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Remote work is no longer an experiment, it is a daily reality for millions. Yet, as teams seek focus and fulfillment outside the traditional office, the challenges of productivity and isolation have intensified. Studies show that nearly 70% of remote workers struggle with burnout and distractions. Amid this tension, platforms that blend emotional well-being with performance are gaining traction as questions about the future of remote work grow more urgent.How can remote professionals stay productive and present without burning out?On this episode of Tuesdays with Morrisey, host Adam Morrisey welcomes guest Steven Puri, a former film executive turned tech founder. They explore Steven's fascinating career journey from pioneering digital film in Hollywood to founding multiple startups and how hybrid workflows in the film industry inspired his latest venture, . Along the way, they discuss how yoga, failure, and bold feedback shaped his philosophy that productivity isn't the goal; it's about building systems that help people live and work well.Top TakeawaysThe film industry's long-standing use of remote and hybrid work offers valuable models and lessons for today's tech and other industries adapting to flexible work environments.Luck favors the prepared. Steven's entry into film was “random,” but his ability to bridge creativity and engineering made him invaluable during the film industry's digital revolution.Failure is an unmatched teacher. After some early success in film, Steven had a few failed startup attempts - he credits the creation of a list of all the reasons he failed as the key to success in his newest venture.Productivity isn't the goal—happiness is. The Sukha Company was born not from a desire to help people get more done, but from a mission to help them feel better about their work and lives.Full List of Topics CoveredHow Steven ended up getting into filmTransitioning from studio executive to startup founderThe power of reflection after failureThe origins of Sukha and redefining productivitySpirituality, yoga, and self-work in businessBuilding flow into remote work systemsCreating a community for distributed teamsThe future of remote and hybrid workNavigating feedback, leadership, and growthSteven Puri is a multi-time founder, former film executive, and the creator of The Sukha Company, a platform designed to help remote workers overcome procrastination and distraction to be focused, happier, and healthier. With a background spanning from Oscar-winning films to building startups, Steven brings a unique blend of creativity, technical leadership, and emotional intelligence to everything he builds.

Why do so many founders fall short just as things start working — and what separates those who break from those who break through?In this raw and revealing episode of Gent's Talk (E#149), host Samir Mourani sits down with entrepreneur and brand strategist Jake Karls for a deep dive into the unseen challenges of business building, brand identity, and the moment every founder hits a breaking point. This isn't about overnight success — it's about what happens after you've built something... and why that's where most people fall apart.Jake opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the difference between building a business and scaling a brand, and the pressure founders face to keep moving when the path ahead gets foggy. If you've ever questioned whether you're doing enough — or if you're built for this — this episode will hit home.Why momentum can be more stressful than startingThe #1 mistake founders make after finding early successHow to lead with brand, not just businessWhat resilience really looks like as a founderThe identity crisis no one talks aboutWhether you're at the beginning of your journey or standing at your own tipping point — this conversation offers powerful insight into what it takes to endure, evolve, and lead with purpose.Subscribe for more in-depth interviews with founders, creatives, and change-makers.

Marc Cohen scaled his recruitment agency in the US and secured an 8 figure exit.On this week's RAG Podcast, I am joined by Marc, founder of ConSol Partners, who achieved something that 99.9% of recruitment founders will never do.Marc and his co-founder Graeme built their agency with an exit strategy in mind from day 1, navigating economic downturns, and predicting the success of future markets.In this episode, we discuss:Marc's unique story from Recruiter to FounderThe reason why he scaled the business statesideThe strategy behind selling 65% of the business before maximising the final saleHis thoughts on whether the US really is the golden dream for recruitment entrepreneursThe emotional and financial complexities of exiting a businessWhat life looks like post-exit and how to stay motivatedIf you have ambitions of scaling and selling a business—especially in the US—this episode is essential.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:00 Marc's journey to America06:09 Building a career in recruitment08:57 The entrepreneurial spirit11:56 Setting up ConSol Partners15:02 Vision and philosophy in business18:02 The startup journey 20:58 Navigating challenges in a new economy22:58 Identifying future trends25:10 Evolving business strategies27:54 Expansion into AI and robotics30:15 The move to the US35:41 Maintaining relationships across borders37:50 Preparing for an exit44:54 The exit process and negotiations50:02 Post-exit reflections and challenges52:40 Investment strategies after the exit56:49 Emotional connections in business01:01:20 Identity and purpose after exiting01:03:12 Daily life and new routines01:06:09 Future aspirations and community engagement01:10:18 Looking ahead: scaling in the US01:12:26 Closing thoughts and final reflections__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: UntappedUntapped is THE market leader and go-to agency for finding and hiring tried-and-tested offshore talent into UK, US and Australian-based recruitment companies.They're providing top-class TEAMMATES, NOT OUTSOURCES! We use Untapped for Hoxo's own offshore hires, and it's been a total game-changer for our team. No one else can compete with the quality of their network, their in-depth candidate assessment process or their time to hire. If hiring elite-level overseas talent into your business to boost sales and increase productivity whilst saving yourself a huge amount in employment costs isn't on your radar for 2024, it should be!Untapped are hiring recruitment, sales, marketing and support staff into recruitment agencies of all shapes, sizes and specialisms globally and they are growing rapidly!Join the waiting list today so you don't miss out on the next cohort of business-launching hiring projects. https://bit.ly/47GGdvZ __________________________________________Episode sponsor: HoxoRecruiters: are you sitting on a goldmine of LinkedIn connections without knowing how to turn them into real opportunities?Most recruiters spend hours every day on cold outreach and endless scrolling, hoping for replies that never come. But what if LinkedIn could work for you instead?The Hoxo 7-Day LinkedIn Challenge is a simple, step-by-step framework designed to help you:Identify warm leads already in your networkStart meaningful conversations with potential clients and candidates—without feeling pushyShare content that gets noticed and builds trust – without spending hours onlineTransform LinkedIn into an inbound lead generator in...

Mariah Parsons hosts Daphne Benzaquen, Founder of the E-commerce lifestyle brand daph, inspired by her Peruvian heritage. Daphne started daph eight years ago, learning design and manufacturing herself. The brand has been featured in Forbes and Buzzfeed, and Daphne later founded an agency to help other small brands. Daphne emphasizes the importance of customer experience, using sensory branding like scents, recipes, and playlists to immerse customers in Peruvian culture. She values authenticity, community, and intentionality in her marketing strategies, including personalized emails and storytelling. Daphne also relies on her community and podcasts for support and learning.Mariah Parsons hosts Daphne Benzaquen, Founder of the E-commerce lifestyle brand daph, inspired by her Peruvian heritage. Daphne started daph eight years ago, learning design and manufacturing herself. The brand has been featured in Forbes and Buzzfeed, and Daphne later founded an agency to help other small brands. Daphne emphasizes the importance of customer experience, using sensory branding like scents, recipes, and playlists to immerse customers in Peruvian culture. She values authenticity, community, and intentionality in her marketing strategies, including personalized emails and storytelling. Daphne also relies on her community and podcasts for support and learning.Podcast website: retentionchroniclespodcast.comSponsor website: gomalomo.comEpisode Timestamps:00:00 - 01:07 | IntroductionHost Mariah Parsons introduces the podcast and guest, Daphne Benzaquen.Brief background on how they met at ShopTalk.01:07 - 06:07 | Daphne's Background & Founding daphDaphne's journey from pre-med to business school and eventually launching daph, a lifestyle brand inspired by her Peruvian heritage.Teaching herself design and working with Peruvian artisans to create her first product collection.06:07 - 10:56 | Learning Design & Manufacturing ProcessHow she approached design from a business mindset.The process of finding manufacturing partners in Peru and learning through hands-on experience.10:56 - 15:50 | Expanding from Accessories to ApparelStarting with leather accessories and evolving into alpaca fleece apparel.The importance of customer feedback and adapting to demand.How unisex and one-size-fits-most apparel helped reduce inventory risks.15:50 - 19:34 | Pivoting to Home Fragrance During COVIDSupply chain disruptions led to the launch of a home fragrance line.Creating scents inspired by different regions of Peru.How customer demand shaped product expansion.19:34 - 26:33 | Enhancing the Customer ExperienceDeveloping a multisensory brand experience with scent, music, and Peruvian recipes.Running a “Scent Soirée” event to collect customer feedback on fragrance selections.Personalizing the unboxing experience with a postcard, playlist, and cultural touchpoints.26:33 - 32:05 | Customer Retention StrategiesPersonalized post-purchase emails thanking repeat customers.Offering exclusive early access and special perks.The power of storytelling in emails and social media to build an emotional connection with customers.32:05 - 37:51 | Community, Learning, & Growth as a FounderThe importance of authenticity and transparency in e-commerce.Balancing entrepreneurship with self-care.Leveraging founder networks, industry podcasts, and journaling for growth.37:51 - 40:51 | Closing Thoughts & Final TakeawaysDaphne's advice: “Jealousy is the thief of joy”—focus on collaboration over competition.Shout-out to Malomo, a Shopify order-tracking platform, as the episode's sponsor.Call-to-action: Subscribe, leave reviews, and connect with the podcast community.

