Podcasts about startup growth

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Technology and Operations Expert Issac Hicks about why most AI projects fail — and how entrepreneurs can be part of the small percentage that actually generate real returns. Issac breaks down the gap between AI marketing hype and operational reality, explains why nearly 95% of AI initiatives never make money, and shows what successful AI implementations really look like inside growing businesses. If you're tired of gimmicks and want to understand how AI can truly drive revenue, efficiency, and scale, this episode is a must-listen.

Most founders think they have a sales problem. According to Lou Shipley, they usually have a customer understanding problem.Lou is a 3x CEO, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, former CEO of Black Duck Software, and co-author of Unlikely Entrepreneurs.During his time at Black Duck, Lou repositioned the company from open-source compliance to open-source security, quadrupled revenue, and helped lead the company to a $565 million acquisition by Synopsys.In this conversation, we discuss: Why founders should not hand off sales too early  The real purpose of your first 100 customer conversations  How to know if you're solving a painful enough problem  Why competitive markets can be better than new markets  The go-to-market framework that helped scale Black Duck  How to identify product-market fit before building too much  What causes churn and how to spot it before it happens  Why most founders misunderstand scaling a sales team  The reality of AI and what founders should pay attention to  Lessons from six startups, multiple exits, and decades of leadership This is a practical conversation about sales, positioning, product-market fit, scaling teams, and building companies that customers actually want.00:00 Introduction to Lou Shipley and Black Duck Software02:00 The Black Duck acquisition story and repositioning strategy04:30 Why founders should own sales longer than they think09:10 Learning from customers before chasing revenue12:00 Why competitive markets are often better opportunities15:00 The myth of the young founder and why experience matters18:40 Understanding customer pain deeply enough to build a company21:20 Signs you're building a solution nobody truly needs22:45 Building software for yourself vs guessing what customers want25:00 How Lou repositioned Black Duck around security27:30 Managing vs leading as your company scales31:00 Escaping the weeds and thinking like an investor33:10 The sales framework behind Black Duck's growth39:00 Churn, product-market fit, and customer retention43:30 AI, software startups, and what founders should watch51:30 What Lou learned after running multiple companies57:20 The one message every founder needs to hearUnlikely Entrepreneurs: Wins, Losses, and Crucial Lessons on Building Great Companies: https://a.co/d/0fPfhi1D

What happens when a childhood struggle turns into a business idea that lands on Shark Tank and becomes one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions? In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, I sit down with Olivia Abrams, founder of TickMitt, to talk about how a deeply personal experience with Lyme disease led her to create a product now helping families and pet owners around the world. Olivia shares the real story behind building a consumer product from scratch, navigating years of product testing, launching during the pandemic, and experiencing explosive growth after appearing on Shark Tank. We also dive into entrepreneurship, resilience, branding, and what it really takes to build a mission-driven company in today's world. This conversation is packed with lessons on persistence, problem-solving, and building something that genuinely matters. What You'll Learn How Olivia's personal experience with Lyme disease inspired TickMitt Why solving real problems creates stronger businesses The process of developing and patenting a physical product What it was really like appearing on Shark Tank How TickMitt sold 8,000 units in six hours after Good Morning America Lessons from scaling a direct-to-consumer business How Olivia handled inventory and tariff challenges during rapid growth Why communication and transparency matter in business The importance of building a business around your passions

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

The ideal merchant of record provider evolves with your SaaS company's growth, offering features optimized for distinct needs across various stages. Selecting an unsuitable provider can lead to outgrowing your...

In this episode of Everything Is Personal, Len May sits down with Sri Kaza for a conversation about what gives small businesses their real edge. While big companies often have more money, more people, and more systems, small businesses can move faster, listen closer, and build deeper relationships with the people they serve. Sri shares lessons from entrepreneurship, consulting, leadership, and business growth, unpacking how founders and small teams can compete by staying adaptable, thinking strategically, and making decisions rooted in clear principles. The conversation explores resilience, customer trust, AI tools, leadership development, innovation, and the mindset required to build something that lasts. From consulting lessons to practical business wisdom, this episode is about why being small is not a weakness. It can be the advantage. They also discuss lessons from consulting, leadership development, AI tools, business resilience, and the importance of building strong principles that guide long-term success. 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.

Wondering how AI can actually make startups more productive? In this episode of Crowdfunding Demystified, Salvador Briggman speaks with Richard White, founder of Fathom, about building an AI-powered meeting assistant that has evolved into a company "second brain". Richard shares lessons on productivity, fundraising, and scaling efficiently using AI instead of growing large teams. In this episode, you'll learn: Why startups should prioritize high-leverage work over long-term planning How AI enables companies to scale without dramatically increasing headcount The productivity philosophy behind building a lean, high-performing team Why complexity often signals the wrong solution And much more! Resources and Tools Mentioned: Book a coaching call Subscribe for Weekly Crowdfunding Tips Fulfillrite: Kickstarter and crowdfunding reward fulfillment services. They come highly recommended! Download their free shipping and fulfillment checklist. Free Equity Crowdfunding Course  Equity Crowdfunding Explained  Fathom  EP #514 Wow! The System to Raise $17.3 Million With Crowdfunding | Fathom

