Company initiated by an entrepreneur to develop a scalable economic model
POPULARITY
Categories
What started as five friends filming trick shot videos 16 years ago has become a new media empire. Dude Perfect has more than 61 million followers on YouTube alone. CEO Andrew Yaffe talks with host Jeff Berman about how he and the dudes are leveraging the Disney playbook to build a vertically integrated business that spans, content, products, events and maybe someday … their own theme park.Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale.comSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Two-year old French startup Mistral wants to show that European AI can compete with American and Chinese companies that dominate the industry. WSJ tech reporter Sam Schechner reports from the Viva Technology conference in Paris. Plus, the United Nations estimates half of all people on Earth experience severe water scarcity at least one month of the year. WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims tells us about a 1960s-era technology that might hold a key to easing that problem. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Building work has started in the Finnish capital Helsinki on what's expected to become the biggest startup campus in Europe. Finland's government says it wants the small Nordic nation to offer the best startup ecosystem in Europe. The BBC's Maddy Savage has this story.
On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Jimmy Atkinson, founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast. Jimmy breaks down how Opportunity Zones work—from their 2017 creation in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to the powerful tax incentives they offer investors. He shares how these zones have catalyzed billions in investment across the country, not just in multifamily but also in startups, industrial real estate, and community-focused developments. They also explore the future of the program, including what Opportunity Zones 2.0 might look like, and Jimmy offers tips for LPs considering OZ investments for the first time. Jimmy Atkinson Current role: Founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast Based in: Dallas, Texas Say hi to them at: https://opportunityzones.com Get 60% off the Magic Mind offer with our link and code https://magicmind.com/bestevermf & BESTEVER60 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE. Terms and conditions apply. Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Building work has started in the Finnish capital Helsinki on what's expected to become the biggest startup campus in Europe. Finland's government says it wants the small Nordic nation to offer the best startup ecosystem in Europe. The BBC's Maddy Savage has this story.
I explain how and why exactly this big Meta investment in Scale AI came about. Hollywood sues AI in a big way for the first time. A look at how stablecoins have mainstreamed crypto at long last. And episode number 205 of the long running series: we blew up traditional TV just to rebuild it.Links:Meta to Pay Nearly $15 Billion for Scale AI Stake and Startup's 28-Year-Old CEO (The Information)Disney, NBCU sue Midjourney over copyright infringement (Axios)Wikipedia Pauses AI-Generated Summaries After Editor Backlash (404Media)How stablecoins are entering the financial mainstream (Financial Times)EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Doubles Prime Video Ads to 6 Minutes Per Hour (AdWeek)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today's show: Alex moderates a TWIST VC Roundtable with Jason, Paige Doherty (Behind Genius), and Altimeter's Megan Reynolds about the state of early-stage venture capital. They break down the rise of secondary markets as a key liquidity path for VCs, analyze the resurgence in M&A activity from major players like Meta, Databricks, and OpenAI, and question whether inflated ARR figures from YC startups are distorting valuations. Jason shares his year-zero investment thesis and offers tactical advice on secondary structuring and identifying high-quality revenue. Whether you're raising, investing, or building, this episode delivers essential insights into the evolving early-stage landscape.Timestamps:(0:00) Episode Teaser(1:28) Meet our panelists!(2:37) Will secondaries replace traditional M&A?(10:10) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups(14:28) Has M&A actually bounced back?(20:06) Pilot - Visit https://www.pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.(25:35) Secondary market advice, just for founders(30:10) Retool - Visit https://www.retool.com/twist and try it out today.(32:49) Why is it so hard for emerging managers to raise funds?(38:28) Seed funds: the math is not mathing(52:07) Why early investors become “collateral damage”(56:31) The importance of revenue quality in early-stage startups(1:06:43) Quick Fire Question Round!Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpLinks from episode:Altimeter: https://www.altimeter.com/homeBehind Genius: https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/Follow Meghan:X: https://x.com/MeghanKReynoldsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghankreynolds/Follow Paige:X: https://x.com/paigefinnnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigedoherty/Follow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:(10:10) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups(20:06) Pilot - Visit https://www.pilot.com/twist and get $1,200 off your first year.(30:10) Retool - Visit https://www.retool.com/twist and try it out today.Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
In this episode, Scott Becker shares key lessons for startup founders on recognizing when to persist and when to cut losses.
The Tropical MBA Podcast - Entrepreneurship, Travel, and Lifestyle
Thinking of selling your business one day? Or never planning to? Either way, this conversation could change how you build. Rob Walling has seen it all. He's exited his own SaaS company and helped thousands of founders grow and sell through TinySeed, MicroConf, and his podcast “Startups for the Rest of Us.” In this episode, he sits down with Dan to talk about what founders get wrong about selling, why most exits are emotionally brutal, and how to actually create a business that gives you freedom: whether or not you ever sell it. CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Why Exits Matter (Even If You Never Sell) (00:03:48) The Emotional Reality of Selling Your Business (00:08:35) What Your Business is Actually Worth (Valuation Benchmarks) (00:11:45) The $10M Dream: Who Gets There, Who Doesn't (00:18:59) The SaaS Plateau: How to Know When You're Stuck (00:27:20) The 5 Marketing Channels Still Working in 2025 (00:30:23) Can Non-Technical Founders Still Win? (00:40:33) Two Traps Founders Fall Into When Selling a Business (00:46:50) Rob's Book: “Exit Strategy” LINKS Rob's book “Exit Strategy” (https://exitstrategybook.com/) Share your story/sponsor the pod (https://forms.gle/gKZFuwReHSvg8LD48) 22 free resources for founders (https://tropicalmba.com/resources) Connect with 1,000+ generous global entrepreneurs (https://dynamitecircle.com/) Read Dan's book “Before the Exit” (https://www.amazon.com/Before-Exit-Thought-Experiments-Entrepreneurs-ebook/dp/B07BN2KD1J) Dan Andrews is the co-founder of Dynamite Circle, author of Before the Exit, host of the Tropical MBA podcast, and an entrepreneur who has successfully launched and scaled multiple 7-figure businesses. CONNECT WITH DAN Email Dan@tropicalmba.com Follow on X (https://x.com/TropicalMBA) Follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tropicalmba/) MORE EPISODES Our Lifestyle Business Non-Negotiables (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/lifestyle-business-non-negotiables) ‘I'm Fiscally Bitcoin and Socially Ethereum' (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/greg-gerber-crypto-2020) Is Dropshipping Still a Valid Business Model? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/dropshipping-valid-business-model) The Consultant's Handbook - How to Make Location Independent Income Quickly (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/consulting) The Amazon Gold Rush (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/amazongold) “Lifestyle Business” vs “Real Business” (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/lifestyle-vs-real-business)
This episode is for you if you are a growth minded entrepreneurial women who is looking for a dose of inspiration for grit and greatness as we will learn about the founder story of Julie Cole how she went from being a basement startup to building a multi-million dollar brand. Julie Cole is a recovered lawyer, speaker, mom of six and co-founder of Mabel's Labels. Julie is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author and media personality having appeared on NBC's The Today Show, CNN, and numerous websites, magazines and podcasts. Things we talked about: Self double vs going all in when first launching a business lowest points in the journey, and how did you push through When feel like giving up what kept you going the big break or turning point that helped beyond the basement mindset shift going from solopreneur to CEO of a multimillion-dollar brand How to stay grounded and focused when stakes get higher What does success look like now How has confidence played a role in journey Best tip to make a bold move Connect with Lucy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mslucyliu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mslucyliu Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mslucyliu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mslucyliu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mslucyliu YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mslucyliu Website: https://www.lucyliucoaching.com Podcast: https://www.lucyliucoaching.com/podcast Wanna double your confidence in 30 seconds? Get the ultimate secret here: http://www.confidentandepic.com Connect with Julie Cole https://mabelslabels.com/juliecole
Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Nicole: Willingness to take bold leaps and embrace the unknown.Imagine a world where cancer is as treatable as the flu. That's the vision Nicole Paulk, the founder and CEO of Siren Biotechnology, is working tirelessly to bring to life. Driven by groundbreaking science, Nicole's company is on the brink of launching clinical trials for a revolutionary cancer treatment.Nicole's work leverages engineered viruses—those that don't make you sick—to deliver genetic medicines directly to cancer cells. These “good viruses” act as a delivery system for anti-tumor drugs, targeting difficult-to-treat cancers like recurrent high-grade gliomas, a fatal brain cancer. “We started to see data that looked really promising in this space,” Nicole explained, adding, “We felt a moral obligation to go after this cancer where there's just this huge unmet need.”Siren Biotechnology's approach is designed to have broad applications. Unlike treatments that target specific genetic mutations, their method has the potential to work on various tumor types. Nicole describes it as using viruses like a “little FedEx delivery truck” that can be engineered to deliver medicine precisely where it's needed in the body.This innovation didn't happen overnight. Nicole, a former professor of virology at UCSF, took the bold step of leaving academia to launch Siren Biotechnology. “I decided to resign from my faculty position and go be the founder and CEO just because I was so excited about the data and what we had so far,” she shared.In addition to traditional venture capital funding, Siren Biotechnology is inviting the public to invest through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign. This unique opportunity allows patients, families, and supporters touched by cancer to be part of their journey. “We wanted to bring patients and their families onto our cap table,” Nicole said. “It's a way to involve them in the conversation much earlier.”Siren Biotechnology's work could redefine cancer care and inspire a new model for patient-centered innovation. With clinical trials just months away, the future looks brighter for those battling cancer—and for all of us who dream of a world where cancer is no longer a death sentence.tl;dr:Nicole Paulk's Siren Biotechnology transforms viruses into targeted cancer therapies with universal potential.The company focuses on recurrent high-grade gliomas, a fatal brain cancer with no standard treatment.Nicole left academia to lead Siren, leveraging her groundbreaking virology research to launch the company.Siren's unique crowdfunding campaign lets patients and families invest in the fight against cancer.Nicole's superpower, fearless innovation, drives her bold mission to revolutionize cancer care.How to Develop Fearless Innovation As a SuperpowerNicole's superpower is her willingness to take bold leaps and embrace the unknown. After spending nearly two decades building her academic career, Nicole left her position as a virology professor at UCSF to start Siren Biotechnology. She explained, “I feel like my superpower is just kind of being willing to jump off the cliff without a parachute and be like, we're going to figure it out. We're going to make it work.”Nicole exemplified fearless innovation when her research led to a groundbreaking discovery about the biology of a virus, one that required rewriting existing textbooks. Initially met with skepticism, her work was later validated and became a foundation for Siren Biotechnology's cancer treatment. This pivotal moment highlights Nicole's courage to challenge conventional knowledge and pursue transformative ideas.Tips for Developing This Superpower:Be willing to question conventional wisdom and explore new paths.Take calculated risks, even if it means stepping away from a well-defined career path.Embrace discomfort and uncertainty as a necessary part of innovation.Engage others by communicating your vision in relatable and accessible ways.By following Nicole's example and advice, you can make fearless innovation a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileNicole Paulk (she/her):CEO, Founder, President, Siren BiotechnologyAbout Siren Biotechnology: We are combining two transformative therapeutic technologies – AAV gene therapy and cytokine immunotherapy – into a single, reimagined modality that overcomes key challenges and redefines how we destroy tumor cells and elicit anti-tumor immunity.This is the first AAV gene therapy drug product that can be made once and used in numerous indications – a huge leap forward for the field. This drastically reduces clinical development times, manufacturing timelines, and capital needs for each clinical trial. Most importantly, ‘universal' means countless solid tumor cancer patients – regardless of tumor type or mutations – may benefit from this breakthrough approach.Website: sirenbiotechnology.comX/Twitter Handle: @SirenBioCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/SirenBiotechnologyOther URL: wefunder.com/siren.biotechnologyBiographical Information: Dr. Nicole Paulk is the CEO, Founder, and President of Siren Biotechnology and has dedicated her career to advancing the field of gene therapy. With nearly two decades of expertise, Nicole has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge advances to propel the field of gene therapy forward for a wide range of diseases.Before founding Siren, Nicole held various leadership positions in academia and industry and most notably was an Assistant Adj Professor of AAV Gene Therapy in the UCSF Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics before leaving to found Siren. Nicole has a B.S. in Medical Microbiology, a Ph.D. in Viral Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine from OHSU, and completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship and Instructorship in Human Gene Therapy at Stanford University prior to starting her lab at UCSF. Nicole is a pioneer in the development of next-generation AAV platforms for gene repair, gene transfer and gene editing, directed evolution for novel engineered capsid evolution, and comparative multi-omic approaches to interrogate translational AAV biology.Nicole is a renowned expert in gene therapy and has consulted extensively for big pharma, written draft CMC guidance for the FDA, and sits on the Scientific Advisory Boards for Sarepta, Astellas, Metagenomi, Dyno Therapeutics, CEVEC, GRO Biosciences, Excision BioTherapeutics, WhiteLab Genomics, Johns Hopkins Gene Therapy Initiative, the Gene Therapy for Rare Disorders Searchlight Program, and several stealth startups. She has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Boston Globe, Endpoints, STAT, Phacilitate, GEN, BioPharma Dive, Evaluate Vantage, SF Business Times, WIRED, Drug Discovery World, MIT Tech Review, C&EN, and more. She sits on the Scientific Editorial Boards of the journals Gene Therapy, Human Gene Therapy, and Biopharma International Gene Therapy. She is the Chair of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Translational Science Committee, and a member of the ASGCT Cancer Cell and Gene Therapy Committee and the Biocom California Cell and Gene Therapy Committee. She has invented numerous AAV gene therapy technologies that have been shared or licensed to dozens of gene therapy companies and nonprofit groups working in rare diseases.Outside of work, you can find Nicole adventure traveling (think whitewater rafting meets backcountry trekking), snowboarding, planning elaborate Halloween parties complete with animatronics and ghoulish menus, tending her vegetable garden, and obsessing over the latest wearable gadgets. If you're trying to track her down at a conference and can't find her, it's because she snuck off to an oyster bar.X/Twitter Handle: @Nicole_PaulkLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/nicolepaulkInstagram Handle: @sirenbioSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Kingscrowd and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, June 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Jason Fishman, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), will lead a session on "How to Spin $1 of Advertising into $10!" He'll reveal proven strategies and marketing insights drawn from years of experience helping successful crowdfunding campaigns. Whether you're a founder planning a raise or a supporter of innovative startups, you'll gain actionable tips to boost visibility, drive engagement, and hit your funding goals. Don't miss it!Join us on June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern for the Superpowers for Good Live Pitch—streaming on e360tv, where purpose-driven founders take the virtual stage to present their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a national audience of investors and changemakers. Selected startups are chosen for their commitment to community, alignment with NC3's Community Capital Principles, and their drive to create real-world impact. Thanks to sponsors DNA and DealMaker, this event is free to watch and amplifies the voices of underrepresented and mission-aligned entrepreneurs. Don't miss this inspiring evening where capital meets purpose—tune in to discover and support the next wave of impact-driven innovation.SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.Join Dorian Dickinson, founder & CEO of FundingHope, for Startup.com's monthly crowdfunding workshop, where he'll dive into strategies for successfully raising capital through investment crowdfunding. June 24 at noon Eastern. Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe
Seven New START UPS To INSPIRE In this episode of Join Up Dots, listeners from around the globe share the powerful changes they've made after a simple realisation: they were the only ones holding themselves back. From cafés in France to community fields in Ghana, they've taken the leap—starting gut health circles, nature-based YouTube channels, creative meetups, and more. Raw, honest, and inspiring, these stories prove that action beats perfection every time. #StartSmall #JoinUpDots #RealPeopleRealChange #TakeTheLeap Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more people and continue bringing you valuable content. See you in the next episode!
