Podcasts about startup life

On today's Episode Shanta Author Ben Wiener who is a Venture Capitalist and managing partner who shares H.E.A.R.T, if you are an Entrepreneur, Business owner or not, this is an Episode that will help those who have a big dream or a big idea and you are ready to Pitch the investor.  Ben also shares his experience when he was in a position to have to Pitch his ideas from an investor. Learn H.E.A.R.T  framework—the 5 essential elements of a pitch that mirrors how venture capitalists evaluate deals.Real startup struggles like entrepreneur stress, setbacks, how to overcome failure, and how to set up your startup for pitch success.The mindset shift founders must make to win investor trust.What actually happens when your pitch deck sounds smart—but not investable.Connect with Ben:Website: https://www.benwiener.net/Social Media: LinkedIn | XApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Spreaker | Castbox and more. Connect with the host:Instagram: @AuthenticTalks2.0 Email: AuthenticShanta@gmail.com Website: www.AuthenticTalks2.com Facebook: AuthenticTalks2 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/authentic-talks-2-0-with-shanta--4116672/support.

In this episode of My Fame, Explained, host Larry Gilbert sits down with Nicola Gunby, co-founder of the fast-growing social networking app CLIQ—a platform built to solve the loneliness epidemic by bringing people together through shared interests and real-life community events.Nicola opens up about her journey from feeling isolated after moving to London post-pandemic, to launching a global app that's now connecting over 100,000 users worldwide. She shares how her background as a beauty entrepreneur helped shape her career in tech, why traditional social media falls short when it comes to real connection, and what it truly means to build community in today's digital world.We dive into her early life in Nottingham, her transition from makeup artist to tech founder, and the personal challenges that inspired her to turn a problem into a purpose-driven startup. Plus, Nicola reveals what's next for CLIQ in 2024 and how she's working to reshape what it means to truly connect.Follow Nicola Gunby on Instgram and CLIQ App here. Follow Larry Gilbert on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Startup Dreams and Life Lessons: Mei's Journey to Balance Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-07-15-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个炎热的夏日早晨，北京的一家创业孵化器里，忙碌的年轻人们似乎比外面的天气还要热情。En: On a hot summer morning, inside a startup incubator in Beijing, the busy young people seemed even more enthusiastic than the weather outside.Zh: 这里是创业的世界，电子产品的鸣响，键盘的声音无处不在。En: This is a world of entrepreneurship, where the sounds of electronic devices and typing on keyboards are everywhere.Zh: 梅是这个世界的一员。En: Mei is one of the members of this world.Zh: 她是一位年轻的企业家，有个大胆的科技创业想法，渴望在行业中干出一番大事业。En: She is a young entrepreneur with a bold tech startup idea, eager to make a significant impact in the industry.Zh: 与她一起的还有她的好朋友联，联是一个注重工作与生活平衡的人，总是提醒梅要照顾好自己的身体。En: Accompanying her is her good friend Lian, who is someone that emphasizes work-life balance and always reminds Mei to take care of her health.Zh: 梅每天都在孵化器里忙碌，努力奋斗，她的目标是为她的公司寻求投资。En: Mei is busy every day in the incubator, working diligently with the goal of seeking investment for her company.Zh: 最近，她总觉得身体有些不舒服，但她忽略了这些症状，因为即将到来的投资者会议是她的唯一重心。En: Recently, she has been feeling somewhat unwell, but she has ignored these symptoms because the upcoming investor meeting has been her sole focus.Zh: 几天后，联注意到梅的脸色越来越苍白。En: A few days later, Lian noticed that Mei looked increasingly pale.Zh: 虽然与她谈过几次，希望她去医院检查，但梅总是笑着拒绝：“没事的，我只是累了。En: Although he talked to her several times, hoping she would go to the hospital for a check-up, Mei always refused with a smile, saying, "It's nothing, I'm just tired."Zh: ”终于，到了投资者会议那天，孵化器的人都忙碌地准备着，气氛紧张而激动。En: Finally, the day of the investor meeting arrived.Zh: 梅站在台上，准备进行她的重要展示。En: People in the incubator were busy preparing, the atmosphere tense yet exciting.Zh: 但就在这个关键时刻，她突然感到头晕，意识模糊，接着就倒了下去。En: Mei stood on stage, ready to give her important presentation, but at this crucial moment, she suddenly felt dizzy, her consciousness blurred, and she collapsed.Zh: 会议室一阵惊呼，联赶紧来到梅的身边，大家拨打急救电话送她去医院。En: Exclamations filled the meeting room, and Lian quickly rushed to Mei's side, while everyone called for emergency services to take her to the hospital.Zh: 在医院，医生告诉梅，她患有一种罕见的病，必须马上治疗。En: At the hospital, the doctor informed Mei that she had a rare illness that required immediate treatment.Zh: 这一消息对梅如同晴天霹雳，但同时也让她意识到了健康的重要。En: This news was a bolt from the blue for Mei, but it also made her realize the importance of health.Zh: 经过治疗，梅的身体渐渐恢复。En: Following treatment, Mei's health gradually improved.Zh: 在这段时间里，联承担起了公司的管理，这样梅可以专心休息。En: During this period, Lian took up the company management so that she could focus on resting.Zh: 梅明白了，健康比任何事情都重要，她要学会平衡工作与生活。En: Mei understood that health is more important than anything else, and she needed to learn to balance work and life.Zh: 恢复后的梅回到了孵化器，她不再是一个只顾事业而忽略健康的人。En: Once recovered, Mei returned to the incubator, no longer someone who only cared about her career at the expense of her health.Zh: 她也更加珍惜与联的友谊，意识到了团队和支持的重要性。En: She also cherished her friendship with Lian more, realizing the importance of team and support.Zh: 在这个创业的世界里，梅不仅是一个创业者，她也成长为一个更懂得生活的人。En: In this entrepreneurial world, Mei is not only an entrepreneur, but she has also grown to be a person who understands life better.Zh: 她明白，生活的成功不仅仅是事业的成功，还有健康、友情和幸福。En: She realized that success in life is not just career success, but also health, friendship, and happiness. Vocabulary Words:incubator: 孵化器enthusiastic: 热情entrepreneurship: 创业accompanying: 与...一起emphasizes: 注重investment: 投资unwell: 不舒服pale: 苍白refused: 拒绝presentation: 展示dizzy: 头晕blurred: 模糊collapsed: 倒下emergency: 急救rare: 罕见treatment: 治疗bolt from the blue: 晴天霹雳recovered: 恢复balance: 平衡cherished: 珍惜grown: 成长realize: 意识到management: 管理consciousness: 意识exclamations: 惊呼typing: 键盘的声音devices: 电子产品sole focus: 唯一重心friendship: 友情support: 支持

Fluent Fiction - French: Parisian Pitches: Unearthing Success in Startups Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2025-07-15-22-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: C'était un matin d'été chaud à l'incubateur de startups.En: It was a hot summer morning at the startup incubateur.Fr: Le bureau était un mélange de chaos et de concentration.En: The office was a mix of chaos and concentration.Fr: Les jeunes entrepreneurs, remplis d'énergie, se préparaient pour le grand concours de pitch.En: The young entrepreneurs, filled with energy, were preparing for the big pitch competition.Fr: Étienne, un jeune entrepreneur ambitieux, regardait son ordinateur portable avec détermination.En: Étienne, an ambitious young entrepreneur, looked at his laptop with determination.Fr: Son idée de technologie allait révolutionner le marché, il en était sûr.En: He was sure that his technology idea was going to revolutionize the market.Fr: Camille, sa meilleure amie, se tenait à côté de lui.En: Camille, his best friend, stood beside him.Fr: Elle était enthousiaste mais aussi sceptique.En: She was enthusiastic but also skeptical.Fr: "Étienne, es-tu sûr que tout fonctionnera aujourd'hui?"En: "Étienne, are you sure everything will work today?"Fr: demanda-t-elle avec un sourire hésitant.En: she asked with a hesitant smile.Fr: Étienne, bien qu'il ait des doutes au fond de lui, assura Camille.En: Étienne, although he had doubts deep down, reassured Camille.Fr: "Oui, tout sera parfait!"En: "Yes, everything will be perfect!"Fr: Pendant ce temps, Sophie, une autre entrepreneure du même incubateur, peaufinait sa présentation.En: Meanwhile, Sophie, another entrepreneur from the same incubateur, was fine-tuning her presentation.Fr: Elle était déterminée et très compétitive.En: She was determined and very competitive.Fr: Elle avait déjà fait quelques modifications de dernière minute, inspirée par les fréquentes mises à jour des délais.En: She had already made a few last-minute changes, inspired by the frequent updates to the deadlines.Fr: Soudainement, Étienne rencontra un problème technique.En: Suddenly, Étienne encountered a technical problem.Fr: Son logiciel ne fonctionnait pas correctement.En: His software wasn't working properly.Fr: Le stress montait.En: The stress mounted.Fr: Il regarda Camille, qui, malgré ses réserves, dit: "Ne t'inquiète pas, on va t'aider à tout résoudre!"En: He looked at Camille, who, despite her reservations, said, "Don't worry, we'll help you fix everything!"Fr: Ils décidèrent de passer toute la nuit à travailler.En: They decided to work all night.Fr: Camille écrivit et réécrivit des notes tandis qu'Étienne répara les bugs.En: Camille wrote and rewrote notes while Étienne fixed the bugs.Fr: Ensemble, ils ajoutèrent une touche personnelle à la présentation pour la rendre unique.En: Together, they added a personal touch to the presentation to make it unique.Fr: Le jour de la présentation arriva vite.En: The day of the presentation arrived quickly.Fr: Étienne se tenait devant les juges, nerveux mais confiant.En: Étienne stood before the judges, nervous but confident.Fr: Il commença son pitch, parlant avec passion.En: He began his pitch, speaking with passion.Fr: Il expliqua non seulement les points forts de son projet, mais aussi les défis et les moyens d'amélioration qu'il envisageait.En: He explained not only the strengths of his project but also the challenges and the ways of improvement he envisioned.Fr: À la fin de la journée, les résultats tombèrent.En: At the end of the day, the results came in.Fr: Étienne ne gagna pas la première place.En: Étienne did not win first place.Fr: Mais, un des juges, impressionné par son honnêteté et sa vision, offrit une collaboration surprise.En: But one of the judges, impressed by his honesty and vision, offered a surprise collaboration.Fr: C'était un partenariat inattendu qui allait changer pour toujours la direction de sa startup.En: It was an unexpected partnership that would forever change the direction of his startup.Fr: Étienne réalisa alors que le succès ne se mesurait pas uniquement à la victoire.En: Étienne then realized that success was not only measured by victory.Fr: Il fallait savoir s'adapter et utiliser les retours pour améliorer sa vision.En: It was important to know how to adapt and use feedback to improve his vision.Fr: Avec un sourire, il regarda Camille et dit: "C'est le début d'une nouvelle aventure."En: With a smile, he looked at Camille and said, "This is the start of a new adventure."Fr: Et ainsi, sous le ciel étoilé du 14 juillet, alors que les feux d'artifice illuminaient le ciel de Paris, Étienne comprit que chaque problème était une opportunité déguisée.En: And so, under the starry sky of le 14 juillet, as fireworks lit up the Paris sky, Étienne understood that every problem was a disguised opportunity.Fr: Une nouvelle aventure l'attendait, beaucoup plus lumineuse qu'il ne l'avait imaginée.En: A new adventure awaited him, much brighter than he had imagined. Vocabulary Words:startup: la startupincubator: l'incubateurentrepreneur: l'entrepreneurchaos: le chaosdetermination: la déterminationenthusiastic: enthousiasteskeptical: sceptiqueto reassure: assurercompetitive: compétitiveto fine-tune: peaufinerdeadline: le délaitechnical problem: le problème techniquesoftware: le logicielstress: le stressto mount: monterto fix: réparerunique: uniquejudges: les jugespassion: la passionstrength: le point fortchallenge: le défiimprovement: l'améliorationhonesty: l'honnêtetévision: la visionfeedback: les retoursfireworks: les feux d'artificeopportunity: l'opportunitépartnership: le partenariatsuccess: le succèsadventure: l'aventure

