Podcasts about Bootstrapping

Molly MacDonald, founder of The Pink Fund – a national nonprofit in the breast cancer space that provides a 90-day financial bridge for patients by covering essential costs like housing, transportation, insurance, and utilities.Through her powerful storytelling and unshakable vision, Molly has helped The Pink Fund distribute nearly $10 million since 2006, directly impacting treatment adherence, reducing bankruptcy, and improving survivorship outcomes for thousands of patients.Now, Molly's journey from journalist to nonprofit powerhouse proves what's possible when tenacity meets purpose – even when the odds are stacked against you and the naysayers are loud.And while navigating leadership transitions, forecasting funding, and standing out among 4,000 other breast cancer nonprofits, she continues to lead with heart, soul, and what many call a touch of “magic.”Here's where to find more:www.pinkfund.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pink-fundhttps://www.facebook.com/ThePinkFundhttps://www.instagram.com/thepinkfund________________________________________________Welcome to The Unforget Yourself Show where we use the power of woo and the proof of science to help you identify your blind spots, and get over your own bullshit so that you can do the fucking thing you ACTUALLY want to do!We're Mark and Katie, the founders of Unforget Yourself and the creators of the Unforget Yourself System and on this podcast, we're here to share REAL conversations about what goes on inside the heart and minds of those brave and crazy enough to start their own business. From the accidental entrepreneur to the laser-focused CEO, we find out how they got to where they are today, not by hearing the go-to story of their success, but talking about how we all have our own BS to deal with and it's through facing ourselves that we find a way to do the fucking thing.Along the way, we hope to show you that YOU are the most important asset in your business (and your life - duh!). Being a business owner is tough! With vulnerability and humor, we get to the real story behind their success and show you that you're not alone._____________________Find all our links to all the things like the socials, how to work with us and how to apply to be on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/unforgetyourself

Guest: Waseem Daher – Founder & Executive Chairman of Pilot LinkedIn: Waseem Daher Pilot: pilot.com | Founder Salary Report 2025   Bio Waseem Daher is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Pilot, a modern finance team offering bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services for startups, e-commerce businesses, and professional services firms. Backed by Sequoia Capital and Bezos Expeditions, Pilot has become the go-to back office solution for growing companies. An engineer by training and a serial entrepreneur, Waseem previously co-founded Ksplice (acquired by Oracle) and Zulip (acquired by Dropbox). He now combines his experience as a three-time founder with insights into startup finance, scaling, and leadership. Beyond Pilot, Waseem writes regularly about building startups on LinkedIn and in his newsletter, Startup Real Talk. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why founder salaries dropped 43% in 2025 and what this means for early-stage companies How founders should think about compensation when talking to investors Risks startups face when founders underpay themselves How company stage, funding, and geography influence salary decisions The role of boards and investors in shaping compensation What lessons Waseem carried from Ksplice and Zulip into Pilot Insights into bootstrapping vs. venture-backed founder pay How founders can use Pilot's salary data to benchmark and negotiate effectively Why the number of AI startups surged by 287%, yet founder salaries declined What the rise in bootstrapped startups (up 77%) says about today's funding environment Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are my own and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.  

Born on whitewater, built in an ammo can, Lavabox is Josh Thurmond's proof that instinct and grit can power a bootstrapped business that gives back and keeps rivers wild.   What does it take to move from a design patent invention built in your garage to a product company trusted by tens of thousands? How do entrepreneurs balance protecting profits with opportunities for scale? And why might wellbeing and values be just as important as growth when inventing a new product and leading a business?   Josh shares how his background as a river guide shaped his entrepreneurship—reading the rapids, trusting instincts, and steering through uncertainty with purpose. He explains why he turned down multi-million-dollar deals, chose to stay 100% independent, and built Lavabox around authenticity, customer input, and community impact.   This episode offers a candid look at the entrepreneurship of product companies, what it really takes to bootstrap from idea to invention while protecting both your business and your wellbeing.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Josh Thurmond and LavaBox 03:16 The Birth of a Design Patent Invention 06:19 Patent Challenges and Market Strategy 10:25 Turning Down Multi-Million Dollar Deals 14:10 Bootstrapping and Financing a Product Company 19:00 Building a Lifestyle Brand and Company Culture 26:11 Giving Back Through Protect Our Rivers 27:46 Resilience and Advice for Entrepreneurs   Links Connect with Josh Thurmond: Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Visit LavaBox Portable Campfire Connect with Sarah Lockwood: Visit HiveCast Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn   Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: The Conscious Entrepreneur  Follow The Conscious Entrepreneur on LinkedIn Follow The Conscious Entrepreneur on Instagram  Subscribe to The Conscious Entrepreneur on YouTube   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Episode Summary:In this episode, Eric Weiss sits down with Andy Ballester, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of GoFundMe and EyePop.ai, to unpack the highs, lows, and lessons of building category-defining startups. Andy shares how an early college job at a software startup sparked his passion for technology, why he bootstrapped GoFundMe into a global fundraising platform, and what it took to scale from two founders to a household brand that processed over a billion dollars in giving.Andy also reveals the insights behind his newest venture, EyePop.ai, a computer vision platform making AI accessible to developers and businesses across industries. He explains how modern visual intelligence can turn everyday images and video into actionable data—from analyzing pickleball swings to inspecting drone footage of rooftops—and why speed, lean teams, and clear product design are essential in today's fast-moving AI landscape.Listeners will learn:How GoFundMe evolved from a simple savings concept into the world's leading personal fundraising site The technical and UX hurdles of early fintech and how Andy's team overcame them Why bootstrapping worked for GoFundMe but venture funding is key for AI startups The critical role of co-founders, emotional resilience, and a “stoic CEO” mindset in surviving the startup grind Practical advice for founders on team building, product iteration, and staying ahead of AI's rapid innovation curve Whether you're a first-time founder, a product leader, or an investor tracking the next wave of AI infrastructure, Andy's journey offers a masterclass in startup strategy, growth, and perseverance. Don't forget to subscribe to the Chaos to Clarity Podcast for more invaluable episodes to help you grow your business and stay ahead of the curve!To reach out to Eric, visit https://chaostoclarity.io/

Travis and producer Eric break down one of the most polarizing topics in entrepreneurship: is it better to bootstrap a business, or raise outside capital? Drawing on personal experience and lessons from startup culture, Travis reveals the biggest mistakes founders make when chasing VC funding, why Silicon Valley's obsession with investment misleads so many, and the first principles everyone should use to decide how to launch any new company. On this episode we talk about:   The dangers and downsides of raising funding too early—even if the “checklist” seems to fit your business   Why bootstrapping builds discipline, pressure, and actual proof of concept (and how to get creative when money is tight)   When venture capital makes sense—and all the hidden costs of taking outside money, from loss of control to preferential contracts   How AI is changing the software startup equation, and shrinking the need to raise massive amounts of funding   Lessons learned from infamous failures (like Quibi) and the right ways to audit your business before chasing investment Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Bootstrapping is almost always the better first move; it boosts discipline, real market feedback, and keeps control in the founder's hands.2.  Raising outside capital adds pressure, complex contracts, and doesn't guarantee success; cash alone never fixes a business that lacks product-market fit.3.  Use trusted frameworks (like Reid Hoffman's Blitzscaling checklist), consult experienced founders, and remember: don't give away control unless it's truly required for growth. Notable Quotes   “If at all possible, bootstrap first—even just to prove your concept. Outside money makes everything more complicated.”   “Cash doesn't solve all your problems. There are usually bigger issues at play—product, marketing, market fit—that have nothing to do with funding volume.”   “The moment you take other people's money, it gets harder, not easier; discipline and focus will always win.” Connect with Travis Chappell:   LinkedIn: Travis Chappell on LinkedIn   Twitter/X: @travischappell   Instagram: @travischappell   Website: travischappell.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Tim and Tyler talk to Michael Key, CEO and Co-Founder of Impello Biosciences. — This episode is presented by American AgCredit. Check them out HERE. — Links Impello Biosciences - https://impellobio.com  Impello on AgList - https://aglist.com/manufacturer/impello-biosciences 

