Podcasts about founder stories

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.

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.

When Jing Gao launched Fly By Jing, she wasn''t just selling chili crisp—she was challenging a century-old story about the value of Chinese food. Starting from an underground supper club and a scrappy Kickstarter, she built a brand now found in Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods that has inspired a generation of Asian food founders. For more on Fly By Jin and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

We brought together 14 founders across 13 businesses building on Shopify and asked every single one the same question: How do you know when it's time to pivot? We've put together the playbook for the hardest decisions to make in business—the leap, the kill, the walk-away, and the quiet voice you almost ignored. Featuring Catherine Goetze (Physical Phones), Melanie Bender (LORE), Jing Gao (Fly By Jing), AC Hampton (Supreme Ecom), Melissa Palmer (OSEA), Kevin and Jin Chon (Coop Sleep Goods), Aishwarya Iyer (Brightland), Matt Hassett (Loftie), Vy Nguyen (Avocado Green), Drew Scott (Lone Fox), Sean Reyes (Shock Surplus), Carmen Dianne and Kara Still (Prosperity Market), and Sara Sugarman (Lulu and Georgia). For more: https://utm.io/upFkv  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

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She built Virtue Labs into a $50M+ hair care brand. Now Melisse Shaban is CEO of Aramore — a biotech skincare company backed by peer-reviewed NAD+ research — and she's throwing out the beauty playbook. No influencer deals. No aspirational campaigns. She's sending free product to Reddit strangers, asking for the honest truth, and betting that real science doesn't need hype to win. In this episode: Why she left a board seat to run one more brand How a 28-day Reddit trial beat any influencer campaign The products she cut from her own line — and why What 30 years at Aveda, the Body Shop, and Fekkai taught her about what's broken in beauty Why she hates the word "aging" and refuses to sell fear For more on Aramore https://www.shopify.com/blog/aramore-reddit-skincare-science?utm_campaign=shopifymasters&utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=podcast Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Most first-time founders think raising capital is the next big milestone. But what if raising money too early creates more pressure, more distractions, and less control? In this episode, Jayla sits down with Sarah Fox, founder of Riptie Hair, to talk about the real path behind building a startup without outside investors. Sarah started Riptie Hair with just $2,000, made the first products herself, sold through Facebook groups, and grew the company to more than $2 million in revenue before appearing on Shark Tank, and doubling this year since Shark Tank. But this is not a "perfect founder success story." Sarah shares the hard parts too: running out of inventory, wiring huge purchase orders, fulfilling 70 orders a day while pregnant, hiring too fast, almost missing payroll, laying off help, and realizing that growth can still break your business if your cash flow is not under control. For early-stage entrepreneurs who feel intimidated by fundraising, this episode is a reminder that capital is a tool, not a trophy. You will hear what actually matters before you raise: customer validation, focused sales channels, smart cash decisions, knowing your numbers, and staying lean long enough to understand your business. This episode is especially useful if you are: Wondering whether you should bootstrap or raise Feeling intimidated by investor conversations Unsure if your product has enough validation Struggling with cash flow, inventory, or hiring decisions Trying to figure out what investors will care about Learning how to prepare for a high-pressure pitch   Guest Bio: Sarah Fox- Founder of Riptie Hair A bootstrapped consumer product founder who turned a personal hair-tangling problem into a multi-million-dollar brand and later appeared on Shark Tank. https://www.riptiehair.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-fox-riptiehair/ About Your Host Jayla Siciliano is an entrepreneur with 25+ years in consumer brands, product, and marketing. After raising her first angel round against all odds and later appearing on Shark Tank, where she closed a deal with Mark Cuban, she now helps founders become fundable, confident, and ready to attract the right investors. Entrepreneurship changed her life, and she's on a mission to help first-time founders raise their first round of angel funding and change theirs too. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaylasiciliano/   Disclaimer The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice.

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing Inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Brady Smith, co-founder of Old Blood Noise Endeavors (OBNE), about his career and founder journey, the approach to product development at Old Blood, as well as how he is reshaping business processes and operations to survive the challenges of running a small business in a niche industry.To learn more about the company, visit: https://oldbloodnoise.com/Chapters:00:00 Preview01:14 Intro02:20 Brady's founder story07:16 Keeley Electronics job09:00 Birth of Walrus Audio11:30 Quitting Walrus, founding OBNE14:40 The OBNE way of product development18:07 Chase Bliss sponsor section18:57 Product development process23:07 Brady's role at OBNE24:26 EOS business model26:30 Split with Seth McCarroll29:40 Thoughts on the future effects market31:35 Empress Bass compressor love36:25 Future pedal opportunities42:45 Friendship with Joel Korte46:20 Quick-fire questions49:55 Community questions56:40: Outro

This week's episode is a real one.I'm talking about pitching Bizzy Bean, public speaking, and how crazy it is that in my mind I love attention and speaking… but my body reacts like I'm being hunted for sport.We get into the pressure of walking into rooms and pitching your business, the hacks I've learned for public speaking, and why I stopped trying to “act confident” and started showing up as my future self instead.I also talk about dealing with negative comments, people telling me my idea is too saturated, or straight up saying it won't work, and how easy it is to let that get in your head if you let it.Plus, how I pull myself out of a funk when I start spiraling, from movement, journaling, crying, buying myself a little treat, and learning how to reset instead of staying stuck there.Basically: how to keep building when people doubt you, and sometimes when you doubt yourself tooSupport the show

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino speaks with Olowo-n'djo Tchala about building Alaffia, a mission-driven consumer brand rooted in ethical sourcing. (00:00–01:30) Olowo-n'djo shares his upbringing in Togo and how it shaped his vision for a new economic model. (01:30–04:30) He explains how Alaffia organizes women-led cooperatives to produce shea butter and connect them to global markets. (04:30–08:30) The discussion covers fair trade economics, including paying above-market wages while maintaining strong margins. (08:30–13:00) They explore how Alaffia scaled into a national brand through persistence, retail distribution, and product-market fit. (13:00–17:00) Finally, Olowo-n'djo reflects on challenges with outside investors and why maintaining mission alignment is critical for long-term success. (17:00–22:00). 

