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What separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else? Is it intelligence, luck, timing, or something deeper? In this episode of Everything Is Personal, Len May sits down with entrepreneur, coach, speaker, and author David Greer for a wide-ranging conversation about the mindset, habits, and life experiences that shape extraordinary success. Drawing from decades of entrepreneurial experience, David shares the lessons he has learned about resilience, leadership, risk-taking, personal growth, and navigating uncertainty. He explains why setbacks are often the greatest teachers, how successful people approach failure differently, and what it takes to continue moving forward when the outcome is unclear. The conversation explores business partnerships, delegation, coaching, goal setting, decision-making, family influences, and the personal development practices that have helped David build both successful businesses and a meaningful life. More than a discussion about entrepreneurship, this episode is about the beliefs, behaviors, and perspectives that enable people to grow through adversity and pursue ambitious goals with clarity and confidence. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, navigating a career transition, or simply striving to become the best version of yourself, you'll find practical wisdom and valuable insights throughout this conversation. In This Episode • The mindset of successful entrepreneurs • How to navigate uncertainty and risk • Learning from setbacks and failure • Leadership, delegation, and team building • Coaching and personal development • Goal setting and long-term thinking • The impact of family and early influences • Building a meaningful life alongside business success • Resilience, growth, and continuous improvement Everything Is Personal explores the experiences, challenges, and defining moments that shape who we become. Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. The discussion also covers coaching, business partnerships, delegation, goal setting, personal development, family influences, and lessons learned from decades of entrepreneurial experience. David shares practical strategies for growth, leadership, and creating a meaningful life while balancing business and personal priorities. EndoDNA: Where Genetic Science Meets Actionable Patient Care EndoDNA bridges the gap between complex genomics and patient wellness. Our patented DNA analysis platforms and AI technology provide genetic insights that support and enhance your clinical expertise. Click here to check out to take control over your Personal Health & Wellness Connect with EndoDNA on SOCIAL: IG | X | YOUTUBE | FB Connect with host, Len May, on IG Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
We brought together 14 founders across 13 businesses building on Shopify and asked every single one the same question: How do you know when it's time to pivot? We've put together the playbook for the hardest decisions to make in business—the leap, the kill, the walk-away, and the quiet voice you almost ignored. Featuring Catherine Goetze (Physical Phones), Melanie Bender (LORE), Jing Gao (Fly By Jing), AC Hampton (Supreme Ecom), Melissa Palmer (OSEA), Kevin and Jin Chon (Coop Sleep Goods), Aishwarya Iyer (Brightland), Matt Hassett (Loftie), Vy Nguyen (Avocado Green), Drew Scott (Lone Fox), Sean Reyes (Shock Surplus), Carmen Dianne and Kara Still (Prosperity Market), and Sara Sugarman (Lulu and Georgia). For more: https://utm.io/upFkv Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
What you'll learn in this episode: Why being “60% right and 40% wrong” can still destroy a business The biggest mistake founders make during customer development Why product-market fit exists on a spectrum—not as a yes/no answer The customer development funnel that creates referrals naturally How to know when your product is ready to scale The danger of building based on your own assumptions instead of customer pain Why entrepreneurs struggle to balance confidence with humility The exact questions to ask customers before investing in growth How Uber Eats generated 33x stronger sales results than average clients Why slowing down can actually help you grow faster About Collin Stewart Founder, CEO, podcast host & failed musician How can he help you? Bootstrapped PR to millions in revenue Built a revenue team to 11 Grew 3 companies from $0–$1M as the only sales hire Hosts a podcast with 120+ episodes Nailed product-market fit but whiffed on building it (and learned a tonne from it) Connect with Collin Stewart: Predictable Revenue Founder's Edition The Terrifying Art Collin Stewart LinkedIn Predictable Revenue Podcast
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
What happens when the product that made you famous starts holding you back? Kevin Gould co-founded Glamnetic in 2019 with Ann McFerran, launching a magnetic eyelash brand that exploded from $1 million to $50 million in revenue in just one year — fueled by a great product, smart growth marketing, and the COVID-era boom in DIY beauty. But when the tailwinds reversed — iOS 14 updates sent acquisition costs soaring, the lash category contracted, and revenue dipped 25% — Kevin faced a make-or-break decision. Rather than doubling down on what was declining, he pivoted the entire business into press-on nails, a category still in its infancy. Today, Glamnetic is one of the largest press-on nail brands in the world, doing over $100 million a year. In this episode, Kevin gets real about the unglamorous side of hypergrowth: the cash flow crunches that come with scaling too fast, the inventory mistakes that haunt you, and the emotional toll of watching revenue fall when you expected it to double. He shares how he and his team navigated the pivot, why community and brand affinity will always outlast paid acquisition, and why the best advice he can give founders is: don't grow too fast. You'll learn: Why going from $1M to $50M overnight nearly broke the business How to manage cash flow and inventory when you're self-funded The marketing mix that built a real brand — not just an ad machine Why TikTok Shop is the biggest arbitrage opportunity right now How a 40,000-member Facebook community doubles as a product development engine The one hire every founder should prioritize early on What it really takes — personally and professionally — to turn a pivot into a $100M business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
