Podcasts about startup success

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

Business Plan vs. Statement of Intent: Your Roadmap to Startup Success

In this episode of Thrive Radio, I sits down with Daniel Addix, co-founder of LCU, a company pioneering hangover recovery with the world's first DHM-based gummies. Daniel shares his personal journey from battling the dreaded hangover to developing a science-backed, patent-pending solution that helps people feel refreshed after a night out. From overcoming product development hurdles to expanding into retail and bars, Daniel's story is one of resilience, innovation, and passion for wellness. Tune in for insights into the challenges of launching a new wellness product and the growing alcohol aid market. What you will learn in this podcast: How Daniel Addicks turned his personal struggle with hangovers into a business idea that led to the creation of a patented DHM-based gummy. The role of DHM, a compound from the Japanese raisin tree, in alleviating hangover symptoms and boosting liver health. The process and challenges of product development, including the trials and lessons learned when their first manufacturer didn't deliver. Insights into the booming alcohol aid market and how LCU's strategy includes targeting bars, retail stores, and even expanding into event activations. Essential advice for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the wellness and supplement space, particularly regarding ingredient sourcing, product testing, and manufacturing costs.

Jón Ingi Bergsteinsson MedTech founder, former CTO of SMART-TRIAL and now a startup advisor and investor via LIFA Ventures. With 10+ years of hands-on experience scaling a SaaS company in regulated healthcare, Jón offers a rare blend of technical and commercial insight.In this episode, we talk about why founders should stop treating regulatory and commercial teams like separate planets, how VCs really evaluate MedTech startups, and what SaaS-style thinking can teach traditional device companies. Jón also walks us through his “founder-to-fund” journey, shares common pitfalls in clinical trial design and gives a blunt take on why copying pharma's playbook won't work in MedTech.Timestamps:[00:00:35] Why MedTech Startups Still Struggle to Scale[00:03:41] Building SMART-TRIAL Without Venture Capital[00:06:25] Regulatory & Clinical Teams Need to Talk More[00:09:50] LIFA Ventures: Investing Beyond the Spreadsheet[00:12:12] The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Commercialization[00:14:07] Copying Pharma? That's a Mistake[00:17:33] Europe vs U.S. Startup Culture: What Founders Get Wrong[00:20:45] Advice for Early-Stage Founders in Regulated Health[00:24:28] Jón's Life Beyond MedTech: Coaching, Family & Hobbies[00:26:12] One Thing He Wishes Founders Would Stop DoingGet in touch with Jón - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joningib/ Get in touch with Karandeep Badwal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karandeepbadwal/ Follow Karandeep on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KarandeepBadwalSubscribe to the Podcast

