Podcasts about startup stories

Meet Lindsay Friedman, a four-time healthcare startup founder on a mission to solve real-world problems in caregiving and long-term care. From https://carebloom.com/ a breakthrough monitoring platform that gives families peace of mind 24/7 to https://www.ltcarenav.com/ w comprehensive care planning solutions, Lindsay has spent her career connecting families with the resources they desperately need. In this episode, she shares her entrepreneurial journey, what drives her passion for healthcare innovation, and how her ventures are reimagining the way we care for our aging loved ones. #HealthcareInnovation #StartupStories #Caregiving #LongTermCare #Entrepreneurship #FamilyCare #HealthTech #FounderStories #CarebloomApp #SeniorCare #MedicalTech #PeaceOfMind #HealthcareStartup #SolveRealProblems #MedicalInnovationPinkCloud9 Media is Video Podcaster have interviewed 500+ CEOs, Authors, Speakers, Coaches,Executives, Business Leaders & Professionals & looking to promote more for your Visibility, Authority & Evergreen Content to my 100,000+ audience reach since 2020. Topic is always Business & your specialization the subtopic. Also booking Speakers for online events globally. Book your Business Episode Host:Book your 15-30 minute Episode SPECIAL here:https://calendly.com/pinkcloud9media/actual-livestream-recordingPodmatch discount here:https://www.joinpodmatch.com/pinkcloud9mediaGet to know our Complimentary Community w an Exclusive Benefits optionhttps://www.patreon.com/c/PinkCloud9MediaLinkedin here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pinkcloud9/https://www.youtube.com/@PinkCloud9MediaLinktree here: https://linktr.ee/PinkCloud9

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: From Code to Connection: Sofie and Lars' Sustainable Vision Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2026-03-03-08-38-20-no Story Transcript:No: Sofie sto over kaffemaskinen, dypt i tankene.En: Sofie stood over the coffee machine, deep in thought.No: Solen skinte gjennom de store vinduene i Startup Inkubator, der vinterens kjølige grep endelig begynte å slippe taket.En: The sun shone through the large windows in Startup Inkubator, where winter's chilly grasp was finally beginning to loosen.No: Våren var på vei, og med den kom nye muligheter.En: Spring was on its way, and with it came new opportunities.No: Sofie var en dedikert utvikler med stor lidenskap for bærekraft.En: Sofie was a dedicated developer with a great passion for sustainability.No: Hun hadde én drøm: å lage en teknologi som kunne bidra til å løse klimakrisene.En: She had one dream: to create a technology that could help solve the climate crisis.No: Lars, en ingeniør med mange tanker om fornybar energi, hadde nylig flyttet til Oslo.En: Lars, an engineer with many thoughts about renewable energy, had recently moved to Oslo.No: Han hadde en egen plass i inkubatoren.En: He had a personal space in the incubator.No: Innovasjon var hans drivkraft, men han holdt ofte idéene for seg selv.En: Innovation was his driving force, but he often kept his ideas to himself.No: Tidligere samarbeid hadde ikke gått som planlagt.En: Past collaborations had not gone as planned.No: Det hadde gjort ham litt reservert.En: It had made him somewhat reserved.No: Kjell, mentoren med et smil alltid på lur, så potensialet i Sofie og Lars.En: Kjell, the mentor with a smile always at the ready, saw potential in Sofie and Lars.No: Han foreslo at de skulle jobbe sammen.En: He suggested that they work together.No: "Dere to kan skape noe stort," sa Kjell begeistret.En: "You two can create something great," said Kjell enthusiastically.No: Han hadde sett hvordan Samhørigheten mellom ulike ferdigheter kunne gnist nyskapning.En: He had seen how the connection between different skills could spark innovation.No: Første gang de satt sammen ved det fargerike arbeidsbordet, møttes blikkene deres.En: The first time they sat together at the colorful worktable, their eyes met.No: Det oppstod en stille forståelse.En: There arose a silent understanding.No: Sofie begynte å fortelle om sin idé: en app som kunne måle og redusere karbonfotavtrykk.En: Sofie began to share her idea: an app that could measure and reduce carbon footprint.No: Hun kjente den vanlige tvilen krympe innover, men ble overrasket over å finne åpenhet i Lars' øyne.En: She felt the usual doubt shrinking inward, but was surprised to find openness in Lars' eyes.No: "Det er en god idé," sa Lars, og hans stemme var myk, men bestemt.En: "That's a good idea," said Lars, his voice soft but firm.No: "Jeg tror jeg kan hjelpe med en energisparingsalgoritme.En: "I think I can help with an energy-saving algorithm."No: " Sofie smilte, lettet over hans vilje til å dele.En: Sofie smiled, relieved at his willingness to share.No: De begynte å skissere planene sine sammen, linje etter linje på tavlen.En: They began to sketch out their plans together, line after line on the board.No: Uker gikk, og prosjektet begynte å ta form.En: Weeks passed, and the project began to take shape.No: Det ble mange sene kvelder fylt med kode, latter og en gryende forståelse mellom dem.En: There were many late nights filled with code, laughter, and a budding understanding between them.No: Likevel, hver gang de sto ved havnen og så utover Oslofjorden, visste de begge at prosjektet var bare en del av reisen.En: Still, each time they stood by the harbor and looked out over Oslofjorden, they both knew the project was just part of the journey.No: På dagen for den viktige investorpresentasjonen, var inkubatorens hovedrom fullt av spente gründere.En: On the day of the crucial investor presentation, the main room of the incubator was full of eager entrepreneurs.No: Sofie og Lars sto foran et hengivent publikum.En: Sofie and Lars stood before a dedicated audience.No: "Vi presenterer en nyskapende løsning for klimautfordringer," begynte Sofie, trygg i sin stemme.En: "We present an innovative solution for climate challenges," began Sofie, confident in her voice.No: Lars fulgte opp med teknisk innsikt, og sammen fremførte de en presentasjon som blendet publikum.En: Lars followed up with technical insights, and together they delivered a presentation that dazzled the audience.No: Spenningen fra presentasjonen hang fortsatt i luften da de kom ut, hånd i hånd, eucalyptusduften fra fjorden svøpte dem i vårens gryende bris.En: The excitement from the presentation still lingered in the air as they came out, hand in hand, the eucalyptus scent from the fjord enveloping them in the nascent breeze of spring.No: Investerorene var imponert, og Sofie visste at de ikke bare hadde banet vei for prosjektets suksess, men også for noe dypere mellom dem.En: The investors were impressed, and Sofie knew they had paved the way not only for the project's success but also for something deeper between them.No: På bryggekanten, omgitt av Oslos forvandlende vår, møttes deres veier og ga rom for ny begynnelse.En: At the water's edge, surrounded by Oslo's transforming spring, their paths met and allowed for a new beginning.No: Sofie følte en oppblomstring av selvtillit og Lars opplevde gleden av åpen kommunikasjon.En: Sofie felt a blossoming of confidence and Lars experienced the joy of open communication.No: De visste begge at ekte samarbeid krevde mer enn bare felles mål, men også tillit og forståelse.En: They both knew that true collaboration required more than just common goals, but also trust and understanding.No: Samholdet deres hadde skapt noe stort.En: Their togetherness had created something great.No: Ikke bare hadde de vunnet investorer, men også hverandres vennskap og respekt.En: Not only had they won over investors, but also each other's friendship and respect.No: Mens bølgene blunket i kveldssolen, visste de at de hadde skapt fremtidsdrømmer i Oslofjorden.En: As the waves blinked in the evening sun, they knew they had created future dreams in Oslofjorden.No: De hadde funnet både profesjonell suksess og en form for kjærlighet i vårluften.En: They had found both professional success and a form of love in the spring air. Vocabulary Words:chilly: kjøligegrasp: grepdedicated: dedikertpassion: lidenskapsustainability: bærekraftrenewable: fornybarinnovative: nyskapendereserved: reservertenthusiastically: begeistretconnection: samhørighetenunderstanding: forståelsefootprint: fotavtrykkalgorithm: algoritmesketch: skisserereduce: reduserecrucial: viktigeinsights: innsiktpresentation: presentasjondazzled: blendetlingered: hangnascent: gryendebreeze: bristransforming: forvandlendeblossoming: oppblomstringgong: bølgerharbor: havnencollaboration: samarbeidtrust: tillitfriendship: vennskaprespect: respekt