After a six-week hiatus spent between reserve duty and bomb shelters, Beyond the Code is back with Avishay Yanai, co-founder and CEO of Soda Labs. In this episode, Yitzy sits down with one of Israel's top cryptography minds to unpack the founder journey from academia and VMware to building a startup at the frontier of blockchain privacy. They discuss why most on-chain privacy tools are either fully transparent or regulatorily radioactive, and how Soda Labs is trying to build something different: privacy that institutions can actually use. Avishay explains the technical and commercial thinking behind “compliant privacy,” why they passed on the crowded MPC wallet space, and what it really feels like to go from researcher to startup CEO.

What happens when the product that made you famous starts holding you back? Kevin Gould co-founded Glamnetic in 2019 with Ann McFerran, launching a magnetic eyelash brand that exploded from $1 million to $50 million in revenue in just one year — fueled by a great product, smart growth marketing, and the COVID-era boom in DIY beauty. But when the tailwinds reversed — iOS 14 updates sent acquisition costs soaring, the lash category contracted, and revenue dipped 25% — Kevin faced a make-or-break decision. Rather than doubling down on what was declining, he pivoted the entire business into press-on nails, a category still in its infancy. Today, Glamnetic is one of the largest press-on nail brands in the world, doing over $100 million a year. In this episode, Kevin gets real about the unglamorous side of hypergrowth: the cash flow crunches that come with scaling too fast, the inventory mistakes that haunt you, and the emotional toll of watching revenue fall when you expected it to double. He shares how he and his team navigated the pivot, why community and brand affinity will always outlast paid acquisition, and why the best advice he can give founders is: don't grow too fast. You'll learn: Why going from $1M to $50M overnight nearly broke the business How to manage cash flow and inventory when you're self-funded The marketing mix that built a real brand — not just an ad machine Why TikTok Shop is the biggest arbitrage opportunity right now How a 40,000-member Facebook community doubles as a product development engine The one hire every founder should prioritize early on What it really takes — personally and professionally — to turn a pivot into a $100M business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Dave McColl is Executive Director of Stanford Climate Ventures (SCV), a program designed to help students build climate companies through rigorous go-to-market strategy and hands-on company building. SCV is a project-based course at Stanford University that has helped launch dozens of startups across energy, infrastructure, and industrial decarbonization. In this episode of Inevitable, Yin Lu, General Partner at MCJ,  sits down with McColl to unpack the SCV playbook—from “earned secrets” to the importance of customer discovery. The conversation also features three founders who came out of the SCV ecosystem: Carla Pinzon, Founder of Expand Power, solid-state transformers for a more flexible grid Raj Tilwa, Founder of Focal, personalized heating systems for commercial spaces Nico Pinkowski, Founder of Nitricity, decentralized fertilizer with air, water, and renewable power Together, they share how SCV shaped their companies, from early pivots and customer insights to product-market fit, and what it takes to build sustainable businesses.  Episode recorded on March 13, 2026 (Published on April 14, 2026). In this episode, we cover:  (0:00) An overview of Stanford Climate Ventures (SCV) (5:12) The origin of SCV and its community-driven model (10:14) How SCV works: discovery, iteration, and “earned secrets” (16:25) The biggest founder mistake: ignoring the customer (18:56) What predicts success: discovery volume and team dynamics (25:51) Carla Pinzon (Expand Power): solid-state transformers for a modern grid (32:21) Finding product-market pull through customer discovery (35:56) Raj Tilwa (Focal): personalized heating vs heating entire spaces (44:21) 100+ interviews to find a real painkiller in hospitality (52:10) Nico Pinkowski (Nitricity): decentralized fertilizer production (58:31) How product-market fit can take years Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Two recent college grads turned a dorm room pistachio recipe into a fast-growing food brand—by letting their community call the shots. Nicola Buffo and Francine Voit, co-founders of Pistakio, share how they pivoted from pistachio mayo to a sweet pistachio spread one week before their first big grocery pitch, built a loyal following on social media because a college professor forced them to start posting, and turned customer DMs into their best-selling products—including their crunchy spread and date bark. In this episode, Nico and Fran talk about: How a last-minute product pivot landed them in Portland's biggest local retailer Why they said no to Shark Tank and Target before they were ready How community-led product development drove 10x growth Building a brand in public from day one (even with terrible dorm room lighting) The café tour strategy that gets customers to try the product risk-free Navigating a business partnership that's also a romantic relationship The $20,000 TikTok agency mistake and what they learned from it Why taste—not health trends—is their only non-negotiable Whether you're starting a food business, looking for community-driven marketing strategies, or figuring out when to say no to big opportunities, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice for ecommerce entrepreneurs. For more on Pistakio and show notes click here: https://www.shopify.com/blog/pistakio-community-led-product-development?utm_campaign=shopifymasters&utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=podcast SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more video episodes: https://utm.io/uhw53 Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

He started his first business at 13… and never stopped. In this episode, Ian Scherber shares the full journey from selling t-shirts in high school and paying his way through college, to building a 60+ employee company… and ultimately walking away from it. This is a raw look at what entrepreneurship actually demands and what it can cost. We unpack the mindset that drove his early success, the reality of scaling a business, and the moment everything shifted after becoming a father. Ian also breaks down how that transition led him to Jaanuu, where he's now helping redefine an entire industry by putting product, purpose, and people first. If you've ever chased growth, questioned it, or wondered what comes next, this episode is for you. Connect with Ian Scherber: http://linkedin.com/in/ian-scherber-4262217b/ If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

Join us for our free SWEEP workshop on April 9th to learn how to apply simple marketing strategies to your business. Register hereApparis grew because Lauren knew how to spot demand before the business looked ready for it.On Dear FoundHer, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Lauren Nouchi, co-founder and creative director of Apparis, about the kind of growth story women founders rarely hear told plainly. Lauren shares how Apparis moved from an early concept that missed the mark to a brand with real traction, and why that shift depended on listening closely to the market, making fast decisions, and building credibility one move at a time. The conversation gets into bootstrapping, growing an audience, scaling challenges, partnership marketing, and founder visibility in ways that feel useful rather than polished. Lauren explains how retail partners, pop-ups, gifting, and brand collaborations helped create momentum, and why staying lean forced better choices.For women founders, the value here is the honesty around pressure, pivots, and the gap between how a brand looks from the outside and how it actually runs day to day. If women founders want a clearer picture of how trust, visibility, and demand are built over time, Dear FoundHer delivers that here.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Lindsay Pinchuk Brought the Apparis Founder to Dear FoundHer01:25 How Lauren Nouchi Started Apparis04:28 The Pivot That Helped Apparis Find Product Market Fit07:25 The Bold Ask That Turned an Idea Into a Brand12:12 How Apparis Built Credibility and Grew Through Wholesale19:35 The Marketing Strategy Behind Apparis Growth23:27 Building a Lean Team and Scaling Apparis35:38 Lauren Nouchi's Best Advice for Women FoundersConnect with Lauren Nouchi:Follow Apparis on InstagramFollow Lauren on InstagramJoin us for our free SWEEP workshop on April 9th to learn how to apply simple marketing strategies to your business. Register hereSubscribe 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.