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Pitching Green Dreams: How Passion Overcame Tech Glitches Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-04-29-22-34-01-he Story Transcript:He: התפתחות טכנולוגית מול כל הנופים הצבעוניים של תל אביב, שם קיימת מעבדה חדשנית מוקפת בניינים ירוקים ושטחי עבודה פתוחים מלאי צבע.En: Technological development against the colorful landscapes of Tel Aviv, where there exists an innovative lab surrounded by green buildings and open, vibrant workspaces.He: בפנים, אווירת יצירתיות ושיתוף פעולה מורגשת בכל פינה.En: Inside, an atmosphere of creativity and collaboration is felt in every corner.He: בצהריים של יום אביבי, נכנסו שלושה דמויות עיקריות אל המקום.En: On an early spring day, three main characters entered the place.He: נעם, בחור נרגש ונלהב, לוחץ את יד ידידיו העסקיים, ליאור ואבי, ומוכן להציג את רעיון הסטארטאפ שלהם מול משקיעים פוטנציאליים.En: Noam, an excited and enthusiastic young man, shook hands with his business friends, Lior and Avi, ready to present their startup idea to potential investors.He: נעם, יזם מלא תשוקה, בחר לספר על הפתרון החדשני שלהם, שפותר בעיות סביבתיות חשובות בעזרת טכנולוגיה ירוקה ונקייה.En: Noam, a passionate entrepreneur, chose to talk about their innovative solution, which addresses significant environmental issues with clean, green technology.He: אולם בלבו, נעם חש בלחץ והספקות החלו לנקר בו.En: However, in his heart, Noam felt pressure, and doubts began to nag at him.He: האם יוכל לשכנע את המשקיעים בטוהר כוונותיו וברעיון?En: Could he convince the investors of his pure intentions and the idea?He: ליאור ואבי, שני קציני הנדסה יצירתיים ומקוריים, ניצבים ככתף תומכת מאחוריו.En: Lior and Avi, two creative and original engineering officers, stood as supportive shoulders behind him.He: ברגע השיא, התחיל נעם את מצגת השקפים שלו, בדיוק כשהם נתפסים לחוסר נגינה קל.En: At the climax of the presentation, Noam began his slide show just as they experienced a minor technical glitch.He: המקרן כבה לפתע והאורות במתחם דלקו וכבו לסירוגין.En: The projector suddenly turned off, and the lights in the complex flickered on and off.He: בתוך כל הבלאגן והתקלות, עמד נעם מול הקהל, ותחושת הפחד החלה לחלחל בו.En: Amidst all the chaos and malfunctions, Noam stood before the audience, and a sense of fear began to seep into him.He: אך אז, חייך לעצמו בעצבנות קלוהרג את הלחץ ובחר לדבר מהלב.En: But then, he nervously smiled to himself, suppressed the pressure, and chose to speak from the heart.He: "אנחנו כאן כי אנחנו מאמינים שהפתרון שלנו יכול לשנות את העולם לטובה," אמר נעם בביטחון, כשהוא מסתכל הישר בעיני המשקיעים.En: "We are here because we believe our solution can change the world for the better," said Noam confidently, looking directly into the investors' eyes.He: בלי המצע הטכנולוגי לעמוד מאחוריו, השתמש רק בקולו ובאמונתו.En: Without the technological backing of the presentation, he used only his voice and belief.He: הוא סיפר על כוונתם לשפר את הסביבה, על הצורך בפיתוח מתמשך, ועל החזון הירוק שלהם.En: He spoke about their intention to improve the environment, the need for ongoing development, and their green vision.He: לאחר הסיום, התקהלות המשקיעים החרישית הפכה לתשואות קלות.En: After the conclusion, the silent gathering of investors turned to light applause.He: אחד מהמשקיעים התעניין ושאל עוד.En: One investor expressed interest and asked for more information.He: נאום האימפרוביזציה של נעם נגע ללבם, והם הביעו עניין ללמוד עוד על המיזם בהמשך.En: Noam's improvised speech touched their hearts, and they showed interest in learning more about the venture.He: נעם הרגיש כאילו נפתח דף חדש עבורו — הבין שאותנטיות ואמונה במטרה יכולים דווקא לגבור על ביצוע מושלם.En: Noam felt as though a new chapter had opened for him — realizing that authenticity and belief in a cause could actually triumph over a perfect performance.He: הוא, ליאור ואבי יצאו מהאולם כאשר הם יודעים שעתיד מזהיר מחכה להם.En: He, Lior, and Avi left the hall knowing that a bright future awaited them. Vocabulary Words:technological: טכנולוגיתlandscapes: נופיםvibrant: מלאי צבעcollaboration: שיתוף פעולהentrepreneur: יזםenthusiastic: נלהבinnovative: חדשניsolution: פתרוןenvironmental: סביבתיותsignificant: חשובותpure: טוהרintentions: כוונותoriginal: מקורייםsupportive: תומכתflickered: דלקו וכבו לסירוגיןchaos: בלאגןmalfunctions: תקלותseep: לחלחלauthenticity: אותנטיותbelief: אמונהimprovised: אימפרוביזציהventure: מיזםtriumph: לגבורpotential: פוטנציאלייםcomplex: מתחםglitch: חוסר נגינהconference: כנסconfidence: ביטחוןconclusion: סיוםvision: חזוןBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Unlocking Dreams: When Creativity Meets Structure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2025-04-29-22-34-01-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A kora tavaszi napfény átjárta a startup inkubátor terét, ahol Gábor és Eszter izgatottan készültek életük egyik legfontosabb napjára.En: The early spring sunlight filled the space of the startup incubator, where Gábor and Eszter were excitedly preparing for one of the most important days of their lives.Hu: A szobát fiatal vállalkozók töltötték meg, akik szenvedélyesen dolgoztak projektjeiken.En: The room was filled with young entrepreneurs passionately working on their projects.Hu: Mindenütt színes plakátok lógtak a falakon, melyek a feltörekvő cégek logóit hirdették, és az újdonsült baristagép friss kávé illatát árasztotta szerte a helyiségben.En: Colorful posters hung on the walls everywhere, displaying the logos of up-and-coming companies, and the scent of fresh coffee from the newly acquired espresso machine wafted through the place.Hu: Gábor, az ötleteiben mindig elmerülő álmodozó, és Eszter, a precíz és óvatos tervező, szerették volna a legjobbat nyújtani ezen a prezentációs napon.En: Gábor, the dreamer always immersed in his ideas, and Eszter, the precise and cautious planner, wanted to deliver their best on this presentation day.Hu: Mindketten tudták, hogy nagy eséllyel pályáznak a támogatásokra, mégis más-más módon közelítették meg a felkészülést.En: Both knew they had a strong chance of applying for funding, yet they approached preparation in different ways.Hu: - Gábor, miért nem próbálunk még egyszer?En: "Gábor, why don't we try once more?"Hu: - kérdezte Eszter, miközben egy utolsó simítást végzett a prezentációjén laptopján.En: asked Eszter, as she put a final touch on her presentation on her laptop.Hu: Gábor csak mosolygott, szemében a kreativitás szikrájával.En: Gábor just smiled, a spark of creativity in his eyes.Hu: - Van egy új ötletem!En: "I have a new idea!"Hu: - mondta izgatottan.En: he said excitedly.Hu: - Még hozzáadhatnánk egy szimulációt a prezentációhoz.En: "We could add a simulation to the presentation.Hu: Ez lenyűgözi a zsűrit!En: It will impress the jury!"Hu: Eszter szívét elöntötte a félelem.En: Eszter was filled with fear.Hu: - Gábor, a technika nem biztos, hogy megoldja.En: "Gábor, the technology might not solve everything.Hu: Nolopjón el túl sok időt a fő témától!En: Let's not let it steal too much time from the main topic!"Hu: A prezentáció közeledett, és Eszter igyekezett visszatartani a tendenciát, hogy Gábor ötleteit az utolsó pillanatban alakítsa.En: As the presentation approached, Eszter tried to hold back the tendency to modify Gábor's ideas at the last minute.Hu: Mégis, látta a lelkesedést a társában, és úgy döntött, megbízik benne.En: Yet, she saw the enthusiasm in her partner and decided to trust him.Hu: Amikor végre eljött az idő, hogy színpadra lépjenek, mindketten gyors lélegzetet vettek.En: When the time finally came for them to step on stage, they both took a deep breath.Hu: Az első néhány dián zökkenőmentesen mentek végig, ám az egyik zsűritag hirtelen kérdést tett fel, ami próbára tette a kettősüket.En: The first few slides went smoothly, but suddenly a jury member asked a question that tested the duo.Hu: Gábor azonnal válaszolt, belefogva az új szimuláció bemutatásába, míg Eszter igyekezett az értékesítési pontokat ismét felvillantani.En: Gábor immediately responded, launching into the demonstration of the new simulation, while Eszter tried to highlight the key selling points again.Hu: Az együttes játékuk meglepő módon harmóniát teremtett.En: Their combined performance unexpectedly created harmony.Hu: Gábor intuitív válasza és Eszter alapos magyarázata együtt ütőképes párost alkotott.En: Gábor's intuitive response and Eszter's thorough explanation made them a formidable team.Hu: A zsűritagok lenyűgözve figyelték őket, és végül gratuláltak nekik.En: The jury members watched them in awe and eventually congratulated them.Hu: A nap végére Gábor és Eszter nemcsak a várva várt finanszírozást szerezték meg, hanem egy mentorálási lehetőséget is kapottak, hogy további útmutatást kapjanak projektjükhöz.En: By the end of the day, not only had Gábor and Eszter secured the much-anticipated funding, but they also received a mentoring opportunity to get further guidance for their project.Hu: Gábor megtanulta, hogy az ötleteket strukturálni is kell, míg Eszter elfogadta a kreativitást és a rugalmasság fontosságát.En: Gábor learned that ideas need structuring, while Eszter embraced the importance of creativity and flexibility.Hu: Bárhogy is nézték, mindketten rájöttek, hogy együtt bármilyen kihívásnak megfelelnek.En: No matter how they looked at it, both realized that together, they could meet any challenge.Hu: És ahogy kiléptek az inkubátor ajtaján, tudták, hogy közös jövőjük ígérete még csak most kezdődik.En: And as they stepped out of the incubator's door, they knew that the promise of their joint future was just beginning. Vocabulary Words:sunlight: napfényexcitedly: izgatottanentrepreneurs: vállalkozókimmersed: elmerülőplanner: tervezősimulation: szimulációcautious: óvatosscheme: terventhusiasm: lelkesedésprecise: precízunforeseen: váratlanformidable: ütőképesdemonstration: bemutatásillusion: illúzióacquired: újdonsültprosperity: jólétexplanation: magyarázatguidance: útmutatássecured: megszerzettflexibility: rugalmasságanticipation: várakozásperspective: nézőpontcreativity: kreativitásintuitive: intuitívprecipice: szakadékpassionate: szenvedélyesenstructure: struktúrainnovation: innovációtime constraints: időkorlátokopportunity: lehetőség