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Unbreakable Bonds: Barcelona Startups and Friendship's Test Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-03-03-08-38-20-ca Story Transcript:Ca: La llum del matí entrava per les finestres del Barcelona Startup Incubator, il·luminant el caos creatiu de joves empresaris.En: The morning light entered through the windows of the Barcelona Startup Incubator, illuminating the creative chaos of young entrepreneurs.Ca: Les parets estaven plenes de frases inspiradores i idees escrites.En: The walls were filled with inspiring quotes and scribbled ideas.Ca: Feia un fred que recordava que l'hivern encara no havia marxat, però l'ambient era càlid amb expectatives i somnis.En: It was cold, reminding them that winter had not yet left, but the atmosphere was warm with expectations and dreams.Ca: Núria i Martí estaven asseguts en una petita sala de reunió, just davant de Jordi, un inversor que despertava admiració i una mica de por per les seves avaluacions dures.En: Núria and Martí were sitting in a small meeting room, right in front of Jordi, an investor who both inspired admiration and instilled a bit of fear due to his tough evaluations.Ca: Era un dia important: la seva oportunitat per aconseguir el capital que necessitaven per llançar el seu projecte tecnològic.En: It was an important day: their opportunity to secure the capital they needed to launch their tech project.Ca: Núria estava preparada, la seva veu clara i segura.En: Núria was prepared, her voice clear and confident.Ca: Quan Núria parlava, amagava el seu temor per no ser suficient amb una façana de confiança.En: When she spoke, she hid her fear of not being enough behind a facade of confidence.Ca: Martí, el seu amic fidel i cofundador, sempre l'acompanyava amb el millor dels ànims.En: Martí, her loyal friend and co-founder, always accompanied her with the best of spirits.Ca: Però aquell matí, Martí estava inusualment silenciós i amb el rostre pàl·lid.En: But that morning, Martí was unusually silent and had a pale face.Ca: Mentre repassaven les diapos de la presentació, Martí va mirar el seu telèfon i el seu rostre va canviar.En: As they went through the presentation slides, Martí looked at his phone and his expression changed.Ca: Núria va notar la preocupació als seus ulls.En: Núria noticed the worry in his eyes.Ca: “Què passa?” va preguntar ella, deixant de banda els gràfics.En: "What's going on?" she asked, putting aside the charts.Ca: “Ara no,” va murmurar Martí, intentant tranquil·litzar-la.En: "Not now," murmured Martí, trying to reassure her.Ca: Es va aixecar, mirant fixament la porta, però va decidir quedar-se.En: He stood up, staring at the door, but decided to stay.Ca: Quan Núria començava l'exposició, el pensament de Martí no la deixava concentrar.En: When Núria began the presentation, the thought of Martí wouldn't let her focus.Ca: Ell estava assegut al seu costat, respirant amb dificultat, mirant el terra.En: He was sitting next to her, breathing heavily, looking at the floor.Ca: “Aviam... perdona, Jordi,” va dir Núria, tallant la seva pròpia explicació.En: "Uh... excuse me, Jordi," said Núria, interrupting her own explanation.Ca: “Un moment.”En: "One moment."Ca: La sala es va fer silenci.En: The room fell silent.Ca: Núria es va girar cap a Martí, tocant-li el braç.En: Núria turned to Martí, touching his arm.Ca: Va intuir que alguna cosa greu passava.En: She sensed that something serious was happening.Ca: “Digues-me, què et preocupa?”En: "Tell me, what's worrying you?"Ca: El silenci d'ell va explotar i finalment va confessar, “He rebut una trucada de l'hospital.En: His silence exploded and he finally confessed, "I got a call from the hospital.Ca: Diuen que podria ser greu.En: They said it might be serious.Ca: No estic segur de què fer.”En: I'm not sure what to do."Ca: Núria va respirar fons, barremejant els sentiments de responsabilitat i amistat dins el seu cap.En: Núria took a deep breath, weighing the feelings of responsibility and friendship in her mind.Ca: Aquell era el moment de decisió: continuar o estar al costat del seu amic.En: This was the moment of decision: to continue or to be by her friend's side.Ca: “Martí” va dir amb dolçor, “això és important, però no més que tu.”En: "Martí," she said gently, "this is important, but not more than you."Ca: Va plegar el portàtil, provocant la sorpresa de Jordi, que observava l'escena amb atenció.En: She closed the laptop, provoking surprise in Jordi, who was watching the scene intently.Ca: “Podem resoldre això després.En: "We can sort this out later.Ca: Ara, tu estàs primer.”En: Right now, you come first."Ca: Jordi va assentir amb respecte.En: Jordi nodded with respect.Ca: Encara que esperava una altra cosa, va comprendre la decisió.En: Although he expected something different, he understood the decision.Ca: Finalment, quan van sortir a l'aire fresc de Barcelona, Martí va rebre una altra trucada.En: Finally, when they stepped into the fresh Barcelona air, Martí received another call.Ca: La veu a l'altre costat li donava bones notícies: havia estat un error, no hi havia res de greu.En: The voice on the other side gave him good news: it had been a mistake, nothing was serious.Ca: Martí va abraçar Núria, agraït pel suport incondicional.En: Martí hugged Núria, grateful for the unconditional support.Ca: Els dos van somriure, alleujats.En: The two smiled, relieved.Ca: Núria va aprendre que les persones més a prop seu sempre serien la seva força més gran.En: Núria learned that the people closest to her would always be her greatest strength.Ca: Va prometre no oblidar mai aquesta lliçó.En: She promised never to forget this lesson.Ca: El dia va acabar amb un cafè en una petita terrassa, celebrant no tan sols la salut de Martí, sinó també la seva amistat duradora i irrompible.En: The day ended with coffee on a small terrace, celebrating not just Martí's health, but also their enduring and unbreakable friendship.Ca: Així, sabent que junts podien superar qualsevol cosa, Núria va decidir que res era més important que els que estimem.En: Thus, knowing they could overcome anything together, Núria decided that nothing was more important than those we love. Vocabulary Words:the incubator: la incubadorathe chaos: el caosilluminating: il·luminantentrepreneurs: empresarisfilled: plenesinspiring: inspiradoresthe quotes: les frasesthe atmosphere: l'ambientexpectations: expectativesdreams: somnisadmirable: admiracióthe evaluation: les avaluacionsconfident: segurathe facade: la façanaloyal: fidelexpression: el rostrethe call: la trucadaserious: greuthe breath: respirarbriefly: breumenttouching: tocantworry: preocupacióconfessed: confessarfeelings: sentimentsresponsibility: la responsabilitatthe decision: la decisióresolved: resoldrerespect: respectegrateful: agraïtunconditional: incondicional

Fluent Fiction - Italian: From Coffee Breaks to Triumph: A Milano Startup Story Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-03-03-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: In un luminoso giorno di primavera, il sole brillava attraverso le ampie finestre del coworking nel centro di Milano.En: On a bright spring day, the sun shone through the large windows of the coworking space in the center of Milano.It: L'incubatore di startup era un luogo vivace e moderno, con pareti di vetro e il profumo di caffè appena fatto che riempiva l'aria.En: The startup incubator was a lively and modern place, with glass walls and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.It: Giorgia camminava veloce tra le scrivanie, il suo passo deciso.En: Giorgia walked quickly among the desks, her step determined.It: Aveva occhi luminosi e capelli castani avvolti in un'elegante coda alta.En: She had bright eyes and brown hair wrapped in an elegant high ponytail.It: Giorgia era un'imprenditrice ambiziosa con una laurea in tecnologia sostenibile.En: Giorgia was an ambitious entrepreneur with a degree in sustainable technology.It: La sua missione era chiara: lanciare una startup eco-friendly che avrebbe ridotto l'impronta di carbonio delle aziende.En: Her mission was clear: to launch an eco-friendly startup that would reduce companies' carbon footprints.It: Luca era seduto poco lontano, lavorando sul suo portatile.En: Luca was sitting not far away, working on his laptop.It: Con occhiali neri e capelli un po' scompigliati, era un programmatore talentuoso, noto per le sue app innovative.En: With black glasses and slightly tousled hair, he was a talented programmer, known for his innovative apps.It: Amava creare soluzioni digitali per problemi quotidiani.En: He loved creating digital solutions for everyday problems.It: Luca sapeva che per crescere, aveva bisogno di un partner che condividesse la sua visione.En: Luca knew that to grow, he needed a partner who shared his vision.It: Il destino li fece incontrare durante una pausa caffè.En: Fate brought them together during a coffee break.It: Giorgia notò subito il modo in cui Luca spiegava un concetto a un altro giovane imprenditore con entusiasmo e dettagli tecnici.En: Giorgia immediately noticed the way Luca was explaining a concept to another young entrepreneur with enthusiasm and technical details.It: Qualcosa nella sua passione le fece pensare che potessero lavorare bene insieme, ma un ricordo sgradevole la fermò.En: Something about his passion made her think they could work well together, but an unpleasant memory stopped her.It: In passato aveva condiviso idee che le erano state sottratte.En: In the past, she had shared ideas that had been taken from her.It: Nel frattempo, Luca si sistemò gli occhiali, osservando Giorgia.En: Meanwhile, Luca adjusted his glasses, observing Giorgia.It: Lei sembrava sicura e determinata, qualità che lui ammirava.En: She seemed confident and determined, qualities he admired.It: Ma si chiedeva anche se fosse in grado di presentare le sue idee in modo efficace, soprattutto in ambienti di business così competitivi.En: But he also wondered if she was capable of presenting her ideas effectively, especially in such competitive business environments.It: La loro prima vera conversazione avvenne qualche giorno dopo.En: Their first real conversation took place a few days later.It: Giorgia, incuriosita, si avvicinò a Luca.En: Giorgia, intrigued, approached Luca.It: Parlarono delle loro idee e delle speranze per il futuro.En: They talked about their ideas and hopes for the future.It: Con il passare del tempo, il sospiro di sfiducia di Giorgia si sciolse lentamente davanti all'onestà e alla passione di Luca.En: Over time, Giorgia's sigh of mistrust slowly melted away in the face of Luca's honesty and passion.It: Decise di rischiare e proporgli una collaborazione.En: She decided to take the risk and propose a collaboration to him.It: Luca, incoraggiato dal supporto e dalla visione di Giorgia, decise di partecipare a un'importante competizione di pitch insieme a lei.En: Luca, encouraged by Giorgia's support and vision, decided to participate in an important pitch competition with her.It: Era fuori dalla sua zona di comfort, ma credeva nella loro idea combinata.En: It was outside his comfort zone, but he believed in their combined idea.It: Il giorno del pitch, la sala era piena.En: On the day of the pitch, the room was full.It: Gli investitori erano seduti davanti, pronti a ascoltare.En: The investors were seated in front, ready to listen.It: Tuttavia, proprio quando iniziavano la loro presentazione, i loro dispositivi tecnici ebbero un problema.En: However, just as they began their presentation, their technical devices had a problem.It: Giorgia e Luca si scambiarono uno sguardo veloce, sapendo di dover improvvisare.En: Giorgia and Luca exchanged a quick glance, knowing they had to improvise.It: Con calma e ingegno, riuscirono a presentare il progetto continuando a coinvolgere gli investitori.En: With calm and ingenuity, they managed to present the project while continuing to engage the investors.It: Dopo quell'intenso momento, il duo ricevette degli applausi e un feedback sorprendentemente positivo.En: After that intense moment, the duo received applause and surprisingly positive feedback.It: I sorrisi degli investitori si trasformarono presto in un'offerta di finanziamento seed.En: The smiles of the investors soon turned into a seed funding offer.It: Giorgia e Luca avevano vinto la loro sfida più grande.En: Giorgia and Luca had won their greatest challenge.It: Di sera, celebravano con una pizza in un piccolo ristorante.En: In the evening, they celebrated with pizza in a small restaurant.It: Giorgia aveva imparato a fidarsi dei collaboratori, superando la paura del passato.En: Giorgia had learned to trust collaborators, overcoming the fear of the past.It: Luca si sentiva più sicuro, capendo l'importanza di comunicare le proprie idee.En: Luca felt more confident, understanding the importance of communicating his ideas.It: Mentre ridevano delle difficoltà superate, entrambi capirono di essere vicini a cambiare davvero il mondo.En: As they laughed about the difficulties they'd overcome, both realized they were close to truly changing the world.It: Non solo avevano ottenuto un finanziamento, ma avevano trovato un vero partner con cui avventurarsi nel futuro.En: Not only had they secured funding, but they had found a true partner with whom to venture into the future. Vocabulary Words:the spring: la primaverathe sun: il solethe windows: le finestrethe coworking space: il coworkingthe incubator: l'incubatorethe aroma: il profumothe desks: le scrivaniethe step: il passothe braid/high ponytail: la coda altathe degree: la laureathe mission: la missionethe footprint: l'improntathe glasses: gli occhialithe hair: i capellithe programmer: il programmatorethe partner: il partnerthe destiny: il destinothe concept: il concettothe unpleasant memory: il ricordo sgradevolethe pause/break: la pausathe detail: il dettagliothe quality: la qualitàthe conversation: la conversazionethe distrust: la sfiduciathe support: il supportothe pitch: il pitchthe comfort zone: la zona di comfortthe glance: lo sguardothe ingenuity: l'ingegnothe applause: gli applausi

