continue their expansion. Tximista highlights a few reasons behind their rapid growth, including the booming return-to-office trend and the need for new perks to make the office an exciting place. Traditional cafeterias no longer make sense for companies with reduced office occupancy, whereas Fraîche's smart fridge technology provides a more sensible and cost-effective solution. With no on-site labor required, Fraîche can offer fresh food from local restaurants with a single daily delivery, making it profitable from day one. The conversation delves into how Fraîche helps build culture within offices, acting as a gathering point for employees and fostering interaction and bonding. Tximista emphasizes that Fraîche goes beyond being just a smart fridge, organizing events and incorporating software features to enhance connectivity and wellness.

Looking to find the ideal customer? Scout helps with just that by engaging you with your ideal customers 10x faster using AI. With a focus on real estate transactions, Scout has a database of over 300M profiles and can automate an entire outreach in just seconds.  For individuals and businesses, this can not only save valuable time but also helps increase productivity. Find out how Drew Fabrikant and his team at Scout are saving their clients time, increasing their productivity, and increasing their revenue. 

In this day and age who wouldn't like the benefit of not having to stand in a line at the bank to draw money or risk that your building's service staff might not receive their holiday tip? Zach Colonder realized this gap in the market and thought of a way to make this process better and simpler by creating Grazzee and now tipping has never being more convenient. Find out how Zach thought of this business opportunity, how he is overcoming the challenges of gaining traction in the market and how the app can make your life easier especially entering the holiday season.

Night markets are exciting local events that showcase local vendors.But they weren't always that way. Our guest in this episode, MarcoShalma, speaks about how he started the Bronx Night Market, from whathe considered a side gig into a full time company, MASC HospitalityGroup.Find out how Marco overcame the challenges of the pandemic, andhow he created a night market in the Yankee Stadium, parking lot, anda whole lot more.

Let's face it, food in the office isn't that great.  When you are in the office, the lunch repetoir is familiar salads and sandwiches, having to pick up food or paying for delivery fees.  Our guest in this episode, Tximista Lizarazu, thought that the same old song needed to change.  He came up with Fraiche an innovative vending machine that brings top quality local New York City restaurants straight into the office without having to pay or wait for delivery.  After facing challengs during Covid, Fraiche is now poised to be an office amenity for office workers and employers.  Listen to the episode to find out how!

Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his celebrity studded and corporate sponsored non-profit initiative which is encouraging New Yorkers to commit to New York City, support our front line workers and give what you can to keep the city strong. As the successful founder of a PR company, BerlinRosen, and a New Yorker for over 20 years, Jonathan has seen the way the city has been hurting since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year. In order to support the city he loves, he's started NY Forever to give back by leveraging his network, getting people involved and supporting organizations which are helping struggling New Yorkers in this unprecedented situation. Taking their motto from a New York Magazine cover from the 1970's, "We've Got to Help Ourselves", Jonathan has recruited top fashion brands like Public School, tech companies like SalesForce and prominent celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer to get involved and help promote volunteer and fundraising opportunities that are alleviating the dire circumstances many New Yorkers face. His goal is simple: to get half a million New Yorkers to sign the pledge at nyforever.nyc in order to receive updates that will connect them with practical ways in which they can help the city. In this episode we talk about the overwhelming support Jonathan has received from the New York business community, how NY Forever is giving back to the city, and much more! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nyforevertr For more about NY Forever and to sign the pledge visit: nyforever.nyc This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Lindsay Liu, Founder of Super, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her new property management platform. Lindsay was on the board of her own Co-Op and was frustrated by the way the building was operating (and not because of the people).  Lindsay's building was using a hodgepodge of software (if any), sending out physical mailings, and keeping track of important building documents on Lindsay's own personal Google Drive. Lindsay did some research and found out that her building wasn't alone.  Like any good entrepreneur Lindsay set out to solve a problem that she encountered herself.   Listen to the podcast to find out how Lindsay built Super and how she wants to help all Co-Ops and Condos run better. More on Super: https://www.hiresuper.com/

Ben Gordon and Matt Bachmann, co-founders of Wandering Bear Coffee Co.  step back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their cold brewed coffee brand.  We first spoke to Ben and Matt in our fourth episode and in the 7 years since we spoke with them their brand has grown exponentially and taken on significant investment.  But it hasn't been easy.  Wandering Bear had to pivot during the pandemic to cater to consumers rather than large corporate tenants.  Find out how on this episode of How You Doin'?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), autism rates are growing.  By one estimate, autism now affects 1 in 44 children.  Families who have children with autism have been looking for an effective therapy, often without success.  Enter JelikaLite.  Katya Sverdlov wanted a better treatment for autistic children so she teamed up with Dr.  Eugenia Steingold to create a therapeutic wearable device that combines non-invasive brain stimulation with infrared light, EEG sensors and an AI personalization platform.  The results have been so promising that JelikaLite was awarded a National Science Foundation grant. Listen to the episode to hear how the device works, how JelikaLite competes with larger companies, the challenges of bringing a medical device to market and a whole lot more.