In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Jeremy Cabral, co-founder of Finder.com, for a forward-thinking conversation on entrepreneurship, global scaling and the transformative power of AI.Jeremy shares his journey from an early passion for technology to building Finder.com into a global comparison platform used by millions. He reflects on the mindset required to scale a business internationally, the lessons learned through rapid growth and the importance of staying adaptable in an ever-evolving digital landscape.At the heart of the conversation is Jeremy's perspective on success, which he defines as freedom, the ability to design your life on your own terms. He dives into the critical role of SEO, trust and customer value in building a sustainable business, and how Finder positioned itself as a reliable platform in a competitive global market.The discussion also explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence, with Jeremy describing AI as a civilisation level shift that is reshaping industries, workflows and the future of work. He shares practical insights on how entrepreneurs can leverage AI, avoid common startup mistakes and stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.Jeremy also opens up about leadership, emphasizing empathy, continuous learning and building strong teams. He reflects on balancing professional ambition with family life and the importance of personal growth in sustaining long-term success.This episode is a powerful reminder that success is not just about scaling a business, but about creating freedom, embracing change and continuously evolving in a world driven by innovation.Key Takeaways• Success is defined by freedom and control over your life.• AI is a transformative force shaping the future of business.• Scaling globally requires adaptability and strategic thinking.• SEO and trust are critical to building sustainable platforms.• Customer value should be at the core of every business.• Leadership requires empathy and strong communication.• Avoiding common startup mistakes is key to long-term growth.• Personal branding is increasingly important in the digital age.• Continuous learning is essential in a fast-changing world.• Balancing work and family is crucial for long-term fulfilment.ResourcesFinder.com: https://www.finder.comClaude AI: https://www.anthropic.com/product/claudeTwitter: https://twitter.comJeremy Cabral Website: https://jeremycabral.comConnect with Jeremy CabralLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycabral/Twitter: https://twitter.comWebsite: https://jeremycabral.comFollow us on all your favourite platforms:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-successTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspodWebsite: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

In this episode of Strap on Your Boots, I break down the reality behind the AI app-building boom and why so many founders are still struggling to get traction. While tools like Claude, Cursor, and modern cloud platforms have made it faster than ever to build apps, the real challenge hasn't gone away — it's shifted. I share my experience building apps over the past 30 years, how development has evolved, and why “vibe coding” isn't a business model. We dive into the real bottleneck most people ignore: marketing, distribution, and user acquisition. If you're building an app in today's AI-driven world, this episode will change how you think about what actually matters.

Art Levy explains how startups are using artificial intelligence to accelerate growth, improve efficiency, and raise capital faster than peers. He highlights data showing AI‑driven companies are scaling headcount, increasing product velocity, and allocating spend toward platforms like OpenAI and Anthropic rather than purely expanding payroll. The shift points to AI acting as a leverage tool—not a replacement—for human talent.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

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.

For years, growth has been built around a simple idea. Drive traffic into a funnel, move people through stages, convert, repeat. But that model was built for a different time. A time when brands controlled information and buyers followed predictable paths. That is no longer the reality. Today, people explore, pause, research, ask communities, trust creators, and make decisions on their own terms. They don't move in straight lines. They move in networks. That shift is exactly why funnels and pipelines are no longer enough on their own. In this episode, we break down what changed, where traditional models still work, and where they fall short. More importantly, we introduce a new way to think about growth through Conscious Growth Pathways™. Instead of forcing people through linear systems, this approach focuses on building environments, ecosystems, and connections that people naturally move through. It's about awareness, trust, culture, and community driving momentum. We also unpack a six-phase growth cycle that helps identify where your growth is actually breaking and how to fix it, from investigation and initiation to innovation and introspection. If your marketing feels heavy, inconsistent, or stuck, this will reframe how you think about growth and what it actually takes to win today. Beyond The Episode Gems: Buy My Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business: StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with leading CEO advisor Jason Baumgarten about the most common ways CEOs and founders fail — and how entrepreneurs can avoid those traps early. Drawing from years of advising top executives, Jason breaks down leadership blind spots, hiring mistakes, and scaling challenges that quietly derail companies. We discuss how teams can actually make leaders better, what founders misunderstand about growth, and the decisions that separate effective CEOs from struggling ones. If you're building, scaling, or leading a company, this episode will help you recognize failure patterns before they cost you everything.

Joseph Lee didn't follow a straight path. After spending nearly a decade building a food marketplace, he walked away and started over. What came next was Supademo — an AI-powered product demo platform that scaled from zero to $5M ARR in three years, mostly through product-led growth. In this episode, we break down exactly how that happened.We get into: How Supa Demo hit $1M ARR in under a year  The SEO + LLM strategy that drove early traction  Programmatic content and competitor pages that convert  What “product-led growth” actually means in practice  Designing virality directly into the product  Why free users are a growth engine, not a cost center  Reverse trials and onboarding that removes friction  Using AI across engineering, sales, and operations  Real internal AI workflows (including automated follow-ups)  Why most teams struggle with AI adoption  The real moat in a world where everything is easier to build  How to think about pricing without over-optimizing  Why founders should stop overthinking and just start If you're building SaaS right now, this episode is a clear look at what's actually working in today's market — and what's already outdated.

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Matthieu Hafemeister, co-founder and CEO of Concourse. Matthieu shares his journey from growing up in Paris to launching a fast-scaling AI startup in New York, drawing on his experiences in venture capital at Andreessen Horowitz and operational roles at Jeeves. Together, they dive deep into how Concourse leverages agentic AI to revolutionize finance teams—from automating workflows across complex data sources to increasing team capacity and strategic output. Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at Concourse's rapid growth, its recent $12 million Series A raise, and the evolving landscape of AI for enterprise finance. Matthieu also offers insights on the challenges of founder-led sales, best practices for scaling go-to-market, and why staying lean is a key part of their strategy. Whether you're a SaaS founder, finance leader, or simply curious about the future of agentic AI, this conversation is packed with practical lessons and fresh perspectives. Don't miss it! Show Notes: 00:00 "Startup Growth and Complexity Insights" 06:03 Data Integration for Workflow Efficiency 07:36 AI Adoption Accelerates Across Industries 10:59 "AI Automating Workflows, Not Tools" 13:40 "AI Startup's Breakout Journey" 19:47 Evolving Pricing with Token Model 23:26 "AI Impact on Margins" 25:53 Streamlining Finance Team Workflows 27:31 "Custom AI for Enterprise Success" 30:41 "Proof of Concepts Drive Success" 34:38 "Concourse.ai: AI Insights Hub" Links: SaaS Fundraising Stories: https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/concourse-raises-12-million-in-series-a Matthieu Hafemeister's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthafemeister/ Concourse's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/concourseai/ Concourse's Website: https://www.concourse.co/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