Send us Fan MailHe helped raise £225 million, worked punishing weeks, and then walked away from it all. Jon Kaye joins me in The Clearing to unpack the moment he stopped chasing the obvious definition of success and started rebuilding a life around creativity, community, and better questions.We talk through Jon's founder story in private equity: the risk of resigning with a pregnant wife, a new house, and no salary, and the life-changing power of one credible person saying “yes”. From there, the conversation turns to burnout, the decision not to launch “fund two”, and the radical reset of taking three young children out of school to travel the world for a year. If you're thinking about career change, work life balance, or designing a second act, John's honesty lands hard.From his basement music studio packed with modular synthesisers and miles of cables, Jon explains why friction matters and why making things harder can lead to more original work, especially in a world flooded with AI content. We dig into his Unmastered newsletter ethos of thinking clearly, living deliberately, and creating without chasing, plus the community-first mission behind DO Radio, a live station you can't pause or download by design.If this conversation sparks something in you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review. What would you stop chasing first if you could redesign your life this week?Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'.  If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.comYou can email  me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.ukTwitter thatchrisgrimesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)Thanks for listening! 

"The amount of clothing going to landfill every year is astronomical. The stat that always hits hardest is 6 in 10 items of clothing made end up in landfill within a year. When you start to process that, it's pretty wild, it's eye-opening."FOLLOW US:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-commerce/ ABOUT THIS EPISODE:How Batch London Rewrites Fashion with Sustainability and Retail InnovationJames ran a panel with today's guest, Sam Matanle, at a Voyage in November 2025. He was impressed by the business story and positive mission to  raise the standard of sustainability in the fashion industry, by reducing waste and overproduction, and knew Sam's story would resonate with our podcast audience.For this episode, you'll hear how two Uni friends quit their corporate roles to launch something they're passionate about, and how they turned a vision into a successful business.Sam is the co-founder of Batch London, and shares his perspective on how the brand is transforming the fashion industry through made-to-order apparel, innovative retail strategies and a strong focus on sustainability. Discover how their approach is influencing consumer habits, retail environments and brand loyalty.Key topics:The origin story behind BatchLDN and its mission to redefine fashion consumption.The benefits of made-to-order manufacturing in reducing waste and increasing quality.Strategies for creating versatile, multi-use clothing for smart casual wear.Opening a flagship store in Covent Garden and the impact on brand awareness and sales.The challenges and opportunities of retail expansion for smaller brands.Building a loyal community through memberships, events and innovative loyalty programsThe importance of in-store experience and staff training for physical retail successLeveraging digital tools, agencies and website audits to optimise online presence.The evolving landscape of consumer consciousness, legislation and environmental responsibility.