Join me as I sit down with the dynamic Jami Stigliano, founder and franchisor of Diva Dance, who has built an incredible business around empowering women through dance while creating wealth-building opportunities for franchisees across the globe. Jami takes us through her journey from growing up in small-town Texas with entrepreneurial role models to spending 20 years in the music industry in New York City, and ultimately finding her true calling in building a dance franchise that helps women own their power. You'll hear about her strategic approach to bootstrapping a business to 52 locations without outside investors, her partnership with her husband in both business and life, and her upcoming capital raise. This conversation is packed with insights on franchising as a wealth-building vehicle, the importance of an abundance mindset, and how to scale a values-driven business while maintaining authentic community connections. Key Topics: Growing up with abundance mindset and quality over quantity lessons from dad Surviving the music industry in NYC while building 401k wealth The Miami breakthrough moment that changed everything Bootstrapping through sacrifice: roommates, in-laws, and side hustles Why franchising beats licensing for building real assets Selling their Manhattan apartment to fund business growth Scaling to $2.3M revenue without investors and preparing for capital raise Connect with Jami online: Website: divadance.com Franchise opportunities: divadancefranchise.com LinkedIn: Connect with Jami Stigliano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamistig/   Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: syamabunten.com Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: women.win Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupOn this episode, we speak with Boone & Ben, co‑founders of Highland Style Co., a clean‑ingredient men's grooming brand that grew from kitchen‑experiments to eight figures in revenue. We dig into their growth journey: how they built performance products, retained customers, and scaled unit economics without losing the values that launched them.What you'll learn in this episode:How to validate product performance early via professional channels (barbershops/salons) to build credibility.The importance of embedding unit economics (margins, payback period, LTV/CAC) from day one to ensure scalable growth.Three content pillars that moved the needle for Highland: founder storytelling, expert endorsements, and aspirational user content.Real tactics for retention: packaging, post‑purchase experience, SMS/email flows, and repeat products.Why staying lean in team & operations matters, and how to hire/contract strategically to keep agility.How clean beauty standards (ingredients, packaging) can coexist with performance and profitability.Timestamps00:00 The origins of Highland and solving a personal problem02:00 Early product development and validation with barbershops07:00 Bootstrapping, fundraising, and focus on profitability10:00 Building strong unit economics and targeting 80% margins12:00 Meta ads and founder-led storytelling that drove growth15:00 Evolving content strategy and leveraging industry experts18:00 Scaling to eight figures with only two SKUs21:00 Staying lean with a four-person team and efficient operations25:00 Merging marketing with finance and building a payback workbook28:00 Retention tactics and post-purchase experience31:00 Expanding to Amazon and why it was a growth unlock32:00 Scrappy press tactics and winning grooming awards35:00 Building relationships with creators and affiliate partners36:00 Future goals, brand vision, and plans for expansionHashtags#DTCpodcast #HighlandHair #EcommerceGrowth #Bootstrapping #StartupStory #UnitEconomics #FounderJourney #ContentStrategy #RetentionMarketing #AmazonGrowth #HaircareBrand #DigitalMarketing #BrandBuilding #BusinessPodcast #ScalingBrands Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #41 of season 5, Anna Nadeina talks with Mike Hill, bootstrapper and serial entrepreneur, co-founder of products like Curator.io, Frill.co, Juuno.co, Flook.co, and Anycamp.--------------Episode's Chapters----------------0:00—Introduction and background1:59—Building stuff and starting micro startups4:01—Limitations of managing multiple businesses5:27—Discussion on AI and its limitations7:04—The future of SaaS and bootstrapping8:33—Team composition and hiring approach10:26—Product strategy and market selection45:16—Biggest wins and failures51:37—Growth hacks and final adviceMike - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mymatemike/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-groupStay up to date:Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_groupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796

#605 Busy professionals want to look sharp but hate shopping — so what if AI could handle it for you? In this episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, Anya Cheng, founder of Taelor, shares how she built an AI-powered styling service that eliminates decision fatigue for men who want to dress well without the hassle. Anya dives into her transition from corporate leadership at Meta, eBay, and Target to launching a startup, the unexpected ways she leveraged partnerships to grow, and how a service-based mindset helped her secure funding. She also gets real about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, proving that success isn't just about innovation — it's about persistence. Plus, don't miss a special listener discount to try Taelor for yourself! (Original Air Date - 3/5/25) What we discuss with Anya: + The inspiration behind Taelor – AI-powered styling for men + From corporate to startup – Anya's journey from Meta, eBay, and Target + AI in fashion – Reducing decision fatigue with smart styling + Startup challenges – Bootstrapping, funding, and unexpected hurdles + Strategic partnerships – Growth through dating apps, schools, and brands + Fashion sustainability – Reducing waste and extending clothing life + Knowing your customer – Solving real problems with a niche focus + Funding and investors – How Anya secured a $1M investment + Lessons in resilience – The reality of startup life Thank you, Anya! Check out Taelor at ⁠Taelor.style⁠. Use coupon code PODCAST25 to get 25% off your first month or PODCASTGIFT to get 10% off a gift card. Watch the ⁠video podcast⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Heath and Randy Goldberg turned Bombas from a scrappy Indiegogo campaign into the most successful Shark Tank investment of all time—now valued at $3.4 billion. In this interview, the Bombas co-founders share how a simple insight about homelessness sparked a mission-driven sock company, how they bootstrapped their way to product-market fit, and the strategies that allowed them to scale profitably in one of the most competitive eras of eCommerce. From bootstrapping and fundraising to Shark Tank, celebrity endorsements, and building a brand people love, this episode is a masterclass in combining profit with purpose. What you'll learn from this interview: • How Bombas grew from a $140K Indiegogo campaign to a $3.4B business • The one-for-one donation model and why it worked when others doubted it • Bootstrapping tactics that fueled growth before raising outside capital • The Shark Tank experience and why it was a turning point for the brand • How Bombas navigated rising customer acquisition costs and scaled profitably • The mindset shifts needed to build a mission-driven business at scale • Why focus, authenticity, and constraints can be the biggest drivers of innovation By the end of this interview, you'll walk away with a playbook for building a business that blends purpose with profit—so you can grow faster, stay focused, and create a brand that stands the test of time. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to https://your.omnisend.com/foundr to get started. HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application → Already have a store? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/ CONNECT WITH BOMBAS Website → https://bombas.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/bombas/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/bombas/ David's LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtheath/ Randy's LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/randysgoldberg/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt Website → https://www.foundr.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/foundr/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/foundr Twitter → https://www.twitter.com/foundr LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/ Podcast → https://www.foundr.com/podcast

In this episode, we talk about what the Less Annoying team should be working on while waiting to see if the last bet actually pays off.

In this episode, Mike shares his incredible journey from running a $2 million business to scaling it to a $40 million enterprise. Alongside Ryan, they delve into the mindset shifts, challenges, and strategies that were pivotal to Mike's growth.    Mike reveals his deep internal changes, the importance of belief, and how pivotal new product innovations and marketing tactics played a role in their breakout success. From leveraging Amazon to navigating thought processes, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses.   CHAPTERS 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Humble Beginnings to Big Dreams 00:30 Reflecting on Early Challenges and Growth 01:57 The Mindset Shift: Aiming for Nine Figures 03:13 The Power of Belief and Mindset 07:15 Leveraging Amazon and Exploring New Channels 10:52 Innovative Products and Market Domination 20:42 Personal Growth and Leadership Evolution 27:53 The Power of Belief in Entrepreneurship 29:51 Navigating Roadblocks with Self-Awareness 30:37 Bootstrapping to Success 33:31 Seeking and Evaluating Advice 44:23 The Importance of Simplicity and Focus 49:34 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs   If you're interested in working together, you can apply for The One Percent at https://capitalism.com/one   Doing $1M+? Apply for the incubator at https://capitalism.com/inc

Payroll is one of the trickiest parts of running a business, but for Christina Hageny, it became her calling. She first discovered payroll while working as an administrative assistant, and despite encouragement to move into HR, she stuck with it. In 2020, Christina launched her own firm, Valor Payroll Solutions, and today she helps small businesses handle payroll with ease and confidence.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 11:19 Payroll across different industries 13:31 Scaling the business  17:58 Bootstrapping the business 20:34 Balancing work and life 25:32 Reflecting on the business 29:39 Advice for other entrepreneurs  30:39 Closing and contact