Welcome to The SaaS CFO Podcast! In this episode, host Ben Murray sits down with Rishi Grover, co-founder and Chief Solutions Architect at Vena Solutions. With over 15 years of experience in the FP&A technology space, Rishi Grover shares his journey—starting from his early days as an electrical engineer to founding one of the industry's leading financial planning platforms. Together, they dive into the evolution of the FP&A landscape, the growing role of AI in financial planning, and how Vena's unique approach integrates Excel with enterprise applications. Rishi Grover also opens up about Vena's fundraising story, insights on scaling a SaaS company to thousands of customers, and their recent strategic acquisition to accelerate growth. Whether you're curious about SaaS fundraising, go-to-market strategies, or how AI is reshaping finance, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for founders, CFOs, and finance leaders. Let's jump in! Show Notes: 00:00 "Comprehensive Enterprise Planning Integration" 04:55 "Navigating Uncertainty with Strategic Planning" 06:43 AI Trust and Practical Applications 12:48 Startup Growth and M&A Strategy 14:20 "Microsoft-Centric Enterprise Expansion" 16:52 "Unified Approach Across Businesses" 23:01 Driving Growth and Software Adoption 25:59 "Aligning Teams for AI Strategy" 27:57 "Accelerating Clean Data Needs" Links: Rishi Grover's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishi-grover-64480314/ Vena Solutions' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vena-solutions Vena Solutions' Website: https://www.venasolutions.com/ To learn more about Ben check out the links below: Subscribe to Ben's daily metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben's SaaS newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben's SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray

In this episode of Zero to CEO, business coach Edward Francis unpacks the deeper skills entrepreneurs need to lead with clarity, adapt under pressure, and grow sustainably. From cultivating authenticity and mindfulness to harnessing neuroplasticity and equanimity, Edward shares how founders can strengthen both mindset and execution. If you want to train your brain like a muscle and turn stress into strategy, this episode is your blueprint for resilient, purpose-driven leadership.

Why did one health tech startup raise $1 million just days after being rejected? Paul Orlando reveals the "secret signal" that separates massive success from total failure.Paul Orlando (Director of the USC Incubator) once had to choose between two promising health tech startups. He picked the one with more "visible" progress—only to see the company he rejected raise $1,000,000 just one week later. That moment sparked a career-long obsession with the most misunderstood variable in venture capital: Timing.In this episode of Demo Day, host Sean Goldfaden sits down with Paul Orlando to decode the "Strategy of Timing." As a Professor at USC and a growth hacking expert, Paul has seen hundreds of founders launch products that were technically perfect but "temporally" broken. We dive deep into his famous "Why Now" framework and how he identifies winning startups within the USC Incubator before they ever hit the mainstream.In this episode, you'll learn:The "Why Now" Framework: Why timing is more important than your product or team.The $1M Mistake: The specific signals Paul missed in a health tech deal and what he learned.USC Incubator Secrets: What the top 1% of founders do differently to secure funding.Growth Hacking vs. Sustainable Scaling: How to avoid the traps of "exit failures."Regional Entrepreneurship: Why where you build matters as much as what you build.Whether you are a first-time founder looking for startup tips or a venture capitalist trying to refine your selection process, Paul's insights on timing and market signals are essential viewing for anyone in the tech ecosystem.

About Scott KellyScott Kelly is the founder and CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and a long-time operator in the world of startups, sales, and venture growth. With a career spanning more than three decades, Scott began on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, moved into Silicon Valley during the early tech boom, and worked as an investment banker helping technology companies go public. He went on to found and exit multiple businesses, then built Black Dog Venture Partners to help early-stage companies fund, scale, and position themselves for exit.Over the years, Scott and his team have supported companies in raising approximately $5 billion, with dozens of successful exits along the way. He's trained 1,000+ salespeople, taught marketing and entrepreneurship at university level, and built one of the largest investor and partner networks in his space. He also runs VC Fast Pitch, an event platform that connects startups with investors and has helped raise over $130 million through pitch events. More recently, Scott launched the Emerging Managers Podcast, focused on bringing visibility to newer venture fund managers who often outperform larger funds but receive far less exposure.About this EpisodeIn this episode of the Matrix Green Pill Podcast, host Hilmarie Hutchison speaks with Scott Kelly about what actually separates founders and sales teams who grow from those who stall. Scott breaks down the fundamentals behind consistent sales results, starting with a simple truth: sales is a numbers game, and most people don't have a big enough funnel. From there, he shares how founders can build a real network (not just contacts), why relationships matter more than pitching, and what he sees as the most common mistakes early-stage companies make when trying to sell or raise capital.The conversation also explores what makes founders succeed long-term, with Scott pointing to tenacity, humility, and the ability to pivot as core traits. He explains why funding is often treated as a solution when it may only be a symptom, and why strong execution comes down to building the right team around the founder, especially when technical founders lack sales or go-to-market strength.Scott also shares one of his most memorable cautionary startup stories, highlighting how skipping product-market fit can destroy even heavily funded companies. He closes with a powerful “green pill moment” from the third day of his first job, a moment that shaped his belief in grit, opportunity, and never judging what's possible by appearances alone.Quotes2:50 - You need to have a qualified funnel of people in contact because sales is work. You have to be willing to have a large enough network to overcome those objections and be able to go after other people.5:06 - Establish a relationship with them first. Use events, use online social media, concentrate on relationships, not just contacts.6:35 - Have confidence, but have humility, be tenacious, and be willing to change as the market or investors tell you to do so. 9:44 - Build a team around you because investors don't just invest in ideas, they invest in the people who can execute on those ideas.17:39 - Tenacity means being willing to do what other people aren't willing to do. 21:25 - The greatest thing that the world provides us is an opportunity to build a business and build a legacy. It's hard, but don't give up.Useful LinksWebsite:https://blackdogceo.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blaThe Matrix Green Pill Podcast: https://thematrixgreenpill.com/Please review us: https://g.page/r/CS8IW35GvlraEAI/review

In this episode of Zero to CEO, entrepreneur and author Christopher Volk reveals why the key to wealth isn't just a high salary — it's ownership. Learn how becoming business rich by holding equity in the company you build or work for can dramatically increase your chances of becoming a multimillionaire. Christopher breaks down shareholder return hurdles, the five return components of wealth-building businesses, and the financial framework that sets high-growth companies apart. Whether you're a founder or an ambitious team member, this episode delivers a roadmap to financial freedom through ownership.