#273: Taking risks in your career can lead to big rewards, but what does it really cost you in the end?In this episode, I chat with Tori Bell, founder and CEO of Inclusion Unpacked, about the real challenges of pivoting, taking risks, and betting on yourself.From her time at Meta to starting her own business, Tori gets real about burnout, inequalities, and the stigmas founders face. She also shares how she's championed DEI and inclusion every step of the way—both in her career and her life as a founder.We Also Talk About…Tori's transition from employee to founderThe truth behind the venture-backed process and why it's not always as smooth as it seems.Career steps to take when becoming a founderHow to navigate self-doubt and stay confident as a new founder.Tips for balancing a 9-5 job while building your own business.How to push past self-doubt and shame while creating something meaningful from scratch.Resources:Vote for Balanced Black Girl in the “Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle / Self-Help” category of the 2025 NAACP Image Awards!Check out my new brand Spacious Rituals and get your virtual planner for 2025!Subscribe to my Substack, Balance with LesFollow Tori on InstagramFollow Inclusion Unpacked on InstagramKeep in touch with Balanced Black Girl:Keep in touch with Balanced Black Girl:Shop limited-edition Balanced Black Girl merchWatch on YouTube @BalancedBlackGirlFollow on IG: @balancedles @balancedblackgirlpodcastFollow on TikTok @balancedlesVisit our website at balancedblackgirl.comSponsors:YNAB | YNAB is a life-changing budgeting app that helps you do what you want with the money you have. Visit www.ynab.com/balanced to get an exclusive three-month trial.LMNT | LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.Oura Ring | Oura Ring is the revolutionary smart ring that delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance. Visit www.ouraring.comQuince | Get quiet luxury without luxury prices at Quince. Go to quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day return on your next order.Lifestraw | Lifestraw Home Studio is the only water filter dispenser that removes over 30 contaminants, including microplastics, bacteria, and PFAs. Use code BALANCEDLES for 15% off.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A fool learns from their own mistakes The wise learn from the mistakes of others.– Otto von Bismark A problem as old as time: The youth won't listen to your hard-earned wisdom. This post is about learning to listen to, and communicate wisdom. It is very long – I considered breaking it up into a sequence, but, each piece felt necessary. I recommend reading slowly and taking breaks.To begin, here are three illustrative vignettes: The burnt out grad studentYou warn the young grad student "pace yourself, or you'll burn out." The grad student hears "pace yourself, or you'll be kinda tired and unproductive for like a week." They're excited about their work, and/or have internalized authority figures yelling at them if they aren't giving their all. They don't pace themselves. They burn out. The oblivious founderThe young startup/nonprofit founder [...] ---Outline:(00:35) The burnt out grad student(01:00) The oblivious founder(02:13) The Thinking Physics student(07:06) Epistemic Status(08:23) PART I(08:26) An Overview of Skills(14:19) Storytelling as Proof of Concept(15:57) Motivating Vignette:(17:54) Having the Impossibility can be defeated trait(21:56) If it werent impossible, well, then Id have to do it, and that would be awful.(23:20) Example of Gaining a Tool(23:59) Example of Changing self-conceptions(25:24) Current Takeaways(27:41) Fictional Evidence(32:24) PART II(32:27) Competitive Deliberate Practice(33:00) Step 1: Listening, actually(36:34) The scale of humanity, and beyond(39:05) Competitive Spirit(39:39) Is your cleverness going to help more than Whatever That Other Guy Is Doing?(41:00) Distaste for the Competitive Aesthetic(42:40) Building your own feedback-loop, when the feedback-loop is can you beat Ruby?(43:43) ...back to George(44:39) Mature Games as Excellent Deliberate Practice Venue.(46:08) Deliberate Practice qua Deliberate Practice(47:41) Feedback loops at the second-to-second level(49:03) Oracles, and Fully Taking The Update(49:51) But what do you do differently?(50:58) Magnitude, Depth, and Fully Taking the Update(53:10) Is there a simple, general skill of appreciating magnitude?(56:37) PART III(56:52) Tacit Soulful Trauma(58:32) Cults, Manipulation and/or Lying(01:01:22) Sandboxing: Safely Importing Beliefs(01:04:07) Asking what does Alice believe, and why? or what is this model claiming? rather than what seems true to me?(01:04:43) Pre-Grieving (or leaving a line of retreat)(01:05:47) EPILOGUE(01:06:06) The Practical(01:06:09) Learning to listen(01:10:58) The Longterm DirectionThe original text contained 14 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. The original text contained 4 images which were described by AI. --- First published: December 9th, 2024 Source: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/5yFj7C6NNc8GPdfNo/subskills-of-listening-to-wisdom --- Narrated by

Episode Summary:In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, Kate Shepherd speaks with Kwame Scruggs, the founder of Alchemy Inc., a nonprofit using the transformative power of mythology to inspire and uplift communities. Kwame shares his incredible journey, from working at Goodyear for 15 years while earning his degrees at night to founding Alchemy Inc. He highlights the wisdom we can gain from myths, including how they can help us identify the subconscious beliefs that may be holding us back.Kwame is life work revolves around the transformative power of mythology and creative expression.  Born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He started his career at Goodyear. Where he worked for 15 years at night while earning his M S in technical education with an emphasis on guidance and counseling. Because as you'll hear this man is somebody who really cares about others and has a passion for helping. His passion for helping others was always there, but it wasn't until he discovered the works of Carl Young. Joseph Campbell and Michael Meade. That he found his true purpose.In this episode, Kwame references the powerful myth of the Firebird, which inspired Kate to create a guided meditation that allows listeners to personally interact with mythology for self-reflection. This episode dives deep into how we can use ancient stories to uncover hidden aspects of ourselves, shift our perspectives, and step into the role of hero in our own lives.You'll also learn about Kwame's experiences working with high school dropouts and youth, as well as his work that was recognized by the Presidents Award  and his Ph.D. in Mythological Studies. His life's work revolves around reminding people that myths hold transformative power to help us all grow and heal.If you feel like there's a gap between your visions and your real-world results, this episode is for you. Kwame Scruggs shows us how myths can bridge that gap and help us uncover what's holding us back.Key Topics Discussed:Kwame's journey from tire factory worker to Ph.D. and nonprofit founderThe myth of the Firebird and its transformative powerHow to work with mythology to uncover subconscious beliefsKwame's impactful work with youth through Alchemy Inc.Kate's guided meditation inspired by the myth of the FirebirdThe importance of showing up for your purpose, even when the road is long and windingResources Mentioned:Alchemy Inc. (Kwame's nonprofit organization)The Myth of the FirebirdKate's Guided Meditation & Reflection Packet on the FirebirdKwame's Recommended Readings: Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Michael MeadeTake Action!If you're intrigued by the idea of using myths for self-reflection, check out my guided Firebird meditation and reflection packet on my Patreon. You'll also find a growing library of resources, including bonus episodes, guided meditations, and more, designed to support your creative journey.

How can you avoid the common mistakes CEOs make as they scale from £0M to £15M?Today we find out. Richard speaks to Peter Busby, founder of professional services company Grayce that he scaled scaled to £15M in 7 years with 240 people. Peter shares his insights on building a successful business. We'll explore everything from the lean startup approach and scaling challenges to maintaining growth and the critical need for self-awareness as a leader. We'll also delve into the collaborative mindset that fueled Grace's success and the pragmatic approach Peter took in hiring, often trusting gut instincts over polished interviews.In this conversation, you'll learn:The specific mindset you need for success as a founderThe two foundational elements - often skipped over - that are key to building a successful business.The different phases of business growth, how to succeed and what to avoid at each stage.Recruitment during scalingLeadership changes during steady growth phasesImportance of mentors and support systemsOvercoming self-doubt and comfort zonesThinking big and recognizing growth opportunitiesResources/sources mentioned:The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast(https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)Grayce (https://www.grayce.co.uk/)Join Rivendell (https://xquadrant.com/rivendell/), our exponential programme for elite CEOs dedicated to transforming themselves, their businesses, and the world.Ready for a big leap forward in your own leadership? Elevate your leadership forever with Richard's book "Making time for Strategy: How to be less busy and more successful". Buy your book here: https://xquadrant.com/time/For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/peter-busby

In this inspiring episode of *Agents of Nonprofit, I sit down with Kenita Smith. Kenita candidly shares her journey, from the early misconceptions about nonprofit funding to becoming a grant-writing expert. She discusses the hurdles new nonprofits face when applying for grants, the importance of being "grant-ready," and how to build strong relationships with funders. Tune in for actionable insights on securing funding, sustaining a nonprofit, and the power of transparency in the nonprofit sector.Topics We Cover:Kenita's journey from single parent to nonprofit founderThe challenges of securing funding as a new nonprofitKey misconceptions about grant writing and 501(c)(3) certificationThe importance of data, impact stories, and sustainability in grant applicationsHow to become "grant-ready" and attract large foundationsBuilding trust with funders through transparency and honest communicationThe balance between restricted and unrestricted grants post-CovidMaximizing grant impact through collaboration and strategic partnershipsTo Learn More and Connect with Kenita:Starting My Nonprofit WebsiteStarting My Nonprofit InstagramStarting My Nonprofit FacebookSupport the show