Elad Gil, investor and author of High Growth Handbook, sits down with South Park Commons Partner Aditya Agarwal to challenge some of Silicon Valley's favorite startup myths. He talks about why you might not actually need a cofounder, why data alone isn't much of a moat, and how the strongest companies build real defensibility while others quietly fall behind.Elad also walks us through his approach to exit hygiene, what the Slack vs. Teams battle says about the power of incumbents, and why some of the worst advice in Silicon Valley isn't directed at struggling startups but the ones already winning. Elad Gil: https://x.com/eladgil Aditya Agarwal: https://x.com/adityaag South Park Commons: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southparkcommons/Apply to SPC: https://www.southparkcommons.com/applyChapters:(00:01:31) - Approaches to starting a company in the age of AI(00:05:03) - The cofounder fallacy (00:06:22) - Winning is the only startup culture that matters(00:08:00) - Why more markets are open right now than ever before(00:10:14) - The oligopoly market (00:21:13) - Product surface area beats data as a real competitive moat(00:24:12) - The failure mode no one discusses: bad advice for working companies(00:32:11) - How many Jensen Huangs are hiding in plain sight right now?(00:40:08) - Pre-scheduling exit conversations as annual board hygiene(00:43:54) - Why micromanagement is actually underrated
Sponsored by Chargebee, subscription and revenue management → check out their startup offer: https://www.chargebee.com/startups Harish Abbott, Founder of Augment https://www.linkedin.com/in/habbott/
Country artist turned entrepreneur Andy Ross joins Main Street Matters to share his journey from bow hunting and television to building American Rebel, one of the fastest-growing patriotic lifestyle brands in America. Elaine Parker sits down with Ross to explore how a passion for music and freedom evolved into a multi-industry business spanning gun safes, apparel, and American-made beer. From launching a brand rooted in faith and patriotism to scaling a company with over 200 employees, Ross offers a firsthand look at the risks, rewards, and realities of entrepreneurship. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Andy Ross turned a TV show and music career into a national brand The story behind American Rebel and its rapid expansion What it takes to compete in crowded markets like beer and consumer goods The impact of inflation, regulation, and tariffs on small businesses Why passion is essential for long-term entrepreneurial success How to inspire the next generation of American entrepreneurs Ross also shares insights on building a mission-driven company, supporting American manufacturing, and why now is a critical moment for small business growth. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, small business success stories, or building a brand around American values, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Rea Ann Silva couldn't patent Beautyblender, so she built brand recognition stronger than IP. Learn how she scaled, without investment, to sales every 12 seconds. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
SaaS Scaled - Interviews about SaaS Startups, Analytics, & Operations
Today, we're joined by Tim Schumacher, Co-Founder of saas.group, a conglomerate of independent SaaS businesses founded by experienced industry veterans with proven entrepreneurial, investing, and product backgrounds. We talk about:The new exit options saas.group brings to startupsGrowing small SaaS companies while preserving what's good & made them strongCharacteristics of successful startups, including lean companies with a very clear focusAdvice for SaaS founders – to sell or not to sell?The SaaS market in Europe
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
How Ouai became a $300M brand by turning customer comments into marketing gold. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
What really happens after the startup advice runs out and founders are left facing decisions no pitch deck ever prepared them for? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Vijay Rajendran, a founder, venture capitalist, UC Berkeley instructor, and author of The Funding Framework, to discuss the realities of company building that rarely appear on social feeds or investor blogs. Vijay has spent years working alongside founders at the sharpest end of growth, from early fundraising conversations through to the personal and leadership shifts that scaling demands. That experience shapes a conversation that feels refreshingly honest, thoughtful, and grounded in lived reality. We explore why building something people actually want sounds simple in theory yet proves brutally difficult in practice. Vijay explains how timing, learning velocity, and the willingness to adapt often matter more than stubborn vision, and why many founders misunderstand what momentum really looks like. From there, the discussion moves into investor relationships, not as transactional events, but as long-term partnerships that require founders to shift their mindset from defense to evaluation. The emotional and psychological dynamics of fundraising come into focus, especially the moments when founders underestimate how much power they actually have in shaping those relationships. A big part of this conversation centers on leadership identity. Vijay breaks down the messy transition from being the "chief everything officer" to becoming a true chief executive, and why the most overlooked stage in that journey is learning how to enable others. We talk about the point where founders become the bottleneck, often without realizing it, and why this tends to surface as teams grow and decisions start happening outside the founder's direct line of sight. The plateau many companies hit around scale becomes less mysterious when viewed through this lens. We also challenge some of the most popular startup advice circulating online today, particularly around fundraising volume, pitching styles, and the idea that persistence alone guarantees outcomes. Vijay shares why treating fundraising like enterprise sales, focusing on alignment over volume, and listening more than pitching often leads to better results. The conversation closes with practical reflections on personal growth, co-founder dynamics, and how leaders can regain clarity during periods of pressure without stepping away from responsibility. If you are building a company, leading a team, or questioning whether you are evolving as fast as your business demands, this episode will likely hit closer to home than you expect. And once you've listened, I'd love to hear what resonated most with you and the leadership questions you're still sitting with after the conversation. Useful Links Connect with Vijay Rajendran The Funding Framework Startup Pitch Deck Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.
