Podcasts about Bootstrapping

Odessa Jenkins built a professional women's tackle football league before anyone believed the market existed.On this episode of Dear FoundHer, host Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Odessa Jenkins, known as OJ, founder and CEO of the Women's National Football Conference. Her story carries a lesson female founders everywhere need to hear. You don't wait for permission to build something new. You describe your vision so clearly the right people see it before a single game is played. That's how OJ won over ten teams and two major sports brands while the league was still an idea on paper.This is the kind of conversation women in business rarely get to hear. OJ worked a full-time job while selling the league. She convinced her wife to leave a corporate career and build alongside her. Bootstrapping kept the lights on for five years and profit didn't arrive until year three. None of those details show up on a TV broadcast, yet every one of them shaped what the WNFC has become. Sixteen teams, 900 athletes, and a championship game airing live on ESPN2.Female founders will recognize themselves in OJ's honesty about startup funding, partnership marketing with brands like Adidas, and the unglamorous work behind a bold mission. Her message cuts through the noise. Ready isn't real. Ask for what you need. Stop choosing the hardest path when an easier one exists.If you're drawn to real founder stories with heart and grit, this episode will stay with you long after you press pause.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Female Founders Who Build Before the Blueprint Exists03:05 How Odessa Jenkins Started the WNFC08:26 Getting Adidas and Riddell to Back a League That Didn't Exist Yet11:13 Bootstrapping, Profit, and the Real Timeline14:43 How the Public Responded in Year One22:41 Fan Growth, Streaming Numbers, and National TV24:53 Flag Football, the Athlete Pipeline, and What's Coming27:55 Why the Timing Is Right for Women's Sports Right Now31:17 Championship Weekend at Ford Center34:28 Three Things Every Woman Starting a Business Needs to HearConnect with Odessa Jenkins:Follow OJ on InstagramFollow Women's National Football Conference on InstagramSubmit your most pressing business questions for our Q+A Substack on Thursday: https://form.jotform.com/260218655668062 Subscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Business founders Maggie and Emily started Mother Euro from a single DM.Their first night out closed down a bar in Madrid. A year and a half later, they're running the membership community that every English-speaking mom moving to Europe is whispering about.We got into:The single DM that started it all. Leaving Fashion Week and corporate HR for sweat equity. Bootstrapping a business with kids literally climbing on you. Landing brand deals with Bugaboo and Hatch with no agency. Why American directness works in a country that does 10 PM dinners. The truth about giving birth in Spain. Doulas, C-sections, public vs private. Knowing when to push, when to pause, and when to walk away from a brand deal that doesn't feel right. If you've been thinking about a move abroad, save this one.Links:Mother Euro website@mothereuro on IGEmily, @mamainmadrid_Maggie, @maggiegavilanSupporting: BirthFundToday's episode supports BirthFund.Every mom deserves quality midwifery care. Not every family can afford it.BirthFund is a 1:1 community fund. 100% of donations go straight to families to cover the cost of midwifery care. No middleman. No overhead.If this episode hits, support a mom on her own journey:Donate If you loved this episode, send it to your group chat. Hit the notification button on Spotify so you never miss one.Got thoughts? Topics you want me to cover? Leave a comment. No, really. Your feedback genuinely shapes what we make next.Follow Host Lauralaura@herwhy.world

Hyla Nayeri co-founded 437, a bootstrapped activewear brand, into an eight-figure business— and she did it by simplifying ruthlessly, betting on organic social and influencer marketing, and protecting a culture that includes a four-day workweek. For more on 437 and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

 EPISODE DESCRIPTION I sat down with Firas Isa, the founder of Crypto Dispenser, a bootstrapped and profitable company that has been quietly building Bitcoin on-ramp infrastructure since 2017. Firas started with a single Bitcoin ATM, partnered with GreenDot Bank to place cash deposit points across 100,000 retail stores like CVS and Walmart, and has grown to over 100,000 registered users , all without taking a penny of outside investment. In this conversation, we dig into why cash is still the purest way to buy Bitcoin, the brutal reality of getting bank accounts shut down repeatedly, and why Firas believes Bitcoin is the world's most peaceful revolution against currency debasement. If you have ever wondered how to buy Bitcoin without going through a big exchange, or you are a founder trying to understand what it actually takes to survive a decade in the crypto space on a bootstrap budget, this episode is for you. DISCLAIMERNothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research. 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/ CONNECT Crypto Dispenser Website:https://www.cryptodispensers.com/Crypto Dispenser Twitter/X: https://x.com/cryptodispenserFiras Isa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/firas-isa/Web3 with Sam Kamani Podcast: https://www.web3pod.xyz KEY POINTS WITH TIMESTAMPS • [00:01] Sam introduces Firas Isa and Crypto Dispenser , a bootstrapped, profitable Bitcoin on-ramp with 100K+ users• [01:43] Firas explains how Crypto Dispenser started in 2017 with one Bitcoin ATM and has since pivoted to an online platform supporting debit, credit, ACH, wire, and PayPal• [02:32] Firas shares his origin story , studying political science at Loyola University and learning about money printing, the petrodollar, and empire collapse• [05:30] Discussion on the US gold standard, the Federal Reserve, and Voltaire's warning that fiat currency eventually goes to zero• [10:19] How Bitcoin Pop (Bitcoin Point of Payment) works , generating a barcode inside the Crypto Dispenser account and loading cash at CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens• [12:19] Why Crypto Dispenser is non-custodial and why that matters , users own their Bitcoin the same day they buy it• [13:43] Why cash remains the only true way to buy Bitcoin without relying on the traditional banking system• [20:34] The brutal reality of maintaining bank accounts as a crypto startup , banks shutting them down every six to eight months• [23:23] The rise of neo-banks like OneSafe (backed by Coinbase) and how they have helped but still face the same de-risking pattern• [26:13] How Crypto Dispenser differentiates through hands-on customer support against giants like Coinbase and Strike• [30:56] Trends Firas is watching , prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, and what they say about younger generations seeking financial freedom• [37:46] Firas's vision for the next two to three years , scaling the business, potentially bringing on VC capital, and continuing to grow organically• [39:15] North Star metrics , 100K registered users, approximately 2,000 monthly paying users• [41:45] Firas's ask , give Bitcoin a chance, and reach out if you are a developer or investor who wants to help scale

Sean Reyes noticed that every shock absorber looks identical from the outside—and none of the automotive brands detail what's actually inside. So he built ShockSurplus, an education-first automotive parts company that turned that information gap into a bootstrapped, eight-figure business. For more on Shock Surplus and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Sherrell Dorsey joins Carrie Kerpen to share her journey of transforming a newsletter into a data-driven media company that highlights Black innovation, underrepresented founders, and the business stories that traditional media overlooked. This episode explores founder burnout, media entrepreneurship, data as a business asset, market timing, team leadership, and the emotional complexity of selling a company.This episode is sponsored by Theory Planning Partners. Theory Planning Partners helps founders and business owners make smarter decisions around wealth, financial planning, and life after exit. Learn more at www.theoryplanning.com.3:35 - How The Plug Got Started8:38 - Deciding to Build Something Bigger 12:46 - Bootstrapping & Building the Data Product17:08 - Founder to CEO: Leading a Team21:12 - Recognizing It Was Time to Exit29:20 - Finding a Buyer & Shopping the Deal 29:59 - Communicating the Sale to the Team33:36 - Life After the Exit38:19 - Knowing You're a Zero-to-One Founder41:27 - What's Next: Climate Tech

What happens when founders get fed up with fragmented agencies, disconnected marketing tactics, and expensive growth projects that fail to deliver? In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Peter Juhasz, co-founder of Syrvi.ai, to explore how they are reinventing go-to-market support for SMEs through what they call "Service as Software". Peter shares the scaling journey behind Syrvi.ai, from bootstrapping a tech platform with no previous software experience to building a 12-person team supporting around 30 active clients across the UK and beyond. The discussion dives into why traditional agency models often fail scaling businesses, how AI is changing the way SMEs approach growth, and why guarantees and trust are central to Syrvi.ai's model. A standout message from this episode: "Most SMEs don't need more agencies. They need one joined-up revenue system."   In This Episode Why SMEs Struggle to Scale Peter explains the challenge many growing businesses face between: Trying to learn and implement AI internally Hiring multiple specialist agencies that rarely work cohesively together The result is often: High costs Conflicting strategies Founder burnout Poor ROI Fragmented accountability Peter references research suggesting over 95% of growth projects fail because businesses focus on isolated tactics instead of integrated systems.   The "Service as Software" Model Syrvi.ai combines: Human expertise AI automation Proprietary software Integrated go-to-market execution Their Revenue Engine platform supports: Multi-channel outreach campaigns LinkedIn and email pipeline generation AI-assisted thought leadership SEO and content creation Generative AI Engine Optimisation (GAIO) Rather than replacing humans with AI, Peter explains how AI enables SMEs to execute more consistently and strategically without needing multiple suppliers.   Earning Trust Through Guarantees One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is how Syrvi.ai reduces client risk. Their process includes: A free 45-minute strategy session A bespoke 25-page go-to-market plan A 90-day pilot programme Guaranteed qualified opportunities If targets are missed: They continue working free of charge until achieved Or refund the client Peter explains why demonstrating value before asking for long-term commitment has been critical to their growth and retention.   Building a Tech Company Without a Tech Background Peter openly shares the challenges of: Bootstrapping the business Building software from scratch Recruiting the right CTO Learning AI and technology fundamentals as non-technical founders The company has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds into developing their platform while staying founder-funded. Today: The business has 12 team members Supports around 30 active clients Is approaching break-even   Leadership Lessons and Founder Advice Peter shares lessons he would give his younger self: Take balanced risks Learn business management earlier Understand M&A sooner Invest time learning technology and AI fundamentals He also discusses: Founder mindset Sustainable scaling Managing growth pressure Long-term vision     Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk   Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that sounds familiar, the G90 Summit is worth a look. It's a structured half-day session where we help founders identify the three to five priorities that genuinely matter over the next 90 days and build the systems to deliver them. Quarterly, virtual, and £97 a seat. You can find out more at http://Smart90.co.uk/summit . Peter can be found here: https://syrvi.ai/   Resources: Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/think-and-grow-rich-the-original-classic-hill/2073500?ean=9781906465599&next=t Good To Great by Jim Collins - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/good-to-great-collins-jim/5255326?ean=9780712676090&next=t Claude AI - https://claude.ai/