As well as being “Business Barbie” to her followers on instagram, Rachel Harris, is an award-winning content creator, author, speaker, business owner, and most importantly, an accountant extraordinaire. Named as one to watch on the 35 under 35 list and recently crowned as the First Intuition Apprenticeship Mentor of the Year for 2023, Rachel is a true breakout star in the accounting world.Rachel's passion for empowering accountants and small business owners shines through in her remarkable journey. From building the thriving Accountant She  community of over 25,000 people to becoming the youngest-ever director and trustee of AAT, Rachel has been a trailblazer at every step. She's also making an impact, including with her innovative corporate bursary scheme, launched in January 2023, fully funds aspiring accountants in financial hardship, providing them with the mentoring and support they need to succeed.In this episode, we dive deep into Rachel's entrepreneurial journey and the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way. We'll explore:The power of community-building and creating the support system you wish you hadWhat founders do and don't need to worry about when it comes to accountsThe most efficient way to pay yourself as a founderThe importance of setting an “internal charge out rate” to value your own time both in the company and out of itApproaches to valuing your company, and what Rachel looks for as an Angel Investor, and trains clients to prepare for in her mock “Dragons Den” investment readiness sessionsLinks:Rachel's business StriveX:https://strivex.co.uk/Accountant_She Website:https://www.accountantshe.co.uk/Rachel's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/?hl=en

 Imagine being a grant funder, then taking a leap of faith and becoming a powerhouse founder yourself! That's the incredible journey of Carmen James Randoph of Women's Foundation of the South, who raised over $7 million in the past 3 years to empower 95 nonprofits serving women and girls of color in the South.Join us as we delve into her unique perspective on the funding landscape, what ignited her passion for supporting women of color in the South, and the powerful strategies she used to secure millions for her cause. Plus, get a sneak peek into her ambitious plans to reach $100 million in funding and the transformative impact it will create.This episode is packed with insights for aspiring founders, funders who want to make a difference, and anyone passionate about supporting marginalized communities.Tune in to discover:Why she transitioned from grant funder to founderThe challenges and opportunities of funding nonprofits serving women of colorThe secrets behind raising $7 million and her vision for reaching $100 millionHow your support can empower positive change in the SouthTo support the Women's Foundation of the South, visit their website here: https://womensfoundationsouth.org/

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Beau Vincent interviews Andrew Filar, the CEO of Peachy Insurance Agency and co-founder of Next Call Club. Andrew shares his leadership journey, highlighting his transition from a salesperson to a manager and eventually to founding his own agency. The discussion focuses on the importance of trust, communication, and mutual respect in partnerships. Andrew provides valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs on the challenges and rewards of running a large agency with multiple employees and emphasizes the significance of finding the right business partners.Key topics include the necessity of complementary skills, building a support network, and the common challenges of loneliness and decision-making for solo business owners. Andrew also talks about the importance of mental health for leaders, hiring and firing practices, and the value of ongoing development conversations. The conversation underscores the need for empowering managers, treating employees like owners, and fostering a culture of listening and understanding. Key takeaways highlight the benefits of asking for help, surrounding oneself with successful people, and continuously developing leadership skills.Highlights:Andrew's journey from salesperson to agency founderThe role of trust and communication in successful partnershipsStrategies for finding the right business partners and building a support networkAddressing loneliness and decision-making challenges for solo entrepreneursThe importance of mental health and ongoing development conversations in leadershipEmpowering managers and treating employees like ownersLearning from mistakes and giving grace to othersFind More on Beau Vincent:YouTubeTheConvictionofALeaderFacebook Beau VincentFacebook@theconvictionofaleaderInstagram: @beaubvinnyBeau's Coaching WebsiteCWC's Leadership Academy – Craig Wiggins Coaching & ConsultingVincent Family Insurance WebsiteTakeaways:Partnerships can be a valuable asset in entrepreneurship when built on trust, communication, and mutual respect.Fear and mistrust can hinder progress; partners provide support and shared expertise.A strong team of professional counsel, including an attorney and CPA, is crucial for building a solid business foundation.Regularly review and update operating agreements to accommodate business changes.Effective leadership, operational efficiency, and profitability are essential for running a large agency.Prioritize mental health and seek therapy or coaching to be an effective leader.Empower managers by allowing them to hire and fire their own team members.Foster a culture of autonomy and growth opportunities for employees.Adapt leadership styles to different business environments.Learn from mistakes and give grace to others.Ask for help and surround yourself with successful people.Continuously develop leadership skills.Keywords:leadership, insurance industry, entrepreneurship, partnerships, trust, communication, mutual respect, challenges, rewards, business partners, support network, loneliness, decision-making, leadership, mental health, hiring and fibeau@craigwigginscoaching.com

Alok Mittal has been on both ends of the startup ecosystem. He's been a founder and a VC. These days he's back in the founder's seat but still enabling businesses but through his lending platform Indifi which lends money to Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs.He has very strong thoughts about org building even though he admits Indifi is only 9 years old. He speaks from his observations and his strong beliefs. In Alok's mind it's the mid-management which holds together the organization and not necessarily the leadership team.Alok also has the history of setting up three ventures, which includes the part he played in setting up Canaan Partners, a VC firm in India. Then of course there is JobsAhead which was his first startup and now he's busy lending to the sector which contributes to 30% of the country's GDP, and yet finds credit hard to come by.Alok hung up his VC shoes in 2015 to solve this problem and take on the problem of lending to SMEs, the ones who were being given a pass by traditional banks and NBFCs. But they're not leaning on solving for every SME out there. Indifi have found the sectors they want to lend to and are working towards making these businesses get access to credit.He also talked about:Failures and the learnings it bringsHow he assesses risks as a VC and a founderThe bible of raising moneyAdvice to Young entrepreneursListen to all of that and a whole lot more in this Part 1 episode of our conversation with Alok Mittal.Welcome to First Principles – The weekly leadership podcast from The Ken.Let's get started.Also, if you love listening to First Principles, you are sure to love The Ken, India's first subscriber-only business publication. To discover the deeply-reported stories that we publish everyday head over to our website and subscribe to The Ken's premium subscription.Also, do write to us with your suggestions and opinions about First Principles at fp@the-ken.com. We love hearing from our listeners and subscribers.

Join Jason Howell as he chats with the founders of Augie and Revoldiv. These two AI tools are harnessing the power of AI to transform the video production and transcription process for creators and professionals.Please support AI Inside by joining us on our Patreon!Interview with Jeremy Toeman, founder of AugX Labs, and AugieJeremy Toeman's background at CNET and the shift to video contentThe inspiration behind creating Augie and AugX LabsHow Augie works and it's core functionalityLive demo of Augie's video creation capabilitiesChallenges faced in developing AI tools like AugieThe future of AI-generated content and its implicationsCODE: yellowgold for a free month of the premium tier!Interview with Surafel Defar, founder of RevoldivSurafel's journey from software engineering to entrepreneurshipThe origins and purpose of RevoldivRevoldiv's transcription capabilities and user interfaceUnexpected use cases of RevoldivBalancing coding and business responsibilities as a founderThe importance of user feedback and adaptation in the AI field Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julianne Fraser is a pioneer in the world of influencer marketing. Founder and CEO of award-winning agency Dialogue NYC, the digital marketing expert attributes her success to something unexpected: offline time. In this episode, Julianne shares her unique philosophies around leadership, delegation, and work-life balance — all of which have helped her build a company with happy employees, and a rich personal life as a mom, cooking enthusiast, and part-time Parisian. We talk about:What led Julianne to follow her curiosity and create a trailblazing careerHow Julianne fights imposter syndrome as a business ownerWhy not taking every opportunity will actually boost your longevityThe most important aspect of succeeding in business — and how to nurture itExactly how Julianne chooses what clients to take on vs pass up as an agency ownerWhy promoting up a standard ladder may not be best for your team — and what to do insteadWhat steps Julianne took to enjoy a *real* maternity leave as a business ownerWhy coaching was a game-changer for Julianne as a solo founderThe business, career, and personal benefits to offline time Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Schwanke is the founder of Simple Strat, a diamond HubSpot partner and the team behind the HubSpot hacks channel with over 1 million views.Today, Ali takes us to a time we're familiar with — March 2020. Ali had applied to receive PPP funds through her bank to support them through this time. But within the space of an hour, the bank decided not to participate. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Ali took action.  She focused on elements she could control to fix the problem.In this episode, we dive into the various strategies that she used to do this, and what she learned about mindset along the way.We discussMindset coaching, mental fitness, and the importance of maintaining itWays therapy has helped her to reach her potential as a founderThe camouflage that founders often wearAli took an experience that she had no control over and transformed it into an opportunity to learn and grow to better serve her business. Tune in to hear how she did it. Want to know how Future Fit you are? Take 3 mins to benchmark yourself with our Founder Fitness Test on peer-effect.com. You might discover some surprising gaps! Or just follow James on LinkedIn for more thoughts around coaching and being future fit.