What if your data platform could power both critical business decisions and real-time product features at scale? In this episode, host Benjamin sits down with Magnus Dahlbäck, Senior Director of Data and Platform at Voi, to explore how a metrics-first approach and semantic layers transform data accessibility, why traditional ML and LLMs require different strategies for different problems, and how to balance FinOps costs while processing billions of IoT events daily. Whether you're building data infrastructure for a high-growth company or rethinking how your organization consumes data, this conversation is packed with practical strategies for unlocking data value and preparing your platform for AI. Tune in to discover how Voi ditched traditional BI tools and revolutionized their approach to enterprise analytics.

Innovation ecosystems in the GCC are often judged by funding numbers and startup announcements.But the real work happens in how institutions, capital, and regulation move together.In this special Qatar Development Bank series of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun sits down in Doha with Mohammed Al-Emadi, Executive Director of Incubation and VC Investment at QDB, to unpack how Qatar is intentionally building its startup and venture capital ecosystem.Rather than operating as a single funding body, QDB plays a lifecycle role across incubation, acceleration, venture capital, regulation readiness, and market access. Mohammed explains how founders are supported from idea stage through to regional and global expansion, with each layer designed to reduce friction rather than add complexity.The conversation explores how Qatar's ecosystem players collaborate closely, why talent and pilot access matter more than market size, and how capital, regulation, and infrastructure are aligned to support long-term innovation.

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.

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.

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

Overview: In this episode, we unpack key takeaways from Workplace Culture, a resource designed for startup founders, early-stage leaders, and forward-thinking HR professionals who recognize that scaling rapidly without a solid cultural foundation is a recipe for disaster. The message is clear: Culture is not a line item to revisit after funding, it's the operating system that determines whether your startup survives, thrives, or crashes from the inside out. As I always say, growth without culture fails. If you're tired of watching talent burn out or team energy fizzle after every sprint, this briefing is your wake-up call. Key Themes and Insights: Why Startups Get Culture Wrong (and Fast): Speed. Funding. Product. That's the holy trinity for most founders, but in chasing those, culture often gets left behind. When culture isn't intentional from day one, toxic behaviors like overwork, communication breakdowns, and "hero" leadership creep in and calcify. Big Insight: Culture is defined by what you tolerate, not by what you write on a wall. It's what happens when you're not watching. That's the truth every founder needs to confront. The 5 Culture-First Non-Negotiables: Values You Can Actually Live By: Your values should drive who you hire, promote, and let go, not just what's printed on the About page. They need to guide daily decisions. Leadership That Walks the Talk: Culture starts at the top. If your leadership team doesn't model integrity, ownership, and vulnerability, don't expect your team to either. Psychological Safety = Speed: When failure isn't punished, learning accelerates. Teams move quicker when they don't fear retribution for mistakes. Sustainable Pace Over Hustle: Growth doesn't have to mean burnout. Smart startups build in systems for clarity, rest, and reflection, so momentum doesn't cost mental health. Rituals That Reinforce Culture: Culture isn't just what's said in all-hands meetings. It's embedded in daily rhythms, standups, weekly wins, story-based onboarding,that scale better than a mission statement. Culture Health Check – Ask Yourself: What gets celebrated on your team and why? What behaviors are you tolerating that go against your values? What emotional experience does a new hire have in their first week? If your answers are vague, your culture is likely running on autopilot and that's dangerous when growth accelerates. Final Takeaway: Culture isn't the “soft stuff.” It's your infrastructure. If you're scaling, it'll either be your engine or your anchor. Make it your engine. Call to Action: Want to embed culture-first practices today? Download the Workplace Culture Blueprint for just $7, built to give you immediate traction. And for deeper support, join our monthly culture-first community where growth-minded leaders come to share, learn, and lead better.

Lou Shipley has led multiple startups to breakout growth ($100M+) and major acquisitions to companies like Citrix and Synopsys. He has taught some of the most in-demand sales and GTM courses at HBS and MIT. In this episode, we dig into the core traits behind Unlikely Entrepreneurs — the title of the new book he co-authored — and why unconventional founders so often win through curiosity, ambition, and determination. Lou breaks down “the problem with the problem,” why the sled only moves as fast as the lead dog, and the essential role founders play as keepers of culture. We explore the patterns he's seen across high-growth companies, the misunderstood craft of sales, and what Fortune 500 innovators can learn from Unlikely Entrepreneurs.

We often think of influencers as people with huge follower counts, but true influence happens at the micro-level, right where your customers and brand evangelists live. This is the realm of Personality-Led Growth, and it's where B2B marketing is headed, but we there's a lot of improvement needed beforehand. On this episode of FINITE, we're joined by Andy Lambert, the entrepreneur who scaled ContentCal to 30,000 users before selling the business to Adobe.Andy has a rare perspective, having seen influencer marketing from both the scrappy startup trenches and the massive enterprise scale:Andy shares the costly mistake of misaligned paid media and how ContentCal pivoted to building genuine advocacy through Community-Led Growth and activating micro-evangelists. He explains how this approach doubled pipeline velocity and average sales price.Now leading product at Adobe Express, Andy reveals how he tackles B2B influencer marketing at scale, moving past simple reach to buying creativity and deep integration. He breaks down their strategic partnerships with macro-influencers like Steven Bartlett to drive unaided brand awareness and embed the product directly into a creator's workflow.If you're looking for practical advice on how to structure, manage, and measure your B2B influencer initiatives—shifting your focus from merely buying an audience to cultivating genuine advocacy and authority—this episode is a must-listen.