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Spring Sparks: Arun's Inspired Gift for Startup Success Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-04-29-22-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: अरुण जब जल्दी में बाज़ार की तरफ बढ़ा, तो उसके मन में सिर्फ एक ख्याल था: मीरा के स्टार्टअप की लॉन्च पार्टी के लिए एक परफेक्ट गिफ्ट चुनना।En: अरुण when heading quickly towards the market, had only one thought in mind: to choose the perfect gift for मीरा's startup launch party.Hi: यह एक खुशगवार वसंत का दिन था; चारों ओर खिले हुए फूल और ताज़ा हवा, उसके कदमों में उमंग भर रहे थे।En: It was a delightful spring day; with blooms all around and fresh air, filling his steps with enthusiasm.Hi: स्टार्टअप इनक्यूबेटर का माहौल उतना ही जीवंत था—तकनीकी कौशल और चमक से भरी आँखों वाले युवा, जिनके दिल में नए आइडियाज जन्म ले रहे थे।En: The atmosphere of the startup incubator was just as vibrant—young people filled with technical skills and eyes shining with new ideas being born in their hearts.Hi: मीरा, जो स्टार्टअप वर्ल्ड में अपनी पहचान बनाने की कगार पर थी, अरुण के लिए हमेशा एक प्रेरणा रही थी।En: मीरा, on the verge of making her mark in the startup world, had always been an inspiration for अरुण.Hi: वह उसे उसके जुनून और समर्पण के लिए बहुत सराहता था।En: He admired her greatly for her passion and dedication.Hi: लेकिन इस बार, वह उसका ध्यान अपनी ओर खींचना चाहता था।En: But this time, he wanted to catch her attention.Hi: अरुण चाहता था कि उसका गिफ्ट वैसे ही अनोखा हो जैसे मीरा का स्टार्टअप।En: अरुण wanted his gift to be as unique as मीरा's startup.Hi: राहुल, अरुण का करीबी दोस्त, उसके साथ हो लिया।En: राहुल, अरुण's close friend, joined him.Hi: "तू अपने गिफ्ट के ख्याल में बहुत उलझा हुआ लग रहा है," राहुल ने कहा, उसकी परेशानी भांपते हुए।En: "You seem to be really tangled up in the thought of your gift," राहुल said, sensing his concern.Hi: "क्यों न कुछ ऐसा बनाए जो मीरा के काम को आसान बनाए?"En: "Why not create something that makes मीरा's work easier?"Hi: अरुण के दिमाग में एक चमक आयी।En: A spark lit up in अरुण's mind.Hi: उसने तय कर लिया कि वह एक विशेष तकनीकी समायोजक बनाएगा, जो मीरा की स्टार्टअप की सभी टास्क्स को संगठित करने में मदद करेगा।En: He decided that he would create a special technical organizer that would help manage all the tasks of मीरा's startup.Hi: उसके पास कई रातें बिताते हुए एक कस्टमाइज्ड गैजेट तैयार करने का विचार आया।En: He came up with the idea of spending many nights developing a customized gadget.Hi: उसने मेहनत से काम किया, अपने कोडिंग और हार्डवेयर स्किल्स को पूरी तरह इस्तेमाल करके।En: He worked diligently, fully utilizing his coding and hardware skills.Hi: लॉन्च पार्टी वाले दिन, इनक्यूबेटर एकदम रौशनी और खुशी से भरा हुआ था।En: On the day of the launch party, the incubator was filled with light and joy.Hi: लोग चारों तरफ बधाईयाँ देते और मीरा की हौसलाअफजाई कर रहे थे।En: People everywhere were congratulating and encouraging मीरा.Hi: अरुण जब पार्टी में पहुँचा, तो उसकी धड़कनें तेज़ थीं।En: When अरुण arrived at the party, his heartbeat was fast.Hi: उसने मीरा को अपने उपहार के बॉक्स की तरफ इशारा करके बुलाया।En: He gestured towards the gift box to call मीरा.Hi: "मीरा, तुम्हारे सपने को थोड़ा सपोर्ट देने के लिए मैंने कुछ बनाया है," उसने नरम आवाज़ में कहा।En: "मीरा, I've made something to give a little support to your dream," he said softly.Hi: मीरा ने बॉक्स खोला और इसमें से एक चमकदार गैजेट निकला जिसने उसकी आँखों में चमक भर दी।En: मीरा opened the box and took out a brilliant gadget that filled her eyes with sparkle.Hi: "ओह, अरुण! ये तो शानदार है," मीरा ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा।En: "Oh, अरुण! This is amazing," मीरा said with a smile.Hi: यह गिफ्ट न केवल उसके काम को आसान करेगा बल्कि उसकी तकनीकी महत्वाकांक्षाओं की गहराई को भी दर्शाएगा।En: This gift would not only make her work easier but also reflect the depth of her technical ambitions.Hi: उसी बसंत की खुशबू में, मीरा ने अरुण को एक नई निगाह से देखा।En: In the fragrance of the same spring, मीरा looked at अरुण with a new perspective.Hi: उसे उसकी काबिलियत और इस खूबसूरत जज़्बात पर गर्व महसूस हुआ।En: She felt proud of his capability and this beautiful emotion.Hi: इस दिन के बाद, अरुण ने अपनी आत्मविश्वास में वृद्धि महसूस की।En: After that day, अरुण felt a rise in his self-confidence.Hi: वह जानता था कि उसके पास वह काबीलियत है, जो उसके सपनों को सच में बदल सकता है।En: He knew he had the ability to truly turn his dreams into reality.Hi: उसने निर्णय लिया कि वह मीरा के साथ कदम से कदम मिलाकर अपने सपनों का भी पीछा करेगा।En: He decided that he would step by step pursue his dreams along with मीरा.Hi: सच में, वसंत का यह दिन अरुण के लिए जीवन में नई शुरुआत लेकर आया था।En: Truly, this spring day brought a new beginning to अरुण's life. Vocabulary Words:delightful: खुशगवारlaunch: लॉन्चenthusiasm: उमंगincubator: इनक्यूबेटरvibrant: जीवंतpassion: जुनूनdedication: समर्पणverge: कगारtangled: उलझा हुआspark: चमकorganizer: समायोजकcustomized: कस्टमाइज्डdiligently: मेहनत सेgesture: इशाराbrilliant: चमकदारsparkle: चमकambitions: महत्वाकांक्षाएँfragrance: खुशबूperspective: निगाहemotion: जज़्बातconfidence: आत्मविश्वासcapability: काबिलियतreflection: दर्शनtechnical: तकनीकीinspiration: प्रेरणाencouraging: हौसलाअफजाईcongratulating: बधाईयाँ देनाgestured: इशारा कियाsupport: सपोर्टreality: सच