Timestamps00:00 – Tour of Andreas' self-built "culinary village" (bakery, guesthouse, fermentation lab).08:05 – The startup struggle: Bootstrapping with 4 people and sleeping in the restaurant.13:22 – Losing his co-founder/girlfriend: Why he almost quit (but didn't).19:06 – Monetization secrets: Licensing deals, Hublot/Audi partnerships, and why "brands need stories."22:35 – Future projects: Saunas, talent foundations, and why "the hardest part isn't starting—it's staying relevant."This episode was sponsored by Relai. Get started with Bitcoin by downloading the Relai app today, and profit from 10% less fees by entering code SWISSPRENEUR at checkout. Click the link in the bio to learn more!(Disclaimer: Relai services are exclusively recommended for Swiss and Italian residents.)About Andreas CaminadaAndreas Caminada, one of the world's most decorated chefs (3 Michelin stars, 19 Gault Millau points), reveals how he built a culinary empire in the Swiss Alps without investors—starting with just 4 employees and a relentless focus on passion over profit. In this intimate interview at his castle-turned-restaurant, he shares:Why he chose his remote hometown over global food capitals (Zurich, New York) and turned it into a destination.The brutal early days: Working 18-hour shifts, losing his co-founder (and girlfriend), and waiting 7 years to turn a profit.His "anti-scaling" philosophy: Why he capped seats at 30 guests to protect quality—and how he expanded creatively (magazines, licensing, brand partnerships).Lessons for founders: Resourcefulness (no fancy kitchen gear), consistency, and why "money was never the motivation."Don't forget to give us a follow on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there's no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.The cover portrait was edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartportrait.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Fixing Healthcare's Forgotten Data ProblemIn this episode of Future Fuzz, host Justin Campbell is joined by co-host Vince Quinn for a deep dive into healthcare data innovation with guest Sudhakar Mohanraj, an award-winning entrepreneur and healthcare IT executive. Sudhika shares how he identified a blue ocean opportunity in healthcare data archival, scaled Triyam into an Inc. 5000 company, and eventually exited successfully. The conversation covers how to create new market categories, the unique challenges of healthcare sales, the impact of generative AI in healthcare, and the power of building a committed, adaptable team.Guest BioSudhakar Mohanraj is the founder and former CEO of Triyam, a leading healthcare data management company. Under his leadership, Triyam pioneered SaaS-based solutions for healthcare data archival and decommissioning legacy systems, earning a Best-in-Class award and recognition on the Inc. 5000 list. With a career rooted in product development and platform thinking, Sudhika brings over 30 years of tech experience and a relentless drive to simplify complexity in healthcare IT. He has since exited Triyam and continues to innovate as an engineer at heart, building scalable products that address provider burnout and data challenges in the healthcare industry.TakeawaysFounding a company starts with spotting real, unmet needs—Triyam was born from a single client project.Educating the market is essential in category creation—webinars, case studies, and repeated messaging helped Triyam define the healthcare archival space.Selling to smaller healthcare providers enabled faster growth and innovation adoption.AI has massive potential in healthcare, particularly in easing provider burnout and processing legacy data.Bootstrapping can be a strength—Sudhika scaled Triyam without outside funding.A dedicated, values-aligned team is more powerful than chasing only “A-players.”Focus on customer education and ROI-driven messaging to enter traditional, complex industries.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Future Fuzz & Guest Intro 01:09 The Origins of Triyam & Platform Thinking 03:10 Finding Product-Market Fit through Projects 04:35 Educating the Market on Healthcare Data Archival 06:55 Creating the Language for a New Category 08:07 Breaking Through in a Hard-to-Reach Market 10:22 Content Strategy: Webinars, Case Studies, ROI 12:27 Land and Expand: Going from Small to Large Providers14:07 AI's Role in Healthcare and Data Archival 17:38 Regulatory Drivers: The 10-Year Data Rule 19:38 Marketing in a Crowded Space: Full-Funnel Strategy 21:35 The Opportunity for Video Content in Healthcare 23:24 Entrepreneurial Lessons: Team, Fundraising, and Focus 25:24 How Sudhika Built His Team & Core Values 28:14 Team Loyalty, Attitude over Aptitude 29:30 Wrap-Up and Final ThoughtsLinkedIn⁠Follow Sudhakar Mohanraj on LinkedIn Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn Follow Vince Quinn on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Crypto 101 podcast, host Bryce interviews Sreeram Kannan, founder of EigenCloud, discussing the innovative decentralized infrastructure being built for the crypto ecosystem. Sriram explains the vision behind EigenCloud, its unique features like EigenDA and Eigen compute, and how it aims to provide a verifiable and autonomous service layer for crypto builders. The conversation also touches on the evolution of Eigen, the importance of restaking, regulatory clarity, and the future of AI agents in the blockchain space. Sriram emphasizes the need for a cloud-like environment in crypto and the potential for EigenCloud to revolutionize the industry.Efani Sim Swap Protection: Get $99 Off: http://efani.com/crypto101Check out Plus500: https://plus500.comCheck out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.comGet immediate access to my entire crypto portfolio for just $1.00 today! https://www.crypto101insider.com/cryptnation-directm6pypcy1?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_content=Podcast&utm_term=DescriptionGet your FREE copy of "Crypto Revolution" and start making big profits from buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrency today: http://www.cryptorevolution.com/free?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_content=Podcast&utm_term=DescriptionChapters00:00 Introduction to EigenCloud and Sriram Kannan01:06 Understanding EigenCloud's Vision and Functionality05:29 The Need for Decentralized Infrastructure in Crypto09:23 Evolution of Eigen and Shared Security Model10:53 Building a Cloud-like Environment for Crypto14:43 EigenDA and Its Role in Data Throughput16:07 EigenLayer's Unique Position in the Crypto Ecosystem18:49 Developer Experience and Programming Flexibility with EigenCompute22:29 Commercialization Efforts and Future Prospects for EigenCloud25:06 Understanding Total Value Locked (TVL) in EigenLayer26:38 Bootstrapping the Network and Earning Yield27:04 Redistribution in Ethereum Staking29:46 The Evolution of EigenLayer and DeFi Protocols30:16 Understanding Restaking and Addressing FUD33:33 Regulatory Clarity and Its Impact on Staking34:51 The Vision for the Future of Crypto41:37 Collaboration with Ethereum and Future Roadmap45:38 The Universal Utility of EigenLayerMERCH STOREhttps://cryptorevolutionmerch.com/Subscribe to YouTube for Exclusive Content:https://www.youtube.com/@crypto101podcast?sub_confirmation=1Follow us on social media for leading-edge crypto updates and trade alerts:https://twitter.com/Crypto101Podhttps://instagram.com/crypto_101Guest Linkhttps://x.com/eigenlayer*This is NOT financial, tax, or legal advice*Boardwalk Flock LLC. All Rights Reserved  ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fog by DIZARO https://soundcloud.com/dizarofrCreative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0 Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/Fog-DIZAROMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/lAfbjt_rmE8▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com* Check out Gemini Exchange: https://gemini.com/card* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I reflect on my recent interview with Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos. I dive into the trade-offs between bootstrapping and raising venture capital. I share my thoughts on how AI is changing entrepreneurship and jobs. I talk about my own experiences with product pivots and tough market challenges. I explain how I use AI to boost efficiency in my startup journey. Building products is easier than ever, but getting distribution right is still the hardest part. Twitter: https://x.com/wbetiagoLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiago-ferreira-48562095/Timestamps by PodsqueezeIntroduction and Recap of Previous Episode (00:00:02)Raising Funds vs. Bootstrapping (00:01:20)Valuation, Market Size, and Risks of Raising (00:03:59)Analyzing Competitors and Market Potential (00:09:13)Calculating Market Size and Revenue Projections (00:10:21)How Much to Raise and Lessons from Greg Hewett (00:11:32)Benefits of Not Raising and Work-Life Balance (00:12:54)AI's Impact on Productivity and Hiring (00:12:54)Long-Term Thinking and Consistency (00:13:59)AI's Negative Impact on Jobs and the Economy (00:16:25)Building Resilient Businesses and Diversification (00:18:58)Turning a Landing Page into a Revenue Stream (00:20:01)Iterating the Business Model and Monetization (00:21:08)Distribution as the Key Bottleneck (00:22:15)Leveraging Distribution Channels for Growth (00:23:20)Conclusion and Call to Action (00:24:39)