From Scotland to Silicon Valley: Garry Drummond on Bootstrapping, Security Startups & Buying Back TimeOn the Your Message Received podcast, host John Duffin interviews Scottish entrepreneur and Loch Technologies founder Garry Drummond about his journey from early adversity and a teenage “Kiddo Video” venture to building security-focused startups in Silicon Valley. Drummond shares lessons in persistence, execution over ideas, and the importance of margins, recounting how his UK mail-order company Microworld sold millions but failed on thin 10% margins, forcing him to sell assets and move to California with his wife and young son. He describes landing a role via Dice, helping pioneer vulnerability management by turning penetration testing into a scalable appliance, and later growing Loch from a garage to global deployments, including drone detection. Garry also details his bootstrap principles, his work-life health focus (Garry doesn't speak from the typical work-life balance perspective), and his delegation strategies to “buy back time.”I will also share that part 2, with Garry Drummond, is coming soon. You'll see today, and in the next episode, that Garry Drummond is a prolific storyteller. Check out the links below and secure your copy of Garry Drummond's Bookhttps://www.scotsman.com/business/22-of-scotlands-smartest-tech-founders-head-to-silicon-valley-and-singapore-5267188https://thebootstrapceo.com/00:00 Early Hard Lessons00:53 Podcast Welcome02:01 Humble Beginnings05:12 Kiddo Video at 1409:00 Milk Run Mindset11:09 Why Silicon Valley14:37 Greyhound Rescue Lesson20:19 Microworld Margin Mistake22:50 Yellow Pages to Vulnerability27:05 Scaling and Market Timing31:05 Bootstrap CEO Principles38:10 Revenue Model and Delegation42:33 Wrap Up and Links43:47 Final Sign-Off

The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast is a leading drinks business podcast, listened to in 120 countries worldwide with 125+ episodes. Honest conversations about how the industry actually works, from the bar and what it means for the boardroom.This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS.This episode examines the gravitational pull of the US market for non-American drinks brands, and what gets broken when a brand chases the flag without understanding the terrain. Eric Franco has worked across the full US drinks spectrum: SAB-Miller, Carlsberg territory, Leinenkugel, Michigan craft breweries, multi-state distribution, and on-premise operation from 1994 onwards.The conversation covers the three-tier system, the capital myth of “launching in the US,” the patience premium of heritage brands, the retailer as customer, what spirits missed that craft beer learned the hard way, and why regional taste profiles make the same IPA unsellable across state lines.It's a working-session view of the US as a market that looks like one territory on a pitch deck and behaves like fifty.The US is the most profitable beverage market in the world. Every brand wants to be there. The announcement goes up on LinkedIn. The product arrives at the dock.Then the real work starts. Most brands have not planned for it.Timestamps:00:00 Catching Up Intro00:05 US Market Obsession01:40 Distribution Complexity03:34 Start Small Strategy05:47 US Culture And Chains08:32 Heritage Versus Exit10:57 Innovation And Retailers13:03 Beer Lessons For Brands18:04 Taste By Region22:45 Craft Beer Origins25:44 Europe Versus US Craft29:55 Final Thoughts Outro Wanna know what the conversation above means for your team? It's in the paid section.For €100 a year you get access to Maffeo Confidential (Private Podcast) and get this analysis and access to the full archive of 125 episodes, each one translated from industry conversation into the commercial decisions underneath it. Find out more at maffeodrinks.com

„In einer digitalen Welt ist die analoge Erinnerung auf Papier wahnsinnig viel wert.“ In dieser Folge von Behind the C spricht Franz Kubbillum mit Philipp Schreiber, CEO und Mitgründer von KRUU, einem der führenden Anbieter für mobile Fotoboxen. KRUU versendet Self-Service-Fotoboxen aus Logistikzentren in Heilbronn und Michigan zu Events in ganz Europa und großen Teilen der USA, kombiniert robuste, transportfähige Hardware mit eigener Software und App-Steuerung und setzt bewusst auf ausgedruckte Fotos als haptische Erinnerungen – inklusive klarer Produktpakete, All-inclusive-Preisen und skalierbaren Logistikprozessen. Schreiber erzählt, wie er gemeinsam mit seinen Mitgründern aus ersten Markttests mit kleinem Ad-Budget ein international aktives, hardwareintensives Geschäft ohne Fremdfinanzierung aufgebaut hat – von den ersten Prototypen und Lieferketten-Herausforderungen über den Aufbau eines eigenen Hardware-Portfolios bis hin zu internen Tools, Teamkultur und persönlichen Routinen als Gründer. Er zeigt, welche Rolle schnelle Experimente, ein pragmatischer Umgang mit Risiko und der enge Austausch mit Kund:innen für Produktentwicklung und Wachstum spielen und wie KRUU heute über neue Medienformate und multimediale Erinnerungsprodukte nachdenkt. Drei Fragen, die in dieser Episode im Fokus stehen: - Wie hat sich KRUU vom Fotobox-Anbieter für Hochzeiten zu einem internationalen Player mit tausenden Events pro Jahr und Standorten in Europa und den USA entwickelt? - Wie testet man Hardware- und Serviceprodukte schnell am Markt, baut belastbare Fertigungs- und Logistikstrukturen auf und wächst in einem kapitalintensiven Geschäftsmodell ohne externe Finanzierung? - Welche Bedeutung haben analoge Fotos in einer digitalen Welt – und wie prägen Produktarchitektur, App, Self-Service-Erlebnis sowie persönliche Führungsroutinen den Alltag von Philipp Schreiber als Gründer? Themen: - C-level - Logistik - Bootstrapping ----- Über Atreus – A Heidrick & Struggles Company Atreus garantiert die perfekte Interim-Ressource (m/w/d) für Missionen, die nur eine einzige Option erlauben: nachhaltigen Erfolg! Unser globales Netzwerk aus erfahrenen Managern auf Zeit zählt weltweit zu den besten. In engem Schulterschluss mit den Atreus Direktoren setzen unsere Interim Manager vor Ort Kräfte frei, die Ihr Unternehmen zukunftssicher auf das nächste Level katapultieren. ▶️ Besuchen Sie unsere Website: https://www.atreus.de/ ▶️ Interim Management: https://www.atreus.de/kompetenzen/service/interim-management/ ▶️ Für Interim Manager: https://www.atreus.de/interim-manager/ ▶️ LinkedIn-Profil von Philipp Schreiber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phschreiber/ ▶️ Profil von Franz Kubbillum: https://www.atreus.de/team/franz-kubbillum/

Former comedy writer Bette Bentley built Skimpies—the world's first liner designed specifically for leggings—into a number one TikTok brand entirely through organic livestreams, bypassing paid ads by treating the platform like an interactive group chat. This innovative founder breaks down how she embraced raw authenticity to collapse the traditional sales funnel, handle extreme burnout, and turn a grueling six-month streaming schedule into a $60,000 warehouse livestream. For more on Skimpies and show notes, click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most exciting topics imaginable: HIPAA compliance

On today's episode, I'm joined by Amanda Thomas, founder and creative director of Luv Aj, to talk about how she started her jewelry brand at just 14 years old and grew it into one of the most recognizable jewelry brands in the industry. Amanda shares the story of landing her first retail account at Fred Segal as a teenager, building Luv Aj without outside funding, and the lessons she's learned from years of entrepreneurship. We also discuss work-life balance, leading a remote team, trusting your intuition, navigating difficult seasons in business and life, and what it really takes to build a lasting brand. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with practical advice and founder insights. Enjoy!To connect with LuvAj on Instagram, click HERE. To connect with Amanda on Instagram, click HERE.To shop LuvAj, click HERE.To connect with Siff on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Siff on Tiktok, click HERE.To learn more about Arrae, click HERE. To check out Siff's LTK, click HERE.To check out Siff's Amazon StoreFront, click HERE. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Visit www.sleep.me/dreambigger to get up to $225 off your Chilipad 2.0 with code dreambigger. This special offer is available for Dream Bigger Podcast listeners – and only for a limited time! Order it today with free shipping and try it out for 30-days. You can return it for free if you don't like it with their sleep trial. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/dreambigger #rulapodAnd right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products – including the Ultimate sampler pack – plus FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text DREAM to 64000.Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to quince.com/dreambigger for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's Quince.com/dreambigger.Try Gusto today at gusto.com/DREAMBIGGER, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com/DREAMBIGGER.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Specjalnie z Mazur Garbatych przyjechał do nas Marcin Szałek, współzałożyciel i CEO Slowhop.com - platformy z ponad 2000 wyjątkowych noclegów z duszą. Współtwórca firmy zbudowanej na własnym kapitale. Fan turystyki regeneratywnej. Mazurski rujners, który pływa w jeziorze pomiędzy spotkaniami biznesowymi, a w pracy szuka bardziej sensu niż tylko pieniędzy.Był sceptyczny, kiedy jego żona, Aleksandra, startowała projekt w 2015 roku. Ale porzucił finalnie pracę w korporacjach, by dołączyć do teamu założycielskiego i przejąć operacyjne stery. Dziś wydaje się być wyjątkowo zadowolonym z życia przedsiębiorcą. Czego jeszcze dowiesz się z tego odcinka?✅ Jak Marcin i Ola prowadzą wspólny, rodzinny biznes od blisko dekady?✅ Dlaczego celowo odrzucili fundusze VC i jakim to się działo kosztem?✅ Co musi mieć obiekt, żeby znaleźć się w bazie Slowhop i co go z niej wyklucza?✅ Czym jest "odszałkowanie Slowhopu" i dlaczego firma potrzebowała się organizacyjnie usamodzielnić od swoich założycieli?✅ Kim są "Mazurscy Ruinersi" i jak ta społeczność łączy się z wizją turystyki regeneratywnej?Bootstrapowanie to nie tylko brak aniołów biznesu czy funduszy VC na pokładzie Twojej firmy. To często świadoma decyzja, że wartości firmy są ważniejsze niż jej skala i tempo wzrostu. Poznaj lepiej historię Marcina Szałka i platformy Slowhop. Zapraszamy ▶️