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

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: Turning the Tides of Doubt: Marisol's Entrepreneurial Triumph Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2025-04-29-22-34-02-es Story Transcript:Es: En el corazón de la ciudad, un espacio vibrante conocido como el Incubador de Startups cobra vida cada mañana.En: In the heart of the city, a vibrant space known as the Incubador de Startups springs to life every morning.Es: Las paredes modernas, llenas de pantallas inteligentes, ecoan con la energía de emprendedores que persiguen sueños grandes.En: The modern walls, filled with smart screens, echo with the energy of entrepreneurs pursuing big dreams.Es: En un rincón animado, Marisol, Esteban y Carmen se preparan para un desafío crucial.En: In a lively corner, Marisol, Esteban, and Carmen prepare for a crucial challenge.Es: Marisol es una joven apasionada y dedicada.En: Marisol is a passionate and dedicated young woman.Es: Su startup se enfoca en soluciones sostenibles para el hogar.En: Her startup focuses on sustainable solutions for the home.Es: Pero, a pesar de su pasión, Marisol a menudo se siente insegura.En: But despite her passion, Marisol often feels insecure.Es: Esteban, su socio, tiene la habilidad de insuflar vida a sus ideas con su entusiasmo contagioso.En: Esteban, her partner, has the knack for breathing life into her ideas with his contagious enthusiasm.Es: Y Carmen, su mentora, es directa y sabia, siempre lista para ofrecer consejos honestos.En: And Carmen, her mentor, is direct and wise, always ready to offer honest advice.Es: Es primavera, y el sol calienta las calles que rodean el incubador.En: It's spring, and the sun warms the streets surrounding the incubator.Es: Marisol y Esteban necesitan comprar suministros de oficina importantes para impresionar a los inversores con su presentación.En: Marisol and Esteban need to buy important office supplies to impress the investors with their presentation.Es: Deciden visitar la pequeña tienda de suministros dentro del incubador.En: They decide to visit the small supply store inside the incubator.Es: La tienda está llena.En: The store is packed.Es: Las estanterías desbordan de carpetas, bolígrafos y todas esas cosas que podrían hacer la diferencia el día de la presentación.En: Shelves overflow with folders, pens, and all those things that could make the difference on presentation day.Es: Pero Marisol no tarda mucho en darse cuenta de que los artículos específicos que buscaba están agotados.En: But it doesn't take Marisol long to realize that the specific items she was looking for are out of stock.Es: Los clics llamativos para presentaciones de los que había oído hablar se han esfumado.En: The eye-catching presentation clickers she had heard about have disappeared.Es: Así como las carpetas ecológicas que deseaba.En: As well as the eco-friendly folders she wanted.Es: Mientras revisa las estanterías, Marisol escucha comentarios críticos de otros equipos.En: While browsing the shelves, Marisol hears critical comments from other teams.Es: "¿Ese proyecto?En: "That project?Es: No tiene futuro", dice una voz.En: It has no future," says a voice.Es: Su corazón se contrae de inseguridad.En: Her heart constricts with insecurity.Es: La confianza de Marisol tambalea.En: Marisol's confidence wavers.Es: Se queda inmóvil por un momento, pero sabe que no puede quedarse allí paralizada.En: She stands still for a moment, but she knows she can't stay there paralyzed.Es: "¿Qué hacemos ahora?En: "What do we do now?"Es: ", pregunta Esteban, manteniendo su ánimo.En: asks Esteban, keeping his spirits up.Es: Carmen, siempre práctica, dice: "Con lo que tienen, hagan magia.En: Carmen, always practical, says, "With what you have, make magic.Es: A veces lo simple es lo más efectivo".En: Sometimes simplicity is the most effective."Es: Marisol respira profundamente.En: Marisol takes a deep breath.Es: Esteban propone buscar en las áreas menos populares de la tienda.En: Esteban proposes looking in the less popular areas of the store.Es: En un estante olvidado, Marisol encuentra un lote de cartulinas recicladas y unos rotuladores de colores vivos.En: On a forgotten shelf, Marisol finds a batch of recycled cardboard and some brightly colored markers.Es: Una chispa de inspiración ilumina sus ojos.En: A spark of inspiration lights up her eyes.Es: "Podríamos hacer algo creativo", dice, empezando a sonreír.En: "We could do something creative," she says, starting to smile.Es: Esteban se une a ella, encantado.En: Esteban joins her, delighted.Es: Con sus nuevos hallazgos, Marisol y Esteban deciden improvisar.En: With their new finds, Marisol and Esteban decide to improvise.Es: Crean una serie de carteles dinámicos y creativos que representan la esencia de la sostenibilidad que defienden.En: They create a series of dynamic and creative posters that represent the essence of the sustainability they advocate.Es: Llenos de energía renovada, vuelven al incubador.En: Filled with renewed energy, they return to the incubator.Es: La presentación es un éxito.En: The presentation is a success.Es: Los inversores captan el espíritu único de su startup y sienten el compromiso detrás de cada palabra.En: The investors catch the unique spirit of their startup and feel the commitment behind every word.Es: Marisol, antes tan llena de dudas, ahora se siente más segura.En: Marisol, once so full of doubts, now feels more confident.Es: Ha aprendido que no se trata de la perfección, sino de tener confianza en su visión.En: She has learned that it's not about perfection, but about having confidence in her vision.Es: Abraza la idea de que la creatividad y la adaptabilidad son sus mayores aliados.En: She embraces the idea that creativity and adaptability are her greatest allies.Es: Al final, Marisol sabe que este es solo el comienzo de muchos desafíos, pero también de muchos triunfos.En: In the end, Marisol knows this is just the beginning of many challenges, but also of many triumphs.Es: Su camino en el mundo del emprendimiento es brillante y prometedor.En: Her path in the entrepreneurial world is bright and promising. Vocabulary Words:the heart: el corazónthe entrepreneur: el emprendedorthe dream: el sueñothe mentor: la mentorathe challenge: el desafíothe partner: el sociothe investor: el inversorthe shelf: la estanteríathe spark: la chispathe enthusiasm: el entusiasmothe advice: el consejothe simplicity: la simplicidadthe inspiration: la inspiraciónthe confidence: la confianzathe poster: el cartelthe essence: la esenciathe commitment: el compromisothe triumph: el triunfothe sustainability: la sostenibilidadthe adaptability: la adaptabilidadthe project: el proyectothe presentation: la presentaciónthe solution: la soluciónthe street: la callethe supply: el suministrothe folder: la carpetathe marker: el rotuladorthe doubt: la dudathe idea: la ideathe beginning: el comienzo