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Building Dreams: Navigating Conflict in a Startup Hub Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2025-07-15-22-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Летње сунце проналази свој пут кроз велике прозоре стартап инкубатора, осветљавајући модеран простор испуњен имућем и креативном енергијом.En: The summer sun found its way through the large windows of the startup incubator, illuminating the modern space filled with vibrant and creative energy.Sr: Људи су се кретали сваки својим путем, а беле табле биле су исписане шареним дијаграмима и белешкама.En: People moved along their paths, and the whiteboards were covered with colorful diagrams and notes.Sr: У једном углу, троје младих људи су били окупљени око стола.En: In one corner, three young people were gathered around a table.Sr: Нина, амбициозна предузетница, једва је чекала да започне свој технолошки пројекат.En: Nina, an ambitious entrepreneur, couldn't wait to kick off her tech project.Sr: Иако је чула пуно савета од своје породице, желела је да им докаже да може успети својим трудом и радом.En: Although she had received plenty of advice from her family, she wanted to prove that she could succeed through her own effort and work.Sr: "Треба нам списак канцеларијског материјала", рекла је Нина, крећући прстом преко папира испред себе.En: "We need a list of office supplies," Nina said, running her finger over the paper in front of her.Sr: "Желим да све будемо припремљени кад стартујемо.En: "I want us to be prepared when we start."Sr: "Владимир, практичан и помало скептичан технолошки стручњак, наклони се ближе мапи.En: Vladimir, a practical and somewhat skeptical tech expert, leaned closer to the map.Sr: Његов циљ био је да његова каријера ојача, и помагати Нини могао би да буде прави корак.En: His goal was to strengthen his career, and helping Nina could be the right step.Sr: "Будимо реални", рекао је Владимир.En: "Let's be realistic," Vladimir said.Sr: "Имамо ограничен буџет.En: "We have a limited budget.Sr: Не можемо купити баш све што нам падне на памет.En: We can't buy everything that comes to mind."Sr: "С друге стране, Јована, маркетиншки стратег пун оптимизма, тихо је посматрала сукоб.En: On the other hand, Jovana, an optimistic marketing strategist, quietly observed the conflict.Sr: Њена тајна жеља била је да донесе иновације у технолошку индустрију.En: Her secret desire was to bring innovation to the tech industry.Sr: Овде је видела своју прилику.En: Here she saw her chance.Sr: "Али шта ако уштедимо на детаљима који су заиста потребни за иновацију?En: "But what if we save on details that are truly necessary for innovation?"Sr: " питала је Јована тихим, али одлучним тоном.En: Jovana asked in a quiet yet determined tone.Sr: Тензија је расла док су расправљали.En: Tension grew as they debated.Sr: Нина је знала да мора све испеглати и пронаћи компромис.En: Nina knew she had to smooth things over and find a compromise.Sr: Не може све одлучити сама.En: She couldn't make all the decisions by herself.Sr: Морат ће послушати савет свог тима.En: She would have to listen to her team's advice.Sr: "Добро", рекла је Нина након тренутка размишљања.En: "Alright," Nina said after a moment of thought.Sr: "Владимир, знам да морамо бити опрезни са буџетом.En: "Vladimir, I know we need to be cautious with the budget.Sr: Али Јована, такође је исправно.En: But Jovana is also correct.Sr: Треба нам квалитет идеја.En: We need quality ideas.Sr: Сложимо се око неких ствари, и сагласимо се око приоритета.En: Let's agree on some things and align on priorities."Sr: "Владимир и Јована су једни друге погледали.En: Vladimir and Jovana looked at each other.Sr: Мало по мало, заједно су направили списак потребних материјала који ће одговарати свима.En: Bit by bit, they created a list of necessary materials that would work for everyone.Sr: "Урадили смо то", одахнула је Нина, љубазно се осмехнувши својим колегама.En: "We did it," Nina sighed, smiling kindly at her colleagues.Sr: "Хвала вам.En: "Thank you.Sr: Ово је било важно.En: This was important."Sr: "Заједничким напором, напустили су инкубатор с осећајем јединства и заједничког циља.En: Through their collective effort, they left the incubator with a sense of unity and a shared goal.Sr: Нина је знала да није сама у овоме.En: Nina knew she wasn't alone in this.Sr: Са одлучношћу и подршком свог тима, осећала се спремна да предводи свој пројекат ка успеху.En: With determination and her team's support, she felt ready to lead her project to success.Sr: Лидар не мора све радити сам.En: A leader doesn't have to do everything alone.Sr: Некад је права снага у препознавању снаге тима.En: Sometimes true strength lies in recognizing the strength of the team.Sr: Летња светлост испратила их је, а узбуђење нових почетака било је у ваздуху.En: The summer light accompanied them, and the excitement of new beginnings was in the air. Vocabulary Words:illuminating: осветљавајућиvibrant: имућемambitious: амбициознаentrepreneur: предузетницаsupplies: материјалаskeptical: скептичанrealistic: реалниconflict: сукобinnovation: иновацијеdetermined: одлучнимtension: тензијаcompromise: компромисcautious: опрезниpriorities: приоритетаalign: сагласимоmaterials: материјалаunity: јединстваcollective: заједничкимrecognizing: препознавањуstrength: снагаincubator: инкубатораsmooth: испеглатиobserved: посматралаsupport: подршкомleader: лидарdetermination: одлучношћуcareer: каријераexcited: узбуђењеbeginning: почетакаgoal: циља

What does it take to rebuild your life after public failure — and bet on yourself again?This week, we sit down with Julie Wainwright — a trailblazing entrepreneur who went from the CEO of Pets.com during the dot-com crash to building The RealReal into a billion-dollar luxury resale powerhouse… all in her 50s.Julie was one of only 23 women to ever take a company public — and she did it after facing national scrutiny and setbacks that would have ended most careers. Instead, she started over with clarity, grit, and heart — redefining what leadership and reinvention really look like.In this conversation, Julie shares:How to lead through failure and chaos without losing yourselfWhy reinvention starts with self-honesty, not confidenceThe mindset that helped her scale The RealReal from her kitchen tableHow to use setbacks as fuel — in business, relationships, or lifeThe inner dialogue and frameworks that kept her grounded and growingIf you're navigating a challenge, career pivot, or new season of life — this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom you'll want to carry forward.Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: https://findingmastery.lpages.co/morningmindset!Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and XSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mohan Belani, Co-Founder of e27, and Jeremy Au reflect on what it means to be a tech leader, startup founder, and modern dad raising Generation Alpha. They explore how parenting rewires identity, the mental load of fatherhood, and how decision-making feels like startup building in a world flooded with information. They discuss the tension between being an attentive partner and a present parent, how childhood memories shape parenting choices, and how to raise children with curiosity and resilience in an AI-saturated future. 01:22 Becoming a father changed how they saw themselves: Both Mohan and Jeremy share how fatherhood wasn't just a lifestyle change, it rewired how they viewed their purpose, relationships, and future selves. 04:03 Parenting choices are shaped by childhood memory: Disagreements on toys, schools, and routines often trace back to each parent's own upbringing and unspoken childhood needs. 06:41 Too much parenting data creates anxiety: With Google, AI, and peer pressure, small decisions like which stroller to buy feel high stakes. They learned that many choices are symbolic, not essential. 18:14 Startup skills helped them approach parenting: They used frameworks, product-thinking, and planning cycles, treating the transition to parenthood like building a company. 24:27 They prioritized marriage over parenting perfection: Both couples intentionally put their relationships first, believing that strong partnerships make for better parenting despite outside judgment. 34:00 Preparing kids for an unpredictable future: Rather than fixate on grades or jobs, they aim to instill values like resilience and curiosity to navigate a world dominated by AI and shifting norms. 50:06 Curiosity is the most important trait to teach: They agree that teaching kids to ask questions and stay open-minded matters more than pushing achievement or obedience. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/mohan-belani-fatherhood-in-the-ai-era Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Step into Episode 168 of On the DELO as David DeLorenzo sits down with Gabe Williams, a behind-the-scenes creative force and co-founder of Frites Street, to talk fries, family, and finding purpose after burnout. In this episode, Gabe opens up about his early days launching Uber in Phoenix, walking away from a high-stress tech career, and finding his way back into the hospitality world through music, photography, and finally… fries.Discover how a food truck evolved into one of the most respected fry brands in the country, why Frites Street chose to eliminate waffle fries, and how their pivot to seedless oil is changing the game. You'll also hear how Gabe and Flip built a brand rooted in community, hospitality, and unwavering commitment to quality—all while raising families and staying connected to their creative roots.Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(0:00 - 3:00) Intro, Beavis & Butthead and Podcast Theme Songs (3:01 - 6:30) Gabe's Uber Origin Story (6:31 - 11:00) Wildlife Rehab, Photography Roots, and Eagle Stories (11:01 - 14:30) Startup Life, Burnout, and Family Balance (14:31 - 19:00) Leaving Uber and Rebuilding Through Music & Photography (19:01 - 22:45) From Free Photos to Full-Time: Joining Frites Street (22:46 - 26:30) Growing a Brand Without Losing Identity (26:31 - 30:00) Cutting Waffle Fries and Finding Better Oil (30:01 - 33:30) The Journey to Seedless Oil and Regenerative Farming (33:31 - 36:00) Clean Label, 4-Ingredient Fries, and the Future of Frying (36:01 - 39:00) Rapid Fire: Fries, Favorites, and Food Trucks (39:01 - 42:47) Final Thoughts, Where to Find Gabe and Frites StreetThis episode is packed with humor, business insight, and a deep appreciation for creative collaboration. Whether you're a restaurateur, an entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a good fry, there's something here for you.