Actively Black didn't start with a product—it started with a community. By building a 23,000-person audience before launch, founder Lanny Smith turned purpose-driven storytelling into a $55,000 first day and a $2 million first year. His journey shows aspiring entrepreneurs why demand-first thinking, authentic mission, and smart list-building can change everything.For more on Actively Black click hereYou'll Learn:Why Actively Black built community before developing a productThe email + SMS strategy that led to $55K in sales on launch dayHow to sell $2M+ in your first year—even with constant stockoutsWhy fast growth can be just as dangerous as no growthHow to use storytelling and cultural pride to create brand resonanceWhat it takes to build long-term customer trust without discountingHow Lanny structured partnerships with Marvel, Disney, and iconic estatesThe real math behind inventory planning at scale (and why it's so hard)How to align investors with your vision, not just your bottom lineWhy purpose is more powerful than product in competitive industriesHow Lanny's personal values fuel every decision—from pricing to hiringChapters:00:00 Introducing Lanny Smith, Founder of Actively Black01:02 How a Career Pivot Sparked a $2M Vision01:27 Building 10K Followers Before Launching a Product03:31 Why Purpose-Driven Branding Fueled $55K on Day One06:54 What Selling Out in 3 Weeks Taught Us About Manufacturing10:30 How Actively Black Landed Partnerships with Marvel, Disney & More17:52 The Traits Behind Scaling to 8 Figures and Beyond18:48 What to Know Before Entering the $1.5T Apparel Market19:54 From “No” to $2M: How to Power Through Rejection21:43 Turning a Personal Setback Into Multi-Million Dollar Growth25:35 Why Actively Black Is More Than Just Merch (And Why That Matters)29:04 How Mission and Authenticity Drive Repeat Purchases Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

“So if you take any great startup and look backwards, you'll see that 90 percent of their growth came from like 10 percent of the stuff that they tried. So how do you find that 10 percent as quickly as possible?”Matt Lerner has advised hundreds of startups on how to grow. Now, the CEO of SYSTM has written a book called Growth Levers and How to Find Them where he shares his approach. This episode of CRAFTED. is full of actionable advice on how you can grow your products and companies. Matt will tell us about the mindset shift founders need to make from thinking about their products to thinking about their customers needs. We'll talk about jobs-to-be-done (JTBD) style interviewing and why it's such a powerful approach, but also why at first Matt was put off by some of the overly academic language that often goes with jobs. And we'll talk about how you can get new customers to that aha moment as quickly as possible, so they stick with your product. Plus, lots of real talk about founders and the mistakes they make. ---Featured voices:Matt Lerner (Founder and CEO of SYSTM; the book is Growth Levers and How to Find Them)Me (Dan Blumberg) — I'm the host of CRAFTED. and the founder of Modern Product Minds. HMU if you want to build something great. I love building from zero to one.---And if you please…TAKE THE SURVEY: It'll just take five minutes and these surveys are actually really important for podcasters. Share with a friend! Word of mouth is by far the most powerful way for podcasts to growSubscribe to the CRAFTED. newsletter at crafted.fmShare your feedback! I'm experimenting with new episode formats and would love your honest feedback on this and other episodes. Email me: dan@modernproductminds.com or DM me on LinkedInSponsor the show? I'm actively speaking to potential sponsors for 2026 episodes. Drop me a line and let's talk.Get psyched!… There are some big updates to this show coming soon---Key Moments:(02:10) - 90 percent of growth comes 10 percent of the stuff you try (03:43) - Over-thinkers, under-thinkers, and delegators: the 3 types of founders and the mistakes they make (07:30) - Why the pace of learning is so important (09:41) - Great examples of companies that learn quickly (10:42) - The “locksmith moment” and why you need to find yours (12:35) - Jobs-to-be-Done style interviewing and why it's so effective (13:57) - How to do a JTBD interview (15:05) - The mindset shift founders need to make from thinking about their product to thinking about the customers' needs – and why it's so hard for them to do so (21:14) - Growth Sprints and how to set them up for success (24:57) - Retention and customer activation: still (!) overlooked by most and why it's so critical (28:50) - Matt writes a blog post on the spot about how working at an oil refinery taught him about startups (31:26) - Writing a book is not an agile process! And the fantastic reception for Growth Levers

In this episode, Brendan Hayes, Head of Growth at Astronomic, breaks down how the company delivers an evergreen accelerator model designed for founders who need ongoing access to advisors, investors, customers, and talent. He explains how Astronomic builds a vetted community powered by curated events, warm introductions, and a dynamic platform that blends technology with real-world connection. Brendan shares insights on their product-led growth engine, the role of authenticity in community building, and how data-driven curation creates meaningful interactions that help startups scale. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how continuous support, not time-boxed programs, drives long-term founder success.   

In this episode, Rick speaks with Himanshu Saxena, founder of First Principles, a consultancy and fellowship program focused on helping founders sharpen their messaging through simplicity and structured storytelling. Himanshu shares lessons from building and scaling products across multiple industries and explains why most startups fail to communicate value clearly. He breaks down how frameworks like April Dunford's positioning and Donald Miller's story loop guide effective copy and website strategy, especially for technical founders. Listeners gain insights into using conversations, communities, and AI tools to refine messaging, test content, and build stronger distribution channels. This episode delivers practical guidance for anyone aiming to simplify communication and improve marketing clarity.  

Get 90 Days of Fellow's AI Meeting Assistant FREE at fellow.ai/coo This week on Between Two COOs, Michael sits down with Harris Clarke, COO at GuideCX, to talk about what steady leadership actually looks like inside fast-changing companies.Harris started his career in protocol and operations for the U.S. Department of State, where “process” wasn't just a buzzword — it was survival. He shares how those lessons translate to running a modern SaaS organization and why purpose, process, and payoff are the anchors of any good meeting.They dig into:How government discipline shaped Harris's operating styleThe “three P's” framework for productive meetingsWhy decision speed is overrated — and what Harris means by “Did anyone die or go to jail?”What he learned from executive coaching and board feedbackHow GuideCX built a new product category around customer onboardingHow AI is quietly reshaping how he manages teams and prepares communicationsWhy calm is a competitive advantage during crisis moments like SVBMichael also gives context at the top: this episode was recorded across two sessions, after a recording issue mid-interview (and yes, he's now officially a Riverside convert).It's a conversation about building trust, running tight systems, and keeping your head when everything around you is changing.Harris Clarke on LinkedInGuideCXMichael Koenig on LinkedInBetween Two COO's WebsiteEpisode Website 