In this episode of Franchise Envy, I sit down with Evan Dimov , the powerhouse behind Mr. Electric of Orlando, who went from getting shocked (literally) to shocking the franchise world with his success Whether you've owned 10 businesses or you're just dreaming of ditching your 9–5, this is a masterclass in scaling smarter, not harder. We unpack Evan's journey—from party stores and pizzerias to building a multi-van electrical empire with NO electrical background.✅ Why Mr. Electric was the right move✅ Why restaurants are a trap✅ Why franchise peer groups are your #1 asset✅ How Evan scaled to 7-figures (and what he reinvests in)✅ And why ACTION beats perfection every time
In this episode Jack Altman, CEO of Lattice and host of Uncapped, interviews Marc Andreessen on how venture capital is evolving — from small seed funds to billion-dollar barbell strategies — and why today's most important tech companies don't just build tools, they replace entire industries. They cover:The end of “picks and shovels” investingWhy missing a great company matters more than backing a bad oneThe power law math behind fund size and asymmetric returnsAI as the next computing platform — and a test for Western civilizationPreference falsification, media power, and what founders can't say out loudThis is a conversation about ambition at scale, the structure of modern venture, and the deep forces reshaping startups, innovation, and power.Resources: Listen to more from Uncapped: https://linktr.ee/uncappedpodFind Jack on Xhttps://x.com/jaltmaFind Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarcaFind Uncapped on X: https://x.com/uncapped_podTimecodes: 00:00 What You Can't Say 01:20 Founders, Funders, and the Future 02:00 Fund Size and Power Law Math 06:45 From Tools to Full Stack Startups 10:00 Market Sizing and Asymmetric Bets 13:00 Public Markets Mirror Venture Dynamics 17:00 The Barbell Strategy in Venture 20:00 The Conflict Dilemma in Venture 25:00 Staying in Early-Stage Venture 29:30 The Death of the Middle 32:00 Why It's So Rare to Build a New Top VC Firm 35:00 The Case for Power in Venture 37:45 Limiting Factors for Big Companies 41:00 AI as the Next Computing Platform 45:30 Betting on Startups, Not Incumbents 48:00 How a16z Thinks About Risk 51:00 Building a Top-Tier GP Team 55:00 Taste, Timing, and Getting Into the Scene 57:00 Raising Capital Is the Easy Part 1:00:30 AI's Existential Stakes 1:05:00 Autonomous Weapons, Ethics, and War 1:11:00 Tech, Government, and Power 1:13:00 Media, Mistrust, and Narrative Collapse 1:24:00 Preference Falsification and Cultural Cascades 1:32:00 The Thought Experiment 1:33:00 Career Advice for Young Builders 1:35:00 Marc vs. the Huberman Protocol 1:39:30 What Would Prove You Right? Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
What if the next big wave in marketing isn't about targeting people at all—but impressing their AI agents instead?Abhay Parasnis, CEO of Typeface and former CTO at Adobe, joins us to explain why the future of brand discovery is less “search bar” and more “autonomous agents doing your shopping.” Abhay makes a bold case that most traditional marketing (think SEO strategies, AB tests, and static brand books) is already becoming obsolete. Instead, the brands that win will be the ones building content systems smart enough to speak directly to intelligent agents that buy and sell on our behalf.But this conversation doesn't stop at marketing disruption. Abhay pulls back the curtain on Typeface's meteoric rise, driven in large part by early, strategic partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Google. He argues that AI startups don't need to outcompete the giants… they need to build what the giants can't, and then let those giants bring them customers. It's a refreshing take on B2B growth that flips the usual “go it alone” startup myth on its head.From identifying watermelon metrics to replacing agency workflows with AI copilots, Abhay brings sharp insight, grounded optimism, and just enough heresy to keep it interesting. If you're trying to navigate the chaos of modern marketing, or just wondering what comes after search, this episode is your map. Key Moments:00:00 Abhay Parasnis: CEO of Typeface & Ex-Adobe CTO06:48 Typeface's Vision and Genesis14:03 The Role of AI in Brand Management17:29 The Future of Agencies in an AI-Driven World25:06 Change Management and the Adoption of AI37:46 AI in Campaign Creation and Performance Measurement40:34 The Future of Search and SEO46:53 Identifying High-Quality Content in AI-Driven Marketing48:16 Offline Relationships and Physical Experiences50:47 The Future of Partnerships in Tech59:45 Transformation in the C-Suite01:04:15 Relevant or Not Relevant: Quick Takes01:05:49 The Future of Digital Content Marketing in an AI-Driven World Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.
Igor Vainshtein is a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of GolfTrak.app and Entrepreneurpoly. Born in the USSR and raised in Australia after his family immigrated with just $200, Igor's journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and relentless innovation. With over 20 business ventures—most of them failures—he's built, lost, and rebuilt his fortune, ultimately selling his golf simulator company to GOLFTEC and pioneering new ways to gamify entrepreneurship. Igor's raw honesty about the peaks and valleys of business, combined with his passion for teaching real-world entrepreneurial skills, makes him a truly unique and inspiring guest. On this episode we talk about: The reality behind “overnight success” and why most wins are built on a mountain of failures. How Igor rebounded from 18 failed startups to build a multi-million dollar business. The myth of passive income and what really happened when he chased it. Spotting and recovering from toxic business partnerships. Why financial literacy and cash flow management are non-negotiable for entrepreneurs. How gamification and his board game Entrepreneurpoly teach the hard truths of business. The immigrant mindset, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms. Top 3 Takeaways Embrace Failure as Training, Not Defeat: Igor's story proves that repeated failure is not the end—it's the foundation for future success. Every setback taught him critical lessons that fueled his eventual wins. Cash Flow is King: No matter how innovative your idea, mastering cash flow and financial literacy is essential for survival and growth in business. Build Real Skills, Not Just Hype: Sales, resilience, and the ability to pivot are more valuable than chasing trends or passive income dreams. Focus on developing skills that stand the test of time. Notable Quotes “You just don't know. There's a phrase: ‘It's gonna be alright in the end, and if it's not alright, it's not the end.'” “I wouldn't change a thing because all those little sliding doors moments are why I'm here today.” “If you don't have the basics—if you don't have financial literacy—you ain't going to be doing much willing and dealing. You're going to be broke.” Connect with Igor Vainshtein: linkedin.com/in/igorvainshtein https://x.com/TheIgor https://www.instagram.com/theigorv/ https://igorvainshtein.com/ entrepreneuropoly.com
Today, we're digging into the mailbag to answer some common questions. We hit on how to actually commit to a startup idea when you aren't confident it'll work (featuring the Discipline + Strategy Levers), the most frequent advice I give (feat. Monkeys and Pedestals and Sell the Position), and a question on the startup decision - should you do a thing that'll take 10 years? TackleboxGood Strategy Bad Strategy 00:30 Mailbag01:53 Question One: How to Commit to an Idea03:57 Discipline - Levers and Hooks05:42 Marathon Programs11:30 Strategy - Where to Run19:00 Smooth Jazz19:21 Question Two: The Key Stories20:22 Monkeys and Pedestals23:00 Sell the Position25:07 The $10K Prompt25:53 Question Three: How Old Will You Be?