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Spring of Innovation: A Startup Duo's Holi Challenge Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-03-03-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वसंत का मौसम था और होली का त्योहार पास था।En: It was the season of spring, and the festival of Holi was near.Hi: स्टार्टअप इनक्यूबेटर का माहौल उत्साह से भरा था।En: The atmosphere in the startup incubator was filled with enthusiasm.Hi: चारों तरफ ताजे रंगों और कॉफी की खुशबू फैल रही थी।En: The fresh scent of colors and coffee was spreading all around.Hi: हर कोने में युवा उद्यमी अपने नए-नए विचारों पर काम कर रहे थे।En: In every corner, young entrepreneurs were working on their new ideas.Hi: आरव और निशा को उनके उद्यमिता क्लास के हिस्से के रूप में एक परियोजना पर मिलकर काम करना था।En: Aarav and Nisha had to work together on a project as part of their entrepreneurship class.Hi: दोनों की पहली मुलाकात में ही परियोजना को लेकर जोश और तनाव दोनों देखा गया।En: From their very first meeting, both excitement and tension regarding the project were evident.Hi: एक ओर, आरव तकनीक में निपुण था, दूसरी ओर निशा मार्केटिंग की महारथी थी।En: On one hand, Aarav was adept in technology; on the other, Nisha was a master in marketing.Hi: आरव का लक्ष्य था अपने मेंटर को प्रभावित करना और परियोजना का नेतृत्व करना।En: Aarav aimed to impress his mentor and lead the project.Hi: पर उसे अपनी नेतृत्वक्षमता पर भरोसा नहीं था।En: However, he lacked confidence in his leadership skills.Hi: वहीं निशा चाहती थी कि उसके विचारों का भी मूल्यांकन हो और वह अपने सार्वजनिक भाषण के डर पर काबू पाए।En: Meanwhile, Nisha wanted her ideas to be valued and wished to overcome her fear of public speaking.Hi: प्लानिंग के दौरान आरव की पूर्णतावादी प्रवृत्ति अक्सर निशा के विचारों को नजरअंदाज कर देती थी।En: During planning, Aarav's perfectionist tendency often overlooked Nisha's ideas.Hi: दिन बीतते गए और प्रेजेंटेशन का समय नजदीक आ गया।En: Days passed, and the time for the presentation drew near.Hi: मेंटर की उच्च अपेक्षाएं और तारीख का दबाव दोनों पर भारी था।En: The high expectations of the mentor and the pressure of the deadline weighed heavily on both of them.Hi: तभी आरव ने निर्णय लिया कि निशा को प्रेजेंटेशन देना चाहिए।En: Then Aarav decided that Nisha should give the presentation.Hi: निशा ने भी अपने डर का सामना करने और प्रस्तुति की बागडोर संभालने का फैसला किया।En: Nisha also resolved to face her fear and take charge of the presentation.Hi: प्रेजेंटेशन वाले दिन, सब कुछ तैयार था।En: On the day of the presentation, everything was ready.Hi: जब निशा ने दर्शकों के सामने प्रेजेंटेशन देना शुरू किया, तकनीकी समस्या आ गई।En: When Nisha began presenting in front of the audience, a technical glitch occurred.Hi: आरव ने तुरंत उसे संभाला और सिस्टम ठीक किया।En: Aarav immediately took control and fixed the system.Hi: इस बीच, निशा ने दर्शकों के सवालों का आत्मविश्वास से जवाब दिया।En: Meanwhile, Nisha confidently answered the audience's questions.Hi: उनके परफॉरमेंस से मेंटर बहुत प्रभावित हुआ।En: Their performance greatly impressed the mentor.Hi: आरव ने निशा के योगदान की सराहना की और उन्होंने अगली चरण के लिए अपनी टीम की जगह सुरक्षित की।En: Aarav appreciated Nisha's contribution, and they secured their place for the next phase for their team.Hi: इस अनुभव से आरव ने सहयोग की ताकत को पहचाना और विविध कौशल की सराहना की।En: From this experience, Aarav recognized the power of collaboration and appreciated diverse skills.Hi: वहीं, निशा ने अपने आत्मविश्वास को बढ़ाते हुए सार्वजनिक भाषण का डर जीत लिया।En: Meanwhile, Nisha, boosting her confidence, overcame her fear of public speaking.Hi: इस प्रकार, दोनों ने मिलकर दिखाया कि जब कौशल और सहयोग एक साथ हों, तो हर चुनौती को पार किया जा सकता है।En: Thus, both demonstrated that when skills and collaboration come together, any challenge can be overcome. Vocabulary Words:season: मौसमfestival: त्योहारincubator: इनक्यूबेटरenthusiasm: उत्साहentrepreneurs: उद्यमीentrepreneurship: उद्यमिताtension: तनावadept: निपुणmentor: मेंटरoverlooked: नजरअंदाजdeadline: तारीखweighed: भारीresolve: फैसलाpresentation: प्रेजेंटेशनaudience: दर्शकglitch: समस्याcontribution: योगदानcollaboration: सहयोगdiverse: विविधboosting: बढ़ाते हुएconfidence: आत्मविश्वासovercome: पार करनाchallenge: चुनौतीevidence: साक्ष्यmaster: महारथीpublic speaking: सार्वजनिक भाषणskills: कौशलappreciated: सराहनाsystem: सिस्टमrecognized: पहचाना

Fluent Fiction - French: Innovation Brews: How Coconut Milk Saved Their Startup Day Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-03-03-08-38-20-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Dans un coin animé d'une ville française, un incubateur de startups bourdonne d'activité.En: In a lively corner of a French city, a startup incubator buzzes with activity.Fr: Tables dépareillées, fauteuils en velours usés et tableaux blancs couverts de mots effacés forment le décor des jeunes entrepreneurs en quête de succès.En: Mismatched tables, worn velvet armchairs, and whiteboards covered with erased words form the backdrop for young entrepreneurs in search of success.Fr: Étienne et Lilou sont là, plongés dans les papiers, préparant leur pitch crucial pour un investisseur potentiel.En: Étienne and Lilou are there, immersed in papers, preparing their crucial pitch for a potential investor.Fr: Le printemps est là, parfumé par une douce brise à travers la fenêtre entrouverte.En: Spring is here, scented with a gentle breeze through the slightly open window.Fr: Mais un nuage plane sur leur groupe.En: But a cloud hangs over their group.Fr: Étienne aime le café.En: Étienne loves coffee.Fr: Non, il adore le café.En: No, he adores coffee.Fr: Il dit souvent qu'un bon espresso est le carburant de ses idées.En: He often says that a good espresso is the fuel for his ideas.Fr: Mais aujourd'hui, la machine à espresso de l'incubateur tombe en panne avec un éclat de vapeur préoccupant.En: But today, the espresso machine at the incubator breaks down with a concerning burst of steam.Fr: Tout le monde dans la pièce s'arrête, le chaos pointe le bout de son nez.En: Everyone in the room stops, chaos at the brink.Fr: Mains sur la tête, visages déconfits, les développeurs s'agitent.En: Hands on heads, dismayed faces, the developers stir.Fr: Sans leur dose quotidienne de caféine, c'est la panique.En: Without their daily dose of caffeine, panic ensues.Fr: Lilou, pragmatique comme à son habitude, regarde Étienne avec un sourire rassurant.En: Lilou, pragmatic as usual, looks at Étienne with a reassuring smile.Fr: "Ne t'inquiète pas, Étienne.En: "Don't worry, Étienne.Fr: J'ai une idée," dit-elle.En: I have an idea," she says.Fr: Elle disparaît dans la cuisine pour revenir avec une bouteille de lait de coco.En: She disappears into the kitchen and returns with a bottle of coconut milk.Fr: Étienne fronce les sourcils.En: Étienne frowns.Fr: "Lait de coco ?En: "Coconut milk?Fr: Pour remplacer le café ?"En: To replace coffee?"Fr: "Oui," répond Lilou avec confiance.En: "Yes," Lilou replies confidently.Fr: "J'ai fait quelques essais chez moi, ça va nous sauver."En: "I did some experiments at home, it will save us."Fr: Elle prépare une boisson étrange avec le lait de coco et quelques épices.En: She prepares a strange drink with the coconut milk and some spices.Fr: Étienne hésite, puis prend une gorgée.En: Étienne hesitates, then takes a sip.Fr: Une lueur surprenante brille dans ses yeux.En: A surprising gleam shines in his eyes.Fr: "Ce n'est pas si mal !En: "It's not that bad!Fr: Bon, reprenons le travail !"En: Okay, let's get back to work!"Fr: La tension dans l'incubateur baisse, alors que tous goûtent à cette nouvelle découverte.En: The tension in the incubator lowers as everyone tastes this new discovery.Fr: Armés de leur potion exotique, Étienne et Lilou se remettent à la tâche.En: Armed with their exotic potion, Étienne and Lilou get back to the task.Fr: Leurs idées se mettent en place, claires et précises.En: Their ideas fall into place, clear and precise.Fr: Le jour de la présentation arrive.En: The day of the presentation arrives.Fr: Face aux investisseurs, Étienne parle avec passion, inspiré par leur aventure inattendue.En: Facing the investors, Étienne speaks with passion, inspired by their unexpected adventure.Fr: Lilou, à côté de lui, ajuste les détails avec précision.En: Lilou, next to him, adjusts the details with precision.Fr: Ensemble, ils forment une équipe solide, où chaque mot compte.En: Together, they form a solid team, where every word matters.Fr: Les investisseurs sourient, prenant des notes, intrigués par cette équipe qui n'hésite pas à sortir des sentiers battus.En: The investors smile, taking notes, intrigued by this team that doesn't hesitate to venture off the beaten path.Fr: À la fin, ils demandent une seconde rencontre pour discuter des termes.En: In the end, they request a second meeting to discuss terms.Fr: Étienne et Lilou échangent un regard victorieux.En: Étienne and Lilou exchange a victorious look.Fr: En sortant du bâtiment, Étienne respire profondément.En: Leaving the building, Étienne takes a deep breath.Fr: "Merci, Lilou.En: "Thank you, Lilou.Fr: Qui aurait cru que la solution serait dans ta cuisine ?"En: Who would have thought the solution would be in your kitchen?"Fr: Elle rit.En: She laughs.Fr: "Parfois, il suffit juste de regarder autour de soi."En: "Sometimes, you just have to look around."Fr: C'est ainsi qu'ils marchent vers l'horizon, prêts pour la prochaine étape de leur aventure entrepreneuriale, convaincus qu'avec un peu d'ingéniosité et beaucoup de lait de coco, tout est possible.En: And so they walk towards the horizon, ready for the next step in their entrepreneurial adventure, convinced that with a bit of ingenuity and a lot of coconut milk, anything is possible. Vocabulary Words:startup incubator: l'incubateur de startupslively corner: un coin animémismatched tables: les tables dépareilléesworn velvet armchairs: les fauteuils en velours uséswhiteboards: les tableaux blancsentrepreneurs: les entrepreneurspotential investor: un investisseur potentielcloud hangs: un nuage planecrucial pitch: le pitch crucialespresso machine: la machine à espressoburst of steam: un éclat de vapeurchaos: le chaospanic ensues: c'est la paniquepragmatic: pragmatiquereassuring smile: un sourire rassurantkitchen: la cuisinecoconut milk: le lait de cocospices: les épiceshesitates: hésitesip: une gorgéesurprising gleam: une lueur surprenantetension lowers: la tension baisseexotic potion: la potion exotiqueprecise: précisessolid team: une équipe solideventure off the beaten path: sortir des sentiers battusvictorious look: un regard victorieuxdeep breath: respire profondémentsolution: la solutioningenuity: l'ingéniosité