In this episode we go behind wristwatches, wristwatch culture and the wristwatch business with Craig Carger, Founder of Wrist Enthusiast.  But Wrist Enthusiast isn't just the name of Craig's blog and Instagram page, it's a way of life for Craig.  Craig's passion around watches led him to start an Instagram page that currently has over 300,000 followers and a blog with an engaged and active readership. Now Craig has a voice in the watch industry itself.  But what started as a side hustle hasn't been easy to build.  Craig actively posts and engages with his readership all while working a full time job.  Listen to the episode to find out just how Craig has leveraged new media and his passion for watches into a business.

Why is it so hard to find a pair of jeans that fit properly?  That's the question that JoAnna Hartzmark, Founder of Revelle set out to solve.  The result: a data driven platform that pairs women with brands that will fit well.  Best part of all, it's free for the users. Different brands are cut to different shapes, which are usually based from a “fit model“ and conformed to a linear standard.  Now with many brands in existence, there was no easy way to find the right shape.  Enter Revelle. Listen to the episode to hear the history of women's sizing, Revelle's business model, and much more!

Going to the dentist isn't fun...and that's not necessarily because of what the dentist is doing to your teeth. Dentists haven't historically been a patient centered experience.  The process has been opaque and difficult. Our guest, Tyler Burnett, Co-Founder of Wally wanted to change that (which may or may not have been related to being falsely diagnosed with eight cavities). In this episode we talk about what dentists have been doing wrong, how Wally wants to build a better experience, and much more!

In this episode of How You Doin'? we catch up with David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna moonshine.  We first spoke with David in January of 2020 and since then David has taken aggressive steps to grow his brand and business.  Listen to the episode to find out more!

Rebroadcast of Episode 39: A Summer Inside NFTE, original airdate December 28, 2017. This summer we took an inside look at the New York office of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship, also known as NFTE. NFTE is a non-profit organization providing educational entrepreneurship training to high school students from low-income, urban communities. This podcast is the story of high school students throughout their journey through an eight-week intensive training course over the summer. They are bright students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch and require teacher recommendations in order to participate in the program. But it's also the story about people who are underrepresented in the entrepreneurship community, and who don't get the flashy headlines (yet). We follow these students as they develop a business idea, earn revenue for the first time and overcome the unexpected challenges that come with entrepreneurship. By completing NFTE's training, these students acquire business and life skills that will stay with them for the rest of their careers. To learn about NFTE, however, is more than to learn about what their students accomplish. There is a large community that supports the organization from companies that donate resources, individual professionals who donate their time to mentor, and alumni who return to the program to help in any way possible. The story of NFTE is also about how all these constituencies interact with one another and create an environment where everyone benefits. For more information about NFTE please visit: http://nfte.com/ For more information about the New York office of NFTE please visit http://nfte.com/offices/new-york-metro/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: http://nylaun.ch/NFTEtranscript Episode sponsor: https://www.joinwisdomapp.com/ Follow @NYLaunchPod on the Wisdom App and get notified any time we go live!

What's it like to grow a salsa brand? We check back in with Matt Bennett, Founder of Dreams Aren't This Good Salsa. We first spoke to Matt in 2019 when he was just starting off. Since then, Matt has developed a proprietary chip bag, several new flavors, and began selling on Amazon. However, things haven't been easy and we hear from Matt about his challenges in growing the brand and raising money.

New Yorkers are eating all wrong!  That's according to Elia Wolberger, Founder of Feed Your Sister.  Elia is a private chef who saw New Yorkers had more in their pantries than they thought, yet still had high delivery and grocery bills.  The solution according to Elia is Plan, Prep, Plate. Meal planning doesn't have to be hard, but a lot of New Yorkers just don't know how to do it effectively. In this episode we speak about what New Yorkers can do to eat more healthfully and lower their food costs in exchange for a small investment of time. More on Feed Your Sister: https://feedyoursister.com/

Social justice is in the news these days.  Whether it's resulting from the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, or issues related to access, social justice is on the forefront of the minds of a lot of New Yorkers.Who better to check in with than Seachange Collective, our guest in Episode 56.  Seachange Collective has grown since we first spoke to them in 2019.  In this episode, we speak about what social justice issues Seachange Collective is tackling, the organizations they are working with, and a lot more.  It's all in another episode of How You Doin'?!