In this episode of World's Greatest Boss, I'm joined by David Metz, CEO and founder of PrizeOut, a startup that helps credit unions and gaming platforms reward their users with high-value digital gift cards. David shares how he scaled his company from his couch to over 50 employees, what he's learned about leadership, hiring, and culture along the way, and how AI is transforming the startup landscape.We talk candidly about the chaos of startup life, how to hire top talent in today's challenging market, why referrals beat resumes, and how generalists (finally) get their time to shine. David also drops real-talk advice on why soft skills now matter more than ever, and the personal toll entrepreneurship can take without a solid support system.Whether you're growing your team, figuring out how to lead through uncertainty, or just trying to make sense of AI's impact on the workplace, this one's for you.WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:[1:12] Why David's team fell in love with credit unions and how PrizeOut serves them[3:46] From gaming to gift cards - how PrizeOut started and evolved[5:14] Building a 50+ person team and navigating remote vs. in-office culture shifts[7:02] The AI revolution and what it means for your job (and your kids')[10:20] Real-world ways to use AI in hiring and operations today[12:50] What actually works when hiring great people (hint: it's not LinkedIn)[14:32] The problem with AI-assisted projects in interviews[16:14] David's hiring framework: IQ, EQ, BQ (business quotient), and PQ (PrizeOut quotient)[17:17] “Business is easy. People are hard.” Why leadership is emotionally exhausting[19:53] Culture is a reflection of the founder - how David builds with intention[22:37] Leadership habits David's working on now[23:28] The one thing every entrepreneur must have to survive the rollercoasterLINKS & RESOURCES:Learn more about PrizeOutConnect with David Metz on LinkedIn or email him directly at david@prizeout.comTake the CliftonStrengths Assessment to discover your top talents

Meet the CMO and co-founder behind one of the fastest-growing creative services in the world. From bootstrapping a startup to building an Inc. 5000 company, Johnathan Grzybowski has redefined how businesses access high-quality creative talent. In this episode, we dive into his journey with a global subscription-based design service, his approach to leadership, and the personal stories that fuel his mission to help others. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or simply navigating the balance between business and family, Johnathan brings real, relatable insights you won't want to miss.Johnathan Grzybowski is the CMO and Co-Founder of Penji, a creative subscription service revolutionizing how businesses access top-tier creative talent. Bootstrapped from the ground up, Penji has served thousands of clients worldwide and earned recognition as an Inc. 5000 company. With a background in International Studies and Business, Johnathan transformed early entrepreneurial challenges into opportunities by making creative talent more accessible for businesses of all sizes.Outside of Penji, Johnathan is a storyteller and content creator. He hosts Dear Dads—a heartfelt platform for fathers to share their journeys, inspired by his love for his family—and Free Ideas, offering entrepreneurs actionable strategies to elevate their businesses daily. As a husband, father, and business leader, Johnathan's guiding principle is simple: help those who help others. Whether discussing business growth, bootstrapping success, or balancing life and leadership, Johnathan delivers authentic, practical insights to every conversation.Contact Johnathan:Email: johnathan@penji.co Website: https://penji.co/?nab=4  Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. 

This episode teaches that innovation is born at the intersection of curiosity and persistence. Dr. Gudrun Stengel, co-founder and CEO of Alida Biosciences, reveals how her startup is transforming the landscape of RNA research through a novel technology called proximity barcoding. Dr. Stengel's story exemplifies the power of entrepreneurial spirit in driving scientific discovery, offering a glimpse into how one idea can reshape an entire field.At Alida Biosciences, Dr. Stengel and her team are pioneering new tools for detecting RNA modifications, a largely unexplored realm of epigenetics. Using their proximity barcoding platform, researchers can read multiple RNA modifications simultaneously, uncovering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. This technology bridges a critical gap in multiomics, allowing scientists to dive deeper into how epigenetic changes influence gene expression and cellular behavior.Beyond the lab, Dr. Stengel shares her experience as a first-time founder, balancing scientific rigor with startup life. From managing a team to fundraising, her journey underscores the importance of resilience, optimism, and maintaining a long-term vision. She also offers valuable advice for budding scientists, encouraging them to embrace challenges and remain persistent in the face of setbacks. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you're hearing we hope you'll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Entrepreneurship Isn't for Everyone—But It Was Always for Jerry FreshitatAt just 23 years old, Jerry Freshitat started his first business selling window treatments out of the trunk of his car. With nothing but hustle, weekend installs, and Yellow Pages ads, he turned a side hustle into a thriving business—and learned early what it means to be all in.In this episode, Jerry breaks down:How to know if you're truly built for entrepreneurshipThe grind it takes to grow something from the ground upLessons from launching a business in the ‘80s—and how they still apply todayThat first feeling of financial freedom and what it taught himIf you've ever wondered whether you've got what it takes to build something of your own, this one's a must-listen.

Shawn Reddy is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of AI Advantage, an AI-as-a-Service company serving over 500,000 monthly users and 400+ global clients. He specializes in AI-driven cold outreach strategies that consistently generate 25%+ booked call rates and 60%+ response rates, helping businesses boost revenue through authentic, human-like automation. With over five years of marketing leadership experience, Shawn is passionate about content marketing, videography, and creating high-performing funnels for SMBs. His mission is to make AI solutions more accessible while maintaining real human connection at scale. Website: https://www.aiadvantageagency.co/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnreddy/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shawnreddyvids Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theaiadvantage?mibextid=LQQJ4d    Katie Tremulis is a Senior Sales and Marketing Executive at ProNotary, specializing in Remote Online Notarization (RON) solutions. With a focus on enhancing anti-money laundering efforts, she leverages advanced identity verification technologies to improve transaction security. Katie has contributed thought leadership on the application of RON in legal contexts, such as cross-country divorces, and is dedicated to advancing secure digital notarization practices.​ Website: https://pronotary.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-tremulis-94a780b9/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pronotaryllc/#  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pronotaryllc/    In this episode, we discover how different tools are transforming B2B strategies with AI Advantage, LinkedIn magic, and more.   Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz   Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments

Shawn Reddy is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of AI Advantage, an AI-as-a-Service company serving over 500,000 monthly users and 400+ global clients. He specializes in AI-driven cold outreach strategies that consistently generate 25%+ booked call rates and 60%+ response rates, helping businesses boost revenue through authentic, human-like automation. With over five years of marketing leadership experience, Shawn is passionate about content marketing, videography, and creating high-performing funnels for SMBs. His mission is to make AI solutions more accessible while maintaining real human connection at scale. Website: https://www.aiadvantageagency.co/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnreddy/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shawnreddyvids Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theaiadvantage?mibextid=LQQJ4d    Katie Tremulis is a Senior Sales and Marketing Executive at ProNotary, specializing in Remote Online Notarization (RON) solutions. With a focus on enhancing anti-money laundering efforts, she leverages advanced identity verification technologies to improve transaction security. Katie has contributed thought leadership on the application of RON in legal contexts, such as cross-country divorces, and is dedicated to advancing secure digital notarization practices.​ Website: https://pronotary.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-tremulis-94a780b9/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pronotaryllc/#  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pronotaryllc/    In this episode, we discover how different tools are transforming B2B strategies with AI Advantage, LinkedIn magic, and more.   Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz   Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments

Europe has the science. The talent. The breakthroughs.But when an idea feels too uncertain, our systems shut it down before it has a chance to breathe.And with every safe bet… we quietly lose the next cure, the next Car-T, the next AI that could change everything. 

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Secrets and Trust: A Startup Drama Unveiled Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-04-29-22-34-01-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个现代化的创业孵化器里，气氛紧张而又充满期待。En: In a modern startup incubator, the atmosphere was tense yet filled with anticipation.Zh: 桌子上摆满了笔记本电脑，墙上贴满了五颜六色的便利贴，空气中弥漫着新鲜咖啡的香味和无限的可能性。En: Laptops were spread across the tables, colorful sticky notes covered the walls, and the air was filled with the aroma of fresh coffee and infinite possibilities.Zh: 在这里，每一个人都怀揣着自己的梦想。En: Here, everyone holds their dreams close to their hearts.Zh: 魏和慧也是其中一员。En: Wei and Hui were among them.Zh: 魏是一位勤奋的创业者，这次他准备了一个极具潜力的项目，准备在一次重要的展示会议上进行陈述。En: Wei was a diligent entrepreneur.Zh: 然而，就在会议前夕，项目提案神秘地消失了。En: He had prepared a highly promising project and was set to present it at an important showcase meeting.Zh: 魏感到很不安，他怀疑自己的自信心，并且担心其项目的想法是否已经准备好。En: However, just on the eve of the meeting, the project proposal mysteriously disappeared.Zh: 慧是魏的好友兼商业伙伴，他的分析能力和对细节的敏锐感让魏多次感到惊讶。En: Wei felt uneasy, doubting his confidence and worrying about whether his project was ready.Zh: 可是，这次他也被卷入到了意想不到的麻烦中。En: Hui was Wei's friend and business partner; his analytical skills and keen attention to detail had often surprised Wei.Zh: 时间紧迫，魏必须在不引起其他创业者注意的情况下找回提案。En: Yet this time, he too was caught up in an unexpected predicament.Zh: 他不想看起来马马虎虎，也不想让别人以为他的疏忽可能带来巨大问题。En: Time was running out, and Wei had to retrieve the proposal without drawing attention from other entrepreneurs.Zh: 时间一分一秒地过去，魏心里越来越焦虑。En: He didn't want to appear careless or allow others to think his negligence could cause major issues.Zh: 就在他快要绝望的时候，突然间，在孵化器的一角，魏找到了那个被刻意藏起来的提案。En: As time ticked by, Wei grew increasingly anxious.Zh: “这个提案怎么会在这儿？En: Just when he was about to lose hope, suddenly, in a corner of the incubator, Wei found the proposal deliberately hidden.Zh: ”魏疑惑地自言自语道。En: "How did this proposal end up here?"Zh: “是我放在那儿的。En: Wei wondered aloud.Zh: ”这时，慧站在一旁，缓缓开口。En: "It was me who placed it there," Hui said slowly, standing nearby.Zh: 原来，是慧认为提案还有一些关键的地方需要修改，而他希望魏能在演示前认真考虑。En: It turned out Hui believed there were some key parts of the proposal that needed revising, and he hoped Wei would seriously consider them before the presentation.Zh: 起初，魏有些惊讶和生气。En: Initially, Wei was both surprised and angry.Zh: 但很快，他意识到这是慧对他的信任与帮助。En: But soon, he realized that this was Hui's way of trusting and helping him.Zh: 他们连夜开工，慧助魏一起修改完善了提案。En: They worked through the night, with Hui assisting Wei to refine and perfect the proposal.Zh: 第二天，站在演示台上的魏自信满满。En: The next day, Wei stood on the presentation stage, full of confidence.Zh: 在演示过程中，他充满信心地介绍着自己的项目，赢得了在场观众的认可和青睐。En: During the presentation, he introduced his project with assurance, earning the recognition and favor of the audience.Zh: 通过这次经历，魏更加明白了合作与信任的重要性。En: Through this experience, Wei understood more deeply the importance of collaboration and trust.Zh: 他知道他可以依靠慧来完善自己的想法。En: He knew he could rely on Hui to enhance his ideas.Zh: 新的一天又开始了，魏和慧的创业之路充满希望的朝阳下继续前行。En: A new day had begun, and Wei and Hui's entrepreneurial journey continued under the hopeful sunrise. Vocabulary Words:incubator: 孵化器atmosphere: 气氛tense: 紧张anticipation: 期待sticky notes: 便利贴aroma: 香味diligent: 勤奋entrepreneur: 创业者promising: 极具潜力showcase: 展示proposal: 提案mysteriously: 神秘地uneasy: 不安doubting: 怀疑confidence: 自信心analytical: 分析attention: 注意detail: 细节predicament: 麻烦retrieve: 找回careless: 马马虎虎negligence: 疏忽anxious: 焦虑deliberately: 刻意revising: 修改recognition: 认可trust: 信任collaboration: 合作hopeful: 希望sunrise: 朝阳