On today's episode, I am joined by Ron Ross, Co-Founder, President & COO of Everee.Ron and I talk about his journey to starting a company, his CFO experience in raising capital, the problems with and incentives around payroll, the path to payday becoming every day, the Boston Red Sox, and much more.A couple of short PSAs:Applications for PitchIt have now closed. Keep a lookout for the semifinals on April 26 and April 27. The finals will occur at Fintech Nexus USA on May 11 at The Innovation Zone on the Expo Floor.If you want to sponsor an episode, come on as a guest, or sponsor one of our many digital or in-person offerings, please reach out anytime at todd@fintechnexus.com.Without further ado, Ron Ross, Co-Founder, President & COO of Everee.Episode highlights includeRon's journey from four-time CFO to founderThe meaning of the word EvereeThe history of payrollReal-time beer rationsMisaligned incentives around payrollPayroll as a competitive advantageHow payday becomes every dayThe SVB crisisRaising capitalAnd much more…Connect with Ron on LinkedInConnect with Everee on LinkedInConnect with PitchIt:Tweet me @ToddFintechConnect with me on LinkedInFind previous PitchIt episodesEmail me at todd@fintechnexus.comUntil next time.

On today's episode, I am joined by Ron Ross, Co-Founder, President & COO of Everee.Ron and I talk about his journey to starting a company, his CFO experience in raising capital, the problems with and incentives around payroll, the path to payday becoming every day, the Boston Red Sox, and much more.A couple of short PSAs:Applications for PitchIt have now closed. Keep a lookout for the semifinals on April 26 and April 27. The finals will occur at Fintech Nexus USA on May 11 at The Innovation Zone on the Expo Floor.If you want to sponsor an episode, come on as a guest, or sponsor one of our many digital or in-person offerings, please reach out anytime at todd@fintechnexus.com.Without further ado, Ron Ross, Co-Founder, President & COO of Everee.Episode highlights includeRon's journey from four-time CFO to founderThe meaning of the word EvereeThe history of payrollReal-time beer rationsMisaligned incentives around payrollPayroll as a competitive advantageHow payday becomes every dayThe SVB crisisRaising capitalAnd much more…Connect with Ron on LinkedInConnect with Everee on LinkedInConnect with PitchIt: Tweet me @ToddFintech Connect with me on LinkedIn Find previous PitchIt episodes Email me at todd@fintechnexus.com Until next time.

This episode is a little flashback for us, jumping back to a conversation Hattie had with Matt Meeker, Co-Founder, Executive Chairman and CEO (that's Canine Enrichment Officer) at Bark, and former founder of Meetup. Today, when she's teaching founders how to test their ideas in the early stages, Hattie still comes back to how Matt tested both Meetup and Bark with customers, and with so many valuable insights and lessons, it seemed rude not to have this available as part of this series! So with Matt's kind permission, we're thrilled to welcome the episode to its new home. If you haven't listened yet, there is so much in here!Bark are on a mission to make dogs as happy as they make us. Because dogs and humans are better together. The company started as BarkBox a monthly themed combining their favourite toys and treats from the market, and have gone on to create their own toys and treats, along with health and wellness support.Matt is an incredible, serial entrepreneur who before Bark, founded Meetup in 2001. Growing from 50 to 6,000 users in the first few months Meetup was then acquired by WeWork for $156million. After leaving Meetup in 2007, Matt went on to launch BarkBox in 2012 which is an equally impressive company reaching profitability in 2017 having sold over 50million boxes.In this episode we discuss:How Meetup was born out of the devastating event of 9-11 to connect people and give underserved communities a place to goThe value of the Lean Startup methodPivoting a business one year in after responding to customer feedbackPutting the product where customers want to buyBuilding retention in subscription modelsKeeping connected to customers as a founderThe keys to success as a serial entrepreneurSince this episode was originally recorded, Matt's dog Hugo, who was a big inspiration for him and the company, sadly passed away though Matt continues to feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility to honor him and his legacy, to ensure it's still here and strong one-hundred years from now. Matt has also returned back to his original position as CEO and is just as passionate about fulfilling Barks mission to make dogs as happy and healthy as ever, as Hugo would've wanted.Links:Bark - https://bark.coMeetup - https://www.meetup.comThe Lean Startup Methodology - https://theleanstartup.com/principles

Enabling the well-being of more than 355 million Indian women through products, experiences, and experts. Today my guest is Aruna Chawla, founder of Salad, a lifestyle planner mobile app that support women to better manage their health throughout the menstrual cycle by providing personalised nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle advice. She talks about her own personal journey of being in and out of hospital. She talks about building an MVP without  a CTO or developers. Aruna talks about why they don't want to go viral and or build landing pages. She talks about the first version of Salad,  a condom company which sold 20,000 in only two months with no paid marketing. She talks about her time at the Antler India residency , where they raised a  pre-seed round and met her co-founder. She talks about being a FemTech founder in India and the size of the market.  Every month, nearly 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate, and nearly 85% of this group suffer from hormonal imbalances. She talks about hormones , period tracking and finally she talks about her super strength and advice on how to build healthier habits and goals  using behavioural  science and much more!In this conversation we talk about:Keeping it leanStats so farHaving a bias of actionNot wanting to be a founder or do a startup in the beginning. First impressions of her co-founderThe state of the sexual wellness and FemTech industry india. Conducting over 1000 interviews with women across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. 6 years of research Her motivations.Shaking up the healthcare industry.and much moreLinkshttps://www.grabsalad.com/music by Punch Deck.https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kdduxAVaFnbHJyNxl7FWV

Before coming to YU, Noam was a professor at Harvard Business School for 13 years. He was also the founding director of the Founder Central initiative at the University of Southern California and the Lemann Chair in Entrepreneurship there. He won the MBA teaching awards at both Harvard and USC, and has written two bestselling books, The Founder's Dilemmas (2012) and Life Is a Startup (2018).Noam grew up in Los Angeles, received undergraduate degrees in engineering and business from the University of Pennsylvania, and worked as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist before attending Harvard for his MBA and his PhD. He has 8 children and 8 grandchildren."Noam joined me today and we discussed how to make a startup successful, to avoid the biggest pitfalls around team dynamics and people. We also talked about what's changed since his book came out. Are founders born or made? Is it good to found a business in a recession? How to have hard conversations, why it's worth it, and how to split equity with other founders.“I tend to think of the core of entrepreneurship as being a three legged stool…, there are a bunch of other things around it that are important supports, but the core of it is those three things. Those are the financing of the product and the people.” - Noam WassermanToday on Startups for Good we cover:Can entrepreneurship be taught?Having the right people at the right time in a startupHaving the ability to recover from mistakesEarly doubts from foundersPitfalls of founding teamsWays to prepare for personal life eventsCharacteristics of a good founderThe rise in coaching and mentorshipLearn more about Noam through his podcast and his bookSubscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Startups For Good with your host, Miles Lasater. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast listening app.Don't forget to visit our website, connect with Miles on Twitter or LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media. For more information about Purpose Built visit our website.

Honor & UnityUnity is defined as:The quality or state of not being multiple : ONENESSA totality of related parts : an entity that is a complex or systematic wholeSo, this definition requires us to have a relationship. You can't have unity alone.Let's look at Phillippians 2:1-5Honor is defined as:A good name or public esteem : REPUTATIONA showing of usually merited respect : RECOGNITIONPay honor to our founderThe root of the Old Testament term for honor meant “heavy” or “weighty.” Depending on the context, it could mean something negative or positive.  In the figurative and positive sense, it conveyed something very impressive and noteworthy. Synonyms for honor in ancient Hebrew were glorious, to glorify, and to be honorable.Support the show

In today's episode, we have an incredible team, building data driven solutions to power Diversity, Equity and Inclusion change. It's practical, real and focused. This is going to be a great episode, I'm pleased to welcome Jason Thompson, and Justus Thompson co-founders of CAPE inclusion.Here's a closer look at the episode:Introducing Jason Thompson and Justus Thompson.Jason's career in diversity and inclusion.The Olympic and Paralympic teams.Justus's start building diversity programs.Working at TechStars. Jason's book: Diversity and Inclusion MattersCAPE Inclusion: Collect, Analyze, Plan, and ExecuteThe disconnect between the data and the people who use it.Why companies don't focus on diversity inclusion and/or cut the programsThe first MVP.What TechStars taught Justus about being a founderThe partnership with Javier as an angel investorWhat is exciting Justus about the business right nowDiversity is constrained by who leaves and who stays. Don't try to “boil the ocean”What's the right data? What are the metrics?Understanding blind spotsDiversity training is tailored to the actual problem.Why you need to be serious about diversity in your investments.Resources:Website: https://www.capeinclusion.com/ Justus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justus-thompson-he-him-his-02ab64101/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thompso4/ CAPE Inclusion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capeinclusion/ CAPE Inclusion Twitter: https://twitter.com/capeinclusion CAPE Inclusion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeinclusion CAPE Inclusion Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capeinclusion/ 