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Mystery Package Sparks Startup's Unexpected Breakthrough Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2026-03-03-08-38-20-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 서울의 창업 인큐베이터는 오늘도 활기차다.En: The startup incubator in Seoul is bustling with activity even today.Ko: 여기저기서 새로운 아이디어들이 튀어나오고, 혁신적인 기술들이 공간을 꽉 채운다.En: New ideas pop up here and there, and the space is filled with innovative technologies.Ko: Jiyoon은 이곳에서 열심히 일하며 자신의 스타트업을 성장시키고 있다.En: Jiyoon is working hard here, growing her startup.Ko: 그녀는 항상 무언가를 해결하려는 열정이 넘친다.En: She is always brimming with the passion to solve something.Ko: 하지만 실패에 대한 두려움도 항상 그녀의 마음 한 구석에 자리잡고 있다.En: However, the fear of failure also constantly lingers in a corner of her mind.Ko: 늦겨울의 바람이 불기 시작한 어느 날, 인큐베이터의 한가운데에 정체불명의 패키지가 나타났다.En: One day, as the late winter wind began to blow, a mysterious package appeared in the middle of the incubator.Ko: 그 패키지는 아무런 표시 없이 그곳에 있었다.En: The package was there without any markings.Ko: 팀원인 Minho와 Soojin도 패키지를 보고 당황했다.En: Her team members, Minho and Soojin, were also baffled by the package.Ko: 다들 긴장한 기색이었다.En: Everyone seemed tense.Ko: "이거 어디서 온 걸까요?" Minho가 불안한 표정으로 물었다.En: "Where do you think this came from?" Minho asked with a worried expression.Ko: Jiyoon은 마음속 깊숙히 불안함을 느끼면서도 호기심이 발동했다.En: Jiyoon felt a deep sense of unease but was also curious.Ko: "이거 조사해봐야겠어요," Jiyoon이 말했다.En: "We need to investigate this," she said.Ko: Soojin은 조심스럽게 고개를 저었다.En: Soojin cautiously shook her head.Ko: "Jiyoon, 시간 낭비일 수도 있어요.En: "Jiyoon, it might be a waste of time.Ko: 누군가 실수로 잘못 둔 걸 수도 있잖아요."En: It could just be something someone accidentally left behind."Ko: 그러나 Jiyoon은 포기할 수 없었다.En: But Jiyoon couldn't give up.Ko: 그녀는 분위기를 파악하고 이 의문의 패키지가 혹시라도 경쟁사의 방해가 아닐까 하는 걱정이 들었다.En: She sensed the atmosphere and worried that this mysterious package might be interference from a competitor.Ko: 그래서 그녀는 혼자서라도 조사하기로 결심했다.En: So she decided to investigate it on her own if she had to.Ko: Jiyoon은 시간을 쪼개가며 패키지의 출처를 추적하기 시작했다.En: Jiyoon began tracking the origin of the package in her spare moments.Ko: 드디어 그녀는 패키지를 열게 되었다.En: Finally, she opened the package.Ko: 안에는 이상하게 생긴 물체가 들어있었다.En: Inside was a strangely designed object unlike any technology she had seen before.Ko: 고민 끝에 Jiyoon은 이 물체가 이 사무실의 이전 주인을 위한 프로토타입이라는 것을 알아냈다.En: After much consideration, Jiyoon realized that this object was a prototype intended for the office's previous owner.Ko: 더 놀라운 것은 이 물체가 매우 유명한 회사의 프로토타입이라는 사실이었다.En: More surprisingly, the object was a prototype from a very famous company.Ko: 이번 기회를 통해 Jiyoon은 그 회사와 연락이 닿을 수 있었다.En: Through this opportunity, Jiyoon was able to connect with that company.Ko: 덕분에 그녀의 스타트업은 새로운 네트워킹 기회를 얻었다.En: Thanks to this, her startup gained new networking opportunities.Ko: Jiyoon은 비로소 예기치 못한 상황에서도 자신감을 갖을 수 있게 되었다.En: Jiyoon was finally able to gain confidence even in unexpected situations.Ko: 앞으로의 불확실성도 기회로서 받아들일 수 있는 용기를 얻게 되었다.En: She found the courage to accept future uncertainties as opportunities.Ko: 인큐베이터는 다시 활기를 되찾았다.En: The incubator regained its lively atmosphere.Ko: Jiyoon은 새로운 결심으로 하루를 시작했다.En: Jiyoon began her day with newfound determination.Ko: 언제나처럼, 이 공간은 그녀에게 또 다른 모험을 암시하고 있었다.En: As always, this space hinted at yet another adventure for her. Vocabulary Words:incubator: 인큐베이터bustling: 활기차다innovative: 혁신적인brimming: 넘친다lingers: 자리잡고 있다mysterious: 정체불명의baffled: 당황했다unease: 불안함cautiously: 조심스럽게interference: 방해spare moments: 시간을 쪼개가며origin: 출처prototype: 프로토타입consideration: 고민networking: 네트워킹lively: 활기를 되찾았다determination: 결심unanticipated: 예기치 못한courage: 용기lonely: 외로운gesture: 제스처anxious: 불안을 느끼다insight: 통찰력analysis: 분석department: 부서strategy: 전략venture: 모험을 하다subtle: 미묘한discovery: 발견horizon: 지평선

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast Ep. 153 - A Family Built Startup Story From The Kitchen Table with Mehmet Tascioglu   In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker interviews Mehmet Tascioglu, the Gen Z founder of Mosaic Cakes, a unique family business based in the Detroit area. Mehmet shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his family's experience during the Great Recession, through his initial ventures like Connect Me Tutoring, to the establishment of Mosaic Cakes. The discussion delves into the values instilled by Mehmet's father, the significance of family collaboration, navigating decision-making, and the challenges of introducing a new product to the market. Mehmet offers insights on the importance of mentorship, the influence of cultural heritage, and his vision for Mosaic Cakes as a symbol of the American melting pot. The conversation also explores generational differences, the role of tradition and innovation in family businesses, and the aspiration to build an ethical and impactful brand.   ·       00:54 Meet the Gen Z Founder: Mehmet Tascioglu ·       03:14 The Origin Story of Mosaic Cakes ·       05:38 Building a Business During the Pandemic ·       09:10 The Unique Appeal of Mosaic Cakes ·       13:24 Family Dynamics in Business ·       18:24 Leadership and Decision Making ·       19:08 Defining Family Business Values ·       20:21 Family Influence on Business ·       25:23 Generational Perspectives and Challenges ·       32:12 The Importance of Mentorship ·       34:24 Future Plans for Mosaic Cakes   Websites: ·       fambizforum.com. ·       www.chrisyonker.com ·       Linkedin: @mehmet-tascioglu ·       Instagram: @mosaic_cakes ·       Tiktok @mosaiccakes   Mehmet's Bio: Mehmet is Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Mosaic Cakes. Prior to starting Mosaic Cakes, Mehmet founded the nonprofit Connect Me Tutoring in 2020, which has since grown into the nation's largest youth-run free tutoring service, providing over 40,000 sessions. Mosaic Cakes is a Michigan-based gourmet dessert company pioneering an entirely new category in the American market. Founded by Mehmet (Stanford MS&E), his mother Senay, and his brother Emir, the company transforms a cherished family recipe into handcrafted premium triangular cakes featuring crushed butter cookies folded into signature chocolate sauce with fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, or other premium ingredients, creating a stunning mosaic pattern in every slice. What began as a beloved family tradition—a dessert the founders grew up enjoying at birthday parties, family gatherings, and celebrations—has become a thriving direct-to-consumer and wholesale business. Throughout their lives, the family witnessed how even the pickiest eaters absolutely loved these cakes, validating that this exceptional flavor experience deserved to be shared with communities across America. At its core, the company's mission centers on positivity, inclusivity, and courage, helping Americans discover a dessert experience unavailable anywhere else in grocery stores, bakeries, or restaurants while building a values-driven business that celebrates family heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.

Welcome to the Back to Business Podcast, where we spotlight Calgary's industry leaders and delve into the heart of entrepreneurialism in our vibrant city!Cory Fehr is the Founder of Integrity Insitu and inventor of the patented Insight Tool technology. With 25+ years in oil and gas, he grew Integrity Insitu from a solo venture into a 15-person team with 400+ years of combined R&D expertise. Raised in an entrepreneurial family, he has managed or owned four companies over 30+ years. A PMP-certified professional, Cory studied programming, reservoir engineering, geology, and project management. He presents internationally to industry organizations and enjoys hockey, bowhunting, camping, fishing, music, movies, food, and family travel.Get Connected With Cory:https://www.integrityinsitu.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-fehr-calgary-houston/Visit www.calpeteclub.com for information on our next networking and membership opportunities.https://calpeteclub.com/https://twitter.com/calpeteclubhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/calgary-petroleum-club-3a5868117/https://www.facebook.com/calpeteclubhttps://www.youtube.com/user/calpeteclub

Mail Metrics co-founder Nick Keegan shares a raw and revealing account of what it really takes to survive the early years of a startup — from three years with no customers to building one of Ireland's largest customer communications businesses through bold pivots and high-risk acquisitions.Nick speaks candidly about the naïve mistakes made at the start, burning through investor capital, letting staff go, and being months from running out of cash — before a single RFP became the lifeline that changed everything. He also explains how stumbling into a regulated, enterprise-grade business model unlocked long-term growth, and why learning by doing was the only way forward.

Canyon Coffee grew into a seven-figure brand by selling outside traditional coffee channels. This is how a design-first retail strategy shaped a more sustainable business. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Revenge Of became the go-to nerd bodega by hosting free events and waiving pinball fees. Learn the strategy that drives organic sales without discounts. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

What happens when your entire market disappears overnight? That was the reality facing LoopUp when the pandemic transformed the way the world communicates. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Steve Flavell, co-CEO of LoopUp, to talk about how his company turned disruption into a defining moment of reinvention. LoopUp began in 2003 with a mission to make conference calls less painful. For over a decade, the company grew steadily, even going public on the London Stock Exchange in 2016. But when Teams and Zoom became household names during the pandemic, LoopUp's core business all but vanished. Faced with that challenge, Steve and his team made a bold pivot, moving into global cloud telephony for Microsoft Teams. That shift didn't just save the company, it transformed it into what Steve now calls the world's most multinational telco, providing enterprise voice services in 136 countries. Steve shares what it took to steer through that transformation, from managing fivefold surges in traffic to building a scalable global service model. He also reflects on the leadership lessons learned along the way, including the power of persistence, transparent communication, and the strength of his 22-year co-founder partnership with Michael Hughes. This is a story of resilience, clarity, and strategic courage. For any founder or business leader who's ever faced a market shock or wondered how to evolve when everything changes, Steve's journey offers an honest and inspiring roadmap for rebuilding stronger than before.