What's it like to start a restaurant in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York City?  What about if that restaurant was in a subway station when ridership was at an all time low.  Is it crazy enough to work? In this episode we speak to Mario Vivas, the Founder of Criollas, a restaurant located in the Turnstyle underground marketplace in Columbus Circle.  Mario immigrated from Argentina in 2012 to New York City in order to reinvent himself.  Mario never thought he would open a restaurant but after gaining experience in the industry, he saw his opportunity.  As people were closing their restaurants, Mario picked up appliances and equipment and steep discounts, and was able to find high quality employees at the time those employees needed jobs.  Listen to the episode to find out if Mario's experiment worked and what a new chapter in New York City foodservice looks like! More on Criollas: https://www.criollasempanadas.com/

Andrew Cabasso, Founder of Postaga, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his outreach company that can identify relevant marketing opportunities for any business by crawling the internet for appropriate blogs and podcasts and connecting you with real humans on the other end. Promoting your business through media outreach and optimizing your website on Google Search is an extremely time and resource intensive endeavor. Before Postaga, to receive publicity, you would have to research relevant blogs and podcasts, spend time trying to find a contact person and send multiple emails before you ever receive a response. Andrew Cabasso founded Postaga to alleviate these pain-points. With Postaga, the research is done for you, email addresses are validated, and outreach can be performed by their team so you can focus on your core business. This not only identifies relevant marketing opportunities but will optimize your website on Google Search once multiple blogs and relevant websites start linking back to your site. In this episode we discuss how Postaga performs smart digital marketing for its customers, identifies and approaches relevant opportunities, the importance of media outreach, and much more! For a limited time, use code NY LAUNCH for 50% off your first three months of Postaga Pro! For more on Postaga visit: postaga.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/postagatr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Aaron Luo, Co-Founder of Caraa, returns to the New York Launch Pod to discuss how he's pivoted his luxury handbag company and developed new products during the Covid-19 pandemic including the Wall Street Journal's top rated mask. In Episode 58, we spoke to Aaron about the motivation behind the Caraa brand and how they develop handbags, gym bags and baby bags for the modern woman who needs something both stylish and practical. Once the pandemic hit, Aaron and his partner Carmen Chen Wu realized two things, that they could use their manufacturing expertise to give back to the community and that they needed to change the focus of their brand to appeal to customers who were staying home from work and the gym. After developing masks to donate to needy populations they realized that in the process they had actually developed a great product which they then tweaked with different colors and fabrics for sale. Since then, Caraa's masks have consistently been rated as one of the best and most comfortable masks on the market! In this episode we talk to Aaron about how Caraa has supported social causes during the pandemic, how they develop new product lines, what the future holds for the company and much more! For more information on Caraa visit: caraasport.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/caraahydtr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Maria Luisa Mendiola, Founder of MIGA Swimwear, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her swimwear company which has specialized designs for people with disfigurement or other chronic health issues. Growing up with a disfigurement herself, Maria understood the need to feel comfortable at the beach or pool. While studying for a masters at Central St. Martins in the United Kingdom, Maria came up with the idea of building a brand that destigmatizes disfigurement and chronic health issues. Through social media and MIGA Swimwear's blog, Maria has created a community of people who are now talking about and even inspiring MIGA's designs.  Every MIGA design has been crowdsourced from people who need more flexible swimwear and included in each purchase is a tote bag that tells the story of a community member who contributed to the design. In this episode we talk about the stigma around chronic health conditions that MIGA Swimwear is fighting, how Maria has built a community with her brand, and much more!  Use code NYLAUNCH at checkout for a 15% discount on all MIGA Swimwear products! For more about MIGA Swimwear visit: https://migaswimwear.com/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/MIGASwimweartr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Scott Reich, Co-Founder of Believe in a Cure, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his non-profit foundation that is looking for a cure for FOXG1 Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder which has affected his son Eli. Scott began his foundation when his Eli was recently diagnosed with FOXG1 Syndrome, a neurological disorder that will prevent him from ever speaking or walking. Despite the devastation this caused Scott and his wife Ilissa, they decided that they were going to fight this disease for the sake of their son and all others affected by FOXG1 Syndrome. Since then, Scott and Ilissa have received an influx of support through personal donations, scientists and doctors who have dedicated their time and resources and friends who have connected them with someone who may be of help. In this episode we discuss FOXG1 Syndrome, how people can get involved to find a cure, how Scott and Ilissa were able to build a foundation from the ground up and much more. For more information on Believe in a Cure visit: webelieveinacure.org Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/believeinacuretr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Maya Komerov, Founder of ShopIN.nyc, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her same day delivery e-commerce platform that allows you to shop from stores in your neighborhood all from the comfort of your home. With the rise of commerce giants like Amazon, traditional brick and mortar retailers have suffered declining sales year after year. Despite most New Yorker's wish to shop local and support their communities, local retailers have found it hard to compete on price and convenience and, because New Yorkers are always in a rush, oftentimes it doesn't make sense to go to multiple stores to get everything they need. This is where ShopIN.nyc comes in. Through ShopIN.nyc Maya Komerov has created a platform that rivals the convenience of Amazon through same day delivery and an all-in-one commerce platform which supports the small businesses which are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. On the ShopIN.nyc platform you can choose from a range of products sold by local businesses, ShopIN.nyc then sends their delivery team to each business to put your cart together and deliver it to you by the end of the day. In this episode we discuss the importance of small businesses to our community, why Shopin.nyc pays their delivery team $25 an hour, and much more! For more information on ShopIN.nyc visit: shopin.nyc Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/shopinnyctr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications, returns to the New York Launch Pod for his third appearance to discuss how he's pivoted his company and adapted to new methods of communication during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Episode 28 and How You Doin' Volume 5 we spoke to Michael about the techniques he used to teach high powered executives and political candidates. Before the pandemic, most of GK Training and Communications' business was conducted in-person. In this episode we speak to Michael about how he was able to adapt to the changing landscape of Covid-19 and switch gears by offering courses online and focusing on communication techniques for teleconferencing, navigating difficult conversations, and battling lockdown fatigue. Michael is even offering the course library for free for anyone who has been furloughed or laid off as a result of the pandemic. In this episode we talk about techniques for better remote communication, Michael's recent experience working with Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, how he has transformed his business during this difficult time and much more! For more information on GK Training and Communications visit: gktraining.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/GKtraininghydtr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his celebrity studded and corporate sponsored non-profit initiative which is encouraging New Yorkers to commit to New York City, support our front line workers and give what you can to keep the city strong. As the successful founder of a PR company, BerlinRosen, and a New Yorker for over 20 years, Jonathan has seen the way the city has been hurting since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year. In order to support the city he loves, he's started NY Forever to give back by leveraging his network, getting people involved and supporting organizations which are helping struggling New Yorkers in this unprecedented situation. Taking their motto from a New York Magazine cover from the 1970's, "We've Got to Help Ourselves", Jonathan has recruited top fashion brands like Public School, tech companies like SalesForce and prominent celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer to get involved and help promote volunteer and fundraising opportunities that are alleviating the dire circumstances many New Yorkers face. His goal is simple: to get half a million New Yorkers to sign the pledge at nyforever.nyc in order to receive updates that will connect them with practical ways in which they can help the city. In this episode we talk about the overwhelming support Jonathan has received from the New York business community, how NY Forever is giving back to the city, and much more! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nyforevertr For more about NY Forever and to sign the pledge visit: nyforever.nyc This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna Moonshine, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his new moonshine brand which promises to popularize a traditional American liquor and a variety of new cocktails. While David was the COO of a baby blanket company, Aden + Anais, he started talking to one of his co-workers whose passion was distilling moonshine. Soon they both realized that moonshine was the only liquor that had not yet experienced a premiumization and set out to change that with a cocktail forward modern brand. By working with local suppliers and hitting the pavement to get Saint Luna stocked in a variety of New York City bars and restaurants, David has managed to take a traditional American liquor and modernize it for an elevated experience. In this episode we talk about the history of moonshine and why it has previously gone unnoticed in the liquor industry, how David came up with the idea for the brand, expanding an alcohol brand in the midst of Covid-19 and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/saintlunamoonshinetr For more on Saint Luna Moonshine visit: saintlunaspirits.com/