Before you dive in, grab your free spot at my SWEEP Workshop on April 9th, the marketing framework that makes everything you're about to hear actionable for your own business. REGISTER HERE.What happens when a burned-out startup employee discovers jigsaw puzzles as her stress relief, and then decides to completely reinvent the category? You get Jiggy, one of the most creative and scrappy real founder stories we've featured on Dear FoundHer.Kaylin Marcotte is the founder of Jiggy Puzzles, a multi-million dollar brand that transformed the humble jigsaw puzzle into a lifestyle product, a wellness tool, and a platform for emerging female artists. She launched in November 2019, just months before a global pandemic turned puzzles into the hottest product on the internet. She landed in Anthropologie before COVID hit, struck a deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank, and built a three-channel business with a team of three.But here's what makes Kaylin's story so compelling for every woman startup founder listening: she did almost all of it without a marketing budget, without paid ads, and without a playbook. Just creativity, partnerships, and a relentless willingness to do the legwork.In this episode, you'll hear:How Kaylin identified a gap in the market and built company messaging around elevating puzzles from a toy aisle product into a lifestyle and wellness brandThe scrappy manufacturing process that got Jiggy off the ground, including negotiating her way onto the end of a factory run to meet impossibly low minimumsHer early publicity strategy, pitching herself, leveraging HARO, and doing her own PR long before she could afford to outsource itHow she grew an audience from day one by baking a built-in partner network into the business model itself, her artistsThe partnership with Anthropologie that changed everything, and how it came directly through Instagram before she'd spent a dollar on adsWhat founder visibility looked like for a one-woman show, and how leaning into organic social and authentic partnerships drove real growthHer Shark Tank experience from start to finish, how she got scouted, what the process was really like, and what happened to her business the night it airedThe real scaling challenges of going from DTC startup to a multi-channel brand in Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Macy'sHow she has managed rapid growth and built a B2B custom business, including a puzzle collaboration with Kacey Musgraves, with a team of just three peopleWhy she believes getting press and building partnerships is a more powerful and sustainable growth strategy than performance marketing will ever beThe honest truth about managing teams as a solo founder, and how freelancers, contractors, and a scrappy mindset have kept Jiggy lean and profitableThis episode is for every woman startup founder who is building something from nothing, trying to figure out how to get press without a PR budget, and wondering if it's really possible to grow an audience without throwing money at ads.Kaylin's answer is a resounding yes, and she gives you the exact roadmap in this conversation.Connect with Jiggy:Instagram: @jiggypuzzlesWebsite: jiggypuzzles.comEverything you just heard in this episode? It's SWEEP in action. Join me on April 9th for a free live SWEEP Workshop where I'll teach you the exact framework that makes marketing simple, consistent, and effective for women business owners just like you. Register for free, and I'll see you there.Subscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer on Instagram Loved this episode? Share it in your stories and tag @lindsaypinchuk and @dearfoundher. And if you haven't already, subscribe and leave us a five star review, it's how other women startup founders find real stories like this one.This episode originally ran on April 18, 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before you dive in, grab your free spot at my SWEEP Workshop on April 9th, the marketing framework that makes everything you're about to hear actionable for your own business. REGISTER HERE. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to go from a kitchen table idea to a brand with a cult following, this episode is your blueprint.Lauren Dudley-Stevens and Khaki Dudley-McGrath, co-founders of Dudley Stevens, are two of the most refreshingly honest women startup founders you'll ever hear from. They started with a simple observation, stylish fleece didn't exist, and turned it into a thriving, self-funded direct-to-consumer brand that women are obsessed with. No outside investors. No big marketing budget. Just real founder stories, scrappy decisions, and an unwavering commitment to their mission.In this conversation, Host, Lindsay Pinchuk, sits down with Lauren Stephens and Khaki McGrath to unpack exactly how they did it, and what they'd do differently.In this episode, you'll hear:How they tested their product with just 600 pieces before going all in, and why that decision changed everythingThe organic social media and influencer strategy that built their audience from the ground up, without throwing money at adsHow their company messaging and "North Star" has guided every decision they've made for nearly a decade, and how coming back to it has saved them more than onceThe real story of managing rapid growth, including the day they sold out of everything and had to hire high school girls to help pack boxesWhy managing teams with fractional employees and consultants has been one of their smartest scaling decisionsHow their publicity strategy evolved from gifting influencers to building a full affiliate program that drives real revenueThe honest truth about scaling challenges, what happens when you grow too fast and why bigger is not always betterWhat founder visibility actually looks like when you're a product-based brand, and how telling your story is the single most powerful marketing tool you haveWhy getting press and building partnerships has been central to their growth from day oneThis episode is for every woman founder who is building something real, something slow, and something she actually loves.Whether you're just starting out or navigating the growing pains of a business that's taken off faster than expected, Lauren and Khaki's story will remind you that the best brands aren't built overnight, they're built with intention, consistency, and an unshakeable sense of who you are.Connect with Dudley Stevens:Instagram: @dudleystephensWebsite: dudleystephens.comEverything you just heard in this episode? It's SWEEP in action. Join me on April 9th for a free live SWEEP Workshop where I'll teach you the exact framework that makes marketing simple, consistent, and effective for women business owners just like you. Register for free, and I'll see you there.Subscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer on Instagram Loved this episode? Share it in your stories and tag @lindsaypinchuk and @dearfoundher. And if you haven't already, subscribe and leave us a five star review, it's how other women startup founders find real stories like this one.This episode originally ran on November 7, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inder Bedi spent 18 years building Matt & Nat into a global fashion brand—then walked away. Burned out by offshore production and boardroom economics, he came back with a radical new vision: Bedi Studios, premium outerwear built from waste materials in Montreal and guaranteed for life. For more on Bedi Studios and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Send us Fan MailCraig McLuckie is the Founder and CEO of Stacklok and one of the original inventors of Kubernetes — the open-source container orchestration system that became the backbone of modern cloud infrastructure. After leading Kubernetes into the CNCF and navigating VMware's pivot under Broadcom, Craig made a sharp turn and founded Stacklok: an Enterprise MCP Platform designed to make developers and AI agents dramatically more productive in secure, enterprise environments.In this episode, Craig and Al Martin explore what it means to build again after building something that changed the industry — and what the next wave of enterprise AI infrastructure actually requires.In this episode:01:14 Meet Craig McLuckie — background, Kubernetes origins10:08 Tanzu and Broadcom — what that chapter looked like from the inside11:28 Stacklok and the Big Pivot — why MCP, why now19:57 I Don't Know! — a rare founder moment of intellectual honesty21:32 Success is a Poor Teacher — what winning can hide from you23:36 The Future Developer — how AI changes what developers do26:38 Hiring Developers — what Craig looks for nowConnect with Craig: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmcluckie/ Website: http://stacklok.comWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

Send us Fan MailCraig McLuckie is the Founder and CEO of Stacklok and one of the original inventors of Kubernetes — the open-source container orchestration system that became the backbone of modern cloud infrastructure. After leading Kubernetes into the CNCF and navigating VMware's pivot under Broadcom, Craig made a sharp turn and founded Stacklok: an Enterprise MCP Platform designed to make developers and AI agents dramatically more productive in secure, enterprise environments.In this episode, Craig and Al Martin explore what it means to build again after building something that changed the industry — and what the next wave of enterprise AI infrastructure actually requires.In this episode:01:14 Meet Craig McLuckie — background, Kubernetes origins10:08 Tanzu and Broadcom — what that chapter looked like from the inside11:28 Stacklok and the Big Pivot — why MCP, why now19:57 I Don't Know! — a rare founder moment of intellectual honesty21:32 Success is a Poor Teacher — what winning can hide from you23:36 The Future Developer — how AI changes what developers do26:38 Hiring Developers — what Craig looks for nowConnect with Craig: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmcluckie/ Website: http://stacklok.comWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

There are two kinds of businesses: the ones that sell products and the ones that care about their communities. Today, Kristina chats with Mariam White, founder and CEO of Living Beauty, a Canadian luxe spa and distributor of premium beauty products. Together, they discuss Mariam's journey from beauty school to launching her dream storefront in Toronto.Mariam shares what it really takes to create a brand people return to not just once, but for years. Spoiler: she believes in choosing depth over trends every single time.Key takeaways to listen for:Building a product-based business without losing your voiceHow Mariam keeps Living Beauty's vision at the heart of everything she doesWhy “hot” trends aren't always worth chasingThe surprising ROI of a thoughtful brick-and-mortar What makes community building in business feel genuine instead of gimmickyThe future of the beauty industry and why in-person connections matter more than you thinkIf you've ever felt pulled in too many directions in your business, this episode will remind you that building something true to you is both possible and your greatest strength. Get 10% off your next order at Living Beauty with the code SOCIAL10.Connect with Mariam:WebsiteLiving Beauty's InstagramMariam's InstagramStorefront Location: 672 Dupont St, Toronto, ONAlso mentioned in the episode:Work with AM Creative for your next big business move!Take Our Social Media QuizWork with The Social Snippet!Join The High Vibe Women Online CommunitySend me a text!The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It. Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Support the showFor Your Information:• Host your podcast on Buzzsprout!•Join The High Vibe Women Online Community!• Join our favourite scheduling platform Later• FLODESK Affiliate Code | 25% off your first year! Don't forget to come say hi to us on Instagram @thesocialsnippet, join the Weekly Snippet or follow us on any social media platform! Website . Instagram . Facebook . Linkedin