The "improve 1% every day" mantra sounds inspiring until you realize it mostly gets people tweaking button colors and reorganizing task managers. Real improvements in early-stage businesses come from unexpected moments—like a single customer conversation that reveals you've been doing something wrong for six months. Instead of chasing unmeasurable micro-improvements, talk to one customer every day. That's where assumptions clash with reality, where you learn their language, and where you discover the insights that actually move the needle.This episode of The Bootstraped Founder is sponsored by Paddle.comThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-1-improvement-myth-why-customer-conversations-beat-micro-improvements-every-time/ The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/433-the-1-improvement-myth Check out Podscan, the Podcast database that transcribes every podcast episode out there minutes after it gets released: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Eleven successful founders reveal their exact playbooks for 2026. Discover AI commerce strategies, slow content that converts, gamified loyalty tips, and community-first growth tactics. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
The entrepreneurial world loves telling founders to "never give up"—but what if that advice is slowly killing your business? In this episode, I unpack why persistence without direction is just expensive stubbornness. The real skill isn't grinding through everything; it's knowing which assumptions to abandon while keeping the business alive. I share why running parallel experiments beats blind faith, and what a Twitter thread about Pieter Levels' "ugly" landing pages taught me about the beliefs we cling to without questioning.This episode of The Bootstraped Founder is sponsored by Paddle.comThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dont-give-up-your-assumptions/The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/432-dont-give-up-your-assumptions Check out Podscan, the Podcast database that transcribes every podcast episode out there minutes after it gets released: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Nima Jalali built SALT & STONE out of his apartment into a $100M+ brand, without ever pitching a single retailer. After an ACL injury redirected his path, he created something he desperately wanted but didn't exist, a high quality, clean deodorant, that actually performs. SALT & STONE has now become one of the fastest growing brands in the space to-date by doing things differently. Even right now, every 60 seconds a SALT & STONE deodorant is bought. In this candid conversation Nima opens up about transitioning from a pro surfboarder into the Founder role, what it takes to build a killer team, and what keeps him going. He reveals the counter-intuitive strategy that got Sephora to come to him, and how he iterated his deodorant formula through 5 generations before calling it perfect. You'll Learn: Why going through 5+ product iterations beats launching "good enough"The digital excellence strategy that makes retailers chase you (not the other way around)How to build legacy brand positioning even as a one-person startupWhy getting a "no" from retailers too early can kill your momentumThe mindset shift from solo athlete to team builderThe key to building a digital identity that inspires & attracts customersCHAPTERS: 00:00 Introducing Nima Jalali, Founder & CEO of SALT & STONE3:00 Transitioning from Pro Snowboarder to Business Owner 4:55 The 5 Generations of Product Perfection6:45 How to Think Like Nike When You're a One-Man Show8:13 What Nima Did to Build a Brand Sephora NEEDS to Have10:09 Steps to Achieve Digital Excellence 12:39 SALT & STONE'S Philosophy on: Ingredient Sourcing, Product Development & Testing 19:06 How to Set Your Business Up to Grow Into a Legacy Brand From Day 1 22:07 The Retail Strategy That Never Fails 28:35 Tackling Global Expansion & Managing Expectations as a Founder 29:55 Single Most Impactful Thing NIma Did in The First 6 Months That Made SALT & STONE Successful Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
What if everything you've been told about "success" is backwards? In this episode, Mark Suster shares a brutally honest guide to becoming successful for ambitious young people trying to break into startups, tech, and venture capital.Mark Suster, Managing Partner at Upfront Ventures, breaks down how young people actually make money and build meaningful careers: by believing in something almost no one else sees yet, developing a unique knowledge edge, and becoming one of the few people founders need to call. He explains why success is less about chasing status and more about owning your niche, doing the hard, unglamorous work, and playing a long-term game.In this conversation, Mark opens up about growing up with limited means, discovering programming, and turning ADHD into a genuine superpower for deep focus and creativity. He talks directly to students, recent grads, and early‑career builders who feel stuck at a crossroads: should you become a founder, join a startup, work at a big tech company, go into VC, or get an MBA?You'll learn how he thinks about luck versus skill, why the “burden of choice” is actually a gift, and how to make the best possible decision with imperfect information—then commit without looking back. He also shares practical advice on how young people can stand out to investors, build real relationships over time, and signal potential long before they have a big exit or fancy title.If you're in your teens, 20s, or early 30s and obsessed with startups, venture capital, or just becoming successful on your own terms, this episode will challenge how you think about money, career, and what really matters.Subscribe for more founder stories, startup tips, and VC insights.
In this episode of the Business of Laravel podcast, Matt Stauffer chats with Joe Rucci, founder of Ghostable and co-founder of Curricula, about his path through entrepreneurship and the role Laravel played along the way. Joe talks candidly about building and selling a startup, what it was like to shift from founder to employee after an acquisition, and why so many great business ideas come from simply listening to people. He also breaks down how he built Ghostable, his zero-knowledge security platform, and how AI has helped him ship faster as a solo developer. Matt Stauffer on Twitter Tighten Website GhostableHuntressCurricula-----Editing and transcription sponsored by Tighten.
A deep dive into data-driven marketing and entrepreneurship with Dr. Alexa D'Agostino, covering two decades of experience and insights.Persistence vs. Delegation: The biggest hurdles to scaling are a lack of persistence for those under $1 million and a CEO's inability to delegate and focus on strategy for those over $5 million.Data is More Than Numbers: Data is defined as buying behavior, what customers hate, when they click, and why they don't buy—it's crucial to listen to what the data is screaming, not to guess.The Shift in Content: Polished, overproduced content is hurting conversions. What converts now is "raw, real, fast, unedited" content like screenshots and behind-the-scenes looks, which builds trust and transparency.AI as an Amplifier: AI will not take over marketing teams but will change their roles, requiring more strategists. AI is only as good as the knowledge it's trained on, and it amplifies what you know.Relentless Execution: Dr. Alexa's secret sauce is "relentless execution"—moving faster, testing faster, and launching, learning, and tweaking instead of waiting for perfection.Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome: Founders should focus on one offer and scale it to the $750K to $1.5M range to ensure enough profit to hire a dedicated team member before expanding to a second offer.Tracking Traction: Traction isn't always revenue; it can be momentum, interest, waitlist sign-ups, or acquisition interest, which indicates the need to pivot or double down.Single Channel Focus: Beginning entrepreneurs should focus on mastering one channel (e.g., TikTok for product, LinkedIn for education) where their consumer is, to build community, drive traffic, and avoid burnout.Top 3 Data Points: The most important metrics to track are Traffic (are they staying?), Conversion Rate (is the campaign working?), and Cost Per Sale/Lead.Low vs. High Ticket Sales Funnel: Social media acts as the top of the funnel to build trust. Low-ticket sales are a volume play, while high-ticket sales require deeper trust and a longer engagement journey (often six months or more).Essential Business System: Every founder needs a CRM (even starting with a basic spreadsheet like Excel) to capture leads, keep them warm, and follow up, as leads don't just "pop up."Value in the Age of AI: The true value an expert provides is in context, knowledge, and perspective, which AI cannot replicate because it has not lived the experience. This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something.===========================⚡️PODCAST: Subscribe to our podcast here ➡ https://elevatemedia.buzzsprout.com/⚡️Need post-recording video production help? Let's chat ➡ https://calendly.com/elevate-media-group/application⚡️For Support inquires or Business inquiries, please email us at ➡︎ support@elevate-media-group.comOur mission here at Elevate Media is to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs elevate their brands and make an impact through the power of video podcasting.Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all our episodes or videos on the Elevate Media and Elevate Media Podcast YouTube channels. https://elevatemediastudios.com/disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