Kate Sokolov and Lisa Sokolov, sisters and Co-Founders of Social Goods, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their online retail store that offers statement making gifts which incorporate donations to the causes they represent. Before starting Social Goods, Lisa worked in fashion while Kate was active in non-profits and political causes, together the sisters and Co-Founders set out to create a brand that combined their expertise into a socially-conscious way to shop. By handpicking designers and non-profits to collaborate with, Social Goods turns political fashion into political action by donating a portion or at times 100% of revenue to organizations working on the ground. In this episode we talk about how consumerism can be channeled into support for grassroots organizations, how Social Goods chooses sleek designs for their products, and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/socialgoodstr For more on Social Goods visit: www.social-goods.com

Rob Pachter, Co-Founder of Realty Crunch, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his collaboration platform for brokers and clients dedicated to facilitating and providing efficiency to real estate transactions. While trying to purchase properties several years ago Rob identified several pain points in the broker/client experience including the difficulty of aggregating properties across multiple platforms, communicating effectively between clients and brokers and creating and sending forms and materials to clients once a decision has been made. Rob believed he could streamline and modernize this process with his company Realty Crunch which, in his own words, is “Pinterest meets text messaging for real estate agents”. Realty Crunch allows real estate agents to aggregate listings from all over the internet, streamline communication and collaboration with clients, and use a wide range of features including their smart form feature which allows agents to instantaneously send disclosure forms to clients. In this episode we talk about inefficiencies in the traditional buying and renting process, how Realty Crunch is simplifying and expediting deals, the cutting edge technology-driven software they offer and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/realtycrunchtr For more on Realty Crunch visit: realtycrunch.io