Download your free personalized $100M scaling roadmap in under 30 seconds: https://www.acquisition.com/roadmap?el=yt-alex-486r&htrafficsource=youtube Many people stay broke chasing shortcuts. The wealthy play a different game. In this episode, Alex breaks down the four paths that create massive wealth and explains why nearly every billionaire follows at least one of them. From bootstrapping businesses to raising capital, the lesson is simple: wealth is about choosing the right game and playing it long enough.In this episode00:00 Four wealth paths explained01:44 Path #1: Bootstrapping a business with your own money06:25 Path #2: Raising capital and using other people's money11:31 Path #3: Investing in other people's businesses16:48 Path #4: Fund management and maximum leverage21:02 How to attract capital by finding exceptional dealsMore Value:Join The Live Scaling Workshop In Las Vegas: https://www.acquisition.com/o-vegas Download your free personalized $100M scaling roadmap in under 30 seconds: https://www.acquisition.com/roadmap?el=yt-alex-486r&htrafficsource=youtube Get the $100M Book Bundle: https://shop.acquisition.com/pages/100m-book-bundle Discover The Easiest Business I Can Help You Start (Free Trial): https://www.skool.com/hormozi Free Books and Video Courses: https://www.acquisition.com/training Follow Alex Hormozi's Socials:⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Acquisition ⁠DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026.

Becca Berg, co-founder of Dubsado, shares how a chaotic moment in her photography business became the spark for building one of the most beloved systems for service providers. Carrie and Becca talk about client experience, scaling with your spouse, the sacrifices behind fast growth, and what it really takes to build a business that feels both beautiful and functional. This episode is sponsored by Dubsado. Dubsado helps service-based business owners streamline proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, and client workflows all in one place. Visit www.dubsado.com and use code WHISPER for 30% off.2:47 - How Dubsado Got Started7:00 - Working with Your Spouse7:39 - The Blessings & Challenges of Building a Business with Your Spouse13:48 - Bootstrapping a Tech Business19:13 - Planning for Exit23:14 - Navigating the AI & Tech Landscape24:37 - Burnout & Year Nine

This week, we explore some contrasting opinions about artificial intelligence. Paul Downs has serious doubts that AI will ever have a significant impact on his business. Paul, who builds custom conference tables, says his business depends on something AI still lacks: real world experience. While AI can generate impressive images and concepts, he argues that it has no understanding of manufacturing constraints, material properties, production processes, or the capabilities of the people and machines that have to bring an idea to life. “An image of a thing that looks cool is not a design,” Paul says. “A design is a set of information that's informed by intelligence and experience.”Ted Wolf, who helps companies implement AI, agrees that AI can't replace the collective creativity and judgment of skilled people. But he believes Paul may be looking at the problem too broadly. Instead of asking whether AI can design and build custom furniture, Ted suggests breaking the workflow into smaller pieces and experimenting with targeted applications. “You know your business better than anybody else,” Ted tells Paul. “But don't look at the big picture and think that's the entire thing. There are many small pieces that people can start doing today.”The result is a thoughtful debate about one of the biggest questions facing small business owners: Is AI going to change everything, or are there businesses where human expertise will remain irreplaceable?Plus: Channon Kennedy shares what she learned from participating in a Goldman Sachs program for Black women entrepreneurs. And the owners discuss what debt can—and cannot—do for a business: “Funding does not fix a broken business model. It makes it die faster.”

Imagine building one of the world's first cold email automation platforms, then deciding not to chase hypergrowth or venture capital but to grow profitably by serving a very specific kind of customer well. In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, Vinay Koshy speaks with Jeremy Chatelaine, founder and CEO of Quickmail, to discover how he prioritized product excellence and customer retention in a fast-moving SaaS landscape. With over 400 podcast episodes, an industry-defining book, and the trust of agencies managing hundreds of clients, Jeremy's story flips conventional SaaS wisdom on its head. He reveals how the internal calculus of “good fit” versus “bad fit” customers can make or break a business and why refusing a paying customer can sometimes be more profitable in the long run as opposed to customers who destroy value, the unusual economics of retention vs. acquisition, and why delivering exceptional customer results like, booking 4.22 times more meetings than the competition, is about much more than emails and automation. Jeremy also shares hard-won lessons from mistakes, killer feature inventions, and why an executive assistant could be the highest ROI hire you're not making. Tune in for an unfiltered, unconventional masterclass in SaaS success. Some topics we explore in this episode include: Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital: Jeremy details the benefits of building Quickmail profitably without VC funding.Customer Retention vs Acquisition: Why retention often outperforms acquisition for long-term SaaS growth.Defining Ideal Customer Profiles: How to identify and evolve good-fit and bad-fit customers over time.Product-Led Growth from Customer Feedback: Developing features driven by close interaction with customers.Educational Content's Role: The role of podcasts and books in attracting and pre-qualifying leads.Technical Differentiation: Email Deliverability: What sets Quickmail's deliverability and booking rates apart.Multi-Channel Outreach (LinkedIn + Email): Data on improved results from combining email and LinkedIn campaigns.Roadmap Discipline: Saying No: When and why to decline feature requests that don't serve the ICP.Scaling for Agencies: Tools and approaches for agencies managing many client accounts.Founder Leverage via Delegation: The value of executive assistants and reducing operational overload.

Postoje startupi koji rastu prema planu i postoje oni koji rastu usprkos svemu. Marijan Žitnik iz Dubrovnika se godinama bavi i ribolovnim charterima i recikliranjem morske plastike u sunčane naočale — istovremeno. Kad je objavio na LinkedInu da ima petsto eura na računu, ali čeka odgovor na narudžbe za više od pet tisuća komada, Netokracija ga je odmah pozvala._______________00:00  Intro — na rubu bankrota i svjetskog uspjeha01:00  Gaming klanovi, ribolov i gomila startupova iza leđa03:00  Napustio siguran posao u Photomathu zbog ribolova05:00  Fishing charter u Dubrovniku — kako je krenulo10:00  Ideja za reciklažu morske plastike11:00  Tri godine gradnje strojeva bez iskustva (dva udara strujom)13:00  Prve naočale od plastike — niko ih nije kupio16:00  Petsto eura na računu i pet tisuća narudžbi 19:00  Tim od penzionera i osoba s invaliditetom27:00  Bootstrapping ili investicija — dilema30:00  QR kodovi i društveno recikliranje34:00  EU kaznila Temu s 200 milijuna eura39:00  Flop: Google Overview i smrt web stranica41:00  Flop: Zuckerbergova jahta i 1.400 otkaza43:00  Top: AI dešifrira tajne vatikanske rukopise45:00  Top: Papa i AI — što kaže nova enciklika48:00  Outro_______________

Muss man wirklich rund um die Uhr arbeiten, um ein erfolgreiches Startup aufzubauen? Oder geht Gründen auch anders – mit klaren Grenzen, Familie und einem Alltag, der nicht nur aus Arbeit besteht?In dieser Folge spricht Svenja Wein, Gründerin von Calilu, über ihren außergewöhnlichen Weg vom Forschungslabor in die Startup-Welt. Die dreifache Mutter entwickelt mit Calilu eine Gesundheits-App für Familien, die Eltern im Gesundheitsalltag ihrer Kinder unterstützt. Svenja teilt offen ihre Erfahrungen als Solo-Gründerin, warum sie bewusst auf Bootstrapping setzt, wie sie mithilfe von KI ihre App entwickelt und weshalb sie Unternehmertum und Familie nicht als Gegensätze sieht. Eine inspirierende Folge über Mut, Selbstvertrauen, moderne Gründungswege und die Frage, wie Erfolg jenseits klassischer Startup-Klischees aussehen kann.https://www.linkedin.com/in/svenja-wein/https://www.instagram.com/caliluapphttps://calilu.de/Die Folgen gibt es überall, wo du Podcasts hörst: https://linktr.ee/founderflow https://open.spotify.com/show/1B3JyqXvDP9nWoAwORyRLzhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/founderflow-der-gr%C3%BCndungspodcast/id1481847368Folgt uns auf für weitere spannende Einblicke: Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/founderflow.fm/LinkedIn / https://www.linkedin.com/company/founderflow/posts/?feedView=allDas Team wünscht viel Spaß mit der Folge :)