When is the right time to start your company?In this second episode of Building MarsBased, we answer a listener's question that every aspiring founder wrestles with: Should I launch while keeping my day job, or go all in?We unpack the real factors behind that decision: macro timing, industry waves, personal runway, team alignment, and share how we made the call that led to MarsBased.You'll hear why the 2012–2014 window mattered in Spain's post-crisis context, what the “mobile app boom” taught us about riding vs ignoring a hot trend, why nights and weekends rarely scale, and the exact moment (December 2013) we took the leap. We also discuss the investor point of view on “founder commitment” and a practical way to spot opportunities from inside your current company.In this episode, you'll learn how macro conditions shape founder timing, what makes the difference between a viable and an advantaged moment to start, what the realities of bootstrapping look like compared to fundraising, why part-time efforts usually stall and what to do instead, and how to use your current job to validate a real problem worth solving.Support the show
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
One cold email landed Elavi in more than 50 Whole Foods Market stores. Learn the three-step pitch framework that gets buyers to respond in hours, not weeks. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
What does it really mean to “succeed” as a founder or a VC? In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Mark Mullen, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bonfire Ventures, to explore the realities behind startup success, venture capital, and what it takes to build a high-performing team in today's market.Mark opens up about the unrealistic expectations in venture capital, why selling a company for $11M can be celebrated in some industries but deemed a failure in VC, and how the focus on founder personalities has shifted startup culture. He also shares the lessons he's learned growing Bonfire from a solo GP to a team of 11 managing over a billion dollars, and the strategies behind picking founders, understanding their motivations, and making early-stage investments.In this conversation, we cover:- The evolution of Bonfire Ventures and its $245M fundraise- The difference between founder wins vs. VC wins- How capital markets, interest rates, and M&A affect venture returns- Why intuition matters — and how to back it up with real metrics -The qualities Mark looks for in founders and early-stage companies- Lessons from market downturns, COVID, and AI's rise in venture capital- The Palisades fire and how that affected Mark and his familyIf you're a founder, investor, or curious about venture capital, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, mindset, and strategies that shape startup and VC success today.Mark Mullen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamullen Website: https://www.bonfirevc.com/Sean Goldfaden LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-goldfaden Website: https://www.coefficientlabs.com/
We filmed this episode back in May, before Bree welcomed a new life into the world and before Vik lost his mother. A lot has changed since then. As we release it now, it feels more relevant than ever. Drinks With a VC has always been about more than startups and term sheets. It's about the humans behind the headlines, the resilience it takes to build, the humility to grow, the clarity to catch the next wave, and the wisdom to know when to let one go.There's no better guest to rejoin the conversation with than Tae Hea Nahm. He is the founding managing director of Storm Ventures, co-author of Survival to Thrival, and a deeply thoughtful investor, operator, and teacher. From St. Louis to Seoul to Sand Hill Road, Tae Hea has seen it all, and he continues to anticipate the next wave before most founders even paddle out.In this episode, we dive into his Path to Surfing Unicorn framework and why founders need to anticipate the wave before they try to surf it if they want to build category-defining companies.We also get into:
Aleksandra Medina was seeking answers to her own questions about money when she co-founded Frich. Now, through the Frich app, she's tuned in to Gen Z's feelings about money and is helping to inspire more financial confidence, transparency, and know-how. In this episode, Aleksandra shares her story with Truist psychology expert Bright Dickson and money guru Brian Ford. Together, they talk through her experience and challenges as a young tech entrepreneur whose company has raised $2.8 million in venture capital. The discussion covers: • The inspiration behind Frich and how it's designed to drive authentic money conversations• What it's like getting started as a young tech entrepreneur and lessons she's learned along the way• Insights from Frich on Gen Z's mindsets around money and personal finances“Every single day, we try to encourage people to have more honest conversations about money.” —Aleksandra Medina, Co-founder, FrichListen to the episode and let us know what you think: • Leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. • Subscribe for future episode alerts. • Share this episode with someone who could use these tips. This content is provided to you for general information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, investment, or mental health advice. Any views or opinions expressed herein are solely those of the individual guest, and are not the product of, and may differ from the views of Truist. We do not make any warranties as to accuracy or completeness of this information, we do not endorse any third-party companies, products, or services described herein, and take no liability for your use of this information. You are encouraged to consult with competent legal, tax, accounting, financial investment, or mental health professionals based on your specific circumstances.
In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden interviews venture capitalist and angel investor Santhosh Devati (Managing Parter at Anamika Ventures) about the secret to building lasting success. Santhosh, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience, shares the unconventional philosophy that has guided his career and his investment decisions.Santhosh reveals why he believes in "giving without expectations" and explains how focusing on helping others can lead to "wealth as a byproduct." He also dives deep into the art of making the right investment, the common mistakes new investors make, and the major tech trends he's most excited about right now.If you're a founder or an investor looking to level up your mindset and your portfolio, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.Santhosh DevatiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhoshdevati/Website: https://mailchi.mp/233840580357/anamika-venturesSean GoldfadenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-goldfaden/Website: https://www.coefficientlabs.com/#podcast #venturecapital #investing #startup #entrepreneur #business #investment
Strong teams and transformed product practices drive growth. In order to drive outcomes using software and build great product teams, you need to drive speed to value and adapt quickly. The problem is, technology teams and business teams are often disjointed and lack clarity around each other's “why.” Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. In this first part of a continuing series on the Convergence podcast, Ashok Sivanand and Bailey O'Shea, Head of Product at Integral, explore 9 conversations essential for the success of product teams that are too often forgotten. These conversations are cultivated from the years of experience Ashok and the team at Integral have consulting with some of the best product makers in the world. This discussion is vital for product managers and team leaders, offering an in-depth look at the nuanced dialogues that shape a product's journey from ideation to market execution. Learn about the often-overlooked discussions that can significantly enhance agility, speed up market delivery, and maintain team alignment as your operations scale. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Access Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. Inside the episode... Understanding Communication Impact: Ashok and Bailey discuss how insufficient communication can severely affect team dynamics, decelerate processes, and impede agility. Critical Conversations for Product Teams: They highlight the crucial but frequently missed discussions necessary within product teams to prevent bottlenecks and foster a culture of transparency. Methods for Effective Dialogue: They share detailed strategies on facilitating these conversations to ensure comprehensive alignment across roles from engineers to product managers. Practical and Theoretical Insights: The episode offers practical examples and theoretical insights to help listeners understand the application of these conversations in real teams, along with the foundational theories behind their significance. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow. Follow the Pod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/ X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence Instagram: @podconvergence