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview a longtime friend and startup expert Gregory Shepard.Greg shares the story behind his new book, The Startup Lifecycle, which grew out of a four-year research project on why startups fail. With thousands of transcripts and 200,000 case studies, he saw the need to turn complex data into practical tools for founders. What began as a policy-focused effort became a mission to empower entrepreneurs. This led to both the book and his platform, Startup Science, now home to tens of thousands of founders and a growing network of mentors and investors.Greg also shares his startup-style approach to writing and publishing the book. He carefully planned its structure, from parts and chapters to quotes, jokes, and stories, aiming to make it both informative and engaging. He talks about using AI as a helpful editor, while warning against depending on it for original ideas. Greg also outlines his go-to-market strategy, which includes over 700 tactics across podcasts, book clubs, search optimization, and more.Give it up one more time for Gregory Shepard! By treating the book like a product launch, his entrepreneurial mindset shines through, showing that even in authorship, he's all in on impact and execution!Guest Info:Gregory Shepard's Websitehttps://www.gregoryshepard.com/Gregory Shepard's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gregshepard/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/
Send us a textIn this episode we sit down with Alon Joffe, CEO of Israeli AI startup Eleos, for a fascinating deep dive into how behavioral health documentation is being revolutionized. What makes this conversation compelling is learning why Israel has become such a health tech powerhouse - with $1.2 billion in funding in 2024 alone and digital medical records dating back to the 1970s.Alon breaks down how his AI technology reduces clinical documentation time by over 70% for mental health workers dealing with 60-90 minute therapy sessions. The company now serves 20,000 clinicians across 34 states, focusing on the most underserved populations in behavioral health. They explore the stark differences between acute care and behavioral health tech needs, why companies like Epic struggle to cross that divide, and how AI agents are about to transform EMR integration. Plus, Alon shares the dramatic shift from pre-ChatGPT skepticism to today's reality where a quarter of US physicians are already using ambient AI tools.Timestamps:00:00:08 - Introduction and Welcome00:01:02 - Israeli Health Tech Ecosystem and Innovation Culture00:03:51 - Government Healthcare Systems and Innovation Frameworks00:06:09 - Value-Based Care vs Fee-for-Service Risk Models00:09:14 - Introduction to Eleos: Mission and Market Focus00:11:42 - Technology Differentiation and Competitive Landscape00:15:19 - Behavioral Health vs Acute Care System Differences00:16:01 - AI Agents and Job Automation in Healthcare00:18:03 - EMR Integration and the Future of Healthcare Interfaces00:20:12 - Epic's Market Evolution and Platform Strategy00:25:04 - Fundraising Experience and Series C Journey00:27:17 - Technology Evolution: Pre vs Post-ChatGPT Era00:33:53 - Future Plans and Expansion Strategy00:34:57 - Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
In today's 40 Minute Mentor episode, we're joined by Adriana Restrepo, Co-Founder of crypto FinTech, Deblock. Before building Deblock, Adriana spent 3 years at Revolut, overseeing People Operations and holding the COO role. While she never expected to step into a Founder role, today, Adriana is building the world's safest account for seamless management and exchange of crypto and cash, ensuring users truly own their money. In this episode, you'll hear more about the significant lessons she learned during her time at Revolut, the secret sauce that's helping her build and scale Deblock, their impressive funding to date and what the future holds for Deblock and the Web3 space. Episode Chapters: ➡️ From Corporate life to fast-paced Revolut [04:30] ➡️ Fundamental lessons from Revolut [11:30] ➡️ Taking the leap into entrepreneurship [14:00] ➡️ Building Deblock [17:00] ➡️ More about today's sponsor [20:00] ➡️ Co-Founder dynamics & building a team [22:00] ➡️ Celebrating wins [23:30] ➡️ Fundraising & growing a diverse team [26:20] ➡️ The impact of a great COO [35:00] ➡️ The future of Deblock & Crypto [40:30]
Send us a textIn this episode, the crew breaks down the startup ADPs we're avoiding in dynasty drafts—not because we don't like the players, but because the price just doesn't make sense. We talk through the names going too early, the risk vs. reward, and how to pivot to better value picks at similar spots. It's not personal—it's just draft strategy. If you want to avoid early regrets in your startup, this one's for you. -Add Matt Hamm on Twitter:https://twitter.com/crewmatthamm-Add the Craft Man on Twitter:https://twitter.com/CraftmanPackfan-Join The Crew on the Discord:https://discord.gg/NFqzMzmY-Listen to the episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@crewmatthamm-Give us those subscriptions, add the podcast, and give us that 5 star Review!!
Invité, fonction, était l'invité de François Sorel dans Tech & Co, la quotidienne, ce jeudi 24 septembre. Il/Elle [est revenu(e) / a abordé / s'est penché(e) sur] [SUJET] sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au jeudi et réécoutez la en podcast.
What if the culture you're building is quietly holding back top talent? In this episode, hosts Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sit down with Carlo Odicino, MBA—Founder and CEO of One Team Partners—to explore how unconscious gender bias affects team dynamics, pay equity, and innovation in biotech startups. Drawing from his experience working with high-growth companies, Carlo shares real-world insights and practical tools for identifying bias and fostering intentional, inclusive workplace cultures. In this episode, you'll discover: How unconscious bias manifests in hiring, performance reviews, and leadership interactions. Strategies startups can use to identify pay gaps, support equitable leadership, and create feedback-safe environments. Why inclusive culture isn't a “later” priority—and how getting it right early can reduce turnover and accelerate growth. From subtle labels like “bossy” to structural decisions that perpetuate inequity, this episode offers clear-eyed advice for founders and executives ready to build better biotech companies. Links: Connect with Carlo Odicino, MBA, and check out One Team Partners. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
Chris Hutchins is the creator and host of All the Hacks, a podcast that helps people upgrade their life, money, and travel. He previously founded Grove (acquired by Wealthfront) and Milk (acquired by Google), led New Product Strategy at Wealthfront, and was a Partner at Google Ventures. Most importantly, he is the person Kevin Rose and I call if we want to figure how to get a better deal on just about anything in the world, or if we just want to learn about his latest hijinks doing things like getting $200 flights to Japan, running gold pseudo-arbitrage at retail, or dirt-cheap trips to Bora Bora. We cover all three and more in this conversation.Sponsors:Shopify global commerce platform, providing tools to start, grow, market, and manage a retail business: https://shopify.com/tim (one-dollar-per-month trial period)Ramp easy-to-use corporate cards, bill payments, accounting, and more: https://ramp.com/tim (Get $250 when you join Ramp)AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D (and 5 free AG1 travel packs) with your first subscription purchase.)*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim's email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim's books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of Market Mondays, we break down the biggest headlines shaping business and investing. We dive into Robinhood's recent surge after being added to the S&P 500, explore China's dominance in the EV space, and reveal the official lineup for Invest Fest 2025. We also unpack the unexpected beef between Elon Musk and Donald Trump — and its potential impact on Tesla stock.Special guest Paul Judge joins the show to share game-changing insights on startup investing, winning traits of successful founders, and how to spot the next big industry before it explodes. We also cover how to stay ahead of the curve with AI, red flags for entrepreneurs to avoid, and powerful lessons from real-life investment stories. Don't miss the exclusive look at the Invest Fest Pitch Competition!Link for Invest Fest Tickets & Pitch Comp: https://investfest.com#MarketMondays #InvestFest2025 #Robinhood #EVmarket #Tesla #PaulJudge #ElonMusk #DonaldTrump #StartupInvesting #AI #BullMarket #StockMarket #FinancialLiteracy #EarnYourLeisureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/marketmondays/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
While the first family engage in their own memecoin ventures, the crypto market is booming. Crypto expert and host of the podcast Unchained, Laura Shin joins Rapid Response to reveal the sector's emerging economic, political and geopolitical implications. Shin also provides a primer on how to best experiment with crypto today, why Stablecoin is growing so fast, and what Coinbase joining the S&P 500 means for the industry's future.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Erik Muller and Daria Jackson of The FruitGuys, a purpose-driven company providing fresh fruit and clean-label snacks to offices, schools, and organizations across the country.Erik shares insights from FruitGuys' 27-year journey, highlighting its mission to nourish communities, support sustainable agriculture, and create meaningful workplace experiences. Daria, the Snack Category Manager, discusses how she curates their growing CPG assortment, current trends shaping workplace snacking, and what she looks for when partnering with emerging brands.This conversation covers everything from the evolution of office snack programs to practical advice for brands looking to break into corporate wellness spaces. You will gain valuable perspective on what it takes to build a lasting, values-driven food business—and how to get products in front of the right audiences.Don't miss this episode–tune in now!Listen in as they share about:The FruitGuys OverviewCompany Mission and ValuesBusiness Scope and OperationsProduct Strategy & CPG Snack ProgramCustomer Use CasesTrends & Buyer InsightsHow to Work with Fruit GuysOpportunities for BrandsEpisode Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fruitguys/posts/?feedView=all LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herrmuller/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-jackson-44360a136/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics
What makes a great leader in a world moving faster than ever? In this episode, I'm joined by Cerys Goodall—startup whisperer, culture builder, and the “unlikely COO”—to talk about leadership, resilience, and creating companies that thrive from the inside out. Cerys shares her untraditional journey from PR to the C-suite and how startups (and life) are more like puzzles than playbooks. We discuss why culture is your true competitive advantage, how to hire with purpose (not just pedigree), and why five-minute practices can transform your mindset and business.Whether you're scaling a team, pivoting fast, or rethinking leadership, this episode will leave you inspired to lead with more clarity, intention, and heart.