Keywords: nearshoring, Latin America, remote teams, Argentina, entrepreneurship, remote work, staffing, tech recruiting, fintech, outsourcing, offshoring, business operations, startup culture, remote leadership, recruiting, engineering talent, Hawaii lifestyle, cross-border business, tech startups, business scaling Summary: In this episode, Brian Samson shares his journey from working in corporate America and startups to building a successful nearshoring business focused on Latin American talent while living in Hawaii. He discusses how nearshoring differs from traditional offshoring and why countries like Argentina provide strategic advantages for US-based companies seeking skilled engineers and remote professionals. Brian explains the importance of aligned time zones, cultural compatibility, and trust when building high-performing remote teams across borders. Throughout the conversation, Brian dives into the operational side of running a staffing and recruiting business, including scaling remote teams, hiring local recruiters, and creating autonomous work cultures. He also shares insights into entrepreneurship, bootstrapping versus raising capital, and the lessons learned from living and working internationally. The discussion highlights how remote-first business models, minimal overhead, and strong communication practices are reshaping the future of global work and staffing. Takeaways Nearshoring offers major advantages over traditional offshoring for US companies. Latin American talent provides strong technical skills and cultural alignment. Argentina has become a strategic hub for engineering and recruiting talent. Time zone compatibility improves collaboration and productivity. Startup culture helped shape Brian's entrepreneurial mindset. Building trust is essential when managing remote international teams. Remote teams thrive when employees are empowered and autonomous. Hiring local recruiters improves candidate quality and vetting processes. Entrepreneurship often requires balancing lifestyle and business goals. Hawaii's lifestyle influenced Brian's remote-first business model. Bootstrapping can create more operational flexibility than raising capital. Nearshoring reduces many communication challenges associated with offshoring. Cultural understanding is key when expanding internationally. Remote leadership depends heavily on communication and accountability. Latin American professionals often demonstrate resilience and entrepreneurial thinking. Minimal overhead allows remote staffing businesses to scale efficiently. Productive remote work requires trust rather than micromanagement. Recruiting high-level tech talent can generate strong long-term revenue opportunities. Cross-border businesses require adaptability and operational problem-solving. The future of remote staffing will continue growing in Latin America. Titles Building Remote Teams in Latin America with Brian Samson Why Nearshoring Is Changing Global Business From Hawaii to Argentina: Brian Samson's Entrepreneurial Journey Scaling Remote Teams Through Nearshoring The Future of Latin American Talent and Remote Work Sound bites “Nearshoring changes everything.” “Trust creates productive remote teams.” “Time zones matter more than people think.” “You need autonomous problem solvers.” “Argentina has incredible engineering talent.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:55 Brian Samson's Background and Move to Hawaii 02:25 Entrepreneurship and Business Opportunities in Hawaii 03:36 Transitioning from Corporate Roles to Entrepreneurship 05:01 Startup Culture and Entrepreneurial Lessons 06:14 Building a Fintech Services Business in San Francisco 07:43 Bootstrapping Versus Raising Capital 08:31 Discovering Nearshoring and Argentina's Advantages 10:22 Moving to Buenos Aires and Building a Team 12:16 Engineering Talent and Time Zone Benefits in Latin America 14:14 Nearshoring Versus Traditional Offshoring 15:04 Strategic Arbitrage and Competitive Compensation 16:23 Scaling a Multi-Team Staffing Business 17:38 Hiring Local Recruiters and Vetting Talent 18:11 Institutional Trust and Latin American Markets 19:15 Managing Remote Teams Across Borders 21:37 How Hawaii Influenced the Business Model 22:22 Transitioning Fully Into Entrepreneurship 24:34 The Pandemic's Impact on Remote Staffing 25:10 Cost-Effective Remote Team Management 26:13 Revenue Models in Tech Recruiting 27:21 High-Value Placements and Scaling Recruiting Revenue 28:56 The Future of Latin American Nearshoring 30:18 Offshoring Versus Nearshoring Explained 31:37 Why Time Zones Matter in Remote Collaboration 33:14 Challenges of High-Tech Remote Work 34:49 Building Autonomous and Empowered Teams 37:27 Resilience and Entrepreneurial Spirit in Latin America 38:07 Communication, Culture, and Work Ethic 39:49 Trust and Autonomy in Remote Team Success 42:14 Creating Independent Work Cultures 44:23 Personal Stories About Remote Leadership 46:35 Expanding Into Service Businesses and Startups 48:14 Continued Success in Staffing and Entrepreneurship 49:49 Connecting with Brian Samson and Plug.Tech

Most Indian AI startups are racing to build chatbots for Indic languages. Dr. Siddharth Panwar took a different bet, building India's first non-invasive brain-computer interface on 60,000 hours of EEG data that hospitals were about to throw away. Trained at Stanford as an electrical engineer and forged at IIT Delhi as a brain scientist, Dr. Siddharth Panwar spent ten years sitting outside neurologists' rooms collecting EEG data that nobody else wanted. That patience became NeuroDx.ai, the deeptech startup behind MANAS-1, India's first 400-million-parameter brain foundation model trained on 60,000 hours of EEG signals from over 25,000 patients. In conversation with host Akshay Datt, Siddharth explains why the West gave up on EEG too soon, why a non-invasive brain-computer interface can capture 80 percent of Neuralink's value at a fraction of the cost, and why Indian VCs still struggle to underwrite frontier scientific risk in AI neurodiagnostics. Selected as one of twelve IndiaAI Mission sovereign AI champions, NeuroDx is the only physiological foundation model in the cohort, arriving exactly as Indian deeptech enters its sovereign AI moment.

Axel once again sits down with Phil MacArthur — a Boston-based real estate broker and multifamily investor who has quietly bootstrapped a 125-unit portfolio across some of the most remote, tertiary markets in New Hampshire. Phil's story is a refreshingly honest account of what it actually looks like to build a portfolio the hard way: no outside capital, no institutional backing, just hustle, grinding commissions from Boston condo sales, and reinvesting every dollar back into the next deal.He also shares the management chaos he experienced, contractor war stories, and the key hires that finally allowed him to step back and operate at scale.This episode is essential listening for any investor who wants a real, unfiltered look at what bootstrapping a 100+ unit portfolio actually costs you — in time, stress, and opportunity — and what you'd do differently if you were starting over today.Join us as we dive into:Why Lake Sunapee and Farmington, NH — not Manchester or the Seacoast — were Phil's first markets, and how affordability and personal connection drove the decisionThe reality of self-managing 25+ units across remote New Hampshire while running a full-time brokerage in Boston — and why Phil calls it one of his biggest regretsHow Phil found his generalist property manager through his own tenant network, and why she became the "cork in the bow of the boat" for his portfolioWhy Phil recommends new investors finance renovations rather than self-fund them — and how selling Boston condos to fund New Hampshire renos slowed his growthThe hyperlocal bank strategy: why Phil targeted lenders that already held the existing debt on properties he was buying — and how that unlocked financing others couldn't getWhy New Hampshire has been largely insulated from the distress hitting other markets — flat expenses, stable insurance, and strong meds-and-eds demand drivers from BostonPhil's current buy box: Class B buildings purchased below replacement cost, separate utilities, light cosmetic value add — and why he's deliberately stepping back from heavy renovation workThe 90% tenant retention rate Phil has achieved — and why rapid maintenance response is the single biggest driver of whether a tenant stays or leavesConnect with Phil:Connect with him on LinkedinFollow Brady Capital on InstagramLearn more about Windrift Real Estate, LLCListen to the Previous Episode with Phil:Ep119 - Living in an Expensive Market and Investing out of State + Quickly Building a Personally Owned Portfolio of 70+ Units via Spotify or AppleAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast is a leading drinks business podcast, listened to in 120 countries worldwide with 125+ episodes. Honest conversations about how the industry actually works, from the bar and what it means for the boardroom.This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS.Robert Simonson, author of seven cocktail books including “A Proper Drink,” and "Modern Classic Cocktails", has spent twenty-five years documenting the modern cocktail era as it happened. Not reconstructed afterwards. Not filtered through brand mythology or oral history passed between generations of sales managers. He was in the room. He talked to the people making the decisions while the bars were still open and the drinks were still new. Seven books. His Substack newsletter The Mix. A primary source in an industry where almost everything gets retold until it resembles something useful to whoever is telling it.In this episode, we go back to the question that most people in commercial roles cannot answer precisely: why did the canon close, and what replaced it. We examine the intimidation factor preventing cocktail culture from scaling to mass audiences, the missing middle between 50 Best Bars theatrical experiences and basic dive bars, and why guest shifts evolved from knowledge-sharing mechanisms into publicity machines.The answer is mechanical. It has been running inside the industry for over a decade. And if your brand is not scaling at the pace you want, despite the distribution, the accounts, and the activations, it is likely the same dynamic is producing the same result at a different scale.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:09 The Birth of Modern Cocktails00:41 Modern Classics and Their Impact03:06 Challenges in Creating New Cocktails08:30 The Role of Brands in Cocktail Evolution16:37 The Missing Middle in Cocktail Culture25:10 The Future of Cocktail Journalism30:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Wanna know what the conversation above means for your team? It's in the paid section.For €100 a year you get access to Maffeo Confidential (Private Podcast) and get this analysis and access to the full archive of 125 episodes, each one translated from industry conversation into the commercial decisions underneath it. Find out more at maffeodrinks.com