Welcome to the Eureka Moments Only Podcast, a show that highlights members of the global entrepreneurship community and breaks down the moments of change that lead to success in business that we like to call eureka moments.Chris Decker kicks off this season with Helen Kontozopoulos, who teaches Product Development, Design, and Entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto. Among Helen's achievements include co-founding the Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab and co-founding ODAIA Intelligence.HIGHLIGHTSHelen on being a startup founderThe process of growing her startupHelen's Vision and MissionThe difference between the academic world and the business worldHelen's eureka momentHelen's role modelsQUOTESHelen: “It's really great being a founder, but it's also very scary. So you kind of kind of have an embrace, and be courageous around the fear you have every day. So that's what I do.”Helen: “My mission is to really kind of educate what it means to have tools at your hands and, and be empowered by them.”Helen: “If you kind of live in a silo, you don't see that there's opportunities out there, you gotta showcase the problems of what's happening in the real world for students to really log on to and find solutions for.”Helen: “It was an aha moment. You beat yourself up a little bit too much. You think you do worse than what you really do. On that stage, I thought I was flopping like I thought I wasn't doing great at all. And then you realize that's not what people are seeing. People want to be your champion. People want to hear you. And people want to see you.”Helen: “I realized if you don't speak your truth and your personality. I'm not the person who is going to try to be someone else. I tried that. Do not do that. Do not try to be somebody else. Do not try to be some person who's supposed to be a startup founder. Be yourself, be the authentic person you are.”Helen: “Just go out and have fun, you know, and be open and experiment with your thinking, experiment with who you are. And help others experiment and be creative.”Connect with Helen and learn more about her with the links below: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/helenissocialWebsite:helenissocial.ca  (Personal Website)HELEN KONTOZOPOULOSodaia.ai  (Company Website)Learn more about Chris and what he's been up to with the links below: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/decker-christopherEmail: christopher@deckerventures.comEureka Fest 2022: “Find the Future” is coming. Featuring 30 speakers and over 50 exhibitors from 15 countries, this will be one of the biggest startup festivals in California. Visit https://www.eurekafest.com to learn more about this amazing event.Tune in to more Eureka Moments from amazing people by subscribing to Eureka Moments Only at https://eureka-moments-only.simplecast.com.Join our free podcasting community today at http://salescast.community.

Cassity Brown is the owner and operator of St. Brown & Co., a luxury candle brand based in Orange County, California offering hand-poured luxury candles made with a vegan wax blend. As the daughter of entrepreneurial parents, Cassity was inspired to launch her company out of a desire to create a timeless, luxurious brand of her own – as well as a dash of ‘divine intervention.'. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics and has recently launched a business consultation company aimed at helping entrepreneurs achieve tangible solutions to some of their most complex challenges. Cassity joins us today to share the inspiration behind launching her luxury candle brand, St. Brown & Co., and the lessons she's learned along the way. We discuss the trial and error phase of launching her signature line of products, the marketing strategies she explored when starting the business, and how she eventually branched out to offer her products to wholesale customers. She highlights the importance of staying open to change and being fearless about asking questions. We also discuss strategies to pitch your business to media publications and what inspired Cassity to launch her consulting company. “When you make pivots - it's always to make the brand better. That's never a bad thing.” - Cassity Brown If you're looking to take your business to the next level, join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can't wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey! This week on Startups in Stilettos Podcast: The inspiration behind launching St. Brown & CoHow growing up in an entrepreneurial family impacted her decision to launch her company and how her family responded to her desire to start a businessThe trial and error phase of launching a startup candle companyThe importance of being open to change and listening to your gut instincts as a startup founderThe day Cassity officially launched her companyMarketing techniques Cassity used to promote her new startupNetworking and working with wholesale suppliers and shop ownersCreating a wholesale deck for product-based entrepreneursBeing fearless about asking questionsThe importance of having a mentorConnecting with and pitching to media publications for feature articlesWhat inspired Cassity to launch her consulting business and the three-part consulting method she uses when working with entrepreneurs Our Favorite Quotes: “The parallels with candlemaking itself being a creative and scientific process - that's the same with business.” - Cassity Brown“Keep digging. Keep trying to find the answers to what you're looking for.” - Cassity Brown“Connect with the people that are willing to share.” - Cassity Brown Connect with Cassity Brown: St. Brown & Co.Cassity Brown Business ConsultantSt. Brown & Co. on PinterestSt. Brown & Co. on InstagramSt. Brown & Co. on FacebookCassity Brown on LinkedInCassity Brown on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts! Stephanie Cartin on InstagramStephanie Cartin on LinkedInJessica Abo on InstagramJessica Abo on LinkedInLearn more about Jessica Abo here If you're looking to take your business to the next level: Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You'll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events,

Cassity Brown is the owner and operator of St. Brown & Co., a luxury candle brand based in Orange County, California offering hand-poured luxury candles made with a vegan wax blend. As the daughter of entrepreneurial parents, Cassity was inspired to launch her company out of a desire to create a timeless, luxurious brand of her own – as well as a dash of ‘divine intervention.'. She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics and has recently launched a business consultation company aimed at helping entrepreneurs achieve tangible solutions to some of their most complex challenges. Cassity joins us today to share the inspiration behind launching her luxury candle brand, St. Brown & Co., and the lessons she's learned along the way. We discuss the trial and error phase of launching her signature line of products, the marketing strategies she explored when starting the business, and how she eventually branched out to offer her products to wholesale customers. She highlights the importance of staying open to change and being fearless about asking questions. We also discuss strategies to pitch your business to media publications and what inspired Cassity to launch her consulting company. “When you make pivots - it's always to make the brand better. That's never a bad thing.” - Cassity Brown If you're looking to take your business to the next level, join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can't wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey! This week on Startups in Stilettos Podcast: The inspiration behind launching St. Brown & CoHow growing up in an entrepreneurial family impacted her decision to launch her company and how her family responded to her desire to start a businessThe trial and error phase of launching a startup candle companyThe importance of being open to change and listening to your gut instincts as a startup founderThe day Cassity officially launched her companyMarketing techniques Cassity used to promote her new startupNetworking and working with wholesale suppliers and shop ownersCreating a wholesale deck for product-based entrepreneursBeing fearless about asking questionsThe importance of having a mentorConnecting with and pitching to media publications for feature articlesWhat inspired Cassity to launch her consulting business and the three-part consulting method she uses when working with entrepreneurs Our Favorite Quotes: “The parallels with candlemaking itself being a creative and scientific process - that's the same with business.” - Cassity Brown“Keep digging. Keep trying to find the answers to what you're looking for.” - Cassity Brown“Connect with the people that are willing to share.” - Cassity Brown Connect with Cassity Brown: St. Brown & Co.Cassity Brown Business ConsultantSt. Brown & Co. on PinterestSt. Brown & Co. on InstagramSt. Brown & Co. on FacebookCassity Brown on LinkedInCassity Brown on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts! Stephanie Cartin on InstagramStephanie Cartin on LinkedInJessica Abo on InstagramJessica Abo on LinkedInLearn more about Jessica Abo here If you're looking to take your business to the next level: Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You'll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and MORE! Whether you're looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you're thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we're here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate your every step, and with whom you can share the candid reality of building a business from scratc...

Ali Tamaseb is a partner at DCVC, a Silicon Valley VC fund with over $2 billion under management. The investments Tamaseb led on behalf of DCVC has generated an enterprise value of over $6 billion and the companies he sits on as a board director employ over 3,000 people.Tamaseb studied Electrical Engineering at University of Tehran, Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London, and general management at Stanford Graduate School of Business and he was an honoree of the British Alumni Award of 2018 by the British Council, and was the recipient of Imperial College President's Medal for Outstanding Achievement.Tamaseb has 7 publications, including two books and five academic papers, holds several patents, and has won medals in national and international Physics and Computing Olympiads. Ali's latest book “Super Founders: What Data Reveals about Billion-Dollar Startups” became the #1 bestselling Venture Capital and Startup book, is published in over 50 countries and is being translated into over 10 languages. Ali and his work have been featured in the WSJ, BBC, Fortune, Guardian, The Telegraph, and Forbes among others and he has given keynote talks at major events and conferences.We have a fascinating conversation, which I think will blow up some of your myths you might have about what it takes to be a super founder. We discussed the number of co-founders, the founder staying CEO, whether first mover is an advantage, what happens when you have competition, the importance of timing, and we talk about how success is so rarely overnight. He also suggests areas that he thinks founders should be building in for the future.“I recommend [when you raise a lot of money] to entrepreneurs, it takes a very, very good discipline of you don't necessarily have to spend the money that you raise. But if you have the discipline of being lean, and only spending that money, there's product market fit” - Ali TamasebToday on Startups for Good we cover:Misconceptions of the qualities of a founderThe value of a co-founderSurvivorship biasMyths and stereotypes of being an investorThe correlation between the amount of money raised and successCompetition can show that there is a marketConnect with Ali on LinkedIn and TwitterAli's book Super Founders can be purchased where all books are soldOther references from the show:Miles' blogpost on Survivorship biasSubscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Startups For Good with your host, Miles Lasater. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast listening app.Don't forget to visit our website, connect with Miles on Twitter or LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media. For more information about Purpose...