Set Active founder, Lindsey Carter has nailed a well-timed, high in demand, product drop. Now the team sells out millions worth of products in the matter of hours. In just seven years, she's built a celebrity-loved athletic wear brand that generates $1 million in under an hour and is on track to hit $30 million in annual revenue this year. Lindsey has yet to take on a dollar from investors and has no plans of slowing down any time soon. Lindsey shares the strategies behind building a brand that Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and thousands of loyal customers can't get enough of. She candidly opens up about building a community with 8,200+ super fans on Instagram, and leveraging AI tools that save her and her team hours every day. We'll dive into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from placing risky second orders to keep momentum going, to learning hard lessons about hiring. In this episode you'll learn: The exact strategy behind Set Active's $1M resort drop (and why location matters)How to build real community that drives sales (spoiler: you can't fake it)AI tools that turned 5-hour tasks into 5-minute winsWhy momentum is everything and how to maintain it across dropsSocial media secrets and why you should treat each platform like a different family memberSmart hiring practices and what makes employees buy into founder visionThe power of asking for help when you need it mostHow transparency and vulnerability create customer loyaltyWhat's next for Set Active…Four Seasons collabs, gorpcore, and 90s-inspired collectionsChapters:(Tips: use vague and general language that identifies what the next few minutes will talk about) 00:00 Introducing Lindsey Carter & Set Active2:20 The Lightning Strike Moment: How Lindsey Discovered Her Entrepreneurial Passion5:07 The Investor Advice Every Entrepreneur Needs to Hear 7:00 How to Build Momentum Early In Business (+ How to Keep it Going) 10:21 Core Challenges 7 Years into Set Active & How to Overcome Them14:45 Hitting Rock Bottom In Life/Business–How to Bounce Back from A Down Year 19:47 The $1M Resort Drop Strategy23:26 New Trends Coming Up: Gorpcore, a Four Seasons collab & more25:10 Why You Can't Fake Community & Winning Social Media Strategies 27:09 AI Tools That Set Active Swears By35:29 The Secret to Consistent Wins: How Set Keeps Momentum Going  Guest: Lindsey CarterTitle: Founder & CEO Company: SET ACTIVE Industry: Fashion Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

This week in Portland startup news, Prophetic lands a huge deal, Oregon Entrepreneur Awards name winners, Demolicious plans Champion of Champions 2025, and Oregon's former CIO returns to the state. Let's get into it…PORTLAND STARTUP STORIES00:00 Portland startup news intro01:33 Prophetic03:08 Demolicious Champion of Champions 202505:05 OEN Oregon Entrepreneur Awards 202506:24 Sylvia Salazar of ‪@TonoLatino‬ joins ‪@DangerousOnes‬ 08:06 Alex Petit returns to Oregon09:40 SecretsPORTLAND STARTUP LINKSStartup Ask Me Anything https://youtube.com/live/dRATtXuSYLg?...FANWAGN    • Startup Stories: FANWAGN founder Lauren Te...   Dayo    • Startup Stories: Rethinking social media w...   Share your startup https://forms.gle/JKDniUEX64fr39Ku9Demolicious Champion of Champions 2025 https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3294115... Portland Business Journal on OEN Awards 2025 https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/... Sylvia Salazar - Breaking the feed https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...  / turoczy    / turoczy  Portland Oregon startup news on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Portland Oregon startup news Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2cmLDH8...Startup Stories on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1Tk7bbz...Startup Stories on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...The Long Con on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...The Long Con on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/48oglyT...https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky...https://siliconflorist.substack.com/https://pdxslack.comFIND RICK TUROCZY ON THE INTERNET AT…ABOUT SILICON FLORIST ----------For nearly two decades, Rick Turoczy has published Silicon Florist, a blog, newsletter, and podcast that covers entrepreneurs, founders, startups, entrepreneurship, tech, news, and events in the Portland, Oregon, startup community. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a startup or tech enthusiast, or simply intrigued by Portland's startup culture, Silicon Florist is your go-to source for the latest news, events, jobs, and opportunities in Portland Oregon's flourishing tech and startup scene. Join us in exploring the innovative world of startups in Portland, where creativity and collaboration meet.ABOUT RICK TUROCZY ----------Rick Turoczy has been working in, on, and around the Portland, Oregon, startup community for nearly 30 years. He has been recognized as one of the “OG”s of startup ecosystem building by the Kauffman Foundation. And he has been humbled by any number of opportunities to speak on stages from SXSW to INBOUND and from Kobe, Japan, to Muscat, Oman, including an opportunity to share his views on community building on the TEDxPortland stage (   • An introvert's guide to networking | Rick ...  ). All because of a blog. Weird.https://siliconflorist.com#pdx #portland #oregon #startup #entrepreneur

So there's this moment in 2022 where Celia Hatch wakes up from a dream about chicken supplements called "Chicken Spice." She thinks it's ridiculous. Fast forward to today, and she's running a seven-figure business serving America's 13% of households with backyard chickens.The twist is it started as her teenage son's eighth-grade homework assignment. He made $500 selling herbs in craft bags, then quit. Ms. Hatch, a serial entrepreneur with 16 businesses behind her, picked it up and scaled Buff Clucks to seven figures in 18 months using Meta advertising, landing pages, and subscription bundling.This is a story about accidental entrepreneurship, the growing market of premium pet owners willing to double their feed costs, and why sometimes the best business ideas come to you in your sleep. Along the way, Celia reveals why their Shopify store is the "neglected child" of their operation, how a "sneeze warning" became genius marketing, and why she wishes she'd built a proper Shopify store from day one.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSBuff Clucks: https://www.buffclucks.com/Buff Clucks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buff_clucks/Funnelish (tool they use): https://funnelish.com/SEMrush: https://www.semrush.com/Ubersuggest: https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/WORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Peak Design has raised over $60 million on Kickstarter across multiple campaigns, making them one of the most successful crowdfunding brands in history. Their most recent campaign alone generated $13.5 million. Founder Peter Dering shares the exact strategies, lessons, and controversial decisions behind building a $100M+ business entirely without venture capital.In this episode, Peter reveals:The Kickstarter Strategy: Peak Design uses crowdfunding as a fundamental building block of their brand, not just a sales channel.The "Omnichannel Sandwich" Approach: For their $13.5M campaign, Peak Design launched in retail stores at full price before fulfilling all Kickstarter orders, despite the backlash, they'd do it again.Building Without Investors: Kickstarter's upfront payment model solved cashflow challenges and allowed Peak Design to stay completely investor-free while reaching $100M in revenue.The Origin Story: A four-month motorcycle trip through Southeast Asia sparked the idea for a camera clip. That idea would evolve into an entire ecosystem of gear for photographers and adventurers.Company Culture & Transparency: The stated purpose of Peak Design is for employees to live happy and meaningful lives, and Peter shares all financial figures with his team.The Climate Change Project: Peter co-founded the Change Climate Project, creating the most robust climate certification now used by over 300 companies including REI, with Peak Design spending $350,000 annually on carbon mitigation.Chapters:00:00 Introducing Peter Dering, Founder of Peak Design 3:13 How Peter Pivoted from Construction Engineering to Being His Own Boss 4:00 Where to Find Life & Business Inspiration 5:27 Peter's First Invention: How to Bring a Product to Life 6:55 Breaking Down One of the Most Successful Kickstarter Campaigns Ever 8:28 The Steps for Scaling Sales From $700,000-$100M 10:22 The Best (Timeless) Kickstarter Tips  13:40 How Peak Design Hit Their Best Crowdfunding Campaign To Date: $13M17:00 Peter's POV On VC Dollars  19:10 Company Culture: The Key to Team Building & Being a Successful, Meaningful Leader 24:20 The Impact of Climate Change & The Creation of The Change Climate Project 28:10 Peak Design's Lifetime Warranty & How They Maintain High Customer Lifetime Value 30:00 Immersive Community Tactics That Create Value  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Rachel Hochhauser and Jena Wolfe didn't quit their jobs to build Piecework Puzzles—and that's exactly why it worked. The cofounders share how they turned a stormy weekend experiment into a multi-million dollar lifestyle brand, all while maintaining full-time careers. As VP of Marketing for Goop Kitchen, and renowned Author and creative agency owner, the duo are mastering the art of balancing everything, in real time. From starting with just four puzzle designs shot in Rachel's grandmother's garage, to spawning an entire aesthetic movement in the industry, Rachel and Jena have made their mark. They aren't afraid to do things differently, constantly learning and iterating from production nightmares and successful campaign launches. Discover their unconventional approach to entrepreneurship, product development, and world building in this candid interview. They both reveal why bootstrapping gave them the creative freedom they craved, how they navigate being business partners and best friends, and the unexpected pivot that led to their viral cocktail napkin line.In This Episode You'll Learn: Why NOT taking investor money gave them complete creative controlThe “advice tour” strategy that helped them solve business problemsHow they went from puzzles to viral tomato napkins (and why that shouldn't have worked)What happened when their manufacturer dropped them during the pandemicWhy working with your best friend can actually be brilliantTheir approach to brand partnerships with everyone from Goop to Better Homes & Gardens Chapters:00:00 Introducing Piecework Puzzles and The Stormy Weekend That Started It All 3:30 How to Find Your Gap In the Market & Stand Out6:00 Design Philosophy 101: How to Create Products That People Connect With8:40 The Importance of Creative Freedom & How to Obtain It!10:45 How to Run a Successful Business with Your BFF13:50 Starting Cultural Moments: The Origins of The Tomato Craze16:20 The Product Expansion That Shouldn't Have Worked (But Did)20:15 Advice for Overcoming Manufacturing Nightmares23:00 The “Advice Tour” Strategy That Has Saved Piecework Puzzles26:49 Brand Partnerships: From Goop to Broccoli Magazine29:15 Addressing Dupe Culture… 32:45 Leadership Tips For Building a Lean & Productive Team Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Send us a textWhat if you could build an association from scratch? No inherited bylaws, no legacy structures, no forever committees, just purpose and potential. In this episode, Elisa and Andrew welcome Matt Ott, Executive Director of the Outsourced Professionals Association, to explore what it means to create a new kind of membership organization for a changing world of work. From fractional executives and freelancers to advocacy for independent professionals, the conversation dives into mental health, startup governance, and the stigma still attached to the “gig economy.” This is association innovation in real time. Don't miss it!Support the show

One cold email landed Elavi in more than 50 Whole Foods Market stores. Learn the three-step pitch framework that gets buyers to respond in hours, not weeks. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Mike O'Sullivan (Co-Founder of Sincera and GM of Product at The Trade Desk) sits down with Michael Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Firsthand, for a candid founder-to-founder conversation about innovation, risk, and leadership in the age of AI.From DoubleClick to AppNexus to Firsthand, Michael shares lessons from decades at the forefront of ad tech: what it means to build with purpose, how to hire and scale teams that thrive, and why the next wave of growth will come from brands who embrace AI directly.If you care about founder stories, AI, ad tech innovation, and building products that last, this episode offers a rare inside look from two builders shaping the future of the open internet. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Herman, founder and CEO of BERO, joins the NetSuite Podcast at SuiteWorld 2025 to share how the fast-growing beverage brand is redefining what it takes to scale in today's competitive consumer market. From the early conversation with Tom Holland that sparked the idea for BERO, to expanding into major retailers like Target, John shares the pivotal moments that shaped the company's journey, and how the company has been using NetSuite since day one to gain a foundation of clarity, efficiency, and agility—helping the business make faster, better decisions.