Sean and Andrew stop by to chat about what happens when you build a client website live on a sales call 20 minutes into the presentation. We get into Andrew's cold outreach restart for MetaMonster, the report card angle they are testing with SEO agencies, and somehow end up debating whether Astro or Next.js is the right call for a SaaS marketing site.Links:Andrew's Twitter: @AndrewAskinsAndrew's website: https://www.andrewaskins.com/MetaMonster: https://metamonster.ai/Slackletter: https://slackletter.com/Sean's Twitter: @seanqsunMiscreants: http://miscreants.com/Margins: http://margins.so/Sean's website: https://seanqsun.com/For more information about the podcast, check out https://www.smalleffortspod.com/.Transcript: 00:01.20SeanWhat's up?00:01.85AndrewThree, two, Oh, shit. Sorry. ah Awkward.00:05.68SeanAll good.00:06.14AndrewEmbarrassing.00:07.26SeanAll good. Jesus. ah00:12.34AndrewDude, every day that goes by without Metamonster closing a new customer, i just get more and more insecure about my abilities to be a SaaS founder.00:25.30SeanIs that like...00:27.14SeanLike every day, like you have a sales call and they don't buy right away or like, I see.00:31.78AndrewI'm not even like having sales calls is the problem. Yeah, I we we do actually like you know, we've been working on the product when I when I started like breaking it down.00:43.58SeanYeah.00:44.04AndrewI'm like, okay, it makes sense. um It's not like that shocking, but I'm still just like, ah like, is there demand for this thing? Are we wasting our time? What's going on?00:55.96Andrewah um but01:00.21AndrewLike, so what we're doing right now, I do think the product has gotten a lot better.01:06.46SeanYeah.01:06.55AndrewIt still, like, has rough edges, but it is, like, it is way better than it used to be.01:06.56SeanOK.01:15.31Andrewum And um I think it's, like, in a sellable place now. What we're doing right now um is we're trying to spin up cold outreach again and start doing cold outreach.01:33.04Andrewum And i think we've gotten clearer on our ICP. I think we've gotten clearer on like the problem we're trying to solve. um And so hopefully clearer on like the kind of signals we can look for to find good fit customers.01:52.44Andrewum and so and'm like cautiously optimistic about this round of outreach that like and then jade's also almost officially on board so like i will have her to work with and to like help hold me accountable and i think we make a good team bouncing ideas off of each other and just like pushing building momentum together yeah um they02:04.33SeanNice.02:13.65SeanYeah, wait, didn't last time when we spoke, didn't Jade have like 25 demos lined up though or something like that?02:23.19AndrewThey haven't really been converting. um She's only done, i think she's done eight or so, and one may turn into a customer.02:34.04Andrewum But she also hasn't really been pitching and because they're it's largely just like friends of hers, and so she didn't want to come in pitching too hard.02:38.21SeanYeah.02:42.84AndrewIt was more like more approaching them from a feedback standpoint.02:43.16SeanRight, right. but Yeah, I meant like how is how's the feedback going?02:49.49AndrewFeedback has been good, I think. i think But it's it's again, it's that like kind of mom test. it's the kind of It's a lot of feedback that kind of fails the mom test where it's like it's like people like the tool, but they're not adopting the tool.03:01.93SeanHmm.03:07.44Andrewum And I think there's like a million reasons that can be. so like one of the one of the simple things that Jade's starting to do is um when people tell her like hey i'm interested in using this she's going to start scheduling a follow-up meeting to be like great why don't you use it for two weeks and then we'll talk again in two weeks and like create some accountability create a little bit of social pressure um and then in that second call i think we can more think she'll feel more comfortable asking for a sale03:36.05SeanRight. Right.03:44.02SeanYeah, I mean, that makes sense.03:45.17AndrewYeah, because like at that point, they've shown interest.03:45.69SeanYeah.03:47.29AndrewAnd it's like, OK, now it's time to ask for a sale.03:47.81SeanRight.03:50.23Andrewum03:50.31SeanRight. Right. I mean, at that point, they've like actually, if they've actually used it and found it useful, and if they haven't, it's also useful to just know.03:57.68AndrewFigure out why. Try to figure out why.03:58.76SeanYeah.03:59.50AndrewYeah.04:00.44SeanYeah,04:00.47Andrewum And then we're trying to, like, it's like, OK, we also need to prove we can get demos outside of her network. And so let's...04:12.30Andrewbut scale up cold outreach, get that going again. We're doing it manually. When I say scale it up, I just mean, i basically just mean turn it on. I mean, start doing it.04:22.26Seanyeah yeah04:22.96Andrewum We're not like worried about scale. We're trying to do it very manually, very personably do it. My friend also challenged me to do not just like email or LinkedIn, but cold call people.04:39.08SeanOh, cool.04:40.31AndrewWhich, which is terrifying, which probably means I should try it.04:45.20Seanah Yeah. Yeah, 100%. I have a cold call video video to send you. like04:49.72AndrewOkay. Send it to me.04:50.52Seanyou know there's a lot of scammy like this is how you cold call people and whatever i forget his name he's now with like a cold calling sas product but like he like live records his cold cold calls about like sas apps or like trucking whatever and like you you hear the guys go like no you or like whatever um like he's using it a demo the platform but like04:50.76AndrewMm-hmm.04:54.92AndrewMm-hmm.05:01.25AndrewMm-hmm.05:15.12SeanIt's probably one of the better, like repeatable sales motion type things that he follows. And it's, yeah, I want to say the app is called Glen Coco, but I don't remember if I'm just making Uh,05:29.70AndrewIsn't Glen Coco like some pop culture reference?05:33.96Seansure. Uh, maybe. I don't know. I don't know. Oh yeah. Glenn Coco for, for you, Glenn Coco, you go Glenn Coco. All right. Uh, uh, Mean Girls.05:43.98AndrewWhat's that from? Mean Girls. Okay, that's right.05:47.04SeanUm, yeah, it is, it is, it is, it is from, it's yeah, it's Glenn Coco.05:47.58AndrewThat's right. That's right.05:53.72SeanUm,05:54.35AndrewWell, he named his app after a Mean Girls reference.05:56.98SeanI guess so. I don't know if if it's his app or if he's just, it probabl...

What does it really take to scale a global technology architecture completely on your own terms? In this deeply emotional and highly technical episode of the Leaders in Tech podcast, host David Mansilla is joined by real-time communications pioneer Jerod Venema, Founder and President of LiveSwitch.

Colleen is stuck in a bubble rut.

In this episode, we dive deep into Less Annoying CRM's new marketing strategy.

We talk with Jared Pierce about why many provider networks run on outdated contracts and why that breaks trust for providers, members, and plan sponsors. We dig into how Unity builds a primary, provider-aligned network for self-funded plans that protects access while still driving real savings. • Jared's early start building PPO networks at 17 and how it shaped his view of the system • Why legacy PPO networks “live off old paper” and what that means for pricing and trust • How reference-based pricing can create confusion, appeals, and members turned away • What “RBP-level reimbursement with real contracts” looks like in practice • Using historical claims data and member nominations to build a customized network • Why clear, simpler contracts improve provider participation and reduce noise • Bootstrapping growth without private equity and staying independent longer • Where Unity is seeing adoption and what advisors should watch next • The future network model tied to member incentives and smarter plan design 

Guest Introduction Rich Kahn is a digital marketing veteran and serial entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of eZanga and Anura. He's spent 30+ years in digital advertising and built Anura after discovering fraud was damaging traffic quality inside his own ad network. Key Discussion Themes How Rich went from early internet projects to building ad tech companies What ad fraud is — and why it's not just “a number on a screen” The real cost: “on average” 25% of digital marketing spend lost to fraud Where fraud spikes: organic vs Google/Facebook vs affiliate traffic Why marketing decisions go wrong when departments don't share feedback loops The cat-and-mouse reality of fraud — and how AI is changing attacks Hiring and leadership: the “80% person” rule for delegating critical work Hard-won lesson: don't hire friends Bootstrapping discipline: mismanaging funds is the fastest way out of business Listener Takeaway If your marketing performance feels inconsistent, don't assume the channel is broken — assume the data might be. Tighten the feedback loop between lead quality and spend decisions, and protect your budget so you're paying for real audiences, not bots. Guest Website Link https://www.anura.io/ Guest Social Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richkahn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anurasolutions/ CTA If you're spending money on ads, you can't afford to guess on traffic quality. Listen to the episode and audit your spend decisions with better data.   Virginia Purnell Funnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.comwww.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

What does it actually mean to bet on yourself, and how do you know if the game you're playing is really the one you want to be in?In this special episode of Supra Insider, Marc Baselga and Ben Erez record together in person for the first time, sitting down at a studio in New York to have an honest, unscripted conversation about optionality, partnership, and what they've learned from building Insider Loops over the last seven months. They open with the question hanging over a lot of high-agency people right now: with AI making it easier than ever to go from idea to product, should you leave your job and bet on yourself? Marc names the only full-time role that genuinely tempts him, Anthropic, and then explains exactly why he still wouldn't take it. Ben unpacks why he accomplished 20% of what he was capable of during his full-time years, and what changed.They go deep on why bootstrapping is harder than raising VC money, but why the constraints force the kind of market discipline that most funded companies never develop. They map out their complementary skill sets, how they've shifted from long-term planning to weekly cadence, and why they now think planning more than a week ahead is mostly a waste of time. The conversation closes on the role of the podcast itself, why it has to stay separate from the business, why fun is an emergent property and not a frivolous goal, and why the relationship comes first.If you're weighing whether to leave a stable job and go off on your own, curious about what a bootstrapped partnership actually looks like day to day and what makes it work, or just want a rare honest conversation between two builders about what they'd do differently and what they wouldn't change, this episode is for you.A special thanks Alex Pavlou and the team at 28th & Park for the recording space!All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox

Krysten Kauder built Candier—a bold, irreverent candle brand with names like “Girl, You Need to Calm the F Down”—into a $14 million business stocked at Target, Whole Foods, and Ulta, and she did it without a PR firm, sales team, or single networking event. For more on Candier and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Andrew is back from two weeks of Spanish immersion in Puebla, and the conversation picks up right where it always does. We get into MetaMonster's 100-demo sprint with their new co-founder, why AI keeps producing bad content for founders (and what Sean shipped to fix it), and somehow end up deep in a conversation about outcome-based agency pricing and why it is a finance nightmare in practice. Links:Andrew's Twitter: @AndrewAskinsAndrew's website: https://www.andrewaskins.com/MetaMonster: https://metamonster.ai/Slackletter: https://slackletter.com/Sean's Twitter: @seanqsunMiscreants: http://miscreants.com/Margins: http://margins.so/Sean's website: https://seanqsun.com/For more information about the podcast, check out https://www.smalleffortspod.com/.Transcript:00:00.41SeanWelcome back to Mexico City.00:02.26AndrewWhat a00:06.90SeanAnd let's get00:07.11Andrewup? I still can't remember how, I still don't know how to say, can never remember how to say like, good to see you. I think it's like, mucho gusto verte, or like, con gusto.00:20.02AndrewI think con gusto is like the the simplest way to say it, but... um00:24.79Seancon gusto my friend um me amigo um00:30.58AndrewAsking Claude, how do I say nice to see you in Mexico?00:37.71AndrewI've been using Claude a bunch for, did i have I talked about this in a past episode?00:40.96Seanyeah yeah yeah but no it's it's it's good it's like um00:42.08AndrewOkay, my bad.00:46.01AndrewQue bueno verte, me da gusto verte. Que gusto verte, que gusto verte is the most natural way. Literally, what a pleasure to see you. Que gusto verte.00:58.77SeanI feel like that's not a thing people say. I feel like.01:02.84AndrewI don't know how often how often people say it yeah01:08.67SeanYeah. Interesting. um how was How was your trip?01:14.97AndrewIt was awesome. um Just going from using Spanish maybe anywhere from half an hour to like two or three hours a day to using Spanish from 9 nine am until like five every day and then sometimes for another couple hours at night.01:34.68Andrewdepending on what plans I had with friends and stuff, um was definitely like much needed. Like I felt my vocabulary improving. i felt myself building some confidence, speaking Spanish, getting a little bit more comfortable.01:50.14Andrewum Also underscored how much I still don't know and like how far I am from where I actually want to be, which is like kind confusing. good and frustrating at the same time.02:03.32Andrewum But overall, really fun and also just nice to see a new part of Mexico. Like, Puebla is really beautiful. um It's a smaller city, a little bit more chill.02:16.06Andrewum but has a really beautiful historic center with porticos that reminded me of like the porticos in Bologna in Italy. um And really good food.02:29.66Andrewum I ate something and like fucked up my stomach for like a week. So that was a bummer, but also just part of being a gringo living in Mexico. um So it comes with the territory.02:44.76SeanYou were going for, I want to say it was two weeks, but it feels like it's been a very long time since we've talked.02:47.10AndrewJust two weeks.02:50.35Seanyeah, I miss you as well.02:50.68AndrewOh, I miss you too. Nah, it was just two weeks. Yeah, but super fun.02:58.52SeanGood. Good, good, good. Yeah. That was a good picture from your group.03:03.93AndrewOh, of the of the class.03:05.53SeanYeah, yeah. That's good.03:06.56AndrewYeah, the school does a really good job of like, so you take classes from nine to one every day, and then you have lunch with the other students. um And you're strongly encouraged to speak only in Spanish while you're at the school.03:21.82Andrewum So you're you're speaking to other students who are at different levels, but speaking in Spanish.03:21.96SeanNice.03:28.48AndrewAnd then in the afternoons, Monday through Wednesday, you're paired one-on-one with a guide who's just a local. um And you walk around Puebla and go visit museums and tour different parts of the city with your guide. um ah The second Monday I was there, i got two of the other students and their guides to come with me to a board game store and we just played board games and talked in Spanish and it was super fun.03:57.64AndrewMuy lindo, very cute.03:59.72SeanNice.03:59.77Andrewum And, ah but yeah, so you get like a lot of one-on-one time with your guide. And then on Thursday, you do like a bigger expedition with the group to a city, you know, a small town or city nearby to Puebla. Yeah.04:15.04AndrewAnd then, ah yeah, Friday afternoons you get off.04:15.40SeanNice.04:18.78AndrewSo,04:19.82SeanIt's like a full immersion type of thing. I like it.04:22.43Andrewyeah, exactly.04:23.14SeanYeah. Cool.04:24.44Andrewum Yeah, super fun.04:25.43SeanYou feel like you are drastically better at speaking the language now?04:31.52AndrewNo, I would not say drastically better. um I would say...04:36.90Andrewmarginally better. Like definitely, like i like I said, like definitely improved my vocab and my confidence, but like still two weeks just isn't enough to like for a drastic change.04:46.47SeanRight, right.04:47.76AndrewI, um yeah, i I need, I wish I could have spent04:49.21SeanGotcha.04:55.55Andrewyou know, two months there, because I think that would have been the kind of time I need to, like, really take a step forward. um Although I found this funny thing. i've I've spent some time on the language learning subreddit over the last, like, six months or whatever.05:11.77AndrewAnd I found this funny joke where like every level thinks they're six months away from being fluent. Like every level of speaker is like, yeah, with like six more months of study, I'll be fluent.05:21.25SeanYeah.05:23.68AndrewAnd it's like, you also just realize the more you learn, like, and Fluent is not easy to define and is kind of a shifting goalpost. um There's like true native speaker fluency. And then there's like, you know, understanding scientific terms. And um so like, you know, I think my goal is just conversational fluency, like be able to meet people who speak with a slightly different accent and not panic and like ah be able to like hang out in a crowd of like, you know, locals and like carry a conversation without being super stressed or watch a movie in Spanish and understand it without subtitles.06:12.37SeanCool.06:15.19SeanCool.06:19.13SeanMy brain's going into, like I forget what it's called, but there's like, a I don't know this is like i don't know if this is for like all languages, but like there's something like from what I understand, but Japanese, there's like an N1 or N2.06:31.96Andrew...

The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast is a leading drinks business podcast, listened to in 120 countries worldwide. Not the conference version. Honest conversations about how the industry actually works, from the bar, not the boardroom. This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS.In this episode, Heather Greene shares her journey from Scotland's Scotch Malt Whisky Society and William Grant & Sons to founding Milam & Greene in Texas, drawn by the chance to explore how the Texas climate shapes bourbon and rye.She discusses what's changed in whiskey: broader, newer audiences and the need to keep “Whiskey 101” welcoming despite online gatekeeping and rigid rules. We talk about blending as a once-taboo trend, climate-driven aging experiments, and a new Provisions bourbon designed for easy, social drinking.Heather Greene recently stepped back from her role as CEO and now sits on the board while consulting for brands as a strategist and Master Blender. The conversation covers the shrinking playbook for craft spirits, the pivot from local-first to national-first out of necessity, how press access becomes survival, and why new consumer waves keep asking the same questions the industry is tired of answering. It's a field-level account of what the drinks ecosystem actually looks like when the wolves come back.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:26 Heather's Whiskey Journey01:18 Why Texas Whiskey03:12 Whiskey Industry Shifts06:29 Keeping Whiskey Welcoming10:37 Local vs National Strategy19:29 Pandemic Pivot Playbook24:00 No Playbook for Survival26:16 Leading Through Uncertainty27:19 Humility and Curiosity Win27:50 Stepping Down as CEO29:28 Whiskey Planning Horizons31:08 Betting on Blends32:50 Climate-Driven Whiskey34:47 Market Boots On36:58 Social Terroir Explained41:33 Tradition Versus Creativity46:22 House of Whiskeys Strategy47:48 Provisions This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS. If what we discuss in this episode makes you think about your own commercial situation, I can look at it with you directly with our Commercial X-Ray. Find out more at maffeodrinks.comA Deep-Dive Analysis of This Episode is Available. Celebrate with us our 3rd anniversary with a special 30% off forever at maffeodrinks.com/anniversary  

Ali Partovi is the Co-founder and CEO of Neo.Neo started in 2017 as a network for the top college students. Neo is a “people-first” investor, a thesis it developed missing out on early investments in PayPal and Google at three employees.Neo has since invested in the Seed rounds of Cursor and Kalshi, and Ali shares everything he's learned about spotting outlier talent, how to hire the best people, how computer science is the best business education, and why the best entrepreneurs start young.Special thanks to Hadi Partovi, Fuzzy Khosrowshahi, Alan Shusterman, and Claire Shorall for their help brainstorming topics for Ali.Thank you to Numeral, Flex, and Amplitude for supporting this episodeNumeral: The end-to-end platform for sales tax and compliance https://www.numeral.comFlex: Get premium banking and a net 60 day credit card at 0% APY https://home.flex.one/referral/bananacapitalAmplitude: AI analytics, all you have to do is ask https://www.amplitude.comTimestamps:(0:09) Neo's two 10x funds(2:19) Missing PayPal led to Neo(9:32) Not investing in Google at 3 employees(11:31) Backing Facebook despite the idea(13:01) Starting Neo to help top college students(17:21) How to identify outlier talent(24:38) Neo's coding test(27:41) Bootstrapping the first cohort of Neo Scholars(34:58) How Cognition President Russel Kaplan changed Neo forever(39:21) Starting Neo after talking to Steph Curry(46:42) Launching [Code.org](http://Code.org) to teach 20M kids to code(59:38) Is coding still relevant in 2026?(1:03:43) How to hire outlier talent(1:07:25) Why you should aggressively apply for one job(1:11:09) Neo Residency: $750k uncapped(1:19:51) Growing up in Iran during the revolution(1:26:03) Impact of the immigrant mentality(1:29:15) Most entrepreneurial roots start very young(1:39:18) Lessons investing in Cursor + Kalshi seed rounds(1:50:27) Confession: a podcast about failure(1:52:36) Fucking up a $50m deal by lying to Steve JobsReferencedNeo: https://neo.com/Neo Scholars Application: https://neo.com/scholarsNeo Residency: https://neo.com/residencyCode.org: https://code.org/Lying to Steve Jobs: https://x.com/apartovi/status/1447251334814523392Losing a deal with Yahoo: https://x.com/apartovi/status/1449856639331340289Follow AliTwitter: https://x.com/apartoviLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apartovi/Follow TurnerTwitter: https://twitter.com/TurnerNovakLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turnernovakSubscribe to my newsletter to get every episode + the transcript in your inbox every week: https://www.thespl.it/