Fluent Fiction - French: Startup Success: Turning Tech Failures into Triumphs Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2025-04-29-22-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Sous les hauts plafonds clairs d'un incubateur bouillonnant à Paris, l'air du printemps apporte une énergie nouvelle.En: Under the tall, bright ceilings of a bustling incubator in Paris, the spring air brings a new energy.Fr: Des jeunes ambitieux se bousculent autour de leur rêve technologique.En: Ambitious young people jostle around their technological dream.Fr: C'est ici que Hélène, Marc et Thibaut, les trois mousquetaires d'une startup innovante, travaillent d'arrache-pied.En: It is here that Hélène, Marc, and Thibaut, the three musketeers of an innovative startup, work tirelessly.Fr: Leur mission?En: Their mission?Fr: Gagner une compétition prestigieuse pour enfin réaliser leur projet.En: To win a prestigious competition to finally realize their project.Fr: Hélène, la meneuse du groupe, observe l'agitation d'un regard calme mais préoccupé.En: Hélène, the leader of the group, observes the commotion with a calm but concerned look.Fr: Derrière ses lunettes, ses yeux trahissent une inquiétude grandissante.En: Behind her glasses, her eyes betray a growing anxiety.Fr: Elle sent lourdement la pression de ne pas décevoir Marc et Thibaut, ses précieux coéquipiers.En: She feels the heavy pressure not to disappoint Marc and Thibaut, her valuable teammates.Fr: Marc, assis non loin, tapote frénétiquement sur son clavier.En: Marc, sitting not far away, frantically taps on his keyboard.Fr: Ce jeune prodige en programmation est perfectionniste.En: This young programming prodigy is a perfectionist.Fr: Il veut que leur prototype soit irréprochable.En: He wants their prototype to be flawless.Fr: Mais une ombre plane.En: But a shadow looms.Fr: Un bug persistant refuse de disparaître et met en péril leur succès.En: A persistent bug refuses to disappear and jeopardizes their success.Fr: Thibaut, quant à lui, arpente la pièce avec la grâce d'un orateur préparant un discours.En: As for Thibaut, he paces the room with the grace of a speaker preparing a speech.Fr: Son charme naturel est indéniable, pourtant il doute.En: His natural charm is undeniable, yet he doubts.Fr: Leur produit est-il vraiment prêt pour la scène?En: Is their product truly ready for the stage?Fr: Les regards pleins d'espoir autour de lui ne bousculent pas ses interrogations intérieures.En: The hopeful looks around him do not stir his internal questions.Fr: Hélène décide alors.En: Hélène then decides.Fr: "Marc, concentre-toi sur le bug.En: "Marc, focus on the bug.Fr: Thibaut, nous devons peaufiner notre présentation."En: Thibaut, we need to refine our presentation."Fr: Elle sait que c'est risqué de séparer les efforts, mais elle n'a pas le choix.En: She knows it's risky to separate efforts, but she has no choice.Fr: Elle doit inventer des solutions, même lorsqu'elles semblent ambiguës.En: She must invent solutions, even when they seem ambiguous.Fr: Le printemps avance, et le jour de la compétition arrive.En: Spring progresses, and the day of the competition arrives.Fr: La salle est immense, imposante.En: The room is immense, imposing.Fr: Les juges, en rangées, observent avec attention.En: The judges, in rows, observe attentively.Fr: Hélène, Thibaut, et Marc respirent profondément avant de se lancer.En: Hélène, Thibaut, and Marc take deep breaths before stepping forward.Fr: Tout se passe bien jusqu'à ce que... le prototype décide de faire des siennes.En: Everything goes well until... the prototype decides to act up.Fr: Il se gèle, les écrans affichent un message d'erreur.En: It freezes, the screens display an error message.Fr: Marc pâlit, Thibaut ose à peine respirer.En: Marc turns pale, Thibaut barely dares to breathe.Fr: Mais Hélène ne perd pas un instant.En: But Hélène doesn't lose a moment.Fr: Elle s'avance vers le public, son cœur battant.En: She steps forward to the audience, her heart pounding.Fr: Sa voix, naturellement posée, résonne avec assurance.En: Her naturally poised voice resonates with confidence.Fr: "Ce que vous voyez ici montre notre potentiel.En: "What you see here shows our potential.Fr: Oui, nous avons un souci, mais regardez l'idée derrière."En: Yes, we have an issue, but look at the idea behind it."Fr: En quelques mots, elle transforme leur erreur en force.En: In a few words, she turns their mistake into a strength.Fr: Elle parle de l'innovation, de ce que cela pourrait devenir, capturant l'attention et l'imagination du public.En: She speaks of innovation, of what it could become, capturing the audience's attention and imagination.Fr: Les juges, d'abord surpris, se laissent convaincre par l'audace de Hélène.En: The judges, initially surprised, are convinced by Hélène's boldness.Fr: Ils murmurent entre eux, visiblement intéressés.En: They murmur among themselves, visibly interested.Fr: Un léger sourire s'installe sur le visage de Hélène.En: A slight smile appears on Hélène's face.Fr: Elle a compris.En: She understands.Fr: Il ne s'agit pas seulement de perfection, mais de flexibilité et d'adaptabilité.En: It's not just about perfection, but about flexibility and adaptability.Fr: À la fin, malgré le bug, l'équipe reçoit une ovation.En: In the end, despite the bug, the team receives an ovation.Fr: Ils n'ont peut-être pas gagné le premier prix, mais ils ont obtenu ce qu'ils voulaient le plus: reconnaissance et validation.En: They may not have won the first prize, but they have gained what they wanted most: recognition and validation.Fr: Hélène, le cœur léger, sait maintenant qu'elle peut faire confiance à son instinct.En: Hélène, with a light heart, now knows she can trust her instincts.Fr: Marc a découvert qu'il n'est pas seul, et Thibaut, que leur produit peut séduire même sans être parfait.En: Marc discovered he's not alone, and Thibaut realized that their product can captivate even without being perfect.Fr: Le printemps continue d'illuminer Paris, et leur aventure ne fait que commencer.En: Spring continues to illuminate Paris, and their adventure is just beginning.Fr: C'est le début d'une nouvelle, belle amitié professionnelle dans cette ville lumière.En: It's the start of a new, beautiful professional friendship in this city of light. Vocabulary Words:the incubator: l'incubateurthe competition: la compétitionto jostle: se bousculerto observe: observerprestigious: prestigieusethe concern: l'inquiétudethe pressure: la pressionfrantically: frénétiquementthe shadow: l'ombrepersistent: persistantto jeopardize: mettre en périlto pace: arpenterthe grace: la grâcethe charm: le charmeto doubt: douterhopeful: plein d'espoirthe question: l'interrogationrisky: risquéambiguous: ambiguimmense: immenseimposing: imposantethe judge: le jugeto freeze: se gelerto turn pale: pâlirnaturally poised: naturellement poséethe error: l'erreurto resonate: résonnerthe flexibility: la flexibilitéthe adaptability: l'adaptabilitéthe ovation: l'ovation

Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.In today's episode, we look at some staffing issues at the CFPB. Plus, Robbie sits down with Friday Harbor's Theo Ellis and Jesse Collins to discuss raising funds formortgage technology in the current climate. And we close with a look at how traders are coming to grips with the new normal of volatility.Today's podcast is brought to you by nCino, makers of the nCino Mortgage Suite for the modern mortgage lender. nCino Mortgage Suite's three core products -- nCino Mortgage, nCino Incentive Compensation, and nCino Mortgage Analytics -- unite the people, systems, and stages of the mortgage process. See how nCino can support a homeownership journey that your borrowers and your team will love at nCino.com.

Adam Nathan is the founder and CEO of Blaze.ai, a marketing platform built for solo entrepreneurs and small business owners. In this conversation, we explored Adam's journey from big tech to startup life, the challenges of standing out in a saturated AI market, and how Blaze.ai empowers “teams of one” to compete like Fortune 500s.We also discussed key insights around VC dynamics, the mindset of a founder, and Adam's vision of AI as a practical tool—not just hype.EPISODE LINKS:Blaze.ai Website: https://www.blaze.ai/Adam Nathan on Twitter: https://x.com/adampnathanAdam Nathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampnathan/TIMESTAMPS:(00:01:07) The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins(00:04:36) The Reality of Startup Life(00:10:40) Navigating Pivots and Market Challenges(00:11:22) Navigating Venture Capital and Business Pivots(00:17:25) Embracing AI and the Birth of Blaze(00:25:11) The Reality of Startup Life(00:26:56) Introducing Blaze: AI for Small Businesses(00:26:56) Introducing Blaze: AI for Small Businesses(00:30:05) The Future of AI in Business(00:39:17) The Role of AI in Enhancing Human CreativityCONNECT:Website: https://hoo.be/elijahmurrayYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elijahmurrayTwitter: https://twitter.com/elijahmurrayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elijahmurrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elijahmurray/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-w-elijah-murray/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elijahmurrayRSS: https://anchor.fm/s/3e31c0c/podcast/rss

In today's episode of "Accelerate Your Business Growth," host Diane Helbig sits down with Gregory Shephard, an accomplished entrepreneur with a track record of building and selling 12 businesses across diverse industries like biotech, transit tech, ad tech, and martech. Greg, the Penguin Random House author of "The Startup Life Cycle," dives deep into the core challenges and stages of building a startup from ideation to exit. Discover the truth about the capital trap, how investor advice might not always be in your best interest, and why understanding the startup life cycle is crucial for any founder. With insights backed by years of research and personal experience, Greg shares invaluable guidance on navigating the intricate landscape of entrepreneurship. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation filled with practical advice and strategies that could potentially save your startup from common pitfalls. Don't miss out—this episode is a must-listen for any aspiring or established entrepreneur. If you are a small business owner or salesperson who struggles with getting the sales results you are looking for, get your copy of Succeed Without Selling today. Learn the importance of Always Be Curious. Accelerate Your Business Growth is proud to be included on the list of the 45 Best Business Growth Podcasts. We are also honored to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 10 Growth Hacking Podcasts, Top 25 Evergreen Podcasts and Top 50 Business Growth Podcasts on the web. Each episode of this podcast provides insights and education around topics that are important to you as a business owner or leader. The content comes from people who are experts in their fields and who are interested in helping you be more successful. Whether it's sales challenges, leadership issues, hiring and talent struggles, marketing, seo, branding, time management, customer service, communication, podcasting, social media, cashflow, or publishing, the best and the brightest join the host, Diane Helbig, for a casual conversation. Discover programs, webinars, services, books, and other podcasts you can tap into for fresh ideas. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode and visit Helbig Enterprises to explore the many ways Diane can help you improve your business outcomes and results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Brandon Davis, the college senior who's turning the collections industry on its head with his AI startup, Interval. While most of his classmates are polishing resumes and stressing over job applications, Brandon is running a growing tech company with multiple employees—all before graduation day.Brandon's entrepreneurial journey began early, watching Shark Tank with his father and seeing ordinary people building extraordinary businesses. From selling fidget spinners to classmates to running a landscaping service as a teenager, his path to founding Interval was paved with the hustle that defines true entrepreneurs. After cycling through nearly 20 different startup ideas during a university incubator program, Brandon and his co-founder landed on a solution that businesses were actually willing to pay for: automated collections.What makes Interval AI fascinating isn't just the technology—it's the problem it solves. Every business struggles with accounts receivable at some point, whether it's from expired credit cards, forgetful customers, or those deliberately avoiding payment. Traditional collection methods are expensive, inefficient, and frankly, nobody wants to make those awkward calls. Interval's AI automation tackles this universal pain point, delivering results at a fraction of the cost of human collection efforts.Perhaps the most thought-provoking aspect of Brandon's story is his perspective on risk. While conventional wisdom paints entrepreneurship as the risky path and traditional employment as secure, Brandon argues the opposite. In an economy where recent graduates might submit hundreds of job applications before landing a position, building your own business offers a different kind of security—one where you control your destiny rather than hoping to survive the next round of corporate layoffs.Whether you're a seasoned business owner looking to improve cash flow or an aspiring entrepreneur searching for inspiration, Brandon's journey demonstrates that success comes to those willing to persist through failures and pivot until they find what works. Check out interval-ai.com to learn how AI might transform your collections process, or connect with Brandon through his podcast "Get Over Yourself" to follow his entrepreneurial journey.How to connect with Brandon?Website: https://getoveryourselfpodcast.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-over-yourself/id1586568369YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03QFF2URssz6Q1awVk1FhQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dodgerdavis16/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-davis-bba062223/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getoveryourself_podcast/ Support the show