Send a textIf you don't yet have a frame of reference for Design Response Queen Lori Haller, then here she comes! "The reason I named my company Designing Response is that's how I show up: I'm not here to just create a beautiful design and jooje the copy. I'm here hardcore to hop-on-top of whatever project it is and make sure I get a RESPONSE: Click a button, say "Yes!" and get out your wallet": BOOM! Pretty design is easy. Design that makes someone stop, FEEL something, and take ACTION is a different craft entirely and that's where Lori Haller lives. From just outside Washington, DC, Lori joins me in The Clearing to unpack what she calls “designing response”: showing up with copy, visuals and strategy that align so tightly the next step becomes obvious. We get into what congruence really looks like in direct mail, sales pages and campaigns, and why being the brave voice in the room can be the difference between a nice-looking piece and a profitable one.Lori also opens up about how she finds creative flow and why nature is not a luxury but part of the job when you are paid to think. We talk about her serious happy place at the ocean, using music to match the heartbeat of a project, and the joy she gets from coaching writers and designers into stronger collaboration. If you have ever watched a team argue in circles, you will love her practical take on how to work together, speak up, and still keep it human.We also go head-on into AI in marketing and design. Lori sees AI as a force multiplier when it frees talented people from endless “doing” and gives them back the time to dig deeper and find the explosive ideas. You'll hear how she helps companies improve systems, adopt new tools and drive real profitability, plus the personal values underneath it all: making ripples that help someone else live better.If you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, share the show with a friend who cares about direct response marketing and creative leadership, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. What part of Lori's approach are you going to try first?Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website. Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk Twitter thatchrisgrimes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/ FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :) Thanks for listening!

In this episode, host and Founder of Dear FoundHer..., Lindsay Pinchuk, gets real with you about a bump in the road, one of the more relatable real founder stories she's lived through: losing a key team member right when you need them most.Lindsay spent three months onboarding and investing in her new VA, only to receive an email saying she was done with no notice, no transition. As someone who is actively managing rapid growth and navigating the scaling challenges that come with running a small business solo, this hit hard. And she wants to talk about it, because she knows so many of you are in the same boat when it comes to managing teams and finding the right support.Here's what we cover in this episode:• The full story: What happened with the VA and what it really means to leave a small business owner without notice• Why managing teams as a solopreneur is one of the hardest parts of scaling challenges no one warns you about• What's changing on the podcast this month (and why it's actually a good thing)• Lindsay's 5-tip framework for pivoting with purpose when your plan suddenly changesSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer on Instagram Get on the waitlist for Lindsay's mastermind, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Applications for the new cohort open soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to turn a derelict pub, a borrowed hotel room, and a spontaneous spa acquisition into a thriving Suffolk brand? Meet the Pilleys! Daniel, James, and Rebecca—for a fast-moving 'Founder Story' about gutsy bets, patient craft, and the kind of trust you can only build at home and at work.From Salon 9's leap from 2 hotel rooms to a 9 chair high street salon, to the complete rebirth of The Suffolk Hotel's bar into the Tiger Fusion Restaurant, to taking the reins of the Gainsborough Health Club and Spa, every chapter is rooted in one idea: Design the feeling first, and the rest will follow.Daniel shares how leaving a safe job before Rebecca was born set the tone for decades of entrepreneurship, why marketing is oxygen, and how “anything is possible” became the family's operating system. James opens up about swapping a desk for the kitchen, the art of getting a concept to hum, and a Marco Pierre White–inspired focus on atmosphere over perfection. Rebecca reveals the spark behind Salon 9's growth, how she builds a team culture that's warm and a bit wild, and why happiness is her filter for every decision. Along the way we talk teams at scale, managing shiny-object energy, building lanes for momentum, and a win that brings Joe Wicks' Body Coach app to premium spa members.Expect practical tactics and real stories: deadline sprints that stick the landing, the value of a coach who compresses time, and the discipline to keep hospitality, wellness, and beauty aligned. If you're building a family business—or want your company to feel more like one—you'll find a blueprint here for culture, brand experience, and growth that still feels human.Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who's building something bold. Which lesson will you try first?Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'.  If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.comYou can email  me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.ukTwitter thatchrisgrimesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)Thanks for listening! 