Wole Coaxum, founder of MoCaFi, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his challenger bank and project management company dedicated to serving the unbanked and underbanked and providing essential financial services in marginalized communities. As former managing director at JPMorgan and head of business banking sales at Chase, Wole recognized that many people were using payday lenders and check cashers instead of traditional banks, either because banks did not have branches in these communities or because their fee models were not structured in favor of these clients. As a result, whether through payday lenders or traditional banks, these communities were paying a higher price to use necessary financial services and Wole set out to change that. MoCaFi is an online banking platform which provides a range of financial services to poorer communities that larger banks have neglected to serve by offering financial literacy education, credit building through rent and utility payments, and low fees and interest rates on small loans. In the future Wole hopes to reduce the wealth gap in these communities by bringing them into the traditional banking sector while providing efficient, low cost financial services.  In this episode we talk about the gaps in traditional banking services, the importance of banking to lifetime financial well being and how MoCaFi is solving these issues through a wide range of innovative technologies and services! At 2:52 we discuss the hole in the market that brick and mortar banks are not filling At 6:01 we talk about the longterm financial effects of being unbanked or underbanked At 9:48 Wole discusses how MoCaFi is solving the high-fee, high-cost business model of traditional banks and how the environment and rituals of a community keep people from participating in the traditional financial sector At 15:28 Wole describes how MoCaFi is approaching customer acquisition through the power of social media and celebrity And at 27:00 Wole talks about MoCaFi's sustainable business model and the difference between traditional banks and challenger banks and what that means in the context of the United State's regulatory framework. Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/mocafitr For more on MoCaFi visit: mocafi.com

Stacey Weismiller of SecondMuse steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her startup incubator and impact firm dedicated to designing, developing and implementing entrepreneurial programs specifically geared to hardware manufacturing in New York City. SecondMuse identifies opportunities in a wide variety of unconventional sectors, including hardware manufacturing and climate technology, which benefit the city as a whole and then develops and mentors startups to fill those gaps in the market. At SecondMuse, Stacey heads M-Corps, an incubator funded by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, which supports startups focused on solving climate issues in every step of their growth from funding to manufacturing. What's more, SecondMuse does require any stake in equity in order to work with them. In this episode we talk about New York City's possibilities as a manufacturing hub, the importance of energy technology companies in New York State, how SecondMuse builds these new economies by mentoring and supporting small innovative companies! For more on SecondMuse visit: www.secondmuse.com/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/SecondMusetr

Harlan Milkove, Managing Partner of Foundational, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his company that uses a data driven approach to prepare startups for venture capital fundraising. After founding several successful companies, Harlan realized that his venture capital expertise and technical know how could solve a problem that many founders face: learning how to efficiently prepare for new rounds of fundraising and target potential investors while still running a company at the same time. Foundational uses data to group startups together by their business plans, the market they’re tapping, location and many other attributes that can then be analyzed and used to predict which investors will be most likely to express interest. What’s more, Foundational coaches startups so that their investment pitches are more likely to be successful and so that CEOs can focus on their companies rather than the full time job of attracting investment. In this episode we talk about how Foundational solves fundraising problems for startups through the use of their proprietary data, common mistakes startups make when attracting capital, how Foundational can give startups the tools needed for success, and a whole lot more! For more on Foundational visit: www.foundational.nyc/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/Foundationaltr

In a special episode of the New York Launch Pod Hal Coopersmith discusses his intelligent residential lease management and compliance software called RezCue, and who else to interview Hal Coopersmith, the longtime host of the New York Launch Pod, than his mother, Martha Coopersmith. This is an episode you won't want to miss! Last summer New York State enacted the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSPTA) which created more requirements for residential landlords, many of which could impact them financially. Realizing that many landlords were unaware of the new law or too busy to keep track of so many important deadlines, Hal used his legal and technological expertise to create RezCue, a software program that ensures that landlords, brokers and property managers alike know how to comply with the law by sending a sequence of emails and text messages ("Cues"). In this special episode, Hal and Martha discuss how the rental regulations can impact landlords, how his new software can save landlords, brokers, and property managers time and money, and a whole lot more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/RezCuetr For more information on RezCue please visit: rezcueme.com

Hector Castillo Carvajal, Founder of Don Carvajal Cafe, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his delicious eco-friendly coffee company. Don Carvajal Cafe offers a sustainable approach to the coffee industry by using exclusively compostable materials, contracting directly with farmers that Hector personally vets, and implementing new processes that help to protect the environment while roasting the beans to perfection. Hector was inspired to start Don Carvajal Cafe while he was still a student at the University of Rochester. One summer Hector came into contact with a coffee importer who was impressed by Hector’s business-savvy and drive. After learning about the coffee industry, Hector then returned to campus in the fall and created a business plan for Don Carvajal Cafe. Since then, Hector has continued to learn everything he can about the coffee industry through mentors and networking to building his business from the ground up. Today Hector is growing his business through pop-up events and visiting cafes and supermarkets to get the word out.   In this episode we talk about how Hector took an idea and turned it into a brand with a presence in all five boroughs and several states, how he taught himself what it takes to be successful in the coffee industry, and how he manages to provide a completely eco-friendly brand from the farms he works with to the packaging containing the best tasting coffee you will ever try! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/doncarvajalcafetr Use code NYLAUNCH for 10% off your order at doncarvajalcafe.com!