In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, hosts Niles Overly and Rob Kopp share their experiences as co-founders of Metro Data Centers, discussing their motivations for selling the company, the unique aspects of their business, and the challenges they faced during the M&A process. They emphasize the importance of planning for an exit, effective communication, and the value of seeking professional help throughout the sale process. The conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs considering an exit strategy. Takeaways Always think about an exit strategy from the start. Unique business models can attract buyers. Effective communication is crucial during the sale process. Balancing daily operations with M&A activities is challenging. Seek professional help to navigate the M&A process. Experience plays a significant role in successful exits. Planning financial projections is essential but difficult. Involve trusted employees at the right time. Investment bankers can provide significant value during sales. Understanding the complexities of your business is key. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tech M&A Podcast 00:28 Founders' Backgrounds and Company Overview 01:54 Motivations for the Sale Process 03:10 Unique Selling Points of Metro Data Centers 04:14 Communication Strategies During the Sale 05:23 Balancing Operations and M&A Process 06:32 Lessons Learned and Surprises 07:58 Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering an Exit
Building the Future: Carol Yu on Nurturing China's Tech StartupsIn the latest episode of the Asia Business Podcast, we're joined by Carol Yu, the dynamic founding partner and Associate Dean of Shenzhen InnoX Academy. This episode delves into Carol's journey from her academic roots in Guangzhou, through her formative years in the U.S., and back to her entrepreneurial endeavors in Southern China. Carol shares insights into the innovative model of InnoX Academy, which nurtures entrepreneurial talent and incubates tech startups in a region famous for its rapid technological advancements.Meet Carol Yu: The Visionary Behind InnoX AcademyConnect with CarolCarol Yu is no stranger to pioneering new paths. Her academic journey took her from Guangzhou to the U.S., where she pursued higher education in economics and public policy. Her passion for innovation and education ultimately led her back to China, where she co-founded Shenzhen InnoX Academy with Professor Li Zexiang. Professor Li, renowned for his role in launching DJI, has been instrumental in promoting tech innovation in Shenzhen, a hub for hardware technology.InnoX Academy: A Unique Model for Incubating TalentThe Shenzhen InnoX Academy stands out for its commitment to fostering young talent. Unlike traditional accelerators like Y Combinator focused primarily on product and pitch, InnoX provides a comprehensive nurturing environment. Carol elaborates on the academy's approach: starting with students who often have no clear project idea, InnoX offers a systematic empowerment platform. This includes a talent pool, curated curriculum, supply-chain resources, and a focus on both technical skills and go-to-market strategies.Combating Challenges: Bridging Technical Expertise and Entrepreneurial SavvyA key challenge faced by InnoX Academy is bridging the gap between technical innovation and commercialization. Carol notes that many young innovators possess deep technical skills but lack understanding of market dynamics and business management. The academy addresses this by providing industry-experienced mentors from leading firms like DJI, BYD, and Huawei, who guide students in transforming their innovative ideas into market-ready products.The Hardware Renaissance: Rethinking Global StrategiesCarol discusses the shifting perception of hardware in tech industries. As software business models saturate, the combination of hardware innovation with AI and robotics creates new opportunities. Shenzhen's capability to rapidly iterate and commercialize products presents a distinct advantage. InnoX Academy enables projects to achieve cash flow positivity within 18 months and even bypass traditional funding needs by directly moving towards IPOs.Navigating Geopolitical Landscapes: Expanding Beyond ChinaThe discussion also touches on the global ambitions of Chinese entrepreneurs amidst shifting geopolitical tides. Carol acknowledges the challenges brought by heightened tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Yet, she emphasizes the resilience and adaptability of entrepreneurs in pursuing the lucrative U.S. and European markets through strategic pivots, such as leveraging Singaporean bases or separating hardware and software development.The Role of Education: From Stanford and Harvard to InnoXReflecting on her educational experiences at Stanford and Harvard, Carol praises the environments that shaped her entrepreneurial spirit. Stanford imparted a boundless belief in possibility, while Harvard provided a deeper understanding of global policy dynamics. These influences are evident in her leadership at InnoX, where she underscores the importance of values-driven entrepreneurship and the power of positive societal impact.Conclusion: A Future-Forward Vision for Global InnovationCarol Yu's work with InnoX Academy embodies a forward-thinking model that intersects innovation with cultural understanding and business acumen. She continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs not only to succeed in markets but to create meaningful global impact. As the world navigates complex challenges, the narratives from leaders like Carol provide invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of global business and technology.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:08 Carol Yu's Background and Career Journey05:28 Professor Li and the Birth of DJI10:14 InnoX Academy and Talent Development11:25 Challenges and Strategies in Talent Selection13:28 Empowerment Platform and Curriculum18:09 Shared Factory Platform and Market Integration18:54 Innovation and Industrialization in China24:13 Funding Strategies and Road Shows25:11 Challenges in Hardware Business28:02 Global Expansion and Geopolitical Challenges29:40 Advice for Chinese Companies Entering Global Markets30:44 Impact of US-China Trade Relations ProducerJacob ThomasFollow UsLinkedInApple Podcasts
Had an AHA or Insight? Share it:She's not here to play nice — and she's definitely not here to sugarcoat anything. Laurel Mintz — my friend, favorite bada$$, and unapologetic force of nature — built a marketing agency that's worked with over 400 brands (including Squishmallows) and then decided, screw it, I'm starting an investment fund too. On this episode of the Business Growth Architect Show: Founders of the Future, we kick off our heels and get real. No PR polish. No fake humblebragging. Just straight talk about what it actually takes to leap from marketing maven to GP of Fabric VC.Laurel lays it all out — the fear-based decisions that will sink you, the “dumb money” investors you should run from, and why your inner circle can make or break your business. We go there on the guts it takes to launch a fund, the moments you question everything, and the joy of proving the doubters wrong. And yes, this episode is explicit — because sometimes business talk needs a few F-bombs.She also gets into the current market madness and why most founders freeze when things get shaky. Laurel's take? That's exactly when you double down and go harder. We talk about spotting opportunities before anyone else sees them, pairing capital with hands-on marketing muscle, and playing chess while everyone else is still moving their checkers.If you want the real behind-the-scenes — the messy wins, the hard truths, and the moments that make you pour another glass — this is your episode. Laurel has built two thriving companies, invests in founders who actually move the needle, and knows how to turn chaos into a damn good story.