Geoff Ralston, founder of SAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund), and former President of Y Combinator, shares his vision for building a safer AI future. Geoff discusses the risks and promise of AI as a force beyond traditional tools, posing AI as a set of entities that will reshape the way we work, live, and relate to each other. He talks about biosafety, interpretability, and misinformation as key focus areas for innovation. Geoff also shares advice for founders navigating this fast-evolving landscape and reflects on how thoughtful investment today can shape the future of humanity.In this episode, you'll learn:[02:05] Why Geoff believes AI is not ‘just' a tool but a cognitive force reshaping humanity[06:29] The subtle but profound difference between tools and intelligent agents[13:56] Who wins and who loses in an AI-driven future, and what roles must investors play?[20:36] Can we still design a utopian future with AI?[24:06] The types of founders Geoff wants to back through SAIF[26:30] Why mission-aligned safety startups still need product-market fit[28:46] What happens when AI does everything—and what humans will still choose to doThe nonprofit organization Geoff is passionate about: AI Venture LabAbout Geoff RalstonGeoff Ralston is the founder of SAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund) and former President of Y Combinator. A longtime startup investor, entrepreneur, and thought leader, Geoff previously founded Imagine K12, an edtech accelerator later merged with YC. With decades of experience launching and scaling category-defining startups, Geoff now focuses on funding companies that ensure AI becomes a force for good, addressing challenges around safety, security, and the future of human work.About SAIFSAIF (Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund) is a venture capital firm dedicated to building a safer future with AI. Founded by Geoff Ralston, SAIF invests in startups focused on AI safety, biosafety, interpretability, and information integrity. The firm supports mission-driven founders creating scalable solutions to counteract risks and ensure that AI technologies empower rather than endanger society.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.
While the first family engage in their own memecoin ventures, the crypto market is booming. Crypto expert and host of the podcast Unchained, Laura Shin joins Rapid Response to reveal the sector's emerging economic, political and geopolitical implications. Shin also provides a primer on how to best experiment with crypto today, why Stablecoin is growing so fast, and what Coinbase joining the S&P 500 means for the industry's future.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week, in episode 250, we're joined by special guest Alan Pentz, who recently stepped back from his government-contracting business to start the Owner Institute, which draws on lessons he learned the hard way to help business owners scale their businesses. In his new role, Alan has immersed himself in the world of generative AI, and he's come to some intriguing conclusions, one of which is that AI will eliminate most B-to-B agencies—marketing agencies, public relations agencies, professional services firms. Why is that? Because, Alan says, businesses will no longer be willing to pay agencies retainers of $5,000 or $10,000 a month once they realize they can get similar or even superior work from an AI chatbot. “In general,” Alan says, “most technology waves end up with a few big winners, and most people are just roadkill.” To explore the theory that agencies are likely to be roadkill, we invited Jaci Russo, owner of a marketing agency, and Sarah Segal, owner of a public relations agency, to have a conversation with Alan. Spoiler alert: There were no tears, no threats, and no insults.
Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Scott: Bias for actionFirefighters face life-threatening risks every day, and for too long, many of these dangers have gone unaddressed. Scott Holman, CEO and Founder of Red Line Safety, is on a mission to change that with innovative technology designed to protect firefighters in real time and improve their long-term health.Scott, a retired firefighter himself, brings decades of experience to this venture. His company builds wearable devices that gather physiological and environmental data, an advanced communication infrastructure to transmit the data, and a cloud-based dashboard for incident managers to monitor conditions and make data-driven decisions. "We create a solution that not only protects firefighters in real time but also helps them address long-term health issues," Scott explained during this episode of Superpowers for Good.The technology has already proven its potential. In one pilot test, Red Line Safety identified a critical health issue in a 24-year-old firefighter, enabling life-saving surgery. Scott shared, “When you tell firefighters these stories, they can't wait to use the technology. They want to know what they're exposed to, how they're responding physiologically, and they want to create an exposure record.”The market opportunity for Red Line Safety is enormous. Scott explained that the global market for firefighter safety equipment is valued at $20 billion. With patented technology and first-to-market status, Red Line Safety is poised to scale quickly. The company has already attracted attention from national and international organizations.To bring this life-saving technology to more firefighters, Red Line Safety is raising capital through a regulated crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. Anyone interested in supporting this mission can visit s4g.biz/redline to learn more and consider investing.Every firefighter deserves to come home safely. Scott's vision, paired with Red Line Safety's groundbreaking technology, makes that goal closer to a reality.tl;dr:Red Line Safety develops wearable tech and cloud systems to protect firefighters in real time.Founder Scott Holman, a retired firefighter, brings decades of firsthand experience to the company's mission.The technology has already saved lives and provides invaluable data for long-term firefighter health.The $20 billion global market offers enormous potential for scaling Red Line Safety's patented solutions.A Wefunder campaign invites everyone to invest in this innovative, life-saving technology.How to Develop Bias for Action As a SuperpowerScott Holman describes his superpower as a “bias for action.” This stems from his Marine Corps training, which instilled a belief that he could accomplish any goal he set his mind to. “I came out of [boot camp] feeling extremely confident, like there's nothing I couldn't do,” Scott shared. This confidence has driven him to tackle challenges head-on, even in unfamiliar territory.Early in his life, Scott exemplified his bias for action by building a home for his family. Despite having no prior experience, he purchased a kit home, bought land in a rural community, and assembled the house largely on his own. “I realized we needed a house, and the only way I could do it was to build it myself. And I did,” he recalled, inspiring others to take bold steps as well.Tips for Developing the Superpower:Don't talk yourself out of trying something just because you haven't done it before.Believe in your ability to learn and adapt as you go.Build a support system—seek advice and collaboration from others with complementary skills.Don't fear failure; instead, view it as a learning opportunity, as Edison famously did.Take the first step and commit to seeing the project through, even if you need to pivot.By following Scott's example and advice, you can make a bias for action a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileScott Holman (he/him):Founder & CEO, Red Line SafetyAbout Red Line Safety: Red Line Safety is a mission-driven technology company founded by a retired Fire Captain and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, dedicated to protecting those who protect us. We develop cutting-edge wearable technology and deployable communication networks that provide real-time data on firefighter location, environmental hazards, toxic exposures, and vital signs, especially in remote areas without cellular coverage. By equipping incident commanders and safety officers with actionable insights, Red Line Safety enhances operational effectiveness, firefighter health and wellness, and public safety during structure fires, wildland incidents, and all-hazard emergencies.Website: redlinesafety.comX/Twitter Handle: @RLSFireCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/redlinesafety2018Other URL: wefunder.com/redlinesafetyincBiographical Information: Scott Holman is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and recently retired Fire Captain from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, with over 33 years of experience in Fire & EMS. He is the Founder and CEO of Red Line Safety, a veteran-owned, Delaware C-corporation formed on 9/11/2018, dedicated to advancing wearable technology and deployable communication networks for first responders. With degrees in Fire Administration and a proven record of innovation, including initiating the effort to develop a fire service drone program, working to establish a Type II hand crew, and co-creating a leadership program, Scott brings deep industry insight and frontline credibility to the complex challenges facing public safety. His work is driven by a personal mission to prevent line-of-duty deaths and occupational illnesses through real-time data, and to deliver scalable solutions that enhance firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and long-term health outcomes.Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/scott.holman.54Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/scott-holman-2013a93a/Instagram Handle: @redlinesafetyincSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Kingscrowd, and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on June 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, June 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Jason Fishman, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency (DNA), will lead a session on "How to Spin $1 of Advertising into $10!" He'll reveal proven strategies and marketing insights drawn from years of experience helping successful crowdfunding campaigns. Whether you're a founder planning a raise or a supporter of innovative startups, you'll gain actionable tips to boost visibility, drive engagement, and hit your funding goals. Don't miss it!Join us on June 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern for the Superpowers for Good Live Pitch—streaming on e360tv, where purpose-driven founders take the virtual stage to present their active Regulation Crowdfunding campaigns to a national audience of investors and changemakers. Selected startups are chosen for their commitment to community, alignment with NC3's Community Capital Principles, and their drive to create real-world impact. Thanks to sponsors DNA and DealMaker, this event is free to watch and amplifies the voices of underrepresented and mission-aligned entrepreneurs. Don't miss this inspiring evening where capital meets purpose—tune in to discover and support the next wave of impact-driven innovation.SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We'll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we'll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Devin Thorpe is featured in a free virtual masterclass series hosted by Irina Portnova titled Break Free, Elevate Your Money Mindset & Call In Overflow, focused on transforming your relationship with money through personal stories and practical insights. June 8-21, 2025.Join Dorian Dickinson, founder & CEO of FundingHope, for Startup.com's monthly crowdfunding workshop, where he'll dive into strategies for successfully raising capital through investment crowdfunding. June 24 at noon Eastern.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefiting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe
What if your product manager, designer, developer, AND CEO were all AI?In this game-changing conversation, Xiaoyin Qu, Founder of HeyBoss, joins Pankaj Agarwal (VP @PrimeVP_in) to share how she's building a startup where software is shipped in minutes, led entirely by AI agents.Before founding HeyBoss, Xiaoyin was a Product Manager at Facebook and Instagram. Today, she's scaling her company with support from the OpenAI Startup Fund.What you'll learn:
She didn't plan to build a Shopify brand. But a personal problem led to a product, and a product led to an 8-figure company — featured on Shark Tank.Yve-Car Momperousse created Kreyol Essence out of necessity — and scaled it with pure hustle, purpose, and community. From importing castor oil in rum bottles to landing deals with Ulta and Whole Foods, this is a masterclass in bootstrapped brand building.In this episode, Jim dives into the exact moments that helped Kreyol Essence break out — from scrappy product-market fit testing to the growth inflection Shark Tank created. If you're growing a Shopify brand, this one's a blueprint.Topics We Cover:The “hair loss” moment that launched Kreyol EssenceHow to get traction with zero ad budgetCommunity-first growth: what actually worksWhat a Shark Tank feature does for traffic, retail, and teamNavigating growth when your brand outpaces your opsResources:Yve-Car MomperousseYve-Car on InstagramKreyol EssenceJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook
רומי גובס, מייסדת ומנכ״לית Sensi.AI, פגשה יותר ממאה משקיעים לפני שהיא והשותף שלה שמעו את ה״כן״ הראשון, זה ששינה את מסלול החברה. עשרות מצגות פשוט לא עבדו. רומי הייתה בפיץ' מוד: מרוחקת, טכנית, לא מחוברת לאינטואיציה שלה, ובטח שלא לעצמה. במבט לאחור היא מבינה שכל ה"לא" בדרך, עיצבו לא רק את החברה, אלא גם אותה. היא מתארת את התהליך הזה כמו אורגניזם חי, שלומד, משתנה, מתפתח. עד כדי כך, שבפגישה השנייה עם המשקיע אורן זאב, הוא עצר ואמר לה: "משהו בך השתנה לגמרי." מה שהשתנה, היא מסבירה, היה החיבור שלה לעצמה. ההבנה שהיא כבר לא צריכה להחזיק דמות, אלא פשוט להיות.אחרי הרבה זמן היא הרגישה שהיא לא רק מגיבה לשאלות, אלא באמת מנהלת את השיחה. אז איך מגיעים למקום הזה? כנראה שזו דרך שחייבים לעבור כדי להשתנות, ואין ממש קיצורי דרך. ביחד עם נועה מץ, רומי נכנסת לשיחה עמוקה על כימיה עם אנשים, משקיעים, עובדים, שותפים, ועל ההבנה שלא כל מי שמבריק על הנייר מתאים למסע שלך. היא משתפת איך תוך דקות ספורות היא יודעת אם מישהו מתאים לארגון, ולמה דווקא העובדה שהיא לא "חיית במה", עזרה לה לפתח סגנון ניהול אישי ואותנטי. בסדרת ״על הספה״, נועה מץ, פסיכולוגית סטארטאפים, לוקחת אותנו למסע אחר, שחודר מתחת לפני השטח של עולם היזמות ונוגע באתגרים השקטים והמורכבויות הרגשיות שבדרך. להרשמה לאירוע האופסייט של Startup fo Startup בנושא סופט סקילז האזינו לפרקים הקודמים בעל הספה: רן רבנזפט על שתי מערכות היחסים החשובות בדרך היזמית אופיר ארליך - על המנוע הפנימי ליזמות See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Show SummaryOn today's episode, we welcome back a previous guest Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran Advocate Dean Dauphinais. Dean is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and was born and raised on the Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation in North Dakota. Dean and I talk about his work and his role on an advisory committee for PsychArmor to ensure cultural responsivity in content for Native and Tribal Veterans. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestDean Dauphinais served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999 with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He is the President and CEO of Native Eco Solutions, a consulting firm that has a goal of connecting tribal communities with opportunities to improve the quality of life of their people by inspiring collaboration in Indian Country and matching Indigenous values with strong business fundamentals in order to improve tribal communities· Enrolled Member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians· Bachelor of Education degree - University of North Dakota· AA Liberal Arts, Cankdeska Cikana Community College· United States Marine Corps Veteran, Honorable Discharge· National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), member· California American Indian Business Chamber of Commerce, member· Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce, member· Government Contract Consulting, Project Management, Community Organizing, Veterans Advocacy, Nonprofit Leadership& Management· Strong network for collaborations in Indian Country, Veterans' Affairs and underserved communities Links Mentioned During the EpisodeDakota 38 FilmPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's resource of the week is the previous two podcast episodes featuring Dean's colleagues on the PsychArmor American Indian and Alaska Native Advisory group, episode 214 with Dr. Chepa Rank and episode 220 with Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Julia Kelly. You can find the resource here: https://psycharmor.org/podcast/dr-melita-chepa-rank https://psycharmor.org/podcast/julia-kelly Episode Partner: This week's episode is brought to you by Humana, a leading health and well-being company that has joined forces with PsychArmor to develop campaigns and courses that support veterans and their families in achieving their best health. To learn more about how Humana honors and serves veterans visit healthequity.humana.com/veterans Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com
Shane Hicks graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Early in his military career, he took a blow to the head in hand-to-hand combat training that resulted in two torn retinas, a concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After three surgeries, Shane was unexpectedly medically separated and had to fight for disability benefits. He then struggled to build a business within his residual capacity while finding employment opportunities for his formerly unemployed military spouse. Together, they learned the power of relationships and networking. For over ten years, Shane and his wife have helped coach numerous startups and established businesses to grow their businesses. RebootVA.org was established to provide Veterans and their families with the resources they need to grow their own businesses, just like Shane and his wife had to do 25-years ago. Key Moments [05:56] "Arbitrary Fibromyalgia Checklist Concerns" [10:05] "Wife's Wisdom: Go to Doctor" [10:26] "Doctor's Unexpected Discovery" [16:02] "Unavoidable Delays at Fort Sam" [18:46] Veterans' Entrepreneurial Struggles [22:24] "Networking for Startups and Veterans" [25:20] "Elite C-Level Networking Groups" [28:51] "Parent Saves Arm at Dojo" [32:24] Nonprofit Funding Misconceptions [33:43] Giving and Learning for Purpose Find Shane Online https://rebootva.org https://www.facebook.com/RebootVA.org https://wine.rebootva.org If you're enjoying Entrepreneur's Enigma, please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you're getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://gmwd.us/buy-me-a-coffee or support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans. Follow Seth Online: Seth | Digital Marketer (@s3th.me) Seth Goldstein | LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/sethmgoldstein Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound Seth's Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Leave The Show A Voicemail: https://voiceline.app/ee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, I sit down with Sabrina Kautz, a fractional CMO who helps emerging food and beverage brands grow their retail footprint. With a sharp focus on Whole Foods, Sabrina shares tactical strategies to drive sustained velocity—from in-store marketing to managing buyer relationships and executing demo programs that actually convert.We cover:Why velocity matters more than ever at Whole FoodsWhat new brands get wrong about retail marketingHow to evaluate the ROI of promotions, demos, and field marketingBuilding a retail strategy that scales beyond your launchIf you're on shelves at Whole Foods or planning to be soon, this is a must-listen.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.