Fresh off of a successful appearance on ABC's Shark Tank, we speak to Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, co-founders of Fur. After multiple offers, Laura and Lillian accepted an offer from Lori Greiner of $500,000 for 8% equity in the company and a $50,000 donation towards promoting body positivity. Listen to our special behind the scenes Shark Tank follow-up episode to hear how Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung prepared for their appearance, what it was like negotiating with sharks and a whole lot more! For more on Fur visit: furyou.com Transcript available at: https://nylaun.ch/sharktankfurtr

Cate Luzio, Founder of Luminary, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her woman-focused collaboration hub right in the heart of Manhattan. Luminary offers a unique co-working and networking space for women of all professions to build their careers through hosted events, notable speakers, and a variety of amenities that are all designed make the Luminary space feel like a second home. Before starting Luminary, Cate was the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC managing approximately $2 Billion in revenue and teams across 72 countries. But through her experience in banking, Cate began to notice that many organizations hosting networking events and panels for women did not foster the sense of community or offer a space for daily social gatherings that allowed women to build the relationships that are important to success in the workplace. So to fill this gap in the market, Cate left banking and ambitiously self-funded Luminary to fill the gap in the market. Luminary offers a mix of formal and informal events, amenities including a gym, a "living room", and a window lined rooftop dubbed the "glass ceiling". In this episode we talk about the need for a women-led and women-owned space for career development, the sense of community that is so important to the brand, and Cate Luzio’s decision to build Luminary in New York! More on Luminary: http://luminary.nyc/ Transcript of the episode available at: nylaun.ch/Luminarytr Note about this episode: this interview was recorded prior to the Covid-19 outbreak Resources referenced during the introduction: How the CARES Act Applies to Businesses (Commercial Tenants) and Residential Real Estate: nylaun.ch/CARESAct Making Sense of Rent and Mortgage Obligations Amid Confusing Times: nylaun.ch/Mortgage Preserving Your Commercial Lease Through COVID-19: nylaun.ch/CommercialLease

Umber Ahmad, founder of Mah-Ze-Dahr, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her bakery located in the West Village that is expanding to new locations in New York City and the Washington D.C. metro area. Mah-Ze-Dahr prides itself on the quality of its baked goods, its sustainable approach to food, and its commitment to hospitality, all in the effort to create a heritage brand. Before founding Mah-Ze-Dahr, Umber worked in finance while baking “on the side”. Through her work, she met celebrity chef Tom Colicchio who was blown away by her skills as a chef and implored her to start her own bakery. Since then, Mah-Ze-Dahr not only supplies JetBlue’s first class Mint program but has opened two businesses in New York City. In this episode we discuss the meaning of the Urdu word Mah-Ze-Dahr, how Umber developed her passion into a successful business, how Umber is looking to change the world through her delicious food and a whole lot more! For more information on Mah-Ze-Dahr visit: mahzedahrbakery.com/ Transcript available at: https://www.nylaunchpod.com/transcript-mahzedahr/

Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, Co-Founders of Fur, step back onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their company’s exponential growth and success in the self-care industry. Back in Episode 49, we learned how Fur is changing the conversation around body hair care and meeting the needs of men and women who want all-natural products in their daily routine. Since then, Fur has doubled their sales, tripled their retail presence (including with national retailer ULTA Beauty) and brought several new products to market. In this episode we talk about how Fur continues to expand their market reach, the process of creating and releasing new products, and how attitudes have changed about Fur’s pubic hair and grooming products. For more on Fur check out: furyou.com Transcript available at: https://nylaun.ch/hydfurT

Lena Imamura and Sas Simon, Co-Founders of NAME GLO, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their custom neon design studio that lets customers commission unique artwork for every special moment in their lives while also providing pre-made artisan items for sale. Lena and Sas didn’t set out to start a business that would light millenials’ Instagram accounts on fire. Instead the idea for NAME GLO began when Sas was searching for a neon to celebrate her nephew’s birth. Sas soon discovered a complete lack of consumer friendly methods for ordering or designing neon at a moderate price point. So she turned to her high school friend Lena who had the artistic experience and expertise to design custom pieces. After these pieces became popular, the two realized they had a business. NAME GLO has a variety of premade and custom designs you can create using their interactive online builder and by working with them directly to transform your unique idea into reality. In this episode we talk about how NAME GLO preempted the rebirth of neon, how their pieces are manufactured in their studio, and their brand new store that just opened on the Lower East Side! Use code NYLAUNCH for 10% of your order! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nameglotr For more on NAME GLO visit: name-glo.com/