For our 100th episode, we're joined by Erika De Santi, Chief of Experience and Co-Founder of WeRoad, the multi-million dollar European travel company redefining group adventures for solo travelers.Named to Fortune Italy's 40 Under 40 and EU-Startups' Top 100 Most Influential Women, Erika shares how WeRoad grew into a community-driven brand across Europe—with a unique model that features travel coordinators who help shape the group dynamic alongside local guides.We explore how WeRoad challenges conventional travel norms, builds connection through shared experiences, and what Erika has learned leading one of Europe's most exciting startups.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

Send us a textIn this high-energy conversation, Joey Pinz sits down with entrepreneur and guitarist Matt Yesbeck to explore how creativity, problem-solving, and faith shape business success.

Sometimes things just strike you as dumb and then one day you understand why. The current model of desalination is a great example. It's something that everyone thinks that we at BIV should be invested in up to the eyeballs, and, of course, we support technologies that are pertinent to desal, but the legacy model is just a tough nut to crack. Ever more scaled plants to minimize the per gallon cost of purified water is the name of the game. So when I met Alex Fugelsang and the full Flocean team, it was like a light bulb going off. Legacy desal was dumb for the simple reason you were pumping up onto land a whole load of water, putting all of it through a giant factory, having designed it for all of that water, then throwing at least 40% of it back into the ocean. So what if you could desalinate under the surface of the sea and get rid of all that excess capacity? You don't run into paradigm shifts all the time, but we think that Flocean is one of them. Alex is a superb guy with a fascinating skill set, having spent most of his life operating machinery at inhospitable depths, and he's on a remarkable mission to put a huge dent in global water insecurity. Please enjoy my conversation with Alex Fugelsang.  Subscribe to The Fundamental Molecule here: https://www.burntislandventures.com/the-fundamental-molecule For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamental-molecule/id1714287205 ----------- In today's episode, Alex Fuglesang details Flocean's underwater desalination: less energy and less environmental impact thanks to stable deep-sea conditions. He reveals how robotics ensure reliable maintenance in their water-as-a-service model, and highlights building trust with communities, providing tailored solutions for water scarcity. Alex also shares insights on his background, leadership, and the future of desalination. 00:00 - Why Legacy Desalination Is Failing 02:16 - Operating and Engineering in Harsh Deep Sea Conditions   05:30 - Robotics and Automation in Underwater Water Tech   06:32 - Flocean's Origin Story   10:35 - How Flocean Cuts Energy Use and Environmental Impact   13:22 - Simplifying Permitting for Subsea Desalination   15:16 - Real-World Water Scarcity Challenges in Island Nations   17:24 - Growing Industrial Demand for Onsite Desalination   19:52 - New Business Models for Water Delivery   22:56 - What Infrastructure Investors Want from Water Tech   24:09 - Building a World-Class Water Tech Team   26:53 - Targeting High-Impact Coastal Markets   28:38 - Strategic Marketing for Deep Tech Startups   29:57 - Military Leadership Lessons in Startup Life   34:17 - The Future of Desal 37:43 - Cutting Red Tape in Water Infrastructure Projects   39:17 - Top Advice for Climate Hardware Entrepreneurs   Links: Burnt Island Ventures: https://www.burntislandventures.com/ Alex Fuglesang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderfuglesang/?originalSubdomain=no Flocean: https://www.flocean.green/ SM Material Key Takeaways: "In water-scarce regions, the frustration is real. Limited budgets lead to expensive maintenance and weeks of downtime." “Cutting bureaucracy and aligning stakeholders can unleash new technologies." “Flocean uses natural deep-sea pressure to cut power consumption. 40% energy efficiency savings are not abnormal." "Scale with trust and demand. Start small to build trust, then scale without massive infrastructure changes."

Send us a textStruggling to secure AI in 2025? Join Joe and Invary CEO Jason Rogers as they unpack NSA-licensed tech, zero trust frameworks, and the future of cybersecurity. From satellite security to battling advanced threats, discover how Invary's cutting-edge solutions are reshaping the industry. Plus, hear Jason's startup journey and Joe's wild ride balancing a newborn with a PhD. Subscribe now for the latest cyber trends—don't miss this!Chapters00:00 Navigating Parenthood and Professional Life02:53 The Startup Mentality: Decision-Making and Adaptability06:13 Blending Technical Skills with Sales08:58 Background and Journey into Cybersecurity12:10 Establishing a Security Culture in Organizations14:51 Collaborating with Government Entities17:47 Understanding NSA Licensed Technology23:06 Understanding Application and Server Security25:01 Exploring Zero Trust Frameworks28:57 Bridging Government and Private Sector Security31:27 The Role of Security Professionals33:55 Innovations in Cybersecurity Technology38:05 Invariance in Security SystemsSupport the showFollow the Podcast on Social Media! Tesla Referral Code: https://ts.la/joseph675128 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@securityunfilteredpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secunfpodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SecUnfPodcast

 Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman at NearU Starting a business from scratch is challenging, but Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman of NearU, took a unique path—leveraging M&A as a tool for entrepreneurship. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ashish shares how he transitioned from investment banking to building a multi-state, multi-million-dollar business in the skilled trades industry. Ashish's journey is a masterclass in leveraging M&A for business expansion, focusing on strategic acquisitions, cultural alignment, and operational efficiency to build a thriving company in an industry ripe for disruption. Things you will learn: Entrepreneurship through acquisition – Why M&A is a tool, not an end goal How to evaluate industries for acquisition – Why the skilled trades industry was the perfect fit  Building a scalable business post-acquisition – The importance of training and technology Working with private equity – How to find the right partner and maintain control What is the Buyer-Led M&A™ Virtual Summit This isn't just another webinar—it's an interactive experience designed to give you the tools and strategies to lead your M&A deals with confidence. This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now Episode Timestamps: [00:01:30] Ashish's Journey from Banking to Entrepreneurship [00:02:30] Lessons Learned from the Entrepreneurial Journey [00:07:00] Defining Purpose and the ‘Why' Behind Entrepreneurship [00:10:30] Making the Leap from Corporate to Startup Life [00:13:00] Selecting a Sector Through First Principles Thinking [00:18:00] Building the Investment Thesis for NearU [00:26:30] Executing the First Deal with a Bootstrap Approach [00:31:30] Sourcing Deals Through Relationships & Reputation [00:37:00] Challenges in Early and Scaling Phases [00:40:00] Working with Private Equity While Preserving Vision [00:48:00] Final Reflections: Transparency, Integrity & Doing the Right Thing          

I want to hear your thoughts about the show and this episode. Text us here...Do you have a passion but don't know how to make money from it? In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact steps to turn what you love into a profitable business—without the guesswork or overwhelm.You'll learn: ✅ How to validate your passion and make sure there's demand ✅ The best ways to package your skills into products or services ✅ How to land your first paying customer (even if you're just starting!) ✅ Visibility strategies to build credibility and attract more clients ✅ How to scale and create sustainable income.Ready to take action? Grab my FREE Passion to Profit Roadmap hereListen, Subscribe & Share! If you loved this episode, leave a review and tell me what passion you're turning into profit! This is an invitation to join a supportive community of purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are creating an impact in the world.A mastermind is a community of peers who exchange ideas, provide support, and offer sound advice for running a successful business.Join the Confident YOU Mastermind now at https://goconfidentlyservices.myflodesk.com/confidentyoumastermindSupport the showOther helpful resources for you: Learn more about my Confident You Mastermind Today! Here's your Guide to Starting A Podcast in 30 days, download yours today! For more about me and what I do, check out my website. If you're looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you'd be a good fit for one of my coaching programs. Thank you for listening to our podcast. Please Subscribe! Join our Facebook GroupInstagram, TikTok We love reviews! Please leave us a review.Contact us if you want to Launch, restart, or grow your podcast.

7 billion views and counting: the growth secrets of Sidemen's creative mastermind, Jordan Schwarzenberger. Managing one of the world's biggest creator collectives is no small feat. We dive deep with the man behind Arcade Media and the Sidemen's explosive rise, blending sharp self-awareness, cultural intuition, and a bold approach to building in public. The creator economy is dead. Jordan reveals why relying on brand deals is outdated and how the Sidemen have built entire business models through strategic partnerships and leveraging their audience. This is a masterclass in staying relevant, building with intention, and growing without losing who you are.Key takeaways

In this episode, I'm joined by Emma and Louise from Esto Search. They share their £500k first-year success, the challenges they faced, and key lessons learned about branding, client relationships, and staying true to their values.You can connect with them both here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-lowman-9823884b/https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-garrison-120a67166/-------------------------Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gtlSsYNH5vo-------------------------Sponsors - Claim your exclusive savings from our partners with the links below:Sourcewhale - Check Out Sourcewhale & Claim Your Exclusive Offer Here.Raise - Check Out Raise & Claim Your Exclusive Offer Here.-------------------------Extra Stuff:Learn more about our online skills development platform Hector here: https://bit.ly/47hsaxeJoin 4,000+ other recruiters levelling up their skills with our Limitless Learning Newsletter here: https://limitless-learning.thisishector.com/subscribe-------------------------Get in touch:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hishemazzouz/-------------------------

Entrepreneurship is a thrilling but demanding journey—how do you stay mentally and physically healthy while building a company? In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Jason Vego, CEO and co-founder of BEVZ, a software platform for convenience stores that has expanded to over 1,000 locations across the U.S. and raised over $5 million in venture capital. Jason shares his honest experiences of managing mental well-being while leading a high-growth startup. From navigating personal challenges like divorce to recognizing signs of burnout, he offers practical strategies for maintaining balance through diet, exercise, meditation, and relationship management. Tune in to learn how small, sustainable habits can help you thrive in both business and life. About Jason Vego   Jason is a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in communications and storytelling. Before launching BEVZ, he led global employee communications at Citrix and even started a failed startup—an experience that fueled his growth. His journey highlights the importance of adaptability, prioritization, and emotional intelligence in leadership. Key Takeaways:   ✅ The warning signs of burnout and how to prevent it✅ How small wellness habits (like journaling and morning routines) create a big impact✅ The role of food, exercise, and sleep in staying mentally sharp as a founder✅ Maintaining relationships while running a startup—without guilt✅ Why "You are not your company" is the best advice for struggling entrepreneurs Connect with Jason Vego  