Send us a text Every founder and executive dreams of a high-performing team—but most don't know how to build one. In this 90-minute deep dive, we walk you through every step: assessing your current team, finding the right people, aligning goals, creating quick wins, and fostering long-term growth. Backed by global case studies, real-life frameworks, and psychological insights, this episode is your ultimate guide to building a team that actually delivers.  كل مدير أو مؤسس بيحلم يكون عنده فريق عالي الأداء، بس قليل يلي بيعرفوا كيف يبنوا هالفريق. بهالحلقة الغنية، ومن خلال ٩٠ دقيقة مليانة محتوى عملي، منشرح خطوة بخطوة كيف تقيّم فريقك الحالي، تختار الأشخاص المناسبين، توحّد الرؤية، وتخلق نجاحات سريعة، مع خطة تطوير مستمرة. مدعّمة بأمثلة من الواقع، وإحصائيات عالمية، وأطر قيادية مجرّبة. هاي الحلقة دليلك الكامل لبناء فريق فعلاً بينجز.  Support the showSupport the Podcast on:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/okuwatly?locale.x=en_UShttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/MaBa3refSubscribe to Maba3ref Newsletter:https://maba3refbranching.beehiiv.com/Connect with Maba3ref Podcast:https://www.instagram.com/maba3refbyomarConnect on TIKTOK:https://www.tiktok.com/@okuwatly

From hand-folding flyers in an apartment to selling a company for $180M, Frank Greeff has lived the startup journey most founders only dream about. In this episode, Frank shares the story of how he and his brothers built RealBase from scratch - a small signage business that evolved into a tech marketplace connecting real estate agents with all their suppliers. Along the way, they navigated a high-stakes 50/50 merger with their biggest competitor, a potential trademark lawsuit, and ultimately a nine-figure exit to Domain.com.au. Now, Frank is back with a new venture, Kinso, tackling the communication chaos that slows modern businesses.In this episode, you’ll learn: How Frank shifted his mindset to lead a team that could think for itself. The key pivots that turned a small signage business into a scalable tech marketplace. How “firing yourself” from your own bottleneck helped scale faster. Whether you’re scaling your first startup, thinking about a merger, or dreaming of a big exit, Frank’s insights reveal what it really takes to grow, lead, and sell a startup in today’s world. Connect with us:Follow The Lazy CEO Podcast: @thelazyceo_podcastStay updated with Jane Lu: @thelazyceoFollow Frank Greeff: @frankgreeff_See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Revenue Builders Podcast hosted by John McMahon and John Kaplan, Chris Reising, a five-time Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) with extensive experience in scaling sales at early-stage tech companies, shares invaluable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in scaling sales functions for startups. From finding product-market fit to hiring the right sales reps and understanding the importance of pain points, this conversation provides a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses.KEY TAKEAWAYS[00:01:17] In the early stages of a startup, you must wear multiple hats, including being a product manager and a sales professional. Understanding the ICP and gathering customer insights are crucial.[00:02:31] The early days of a startup involve learning every day, attending sales meetings, understanding objections, and identifying the value your technology brings. Effective communication with the product team is key.[00:04:05] Investor relations play a significant role. Early-stage investors look for different data points, and their feedback can be invaluable in understanding market signals.[00:06:11] The importance of prioritizing technology components based on customer pain points and the potential to generate immediate revenue.[00:07:44] Recognizing a recurring pattern in sales discussions where customers react positively to specific functionalities is a sign of repeatability and scalability.[00:09:05] Founders who want to remain deeply involved in the sales process need guidance on when to step back. It's a common challenge in early-stage startups.[00:12:42] Breaking down a grand vision into bite-sized chunks of value that address specific business problems is crucial for achieving repeatability and market success.[00:13:30] Expanding the vision is essential but keeping the framework simple enough for the market and sales team to understand and execute is key to early-stage success.[00:13:50] The importance of focusing sales efforts on the most productive areas and avoiding the mistake of spreading sales teams too thin.HIGHLIGHT QUOTES[00:06:56] "When you start to recognize a recurring pattern...you start to say, 'Now I have some sense of repeatability,' and that's really important."[00:10:08] "There's a huge difference between a first and second-time founder...you need to help them understand that stepping away is an important part of growing the business."[00:13:01] "Recognize you've got to break that big vision down into bite-sized chunks that can be digested by your go-to-market team and by the market, by customers."[00:13:30] "Where are we going to place our salespeople? Where are they going to be the most productive? That's really a key point."Listen to the full episode with Chris Reisig in this link:https://revenue-builders.simplecast.com/episodes/building-a-scalable-culture-with-chris-reisigEnjoying the podcast? Sign up to receive new episodes straight to your inbox:https://hubs.li/Q02R10xN0Check out John McMahon's book here:Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/1K7DDC4 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alexa Ryan left a decade-long career at P&G to launch Bakr, a frozen cookie dough brand built on real butter, clean ingredients, and bakery-quality flavor. What began with Alexa and her husband's hand-scooping dough for 14-hour shifts has grown into the Midwest's #1 frozen cookie dough brand. In this interview - originally recorded at the 2025 Midwest Dairy Pitch Competition in September of this year, Alexa shares how winning the 2023 Midwest Dairy Pitch Contest jumpstarted Bakr's journey and opened doors to major retail expansion. She also reveals the biggest challenges of scaling, the importance of partnerships, and her advice for fellow founders. Tune in to hear how grit, vision, and a love of baking turned one woman's idea into thousands of store shelves nationwide.