In this enlightening episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) Podcast, host Al Del Degan talks to Kelly Mottet, Chief Operating Officer of Mach 32. Kelly takes us through the dynamic journey of developing a groundbreaking medical device—the EpiPen-like auto-injector that aims to significantly reduce bleeding deaths. She shares insights into the startup ecosystem, the critical role of non-dilutive funding, and the importance of gathering user feedback to pivot product development. This episode provides a comprehensive view of the medtech landscape and the determination required to bring a life-saving product to market. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Kelly Mottet is a medical device start-up aficionado, who is passionate to bring life to new products.  Kelly has a positive attitude, and always finds a way to get things done! She excels in fast-paced environments, leading the team with agility in challenging environments.  MACH32 is the third medical device start-up for Kelly, with previous success in North American and European markets, and it shows. Kelly makes sound decisions and inspires the team to perform at a high level to meet her vision of success.    Kelly is a self-starter, that is comfortable with ambiguity and taking calculated risks.  She has the unique ability to rapidly assess situations and provide decisive leadership.  Kelly considers herself a student of leadership, constantly striving to improve and lead by example.  She values relationships, integrity and transparency.  Kelly's diverse experience in product development, business development, sales, marketing, supplier management, regulatory and quality management systems compliments the MACH32 management team. Outside of work you can usually find Kelly playing chauffer for her children's sporting events, she also enjoys yoga and red wine. Show Links: MACH32 Innovative Trauma Care Marc Curial Alberta Innovates IRAP The Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation (CAMS)  Show Quotes: "The privilege that we have in being able to get half a million dollars from friends and family is a massive privilege to be able to do." "You have to be out there sharing and being open and getting help and asking for help, and then giving back and supporting others." "Without those 3D printed prototypes, we never would've got that critical end-user feedback." Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Send us a textWalker Ferguson, a standout student-athlete from Wake Forest, joins us to share his incredible journey of entrepreneurship and sports. Growing up with self-employed parents, Walker developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit that led him to co-found a meditation app specifically for student-athletes. Together, we explore how his Spanish class project transformed into a fully-fledged app, and how the partnership with his college roommate, Hampton Tanner, was pivotal in turning challenges into opportunities.Balancing the rigorous demands of sports, academics, and a startup is no easy feat. Walker opens up about the discipline and sacrifices required to manage meetings, practice, and development while maintaining his academic pursuits. He offers insights into the mental fortitude necessary to keep moving forward, highlighting strategies like positive self-talk and a clear sense of purpose. We also tackle the unexpected hurdles of entrepreneurship, from funding to legal complexities, and emphasize the importance of supportive relationships and a trustworthy business partner.As we look toward the future, Walker shares his vision for the app Ascend, which aims to enhance mental performance for student-athletes with the help of AI. His aspirations extend beyond personal success, aiming to leave a legacy of giving more than taking. We wrap up the episode by reflecting on the power of leadership and teamwork, inspired by lessons from both sports and business. Join us to discover how Walker's story can motivate you to achieve your full potential.https://ascendmeditations.app/Support the showThanks for listening & being part of the Mindset Cafe Community.----------------------------------------------Connect With Devan:https://www.devangonzalez.com/connect----------------------------------------------Follow On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/devan.gonzalez/https://www.instagram.com/mindsetcafepodcastLet me know what topics or questions you want covered so we can help you achieve your goals faster.----------------------------------------------P.S. If you're not already a part of the The Mindset Cafe Community Page I would love to have you be a part of the community, and spread your amazing knowledge. The page is to connect and network with other like minded people networking and furthering each other on our journeys!https://www.facebook.com/groups/themindsetcafe/