Episode Summary: Our first guest of Season 3 is Ian Rountree, Founder of Cantos.  Ian grew up the son of a Marine and a public school English teacher from South Florida.  He was introduced to VC at an early age while visiting his aunt in the bay area who was married to a venture capitalist.  Although Ian's interest in venture capital came at an early age, his trajectory to starting Cantos zig zagged as he went from graduating with a degree in political science to then working in the nonprofit industry.   Ian's passion to solve big world problems at scale however led him back to business and finance and working at SoFi.  This ultimately led him to what he calls earning a street MBA in VC, where he began to invest his savings in various startups, 11 to be exact, for which one made it big.  The success of this company led him to starting his own VC fund. To learn more about Ian, his experience starting Cantos and fundraising be sure to tune into this episode and conversation.  What is Uncovered: Ian's path to starting Cantos How Ian generated deal flow at SoFi and expanded his network for potential LPs Ian's first LP Commitment and how it felt to write a check on behalf of someone else The parallels of starting a VC fund and being an early stage founderThe differences between being told ‘No' from a LP or investor vs. a VC passing on startups The VC 3.0 community and how it helps emerging managersLearn more about: Ian Rountree: Ian started making angel investments in 2012 while on the early teams at SoFi and then Invisible Technologies. He founded Cantos in 2016 to continue backing world-positive startups at pre-seed and seed. In 2018 Cantos went all-in on "near frontier" startups across cutting edge hardware and wetware with a focus on billion-dollar opportunities in mitigating disease, climate change, poverty, conflict, and existential risk. Cantos manages roughly $50M across several entities, typically investing $500K to $1M, and prefers to be a startup's first investor. Cantos:  Cantos is a first-round venture capital firm with $50 million under management that invests where the innovation curve casts previously intractable problems in new light –– where new technology might positively impact billions. At a time when venture capital has become synonymous with growth equity, we exist to take the first steps with founders on bold journeys that would have been impossible just years prior. That is, to return venture capital to its roots. Areas of focus: Clean Tech, Bio + AI, and Aerospace

Yet another acquisition?!?! Jeremy and Tyler dissect the Monster Energy Drinks' foray into the world of craft beer with the purchase of Oskar Blues and CanarchyPLUS!The forces and trends shaping the beer world in 2022Bells says goodbye to their founderThe crossroads of beer and paleontologyAnd a suggestion on how to spend your dry January

Rachel Sanders is the CEO and Co-founder of Rootine, a health and wellness organization dedicated to optimizing health and human performance through precision nutrition. Rachel started her career in investment banking and finance before embarking on her journey as an Entreprenista: she worked as an Associate and Analyst at Raymond James Financial Inc. and served as a strategic and financial advisor for GolfMatch Inc. In addition to her current role as Rootine's CEO, Rachel is a venture partner at the venture capital firm, 2048 Ventures. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Economics at Vanderbilt University—where she graduated with honors—and received her Master's of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. Rachel joins us today to discuss how Rootine's brand was built through data. She shares how taking an MBA before starting her company benefited her and describes the impact of a strong team on running a business. She discusses what it takes to implement remote and asynchronous work in a company successfully. Rachel also highlights the value of cultivating a community around your brand and explains why it's important to include healthcare in the wake of Web 3.0. “People, as they are improving their health, need more than just products, more than just experts, and more than just wellness experiences–they need access to all of it.” - Rachel Sanders This week's takeaways from Entreprenista: Rachel's background and how she decided it was the right time to get an MBAHer advice on whether an Entreprenista should get an MBA before starting a businessThe spark that started Rootine and how Rachel met her co-founderThe value of building an all-star team and how Rachel figured out how to build a health technology businessRootine's fundraising process and the power of diversity in businessRachel's advice for fundraising and navigating remote workHiring for remote and asynchronous work cultureInterview questions that ensure a job candidate is a great culture fitHow long it takes for Rootine to interview a job candidateCultivating a culture of speaking upHow Rootine created its brand through customer profiles, information, and dataWorking with freelancers and Rootine's budget range for working with a branding agencyLaunching, marketing, and the importance of creating a communityWeb 3.0 and making health an essential conversation in NFTsCreating a collaborative productWhat NFTs are and how to get involved with Rachel's NFT platformRethinking health in Web 3.0 Resources Mentioned: Book: The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human by V.S. RamachandranApp: NotionApp: CircleApp: Loom Our Favorite Quotes: “Regardless of where people are spending their time, they will want to ensure they're being their best selves. Health is going to matter, and it should be an essential conversation in Web 3.0.” - Rachel Sanders“Think about the problem you're solving for people and a way to build a community around it.” - Rachel Sanders“More diverse people around the table helps create better ideas and innovation.” - Rachel Sanders Connect with Rachel Sanders: RootineApex OptimizersRootine on LinkedInRootine on InstagramRootine on TwitterRachel Sanders on LinkedInRachel Sanders on InstagramRachel Sanders on Twitter If you're looking to take your business to the next level: Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You'll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website...

Learn more about the Healing Centered Conversations PodcastAbout Dr. Rebecca BranstetterDr. Branstetter is a school psychologist, speaker, and author on a mission to help children be the best they can be in school and in life by supporting school psychologists, educators, and families. She is also the founder of The Thriving School Psychologist Collective, an online community dedicated to improving mental health and learning supports in public schools. She is also the co-creator of the “Make It Stick Parenting” course, which provides parents with tools. She and her husband are proud parents to two daughters and two furry husky dogs in the San Francisco Bay Area.Show HighlightsDr. Branstetter's work as a School PsychologistHer source of inspirationThe transition from School Psychologist to FounderThe motivation behind taking a leap of faith, quitting her job, and founding her own company.The Thriving School Psychologist Collective explainedThe real meaning of thrivingHow to build a loyal online communityObstacles of being an entrepreneur and FounderTips for entrepreneursBig projects coming up on the horizonConnect with Rebecca BranstetterWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramDr. Branstetter's Special Offer!Connect with ByronEmailTwitterInstagramFacebookTikTokAdditional ResourcesLearn more about the Healing Centered Conversations PodcastHealing Centered Conversations BlogHealing Centered MerchandiseJoin our email list 

“What I care about isn't that Bitcoin succeeds, or that Ethereum succeeds, or that any specific project succeeds. What I care about is separating money from state; the entire financial system being built on market principles instead of coercion.”— Erik VoorheesLocation: RemotelyDate: Tuesday 16th NovemberProject: Human Rights Foundation & ShapeShiftRole: Chief Strategy Officer & CEO, FounderThe schism between Bitcoin maximalists, and those who champion altcoins, is a feature of the ecosystem. The arguments are well worn. However, the history of the debate has largely been regarded as toxic. Maximalists tend to believe that, at best, ‘altcoins' are inferior iterations of Bitcoin that involve a compromise, usually greater centralization in favour of larger transaction capacity. The compounding issue is that the majority of these tokens are scams, efforts to rug pull ignorant retail investors. Either way, altcoins are neither aligned to, nor on a trajectory to align with, Bitcoin.Altcoin advocates point to the rapid innovation happening in the space, where the TradFi is being disrupted in real-time. This is whilst the promise of Bitcoin being a foundational layer for DeFi remains just that, a promise. In this interview, I discuss the ideological differences between Bitcoin and altcoins with Erik Voorhees & Alex Gladstein. We discuss the importance of Bitcoin, monetary policies, the political science of blockchains, and consensus & coercion.This episode's sponsors:Gemini - Buy Bitcoin instantlyBlockFi - The future of Bitcoin financial servicesSportsbet.io - Online sportsbook & casino that accepts BitcoinCasa - The leading provider of Bitcoin multisig key security.Exodus - The world's leading Desktop, Mobile and Hardware crypto wallets.Ledger - State of the art Bitcoin hardware walletCompass Mining - Bitcoin mining & hosting-----WBD425 - Show Notes-----If you enjoy The What Bitcoin Did Podcast you can help support the show by doing the following:Become a Patron and get access to shows early or help contributeMake a tip:Bitcoin: 3FiC6w7eb3dkcaNHMAnj39ANTAkv8Ufi2SQR Codes: BitcoinIf you do send a tip then please email me so that I can say thank youSubscribe on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | YouTube | Deezer | TuneIn | RSS FeedLeave a review on iTunesShare the show and episodes with your friends and familySubscribe to the newsletter on my websiteFollow me on Twitter Personal | Twitter Podcast | Instagram | Medium | YouTubeIf you are interested in sponsoring the show, you can read more about that here or please feel free to drop me an email to discuss options.