Matt Bennett, founder of Dreams Aren’t This Good, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his delicious new salsa company that’s spicing up the market with fresh tasting homemade recipes and sleek modern designs. Matt founded the company with the insight that the $1.3 billion dollar salsa industry has remained largely unchanged, even while consumer preferences for other foods has been changing drastically. By offering consumers what he describes as “the full salsa experience” through a variety of inventive flavors with “clean” ingredients, uncharacteristically eye-catching labels, and even donations to philanthropic causes Dreams Aren't This Good has been able to gain shelf space in a market dominated by major players. In this episode we discuss how Matt Bennett transformed a homemade recipe into a growing New York brand, what makes Dreams Aren’t This Good the most unique salsa company in stores now, and even get a sneak peek of several of their new products that will certainly change the salsa and chips experience forever. For more on Dreams Aren't This Good visit: dreamsarentthisgood.com Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/datgtr

Lee Hoffman, co-founder of Heat Watch, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his boiler based technology company which is helping building owners save 20-30% on their fuel costs, reducing the city’s carbon footprint and making apartments more comfortable too! Heat Watch works by monitoring and calibrating boilers to make sure they’re being used efficiently through machine learning technology. With sensors in every apartment and a personal monitoring system, Heat Watch makes sure that any heating issue is immediately identified and corrected while also ensuring that every apartment is a comfortable temperature. If you’ve ever had your apartment windows open in February because the heat is too high while your neighbor next door is freezing, you can see why this is no small deal. In this episode we discuss how Heat Watch is solving some of the most complicated and expensive problems for building owners, the positive impact its having on the environment, and a whole lot more! For more on Heat Watch visit: heatwatch.com Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/heatwatchtr

Heidi Hertel, founder and Gabriel Schlumberger, CEO of Fitz Frames, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their revolutionary eyeglass company that promises to make shopping for glasses fun and headache free for kids and adults. Despite recent innovations, eyeglasses have been manufactured the same way for years. And while standardized styles and sizes may work for some people, they don't work for others, especially children. However, Fitz has developed a way for everyone to have eyewear customized perfectly to their face - at an affordable price. By combining 3D printing and facial recognition technology found in smartphones, Fitz creates custom fit eyeglasses in a variety of styles that are both extremely durable and fashionable. Fitz's app allows users (especially kids) to have fun by virtually trying on glasses, selecting their own style/color, measuring over 1,000 points on each face to ensure a perfect fit and even engraving their names. Fitz's innovative manufacturing process, combined with their glasses being made in the USA, means those customized eyeglasses are delivered to you quickly. In this episode we discuss how Heidi and Gabe were able to perfect their 3D printing and facial scanning technology, why they're so passionate about eyeglasses (especially for children), and what it means to disrupt the glasses buying experience. Use code FITZ-NYLAUNCH for 20% off your order! Go to: nylaun.ch/fitzpromo Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/Fitztr

Aaron Luo and Carmen Chen Wu, Co-Founders of Caraa, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their luxury handbag company, which sells accessories for the modern woman. Caraa blends quality design with functionality to create bags that look good while still meeting the needs of an active lifestyle.  Originally designed as the all purpose go everywhere gym bag, Caraa’s early success inspired them to apply their formula to a variety of everyday needs. They now sell over fifteen different styles in a range of colors and sizes including travel bags, satchels and totes. In this episode we discuss the inspiration behind the brand, their design process, Caraa’s unique place in the fashion industry and, at the end, a sneak peek at Caraa’s next big product.  For more on Caraa and to order your own bag visit:  caraasport.com Use code: NYLAUNCH for 10% off your order! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/caraatr

Brian Berger, Co-Founder of Mack Weldon, steps back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his company’s continued growth and success. Back in Episode 33, we learned how Mack Weldon’s focus on unique fabrics, customer satisfaction, and innovative styles revolutionized the men’s essentials category. Since then, Mack Weldon has added several new clothing lines, opened a store in Hudson Yards, and increased their advertising presence. Listen to this episode to find out about how Mack Weldon continues to evolve to meet its customers’ desires, the changing nature of direct to consumer brands, and how they decided to open their first store right here in New York City. More on Mack Weldon at: www.mackweldon.com Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/hydmackweldontr

Carrie O'Brien and Craig O’Brien the husband and wife and Co-Founders of Sunswell, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their Hamptons-inspired clothing brand, that offers items designed to look good anywhere and keep you cool at the same time. Sunswell’s high quality performance fabrics and classic designs can be worn anywhere from a day at the beach to dinner at night.  Craig O’Brien is the former VP of Men’s Design at Vineyard Vines so he knows a thing or two about the clothing industry. In this episode we discuss how the brand came to be, the spur of the moment decision to open Sag Mercantile for the summer in conjunction with Fair Harbor in Sag Harbor, starting a company with your spouse, and a whole lot more. For more on Sunswell visit:  sunswell.co Transcript of this episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/sunswelltr