Listen on your favorite podcast service: https://pods.to/wesoundcrazy Join our We Sound Crazy email list: https://ffm.link/wsc-signup Stream songs from the episode on our official We Sound Crazy playlists: https://lnkfi.re/8I8Drkfz On the We Sound Crazy podcast, KevOnStage and Mark JP Hood discuss their BET+ hit series, Churchy, and its significant evolution from a self-funded, "guerrilla-style" production to a major network show. We get the behind the scenes story on how the first season was funded by KevOnStage and his wife Melissa, leading to them handling everything from wardrobe to continuity. For the second season, they got a full production budget and crew, allowing them to expand the show's scope and make it funnier and more authentic, with new storylines for every character. Kev and Mark highlight how the show is a workplace comedy for all audiences, even non-churchgoers, with humor that's universally relatable while still containing inside jokes for "church kids" like themselves. This episode is definitely loaded with many crazy stories and also industry insights. Mark JP Hood recalls his first time fully activating his talents when he tap-danced to Kirk Franklin in his church on a dry-erase board. KevOnStage shares the show's humble beginnings on the KevOnStage Studios app (Shout out to the GOAT), and how a mutual friend led to a bidding war for the series, with BET having the winning offer. They explain that the fame and attention can be jarring, but his slow, organic rise helped him adapt. Kev also talks about his intentionality in hiring Black women, a lesson he learned from a pivotal job interview early in his career. Lastly, listen and watch to find out who Kev and Mark's dream cameos would be for the next season of Churcy.  This is truly an episode that you don't want to miss.  So with that said, go ahead and press that play button now!! We Sound Crazy is your backstage pass to all things music and culture. Special thanks to our We Sound Crazy team! Director: John Dierre Camera Op: James Hart, Josh Sowemimo, John Dierre Editing: Lamont Baldwin Show Producer/Sound Mixer: Michael "Roux" Johnson Producer: Aaron Walton Assistant: Brittany Guydon Talent Producer: Isaac Hamm III Photography: Ah'meer Holt   PA: Kaye Brasley, Tony Cole   Thank you to all of our listeners, as well as our partners at Visit Music City.   Special thanks to KevOnStage and Mark JP Hood! Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your favorite podcast.  Follow We Sound Crazy on Social Media: ~ Facebook: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscfacebook ~ Instagram: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscinstagram ~ Twitter: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctwitter ~ TikTok: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wsctiktok Subscribe to We Sound Crazy on YouTube: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/wscyoutube-subscribe Visit the official We Sound Crazy website: https://wesoundcrazy.ffm.to/officialwebsite #WeSoundCrazy #KevOnStage #MarkJPHood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I sat down with Mike McDerment, founder of FreshBooks, his story reminded me why narrowing focus is often the smartest path to growth. In this Bite-sized episode, you'll hear how Mike turned a small design problem into a billion-dollar company by obsessing over one specific customer segment.Mike shares how he resisted the temptation to serve everyone, instead targeting only web designers for seven years. That focus built a loyal base and drove word-of-mouth growth far beyond the niche. He talks about bootstrapping from his parents' basement, raising small angel rounds, and running lean until the first big $30m investment a decade later.If you're stuck wondering how to get your business moving, this conversation is a blueprint: start small, serve one customer type brilliantly, and let focus fuel scale.Key Takeaways:Identify one clear customer and understand their pain better than they do.Avoid the trap of believing “everyone” is your customer. Focus creates growth.Bootstrapping forces discipline and builds resilience before raising big capital.Word of mouth is powerful when you serve a niche exceptionally well.Scaling requires patience and deliberate planning, not shortcuts.

Thanks to our partners Promotive and Wicked FileWhat happens when a shop owner calls to say they're going broke—only to discover they're actually profitable on paper? The truth is, profit doesn't always equal cashflow. And without cash, even the healthiest shops can collapse.In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt Demarest, CPA of Parmels & Associates, tackles one of the most dangerous misconceptions in business: why shops fail even when they're making money. From bootstrapping vs. borrowing to the hidden dangers of credit card advance loans, Hunt unpacks real-world lessons from a client whose debt service was drowning out his profits—and the lifeline that helped him turn it around.If you've ever wondered why your bank account doesn't match your P&L, this episode could be the wake-up call you need.What You'll Learn in This Episode(00:00) Why profit doesn't always mean cash—and why cash doesn't always mean profit(02:12) The #1 killer of small businesses: lack of cashflow(06:44) Debt service vs. total debt: what really matters for survival(08:59) Bootstrapping vs. borrowing: how to pick your strategy and stick to it(11:19) Why cash reserves are more important than paying off all your debt(13:59) When profit isn't enough: how debt service can sink a shop(15:56) The dangers of credit card advance loans—and why they trap so many shops(18:12) How refinancing debt saved one shop owner from burning $3,000 every monthThanks to our partner PromotiveIt's time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit https://gopromotive.com/Thanks to our Partner WickedFileTurn chaos into clarity with WickedFile, the AI for auto repair shops. Transform invoices into insights, protect cash flow, and stop losing parts, cores, or credits to maximize your bottom line. visit https://info.wickedfile.com/Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: www.paarmelis.comEmail Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comText Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413Download a Copy of My Books Here:Wrenches to Write-OffsYour Perfect Shop Aftermarket Radio NetworkRemarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open DiscussionDiagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly...

I chat with Craig Hewitt , founder of Castos. We talk about his journey from running a podcast editing agency to building a SaaS hosting platform. We cover the challenges of bootstrapping, raising funds, and going international. Craig shares how he uses distribution channels, how AI affects small teams, and what it's like to scale in a niche market. We end with advice for indie founders on picking business models, taking risks, and keeping up with tech changes.My twitter: https://x.com/wbetiagoAbout Craig HewittTwitter: https://x.com/TheCraigHewittPodcast: https://roguestartups.com/Timestamps by PodsqueezeGreg's Background and Starting Podcast Motor (00:01:02)Getting First Clients and Sales Approach (00:06:29)US vs. Europe: Customer Acquisition Differences (00:08:25)Localization and Multi-Currency Pricing (00:13:18)Transition from Agency to SaaS: Castus (00:16:30)Distribution Channels and Product Positioning (00:19:06)Impact of AI on Team and Product Development (00:25:28)Bootstrapping vs. Raising Money: Tiny Seed Experience (00:30:25)Agency vs. SaaS: Which to Start First? (00:31:33)Tiny Seed Accelerator: Value and Learnings (00:35:55)Distribution, Churn, and Growth Challenges (00:38:56)Balancing Family, Agency, SaaS, and Accelerator (00:41:05)Using Investment to Scale and the Realities of Raising Money (00:44:05)Investor Returns and Exit Expectations (00:51:19)Podcasting Market Realities and Churn (00:54:10)Pricing, Retention, and Content Marketing Plateau (00:57:23)What to Do When Growth Plateaus (01:00:59)AI's Impact on SaaS and the Economy (01:10:21)US vs. Europe: Entrepreneurial Mindset Differences (01:14:53)Conclusion and Where to Find Greg (01:17:58)Links and MentionsTools and Websites"Castos": "00:01:02""Podcast Motor": "00:01:02""Audacity": "00:05:40""Ecom from Skype": "00:05:40""Blueberry": "00:05:50""Buzzsprout": "00:05:50""Seriously Simple Podcasting": "00:17:36""HubSpot": "00:19:14""Cursor": "00:15:11""Zencastr": "00:22:33""Zoom": "00:22:33""Figma": "00:24:26""Cursor": "00:27:41""TinySeed": "00:30:25""11 Labs": "00:26:30""Claude": "00:26:30""Marnus": "00:26:30""TinySeed": "00:48:33""WordPress": "00:51:19""Podsqueeze": "00:54:10""Apple Podcast Connect": "00:55:13""Rogue Startups": "01:17:58"Books"Steal Like an Artist": "00:19:31"Videos and Podcasts"Nathan Barry's Podcast": "01:08:40"

In this episode, host @Sophie Vo sits down with Claire Rozain, a leader in the gaming and tech space, community builder, and entrepreneur. Together they reflect on Claire's unconventional career journey, her bold move into solopreneurship, and the lessons she has learned about resilience, freedom, and building meaningful communities.Claire shares her perspective on navigating layoffs, redefining success beyond corporate life, and creating ventures that address real gaps in the market—from gaming communities to women-led festivals and Femtech initiatives. The discussion is deeply personal, exploring how life experiences, including moments of trauma, can shape one's courage to live authentically and take risks.Listeners will come away with powerful reminders about trust, self-belief, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people who empower you to build the life you truly want.“Unemployment is not an end—it's an opportunity to evolve.”Leadership Learnings