Timestamps:6:25 - Why yamo started with D2C15:30 - Dealing with regulation in the food industry28:39 - When yamo hit a breaking point33:35 - How to be a leader in tough times44:23 - How Tobias defines successClick here to subscribe to our newsletter.About Tobias Gunzenhauser:Tobias Gunzenhauser is the co-founder and former CEO at yamo, an omnichannel FoodTech company creating the healthiest and tastiest products good for people and the planet. He holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Digital Marketing and Communication Management from the Hochschule Luzern and worked for Campari Group for 4 years before starting Yamo with 2 co-founders in 2016. What differentiated yamo back in 2016 was that they sterilized baby food using pressure instead of heat, which preserved not only flavor but also the vitamins. They also tuned their recipes to contain nutrients for age-appropriate development, with no added sugar and 100% natural and organic ingredients. They initially started selling their products D2C, afraid that retail wouldn't take them in, but eventually broke into the world of Migros and Coop shelves as well. They also took advantage of influencer marketing quite early on, at a time when it wasn't so common, which allowed them to work with big name creators.Over 8 years, Yamo grew to an award-winning international multi-million organization with over 2700 points of sale in Europe's biggest retailers, and a thriving E-commerce business. However, despite the team's best efforts, they were unable to reach profitability. It was at a board meeting in April 2024 that Tobias first got the terrible news: since they had not been able to ensure the capital needed for their next step (but only accrued 2/3s of it), yamo could not continue in business. They had to declare bankruptcy and communicate the news not only to their entire team but also to their partners and stakeholders. Looking back, Tobias thinks this was when he learned what it truly means to be a leader — leadership is most important of all during the toughest times. Also in April 2024, Tobias announced the yamo shutdown on LinkedIn, after which he received an outpouring of support from both friends and strangers alike. Almost 1 year later, Tobias has come to view success as the ability to say that he has done his best creating something where before there was nothing. The cover portrait was edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartportrait.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‍Don't forget to give us a follow on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there's no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.

What separates a great podcast from the noise? We uncover the secrets of podcasting success with Gareth Evans, founder of 18Sixty—an agency that helps brands connect with their audience through high-quality audio storytelling.From working with Virgin/Absolute Radio and BBC Radio to launching his own agency, Gareth shares his journey through the evolution of podcasting, revealing what it takes to create audio content that really holds the audience's attention. Key TakeawaysKnowing your audience: The key to a successful podcast lies in deeply understanding your listeners and crafting content that serves their needsFinding Balance: Effective time management, habit stacking, and prioritisation are essential for navigating business demands while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.Business growth strategies:  Differentiating yourself, leveraging word-of-mouth, and building strong connections are crucial for scaling your business. Whether you're an early-stage founder, an aspiring podcaster, or just curious about the future of branded podcasts, this episode is packed with practical insights and behind-the-scenes wisdom. Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websitehttps://foundedandgrounded.com/episodes/j54mNsooOdH 

In this engaging conversation, Brooke Hartley Moy, CEO and co-founder of Infactory, discusses the vibrant AI landscape in San Francisco, the importance of making AI accessible, and the misconceptions surrounding AI technologies like LLMs. She shares insights on the startup culture, complementary skills in startups, and the evolving role of AI in the workplace. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities for startups in a rapidly changing tech environment, emphasizing the need for agility and innovation. 00:00 Introduction02:40 What is Brooke Doing Today?07:40 Understanding AI and LLMs16:00 Startups and Work-Life Balance29:20 First Memory of a Computer36:20 High School and Academic Pressure44:00 College Decisions52:02 Career Beginnings in Tech1:12:30 Working at Google1:15:00 Moving to a Startup1:22:20 Founding Infactory1:40:50 Contact InfoConnect with Brooke: Infactory Email: press@infactory.aiLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhartley/Mentioned in this Episode:Infactory: https://infactory.ai/Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog!Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/ Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/ Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In May of 2024, after a self-funded search, Brian Seeling became CEO of PGM Service, a Florida-based company that focuses on maintenance, service, and repair of commercial food equipment. His journey to become an acquisition entrepreneur is distinct in that he first worked as a software engineer, was then involved in startup life for a number of years, and only recently embarked on the ETA path. In this episode, Brian reflects on the decision to pursue ETA, including his experiences of entrepreneurship through startup versus through acquisition; how implementation of a preventative maintenance service is empowering him to turn an episodic revenue business into a recurring revenue business; his thoughts on Rick and Royce's suggestion to focus on synergies and cross-selling opportunities via the acquisition of a cold-side business; and more! Brian bought a company in which there are “many ways to win”, an important attribute in assessing acquisition opportunities, and listeners will learn a great deal from Brian's accomplishments in the ETA space.    

From $0 to $400 Million Valuation: The Incredible Journey of Tim Fung and Airtasker. From humble beginnings to a marketplace giant. But Tim's journey is much more than just success.Through resilience, identifying mutual benefit, and embracing change, he has created a company that has changed the future of work.Tim delves into his upbringing, the inception of Airtasker, and the company's funding journey, offering valuable advice for new founders. Explore the balance between transparency and forward planning, Tim's IPO experience, and the transition from blitzscaling to a lean approach. Learn about the significance of humility, team support, and managing expectations. We conclude the episode by discussing the future of work, embracing AI, and societal changes.Key TakeawaysHigh expectations can undermine resilience, so maintaining realistic goals can help sustain long-term motivation and perseverance.Aligning business strategies and goals among all stakeholders ensures smoother operations and mutual benefits, making it easier to achieve sustainable growth.Adapting to market conditions and being open to changing strategies, even if it means shifting from aggressive expansion to a leaner approach, is crucial for long-term success.Have questions about this episode? Ask our hosts, chat now via our websitehttps://foundedandgrounded.com/episodes/z0Sw0OlIhm1Connect with hosts Ollie and Becky via LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivercollardhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysage

Episode 175: In this episode of the Sports Performance Leadership Podcast powered by Inform Performance, Pete McKnight sits down with Raj Thiruchelvarajah—Co-Founder & CEO of Hytro, a leading human performance company specializing in Blood Flow Restriction (BFR). From his transition out of the corporate world to building a groundbreaking sports-tech company, Raj shares his journey of leadership, resilience, and growth. With Hytro now serving over 150 professional sports teams and even partnering with SpaceX, Raj reflects on the challenges of scaling a startup and the lessons learned along the way.   ✏️ Topics Discussed: ▪️ Leadership Evolution from Corporate to Startup ▪️ Navigating the Challenges of Early-Stage Startups ▪️ Building High-Performance Culture Inspired by Elite Sports ▪️ Decision-Making Under Pressure and Risk Management ▪️ The Power of Constant Learning and Adaptation - Where you can find Raj: •⁠  LinkedIn •⁠ Instagram •⁠ Hytro - Sponsors Hytro: The world's leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport. Remaker: The Portable Strength Tracking Ecosystem. Remaker provides real-time insights to optimise your performance, making even the smallest improvements in your strength training visible in an engaging and powerful format. Remakers integrate seamlessly with the exercise equipment you already use, and the app provides meaningful metrics for every rep, of every set, of every exercise. VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training. -  Where to Find Us Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on: Instagram Twitter Our Website - Our Team Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie Dylan Carmody Steve Barrett  Pete McKnight

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Harnessing Dreams in Amsterdam's Startup Scene Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-02-11-23-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: In het bruisende hart van Amsterdam, te midden van hoge gebouwen en stedelijke drukte, ligt het Amsterdam Startup Incubator.En: In the bustling heart of Amsterdam, amidst tall buildings and urban hustle, lies the Amsterdam Startup Incubator.Nl: Het is een plek waar dromen werkelijkheid kunnen worden, of juist uiteenspatten.En: It is a place where dreams can become reality, or just as easily shatter.Nl: Op een koude winterdag ploeteren Bram en Lotte door hun werkzaamheden, druk bezig met het opzetten van hun tech startup.En: On a cold winter's day, Bram and Lotte are slogging through their tasks, busy setting up their tech startup.Nl: Binnen, achter een modern glazen bureau, zit Bram met een vastberaden blik.En: Inside, behind a modern glass desk, Bram sits with a determined look.Nl: Zijn ogen fonkelen terwijl hij praat over De App, hun gedeelde droom en zijn visie voor de toekomst.En: His eyes sparkle as he talks about De App, their shared dream and his vision for the future.Nl: Lotte zit naast hem, met een laptop voor zich en een lichte frons.En: Lotte sits next to him, with a laptop in front of her and a slight frown.Nl: Ze tuurt naar de cijfers en de schema's, twijfelend.En: She peers at the numbers and charts, doubtful.Nl: Hun bedrijfsidee is goed, maar nu moeten ze het geld vinden om het tot leven te wekken.En: Their business idea is good, but now they need to find the money to bring it to life.Nl: "Bram, ik weet dat je vanavond met Valentijnsdag je idee wilt pitchen," zegt ze voorzichtig.En: "Bram, I know you want to pitch your idea tonight on Valentijnsdag," she says cautiously.Nl: "Maar ben je er zeker van dat we nu al klaar zijn?En: "But are you sure we're ready yet?Nl: Misschien moeten we...," ze stopt, zoekend naar de juiste woorden.En: Maybe we should...," she pauses, searching for the right words.Nl: Bram onderbreekt haar, zijn stem vol enthousiasme.En: Bram interrupts her, his voice full of enthusiasm.Nl: "Maak je geen zorgen, Lotte.En: "Don't worry, Lotte.Nl: Dit is onze kans!En: This is our chance!Nl: Er zullen veel potentiële investeerders zijn."En: There will be many potential investors."Nl: De spanning in de ruimte is voelbaar.En: The tension in the space is palpable.Nl: Het contrast tussen de bevroren wereld buiten en de warme, energieke ruimte binnen wordt elke minuut sterker.En: The contrast between the frozen world outside and the warm, energetic space inside grows stronger by the minute.Nl: Lotte voelt de druk, maar wil ook Bram niet teleurstellen.En: Lotte feels the pressure but also doesn't want to disappoint Bram.Nl: Ze wikt en weegt haar woorden.En: She weighs her words carefully.Nl: Wanneer de avond valt en de sterren de lucht versieren, verzamelen zich vele jonge ondernemers in de grote zaal.En: As evening falls and the stars decorate the sky, many young entrepreneurs gather in the large hall.Nl: Iedereen heeft een droom om te delen.En: Everyone has a dream to share.Nl: Bram en Lotte zitten klaar, hun gezamenlijke inspanningen komen nu op de proef.En: Bram and Lotte sit ready, their combined efforts now being tested.Nl: Tijdens de pitch beweegt Bram zich zelfverzekerd over het podium.En: During the pitch, Bram moves confidently across the stage.Nl: De eerste minuten verlopen soepel, maar dan besluit hij plotseling iets te improviseren.En: The first few minutes go smoothly, but then he suddenly decides to improvise something.Nl: Hij zint op iets groters, iets indrukwekkends.En: He's contemplating something bigger, something impressive.Nl: Lotte's hart slaat sneller.En: Lotte's heart races.Nl: Dit was niet het plan.En: This was not the plan.Nl: Bram spreekt over innovaties die ze nog niet volledig hebben onderzocht.En: Bram speaks of innovations they haven't fully explored yet.Nl: Lotte's zorgen worden sterker, maar ze moet vertrouwen op Bram's instinct.En: Lotte's concerns grow but she must trust Bram's instinct.Nl: De zaal luistert aandachtig, enkele investeerders maken aantekeningen.En: The audience listens attentively, with some investors taking notes.Nl: Na hun presentatie komt een investeerder naar hun toe.En: After their presentation, an investor approaches them.Nl: Hij is geïnteresseerd, maar zijn voorwaarden zijn streng.En: He is interested, but his terms are strict.Nl: Het is een kans maar ook een uitdaging.En: It is an opportunity but also a challenge.Nl: Terwijl ze teruglopen door de koude lucht van de stad naar huis, praten Bram en Lotte rustig.En: As they walk back through the cold air of the city towards home, Bram and Lotte talk quietly.Nl: "Ik weet dat ik te ver ging, maar ik wilde echt indruk maken," geeft Bram toe.En: "I know I went too far, but I really wanted to impress," Bram admits.Nl: Lotte glimlacht zwakjes.En: Lotte smiles weakly.Nl: "Misschien moeten we dingen anders aanpakken," antwoordt ze.En: "Maybe we should approach things differently," she replies.Nl: Ze besluiten om elkaars sterke punten te omarmen.En: They decide to embrace each other's strengths.Nl: Bram begint Lotte's praktische inzichten te waarderen, terwijl Lotte begrip krijgt voor Bram's drive en passie.En: Bram starts to appreciate Lotte's practical insights, while Lotte gains understanding for Bram's drive and passion.Nl: Hun weg naar succes blijft onzeker, maar samen zijn ze vastberaden.En: Their path to success remains uncertain, but together they are determined.Nl: Ze plannen een nieuwe strategie die zowel ambitieus als realistisch is.En: They plan a new strategy that is both ambitious and realistic.Nl: Want soms, beseffen ze, heeft liefde voor een droom ook behoefte aan een dosis realiteit.En: Because sometimes, they realize, a love for a dream also needs a dose of reality. Vocabulary Words:bustling: bruisendeamidst: te midden vanhustle: drukteincubator: incubatorreality: werkelijkheidshatter: uiteenspattenslogging: ploeterendetermined: vastberadensparkle: fonkelenfrown: fronspeers: tuurtcharts: schema'spitch: pitchencautiously: voorzichtigpotential: potentiëlepalpable: voelbaarcontrast: contrastenergetic: energiekeweighs: wikt en weegtentrepreneurs: ondernemersimprovise: improviserencontemplating: zint optrust: vertrouwenattentively: aandachtigstrict: strengopportunity: kansapproach: aanpakkenembrace: omarmenuncertain: onzekerambitious: ambitieus