How do top VCs really pick winners, and what's the “fine print” every founder misses? In this Demo Day episode, we go deep inside the investing mind of Jeff Crusey, EVP at Blacklake Group—one of the most unique and active voices in deep tech, defense, and venture capital.Jeff Crusey's journey moves from building batteries in his garage to becoming a leader at Blacklake Group, where he now guides founders and scouts the “thick tail” of defense technology startups. Jeff opens up about the habits that separate great investors from the crowd—including why reading the legal and technical fine print is a repeatable, unfair advantage in venture capital.You'll hear candid stories about Jeff's investment process—from corporate VC in climate tech to navigating the corruption of emerging markets, bouncing back from failure, and ultimately shaping the next generation of defense, energy, and deep tech founders. Jeff also debunks common venture myths: it's not always the best product or team that wins, but resilience, timing, and a willingness to start over as a beginner.Whether you're fundraising for a startup, considering a shift into deep tech, or aiming to decode what real founder success looks like, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and mindset shifts—from evaluating defensible markets to fostering low-ego, high-intellect teams. Jeff's honest blueprint for bouncing back from failed ventures, focusing on true value creation, and the future rise of AI in deep tech is a must-listen for anyone in the startup or VC world.Don't miss Jeff's practical tips for both angel investors and founders, inside stories from Blacklake Group, and a discussion of which defense innovations are set to reshape national security, from missile technology to next-gen satellite navigation.

A ridgeline in Okinawa turns into a “Christmas tree” of chem lights. A young Navy corpsman—adopted by Marines, hardened by the desert, and allergic to excuses—learns how fast jokes turn off when core temperatures spike and a friend's life hangs on a bag of ice and an IV drip. From Third LAR in 29 Palms to the first firefight of the Iraq invasion in an LAV, he paints the chaos with unflinching detail: a gunny with a cigar and a 240, green streaks of artillery across the sky, and a bullet that somehow slipped skin while punching through a flak and blouse. The losses that hurt most weren't always in combat; sometimes they were self-inflicted or silent, and those are the ones that linger.Then the story veers into Kabul, where contractor life felt like a satire—training in a ghost-town range, piss-test acrobatics, Gurkhas who needed nine people to open a gate, dysentery from bad chow, and MRAP joyrides to flea markets. Out of the absurd came “Aegis Underground,” a meme insurgency that roasted incompetent leadership and accidentally built camaraderie. When a beltway boss tried to bark orders, the phone clicked and a new chapter began: college, guiding on the coast, a nonprofit that used trips as a pretext for the real medicine—men talking without posturing.What follows is the blueprint he wishes more vets heard sooner. Identity doesn't end with a DD‑214. Purpose can be rebuilt in small, disciplined moves: fasting, breath work, running, labs, and a circle of friends who answer late-night calls. He's honest about the grind of entrepreneurship and the fear that comes with walking from guaranteed pay. He's also proof that you can trade adrenaline for ownership. His newest leap is Dillo, a high-output, wireless, Bluetooth‑dimmable adventure light built for nights on rafts, golf carts, and UTVs—a simple idea executed well by someone who learned to trust his hands and his gut.If you want war stories with humor, contractor chaos with receipts, and a clear-eyed map from service to a self-directed life, this one hits. Tap play, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and leave a review so more people find the show.To check out Doc's crazy adventures, follow his journey at @Ilive2fish on InstagramSend us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

Fashion entrepreneur Stephanie Ibbitson shares how writing a solid business plan transformed her struggling handbag brand into a profitable company. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Pere's Leap: From App Idea to Startup Dream Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-09-30-07-38-20-ca Story Transcript:Ca: L'aire de tardor filtrava suaument pels finestrals del modern espai.En: The autumn air gently filtered through the windows of the modern space.Ca: El Startup Incubator era una forja d'idees, amb joves plens de somnis i portàtils que xiuxiuejaven en sintonia.En: The Startup Incubator was a forge of ideas, with young people full of dreams and laptops whispering in harmony.Ca: Les parets engalanades amb cites inspiradores recordaven a tots que el futur s'escrivia aquell mateix moment.En: The walls adorned with inspiring quotes reminded everyone that the future was being written at that very moment.Ca: Pere, un estudiant d'enginyeria amb cabell desmanegat i ulls brillants, es trobava assegut al seu lloc preferit.En: Pere, an engineering student with unkempt hair and bright eyes, sat at his favorite spot.Ca: Les mans li tremolaven lleugerament mentre repassava mentalment la seva idea de l'app que tant l'apassionava.En: His hands trembled slightly as he mentally reviewed his app idea that fascinated him so much.Ca: El seu desig ocult era començar la seva pròpia empresa tecnològica.En: His secret desire was to start his own tech company.Ca: Però una ombra de dubte l'acompanyava sempre, com una fulla enganxada a la vora de la seva sabata.En: But a shadow of doubt always accompanied him, like a leaf stuck to the edge of his shoe.Ca: Al seu costat, Laia i Marc xerraven animadament.En: Beside him, Laia and Marc chatted animatedly.Ca: Laia, amb la seva energia contagiosa, havia assistit a més tallers del que podia comptar.En: Laia, with her contagious energy, had attended more workshops than she could count.Ca: Marc, més tranquil, escoltava, mentre prenia notes al seu portàtil.En: Marc, more reserved, listened while taking notes on his laptop.Ca: Eren companys de la universitat i suport incondicional de Pere.En: They were university mates and unwavering support for Pere.Ca: Aquell dia, el focus era la innovació i l'emprenedoria.En: That day, the focus was on innovation and entrepreneurship.Ca: Els estudiants assistien a un taller clau que els prometia eines per donar vida a les seves idees.En: The students were attending a key workshop that promised them tools to bring their ideas to life.Ca: El moment se sentia màgic i intimidant alhora.En: The moment felt magical and intimidating at the same time.Ca: Pere sabia que hi havia altres participants amb més experiència.En: Pere knew there were other participants with more experience.Ca: Temia que la seva idea, encara tendra i sense polir, no estigués a l'altura.En: He feared that his idea, still tender and unpolished, might not measure up.Ca: Però una veu dins seu, més persistent que les seves pors, li deia que ho havia d'intentar.En: But a voice inside him, more persistent than his fears, told him he had to try.Ca: Quan va arribar el moment de les presentacions, Pere va fer un pas endavant.En: When the moment for presentations arrived, Pere stepped forward.Ca: El silenci es va fer mentre es posava davant de la multitud.En: Silence fell as he stood before the crowd.Ca: Va començar a parlar, però la seva veu vacil·lava com si intentés trobar el seu camí.En: He began to speak, but his voice wavered as if trying to find its way.Ca: Les primeres paraules van sortir nervioses, i per un moment, va sentir que les seves pors el podien.En: The first words came out nervously, and for a moment, he felt his fears might overcome him.Ca: Però, aleshores, va veure a Laia i a Marc al fons de la sala, somrient-li amb complicitat.En: But then, he saw Laia and Marc at the back of the room, smiling at him with complicity.Ca: Amb un alè, va recordar per què aquella idea era tan important per a ell.En: With a breath, he remembered why that idea was so important to him.Ca: Poc a poc, la seva veu es va fer més ferma.En: Gradually, his voice became stronger.Ca: Va compartir la seva visió amb passió, els seus ulls reflectint l'esperança i la determinació.En: He shared his vision with passion, his eyes reflecting hope and determination.Ca: La sala va començar a murmurar d'interès, les mirades fixades en ell, atentes i encoratjadores.En: The room began to murmur with interest, eyes fixed on him, attentive and encouraging.Ca: En acabar, la sala va esclatar en aplaudiments.En: When he finished, the room erupted in applause.Ca: Mentors i companys es van acostar per felicitar-lo, fer-li preguntes, i oferir-li consells i suport.En: Mentors and peers approached to congratulate him, ask questions, and offer advice and support.Ca: Pere no podia creure l'efecte que havia tingut el seu discurs.En: Pere couldn't believe the effect his speech had had.Ca: Aquella tarda, mentre el sol començava a posar-se pintant el cel amb tons daurats, Pere es va sentir canviat.En: That afternoon, as the sun began to set, painting the sky with golden hues, Pere felt changed.Ca: Les seves pors semblaven ara petites en comparació amb el potencial que veia dins seu.En: His fears now seemed small compared to the potential he saw within himself.Ca: Va prometre a si mateix que seguiria treballant, convençut que el seu somni podria esdevenir realitat.En: He promised himself that he would keep working, convinced that his dream could become a reality.Ca: Amb el cor ple de nova determinació, Pere va sortir del Startup Incubator, sabent que el futur era tan brillant com ell decidís lluitar-hi.En: With his heart filled with newfound determination, Pere left the Startup Incubator, knowing that the future was as bright as he decided to fight for it. Vocabulary Words:autumn: tardorair: airewindow: finestralforge: forjadream: somniquote: citaengineering: enginyeriaunkempt: desmanegattrembled: tremolavenshadow: ombraleaf: fullaedge: vorashoe: sabatacontagious: contagiosaworkshop: tallerunwavering: incondicionalentrepreneurship: emprenedoriatool: einamagical: màgicintimidating: intimidantparticipant: participantsilence: silencicrowd: multitudvision: visióhope: esperançadetermination: determinacióapplause: aplaudimentsmentor: mentorsunset: posta de solgolden: daurat