When building a successful startup, the difference between thriving and failing often lies in understanding the journey itself. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gregory Shepard, the entrepreneur behind "The Startup Lifecycle" and the founder of the Startup Science platform. Gregory's research-driven insights offer a clear and practical roadmap that challenges the myths that have surrounded startup culture for decades. In our conversation, Gregory shared how his five-year research project revealed why so many startups fail and what can be done to reverse that trend. With data showing that 47.1 percent of startups fail within the first 18 months, Gregory highlights the critical importance of getting the earliest decisions right.  Overvaluation, misunderstanding capital needs, premature scaling, and neglecting to consider an exit strategy from the start are some common missteps he passionately helps founders avoid. Gregory also discussed the seven stages of the startup lifecycle he created, paying particular attention to the often overlooked stages of standardization and optimization.  Rather than rushing from product development to rapid growth, he emphasizes the need to stabilize and streamline operations first to ensure that scaling brings real profitability, not just top-line growth. This mindset shift alone could dramatically alter the success rate of new businesses. Beyond the book, Gregory has built the Startup Science platform, a comprehensive ecosystem designed to give founders access to mentors, investors, grants, classes, and curated resources all in one place. It is not just about reading a book or attending a workshop. It is about systematically embedding success principles into every aspect of the entrepreneurial journey. We also talked about the current startup climate and why economic downturns often lead to a surge in entrepreneurial activity. Gregory's advice is simple yet powerful: bunker down, stay focused, and view this period as an opportunity rather than a barrier. Investors still back good companies even when the broader environment feels uncertain. Throughout our conversation, Gregory's passion for supporting marginalized entrepreneurs and his commitment to the social and environmental impact of startups shone through. His belief that entrepreneurship is a true driver of global progress resonated deeply with me. Every aspiring founder can learn from their structured approach to resilience and success. For those curious about the real factors behind startup success, I highly recommend checking out "The Startup Lifecycle" and exploring the resources available at GregoryShepard.com and StartupScience.io. If you are serious about your entrepreneurial dreams, this is one conversation you cannot afford to miss.

Each year, 2 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer and face a fragmented, overwhelming healthcare system with minimal guidance between doctor visits, even as they make life-altering decisions.In this episode, we talk with Robin Shah, Founder & CEO of Thyme Care, who has devoted his 17-year career to improving oncology care and is now building a virtual support system that has already helped over 50,000 cancer patients nationwide.We cover:

Is there more VC flowing into Portland? A new president for TiE Oregon, $1M in funding for a Bluesky effort, and Portland startup events galore. Let's get into Portland, Oregon, startup news for this week…PORTLAND STARTUP LINKS- TiE Oregon https://oregon.tie.org- Bluesky raises $1M https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/31/custom-feed-builder-graze-is-building-a-business-on-bluesky-and-investors-are-paying-attention/- Uptick in Portland Venture Capital in 2025 Q1 https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/inno/stories/inno-insights/2025/04/15/venture-monitor-q1-oregon-metro.html - Portland Digital Corps https://siliconflorist.com/2025/04/17/portland-digital-corps-ramps-up/ - Portland AI Engineers https://www.meetup.com/portland-ai-engineers/- PIE + Portland startup community events https://www.meetup.com/pie-portland-startup-community/- Portland Startup Week 2025 https://lu.ma/pdxstartupweek- Startup Success podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uW9DLlNVTDtEqg243fuwh?si=Cwb0V3bBRvmq4ljC1dHAlA- 5 Min Startup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbbAT6TcH-8PORTLAND STARTUP NEWS00:00 Portland startup news intro00:35 Matt Dittrich named new president of TiE Oregon03:11 Graze raises $1 million for Bluesky tooling06:01 Significantly more VC in Q1 202508:30 Portland Digital Corps is up and running12:00 Portland AI Engineers meets April 30, 202512:42 PIE + Portland startup community events 19:15 Me on other podcastsFIND RICK TUROCZY ON THE INTERNET AT…- https://patreon.com/turoczy- https://linkedin.com/in/turoczy- https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky.social- https://siliconflorist.substack.com/- https://pdxslack.comABOUT 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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj98mr_wUA0). All because of a blog. Weird.https://siliconflorist.com#pdx #portland #oregon #startup #entrepreneur

In this episode, host Tyler Chisholm sits down with returning guest Leah Sarich. Leah reflects on her five-year anniversary with Thin Air Labs and how her journalism background has helped her uncover the deeper human truths behind startup success. From securing non-dilutive funding to building founder-first support systems, Leah shares how Thin Air Labs has evolved and why its values matter more than ever in today's ecosystem. She also discusses the realities of founder isolation, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and how Calgary's collaborative startup culture is accelerating meaningful impact.This episode is brought to you by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.We're on social media! Follow us for episodes you might have missed and key insights on Western Canada directly on your feeds.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collisionsyycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collisions-yycYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collisionsyycWebsite: https://www.collisionsyyc.comThank you for tuning into Collisions YYC!Remember to subscribe and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If you loved the episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share the show with your friends! These things really help us reach more potential fans and share everything that's amazing about Western Canada.We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler's website: https://www.tylerchisholm.comTyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Leah Sarich's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahsarichThin Air Labs' Website: https://www.thinairlabs.caThin Air Labs' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thin-air-labsThin Air Labs' Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thinair_labsThin Air Labs' YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQyu5u8nMnIpw9e72boUAgCollisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

Startup success rates haven't changed much—90% still fail. But what has changed is how the 10% make it. In 2025, the winning formula will have two key elements: community-based mentoring and AI business tools. Does your business need them? Visit https://freedymm.com/ to know. AMGroup City: Carson City Address: 3250 Retail Drive Website: https://freedymmm.com

Everyone sees the headlines — billion-dollar valuations, glamorous exits, and founders “living the dream.” But behind the scenes? Most are living on modest salaries, building equity they can't touch, and navigating high-stakes decisions with capital partners breathing down their neck. Here's the real story about building a company, raising money, and staying hungry without starving.Get access to our real estate community, coaching, courses, and events at Wealthy University https://www.wealthyuniversity.com/Join our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://www.wealthykingdom.com/ If you want to level up, text me at 725-527-7783!--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generat...