On the show Long Strange Trip, Sequoia Capital partner Brian Halligan speaks with a16z's Ben Horowitz about what separates great founder CEOs from everyone else. Ben explains why first-time founders lose confidence, defer too much to senior hires, and let decision debt paralyze their companies. They discuss where founder mode works and where people are taking it too far, why the VP of Sales is the hire founders mess up more than any other, and why Andy Grove's "constructive confrontation" matters more than most CEOs realize. Ben also shares what he's learned working with Zuckerberg, what Jensen Huang and Elon Musk actually have in common, and why culture is defined by behavior, not values.   Resources: Follow Brian Halligan on X: https://twitter.com/bhalligan Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Listen to more from Long Strange Trip: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOhHNjZItNnNu8wknSuVtcSJRs7Q4xqOE   Stay Updated:Find a16z on YouTube: YouTubeFind a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For simple actionable tips to grow your business, subscribe to The FoundHer Files Attention from the media can change the trajectory of a brand, but it is rarely the full story. In this episode of Dear FoundHer, Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Elyce Arons to talk about what getting press really did for her business and how it influenced long term growth. If you are focused on founder visibility and questioning how getting press translates into revenue, this conversation offers valuable insight.Elyce shares one of the most grounded real founder stories about building Kate Spade and later launching Frances Valentine. She shares stories of meeting Katie in college, how the business really started in Katie and Andy's loft, and how getting press created credibility and momentum for the handbag company, especially in a pre-social media era. Elyce explains that disciplined execution turned that visibility into demand. Publicity can spark interest, but managing rapid growth is what determines whether a company can sustain it.They also discuss scaling responsibly when cash flow is tight and every decision carries so much weight. Elyce reflects on motherhood and entrepreneurship and how her priorities evolved as her business grew. This episode is for founders who want stronger visibility, are navigating expansion, or are thinking carefully about how to build something that lasts well beyond early recognition.Episode Breakdown:00:01 Elyce Arons On Building Kate Spade And Starting Over With Frances Valentine02:03 From Kansas To New York: The Friendship That Started It All10:27 The Small Branding Choice That Made Kate Spade Instantly Recognizable12:44 Getting Press Before Social Media: Editorial Coverage As A Growth Engine16:57 Managing Rapid Growth And The Decision To Sell Kate Spade20:22 Motherhood And Entrepreneurship After Exit: Identity And Chapter Two25:05 Leading Frances Valentine Through Loss And Protecting Katie's Legacy41:29 3 Lessons For Women Founders On Experience, Funding, And Trusting Your GutConnect with Elyce Arons:Follow Elyce on InstagramFollow Frances Valentine on InstagramFoundHer Faves:Varley Wide Leg PantsPetite Plume Pajama SetMidi Health Daily Fiber+CreatineMenopause Survival KitThe MenopsychologistUpskill DevelopmentalJoin our online networking community: Dear FoundHer Forum Follow Dear FoundHer on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send a textWhat if a Martial Arts Academy wasn't about belts first, but about belonging? Tony Rice, 5th Dan and Founder of Yarm Martial Arts, opens the doors to a place parents call a "Confidence Factory" - where 5 year-olds learn eye contact and kindness, teens find a safe refuge on tough days, and adults rediscover calm between work and family. We dig into the simple habits that build real courage: greet by name, hold eye contact, ask "how can I make your day better?" and mean it. From the family room where parents exhale to the Reception Desk that becomes a village square, this is a living lesson in community done right.Tony shares the life events that shaped his ethos—the loss of his dad at 42, a mum whose mantras still steady him—and how those threads are woven into the academy pledge: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit. He explains why sparring isn't the UFC stereotype; most students never compete. The win is stronger minds, steadier moods, and friendships that outlast school years. You will also hear about Mat Chats that turn mornings and sibling squabbles into teachable moments, a praise–correct–praise coaching style that treats kids with honesty and respect, and black belt celebrations where 11 to 16-year-olds deliver speeches that move a room to tears.We travel beyond the dojo too. During COVID, Tony kept classes alive online and even coached swimming, proving that great coaching is about people first. Flow shows up when structure meets freedom, and that is why his best talks are unscripted and human. There is humour—yes, the legendary Tony Talks and those fifteen-minute rabbit holes of training videos—and there is heart: a garden where the noise falls away, and a vision to build a space that endures long after the next move. If you care about youth confidence, mental health, positive parenting, and community wellbeing, this story will stay with you.Enjoy the conversation, then share it with a parent, coach, or teacher who needs a fresh way to build courage. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what value do kids most need right now?Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website. Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk Twitter thatchrisgrimes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/ FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :) Thanks for listening!

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast with Ajaita Shah as we unlock the transformative power of entrepreneurship and impact in rural India through the remarkable story of Frontier Markets. Discover how one woman's journey from New York City as an eighth member of a jewelry dynasty to leading India's largest rural e-commerce platform is reshaping lives, empowering 40,000 women, and unlocking millions of dollars in rural commerce. This episode reveals the unfiltered challenges, bold innovations, and deep human stories behind building sustainable change at scale. Ajaita shares the core principles guiding her mission—dignity, inclusivity, and impact—highlighting how technology, strategic partnerships, and unwavering purpose drive her vision to empower one million women entrepreneurs by 2030. Her lessons on resilience, leadership, and building trust—especially as a female founder in patriarchal India—are invaluable for aspiring social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and anyone committed to creating a legacy of lasting change.How did an eighth-generation member of a jeweler family in New York City come to serve the poor & build prosperity for rural women in India? TUNE IN to this conversation & find out. Don't forget to subscribe and support us on Patreon!For detailed transcript and show notes, please visit TheFounderSpirit.com.Also follow us on: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/TheFounderSpirit- Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/TheFounderSpirit- YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderSpirit- Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheFounderSpirit- X:  https://twitter.com/founder_spiritIf this podcast has been beneficial or valuable to you, feel free to become a patron and support us on Patreon.com, that is P-A-T-R-E-O-N.com/TheFounderSpirit.As always, you can find us on Apple, YouTube and Spotify, as well as social media and our website at TheFounderSpirit.com.The Founder Spirit podcast is proud to be a partner of the Villars Institute, a non-profit foundation focused on accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy and restoring planetary health.About This Podcast:Whether you are an entrepreneur, a mid-career professional or someone who's just starting out in life, The Founder Spirit podcast is for you!In this podcast series, we'll be interviewing exceptional individuals from all over the world with the founder spirit, ranging from social entrepreneurs, tech founders, to philanthropists, elite athletes, and more. Together, we'll uncover not only how they manage to succeed in face of multiple challenges, but also who they are as people and their human story.So TUNE IN & be inspired by stories from their life journey!

What does it really mean to balance purpose and profit as an entrepreneur? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Coco Sellman to uncover how founders can address real community needs while building profitable, lasting companies.Marcia Dawood introduces Coco Sellman, a serial founder and the author of “A Force for Good.” Coco's journey began with deeply personal motivations—seeking specialized care for her stepdaughter—which inspired her to launch and later successfully exit a healthcare business. Now, she's focused on empowering women entrepreneurs to scale with intention and impact.This episode offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the world of startups and scale-ups. Coco Sellman shares hard-earned lessons on timing exits, acquiring businesses, and the essence of her practical growth framework. With honest stories and actionable advice, the conversation makes this episode an essential listen for founders seeking both purpose and profitable growth. To get the latest from Coco Sellman, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/cocosellman/https://aforceforgood.biz/https://www.amazon.com/Force-Good-High-Impact-High-Growth-Enterprises/dp/B0DPVV9Q8Q Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comDo Good While Doing WellLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

From line cook to 8-figure founder, Ellen Bennett turned $300 and a vision into Hedley & Bennett, a heritage kitchen brand. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Welcome to The Exited Founder Podcast, a production of Exitwise!This show is built on one simple idea: founders helping founders. Every episode features a successful Exited Founder who has been through the highs, the lows, and the life-changing moment of selling their business, and is now paying it forward by sharing everything they learned along the way.You'll hear first-hand exit stories from founders across dozens of industries, what they wish they did differently during the M&A process, their takes on current trends, and how they're using their experience to help the next generation of business owners navigate their exit strategy and maximize the value of their company.Every guest is an Exited Founder who now works as an M&A advisor with Exitwise, bringing deep industry expertise and real networks to help founders like you get the exit you deserve. Whether you're thinking about selling your business, preparing for an acquisition, or just starting to explore what an exit could look like, this podcast is for you.Meet our incredible experts and explore the Exited Founder Marketplace at exitwise.com/exited-foundersListen wherever you get your podcasts.