Social justice has become something of a buzzword lately with topics including diversity, equality, and fair representation at the forefront of people’s minds. However, many businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies don’t always have the time or abilities to confront these issues head on. That’s where Seachange Collective comes in. Seachange Collective is a women-led and WBE-certified organization which conducts customized and contextualized workshops, social justice audits, and strategic planning and assessment services. They work with all types of organizations to fulfill their missions, bridge the gap between values and practice, and develop the knowledge and resources necessary to make a lasting impact. With backgrounds in community organizing, program design, and facilitation, Hannah Weitzer and Alli Finn, Co-Founders of Seachange Collective, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss how they help guide organizations to effectively create and execute short-term changes and long-term plans rooted in social justice values and practice.   Check out Seachange Collective online at: www.seachangecollective.org Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/seachangecollectivetr

Each year over 16 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away, oftentimes only moments after someone finishes a coffee.When you think about how much paper and plastic there are in 16 BILLION coffee cups you might start recognizin Each year over 16 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away, oftentimes only moments after someone finishes a coffee. When you think about how much paper and plastic there are in 16 BILLION coffee cups you might start recognizing a problem. Jurrien Swarts co-founder of Stojo certainly did, and luckily, he decided to do something about it. Stojo is a sleek, collapsible coffee cup that allows you to take your coffee on the go. The genius behind the design is that before and after each use, you can collapse the cup to “stow” it away without bulkiness or mess. It’s environmentally friendly, incredibly convenient, and designed with the urban professional in mind. To check out Stojo online and order your own check out: https://stojo.co/ and use code: NYLAUNCH for a limited time discount Transcript of this episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/stojotr

Dr. Dennis Gross steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the founding of the Dr. Dennis Gross line of skin care products. There was not much innovation in the world of skin care products in the late 90’s.  According dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross, the skincare industry relied heavily on the use of glycolic acid which had a harsh effect on the skin.  The beauty industry even centered its marketing around how these harsh products were helpful to the skin.  However, as a chemist and researcher  by training Dr. Gross thought he could design a better solution and developed his first product, the Alpha Beta Peel.  Since then Dr. Gross has developed a line of over 40 products which are uniquely formulated to address gaps in the marketplace.  Listen to the episode to discover how Dr. Gross develops these unique products, how he was able to break into and change the ethos of the beauty industry, and a few tips for better skin care this summer and beyond! Mor on Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: https://drdennisgross.com/ Transcript of the episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/drgrosstr

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the retail apocalypse due in part to noteworthy bankruptcies, massive store closings, and the unprecedented number of store vacancies across New York City.  Real estate giant Brookfield Property Partners made headlines in 2018 when the firm acquired seven storefronts on vacancy-ravaged Bleecker Street in Manhattan's Greenwich Village for $31.5M at a time when experts predicted a further worsening of the retail climate. Since then, Brookfield has embarked on an ambitious plan to restore Bleecker Street, the once-vaunted retail corridor now plagued with high vacancy rates and declining sales, to its former glory.    As part of the revitalization plan, Brookfield has created a laboratory for new brands getting a foothold in brick and mortar and a rich offering of art installations and cultural programming. In this episode we have a live panel with Duncan McCuaig, Senior Vice President of Leasing at Brookfield Properties, who provides insight as to how landlords, large and small, can navigate the new age of retail, the genesis of the Love, Bleecker, and how to work with emerging brands; and  Dana Glaeser, Founder of Slightly Alabama, who provides the perspective of a tenant on Bleecker Street, why he was attracted to physical retail to grow his brand, and what techniques he is using to bring traffic to the store. ' This is episode is a panel discussion recorded in front of a live audience at Lincoln Center. Transcript available at: https://nylaun.ch/bleeckerpaneltr

 Flowers make people happy.  But in the United States, there’s been a “lost” generation of people who haven’t had flowers in their homes.  Maybe it’s because flowers are too expensive, they don’t last long, or are simply just a chore to bring home.  Enter It’s By U, a subscription flower service where you assemble the flower arrangement at home. By shipping fair-trade flowers direct from Ecuador, It's By U is able to deliver premium flowers to customers in 5 days from the day they were cut as opposed to the days on end a flower can spend wilting on the shelf of a retail store. The result: a beautiful arrangement that lasts longer and is less expensive than traditional delivery methods.   Founded by sisters Christine (an award winning florist) and Caroline Strzalka, It’s By U brings the well known benefits of nature into the home and office, and has good reason to have you assemble the arrangement yourself. Listen to the episode to hear how this blossoming business is bringing new life to the flower industry! Thinking of an It’s By U gift?  Use code NYLAUNCH for 20% off. More on It’s By U: https://itsbyu.com/ Transcript of the episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/itsbyutr