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect, host Kevin Carrillo sits down with Jameson Rodgers, Co-founder of CBDfx, one of the world's largest privately held CBD companies. Jameson shares his powerful journey from launching the brand out of a garage in 2014 to becoming a global wellness leader with over 100 employees and presence in 21 countries. We explore: The founder story: from electronic cig startups to CBD pivot post-2014 Farm Bill The business boom (and burnout) in CBD: raising capital, oversaturation, and regulation Behind the scenes scaling: operational hurdles, funding strategies, and adapting to FDA scrutiny Generational trends in CBD use: Boomers for pain, Millennials for stress, Gen Z for wellness Building trust in a gray market and what's next for CBD in 2025 and beyond

What happens when the world's biggest fitness platform buys one of the fastest-growing running apps?In this exclusive episode of The Runna Podcast, we sit down with Strava CEO Mike Martin and Runna CEO Dom Maskell to uncover the full story behind the Strava x Runna acquisition - from lockdown side hustle to global fitness tech takeover.Whether you're a runner, startup founder, or tech lover, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes insights and actionable lessons.In This Episode:

Allegra Shaw built Uncle Studios into a seven-figure fashion brand through ethical practices, organic growth, and community trust.  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

What if one phone call could completely change the trajectory of your life? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Johnson, a scientist turned entrepreneur, president of the New Jersey Innovation Institute, and now author of 1% Dad. His story is one of relentless work ethic, fearless curiosity, and the ability to seize opportunity when it knocks, even if you don't recognize it at first. From a childhood shaped by devoted parents and early struggles in school and sports, Michael shares how discovering the power of hard work in high school football set him on a path of discipline that has driven every chapter of his journey.We dive into the unlikely twists that brought him from building rockets in the driveway with his science-teacher dad to a NASA internship he almost ignored, to launching a biotech company out of a basement.Michael takes us inside the grit behind building Visikol, from hustling for early funding to convincing pharma giants to trust two twenty-somethings with their most guarded research, and the gut-wrenching challenges of keeping a startup alive through crises, including COVID, when business evaporated overnight. His decision to sell the company at its peak was equal parts strategic foresight and personal necessity, a move that proved wise when the market collapsed shortly after.Today, as President of the New Jersey Innovation Institute, he's focused on helping founders get their ideas into the world and inspiring fathers to excel in both their personal and professional lives through his newly released book, 1% Dad. His book serves as a call to action for men to reconnect with their health, purpose, and presence at home, and Michael gets honest about the isolation, self-doubt, and quiet struggles many fathers face. He also opens up about the moments of vulnerability behind his successes, the mentors who shaped him, and the practical mindset shifts that have carried him forward.This episode is packed with stories, lessons, and insights that hit well beyond business. If you've ever wondered how to navigate the unknown, protect your energy, and keep pushing forward when things get messy, this one is for you.00:00 – Introduction & Early Life 02:36 – Discovering Discipline Through Sports 07:29 – Mentors & Lifelong Lessons 11:14 – From Science Enthusiast to NASA 17:46 – Early Entrepreneurial Spirit 20:25 – Founding Visikol 23:36 – Securing First Funding 26:54 – Surviving the Startup Struggle29:09 – The COVID Crisis & Pivot 30:56 – Deciding to Sell 33:41 – Leading NJII 39:15 – Writing 1% Dad 42:09 – Vulnerability & Honesty in the Book 45:19 – Silencing Self-Doubt 48:20 – Advice to His Younger Self 51:34 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find the BookMichael on Socials: IG: mjohnson_phd  X: @MichaelJoh82712LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-johnson-njii/ Youtube: @1percentdad Jon on Socials: IG: @thejonschultzpodcast X: @JonSchultzPod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jon-schultz-podcast www.jonschultz.com

Meet Chuck Ganapathi, the new CEO of Gainsight!In this special episode of [Un]Churned, host Josh Schachter sits down with Gainsight's outgoing CEO Nick Mehta and his successor, Chuck Ganapathi, to mark a pivotal leadership transition. Nick reflects on his 13-year journey building Gainsight into a category-defining company, the lessons he's learned navigating growth, and why now is the right time to hand over the reins. Chuck shares his gratitude for the opportunity, the deep trust he and Nick have built over decades of connection, and his vision for the company's next chapter—one shaped by AI, customer success innovation, and a human-first culture.Timestamps0:00 - Welcome & The Big Announcement2:25 - Why Nick Is Stepping Down3:54 - Lessons from Private Equity & Building a Lasting Company6:23 - Chuck on becoming the NEW CEO7:10 - How Nick & Chuck First Met (Stanford Days & Startup Stories)16:25 - Why Chuck Was the Obvious Choice for CEO21:12 - CEO Transitions as Turning Points25:40 - Human-First Leadership & Gainsight's Mission28:20 - What's Next for Customer Success in the Age of AI 34:12 - Will AI Replace CSMs? (Nick & Chuck's Take)36:42 - Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter of Gainsight38:52 - Fun Facts About Chuck (Heartthrob, Tennis & Shopping!)44:34 - Final Words: Legendary & Transformational Futures

In this episode of Confessions of a B2B Entrepreneur, host Jamie Pagan, from the Revenue Career Ladder podcast, speaks with Tom Hunt, founder of the B2B podcasting agency Fame. They discuss Tom's unconventional career journey, beginning with early jobs frying chips and washing dishes, which instilled a strong work ethic. The conversation traces his path through large consulting firms like Ernst & Young, and Accenture, where he learned invaluable soft skills and remote management. It then covers his entrepreneurial ventures, from a failed male leggings company to a successful SaaS business, before he finally doubled down on his passion for marketing and audience building to create Fame. This episode provides an honest and tactical look at how a non-linear career path can lead to entrepreneurial success.

Is an “exit” always every startup founder's dream? What do most exits look like? What happens when your dream business becomes someone else's? In this heartfelt conversation, Rob sits down here in Los Angeles, with Lauren Greger, founder of Rent-A-Romper, to unpack the emotional rollercoaster of building—and selling—a startup. They dive into the real cost of chasing success, what it takes to walk away, and why defining your own version of success might be the most important lesson of all. Whether you're a founder, dreamer, or just curious about the startup world, this episode is a must-listen.Feel free to follow and engage with LAUREN here:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurengregor/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengregor/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide.As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests.¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers04:47 Defining Success in Transition07:50 Navigating Startup Culture10:57 The Reality of Fundraising13:51 Building a Sustainable Business16:56 The Journey of Exiting a Business19:43 Finding Community and Support22:53 The Process of Selling a Business40:26 Identifying Potential Buyers41:44 Building Relationships for Business Transition44:51 Navigating the Sale Process46:03 The Emotional Journey of Letting Go48:38 The Acquisition and Its Impact51:12 Personal Growth Through Entrepreneurship56:26 Family Dynamics and Business Transitions59:31 Exploring New Interests and Opportunities01:04:39 Key Questions for Entrepreneurs Considering Change

From Bartending Tips to 24 Locations: The Foxy Box StoryIn this episode of This Commerce Life, we sit down with Kyla, the bold founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars, who turned bar tips and brazilian waxes in her dining room into a 24-location franchise empire across Canada.Starting 12 years ago in her dining room (yes, you read that right), Kyla used her bartending tips to fund her venture into the hair removal industry. What began as giving customers shots of tequila while learning to perfect Brazilian waxes has evolved into a franchise system employing over 250 staff across four provinces.  you can find Kyla here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-dufresne-295867149/check out Foxy box here: https://foxyboxwaxbar.com/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

In this powerful episode of Eye On Franchising, I sit down with Andrew Pudalov, the Founder & CEO of Rush Bowls, a booming fast-casual franchise redefining healthy food on the go. From Wall Street to wellness, Andrew shares the real story behind Rush Bowls' 21-year journey, why he left banking after 9/11, and how he's building a national health food empire—no private equity required.

Entrepreneur, CEO, and Co-Founder Dharmendra Manwani shares the startup journey behind ArtistOnGo, offering a real-world look at how to turn an idea into a product—through validation, iteration, and solving the right problem at the right time.ArtistOnGo is a business in a box solution for beauty and wellness professionals empowering them with all the resources needed like space, digital storefront, wholesale purchases, payments, insurance etc to set up/operate their independent brand and business in less than 30 mins with Zero upfront investment.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Send us a textIn this episode of Starter Girlz, Keandra Lewis, also known as “Miss Make It Happen,” shares how she turned frustration into innovation by building an app to solve a $100 billion problem in the industry.A former real estate professional turned construction entrepreneur, Keandra experienced firsthand the chaos of miscommunication, unclear bids, and blown budgets. Instead of accepting it, she taught herself to design an app—without a tech background—and launched Measure First, a platform that's now transforming how homeowners and contractors plan and communicate.This inspiring conversation is a masterclass in grit, resourcefulness, and the power of bold action when no one else steps up.What You'll Learn:✅ How Measure First is transforming pre-construction planning✅ The true cost of poor communication in construction✅ How women in construction are reshaping the industry✅ What it takes to build a tech solution with zero startup experience✅ Why “kind” beats “nice” in business✅ How faith, boldness, and clarity can fuel massive action

Chapters:00:00 - Intro & Childhood Name Origins 03:00 - The Power of Naming & Identity 06:00 - Growing Up: Family Dynamics & Early Lessons 10:00 - Masculinity, Fatherhood & Emotional Repression 15:00 - Leadership Through Compassion 21:00 - Military Trauma & Post-Service Healing 25:00 - Discovering Cannabis as a Healing Tool 29:00 - Founding Jane Technologies 33:00 - Redefining Freedom: Money vs. Meaning 38:00 - Building Jane & Facing the Unknown 42:00 - Entrepreneurship: Embracing Uncertainty 46:00 - Investors & the Human Side of Leadership 48:00 - Mental Wellness & Surfing for Balance 52:00 - Learning from Nature, Loss & Stillness 56:00 - What's Next for Jane Technologies 58:00 - AI, Cannabis & the Future of Retail 01:00:00 - Final Rapid-Fire: Music, Childhood, Inspiration  EndoDNA: Where Genetic Science Meets Actionable Patient CareEndoDNA bridges the gap between complex genomics and patient wellness. Our patented DNA analysis platforms and AI technology provide genetic insights that support and enhance your clinical expertise.Click here to check out to take control over your Personal Health & Wellness Connect with EndoDNA on SOCIAL: IG | X | YOUTUBE | FBConnect with host, Len May, on IG

What happens when your grand vision crashes and burns in front of the very people you need to impress? In this episode, we follow Leo and Sam, two friends with a brilliant app idea, "Kinetic," who pour 48 hours of their lives into building a revolutionary product for a make-or-break hackathon. They bet everything on a single, "magical" feature they believe will guarantee their success. But when the moment of truth arrives, disaster strikes. The demo fails, their dreams evaporate, and they're left with the bitter taste of public failure. However, in the wreckage of their ambition, they discover a more powerful, more resilient way forward. This story isn't just about a failed demo; it's a vital lesson in humility, strategy, and the real meaning of innovation. Join us as we break down their journey and uncover the foundational principles of the Lean Startup, the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and how a spectacular failure can become the first step toward building something truly great. To unlock full access to all our episodes, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don't forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series and courses now available in our Patreon Shop!