Alexander Cutler is a Core Contributor at Aerodrome Finance, the largest decentralised exchange on Base with over $600m TVL. He also serves on the core team at Velodrome Finance, a leading decentralised exchange on the Optimism network. Before entering decentralised finance, Alex built experience across politics, technology, and consulting. His work is driven by a belief in democratising access to liquidity, governance, and ownership opportunities. In this conversation, we discuss:- How Aerodrome started - Bootstrapping growth to become the largest DEX on Base without VC funding - Community ownership and governance through veAERO - What does the Syndicate community-first launch on Aerodrome signal for the future of token launches - DEXs vs CEXs - The distribution rails of the onchain economy - The future of DeFi - Liquidity fragmentation is one of the biggest challenges in DeFi - Long-term ambition for Aerodrome - The case for DeFi on Base and why it's a unique ecosystem - DeFi maturing beyond speculation toward sustainable financial infrastructure Aerodrome Website: aerodrome.financeX: @AerodromeFiDiscord: discord.gg/aerodromeAlexander Cutler X: @wagmiAlexander---------------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.  PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Timestamps:6:00 – Deciding between chasing investor money vs. revenues from day one29:42 – How founder pressure differs across funding strategies (runway vs. cash-flow anxiety)37:22 – Can a bootstrapped startup realistically become a market leader?35:10 – In what scenario would they switch financing strategies?This episode was produced by Founders Hive — a community of founders, experts, and investors driving entrepreneurship in Switzerland. We support early-stage startups in becoming investment-ready and guide them through the fundraising journey.As a partner of the Entrepreneurship Training programme, empowered by Innosuisse — Switzerland's innovation agency — we contribute to strengthening startups, SMEs, and research institutions in their innovation and growth.Checkout https://innosuisse.founders-hive.ch/ to learn more about Founders Hive, empowered by Innosuisse.Episode Summary:Denys Sutter is the Co-Founder and CEO of condenZero, a startup focused on building ultra-low temperature sample holders for electron microscopes, enabling researchers to observe materials and molecules at extreme cryogenic conditions with unmatched speed and stability. They hold a PHD in Physics from University of Zurich.Girisha Fernando is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lyfegen, a startup provides software that helps healthcare payers and pharma companies manage complex drug pricing agreements, reduce admin work, and optimize rebates for better value. They hold a Bachelor of Applied Science in International Management and Economics from PHW Bern.In their chat, Girisha and Denys compared bootstrapping, non-dilutive funding, and VC money through the lens of speed, focus, and risk. They dug into how early traction de-risks a raise, why deep-tech R&D often can't be accelerated with more capital, and how European VC norms can clash with early-stage reality. They also shared pragmatic alternatives—grants, debt against orders, and strategic investors—plus the importance of aligning your fundraising path with market size and sales cycles.They also talked about founder psychology and operating pressure: the difference between managing cash-flow anxieties vs. runway clocks, how board quality can add structure (or distraction), and when outside capital becomes “fuel” to reach dominance. The group debated whether a bootstrapped company can lead a market, concluding that natural growth is often too slow once scale is in sight, and closed with concrete trigger points for switching paths—hitting product scalability, expanding to bigger markets, or needing faster go-to-market to seize timing.The cover portrait was edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartportrait.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.‍Don't forget to give us a follow on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there's no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.

Today we're going to talk about business funding. Where do you get the money to start a business? Screw The Commute Podcast Show Notes Episode 1033 How To Automate Your Business - https://screwthecommute.com/automatefree/ Internet Marketing Training Center - https://imtcva.org/ Higher Education Webinar – https://screwthecommute.com/webinars See Tom's Stuff – https://linktr.ee/antionandassociates 00:23 Tom's introduction to Business Funding 01:36 Bootstrapping, personal loans, credit cards 05:40 Preselling, line of credit, SBA loans 08:23 Debt and equity investors, crowdfunding, grants 11:08 Microlenders Entrepreneurial Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Higher Education Webinar - https://screwthecommute.com/webinars Screw The Commute - https://screwthecommute.com/ Screw The Commute Podcast App - https://screwthecommute.com/app/ College Ripoff Quiz - https://imtcva.org/quiz Know a young person for our Youth Episode Series? Send an email to Tom! - orders@antion.com Have a Roku box? Find Tom's Public Speaking Channel there! - https://channelstore.roku.com/details/267358/the-public-speaking-channel How To Automate Your Business - https://screwthecommute.com/automatefree/ Internet Marketing Retreat and Joint Venture Program - https://greatinternetmarketingtraining.com/ KickStartCart - http://www.kickstartcart.com/ Copywriting901 - https://copywriting901.com/ Become a Great Podcast Guest - https://screwthecommute.com/greatpodcastguest Training - https://screwthecommute.com/training Disabilities Page - https://imtcva.org/disabilities/ Tom's Patreon Page - https://screwthecommute.com/patreon/ Tom on TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@digitalmultimillionaire/ Email Tom: Tom@ScrewTheCommute.com Internet Marketing Training Center - https://imtcva.org/ Related Episodes Exemplary Eyesight - https://screwthecommute.com/1032/ More Entrepreneurial Resources for Home Based Business, Lifestyle Business, Passive Income, Professional Speaking and Online Business I discovered a great new headline / subject line / subheading generator that will actually analyze which headlines and subject lines are best for your market. I negotiated a deal with the developer of this revolutionary and inexpensive software. Oh, and it's good on Mac and PC. Go here: http://jvz1.com/c/41743/183906 The Wordpress Ecourse. Learn how to Make World Class Websites for $20 or less. https://screwthecommute.com/wordpressecourse/ Join our Private Facebook Group! One week trial for only a buck and then $37 a month, or save a ton with one payment of $297 for a year. Click the image to see all the details and sign up or go to https://www.greatinternetmarketing.com/screwthecommute/ After you sign up, check your email for instructions on getting in the group.

In this episode, we talk about how Rick can overhaul the LegUp Health website to fit their new positioning.

Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel's Labels, didn't just survive the boys' club of business—she doubled her valuation and sold to industry giant Avery. In this episode, she reveals the messy truth about co-founders, the brutal tricks buyers use to wear you down, and why staying passionate after the sale might be the ultimate win. 03:15 – From Basement Idea to Business Plan 05:20 – Why Women Exit Workforces to Build Businesses 07:00 – Creating a Product That Actually Worked 09:00 – Word of Mouth, Mom Blogs & Early Social Media Growth 11:20 – Scaling with Smart Partnerships & Summer Camps 13:00 – The Challenges of Having 4 Co-Founders 15:00 – Bootstrapping vs. Dilution: Why They Said No to Investors 17:00 – When Avery Came Knocking: The Unexpected Exit Call 19:10 – How They Negotiated Without Burning Bridges 21:00 – Avoiding Fatigue & Leaving Money on the Table 23:00 – Staying Happy After the Sale (Almost a Decade Later) 25:00 – Lessons on Family, Branding & Staying Passionate