Intro:This episode is with Shelley Golan, a senior director at a leading fintech company, lifelong horse lover, and multi-time entrepreneur. Shelley shares her journey of reentering the horse world as an adult amateur after a long hiatus: a story that weaves through startups, motorcycles, autoimmune disease, and the pipeline of drawing horses as a kid to becoming a horse person. It's about choosing joy, reclaiming identity, and doing things for no other reason than because they mean something to you.Key topics we discussed:How Shelley went from urban agriculture founder to startup accelerator leader to fintech exec and why supporting founders still lights her upGrowing up horse-crazy in Manhattan, learning to ride in the now-closed Claremont Stables and yes, galloping through Central Park at 10 years oldThe adult amateur's return to riding: the courage to restart, the right trainer fit, and how motorcycles reawakened her horsemanship muscle memoryThe unspoken barriers in lesson barns from saddle soreness to aging school horses and the case for a new model between leasing and buyingWhat it really takes (mentally, physically, emotionally) to become a stronger, more confident rider in your 30s and how intentional strength training changed her seatBonus: We coin the term “horse virus” instead of “horse bug”, because, let's be honest, it lies dormant and then flares up like clockworkSocial media links:Instagram: @horsepeoplepodcastLinkedIn: Shelley GolanIf you've ever felt the horse virus stir in your bones even a little hit that subscribe button and share this episode with someone who's been “thinking about getting back into riding.”
Today, we're talking with Mahesh Guruswamy, CPTO at Kickstarter. In this episode, we discuss: How daily reflection on hard moments helped him grow as a leader—and led to his widely praised book How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It. How Kickstarter went from “printing money” and experiencing “insane” PMF to plateauing - and how they created urgency and competition to quickly turn it around The actual process Kickstarter used to activate its creator and backer communities to shape a better UX, build real loyalty, and re-ignite growth Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshguruswamy/ Website: https://www.maheshguruswamy.com/ Substack: https://maheshguruswamy.substack.com/ Resources How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It: A Manager's Guide, By Mahesh Guruswamy: https://www.amazon.com/How-Deliver-Bad-News-Away/dp/B0D7FHTTNN Tell Your CEO They're Wrong (And KEEP Your Career) | Steve Nash, Dir. Product (GumGum): https://youtu.be/oeEBy8mJfB0 Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:09 Mahesh's Background and Kickstarter Connection 02:08 The Power of Writing and Self-Reflection 04:28 Publishing a Book: How to Deliver Bad News 05:53 Effective Communication and Feedback 06:46 Navigating Tough Conversations 11:03 Kickstarter's Evolution and Challenges 14:16 Listening to Customers and Adapting 19:36 Navigating Market Shifts and Growth 20:34 Prioritizing Customer Feedback 25:59 Building and Engaging the Community 29:54 Competitive Strategies and Organizational Culture 34:05 Leadership and Legacy 37:03 Conclusion and Future Prospects Follow LaunchPod on YouTube We have a new YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@LaunchPod.byLogRocket)! Watch full episodes of our interviews with PM leaders and subscribe! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket's Galileo AI watches user sessions for you and surfaces the technical and usability issues holding back your web and mobile apps. Understand where your users are struggling by trying it for free at LogRocket.com (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr). Special Guest: Mahesh Guruswamy.
What happens when venture capital escapes the echo chamber of hype? In this episode, Leaders on a Mission welcomes Irena Spazzapan, Managing Partner at Systemiq Capital, to uncover how long-term, asset-light investments are reshaping the future of energy, food, and climate tech. Irena dives into founder mindsets, infrastructure bottlenecks, and why chasing trends won't solve systemic challenges. Learn how targeted capital and sharp strategy unlock climate solutions that scale.Tune in for a fresh look at building ventures that last, not just raise.---Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on…YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726…to listen to the latest episodes!00:00 – Systemic change through VC01:15 – Roots of global perspective05:35 – From Goldman Sachs to climate09:00 – Systemiq's three investment themes11:10 – Why asset-heavy doesn't scale13:20 – Enabling the electrification wave16:40 – Startups bridging energy silos18:00 – Europe's smart power innovators20:15 – Beyond the hype cycle24:30 – UK vs US founder mentality28:30 – The VC shakeout explained32:10 – The rise of specialist funds37:50 – Why trust builds valueUseful links: Systemiq Capital Website: https://www.systemiqcapital.earth/ Systemiq Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemiq-capital-earth/ Irene Spazzapan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irena-spazzapan-741a53/Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/Simon Leich's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/
Keshia Theobald-van Gent, Vice President of BDev Ventures, joins EisnerAmper's TechTalk host Fritz Spencer to explore the strategic role of venture capital in shaping the future of startups. Her investment firm, BDev Ventures, focuses on fast-growing B2B software companies in the U.S. and LATAM, from Seed to Series B. In this episode, discover how the firm drives success beyond capital injection by using its proprietary lead-generation platform, WinDifferent, and providing hands-on mentorship. Tune in to learn about how BDev Ventures is committed to delivering unparalleled value to founders in a systematic way.
What habits help you stay positive in the face of overwhelming adversity? At just 20 years old, Hal Elrod was hit by a drunk driver, declared dead for six minutes, and told he'd never walk again. Later, he faced bankruptcy and a rare, aggressive cancer with only a 30% survival rate. Despite these challenges, Hal found the motivation to transform his mindset, conquer the impossible, and create the life-changing Miracle Morning routine. In this episode, Hal delves into the psychology of habit formation and explains how a commitment to the SAVERS framework can boost mental health and unlock peak productivity, especially for entrepreneurs. In this episode, Hala and Hal will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (03:32) Reframing Rock Bottom with the Five-Minute Rule (09:04) Shifting Your Mindset to Overcome Adversity (17:11) The Power of Self-Belief in Achieving Success (19:35) What is the SAVERS Framework? (25:10) Goal-Setting with Effective Affirmations (31:04) The Role of Sleep in Visualization (37:10) How Exercise Fuels Health and Wellness (39:38) Reading and Scribing for Personal Development (45:00) Why Entrepreneurs Struggle with Morning Routines (49:56) A Three-Phase Strategy for Forming New Habits Hal Elrod is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Achieve Your Goals podcast. He is best known for creating The Miracle Morning, a global movement and bestselling book series that has sold more than two million copies and been translated into 42 languages. Hal's SAVERS framework has empowered millions to take control of their mental health, build sustainable habits, and adopt intentional morning routines. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits by going to joinbilt.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Hal's Book, The Miracle Morning: bit.ly/The_MiracleMorning Hal's Book, Taking Life Head On: bit.ly/LifeHeadOn Hal's Podcast, Achieve Your Goals: bit.ly/AYG-apple Hal's Website: halelrod.com Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz: bit.ly/Psycho_Cybernetics The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David A. Whitsett: bit.ly/Marathon-Trainer Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Work-Life Balance, Work Life Balance, Team Building, Manifestation, Time Management, Life Balance, Goals, Resolutions.