Send us a textHe left Morgan Stanley to build not one, but two startups in energy… here's why.

In this episode of Found in the Rockies, Les Craig sits down with Arthur Karell, Partner at First In, a venture firm investing at the intersection of cybersecurity, defense tech, and data intelligence. Arthur shares his unconventional journey from international law to the Marine Corps to scaling startups and leading M&A at Anduril, before transitioning to early-stage investing. He unpacks the realities of venture returns in defense tech, the difference between strategic and tactical problems, and why First In aims to build enduring companies—not just chase flashy innovations. With sharp insight and mission-driven conviction, Arthur offers a candid, inspiring look at what it means to empower entrepreneurs who secure national freedom.Here's a closer look at the episode:1. Arthur's Career JourneyGrew up in Arlington, VA; studied at Harvard and earned a law degree from UVA.International corporate law with a focus on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.Service in the Marine Corps post-9/11.Transitioned to startups, joining FiscalNote post-seed as one of the first employees.2. Lessons from Operating and M&AHelped scale FiscalNote through aggressive M&A strategy—tucking in niche data companies.Applied similar playbook at Anduril, crafting their corporate development team and deals.How defense tech M&A must align with procurement timelines and gate reviews.Why successful acquisitions hinge on founder-engineer-product fit and integration.3. Investment Philosophy at First InThe focus on being truly “first in” to high-potential, early-stage defense tech startups.Strategic problems vs. tactical ones, to drive high-leverage outcomes.The importance of stage specificity and clear risk-reward underwriting.Is venture capital for every founder?4. Industry Insights & Emerging ThemesTailwinds in AI applications and industrial automation across defense sectors.Momentum in cybersecurity as go-to-market talent shifts to early stage.DoD's structural challenges—startups must work with the system, not against it.Arthur's belief that the U.S. has latent industrial capacity—what's needed is political and contracting will.Resources:Website: https://wearefirstin.com/ Arthur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurkarell/ FirstIn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-in/ 

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, Mike Compton of SWVA Stump Co. joins Austin Gray to discuss the journey of starting a stump grinding business from scratch. Mike shares how he transitioned from a W2 job to becoming an owner-operator, his approach to pricing jobs, and the ups and downs he encountered in his first five weeks of business. They also talk about the importance of taking fast action, learning from mistakes, and building credibility in a local market.Mike's journey is a perfect example of how entrepreneurs can start small, make mistakes, and grow through persistence and hard work. If you're thinking about starting a service-based business or just want some motivation, this episode is for you. Tune in for insights into equipment purchasing, marketing strategies, and overcoming challenges as a new business owner.Text us your questions about starting your business at 970-585-OWNR!This episode is brought to you by:

In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, Kim Olver sits down again with photographer, coach, and visibility advocate Angela Acosta to explore how women can reclaim self-worth, confidence, and empowerment—both personally and professionally. Angela shares how her photo sessions become transformational experiences, helping women release decades of self-doubt and redefine beauty on their own terms.Angela also introduces her newest project, Startup Stories, where she's on a mission to raise the visibility of 100 female entrepreneurs through branding photo shoots and done-for-you media support. Learn more about Startup Stories at: startupstories.space Follow Angela on Instagram: @a.atelier.photography Connect with Angela on LinkedIn: Angela AcostaThis is a powerful conversation for any woman navigating beauty standards, visibility, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

In this  episode of The Running Wine Mom Podcast, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with Anna Lozano, a powerhouse female entrepreneur, mom, and founder, to explore the mindset shifts and manifestation practices that helped her build a purpose-driven business from the ground up.Anna opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, how positive affirmations became a core part of her brand, and what it really takes to balance motherhood and business with intention. From her first leap of faith to scaling a soul-aligned company, this conversation is packed with real talk, clarity, and motivation.Whether you're a mom entrepreneur, curious about spiritual entrepreneurship, or just love hearing startup stories from strong women in business, this episode is for you.

James Stephenson didn't take the traditional route to entrepreneurship—he left school early, started DJing at 16, and was throwing parties before most of us figured out what a side hustle was. That early hustle gave him the foundation to build something entirely different years later: oHHo, a plant-powered wellness brand combining CBD, creativity, and really good flavor. From the UK rave scene to the U.S. wellness space, James brings his full story and all the vibes to this episode.Tyler and James get into the nitty-gritty of launching a business in a highly regulated and fast-evolving industry. We're talking kitchen-table product drops, surprise pivot moments, and a husband-wife co-founder duo making it work through clear roles, good communication, and shared vision. James talks openly about challenges like supply chain chaos, growing complexity, and the decision to stay scrappy (and cash-conscious) even as they scale.This episode isn't just about infused beverages and cannabis topicals—it's a blueprint for building a brand that feels like you. James' passion for music, flavor, and intentional lifestyle design runs deep in oHHo's DNA. If you're into startups, wellness, or just love hearing how someone turns a festival food truck into a multi-product wellness brand, hit play on this one.TakeawaysCreativity can be your business superpower. From DJ to CBD innovator, James built oHHo with soul.Know your lane—and your partner's. Co-founding with a spouse takes clarity, patience, and teamwork.Start small, stay scrappy, scale smart. Growing slowly gave oHHo the flexibility to build sustainably.Flavor matters. In a crowded space, standing out starts with a product people actually want to consume again.Customer connection is key. Physical stores, community events, and music-driven activations create brand magic. TakeawaysCreativity can be your business superpower. From DJ to CBD innovator, James built OhHo with soul.Know your lane—and your partner's. Co-founding with a spouse takes clarity, patience, and teamwork.Start small, stay scrappy, scale smart. Growing slowly gave OhHo the flexibility to build sustainably.Flavor matters. In a crowded space, standing out starts with a product people actually want to consume again.Customer connection is key. Physical stores, community events, and music-driven activations create brand magic.Chapters00:00 Introduction to oHHo and James Stevenson02:40 James's Journey from Music to Entrepreneurship05:40 Transitioning to the Cannabis Space07:59 Building oHHo: Early Challenges and Strategies10:56 Customer Acquisition and Retail Strategy12:32 Navigating Partnerships and Family Dynamics14:19 Product Expansion and Market Differentiation16:58 Challenges of Complexity in Business18:41 Future Plans and Product Launches21:15 Personal Life and Work-Life Balance27:58 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

What do horse manure, pilot school, Paulownia trees, and billion-dollar investments have in common? Steve Distante. In this episode of On The Homefront, Jeff Dudan sits down with Steve Distante—impact investor, founder of Vanderbilt Financial Group, and author of Entrepreneur Land. From starting his first hustle selling horse poop to building a sustainable empire focused on purpose over profit, Steve opens up about leadership, culture, and navigating risk as an entrepreneur. Discover how he turned frustration with corporate greed into a mission to change the world through sustainable finance. He shares lessons from building a 400-acre Paulownia farm, stories about entrepreneurial betrayal, the DNA of impact-driven businesses, and how to harness your full potential at any stage in life.

What happens when the safety of a corporate job no longer aligns with your deepest aspirations? Steven Pemberton faced this crossroads in 2020 when anxiety attacks signaled he needed a dramatic change. Despite being on track for a six-figure salary as one of the youngest managers at a Fortune 100 company, Steven took the leap into full-time entrepreneurship—only to have Amazon shut down his account shortly after, leaving him $100,000 in debt with a warehouse full of unsellable inventory.Rather than retreating to corporate security, Steven and his wife pivoted to Shopify with Facebook Marketplace as their acquisition channel. The results speak volumes: from $5,000 in their first month to over a million dollars annually within 18 months. Along the way, they've built Elevatum, an e-commerce growth consultancy helping brands scale holistically, while creating a giving program that provided Christmas for 137 underprivileged children.Steven offers refreshingly practical advice on entrepreneurial resilience: "You can have emotions—they're like warning lights on your dashboard indicating problems—but you're still holding the steering wheel." He emphasizes the power of systems over individual effort, sharing how they automated their seven-figure business through strategic delegation and spreadsheets before incorporating AI tools that now supercharge their decision-making and client analysis.For those considering a business partnership with their spouse, Steven reveals how complementary roles became their secret weapon—he handles vision and marketing as CEO while his wife excels at systems and operations as COO. The mindset revelation that transformed their approach? Understanding that building a business for impact beyond personal financial needs eliminates the dangerous plateau many entrepreneurs hit when bills are covered but growth stagnates. As Steven puts it, "The amount of good you can do with a million-dollar business is just a small fraction of what you could do with a $10 million business."Ready to break free from limited thinking and build a business that scales beyond your personal capacity? Discover the mindset shifts, strategic pivots, and practical tools that can transform your entrepreneurial journey today.How to connect with Steven?Website: https://elevatum.digital/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stevenkpembertonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenkpemberton/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skpemberton/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenkpemberton/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ2zbhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWcVN6QUJjeWZUOTBneHhsAR5JI6uD1rIJHhJ9nAhMLYCrIg0z9iG1LuSQJCTJDMlFIQxM0UHGVlyNAHpGZg_aem_2m8L-7RZCI5KJkJ9y5DIIw Support the show

What do horse manure, pilot school, Paulownia trees, and billion-dollar investments have in common? Steve Distante. In this episode of On The Homefront, Jeff Dudan sits down with Steve Distante—impact investor, founder of Vanderbilt Financial Group, and author of Entrepreneur Land. From starting his first hustle selling horse poop to building a sustainable empire focused on purpose over profit, Steve opens up about leadership, culture, and navigating risk as an entrepreneur. Discover how he turned frustration with corporate greed into a mission to change the world through sustainable finance. He shares lessons from building a 400-acre Paulownia farm, stories about entrepreneurial betrayal, the DNA of impact-driven businesses, and how to harness your full potential at any stage in life.

Season 4 of the Fritanga Podcast kicks off with a full-circle conversation about hustle, identity, and building a fintech company rooted in community. Richie Serna and Emmanuel Pleitez—both past Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) Youth Awardees—are now leading one of the most exciting startups in tech: Finix.Richie Serna is a first-generation Harvard graduate from Santa Ana, California, raised by Mexican immigrant parents who instilled a powerful work ethic and value system that still guides him today. After a brief stint in consulting, he taught himself to code, moved into a hacker house, joined a Silicon Valley startup that later sold, and co-founded Finix in 2015. He now serves as CEO.Emmanuel Pleitez, raised in East LA by a single mother from El Salvador, is a first-gen Stanford grad whose journey spans Wall Street, the White House, the U.S. Army, and venture capital. He is the founding managing partner of East Los Capital and now serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Finix. Emmanuel also served as Board Chair and is now Chair Emeritus of HHF, where he launched our national Code as a Second Language initiative and helped shape our leadership work—mentoring thousands, including many of us.Together, Richie and Emmanuel are redefining what leadership looks like in Silicon Valley—while staying deeply connected to where they came from.