How is AI Transforming Go To Market for B2B SaaS? Inbound go-to-market for SaaS is undergoing a major transformation. What once relied on blog posts, lead magnets, and cold outreach is now powered by artificial intelligence. AI is no longer just a content assistant. It now fuels end-to-end workflows, drives strategy, qualifies leads, and personalizes outreach at scale. SaaS teams are deploying AI agents to track LinkedIn signals, automate follow-ups, and even manage outbound efforts. This evolution is unlocking new levels of speed and scale, but it also brings real risks if automation isn't carefully managed. In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, Maja Voje breaks down how AI is reshaping inbound GTM. She shares what's working today, where teams should stay hands-on, and how to build AI-assisted systems without losing the human connection that still drives trust in B2B. If you're building or scaling a SaaS product, this is your playbook for doing it smarter with AI.Key Timecodes(0:00) - Boosting AI Content Performance & Automating Founder Workflows(0:53) - What Is AI's Role in SaaS GTM? [With Guest Maja Voje](1:48) - Is Everything Dead? Why AI Agents Are the Future of SaaS Workflows(2:55) - Multi-Agentic Workflows Explained: Tools, Agents & Human Oversight(4:28) - Why You Must Earn the Right to Automate with AI(5:27) - SaaS Automation Gone Wrong: Avoiding Enterprise Pitfalls(6:15) - AI Agents: Build or Buy? Key Considerations for GTM Leaders(6:38) - Mapping GTM Workflows: LinkedIn, DMs, Offers & Content Ops(8:00) - Real-Life AI Marketing Automations You Can Use Today(9:43) - How Many AI Agents Do You Really Need for LinkedIn & Lead Gen?(11:08) - Iterating AI Models Post-Training: Prompts, Builders & Feedback Loops(12:55) - AI Costs, Compliance & Rollouts: From POC to Scalable Deployment(15:07) - Data Security in AI: The Case for 'Least Privilege' Access(16:04) - Rule of Thumb: Don't Share Data You Wouldn't Give a Friend(16:13) - Sponsor Spotlight: SaaStock Dublin—Investor Matchmaking + Discounts(17:22) - Inbound Marketing with AI: LinkedIn Trends & Time-Wasters to Avoid(18:54) - External vs Internal Knowledge Bases: Training AI Without Garbage Input(20:31) - Why AI Design Often Fails: Creatives, Claude vs ChatGPT & Brand Gaps(21:53) - LinkedIn AI Strategy: Commenting, Publishing & Legal Risks in the EU(23:30) - AI-Powered Outbound Marketing: ICP Scoring, Lead Research & Social Selling(25:52) - Training Your Team on AI: Avoiding Content Quality Pitfalls(27:26) - Human-in-the-Loop Design: What to Automate vs Delegate(28:43) - The AI-First Founder Mindset: Culture, Talent & Psychological Safety(31:20) - AI Implementation Choices: From Prototypes to Governance Guardrails(33:29) - PR & Leadership: Why 'We Replaced 7 People with AI' Is a Bad Look(34:10) - 2-Year AI Roadmap: Think Strategically, Reflect Often, Stay Safe(36:20) - Going from 0 to 10K MRR: Learn to Sell, Test Pricing, and Stay Focused(38:53) - Bootstrapping with AI: Don't Waste Model Credits, Focus on ROI(39:32) - Scaling to $10M ARR with AI: Ecosystem Marketing & Creator-Led Trust(40:47) - Recap: AI Workflows, POCs, LinkedIn Automation & Strategic Thinking(42:35) - Connect with Guest Maja Voje on LinkedIn(42:58) - Subscribe to the GTM Strategies Newsletter on Substack(43:28) - Final CTA: Review the Show, Sponsor, Ask Questions, and Connect

https://www.equipexposition.com/In today's episode, Keith Kalfas opens up about how he started his landscaping business with no money, no car, and a mountain of debt—offering raw, actionable advice for anyone ready to escape a dead-end job and take control of their future. With motivational insights and no-nonsense truths, this is a deeply personal look at entrepreneurship, survival, and the drive to transform your life against the odds.                     "Nothing's going to change unless you change it." – Keith Kalfas Episode Highlights:   [00:00:01] Equip Expo Promo Keith shares details on the Equip Expo, the biggest green industry event in America, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky (Oct 21–24). Listeners can save 50% on tickets with promo code KEITH50. [00:00:38] How to Start a Landscaping Business With No Money Keith introduces the core topic—starting a landscaping business from scratch. He talks directly to those stuck in dead-end jobs and struggling to take the leap into entrepreneurship, addressing common fears about money, equipment, and providing for a family. [00:02:09] Keith's Personal Story: From Rock Bottom to Six Figures Keith shares his own journey, revealing the desperation that drove him: job loss, debt collectors, eviction notices, and the terrifying uncertainty he faced with no startup money or resources. [00:04:58] The Turning Point: Getting Off the Ground Driven by imminent eviction and overwhelming debt, Keith describes the gritty first steps he took—posting Craigslist ads, knocking on doors, handing out homemade business cards, and pulling weeds for cash. He transparently shares the realities of using his wife's car and borrowed equipment just to get started. [00:06:30] Bootstrapping and Beating the Odds Keith recounts pulling his life together: borrowing a truck, working countless hours, fighting discouragement, and doing everything necessary—even poorly paid jobs—to survive and build his business from nothing. [00:08:02] Hitting the Breakthrough: Quitting to Go All In Keith reaches his breaking point, describing the day he finally quit his job after replacing his income with landscaping work—then pouring himself into his business, putting in 90–100 hour weeks. He talks about the emotional and financial risks, but also the payoff: freedom and self-respect.   Key Takeaways Starting With Nothing Is Possible: Keith's story proves you can start a business with zero money, no vehicle, and even bad credit—persistence and hustle are key. Let Go of Excuses: The only way out of being stuck is to take uncomfortable, consistent action—even if it means humble beginnings. Leverage Relentless Hustle:  Overcome obstacles by working harder and longer—90 to 100 hours a week if needed to break through. Accept Humble Beginnings: Start small—even if it means hauling weeds in someone else's old pickup. Humility is part of the journey. Claim Your Freedom: True freedom comes from betting on yourself and taking massive, sometimes scary, action toward your own vision.    Connect with Keith Kalfas: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas         Resources & Sponsor Links Equip Expo: https://www.equipexposition.com/— 50% off tickets with code KEITH50 Footbridge Media: footbridgemedia.com/keith Jobber (Exclusive free trial + discount): getjobber.com/kalfas              

How do you go from being a single mom struggling to provide, to leading one of the top real estate groups in Springfield? Kellie Revoir reveals the mindset, grit, and systems she used to bootstrap her way up — all while staying grounded as a mom.

Andrew moved to Atlanta and is going all-in on MetaMonster while Sean drowns in Miscreants sales calls!

Andrew doubles MetaMonster customers in one week and is launching credit-based free trials!

Live from Bali at Coinfest and ZIGChain Connect, Abdul (co-founder, ZIGChain) shares how he went from Standard Chartered → early crypto investor → co-founder of Zignaly → now launching a purpose-built L1 focused on wealth generation and access for the Global South.We get into: why bootstrapping a chain (no massive grant spigot) can work, backing independent founders (10+ dApps at mainnet), and why private credit will be the next breakout RWA after stablecoins. Abdul explains DIFC fund tokenization, sustainable yields, and mixing TradFi discipline with Web3 velocity.Founders: don't miss his notes on finance fluency, AI-first ops, and using your token as a product marketing door-opener.Key Timestamps[00:00:00] Intro — Coinfest Bali & ZIGChain Connect[00:01:10] Abdul's path: Pakistan → banking → Bitcoin → Zignaly → ZIGChain [00:03:30] Access gap in emerging markets; why build rails, not just apps [00:05:20] TradFi skills in Web3: how capital really moves[00:06:15] Why another chain? Purpose-built for investment/yields (not generic L1)[00:07:10] Bootstrapping vs grants; investing in external founders (10+ dApps at TGE) [00:08:40] Culture & team: 60 ppl / 14 countries; resilience across cycles [00:10:05] Founder advice: business-first decisions; know your numbers; AI for leverage [00:12:20] Roadmap: testnet → public mainnet; DIFC tokenization; first tokenized fund [00:13:40] Bitcoin treasury yield use case; RWA infra as a service [00:14:30] Growth: token as GTM, mixing Web2 talent with Web3 speed [00:15:40] Events ahead: Token2049, BNB Chain Week, ADGM/FinTech, Switzerland Summit [00:16:40] RWA outlook: private credit as “next stablecoins” (12–16% in GCC) [00:18:10] The ask: builders > grants; strategic capital; play with (test/main)netConnecthttps://zigchain.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/zignaly/https://zignaly.com/https://x.com/zigchainhttps://x.com/zignalyhttps://x.com/arafaygaditDisclaimerNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. Finally, it would mean a lot if you can leave a review of this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this podcast with a friend.Be a guest on the podcast or contact us - https://www.web3pod.xyz/

Today, I'm joined by Daniel Temm, CEO of Puresport.  Founded on CBD for athletes, the UK company has grown into a community-driven sports nutrition company centered on running and sustainable well-being. In this episode, we discuss building an authentic sports nutrition brand in a crowded market. We also cover: Evolving the brand beyond CBD Bootstrapping and early funding journey Building emotional connection vs. performance marketing Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcastSubscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribeFollow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider Puresport's Website: puresport.co   Puresport's Instagram: www.instagram.com/puresport  Daniel Temm's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieltemm3  Daniel Temm's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-temm-2b6892164  - The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities. Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/ Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/ Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/ Chapters:  (00:00) Introduction  (00:41) Dan's background and Puresport's origins as a CBD company  (02:25) Joining Puresport and the transition during COVID (05:25) Building emotional connection vs. performance marketing approach  (10:00) Bootstrapping and early funding journey  (11:50) Evolution of apparel and merchandise strategy  (15:38) Raising institutional investment and brand power  (18:38) Developing "For the Long Run" brand philosophy  (22:31) Challenges of focus and avoiding too many good ideas  (26:25) Fuel stations campaign and authentic marketing activations  (31:55) Building brand vs. scaling revenue - the tension  (34:20) Future plans: omnichannel expansion and product development  (37:26) Conclusion  