“I thought not only is this a potential business — this could change lives.”- Connie StaceyHave you ever come up with a new product idea… but had no idea how to transform it into reality? You'll want to listen to this episode!Connie Stacey is the founder and president of Growing Greener Innovations (GGI), an award-winning clean energy solutions company that designs smart batteries and energy storage solutions. She started GGI with a vision: a silent generator that created zero fumes or carbon emissions.Not only did Connie invent a new product — she invented something that may change the world.Through her research, Connie realized that a green battery solution could go a long way toward solving the world's energy poverty crisis. “This could give an opportunity for people in other parts of the world to achieve better equity,” she says. “When you look at access to energy, it is perfectly correlated with economic growth.... If you want to end poverty, you must end energy poverty.”Listen now to hear Connie's fascinating story of how she turned an idea into a world-changing reality.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you'll discover:‌ ‌How Connie took the leap from being on mat leave to becoming an inventor and founderThe obstacles Connie faced when seeking funding and how she overcame themThe unorthodox choice Connie made in terms of manufacturing — and how it paid offAbout Connie Stacey: Connie Stacey is the founder and president of Growing Greener Innovations, Inc. She has over 20 years of experience in the IT/computer programming sectors.Highlights:‌ ‌01:04  Intro02:53  Meet Connie Stacey04:00  Spark of inspiration08:24  From mat leave to founder10:41  Creating the prototype12:21  3 principles & approach15:43  Mistakes entrepreneurs make16:23  Funding & manufacturing22:58  Awards & start-up support28:14  Roadblocks30:42  What she wishes she knew34:00  What's next?Links:‌Connie Staceyhttps://grengine.comhttps://ca.linkedin.com/company/growing-greener-innovationsInstagram: @growinggreenerinnovationsTo work with me and make your next power move, visit:https://shelaghcummins.comStay ConnectedLike what you're hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don't miss it! You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I'd also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode isSkyrocket your business growth by New Years in 10 minutes a dayJoin the free 12 Days of Business Growth challenge to get simple, daily #PowerMoves so you can:Effortlessly attract your ideal clients by fine-tuning your marketing message.Price your products and services for maximum profit.Ask for the sale with confidence by working through your mindset blocks.Set up your cash flow and shift to profit.

“The satyr is the fun-bringer, and that is really what we wanted the spirit of this place to be. A poetic hub of fun.” - Tobias Cichon, Rabid Brewing co-founderThe large, hand-painted mural above the Rabid Brewing taproom in Homewood, Illinois, depicts a mythical origin story for beer in which fantastical creatures pour the golden elixir out for the denizens of this imaginary world. Fantasy and mythology drive much of what husband and wife team Tobias Cichon and Raiye Rosado do at Rabid Brewing. As the brewery celebrates their 4th anniversary, I sat down with the pair to talk about the passion behind their brewery, the mythological backstories behind their beers, and the sense of adventure the keeps them pursuing their dream.I also spoke with Annabelle Popa, the artist behind the taproom mural and many other accents around the brewery.Episode Timeline::00-5:45 - Introduction5:45-13:17 - Raiye & Tobias - Rabid background and taproom artwork13:17-20:40 - Annabelle Popa - Creating art for Rabid Brewing20:40-27:10 - Raiye & Tobias - Rabid's cohesive mythology and the Feast of the Goat Queen27:10-34:11 - Raiye & Tobias - Dwarves of Doom and Rabid's use of single origin cacao from bean to bar chocolate maker Ethereal Confections34:11-38:29 - Raiye & Tobias - The significance of the Halloween season and the story Rabid Brewing is telling 38:29-39:12 - ConclusionEpisode Notes:Beers discussed in this episode include Rabid Brewing Horus Imperial IPA, Dwarves of Doom Imperial Stout with Smugglers Coffee and Ethereal Confections cacao, and Shadowstepper Milk Stout with lactose and Ethereal Confections cacao.Other beers mentioned include Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow and Alpha King.Chocolate and cacao discussed in this episode included Ethereal Confections Ecuador and Dominican Republic.You can find examples of Annabelle Popa's artwork and get in touch about working with her at her website.You can read more about Raiye's dinosaur beer deliveries in my article for The Reporter's Notebook here. The music for this episode was sampled from an instrumental version of the song “Umbrella” written and performed by indie folk musician Anna ps from her 2016 album of the same name. You can find out more about Anna and get in touch about booking her for a show at her website.Guests:Raiye Rosado & Tobias Cichon are the husband and wife co-founders of Rabid Brewing. They began dating in 2010, and Raiye promptly introduced Tobias to good beer. Their wedding was a Halloween costume party. The pair began homebrewing together, and decided to open a brewery after getting married. Rabid Brewing opened on October 13, 2017. Annabelle Popa is a freelance Illustrator and Muralist living in the Hudson Valley. Growing up in Queens and having a lack of the natural world instilled an incessant longing for magic, nature, and tall tales. Creating comics, murals, paintings, and costumes are her outlet to weave personal mythologies together and reach undiscovered worlds. Gaze long into the work but take care - they gaze back.

Today, I'm sitting down with Giovanni Angelucci, Founder of Queen St. Bakery.From their website:Queen Street Bakery was built on the belief that food companies should be as transparent about what they put into their food as what they remove. Because we know all to well that just because something is gluten-free, doesn't mean it's good for you.That's why we're proud to make our breads, buns and doughs from simple functional ingredients that feel good to eat. Ingredients that are naturally full of fiber and protein and naturally free from gluten, nuts and dairy.Their breads, buns, pizza dough and baking flours can be found across Canada and they are leading the gluten-free, allergen-free and taste-FULL bread category.Just one taste of their White Bean & Millet Seed bread or their Cinnamon Raisin Loaf will be enough to convert you. These products are insanely delicious and more than that, they're packed with nutrients.In this conversation, we're rewinding back to just a few years ago when Giovanni first had the idea to start a bakery and how that led them to finding placement in 100's and 100's of stores across Canada.Giovanni and I chat about:The startup story of Queen Street BakeryWhere the idea for the business originatedHow they got into Canada's largest grocery store chain (Loblaw's)The #1 ingredient you need before pitching to investors for moneyBusiness and marketing skills that he's trying to upgrade as a FounderThe true definition of an entrepreneurWhy everything is cyclical Marketing strategies that have been working REALLY well for Queen Street Bakery, even throughout the pandemic when sampling is not possible& moreAlso, you can find Queen St. Bakery products in the frozen aisle at Healthy Planet (our show sponsor!), so don't forget to check the frozen aisle when you're shopping at one of their MANY stores across Ontario!p.s. Whenever you're ready, there are a few ways that we can get to know each other better…1.

Aivee Robinson, co-founder and director of Catalyser worked a decade for the UN and now applies her CSR values to major corporations like KPMG, Deloitte and ASIC. Tune in on her journey as she explains how she grew from struggling to download youtube videos off her phone at the start of Catalyser's business life to leveraging technology so major corporations can scale their CSR. What you will learn in this episode:How Aivee evolved from being a children's rights advocate to a startup founderThe benefits of supporting charitiesHow to approach tech projects as an non-tech SMEsHow to build your startup alongside your customersHow to scale customer acquisitionHow Catalyser landed customers like DeloitteHow to find the right mentor for you and your SMEHow working in the UN in Mongolia and China impacted the way Aivee works in businessHow Aivee learns and experiments with marketing for Catalyser Resources mentioned:Catalyser Giving LinkedInCatalyser Giving TwitterMetigy.com/podcast Book recommendations:New Strategic Selling by Miller and Heiman Notable quotes:“Once a company invests in supporting a community and doing CSR, they can start to build their brand to attract better talent.”“Take the time to qualify whether or not the customer actually has the problem you're trying to solve”“Who are the corporates that align with us that can go deep in the cause we're trying to work towards and stay with us as a long term supporter to sustain long term goals?” What business would you build on Mars?“I would probably take a different approach. I'll try and find the broadest market possible. For us, we're a SAAS business. We sell to enterprise. It's very specific. But I think if we were selling to martians… What is a very basic need that everybody needs? What's the broadest market I could possibly target. Sugar based food. Get them addicted. Repeat Customers! Something that they would buy and keep coming back for. Something that the broadest market needs that's easiest to scale.”Reach Aivee on:Linkedin

Jone Vaituleviciute is Partner at Startup Wise Guys that was just named The Hottest Startup Accelerator in Europe. In this episode Jone shares the perspective of the accelerator - with 1-2% acceptance rate, what are they looking for in business models and founders. We also discuss why investors like to invest in B2B SaaS and the value that early-stage support organizations can bring to startups in the pre-accelerator stage.The topics covered in this episode with Timestamps[06:00] - Startup Wise Guys and early-stage investing/acceleratingAccelerator wants you to move 6x faster than without itIt's not school, nobody checks attendanceThe key value add of the accelerator is the community of founders who are struggling the same as youThe average age of founders is increasingBeware of passive accelerators - if you are giving up equity, you want to maximize the valueThink very hard whether you want and need accelerating as many companies are already matured past and might give up equity without the necessary value[22:40] - What accelerators want to see in founders and companiesRevenue can be a vanity metric and not say anything about traction and trajectoryIf founder just wants money, they should go to a Non-accelerator investorIf the founder is not committed to full time, it's a big red flagFounder decisiveness is a key requirement[38:00] -  What to expect from the acceleration programThe acceptance rate is 1-2%This is a long term relationship, accelerator stays on your capable 5-7 years while the accelerating phase usually lasts around 12 monthsSupport for founders in the further round and help avoid big mistakes[48:20]  - B2B SaaS - Why is it the favorite business model for VCsB2B SAAS is extremely broad, also Fintech can be B2B SaaSThe model is relatively easier to build for the founderThe traction metrics are easy to track and compare to others, thus it is less risky for the investor to take a betThe importance of revenue in the earliest stages should not be overstatedBig corporates develop quickly from product user to acquisition of the providerEdtech and health tech as biggest opportunities in B2B SaaSThe next generation of blockchain companies[1:06:30] - The role of support organizations for startupsInternationalization of local startup ecosystemsTaking care of startups that are not ready for investment/accelerators yetFind out more on https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/ Support for this episode comes from Nexpay > https://paynexpay.com/