Today, we talk about the difference between Entrepreneur Brain and Normal Brain. Normal Brain is out to sabotage your startup. We teach you Entrepreneur Brain to make sure that doesn't happen. Tacklebox 10-Day Customer Interview WorkshopAli Abdaal - The Good Student vs. The Good Entrepreneur Mindset (text, Ali's email signup)Graham Weaver - How to Design a Winnable GameDaina Trout EpisodeTimestamps:00:30 Entrepreneur Brain vs. Normal Brain01:50 The $2 Million Dollar House05:30 Customer Interviews Workshop6:06 Situation #1: The Overwhelming To Do LIst10:57 Situation #2: When Things Don't Work13:09 Situation #3: When You Feel Unprepared15:48 Situation #4: When You Are Low On Resources18:17 The End: Lotto Tickets
Send us a textComing to you from Thailand, Richard C. Wilson shares a powerful insight for founders and fund managers: overpromising kills deals. If you're raising capital and making bold claims without checking them against industry standards—or using AI to stress-test your assumptions—investors will go dark on you fast.Learn the simple but critical mindset shift that can help you gain investor trust, stand out from the noise, and avoid sounding like every other amateur pitch.✅ What you'll learn in this video:– Why overpromising instantly ruins investor trust– How to avoid sounding like every other pitch– The easiest AI tool you're not using (but should)– What family offices and real investors really look for
Want the cheat-sheet to turn your startup into a unicorn? Get it here: https://clickhubspot.com/kgh Episode 733: Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) and Alex Hormozi ( https://x.com/alexhormozi ) take questions from callers LIVE. $100M Money Models, launches at a live virtual event Saturday August 16th. Register free: https://register.acq.com — Show Notes: (0:00) Intro (0:16) Caller #1 (12:55) Caller #2 (21:52) Caller #3 (31:20) Caller #4 — Links: • Acquisition - https://www.acquisition.com/ — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies! Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth • Sam's List - http://samslist.co/ My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano
Most startup advice says you need to be "maniacally focused" on one thing. I disagree. You need to balance your focus with some good old fashioned floundering. This episode is about the balance - when to focus and when to flounder - and how to build each skill. We even built a framework to help you out - The Four Rules of Floundering. The Let's Actually Run Customer Interviews Workshop - a 10-day program that'll help you actually, finally, run proper customer interviews. This will kickstart your business. $150 through July 31 with code "EARLY"Flounder Mode 0:00 Let's Run Customer Interviews Workshop01:12 Mailbag02:44 How to Flounder03:56 The Idea: Community Investment Circles07:11 When is it time to become “maniacally focused”?10:35 The Four Rules of Floundering15:26 Floundering's real value: longevity
What if the real secret behind Netflix's success wasn't movies… but data?In this episode of Demo Day, Sean Goldfaden sits down with Petra Griffith, Managing Director at Wedbush Ventures and a former product leader at Netflix and Yahoo, to uncover the hidden strategies that helped Netflix rise to the top—and the lessons every founder needs to know.Petra shares:- How Netflix became a data company (and why most startups overlook this advantage)- The traits great founders share and the red flags that make VCs say no- Why market pull matters more than your idea (and how to know if you've found it)- The #1 mistake early-stage founders make when trying to scale- How she's helping shape the next generation of LA's startup ecosystemWhether you're starting a company, raising venture capital, or investing in early-stage startups, this episode is packed with insights you can't afford to miss.#Netflix #Startups #VentureCapital #FounderAdvice #DemoDayPodcast
One of the most-listened and shared episodes of 2024 - an episode that multiple people reached out months later to say "this single episode helped me launch my business." So, that's cool. It's on standing out in a crowded market, and it's on mice. Specifically, the guy who got rid of ours. There are four lessons, a framework, Customer Journey Mapping and the Feature Fold. TackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup BotSugar (but it stinks)00:30 Intro02:00 We've Got Mice05:15 The Mouse Man's Funnel07:50 Smooth Jazz08:21 One - Build Your Funnel to Match Customer Emotion11:45 Good Questions For Your Funnel12:30 Two - Contrast from the Feature Fold14:30 Saving your Customers a Decision15:53 Three - Take Yourself Seriously19:14 Four - The Things Other People Stink At22:14 The End22:50 Recap of the Four Lessons
In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Jonathan Hung, Managing Partner at Entrepreneur Ventures, to explore why relationships matter more than returns in venture capital.Jonathan shares how he transitioned from family offices and Trousdale Ventures to launching a fund under Entrepreneur Media. From his “dating fund” philosophy to lessons on LP dynamics, founder due diligence, and his upcoming book Your Emergency Contact, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom.Whether you're a founder raising capital, a VC building your fund, or someone curious about how the best investors actually think — this is a must-watch.Topics We Cover:Why follow-on capital depends on delivering results — not hypeHow Jonathan picks the right LPs (and avoids bad partners)What “date before you marry” means in venture investingThe power of media when raising a fundHis upcoming book: Your Emergency ContactHow venture capital changes in your “third quarter” of lifeThe brutal truth about SPVs, bad actors, and partner breakups