Send us a textLearn how you can scale your care team with AI: https://link.CareCo.ai/rmvhvqIn this episode I sit down with Steve Wardell, managing partner at Wardell Advisors LLC, for an eye-opening conversation that peels back the curtain on healthcare venture capital. Drawing parallels between HBO's Silicon Valley and the real digital health VC world, Wardell breaks down the psychology behind investor behavior, explains why playing "hard to get" with VCs can backfire, and reveals the red flags that signal toxic investor relationships. This episode is essential listening for health tech founders navigating today's funding landscape, where AI-enabled startups are capturing the majority of investment dollars and the "full stack" trend is revolutionizing how VCs think about healthcare companies. Wardell provides actionable insights on funding stages, market consolidation opportunities, and the strategic mistakes that waste entrepreneurs' time while sharing proven frameworks for positioning yourself as an expert rather than a supplicant when pitching to venture capital firms.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:05:58 - The Psychology of VC Funding 00:12:25 - Funding Stages Breakdown00:23:00 - Bootstrapping vs the VC Treadmill 00:25:32 - Red Flags and Toxic Investors 00:35:15 - How to Pitch VCs Effectively 00:41:42 - Specialized vs Generalist Funds 00:48:00 - Closing Thoughts

Doreen Huber, Partnerin bei EQT Ventures, spricht über die Mechaniken großer VC-Fonds. Sie teilt, warum ein 1,1 Milliarden Fonds nur in "Generation Defining Companies" investiert, wie die Zusammenarbeit mit Private Equity funktioniert und wann Gründer überhaupt VC-Geld nehmen sollten. Was du lernst: Wann ein Markt "groß genug" für VCs ist Die richtige Balance zwischen Bootstrapping und VC Wie große Fonds funktionieren Alternative Finanzierungsformen für Startups ALLES ZU UNICORN BAKERY: https://zez.am/unicornbakery  Mehr zu Doreen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreenhuber/  Website: https://eqtgroup.com/  Join our Founder Tactics Newsletter: 2x die Woche bekommst du die Taktiken der besten Gründer der Welt direkt ins Postfach: https://www.tactics.unicornbakery.de/ 

In this episode of the Frugalpreneur podcast, host Sarah St. John sits down with Corey Ganim, a self-made entrepreneur who shares his journey of bootstrapping an Amazon-based business from scratch. Corey recalls the pivotal moment that pushed him to pursue entrepreneurship full-time: witnessing a senior manager at IBM frequently missing family time due to work commitments. Determined to avoid that fate, Corey ramped up his Amazon side hustle, which initially involved flipping used books found at thrift stores.Starting with just a couple hundred dollars—$200 for equipment and $100 for inventory—Corey describes how he reinvested profits to gradually scale his business, reaching over $13 million in sales. He emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness and a frugal mindset, using free or low-cost tools like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to acquire inventory and even leveraging 0% APR credit cards to finance growth early on.Corey opens up about his biggest mistake: underestimating how long true, sustainable scaling takes when bootstrapping, and making some hasty decisions as a result. On the flip side, he highlights the value of being disciplined about every expense, a habit that's served him well even as the business grew.To help others interested in the Amazon wholesale model he now follows (buying bulk products from manufacturers and reselling them on Amazon), Corey offers a free step-by-step online course at freewholesaleguide.com.The episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insights for anyone starting or scaling a business on a tight budget.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Episode Purpose- Host Sarah St. John introduces the Frugalpreneur showcase format: bootstrapped entrepreneurs share their tips, tactics, and tools, plus valuable takeaways for listeners' own business journeys.00:35 – Corey's Entrepreneurial Turning Point- Corey recalls the pivotal moment in 2019 that motivated him to take his Amazon side business seriously. - Realized through a corporate anecdote (his manager, John) that he didn't want to miss out on life and family due to endless corporate travel.02:31 – Bootstrapping the Amazon Selling Business- Started immediately after college graduation with a label printer and scanning tool from his mom (approx. $200 investment). - Began by flipping used books from thrift stores on Amazon with just $100 in startup inventory.- Highlights the “snowball” potential: reinvest profit for exponential compounding growth.04:02 – Growth and Scale- Systematic reinvestment led from a couple hundred dollars to over **$13 million** in product sales. - Emphasizes disciplined scaling, only investing more capital down the line—with slow, steady growth.05:46 – Biggest Bootstrapping Failure- Underestimated the time required to scale; thought he could hit $1M in sales within two years, but realistic bootstrapping took longer.- Early mistakes from “get-rich-quick” mindset: poor product and partner choices.- Key lesson: adopt a long-term, patient growth strategy.06:47 – Bootstrapping Success: The Frugal Mentality- Lack of excess capital forced careful, intentional spending.- Avoided unnecessary expenses (e.g., expensive websites, assistants).- Developed financial discipline and appreciation for responsible scaling—a mindset he still applies today.07:40 – Corey's Actionable Bootstrapping Tips-Leverage free/low-cost industry resources: - Example: posted on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace offering free removal of unwanted books—led to profitable inventory at zero cost.- Smart use of 0% APR credit cards: - Used cards with promotional rates or delayed payment windows to purchase inventory. - Cautions to understand personal risk tolerance before adopting this...

It took me a long while to realize this: AI isn't just something like a chatbot for my customers. AI can work behind the scenes to facilitate getting the right stuff in front of the right people for me, even just to figure out who people are and how I should talk to them. And today, I want to share exactly what I'm doing, how expensive this is to run, and how I believe this can be part of every single software as a service business out there—even if you don't have any touchpoint with artificial intelligence in that business at all. Even if you don't think you should be offering AI features to your customers.This episode of The Bootstraped Founder is sponsored by Paddle.com — SaaS Happy Hour SeriesThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-0-20-day-ai-system-that-converts-trial-users-into-paying-customers/ The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/the-0-20-day-ai-system-that-converts-trial-users-into-paying-customersCheck out Podscan, the Podcast database that transcribes every podcast episode out there minutes after it gets released: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

D'IYANU's founder built a multimillion-dollar African-inspired fashion brand by bootstrapping, taking bold risks and mastering Facebook ads. For more on D'IYANU and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Telmo Silva is the Founder and CEO of ClicData, a cloud-based SaaS business intelligence platform that helps companies connect, visualize, and share their data. Bringing over 25 years of technology and business process improvement experience, he has held leadership roles such as General Manager and Executive VP at Skura Europe, as well as CRM Architect at Boehringer Ingelheim. Under his ownership, ClicData has expanded to serve users across 40 countries, managing thousands of daily dashboards and datasets. Telmo holds a bachelor's degree in applied science in engineering from the University of Toronto. In this episode… Many businesses struggle to unify scattered data from multiple sources into a single, reliable system for analysis. Traditional business intelligence tools are often expensive, complex, and slow to deliver meaningful results, leaving small and medium-sized companies, in particular, at a disadvantage. How can organizations of all sizes access the same level of powerful, actionable insights that larger enterprises enjoy without breaking the bank? Telmo Silva, a technology and business intelligence expert, shares how he approached this challenge by creating an easy-to-use, scalable platform designed to democratize data access. He discusses starting with a niche market, leveraging a freemium model to attract early users, and then evolving features based on customer needs. Telmo emphasizes strategies such as prioritizing simple, effective dashboards, tailoring pricing to customer data usage, and encouraging creative applications across industries to maximize value while controlling costs. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Telmo Silva, CEO of ClicData, about building an accessible and versatile business intelligence platform. Telmo discusses scaling from a niche focus to a global user base, creative and unexpected use cases for the technology, and lessons learned from transitioning away from freemium. He also delves into inbound growth strategies, pricing models, and navigating a successful acquisition.