Ridge scaled to $5M in revenue per employee using AI. CEO Sean Frank shares his tips on harnessing the power of AI to grow revenue. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Stop making million-dollar decisions alone. Hampton gives you a personal board of eight vetted founders in your city who meet monthly to tackle your hardest problems. Find your group: joinhampton.comAlex Smereczniak built a $100M laundry business and sold 118 franchise locations in just 14 months. But just as the business took off, life hit hard. After a series of personal and professional crises, he stepped down as CEO. Now he's back – not for another big exit, but to fix a franchise industry riddled with bad incentives and hidden fees.Here's what we talk about:Building a $100M brand from a college dorm laundry hustleThe personal crises that forced him to walk awayWhy he thinks franchising is totally broken – and how brokers quietly take 60% commissionsWhat he's doing differently at Franzy: flat fees, transparency, no bullshitWhy he's not taking a salary, even with an $11M net worthWhat it actually costs – financially and emotionally – to scale fastThe moment he knew he wasn't the right CEO anymoreWhy he believes franchising could be the path for millions displaced by AIHow he defines success today: not exits, but impactCool Links:Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/Franzy https://franzy.comAlex Smereczniak https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-%F0%9F%A6%81-40310329 Sponsors:Get US caliber talent at offshore prices with https://www.oceanstalent.com/Achieve your dream body with https://www.dailybodycoach.com/moneywiseProtect your upside and get your time back at https://www.cressetcapital.com/moneywiseChapters:(0:41) Early Entrepreneurship: College Laundry Business(1:31) Selling the First Business & Lessons Learned(2:47) The Moment Alex Reconsidered Corporate Life at Ernst & Young (3:37) Returning to Laundry: The Startup Vision(6:07) Raising Capital & Startup Growth(10:40) Team Building, Hiring Challenges, and Culture(13:15) COVID-19, Franchising, and Business Model Shift(18:21) The Franchise Broker Problem & Franzy's Solution(20:45) Franchising as a Path to Wealth(24:03) AI, Job Displacement, and the Future of Work(28:30) Alex's Personal Wealth, Fulfillment, and Impact(31:00) Reflections on Net Worth, Liquidity, and Success(34:40) Community, Support, and Peer Groups(40:02) The Sweet Spot: Wealth, Happiness & Freedom for FoundersThis podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.Your Host: Harry MortonFounder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

Send us a textWhat if the fastest way to scale isn't hiring more people, but removing the friction that slows the people you already have? We sit down with executive coach and lean practitioner Lorraine Armijos to break down a simple, repeatable way to grow: align strategy, process, and people, then empower the front line to solve problems where the work happens.We start with the mindset shift founders struggle with most—slow down to go fast. Lorraine shows how to define the real problem before fixing it, using observation, data, and root cause thinking to avoid the trap of quick wins that don't stick. From there, we dig into daily huddles and lightweight problem-solving rituals that turn scattered effort into steady momentum. Leaders set direction, teams own the path, and everyone sees how their work ties to clear metrics that ladder up to the company's goals.Lorraine also demystifies lean without the jargon: create value, remove waste, and build a culture where experiments are celebrated for the learning they produce. We talk about the right role for AI—after you simplify—and how to prevent automation from scaling chaos. A real client story shows how five-minute leadership huddles cascaded to frontline stand-ups, improved alignment across departments, and delivered measurable gains in performance and engagement.If you're a founder or operator ready to trade constant firefighting for compounding progress, this conversation gives you practical steps to start today: define success at every level, listen to the people closest to the work, and build a cadence that turns insights into action. Subscribe, share with a teammate who's drowning in busywork, and tell us: what's the one bottleneck you'll cut this week?Reach out to Lorraine and get the free tools here:https://www.larinsights.com/scalingwithpeople

In a departure from his usual role as host, Steve Pockross—accomplished CEO and fractional Chief Growth Officer—takes the guest seat in this episode, with the insightful Suneet Bhatt stepping in as interviewer. This special conversation highlights Steve's frameworks and philosophy for instigating growth in the hyper-complex startup environment. Drawing from a wealth of executive experience, Steve elucidates the subtle art of diagnosing organizational stagnation, orchestrating strategic pivots, and cultivating a culture of continuous learning. As Steve reflects, “The real work of building a company comes from the 1000 micro interactions every single week.” With 1000s of customer and interactions, how do you iterate your way toward the North Star of growth - and still make it feel like this ongoing hard work has the drama of pivots? This episode is essential listening for founders, operators, and investors seeking not just growth, but enduring transformation.About SteveSteve Pockross is a seasoned CEO and fractional Chief Growth Officer renowned for guiding founders and leadership teams through the ambiguous, high-stakes moments that follow early startup success. His unique expertise lies in diagnosing the root causes of stalled growth—whether in sales, marketing, leadership, or product-market fit—and crafting practical, actionable strategies that drive real results. Steve's approach is both analytical and empathetic: he excels at building cultures of trust, aligning teams around a clear North Star, and breaks down complex challenges into manageable footholds. He is especially effective with founders who are “stuck” after initial traction, ambitious to scale, and open to transformative change. Steve's ideal clients are growth-stage startups or founder-led companies seeking a trusted advisor to help them prioritize, pivot, and unlock their next phase of sustainable growth. www.practicalpivots.co

When Charlie Ward built Ramen Club (an online community for SaaS founders) and Ramen Space (a physical coworking hub in London), he found himself running two thriving but different businesses—one online, one offline.In this Hidden Value conversation, David Sherry and Charlie explore what it takes to scale a hybrid business model, balancing physical operations with digital growth. Together, they unpack how sequencing, delegation, and education can unlock new levels of scale—without taking on unnecessary risk.Charlie shares how he's reframing growth from “open another space” to “build digital leverage”, and why his sweet spot lies in teaching founders how to find and validate ideas through smart market research.Key Takeaways• A hybrid model can leverage the best of online and offline communities.• Scaling a physical business requires different strategies than scaling digital.• Educational content creates scalable, de-risked growth opportunities.• Market research should come before user research when validating ideas.• Finding your “sweet spot” means aligning business potential, customer need, and personal excitement.