Pit Viper isn't for everyone. And that might be the secret to its success.It starts with a guy on a ski trip. His sunglasses break. So, naturally, he walks into a military surplus store, finds an old pair of ballistic glasses from the early 90s, and thinks, these are perfect.Fast forward a few years, and those surplus shades—once traded for beers and ski lifts—have turned into Pit Viper, a brand worth millions.But here's the question: how do you build a business that doesn't just sell sunglasses, but sells attitude? A brand that's loud, weird, and completely unignorable?Today on the show: Chris Garcin, CEO of Pit Viper, explains how they took what should have been a joke and turned it into a cult phenomenon.Links & Resources

Trust is the currency of online success, and DJ Sprague has mastered the art of building it systematically through strategic reputation management. As the Chief Marketing Officer of Shopper Approved and a veteran with 25+ years in digital marketing, DJ reveals the hidden psychological triggers that turn browsers into buyers.The conversation opens with a fascinating exploration of what DJ calls "brand schizophrenia" – when your communication touchpoints contradict each other, confusing potential customers and eroding trust. He explains why reviews must extend beyond your website to create a consistent presence across Google Ads, Google Shopping, organic search results, and third-party review platforms. This distribution strategy doesn't just build credibility; it drives significant traffic increases, with one client experiencing an astonishing 8,000% traffic growth.Perhaps most surprising is DJ's revelation about the perfect star rating – and it's not 5.0. The sweet spot falls between 4.2 and 4.7 stars, with perfect scores actually triggering consumer skepticism. Even more counterintuitive: negative reviews can dramatically boost conversions when handled properly. Studies show conversion rates increase by up to 118% when shoppers thoroughly read negative reviews, as they demonstrate transparency and authenticity.The episode covers tactical approaches for both established businesses and newcomers with limited reviews. Beyond review collection, DJ shares complementary trust signals like prominently displayed contact information, industry affiliations, and optimized Q&A content that captures featured snippets in search results. His response strategy for reviews provides a dual benefit – demonstrating customer care while strategically incorporating keywords for SEO advantage.For e-commerce entrepreneurs looking to differentiate in increasingly competitive markets, this masterclass in reputation management offers immediately applicable strategies to build trust, increase traffic, and dramatically improve conversion rates. Whether you're just starting out or scaling an established operation, DJ's insights prove that how others perceive and talk about your business might be your most valuable marketing asset.How to connect with DJ?Offer: free digital and audio copy of our book "Reputation King" to your listeners as well: https://www.reputationking.com/download/ Website: https://www.shopperapproved.com/Podcast: https://trafficandconversionpodcast.com/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanesprague/  Support the show

In this Execnow Linkedin Live, we'll explore why talent diversity is essential for you as a startup, the common hiring pitfalls you face, and actionable strategies to leverage inclusivity and build diverse, high-performing teams.Connect with me on LinkedInWork with my fractional firmWork with my executive search and advisory firmConnect with our panelists

What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Steve Waddell transitioned from shipbuilding to entrepreneurship.The inspiration behind Valuepreneurs and why it challenges conventional startup wisdom.The key lesson from Steve's TEDx Talk: Start with Who, Not Why.The challenges of launching a product, from patents to tariffs and the impact of COVID-19.Why networking, strategic grants, and understanding your customers are the keys to startup success.The groundbreaking technology Steve is developing to improve healthcare and independent living for seniors.Guest: Steve WaddellCEO & Founder of NasoniCreator of the award-winning Nasoni Fountain FaucetAuthor of Valuepreneurs: The New Rules for Building Products, Growing Your Business, and Achieving Your Entrepreneurial DreamTEDx Speaker: Start with Who, Not WhyInnovator in AI-driven healthcare solutionsResources & Links:Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevewaddellLearn more about Steve's work: http://www.swaddell.com/Check out Nasoni: Nasoni.comGet Valuepreneurs: Amazon link (Available in Kindle, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover)Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your network, leave a review, and subscribe to Speak Like a Leader for more expert insights on leadership, communication, and success.Join the Conversation: What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter, and let us know!Thanks for listening, and remember—your stories and your voice matter! ----- John Bates provides 1:1 Executive Communications Coaching, both in-person and online, as well as large and small group training. Sign up for his free weekly micro-trainings at https://johnbates.com/mini-trainings and create a great leadership communications habit that makes you the kind of leader who inspires trust, loyalty and connection.

Are you an entrepreneur or researcher looking for funding to bring your innovation to life? In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane University Innovation Institute, to explore the transformative power of the Tulane Ventures Fund. Designed to bridge funding gaps for startups in healthcare, AI/technology, and climate innovation, this initiative is driving innovation and economic growth across Louisiana and the Gulf South. In this episode, you'll discover: How the Tulane Ventures Fund is fueling biotech, AI, and climate innovation. The challenges and opportunities in securing early-stage funding for startups. The critical role of mentorship, ecosystem partnerships, and investor networks in startup success. Tune in to learn how Tulane is shaping the future of innovation and how you can get involved! Links: Learn more about the Tulane Ventures Fund. Connect with Kimberly Gramm, PhD, MBA, and check out the Tulane University Innovation Institute and their Open MIC Night and Idea Bank. Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, Tulane Innovation Day, and TRICS. Connect with Jeanne Exnicios, Rani Brooks, PhD, and Alan Colowick, MD, MPH. Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