JW Wiseman built Curious Elixirs before a non-alcoholic cocktail category even existed—and grew it without outside investors. By spotting overlooked demand and building real community around the brand, he turned a personal pain point into an eight-figure business.For more on Curious Elixirs and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Rea Ann Silva couldn't patent Beautyblender, so she built brand recognition stronger than IP. Learn how she scaled, without investment, to sales every 12 seconds. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Send a textReal CEO Confidence in Uncertain Times | Leading Through Chaos with Rome MadisonWhat does real CEO confidence look like when the pressure is high, the answers aren't clear, and uncertainty feels constant?In this episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, Patrick and Patsy sit down with executive coach and leadership strategist Rome Madison to unpack how today's CEOs and founders can stay grounded, decisive, and confident—even while navigating chaos, complexity, and rapid change.Rome shares a practical leadership framework built on self-acceptance, competence, and strategy, and explains why humility, customer proximity, and embracing uncertainty are not weaknesses—but competitive advantages. This conversation offers real-world guidance for leaders who feel stretched thin, stuck in complexity, or overwhelmed by constant demands.Whether you're leading a fast-growing company or steering an organization through turbulent times, this episode delivers clarity, perspective, and actionable insights for leading with confidence when certainty is off the table.

Send us a textOn the latest episode of the Stories to Create podcast, Cornell Bunting sits down with Jacquelyn Mosier—a builder, problem-solver, and someone who's learned to trust her gut, especially when it keeps tapping her on the shoulder about the same issue.Jacquelyn talks about how ForgeOps didn't start as a company—it started as a feeling. Over and over, she watched smart, capable teams struggle. Not because they weren't good at what they did, but because their systems weren't talking to each other. Information got stuck. Hand-offs fell apart. And things quietly went wrong long before anyone noticed the job was off track.She could've ignored that feeling. A lot of people do. But she didn't. She leaned into it—and trusted the right people to help her build something better.That leap led to ForgeOps, where she's now Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer. ForgeOps is creating a job coordination operating system that lives where construction meets operations. Jacquelyn's role covers revenue, partnerships, positioning, and investor relationships—but for her, it's about more than numbers. It's about protecting the vision and making sure what they build actually works in the real world.She also shares about Jack-IT Consulting, another company she founded to help businesses cut through the tech noise, choose the right tools, and actually use them. No shelfware. No overcomplicated systems. Just tech that does what it's supposed to do.What really drives her?Seeing patterns others missBuilding with intentionChoosing people over egoTurning intuition into real, working systemsJacquelyn believes the best companies are built when leaders really listen—to the data, to the people in the field, and to themselves.In this episode, she also opens up about growing up in a small town called Shelbyville, Illinois, navigating challenges within her family, and eventually moving to Florida to escape the cold and start fresh.If you're building something meaningful, figuring things out as you grow, or wrestling with problems that don't have easy answers—this conversation is for you. Support the showThank you for tuning in with EHAS CLUB - Stories to Create Podcast

Eleven successful founders reveal their exact playbooks for 2026. Discover AI commerce strategies, slow content that converts, gamified loyalty tips, and community-first growth tactics. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Is your "About Us" page just a brochure, or is it driving real connection? In this episode of Content Amplified, host Ben Ard sits down with marketing veteran Courtney Klepsch to discuss why the "About Us" page is the most undervalued asset on your website. They dive deep into how founder stories, employee advocacy, and authentic community narratives can build trust and cut through the noise of modern marketing.In this episode, you will learn:Why the "About Us" page is the best place to humanize your brand.How founder stories create lasting connections with customers.Using company culture stories to attract top-tier talent.Balancing AI tools with the need for human refinement in content.Why younger generations demand authenticity over high production value.About the Guest: Courtney Klepsch is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over 25 years of experience spanning news media, digital marketing, and industries ranging from staffing to biotech and real estate. She is passionate about helping brands connect with their audiences through authentic storytelling.Connect with Courtney:LinkedInText us what you think about this episode!

Send us a textIn this high-energy and entertaining episode, Joey Pinz sits down with cybersecurity founder and unabashed Italian-American storyteller Tony Pietrocola. From stomping grapes as a child to running an AI-driven security operations platform, Tony brings a rare blend of toughness, humor, and entrepreneurial clarity.They jump from wine, cooking, and massive NFL bodies to college football, concussions, and how elite athletes are built differently. Tony shares what makes college football the real American spectacle—and why private equity is about to reshape the sport.On the cybersecurity front, Tony breaks down the challenges MSPs face, why most still struggle with security, and how AgileBlue helps them build profitable, white-label practices without the overhead of running a SOC. He explains the three questions every MSP should ask a vendor, the rise of AI-assisted attacks, and why consolidation and greenfield opportunities are the biggest missed revenue streams.The conversation ends with health, habit, and personal transformation—discussing Joey's 130-lb weight loss, Tony's daily 5 a.m. workouts, and the childhood structure that forged their work ethic.