"Owners want buildings, not software."That one line from Andrew Zukoski (CEO, JOIN) reframes the entire AEC tech market.In B&B Fight Night 3, Andrew goes head to head with Clifton Harness (CEO, TestFit) on AI, architects, venture capital, and what the next five years look like.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why only 3 AEC companies have IPO'd in 15 years and what that means for founders raising VC✅ Whether builders or architects come out on top in an AI-driven AEC industry✅ The real test for separating AEC AI products from rappers✅ Why the next big AEC IPO might be a services firm, not a SaaS companyWatch now on YouTube and Spotify!#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #bricksbucksandbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #ai #vcOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk -  “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comChapters00:00 Teaser00:58 Introduction to the AEC Octagon and Fight Night02:42 Debating AI: Industry-Specific vs. Foundational Models05:13 Evaluating AI Tools for Architecture and Construction08:23 The Future Role of Architects in the AEC Industry11:27 Architects as Civic Arbiters of the Built Environment14:15 The Impact of AI on Construction and Design16:33 Sponsors19:34 The Evolution of Architect Roles and Responsibilities22:01 The Future of Architecture in an AI-Driven World34:30 Evaluating Code Quality and Architectural Efficiency35:33 The Role of Venture Capital in Business Growth39:10 Navigating the Risks of Venture Funding43:30 AI's Impact on the AEC Industry48:42 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Funding: A Personal Perspective50:27 Predictions for the Future of Construction57:29 AI's Role in Accelerating Business Success

So many founders delay growing their business because funding feels confusing or out of reach. This episode is here to change that, and give you a clearer way to think about how to fund your business growth.If I'm honest, funding is something I didn't really understand for a long time, and I know I won't be the only one.When we hear about funding, it's often things like Dragon's Den or venture capital, and it can feel quite far removed from everyday business. But actually, there are so many different business funding options, and understanding them can completely change how you approach growing your business.In this episode, I'm joined by Hazel Nabarro, founder of Femfinity, and she breaks down how to fund your business growth in a way that feels much more clear and manageable.We talk through the different types of business funding options, including bootstrapping, grants, loans, angel investors, and venture capital, and what each one really looks like in practice.What I found really helpful about this conversation is that it's not just about what's available, it's about how to make the right decision for you and your business, rather than making choices from a place of panic or pressure.So if funding is something you've been thinking about, or you're not sure what your next step should be, this will give you a much clearer picture of how to fund your business growth in a way that actually works for you.Find Hazel here: Website : www.femfinity.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tofemfinity/LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelnabarro/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/femfinity/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Hazel and her work in funding and growth03:20 What funding really means and why it is often misunderstood06:00 Bootstrapping and using revenue to fund your business09:30 Grants explained, pros, cons and how to improve your chances15:10 Loans, risks, and what to consider before borrowing18:45 Equity funding, angel investors and how it works23:30 Venture capital explained and whether it is right for you27:50 When to start thinking about funding your business31:20 Revenue first growth and building a sustainable business34:00 Key questions to ask before taking any funding37:00 Can you say no to investors and why due diligence matters38:30 Why increasing female investors is so important41:10 How to become an angel investor and get started44:30 Final advice on making strategic funding decisionsLET'S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you'd like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Free call for Amazon SellersI'm running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who'd like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It'll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It's fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I'd love to see you there if you're able to join.Amazon Sellers Support & ConnectAmazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It's a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

Neal sits down with Paige Craig, Founder and Managing Partner at Outlander VC, the first-check fund that backs founders as early as humanly possible. Paige shares how growing up homeless, bootstrapping a defense tech company during the Iraq War, and years of studying what makes founders tick led him to build a 38-point framework for picking people - not plans. They cover physical AI, manufacturing, defense tech, and why first-time founders still get his first call. And yes, there are duck carnitas involved.Key Topics* Outlander's first-check model: investing before product or metrics exist* The 38-point founder framework: vision, intelligence, character, execution* Why first-time founders often outperform repeat founders on a risk-adjusted basis* Bootstrapping a defense tech company in 2003 - driving into Iraq to win contracts* Physical AI as a 20-year defining theme* Manufacturing and industrial automation as the next frontier* The coming dislocation of creative talent from AI* Defense tech investment beyond the hype cycleLinks & Resources* Outlander * Scale AI* Brad FeldConnect on LinkedIn* Paige Craig This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast is a leading drinks business podcast, listened to in 120 countries worldwide. Not the conference version. Honest conversations about how the industry actually works, from the bar, not the boardroom. This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS.This solo episode captures my Bar Convent Berlin talk on the distance between transactional trade investment and genuine partnership. I open with the refusal to call anything a playbook (“there's no such thing as a playbook, you cannot really copy paste things”) and reframe the drinks and hospitality industries as two sides of the same coin that, despite sitting on the same metal, do not speak the same language. From there I map the drinks ecosystem as four players (brands, distributors, bars, consumers) and put distributors back in the middle of the conversation where they belong. The talk then walks through the trade investment reality, guest shifts, listing fees, distillery trips, competitions, activations, and explains why the aggregate feels messy: too much theory, too much PowerPoint, too little time at the bar. I share the credibility problem created by brand proliferation, the Instagram contradiction when one gin becomes “the best” one day and a different gin the next, and the listing fee dynamic where €2,000 buys a menu line that reads “gin” instead of the brand name. The closing argument is a call for less but better, anchored by a real best practice from a bar manager who phoned a brand to return unused budget, and a reminder that when nobody pulls the brand through, sell in eats itself and the toy breaks.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and Context00:11 From Transactions to Partnership01:07 Mapping the Drinks Ecosystem02:16 Trade Investment Reality Check03:27 Why It Gets Messy05:24 Bring Stakeholders Along07:01 Too Many Brands, Too Much Pressure09:39 Choosing Brands With Values10:59 The Thin Line and ROI Proof15:33 Less but Better Best Practices17:37 Sellout Sustainability Closing This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS. If what we discuss in this episode makes you think about your own commercial situation, I can look at it with you directly with our Commercial X-Ray. Find out more at maffeodrinks.comA Deep-Dive Analysis of This Episode is Available. Celebrate with us our 3rd anniversary with a special 30% off forever at maffeodrinks.com/anniversary  

In this episode, we talk about how one of the new business challenges is to figure out what skills are uniquely human, and leaning into those things as your differentiator.

A jar of homemade deodorant at a Portland farmers market became a multimillion-dollar acquisition by Unilever seven years later, and the woman behind it never had a master plan.On this episode of Dear FoundHer, host Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Jaime Schmidt, founder of Schmidt's Naturals, for one of those rare, unfiltered conversations about bootstrapping a consumer brand from a kitchen table with almost no money, no manufacturing experience, and a newborn at home. Jaime's path was not linear or polished. She was a social worker who moved across the country, got inspired by the Portland maker community, and started whipping up natural deodorant while pregnant because she wanted cleaner products and could not afford to buy them. That is where it all began.What makes her story so useful for a first-time founder is how unglamorous the early days really were. Jaime hand-formulated everything using basic pantry ingredients, packed jars in a garage with a small team working off a changing table, and sold them on Etsy and at markets before she had a real website. Getting publicity came not from a PR firm but from sending samples to bloggers and YouTubers who were excited for new things to try. An early Today Show feature brought a flood of orders she was not ready for.Transitioning from employee to founder meant learning wholesale, retail pricing, inventory forecasting, and supply chain on the fly as the brand moved into Whole Foods and beyond. Managing rapid growth brought its own pressure. Scaling rapidly through multiple manufacturing spaces while trying to protect product quality and stay cash-flow stable tested everything she had built.Jaime's advice to women starting over or starting late? Stop talking yourself out of it. Find people who support you. And stop fixating on the end game. Just focus on the next real step in front of you. She did exactly that, and it was enough.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Jaime Schmidt on Building Schmidt's Naturals From Scratch03:16 How Schmidt's Naturals Started at a Kitchen Table06:09 Getting Publicity Through Bloggers, The Today Show, and Early Retail Wins10:39 Bootstrapping Manufacturing and Scaling Into Major Retail Stores13:08 Why Jaime Schmidt Sold Schmidt's Naturals to Unilever17:28 How to Scale a Consumer Brand Without Losing Your Values22:20 Jaime Schmidt on Mentorship, Supermaker, and Investing After Exit26:28 Business Advice for Women Starting Later and Becoming a FounderConnect with Jaime Schmidt:Follow Jaime on InstagramConnect with Jaime on LinkedInSubscribe to The FoundHer Files: http://foundherfiles.substack.comDon't build your business alone, join the FoundHer Forum to build alongside women just like you: https://www.dearfoundher.com/tourFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colleen shipped the Geocodio CLI (with a Claude Code agent skill!) and Michele had a nightmare about Figma. That's kind of the vibe this week. We also talk about what it's like building AI tools, when Claude decides to stop working, and which AI tools we reach for day to day. Plus, Michele's organizing a Larabelles event at Laracon US to help more women and non-binary folks feel welcome at tech conferences, and Colleen has some strong opinions about what actually works. Also discussed: Ghosts (BBC version), Ted Lasso, and going to the gym. You know, our normal weird stuff.