In this powerful and no-fluff conversation, George welcomes data-driven entrepreneur and Air Force veteran Collin Graves to unpack the truth about why “Data Over Drama” is the lifeblood of any successful business. With nearly two decades of experience and a portfolio of companies under his belt, Collin breaks down what data really is, why it matters, and how entrepreneurs can (and must) build a relationship with it—before they're forced to.This episode is a masterclass in how to think like a visionary while operating with intention, precision, and sustainability. If you're serious about scaling without losing your sanity (or shirt), this is your blueprint. What You'll Learn In This EpisodeWhy drama-based decisions kill businesses—and how data can be your safety net.The real reason most entrepreneurs fail (and how to avoid it).How to start building a healthy, actionable relationship with your business data—even if you hate spreadsheets.How AI tools can be leveraged to delegate smarter, not harder.The difference between busy work and deliberate work (and why one builds empires).How understanding your numbers can unlock true creative and operational freedom. Key Takeaways✔️Every business problem is a data problem. You already have the answers—you just need to uncover them.✔️The grind is not about busy work—it's about deliberate work. Knowing your data allows you to make smarter, faster, more sustainable decisions.✔️Entrepreneurship is about capital allocation. Time, money, energy—it's your job to invest these wisely.✔️You can love the grind AND be smart about it. Use tools like AI and outsourcing to stay in your zone of genius.✔️Track the flow of your dollars. From sales to customer service to fulfillment—data tells the full story.✔️Don't build a business blind. Start looking at your numbers weekly or daily, even for just a few minutes. Timestamps[00:00] – Meet Collin Graves—data expert, Air Force vet, entrepreneur since 2007[04:00] – Why data is the new oil (or gold) in the age of AI[07:00] – Every business problem is a data problem[11:00] – The cruise ship analogy: small inputs > big overcorrections[15:00] – Knowing your numbers: what matters and why[19:00] – Learning data the hard way vs. by choice[24:00] – Building a relationship with data—what that looks like[30:00] – Two types of entrepreneurs—and who survives[35:00] – What the military teaches you about business (and life)[41:00] – Delegate or die: capital allocation and burnout[46:00] – Micro-decisions and unexpected breakthroughs[52:00] – Why now is the best time to start a business[58:00] – Final words of wisdom and how to connect with Collin Your Challenge This WeekLook at your data.Spend 5 minutes every day this week reviewing one dashboard: your bank account, email open rates, social media insights, or CRM. Start building a relationship with your data—so you're not making decisions in the dark.Connect with CollinOn LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/collingravesCheck out North Labs: northlabs.io Join The Alliance – Surround yourself with data-driven, heart-centered entrepreneurs who scale with clarity and intention inside the Relationship Beats Algorithms™ community.Apply for 1:1 Coaching – Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Get personalized support to build a business powered by real metrics and sustainable strategies.Live Events – Learn how to lead with both your heart and your numbers. Get in the room where lasting impact (and powerful decisions) are built: mindofgeorge.com/event
Send us a textEver dreamt of starting your own business, but feel overwhelmed by where to begin? Or maybe you're already in the trenches, navigating the inevitable growing pains? This week on "The Selling Podcast," Mike and Scott cut through the noise and get real with Aaron Skinner, the mastermind behind unsexybusinessmen.com!Aaron isn't just talking theory; he's lived it. He shares the raw, unfiltered journey of how he built a seemingly "unsexy" janitorial business from the ground up, driving it to remarkable success and eventually a profitable exit. Forget the glamorous startup stories for a moment – Aaron brings practical, actionable insights from the world where grit meets strategy.In this episode, Aaron walks us through everything needed to start and successfully run a business, drawing directly from his own triumphs and challenges. He'll share:The initial steps to take when launching a new venture.Common growing pains to anticipate and overcome.Strategies for driving consistent success in any industry.The ultimate rewards of building something from scratch, including what it takes to achieve a successful exit.If you're looking for honest, no-nonsense advice on entrepreneurship, sales, and scaling a business – even one that might not seem "sexy" on the surface – this episode is your blueprint. Join Mike and Scott for their signature blend of sharp insights and engaging banter as they extract the wisdom of a true business builder.Scott SchlofmanMike Williams - Cell 801-635-7773 #sales #podcast #customerfirst #relationships #success #pipeline #funnel #sales success #selling #salescoach
Most founders don't know what their differentiator is. That's a problem. Today, we walk through two paths to help you find a differentiator strong enough to anchor a business. We also help you root out bad differentiators - the ones that'll just waste your time. There's also a story about a Rabbi's wisdom, a founder making decaf coffee, and a poison ivy company I'm obsessed with. Tacklebox - start your company before you quit your jobHow to Find Your WedgeHow to Use Landing Page Tests 00:30 Differentiator Intro01:45 Rabbi Joke05:15 Smooth Jazz05:45 How to Find Your Differentiator06:46 Path 1: Letting a Customer Tell You11:41 Path 2: Four Questions to Pick Your Differentiator19:32 How to Test Differentiators21:00 The Reality of Differentiators (Downer)22:16 The End - Taking Yourself Seriously
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?