In this episode of The Digital Executive, host Brian Thomas welcomes Tetiana (Tanya) Kobzar, founder of Diversido, an award-winning software development company supporting 65+ startups across HealthTech, EdTech, and IoT. With a master's in computer science and over 15 years of experience bridging technology and business outcomes, Tetiana shares how she helps founders turn great ideas into products people truly want to use.Tetiana discusses her transition from hands-on coder to business leader and what it takes to delegate, build trust, and lead with vision. She dives deep into gamification and behavioral design, explaining how emotional engagement—not just functionality—drives long-term user success. From helping kids improve speech through playful therapy to keeping seniors motivated in cognitive health apps, her work proves gamification has no age limits.She also unpacks her data-first philosophy: “You can't improve what you don't measure.” Tetiana reveals how user logs, analytics, and heatmaps uncover hidden insights that drive product evolution. For early-stage founders, she stresses the power of starting lean—building a minimum viable product (MVP), measuring impact, and pivoting quickly when needed.Whether you're a product strategist, developer, or startup founder, Tetiana's insights offer a masterclass in human-centered product design and smart, scalable innovation.If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like you're trying to juggle it all—growing a business, being present with your family, staying healthy, and somehow keeping your sanity intact? In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I sit down with Jason Bronstad, CEO of Malk Organics, to talk about sustainable business growth, intentional living, and why self-love and family must come first. Jason's story is real, raw, and full of wisdom for anyone navigating the tightrope between ambition and intentional living.Jason has led Malk Organics through incredible growth—scaling from just over 1,200 stores to more than 15,000 nationwide. But his journey isn't just about impressive numbers. It's about hitting rock bottom, finding self-love, and redefining success through family, health, and community. He's not just building a sustainable company; he's building a sustainable life. And that's why his message matters—because it reminds us that Happy Hutslin' is possible when your values align with your vision.Some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation? First, Jason reminds us that family should always come before business. It's easy to get lost in work, but at the end of the day, it's your loved ones who matter most. Second, he talks about the power of intentionality—not just in how you run your business, but in how you live your life. Third, Jason shares his personal journey of overcoming rock bottom moments and finding self-love, a powerful reminder that success starts on the inside. We also dive into lessons on raising capital with clarity, building a culture that celebrates individual dreams, and keeping your team focused and accountable. And maybe my favorite nugget—Jason believes you can have fun doing hard work. Hustling doesn't have to mean misery.This episode is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and life. If you've ever wondered how to balance building something great without sacrificing what matters most, this one's for you. -In this episode, we cover: -Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship -The Importance of Intentional Planning -Overcoming Misconceptions in Professional Identity -The Journey to Self-Love and Acceptance -Navigating Rock Bottom and Seeking Help -The Weight of Masculinity and Emotional Health -The Entrepreneurial Journey of Malk Organics -Leadership and Team Dynamics -Capital Growth and Future Vision -Transitioning Leadership and Investor Relations -The Complexities of Raising Capital -Understanding Proof Points for Success -Building a Sustainable Company -The Long Game in Business Decisions -Aligning Personal Values with Business Goals -Cultivating Company Culture through Dreams -Celebrating Wins and Building CommunityWhat does Happy Hustlin mean to you? Jason says it means going to find that thing that lights you up from the inside, where you actually can go inspire others to go live a good life. Connect with Jasonhttps://www.facebook.com/MALKORGANICS/https://www.instagram.com/MALKORGANICS/https://www.tiktok.com/@malkorganicsFind Jason on this website: www.malkorganics.comConnect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featured Get a free copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance https://www.thehappyhustle.com/bookSign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Coursehttps://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventurehttps://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/“It's time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”Episode Sponsors:If you're feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy's been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that's been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers. This ain't your average magnesium—it's got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all nightIf you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.99 Designs- Need a killer logo, stunning website, or next-level brand design?Stop DIY-ing and start delegating like a boss with 99designs by Vista! Neurable- If you're looking to level up your focus, productivity, and mental wellbeing all at once, do yourself a favor and check out Neurable. You get a special hookup—just use the code HAPPY at checkout and get $100 off.

Today, we build a machine to help you actually run customer interviews.We'll use AI to tackle the big blockers—accountability, CRM setup, outreach, transcription, and even how to pick your first customer. You'll hear the idea Brian is testing with the interview machine, and we'll walk through exactly how AI can make the process faster, more uncomfortable (in the right way), and a lot more effective. Plus, a bit on creativity and being human.Tacklebox Customer Interview Workshop (starts 9/15)ClaudeCalendlyGranola00:00 Intro00:30 Avoiding Criticism04:08 The Job of Customer Interviews09:12 Smooth Jazz09:30 Whisper Ideas11:35 The Idea:15:35 The AI Interview Machine17:34 Accountability19:13 Top of Funnel Outreach21:18 Interview Execution22:39 Synthesis23:43 The End

In this episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Leader welcomes a panel of distinguished guests from diverse business backgrounds to discuss critical topics affecting entrepreneurs and business leaders in 2025. The conversation covers the evolving nature of recruitment, startup growth strategies, the impact of chronic stress and burnout, leveraging AI for business efficiency, leadership challenges, and the importance of culture and accountability in organizations.Key Moments:1. Recruitment and Talent Acquisition2. Startup Growth and Experimentation3. Burnout and Chronic Stress4. AI and Content Creation5. Leadership and Team Management6. Culture and AccountabilityYOUR 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

Andrew Yeung is a former Google PM turned event powerhouse who built a $1M+ business by hosting curated IRL experiences. After quitting Google with $0 in income and a visa that required him to earn fast, Andrew went all-in on community-building through tech events, dinners, and conferences.You'll learn:How Andrew made $400K in just two months post-GoogleThe exact playbook that gets sponsors to pay him to host eventsHow he runs 100+ events a year for 20,000+ people with a lean teamWhy IRL is outperforming digital in the AI ageHis underrated growth channels: Luma, email, and word-of-mouthHow to turn your network and curiosity into a real businessWhere to Find Andrewhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andyeung/https://www.instagram.com/andrew.today/?hl=enhttps://www.andrewyeung.co/https://x.com/andruyeung?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthorhttps://www.instagram.com/andrewsmixers/?hl=enhttps://www.andrew.today/Follow Ish Instagram X Linkedin Website Subscribe to Internet Empires on YouTube

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