What if the most powerful business ecosystem in America wasn't built in Silicon Valley — but inside the barbershop?In this episode of Inside The Vault, Ash Cash sits down with Obie Omele Jr., CEO & Co-Founder of The Cut, alongside music executive and cultural strategist Ray Daniels.The Cut has booked over 100 million appointments, empowered hundreds of thousands of barbers, and built a business-in-a-box platform that is reshaping how barbers operate, scale, and build generational wealth.But this isn't just about haircuts.It's about ownership.It's about distribution.It's about embedding technology directly into culture.In this conversation, they break down:• How Obie bootstrapped the company without raising money for four years• Raising capital from barbers and users themselves• Giving out $1 million in capital in 24 hours• Why distribution is more valuable than product• Turning the barbershop into digital real estate• The vision for The Cut Music (a modern 106 & Park)• Why culture is the ultimate competitive moatThis is bigger than tech.This is infrastructure for the culture.If you're a barber, entrepreneur, artist, investor, or brand builder — this episode is a blueprint.⏱️TIMESTAMPS00:00 The Billion-Dollar Barbershop Idea02:00 Meet Obie Omele Jr. & Ray Daniels05:00 Why Ray Joined The Cut08:10 Learning to Code & Bootstrapping the App12:00 Solving the Barber Discovery Problem15:00 Why the Barbershop Is Sacred18:00 Raising Capital From Users20:45 Giving Out $1M in 24 Hours24:00 Digital Real Estate Inside The Cut27:00 “We're Amazon for the Barbershop”30:00 Empowering Barbers With Systems34:00 Education & Financial Tools for Barbers36:00 The Cut Music Vision40:00 How They Achieved Mass Adoption43:00 Competition & Cultural Moat46:00 E-Commerce & Vertical Integration48:00 The Future of Influencers & Ownership51:00 Final Thoughts on Building for the CultureAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today I'm talking with Chris Taylor, an entrepreneur who turned a consulting engagement with Nissan into a software company serving half the automotive industry—then sold the business for multiple eight figures without ever raising outside capital. In this conversation, Chris shares how a consulting project with Nissan became the foundation of his company, how that journey ultimately led to an acquisition, and the earn-out lessons every founder should understand before selling their business. We also talk about building culture, why founder communities like YPO and EO can accelerate growth, and how AI is changing the economics of software and services.   Key Takeaways with Chris Taylor (00:00) Intro (01:23) Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital (02:17) Is Every Growth Stage Equally Hard? (04:26) Why Founder Communities Change Everything (09:41) Is SaaS Dead in the Age of AI? (12:30) Why Outcome-Based Billing Could Kill SaaS Seats (15:28) How Chris Got Nissan to Fund His Next Startup (23:09) Turning Consulting Into a Scalable Product (33:11) Why Everything in Business Is Negotiable (40:43) The Real Path to Getting Acquired (48:30) Building Culture in an Unconventional Office (59:20) Earn-Out Lessons Every Founder Should Know   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vca63g-kq7k      Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Amanda Cruise interviews Steve Taylor, who shares how a costly office lease signed just before the COVID-19 lockdowns pushed him to rethink how commercial space is marketed and monetized. After struggling to fill vacant space in London, he developed SoCommercial, a platform designed to let anyone list and monetize any size of commercial real estate, from full buildings to fractional spaces like desks or storage shelves. He explains the challenges of building a two-sided marketplace, emphasizing the difficulty of balancing supply (listers) and demand (lookers) while bootstrapping growth without major funding. Steve also discusses his “free-to-list” model, his belief in removing barriers for smaller landlords, and his long-term vision of creating a more flexible, inclusive commercial real estate ecosystem. Steve Taylor Current role: Principal Broker & Owner of Cornerstone Real Estate, LLC Based in: Greater Charlottesville Area Where to find them: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornerstonerealestate/ Visit ⁠trustetc.com/bestever⁠ for more info. Book your free demo today at bill.com/bestever and get a $100 Amazon gift card. Visit https://m1.com/ for more info.  Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the next generation of manufacturing ownership really look like? In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mason Nicholas, a 21-year-old shop owner who's building his business one machine, one customer, and one sleepless night at a time. His journey didn't start with a formal apprenticeship or engineering degree. It started with motorcycles, model cars, a 3D printer, and a curiosity about how things are made. Mason walks through the unconventional path that led him into machining, from teaching himself CAD during COVID to interning in multiple shops while still in high school. Along the way, he learned programming, fixturing, production workflows, and the realities of shop life. That hands-on exposure eventually turned into entrepreneurial ambition, and before long he was running parts at night on a CNC knee mill, chasing work, and learning the business the hard way. The conversation dives deep into the realities of starting a shop young. Mason shares how he bootstrapped his first Haas, balanced customer work with learning, and navigated common early mistakes like chasing low-margin work and trying to be everything to everyone. The hosts also unpack the importance of niching down, building cash reserves, and choosing a long-term strategy instead of chasing short-term revenue. Looking ahead, Mason outlines his vision for building a specialized aerospace and defense shop, investing in five-axis capability, and eventually creating a talent pipeline to bring new people into manufacturing. It's an honest conversation about ambition, discipline, and what it takes to turn passion into a sustainable manufacturing business. Segments (0:00) Mason Nicholas and his unconventional path into manufacturing (3:54) Learning machining through high school programs and internships (6:52) Running parts at night, landing his first customers, and early job costing mistakes (9:57) Buying his first Haas and officially launching the business (11:33) Leaving his job and committing to entrepreneurship (14:45) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System (15:35) What his one-man shop looks like today (19:19) First IMTS experience and seeing the industry's scale (20:34) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event (21:33) Bootstrapping growth and reinvesting into tooling and equipment (23:14) Deciding when to buy the next machine (25:09) Paperless Parts is built for shops preparing for CMMC Level II  (26:58) One-man shop realities and five-year growth vision (29:10) Creating a future talent pipeline and second shop concept (31:31) Technology, certifications, and preparing for aerospace work (33:16) Lights-out machining and maximizing spindle uptime (36:44) Cash flow discipline and managing capital-intensive growth (42:49) Advice for new shop owners on niching down Resources mentioned on this episode Cherry Creek Innovation Campus Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event Verdant Commercial Capital Paperless Parts is built for shops preparing for CMMC Level II  Nathan Bourgeois - Owner at Ouroboros Space and Defense Mace MFG Connect with Mason on LinkedIn   Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

#855 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! (Original Air Date - 8/8/25) 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. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to build a Salesforce consultancy that people actually love? In this episode, Bradley sits down with Joshua Karrasch, founder and CEO of Dynamic Specialties Group (DSG) — a Salesforce partner consultancy that's quietly doing things differently. From going bankrupt and living in a friend's basement, to building a thriving boutique firm with a team of A-players and a growing list of loyal clients, Josh's journey is honest, hard-won, and deeply human. Josh shares the philosophy at the heart of DSG: the win-win-win. The client has to win. The consultant has to win. And the company has to win. You'll hear how that principle shapes everything — from how DSG takes on new clients, to how they hire, to how they handle growth. The conversation goes deep on the "accordion model" for staffing, why boutique doesn't have to mean small, the importance of leading with business process discovery before ever opening Salesforce, and why diverse, non-traditional backgrounds often make the best consultants. Josh also opens up about the mentorship relationship that changed his entrepreneurial career, and the ongoing challenge of learning to step back before burnout sets in. If you're building a consultancy, growing a Salesforce career, or just trying to run a business with integrity — this one's for you. Episode Timestamps 00:01:06 — Bradley Rice introduces his guest Joshua Karrasch Bradley, founder and CEO of Dynamic Specialties Group who discusses how he got started, challenges he faced along the way, to finally finding the footing to launch DSG, and his Win-Win-Win Philosophy DSG's core operating principle. 00:15:41 — The Accordion Model - How DSG found stability by moving to a 1099 contractor model that could expand and contract with the natural ebbs and flows of project-based consulting work. 00:27:44 — The single most pivotal moment in Josh's entrepreneurial career: meeting the mentor who could see what he couldn't — and how that relationship continues to shape DSG today. 00:37:51 —Why so many Salesforce implementations fail: clients know they're in pain but haven't diagnosed the root cause — and some partners are incentivized to oversell. 00:45:57 — The Hiring Challenge - Every company struggles with it. Josh explains why traditional interviews fall short — and how DSG discovered that TalentStacker graduates consistently showed up as A-players. Why diverse, non-traditional backgrounds often produce the strongest Salesforce consultants. 01:04:49 — What Makes DSG Fundamentally Different? The win-win-win, the empathy, the authenticity, the refusal to exploit anyone in the engagement. 01:07:45 — How to Reach Joshua Karrasch & DSG LinkedIn, email, advising services, fractional work, and through Bradley directly. Links, Contact, Resources Companies & Organizations Dynamic Specialties Group (DSG) — dynaspecgroup.com TalentStacker, run by host Bradley Rice — talentstacker.com  Contact Information Email: joshua@dynaspecgroup.com Books Mentioned The Way and the Power — Strategy book referenced multiple times by Josh as foundational to his leadership philosophy; includes the concept of "The Watcher" The Art of War by Sun Tzu — Referenced by Josh as an early strategy text he studied  

Premier League soccer player Thomas Robson-Kanu turned a career-threatening injury into a mission—building The Turmeric Co., a raw functional beverage brand now reaching customers across 15,000 UK retail locations. For more on The Turmeric Co and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

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