Mitchell is a founder with the goal of helping all people to better save and invest for their financial future. He believes that with the right nudge (and a little help from software) his company can help people do the right thing and make money a bit less stressful. Mitchell is an Ex Facebook and Dropbox, product manager, a Yale University graduate, and a proud Ohioan by origins. Mitchell joins me today to discuss his founder path from Yale, Facebook, Parable and now Lendtable. I open the podcast by asking why people don't take advantage of the free retirement money their businesses offer them. Mitchell explains how pensions are a thing of the past and how the individual is now fully responsible to make all investing decisions. “I still always knew that before I was able to start a company I needed to know how to build, I needed to be a student of the game” - Mitchell JonesToday on Startups for Good we cover:What needs to be acknowledged as a startupWhat assumption should be challenged as a startup founderActions that need to be taken to change the opportunity of who gets to be a founderThe type of person who typically gets VC dollarsThe benefit of accelerators for first time entrepreneursHow to create FOMO in the investorWhy story is so importantConnect with Mitchell on LinkedIn Subscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Startups For Good with your host, Miles Lasater. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast listening app.Don't forget to visit our website, connect with Miles on Twitter or LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media. For more information about The Giving Circle

Aaron Feuer is the co-founder and CEO of Panorama Education, a Boston-based education technology company that he launched while an undergraduate at Yale.Panorama Education's college- and career-readiness tools, school climate surveys, and social-emotional learning assessments are currently used to support the success of more than 12 million K-12 students in 21,000 schools every year. Places like NYC, Dallas, Detroit, SF and Indianapolis.When he was a high school student in Los Angeles, he got involved as an organizer to fight for better schools. They got a bill passed in California that encouraged schools to give students a voice through student surveys. However, the bill didn't end up making much impact. And thus was born Panorama.I kick off our discussion with Aaron by posing him with the question about how to change the world. We discuss the best ways to use the technology that Panorama has. He explains the differences and benefits of online and offline products in their offering. Aaron offers us some unique perspectives on student startups. He shares with us why belonging is so important in corporate culture and how Panorama fosters it. “I think as a startup founder, you're constantly learning at every scale.” - Aaron FeuerToday on Startups for Good we cover:How schools assess the whole student experience todayLearning how to be a startup founderThe importance of good network advisors and a succession planFiguring out how to tailor sales to schoolsHow the power of the mission influences fundraisingSome of the big challenges Publications discussed in the episode:Paul Graham's essay about students and the power of povertyThe Hard about Hard Things by Ben HorowitzAdvantage by Joe SolariHigh Output Management by Andrew S. GroveSo you Want to Talk About Race by ljeoma OluoConnect with Aaron on Twitter and at panoramaed.comSubscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Startups For Good with your host, Miles Lasater. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast listening app.Don't forget to visit our website, connect with Miles on Twitter or LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across...

Brian and Jordan are back with big news about both of their newest projects. Today they're doing a deep dive into some of the mental struggles when you start something new. Some touchy-feely topics, some logistics, and back to touchy-feely topics: a typical Bootstrapped Web episode. If you have any questions, comments, or topic ideas for Bootstrapped Web, leave a message for Brian and Jordan on their ZipMessage account at https://zipmessage.com/bootstrappedweb. “We need to complement each other more. Because everyone asks for feedback, nobody asks for compliments.” – Jordan Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This Here are today's conversation points: Updates on Jordan's secret productFeeling down and (surprising) external motivatorsWhat founders do and the meaning of being a founderThe importance of compliments and empathyUpdates, changes, and uses for ZipMessageFramework and patterns in successful niche SaaS productsThree-phase process: enter, lean-in, all-in “For founders, literally all we do is solve problems. What's the next problem to solve? What's the next thing that's not working? Every single day.” – Brian Powered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This Resources ZipMessage New! zipmessage.com/bootstrappedweb Productize Audience Ops ProcessKit Carthook As always, thanks for tuning in. Head here to leave a review on

Laura Kleiman is Founder and CEO of Reboot Rx, the tech nonprofit dedicated to fast-tracking the development of affordable cancer treatments using repurposed generic drugs and AI technology. Laura's career has focused on building collaborations across disciplines and sectors to expand treatment options for cancer patients. She was previously Scientific Research Director in the Department of Data Sciences at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Laura earned a PhD in Computational and Systems Biology from MIT and conducted translational cancer research as an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Laura was recently featured in Forbes and received the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award.Laura joins me today to discuss not only her founder story but the role perseverance plays in all realms of a startup. She shares with us her experiences with fundraising as well as some of the challenges and advantages of choosing to be a tech non-profit. “I'm passionate about bringing together different people towards a common goal. And in my case, I'm very focused on improving the lives of cancer patients through developing more effective and affordable drugs.” - Laura KleimanToday on Startups for Good we cover:How to know if you have chosen the right co-founderThe implications of choosing tech non-profit statusLessons for other founders about fundraisingThe Mass Challenge incubatorMisnomers of repurposing generic drugsWays that clinical trials could be hastenedConnect with RebootRx at www.rebootrx.org or on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. The podcast that Laura referenced was Startup TherapySubscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Startups For Good with your host, Miles Lasater. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast listening app.Don't forget to visit our website, connect with Miles on Twitter or LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes across social media. For more information about The Giving Circle. Please share your feedback about the podcast on our listener survey page here.

Max Nova is the co-founder and COO of SilviaTerra. He has spent the last decade designing, building, and deploying precision forestry tools for some of the largest landowners in the US. Using satellites, cloud computing, and mobile technology, SilviaTerra collaborated with Microsoft to develop the first high-resolution forest inventory of the United States. This data is now informing markets for natural capital like carbon, wildlife habitat, and fire risk. Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Max earned a degree in computer science from Yale University.Max joins me today to discuss his early start to becoming a founder. He shares the core technology that is the center of the company. We talk about which came first, the mission or the technology. Max counters the criticism of some that don't value a carbon exchange program. He also speaks to his reluctance of taking on outside investments and the benefits of not being too quick to fundraise. He shares his vision for the company in the years to come. Max shares some controversial advice in the startup community. “I think it's much more important to say, Well, what are the types of problems I want to be working on, and to really focus on that. And so the reason I tell people not to do startups necessarily, is because I think you gain so much by being able to specialize and having an institutional overhead in place for you” - Max NovaToday on Startups for Good we cover:How to find the right co-founderThe benefits of having a co-founderA carbon exchange programWhat motivates major corporations to choose a carbon exchange programThe use of the technology to reduce wildfire riskBuilding the team of a mission driven companyThe increasing workforce in mission driven companiesConnect with Max on Twitter and his company SilviaTerra or Max's book recommendation website, books.max-nova.comThe books that Max recommended: The Power Broker by Robert CaroThe Lords of Discipline by Pat ConroyGetting Things Done by David AllenMore From Less by Andrew McAfeeSubscribe, Rate & Share Your Favorite Episodes!Thanks for tuning into today's episode of Startups For Good with your host, Miles Lasater. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast listening app.Don't forget to...

Today's guest needs no introduction. Essentially, if you run a startup and you haven't heard of Steve Blank, can you even call yourself an entrepreneur?Steve is the ultimate serial entrepreneur, retiring in 1999 with eight high technology startups under his belt. He coined the term ‘customer development', codifying what that was in the inaugural start up book, The Four Steps to the Epiphany - the start up book that kickstarted the lean startup revolution. He then went on to teach a course at Stanford based on what he had codified around startups and what makes the successful ones successful. And one of the guys on his course was a chap called Eric Ries, who you might have heard of for writing a book called The Lean Startup. Then he found himself on the front cover of Harvard Business Review with his book and that, as they say, is history. Steve went on to change the way the world thinks about startups. This is truly a fascinating conversation, we talk about what the job of the CEO is, what customer development is, why innovation is so hard and why established businesses hit a plateau. On today's podcast:The Lean StartupEric Ries & Alex OsterwalderThe difference between search and executionThe personality of a founderThe job of a CEOExecutioners and innovatorsLinks:Book - The Four Steps To The Epiphany

Having grown up in the UK, Becky Erwood has been a long-time consumer of frozen (and fresh) ready to eat meals. It's a mature market overseas and the food you buy is generally excellent quality. When Becky moved to NZ, she realized that a similar concept didn't really exist in NZ and her only option was to go back to the kitchen and cook.In our conversation, she rightly identifies that, ““You can love cooking and be really good at it, but you may not have the time or the inclination to cook seven days a week.” To solve this problem, Becky Erwood co-founded Get Fed, a company that provides ready-made meals delivered to your door. The menu rotates weekly and customers can either place a one-off order or can subscribe to a weekly family plan. When compared to meal kits or takeout, the difference is that there is no cooking or planning involved, simply reheating.On this episode we talk about:Being a foodie but not wanting to cook dailyThe process of researching, creating a business plan and finding a co-founderThe growing trend of ready to eat meals in New ZealandReady to eat meals compared to takeout, is it the same?The evolving stay at home economy and what it means for services like Get FedGet Fed has meal options for people that are health-focused, for children or even for those that like to explore new cuisines.  www.getfed.co.nz