Join us for the FREE Dear FoundHer… Forum Open House + Networking (virtual) Event on January 28th. RSVP HERE we won't host another Open House until later this spring.A personal turning point became a company, a community, and a test of what values-driven leadership actually costs.Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Zibby Owens to talk about how a deeply personal reset evolved into a media company built on instinct, trust, and conviction. Zibby shares how her work as a podcaster grew from meaningful conversations with authors into live events, publishing, and a broader community shaped by paying close attention to what resonated. How do you keep building when there is no clear roadmap and the business keeps changing?Zibby shares how she makes decisions inside a business that refuses to stay static. She explains how creating an umbrella brand helped her clarify who the company exists for and what truly belongs, even when that meant letting go of projects she loved. Structure arrived when it was necessary, not because she chased scale, but because the work demanded it.Zibby also talks about the cost of showing up publicly with conviction after October 7th. She reflects on backlash, strained relationships, and the emotional weight of choosing to speak openly. That choice led her to step more fully into her role as an advocate, using Zibby Media to create an anthology that gathered stories and offered connection during a moment of crisis.This episode shows listeners what it really takes to grow a business without a script, hold firm to your values, and keep showing up when the stakes are personal as well as professional.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Leadership, Visibility, And Responsibility After October 7th 02:22 Building Zibby Media Without A Traditional Business Plan 06:01 Becoming A Podcaster And Turning Conversations Into Community 08:16 Expanding From Podcast To Publishing Company And Bookstore 13:55 Rebranding To Zibby Media And Creating An Umbrella Brand 18:31 How To Know When A Business Idea Is Not Working 22:46 The Cost Of Speaking Publicly And Staying Authentic 26:45 National Book Awards Decision And Defining Values In Business 29:05 Creating An Anthology And Stepping Into Advocacy 34:39 The Hard Realities Of Growth: Hiring, Events, And Monetization 40:58 Advice For Women Building A BusinessConnect with Zibby Owens:Follow Zibby on Instagram Follow Zibby Publishing on Instagram Follow Zibby's Bookshop on Instagram Follow Totally Booked with Zibby on Instagram Visit Zibby Media Visit Zibby's websiteJoin us for the Dear FoundHer... Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Event on January 28th to meet other amazing women business owners just like you. RSVP HERE to save yourself a seat, it's free. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scout Brisson reveals how De Soi converts skeptics into subscribers through sampling, why it's their largest marketing expense, and her ROI framework. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Dr. Julie Chung shares how T3 reimagined hair tools as beauty products, not appliances. Learn how to create a luxury category by changing placement, design, messaging, and retail strategy. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

How Tom Aulet built Ergatta into a profitable fitness brand with $35M raised, gamified workouts, and lean, cost-effective growth.For more on Ergatta and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Canyon Coffee grew into a seven-figure brand by selling outside traditional coffee channels. This is how a design-first retail strategy shaped a more sustainable business. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Space startups today look a lot like the internet in 1995 – early, chaotic, and packed with upside for the founders brave enough to build in the void. With VCs going all in on space, Techstars betting big on the category, and an entire industry quietly taking over venture capital, this is a moment founders can't ignore.In this episode of Demo Day, Techstars Space Managing Director Gabriel Schlumberger breaks down why “SPACE IS THE FUTURE” is more than a catchy thumbnail – it's an actual investing thesis. Gabriel explains how launch costs, new business models, and a surge of satellites are turning space into one of the most important frontier markets for startups and venture capital.Gabriel shares his journey from Pixar, Blue Sky, and Disney to becoming a founder himself, building an FDA‑regulated glasses startup for kids in the middle of a global pandemic, and then stepping into his role at Techstars Space. That experience across creative studios, corporate innovation, and true zero‑to‑one startup chaos shapes how he now evaluates founders and why he's so bullish on space companies.You'll learn:Why space today feels like the internet did in 1995, and what that means for startup timing and upside.How Techstars is betting big on space through its accelerator with NASA JPL and the U.S. Space Force.The trait Gabriel calls “pathological curiosity” and why it separates the best founders and VCs.What actually happens inside Techstars: mentor weeks, “give first” culture, and how a few teams get picked from hundreds of applicants.A real founder story: running a hardware and medical device startup through COVID, fundraising, manufacturing, and brutal unknowns.Whether you're a founder thinking about space, a SaaS builder curious about frontier markets, or an investor trying to understand the industry quietly taking over VC, this episode is a masterclass in how the next decade of startups will be built.

Nima Jalali built SALT & STONE out of his apartment into a $100M+ brand, without ever pitching a single retailer. After an ACL injury redirected his path, he created something he desperately wanted but didn't exist, a high quality, clean deodorant, that actually performs. SALT & STONE has now become one of the fastest growing brands in the space to-date by doing things differently. Even right now, every 60 seconds a SALT & STONE deodorant is bought.  In this candid conversation Nima opens up about transitioning from a pro surfboarder into the Founder role, what it takes to build a killer team, and what keeps him going. He reveals the counter-intuitive strategy that got Sephora to come to him, and how he iterated his deodorant formula through 5 generations before calling it perfect. You'll Learn: Why going through 5+ product iterations beats launching "good enough"The digital excellence strategy that makes retailers chase you (not the other way around)How to build legacy brand positioning even as a one-person startupWhy getting a "no" from retailers too early can kill your momentumThe mindset shift from solo athlete to team builderThe key to building a digital identity that inspires & attracts customersCHAPTERS: 00:00 Introducing Nima Jalali, Founder & CEO of SALT & STONE3:00 Transitioning from Pro Snowboarder to Business Owner 4:55 The 5 Generations of Product Perfection6:45 How to Think Like Nike When You're a One-Man Show8:13 What Nima Did to Build a Brand Sephora NEEDS to Have10:09 Steps to Achieve Digital Excellence 12:39 SALT & STONE'S Philosophy on: Ingredient Sourcing, Product Development & Testing 19:06 How to Set Your Business Up to Grow Into a Legacy Brand From Day 1  22:07 The Retail Strategy That Never Fails 28:35 Tackling Global Expansion & Managing Expectations as a Founder   29:55 Single Most Impactful Thing NIma Did in The First 6 Months That Made SALT & STONE Successful  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Harlem Candle Company founder Teri Johnson started pouring candles in her Harlem kitchen with no budget and no team—just a clear sense of purpose. That focus helped her turn handmade gifts into a nationally recognized brand rooted in culture, design, and storytelling. In this episode, she shares how she validated demand early, built trust online without samples, and made tough decisions to protect her peace and profits.For more on Harlem Candle Co and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

What happens when a curious entrepreneur turns a garage startup into one of the most recognizable CBD brands in the world?