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Navigating Success: Trust and Teamwork Amid Shanghai's Hustle Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-02-11-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在上海创业孵化器，一个现代化的开放式办公室里，到处充满了热情的氛围。En: In a startup incubator in Shanghai, a modern open-office environment is filled with an atmosphere of enthusiasm.Zh: 彩色的春节装饰让房间显得喜庆而生动。En: The colorful Spring Festival decorations make the room festive and lively.Zh: 志辉正在为一次重要的产品展示做准备，这次他希望能吸引到投资者的注意，为他们的项目获得资金。En: Zhihui is preparing for an important product presentation, hoping to attract the attention of investors and secure funding for their project.Zh: 冬天的上海寒冷且繁忙，尤其是春节期间。En: Winter in Shanghai is cold and busy, especially during the Spring Festival period.Zh: 虽然寒风凛冽，但街上的热闹让人感受到节日的温暖。En: Although the cold wind is harsh, the bustling streets convey the warmth of the holiday.Zh: 志辉、梅玲和健三人在紧张的气氛中准备着，他们需要为展示准备必要的办公室用品。En: Zhihui, Meiling, and Jian are anxiously preparing, needing to gather essential office supplies for the presentation.Zh: 志辉是个雄心勃勃的创业者，他充满创意和想象力。En: Zhihui is an ambitious entrepreneur brimming with creativity and imagination.Zh: 但今天的繁琐事情让他有些心烦。En: However, today's tedious tasks are making him somewhat frustrated.Zh: 梅玲是他的搭档，专注于细节和后勤。她一直忙着规划每一个需要的物品。En: Meiling, his partner, focuses on details and logistics, busily planning every needed item.Zh: 健是他们的实习生，技术很强，但总是怀疑自己能否承受压力。En: Jian is their intern, technically strong but constantly doubting his ability to handle pressure.Zh: “我们需要分头行动节省时间，”志辉提议道。En: "We need to split up to save time," Zhihui suggested.Zh: “梅玲，你去采购用品，我和健会在这里准备展示的内容。”En: "Meiling, you go buy the supplies, and Jian and I will stay here to prepare the presentation content."Zh: 街道上，人群熙来攘往，商店里挤满了为春节购物的人。梅玲灵活地穿梭在人群中，整理着购物清单。En: On the bustling streets, stores are packed with people shopping for Spring Festival, and Meiling skillfully navigates through the crowd, organizing the shopping list.Zh: 突然，她发现一个关键的组件不见了。En: Suddenly, she realizes a crucial component is missing.Zh: 她迅速拨通志辉的电话。En: She quickly calls Zhihui.Zh: 志辉正在办公室指导健如何将技术展示融合到演讲中。En: Zhihui is in the office guiding Jian on integrating the technical demonstration into the presentation.Zh: 听到梅玲的消息，他面临一个两难的决定：是去帮助梅玲，还是继续专注于展示。En: Hearing Meiling's news, he faces a dilemma: should he go to help Meiling or continue to focus on the presentation?Zh: “梅玲，我相信你能解决这个问题，”志辉坚定地说，“我需要专注于这里的准备。”En: "Meiling, I trust you to solve this problem," Zhihui said firmly, "I need to focus on preparing here."Zh: 梅玲心里一震，充满了责任感。她集中精力，努力找到所需的组件。En: Meiling felt a jolt of responsibility and focused intently, working hard to find the necessary component.Zh: 最终，她在最后一刻成功买到了缺失的物品。En: Ultimately, she succeeded in purchasing the missing item at the last minute.Zh: 回到办公楼，他们三人紧张的情绪被成功的喜悦所取代。En: Returning to the office building, the trio's tension was replaced by the joy of success.Zh: 展示顺利进行，投资者对他们的创意和技术表现出极大的兴趣。En: The presentation proceeded smoothly, and investors showed great interest in their creativity and technology.Zh: 经过这次经历，志辉明白了信任和团队合作的重要性。En: Through this experience, Zhihui understood the importance of trust and teamwork.Zh: 梅玲也增加了独立解决问题的信心，而健意识到自己在团队中不仅仅是个技术助手，他可以为团队带来更多的价值。En: Meiling gained confidence in independently solving problems, and Jian realized he was more than just a technical assistant; he could bring more value to the team.Zh: 在春节的浓厚氛围中，他们不仅为公司争取到了投资，也在相互信任和能力提升中收获了成长。En: In the rich atmosphere of the Spring Festival, they not only secured investment for their company but also grew in mutual trust and capability enhancement.Zh: 春节的热闹让人难以忘却，而这个冬天，也因为他们的努力而格外温暖。En: The excitement of the Spring Festival was unforgettable, and this winter was especially warm because of their efforts. Vocabulary Words:incubator: 孵化器atmosphere: 氛围enthusiasm: 热情festive: 喜庆lively: 生动presentation: 展示investors: 投资者funding: 资金bustling: 热闹convey: 感受到anxiously: 紧张supplies: 用品entrepreneur: 创业者creativity: 创意imagination: 想象力tedious: 繁琐frustrated: 心烦logistics: 后勤navigate: 穿梭component: 组件dilemma: 两难integration: 融合responsibility: 责任感ultimately: 最终proceeded: 进行mutual: 相互capability: 能力enhancement: 提升unforgettable: 难以忘却assistant: 助手

Fluent Fiction - French: From Pitch to Life: A Winter's Tale of Friendship in Paris Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2025-02-11-23-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: C'était un hiver rigoureux à Paris.En: It was a harsh winter in Paris.Fr: Flocons de neige dansaient devant les grandes fenêtres du nouvel incubateur de startups.En: Snowflakes danced in front of the large windows of the new startup incubator.Fr: À l'intérieur, l'ambiance était chaude, presque fébrile.En: Inside, the atmosphere was warm, almost feverish.Fr: C'était la Saint-Valentin, et l'air était chargé d'excitation.En: It was Valentine's Day, and the air was charged with excitement.Fr: Luc, un jeune entrepreneur audacieux, se préparait pour le grand moment : présenter son idée aux investisseurs.En: Luc, a daring young entrepreneur, was preparing for the big moment: presenting his idea to investors.Fr: Chantal, la gestionnaire de projet, était à ses côtés.En: Chantal, the project manager, was by his side.Fr: Elle aimait veiller aux moindres détails.En: She loved paying attention to every detail.Fr: Ce jour-là, elle voulait que tout soit parfait pour Luc.En: That day, she wanted everything to be perfect for Luc.Fr: Alors que Luc avançait vers la scène, Chantal ressentit un malaise.En: As Luc moved toward the stage, Chantal felt unwell.Fr: Elle ignora sa respiration qui devenait difficile, pensant que c'était seulement le stress.En: She ignored her increasingly difficult breathing, thinking it was just stress.Fr: Luc commença sa présentation avec passion, son regard fixé sur l'avenir de son entreprise.En: Luc began his presentation with passion, his gaze fixed on the future of his company.Fr: Soudain, un bruit sourd.En: Suddenly, a dull noise.Fr: Chantal s'effondra derrière la scène.En: Chantal collapsed behind the stage.Fr: Quelques personnes s'approchèrent, mais tout le monde était figé.En: A few people approached, but everyone was frozen in place.Fr: Luc, le cœur battant, hésita.En: Luc, heart pounding, hesitated.Fr: Ses yeux fixèrent Chantal allongée.En: His eyes were fixed on Chantal lying there.Fr: Elle se débattait avec une allergie grave liée, probablement, aux fleurs disposées pour la Saint-Valentin.En: She was struggling with a severe allergy, likely from the flowers arranged for Valentine's Day.Fr: Luc s'approcha d'elle, son esprit en conflit.En: Luc approached her, his mind in conflict.Fr: Elle lui murmura de continuer, mais il voyait la peur dans ses yeux.En: She whispered for him to continue, but he saw the fear in her eyes.Fr: Tout d'un coup, la décision fut claire.En: Suddenly, the decision became clear.Fr: Il appela à l'aide, sa voix résonnant dans la salle.En: He called for help, his voice echoing through the room.Fr: Les secours arrivèrent rapidement grâce à l'alerte lancée.En: Emergency services arrived quickly thanks to the raised alarm.Fr: Les investisseurs observaient en silence.En: The investors watched in silence.Fr: Plus important que le succès de son idée était le bien-être de sa collègue et amie.En: More important than the success of his idea was the well-being of his colleague and friend.Fr: Leur fort lien se révéla alors clairement, sous le stress de l'urgence.En: Their strong bond was then clearly revealed under the stress of the emergency.Fr: Chantal fut transportée à l'hôpital et traitée avec soin.En: Chantal was transported to the hospital and treated with care.Fr: Elle récupéra rapidement, et Luc restait à ses côtés, soulagé.En: She recovered quickly, and Luc stayed by her side, relieved.Fr: Les investisseurs, touchés par son choix et sa sincérité, lui proposèrent de revenir pour une présentation à une date ultérieure.En: The investors, moved by his choice and sincerity, offered him the opportunity to return for a presentation at a later date.Fr: Ce jour changea Luc.En: That day changed Luc.Fr: Il compris que l'humain passe avant les affaires.En: He understood that humanity comes before business.Fr: Chantal, elle, trouva du courage dans ce soutien inébranlable.En: Chantal, for her part, found courage in this unwavering support.Fr: Désormais, elle n'hésiterait plus à montrer sa vulnérabilité.En: From now on, she would no longer hesitate to show her vulnerability.Fr: Leur aventure dans l'incubateur était plus que professionnelle.En: Their adventure in the incubator was more than professional.Fr: Elle révélait la chaleur d'une amitié naissante dans le froid de l'hiver parisien.En: It revealed the warmth of a budding friendship in the cold Parisian winter.Fr: Luc et Chantal, liés par cette expérience, étaient prêts à affronter ensemble tous les défis.En: Luc and Chantal, bound by this experience, were ready to face all challenges together. Vocabulary Words:the snowflake: le flocon de neigeharsh: rigoureuxthe incubator: l'incubateurfeverish: fébriledaring: audacieuxthe investor: l'investisseurthe project manager: la gestionnaire de projetthe stage: la scèneunwell: malaisethe gaze: le regarddull: sourdto collapse: s'effondrerhesitate: hésiterlying: allongéethe allergy: l'allergieto whisper: murmurerthe help: l'aidethe emergency services: les secoursthe well-being: le bien-êtrethe colleague: le collèguethe bond: le lienthe hospital: l'hôpitalrelieved: soulagésincerity: sincéritéopportunity: opportunitéthe humanity: l'humainunwavering: inébranlablethe vulnerability: la vulnérabilitéthe warmth: la chaleurthe challenge: le défi