This week's episode comes live from SaaStock USA 2025. Join special guests Greg Head (Practical Founders) and Josh Turley (CEO, RTA) as they discuss the story of transforming RTA from a 1970s COBOL-based business into a thriving SaaS company with a $100M valuation. Josh shares: - Why a fanatical focus on culture and clarity fueled RTA's growth. - The challenges of replatforming legacy software (and migrating customers.) - How narrowing their niche to government fleets led to 95% retention & 120% NRR. - Lessons from bootstrapping, using debt strategically, and closing a growth equity round. Guest links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turley/ Website: https://rtafleet.com/       Check out the other ways SaaStock is helping SaaS founders move their business forward: 

Stéphan bootstrapped AODocs to $55M in revenue and 250 employees without taking a dime of VC money—while competing directly with venture-backed competitors. Starting as a services company in 2012, he spotted the cloud migration wave early and built document management for enterprises moving to Google Workspace. In this episode, Stéphan breaks down why doubling every two years beats hypergrowth, how to win enterprise deals with zero funding, and why touching business-critical documents means year-long sales cycles but 10-year retention. This is the anti-Silicon Valley playbook that actually works.Why You Should Listen:Why the founder must personally close every single deal in 0 to 1How doubling every 2 years (not every year) creates a more stable businessThe brutal reality of enterprise POCs: doing it for free before getting paidWhy you can't have both fast customer acquisition and high retentionHow being French/European became an advantage against US competitors KeywordsAODocs, bootstrapping, Stéphan Donzé, enterprise sales, document management, SaaS, Google Workspace, cloud migration, product market fit, B2B00:00:00 Intro00:01:12 Bootstrapping vs VC backed00:03:44 From services to SaaS00:19:08 Landing the first customer 00:20:47 Why they turned down VC money00:25:32 The 997 grind—four days on-site with customers every week00:35:21 Why you can't have fast sales and high retention00:40:33 Product-market fitSend me a message to let me know what you think!

A few years after being voted 'least likely to succeed' in high school, Brandon Dawson defied expectations by scaling his first company from zero to $75 million. Since then, he has built and sold multiple nine-figure businesses. As the co-founder of Cardone Ventures, he helps entrepreneurs build wealth, scale effectively, and lead with purpose. In this episode, Brandon reveals why 97% of businesses fail and shares how to beat the odds and achieve business growth. He also discusses his core leadership principles and the key traits of a great business partner. In this episode, Hala and Brandon will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:21) His Early Life and Entrepreneurship Journey (09:27) Bootstrapping a Startup vs. VC Funding (19:10) Why Entrepreneurs Should Prioritize Cash Reserves (26:14) Scale vs. Scaling: Redefining Business Growth (36:48) Why 92% of Businesses Fail to Scale Past $3M (40:25) The ‘Law of the Lid' in Leadership (45:47) Actionable Steps to Improving Leadership Skills (55:46) Building 9-Figure Businesses with Grant Cardone (01:03:01) The Key Traits to Look for in Business Partners Brandon Dawson is an entrepreneur, scaling expert, and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. As CEO of Sonus Corporation, he grew it to over 1,400 locations and raised $58 million. He later founded Audigy Group, scaling it from $500,000 to $35 million before selling it for $151 million. With over 30 years of experience, Brandon helps businesses scale using data-driven strategies, navigate breakpoints, and avoid common pitfalls. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING  OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host  Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at ⁠⁠mercury.com/profiting⁠⁠  Policy Genius - Secure your family's future with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/profiting  Framer - Launch your site for free at Framer.com, and use code PROFITING Resources Mentioned: Brandon's Website: bdawson.com  Brandon's Book, Nine-Figure Mindset: bit.ly/9FigureMindset Brandon's Podcast, Building Billions: bit.ly/BuildingBillions-Apple  The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell: bit.ly/21-Laws  Good to Great (6 book series) by Jim Collins: bit.ly/GTG-Series  Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant by Robert T. Kiyosaki: bit.ly/CashQuadrant  Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone: bit.ly/Sell-Be-Sold  Start The Work by Natalie Dawson: bit.ly/StartTheWork  Three Feet from Gold by Sharon L. Lechter: bit.ly/3-Feet-Gold  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Passive income, Online Business, Solopreneur, Founder, Networking

In this episode, Rick shares how he approached thinking about what to do with his first meaningful profit.

The Debt Mindset Shift You Need to Scale Your Clinic In this episode, Danny breaks down one of the most overlooked barriers to growth: fear of debt. He shares hard-earned lessons from building his own clinic and working with 1,000+ others—and explains why your mindset around borrowing can make or break your business as you grow past the lifestyle phase.

#533 What started as a niche compression short created in a neighbor's living room has grown into a global nine-figure apparel brand! In this inspiring episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, Bear Handlon, co-founder of Born Primitive, shares his incredible journey from Navy SEAL and failed entrepreneur to building a thriving business that now spans activewear, performance footwear, tactical gear, and more. Bear dives into the early hustle, why he didn't take a salary for six years, how bootstrapping shaped their success, and the moment their sports bra changed everything. He also shares hard-won lessons about product development, inventory risk, customer service, and the strategic use of lines of credit. Plus, hear how his company paid off $11 million in veteran medical debt — and why staying mission-driven matters. This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone chasing an entrepreneurial dream! What we discuss with Bear: + Origin of Born Primitive apparel + Bootstrapping after a failed business + Building while serving in the Navy + Reinvesting profits for six years + Early sales through CrossFit events + Product expansion from shorts to shoes + Lessons on giving away equity + Scaling with Meta ads and tactical gear + Paying off $11M in veteran medical debt + Customer service as a growth strategy Thank you, Bear! Check out Born Primitive at BornPrimitive.com. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hikari Senju did something different. While everyone else was chasing VCs, he built Omneky to millions in revenue first. After seeing AI generate art at MIT, this Harvard CS grad knew the future. But when investors didn't bite in 2018 ("AI is vaporware," "advertising is too competitive"), he didn't give up. He bootstrapped. Two years. Living hand-to-mouth. Building real revenue. His philosophy: "Build a company that deserves capital." The result? When he finally raised money, he had leverage. He was selecting partners, not begging for checks. Three insights from our conversation that reinforce critical deal principles: Strategic exits: He took less money from his first sale to learn inside a funded startup. That buyer became his first investor in Omneky. The deserve capital test: Growing 3x with strong margins? Investment should be obvious. If not, keep building. Infinite game thinking: Every deal starts a relationship. Your vendor today might be your investor tomorrow. From selling art to grandma at 7 to serving Fortune 100s with AI. • • •FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/hikarisenju• • • FOR MORE ON HIKARI SENJULinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisenju/Omneky: www.omneky.com FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast.Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!

"I think one of the biggest things to convey to anybody who wants to start a business is know what you're good at, know what you like, and know what you're not good at, and then outsource that. Because that's going to help get the business to where you wanna go." —Arielle Moody   Ever wonder if you're settling for “good enough” when you could be living—and choosing—so much better? If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the choices you make for your body, your business, or your family, this episode is your permission slip to trust your gut, question the status quo, and demand more from what you put on your skin and into your life. Arielle Moody, a seasoned beauty industry expert and co-founder of Mama Sol, turned her personal quest for safe, effective products into a thriving business that puts wellness and integrity first. Her journey from industry insider to innovative entrepreneur brings a fresh, no-nonsense perspective on why what's inside—both products and people—matters most. Hit play for a candid look at how intentional living, ingredient transparency, self-belief, and values-driven choices shape everything from entrepreneurship and family business to work-life balance, clinical testing, and creating wellness products that truly multitask.   Meet Arielle: While pregnant with her first child, shocked by how many toxic ingredients were lurking in everyday products, and after trying dozens of natural mineral sunscreens, Arielle was determined to create one that 1) didn't make her immediately want to wash her face, and 2) didn't leave a white cast on her skin. Oh, and it needed to be something she looked forward to using daily. No biggie. As Mama Sol's product development whisperer, Arielle has been immersed in the beauty industry her entire adult life. Starting as a beauty sales trainer for Smashbox, Dr. Perricone, and Bite Beauty, then rising to become the head of product development for Skinn Cosmetics and, most recently, the head of sales for a leading cosmetics packaging and formulation company, she's always known one thing—that she would one day create her own product, something truly different that had never been seen before. Website Instagram Facebook TikTok   Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube   Episode Highlights: 03:19 Fulfilling a Long-Time Dream 06:16 Inclusive Formulations and Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 13:41 Bootstrapping and Business Growth 18:30 Work-Life Balance 21:20 Ingredient Philosophy and Product Development 28:11 Family Dynamics and Business Challenges 31:20 The Mamasol Expert Series Podcast   Resources: Book Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams: https://a.co/d/3wGFDX0  Discount Get a special discount when you shop at: https://www.shopmamasol.com/  Use code: EssentialMama15