Starting a venture capital fund sounds glamorous — but the reality? It's a long, grueling, high-stakes journey. In this episode of the Demo Day Podcast, we sit down with Rick Smith, Co-Founder of Crosscut Ventures, to unpack why most first-time VCs fail, how to navigate the emerging manager landscape, and what it really takes to build a lasting VC career.Rick shares hard-won lessons from 25+ years in venture, including:- What makes or breaks a fund's first few years- How to raise capital from LPs when no one knows your name- Why early-stage VCs need to swing bigger- The hidden emotional toll of transitioning out of a firm- How Crosscut almost didn't survive Fund IWhether you're a founder, emerging fund manager, or aspiring venture capitalist, this episode is packed with tactical insights, emotional honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of LA's most respected investors.#VentureCapital #StartupFunding #EmergingManagers #VCAdvice #RickSmith #CrosscutVentures #DemoDayPodcast #Founders #TechStartups #FundraisingTips
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
In this episode of Do This, Not That, host Jay Schwedelson interviews Steffen Schebesta, Chairman of the Advisory Board at Brevo (formerly Sendinblue). They explore Steffen's inspiring journey from a teenage programmer to a successful entrepreneur in the email marketing software industry.Connect with Steffen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schebesta/Use code "GuruMedia" for a 50% discount on Brevo's Starter and Business Plan for the first three months. https://www.brevo.com/partners/guru/Best Moments:(01:52) Steffen's current roles and ventures(03:27) The origin story of Steffen's entrepreneurial journey(05:24) Challenges faced during the early years of the business(07:57) Advice for aspiring SaaS entrepreneurs(12:53) The importance of starting small and focusing on a niche market(16:26) The impact of AI on SaaS companies and coding(20:28) Encouragement for others to take the first step in becoming founders=================================================Guest Bio:Steffen Schebesta is the Chairman of the Advisory Board at Brevo, a global leader in email marketing and CRM tools. Starting his entrepreneurial journey as a teenage programmer, he co-founded Newslayer2Go, an email marketing software company acquired by Sendinblue (now Brevo) in 2019. Steffen's extensive experience spans software development, business growth, and startup mentorship, where he advises young entrepreneurs and supports venture capital firms.=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->EVENTASTIC - The worlds LARGEST event about EVENTS! June 5-6 2025Register HERE: https://www.eventastic.com/RegistrationGuru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don't miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1696: James Altucher lays out a raw and honest look at what it truly means to be an entrepreneur, not when you have a business card or a dream, but when you've navigated failure, reinvented yourself, and found a way to earn back trust and money. His insights cut through the glamorized startup myths, offering a reality check that's both sobering and empowering for anyone on the entrepreneurial path. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/you-can-call-yourself-an-entrepreneur-when/ Quotes to ponder: "You're not an entrepreneur when you have an idea. You're not an entrepreneur when you have a business card." "You're an entrepreneur when you make a sale. When you build something valuable." "Every time I failed, I had to reinvent myself. And it was always painful." Episode references: Choose Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Yourself-James-Altucher/dp/1490313370 The Dip by Seth Godin: https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Quit/dp/1591841666 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1696: James Altucher lays out a raw and honest look at what it truly means to be an entrepreneur, not when you have a business card or a dream, but when you've navigated failure, reinvented yourself, and found a way to earn back trust and money. His insights cut through the glamorized startup myths, offering a reality check that's both sobering and empowering for anyone on the entrepreneurial path. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/you-can-call-yourself-an-entrepreneur-when/ Quotes to ponder: "You're not an entrepreneur when you have an idea. You're not an entrepreneur when you have a business card." "You're an entrepreneur when you make a sale. When you build something valuable." "Every time I failed, I had to reinvent myself. And it was always painful." Episode references: Choose Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Yourself-James-Altucher/dp/1490313370 The Dip by Seth Godin: https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Quit/dp/1591841666 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's time for some real talk with Morgan DeBaun. In this episode, Morgan DeBaun answers YOUR questions on everything from startup funding to navigating layoffs. Plus, she shares what's going on behind the scenes with her book launch, pregnancy news, and business shifts. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Updates 00:15 Impact of Executive Orders on Business 00:59 AfroTech Community Growth 02:14 Book Tour and Reader Feedback 05:35 Exciting Personal News 09:47 Fundraising Tips for Startups 14:05 Finding Co-Founders and Team Members 18:24 First Hires and Business Growth 20:47 Work-Life Balance and Company Culture 26:30 Advice for Laid-Off Workers 31:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts In the episode, Morgan covers everything from navigating pregnancy and scaling AfroTech to reflections on her book, Rewrite Your Rules. She also answers audience-submitted questions, giving her opinions on VC funding in today's climate, building a team, balancing “soft life” with startup demands, and shifting through motherhood and entrepreneurship. Whether you're building a business, pivoting careers, or just trying to figure it all out in this wild time, this episode is packed with clarity, honesty, and strategy. Tune in and don't forget to leave a rating and review! Order Rewrite Your Rules: https://www.amazon.com/Rewrite-Your-Rules-Achieve-Freedom/dp/0593725050 Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast Make sure you are following Morgan's journey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_ Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb Produced by MicMoguls.com
Dan Rochon sits down with serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Jeremy Delk to reveal how to identify business opportunities hiding in plain sight. From losing $2 million in four days to building multi-exit companies, Jeremy shares raw lessons about pattern recognition, authenticity, and why most people never make their ideas real. This episode is your backstage pass to understanding how investors really think and how you can get in the room.What you'll learn on this episodeUntapped markets aren't always new sometimes they're old industries approached differently.Most people fail not because of bad ideas, but because of a lack of belief and clarity.Business success starts with solving people's problems, not chasing trends.Pattern recognition is learned from losses, not textbooks.Transparency in leadership attracts capital and people masking your weaknesses repels both.Markets reward disruption especially when others say “that's how it's always been done.”Real growth starts when you stop pretending to be perfect and start owning your gaps.At the heart of this conversation is a simple truth: real business success comes from clearly communicating value and solving real problems. If you're working to sharpen that clarity in your own business, Dan's upcoming book Teach to Sell offers a practical framework to help you attract clients and opportunities by leading with what you know.
In this episode of Demo Day, we sit down with Minnie Ingersoll, Partner at TenOneTen Ventures and host of the LA Venture Podcast, for an insider look at how venture capital is evolving in 2024.Minnie drops exclusive insights on a growing trend: LP sharing - a powerful but rarely discussed tactic that's helping up-and-coming VCs fundraise faster and smarter. If you're a VC, founder, or aspiring fund manager, this episode is packed with tactical gems.We also talk about:How new VCs can build deal flow from scratchThe role of media and personal brand in fundraisingThe biggest red flags Minnie looks for in foundersHer honest take on remote vs in-person startup cultureWhere AI is actually making a difference in VC workflowsHow to get in the room where it happens - and stay thereWhether you're raising your first fund or trying to land your next round, Minnie's advice will change the way you think about investing, networking, and storytelling.Listen to the full episode and don't forget to subscribe for more interviews with top VCs and startup operators.#VCInsights #FundraisingTips #MinnieIngersoll #TenOneTen #StartupAdvice #DemoDayPodcast #EarlyStageInvesting #LPSharing #AIVC #VentureCapital #Founders #DealFlow #PersonalBrand #SeedInvesting #PitchTips #TechStartups #LAStartups