What do Stephen Hawking, AR glasses, and open-source design have in common?Join us as we chat with Bobak Tavangar, co-founder of Brilliant Labs, about his remarkable journey and insights into innovation.From leadership lessons to fundraising advice, this episode is packed with valuable gems for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.Bobak discusses his career, including a memorable encounter with Stephen Hawking and the role of open-source design in innovation. He explores the challenges of AR adoption, company culture, and hardware startups, offering leadership lessons on humility and communication. Hear Bobak's advice on fundraising, cofounder dynamics, and balancing startup life. Finally, we end with reflections on AI's future, data privacy, and the influence of faith in entrepreneurship.Key Takeaways- AI and AR technologies have the potential to revolutionise memory augmentation, providing perfect recall and proactive insights based on an individual's life experiences.- Building a successful global team requires extreme specificity and over-communication to avoid costly miscommunications, especially in hardware development.- Achieving a balance between openness and data privacy is crucial for tech companies to build trust and positively influence industry standards.Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat nowConnect with hosts Ollie and Becky via LinkedIn.

Liquid-liquid extraction technology, when implemented innovatively, can transform lithium extraction by dramatically reducing costs and environmental impact! Wanna understand how? Listen to this!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/Thanks to my sponsor, SimpleLab! Check them out ➡️ https://gosimplelab.com/#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣Altillion's website: https://www.altillion.com/Connect with Jay Keener on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-keener/My conversation with Chris Wyres from Evove: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s9e7-how-to-eradicate-dead-zones-cut-energy-needs-by-80-and-double-lithium-selectivity

Join Dualta and Rich Evans for a casual and insightful chat on the Recruiter Startup Podcast. They discuss recruitment vibes, industry trends, and the contrasts between Leeds and Manchester. #Podcast #Recruitment #CareerTips

From academia to entrepreneurship: The remarkable story of Nick Tune and the secrets to converting research into commercial success, with his spinout company Optimise AI. Gain valuable insights on the mindset shifts necessary for transitioning from corporate to startup life, the importance of support networks, and how to embrace failures. Uncover the economic impact of Nick's spinout company Optimise AI, their differentiators in the market, and his valuable advice on team growth and work-life balance for early-stage founders.Key Takeaways- Balancing financial management and growth is crucial for startup survival, requiring careful attention to both spending and cash runway.- Utilising fractional experts can provide startups with strategic and operational support without the high costs of full-time roles.- A strong support system and maintaining personal well-being are essential for founders to sustain their passion and resilience in the face of entrepreneurial challenges.Have questions about our podcast or an episode? Ask our hosts, chat nowConnect with hosts Ollie and Becky via LinkedIn. 

In this episode Michael Johnson, a senior leader with over 20 years of experience in global engineering management and product development, explores the importance of leadership in various organizational contexts, and insights on mentoring and team building. The discussion delves into Michael's experiences with startups, his approach to solving engineering problems, and his thoughts on effective leadership. Michael also shares personal stories about balancing professional demands with family life and emphasizes the value of continuous learning and coaching. Episode Highlights: 04:34 Challenges and Rewards of Startup Life 10:09 Effective Leadership in Modern Organizations 12:57 Supporting Clients Beyond Engineering 27:12 Personal Insights and Family Leadership Michael Johnson is a visionary leader with over 20 years of expertise in global engineering management and product development across medical devices and life sciences. As Managing Principal of Stress Engineering Services' Medical Practice and founder of Force-4, Michael has driven innovation in engineering and regulatory consulting. Previously, he led manufacturing and supply chain at Mammotome and spearheaded IoT advancements at Otto Tech Systems. A U.S. Navy veteran and University of Dayton graduate, Michael excels at aligning strategy with execution, fostering innovation, and achieving operational excellence. Join him to explore engineering breakthroughs, leadership insights, and transformative industry strategies. Connect with Michael: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-johnson-014b3131 Company Website: https://sesforce4.com/ For more insights: Follow me on my YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/47GgMdn Sign up for my Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3T09kVc Sign up for my LinkedIn Newsletter: https://bit.ly/49SmRV3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all love a comeback story, and live comedy is one of the biggest to emerge from the pandemic. It offer us what we crave more than ever: shared experience, community, and levity. But how does that work in an era when social media has become a comedian's most begrudgingly important platform?In this episode, J.B. and Molly talk with Danny Frenkel, founder and CEO of PunchUp Live, a platform revolutionizing how comedians connect with their audiences. From his roots in advertising to the grind of startup life, Danny shares what it takes to turn a creative vision into reality. This is a candid exploration of the sacrifices and rewards of following one's dreams, seasoned with wisdom on embracing creativity and the unpredictable nature of the entrepreneurial journey."Find something that you care so insanely passionately about that you're willing to put in all the work. Because, again, the only thing that I know is you've really gotta work hard." - Danny Frenkel Check out punchup.live to connect with some of your favorite comedians, like Larry David, Michelle Wood, Roy Wood Jr., Tom Segura, and Aparna Nancherla! Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

"Some of the best networking comes when it is non-transactional, when it's asking, “What are you up to?”In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Melissa Moody to talk about her journey from corporate life at Google to the dynamic world of startups. Together, Rebecca and Melissa discuss how human-centered networking can move you towards your career goals, and how embracing your life chapters can lead to more fulfilling work. Melissa explains the distinction between building a network and cultivating an audience, explaining how leaders can grow meaningful relationships without the pressure to “go big” on social media. She also shares her experience with Matcha and the Wednesday Women project, which aims to connect communities and amplify extraordinary women executives.In this episode, you'll learn:  The value of aligning your career with your authentic self for lasting success The key differences between building networks and audiences for professional growth  How fostering connections can empower women leaders and build stronger communities  Things to listen for:(00:00) Intro(02:07) The Wednesday Women initiative(04:27) Matcha: enhancing community connections(06:56) Embracing new beginnings(13:10) When to build a network vs. an audience(16:04) The power of non-transactional networking(30:20) Putting the “human” back in businessConnect with Melissa:Website: https://matcha.so/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissammoody/X: https://twitter.com/moody_mobile?lang=enConnect with Rebecca:https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

Hosts @kevingibbon (Shyp, Airhouse) @sm (Winnie)

Ever wondered how a makeup artist built and SOLD a tech company with NO tech experience? In this episode, Nicola Gunby, Co-Founder of Cliq, reveals her journey from makeup artist in Australia to successfully exiting her beauty tech platform and launching and raising half a million for her new community app CLIQ.

In this episode, we chat with Melissa Seligmann, COO of Thingtesting, as she dives into the importance of authenticity in consumer insights and brand engagement. Melissa shares how Thingtesting has grown from an Instagram account into a robust review platform, helping brands connect with consumers in genuine ways. With a background that includes building customer loyalty at BarkBox, Melissa also provides insights on creating memorable, mission-driven experiences.Favorite Moments:[00:02:00] Building Authentic Review Platforms: How Thingtesting transformed from a simple Instagram to a trusted product review hub.[00:06:00] Bridging the DTC-Retail Gap: Strategies for brands to gain insights on customers as they shift from direct-to-consumer to retail.[00:11:00] The Role of Design in Brand Experience: How creative design shapes customer perception and drives loyalty.[00:19:00] Startup Life and Operations: Melissa's day-to-day at Thingtesting and balancing remote work with team productivity.[00:32:00] Lessons from BarkBox: Melissa's time at BarkBox and how a thoughtful, mission-driven approach to customer experience can build a passionate community.Join us for an episode filled with actionable insights on building trust, creating authentic consumer connections, and staying mission-focused!Want to learn more about Melissa and Thingtesting? Hit the links below!Melissa Seligmann LinkedinThingtesting--------------------------Enjoying Above the Fold? Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it's your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!---------------------------Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/justjessssssInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess.cervellon/

In this episode, we reconnect with Angela Thomas to illuminate the challenges of starting and scaling a business, the importance of perseverance, and the need to adapt in today's fast-paced landscape. Plus, she introduces marketing software that helps insurance agents grow their businesses without the high costs of traditional marketing. Tune in!   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE   The power of entrepreneurship, even in challenging times Must-have values a real estate investor must possess to succeed  Why it's essential to be selective about clients and partners in your business  Three keys to effective marketing strategies for your property investments  What makes a lead conversion efficient  RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Wizdrip GoHighLevel  ABOUT ANGELA THOMAS  Angela Thomas, the CEO of Styyled Digital, is a proven leader with a track record of success in various industries. With a business degree from Brigham Young University earned at the impressive age of 18, Angela's journey is a testament to her determination and entrepreneurial spirit.   After experiencing significant growth as a district manager for several international corporations, Angela co-founded RPCapital, a real estate investing brand, in 2012. However, the challenges of outsourcing marketing efforts led her to self-study the intricacies of digital and traditional marketing practices. The result? A transformation of RPCapital's sales process that doubled profits in 2015 and again in 2016.   CONNECT WITH ANGELA  Website: Styyled Digital LinkedIn: Angela Gunby Thomas CONNECT WITH US: If you need help with anything in real estate, please email invest@rpcinvest.com  Reach Ron: RP Capital Leave podcast reviews and topic suggestions: iTunes Subscribe and get additional info: Get Real Estate Success Facebook Group: Cash Flow Property Facebook Community Instagram: @ronphillips_ YouTube: RpCapital Get the latest trends and insights: RP Capital Newsletter