In this episode of The Conference Room, Simon Lader welcomes Yichen Jin, co-founder of Fleak, a technology company transforming how enterprises manage complex data transformations. She shares her journey from studying industrial engineering at Stanford to co-founding Fleakafter nearly a decade at Rocketship, a venture capital firm.Yichen Jin discusses her nine-year experience at Rocketship, a venture capital firm, and how it shaped her entrepreneurial mindset.Yichen Jin recounts her journey from studying industrial engineering to founding Fleak highlighting the randomness and serendipity involved.Reflects on the evolution of machine learning as a field and its relevance in today's tech landscape.Yichen Jin Shares the humorous beginnings of creating a venture fund with her professor, emphasizing the importance of innovative thinking.Transition to Fleak Discusses the motivation behind leaving Rocketship to co-found Fleak, driven by a desire to solve complex data challenges.Yichen Jin explains how Fleakwas born from recognizing inefficiencies in data management and the need for better communication between systems.Yichen Jin shares three key tips for aspiring entrepreneurs: avoid attachment to your product, choose the right team, and maintain optimism.Discusses Fleak's mission to create an open-source community in cybersecurity, aiming to protect small and medium businesses.Yichen Jin invites listeners to connect via LinkedIn and mentions her podcast, "Mind Machine," as a resource for further insights.Yichen Jin emphasizes the importance of emotional resilience in the startup journey and the value of celebrating small victories.To learn more about Yichen Jin please visit his Linkedin ProfileTo learn more about Fleak please visit their website.YOUR HOST - SIMON LADER Simon Lader is the host of The Conference Room, Co-Founder of global executive search firm Salisi Human Capital, and lead generation consultancy Flow and Scale. Since 1997, Simon has helped cybersecurity vendors to build highly effective teams, and since 2022 he has helped people create consistent revenue through consistent lead generation. Get to know more about Simon at: Website: https://simonlader.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlader LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/headhuntersimonlader/ The Conference Room is available onSpotifyApple podcastsAmazon MusicIHeartRadio
What if crypto isn't just a speculative asset class—but the next foundational layer of the internet?In this episode, Chris Dixon, founding partner of a16z crypto and one of the earliest, most forward-thinking investors in the space, joins TBPN for a wide-ranging conversation on the real, long-term promise of crypto—and why we're still early.He unpacks:Why stablecoins are already functioning as internet-native moneyHow blockchains can serve as global, programmable financial infrastructureWhy programmability, not just low fees, is the real unlockThe evolving regulatory landscape and new bipartisan momentumThe rise of AI agents, decentralized platforms, and real-world crypto use casesThis episode is about long-term thinking, technical optimism, and building open infrastructure for the future of the internet.Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixonWatch TBPN: https://www.tbpn.com/ Timecodes:00:00 Meet Chris Dixon: Crypto Visionary00:26 The Evolution of Stable Coins02:49 The Future of Stable Coins and Global Payments06:04 Lobbying Efforts and Legislative Impact09:01 Adoption Across Different Sectors11:53 Competitive Forces in the Crypto Market14:37 The Crypto Talent Shortage15:05 Opportunities in the Crypto Space17:08 Crypto Fund Performance19:04 Venture Capital in Crypto23:30 Real World Assets on Blockchain26:34 Social Engineering and Proof of Humanity29:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
In this episode, Dale and Brian kick off a four-part series exploring business stages. Since identifying these stages back in 2016, they've seen them appear everywhere—from ForeverLawn dealers to businesses far beyond their network.This first installment dives into the Startup Stage, where excitement is high, energy is strong, and everything feels new. But without motion, learning, and investment—of time, resources, and commitment—many businesses risk getting stuck here indefinitely.Listeners will hear how this concept first took shape, the personal experiences that led to its development, and why recognizing these stages can help entrepreneurs move forward with greater clarity and confidence.Whether you're launching something new or mentoring others who are, this episode will give you a framework to identify where you are—and what it takes to move ahead.Episode Highlights: Great minds think alike.Quick overview of the stages.The Startup Phase.The potential pitfalls.Moving out of the Startup Phase.Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on ForeverLawn:www.foreverlawn.comImpact Without Limits Instagram: @impact_withoutlimitsForeverLawn's Instagram: @foreverlawnincGet Grass Without Limits HereVisit our show notes page HERESubscribe to Our Newsletter HEREDale's Instagram: @dalekarmieBrian's Instagram: @bkarmieThis show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.
Eric Yuan turned a simple belief into Zoom, the platform that kept the world moving through a once-in-a-century shutdown and redefined modern work. On this episode of Grit, the Zoom CEO shares why velocity beats size, how a family-first ethos powered his leadership during COVID, and why the coming wave of AI dwarfs the original internet boom. He details how he's refreshing Zoom's culture for 7,500 people, opting for virtual deal calls over in person meetings, settling into life as an empty-nester, and keeping Zoom nimble enough to outpace Big Tech and the next wave of AI startups.Guest: Eric S. Yuan, Founder & CEO of ZoomChapters: 00:00 Trailer00:44 Introduction01:47 Walking with swagger03:48 Extremely exciting moment10:05 Classic innovators' dilemma12:59 Laser-focused bandwidth17:56 Family first: lead by example22:09 Everybody was doing their road shows25:34 The entire world was dependent28:04 Community care31:57 Valuation and a co-founder35:17 A lot of unhappy days39:25 Building Zoom for consumers46:57 Holograms?52:01 Home53:23 Huge competition, high velocity1:00:33 Where companies get wrong1:04:52 Giving back1:13:12 Who Zoom is hiring1:13:24 What “grit” means to Eric1:14:24 OutroMentioned in this episode: Webex by Cisco, Glean, Apple, HP, Netscape, Yahoo, Brian Armstrong, Emilie Choi, Coinbase, New Limit, Elon Musk, Windy Hill, Magic Leap, Rony Abovitz, Jony Ive, OpenAI ChatGPT, Bill McDermott, ServiceNow, Carl EschenbachLinks:Connect with EricXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins
William Milliken traded a successful digital marketing career to work on a poop scooping business. Sounds crazy, right? Think again. He turned a $1,000 bet on a Pooper Scooper business into a seven-figure empire, landing an unbelievable 350 recurring clients in his first three months. In this interview with Ryan Atkinson, William holds nothing back. He gives you the exact blueprint for a low-cost, high-margin business that generates predictable cash flow—the kind of recurring revenue that builds real wealth. You'll learn his strategy for getting your first customers without spending a dime on ads, the pricing model that makes this business so lucrative, and why this simple idea is one of the best opportunities in Entrepreneurship today. If you want to learn how to get rich quietly, this episode is the ultimate guide to finding gold in "unsexy" Business Ideas and building a wildly profitable Pet Service right under everyone's noses.Takeaways- Transitioning from a marketing agency to owning businesses can be lucrative.- Identifying market gaps can lead to successful business opportunities.- Building a premium service model can differentiate your business.- Recurring revenue provides stability and predictability in cash flow.- Startup costs for a pet waste removal business can be minimal.- Understanding customer demographics is crucial for targeted marketing.- Effective marketing strategies can significantly boost customer acquisition.- Learning from initial experiences can shape future business decisions.- Seasonality affects customer retention and marketing strategies.- Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurial successTags: Business Ideas, Entrepreneurship, Side Hustle, Pooper Scooper, Pet ServiceResources:Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/4dUfW1q Connect with William : https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-milliken/
Join Brian Rose and Parul Gujral as they dive into the future of Web3