My guest today is Gili Raanan. Gili is the founder of Cyberstarts, a VC firm focused on cybersecurity and the world's first VC that is majorly backed by cyber entrepreneurs. Cyberstarts' $50 million dollar first fund exploded to close to $2 billion in just three years. Gili describes cybersecurity today as "the perfect storm" where global conflicts and AI advancements are creating unprecedented threats. He talks about Cyberstarts' "Sunrise" methodology, which uniquely identifies customer pain points before building solutions. We discuss a focus on finding resilient talent, overcoming personal adversity, the evolution of the cybersecurity landscape, and Google's recent acquisition of Wiz, as Cyberstarts was one of Wiz's earliest investors. Please enjoy my discussion with Gili Raanan. Subscribe to Colossus Review. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Ramp is the fastest-growing FinTech company in history, and it's backed by more of my favorite past guests (at least 16 of them!) than probably any other company I'm aware of. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Imagine completing your research five to ten times faster with search that delivers the most relevant results, helping you make high-conviction decisions with confidence. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. I think this platform will become the standard for investment managers, and if you run an investing firm, I highly recommend you find time to speak with them. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:06:52) AI's Impact on Cybersecurity (00:07:51) Offensive and Defensive Tactics (00:09:32) The Future of Cybersecurity (00:15:42) The First Fund: A Legendary Success (00:17:36) Building a Successful Cybersecurity Company (00:28:24) The Sunrise Methodology (00:31:58) Reversing the Startup Process (00:32:53) The Sunrise Methodology (00:33:17) Identifying Market Pain Points (00:34:57) The Importance of Customer Actions (00:36:58) From Conversations to Software Development (00:38:57) The Role of Simulations in Startup Success (00:40:12) Fundraising and Valuation Strategies (00:42:08) Pricing and Market Dynamics (00:46:16) The Value of Superpowers in Founders (00:50:10) Google's Acquisition of Wiz (01:07:24) Personal Resilience and Tragedy (01:10:30) Future of Cybersecurity and AI (01:12:25) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Done For Gili

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryTim Guleri is a seasoned venture capitalist and managing partner at Sierra Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based early-stage technology-focused venture capital firm. With over two decades of experience in the technology industry, he has a strong track record of identifying and nurturing successful startups. Before joining Sierra Ventures, he co-founded Scopus Technology, which went public in 1995 and was later acquired by Siebel Systems for $460 million, and Octane Software, which was acquired by E.piphany in 2000 for $3.2 billion.  ➡️ Show Linkshttps://www.x.com/timguleri/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/timguleri/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/  Lingoda - https://try.lingoda.com/successstory (Code: scott25)Vanta - https://www.vanta.com/scottFederated Computer - https://www.federated.computerCornbread Hemp - https://cornbreadhemp.com/success (Code: Success)Create Like The Greats Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/lu/podcast/create-like-the-greats/id1653650073FreshBooks - https://www.freshbooks.com/pricing-offer/Bank On Yourself - https://www.bankonyourself.com/scottStash - https://get.stash.com/successstoryNetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary ➡️ Talking Points00:00 - Intro05:23 - The Common Thread in Tim's Journey08:01 - Born Entrepreneur or Learned Skill?10:31 - How Entrepreneurs Find Their Focus18:30 - Tim's Career & Investment Philosophy22:08 - Sponsor Break24:46 - The Evolution of Sierra Ventures30:27 - Founder Traps in Venture Capital35:08 - Managing Risk at Sierra Ventures40:57 - Finding Investors: Tips for Founders49:50 - Sponsor Break52:03 - The Biggest Challenge for First-Time Entrepreneurs57:24 - Riding Trends vs. True Innovation1:00:26 - Is There an Undiscovered Playbook for Distribution?1:03:17 - Scaling Without Crashing1:08:05 - Making High-Stakes Decisions with Confidence1:12:28 - Smart Exit Strategies for Entrepreneurs1:17:03 - Final Thoughts from Tim Guleri

Send us a textIn this episode of UX Leadership by Design, Mark Baldino sits down with David Hirschfeld, founder and CEO of Tekyz, about the Launch First methodology—a metrics-driven approach to de-risking product development and achieving product-market fit before building software. David shares insights from working with over 90 startups, highlighting the common pitfalls that lead to failure, particularly the mistake of waiting too long to validate revenue. He breaks down how to identify the right niche, perform root cause analysis, and use high-fidelity prototypes to pre-sell software before investing in an MVP. Whether you're a startup founder, a product leader, or iterating on a new SaaS offering, this episode offers actionable strategies to validate demand, avoid wasted development, and accelerate success.Key TakeawaysThe Biggest Mistake Startups Make - Most startups fail due to lack of product-market fit, not running out of money. Waiting too long to validate revenue leads to wasted resources and increased risk.Flipping the MVP Approach - Instead of using an MVP to test product-market fit, use it to validate product-solution fit—ensuring real customers will use it, not just buy it.Pre-Selling Before Building - High-fidelity prototypes that feel like real software can be used to sell the vision and secure early customers before writing a single line of code.The Power of Niche Analysis - Startups should identify a niche where pain points have both a high cost and a high perceived impact, ensuring customers are both willing and able to pay.The Scientist vs. The Believer - Founders often wear the "black robe" of belief in their vision, but success comes from adopting the "white coat" of data-driven decision-making.Speed Matters: Fail Fast, Fail Cheap - Instead of spending years and millions developing a product that may not sell, Launch First helps founders validate demand in 3-5 months.Lifetime Licenses Aren't Crazy - For some SaaS models, offering lifetime licenses in pre-sales can be a smarter way to fund development than raising capital and losing equity.Chapters00:00 Introduction to David Hirschfeld's Journey03:01 Why Most Startups Fail: The Real Reason09:31 Understanding Product-Market Fit vs. Product-Solution Fit14:46 Sell Before You Build: The Power of Pre-Sales19:31 Finding the Right Niche with Data-Driven Decisions24:31 From Founder to Scientist: The Mindset Shift28:46 Building a Sales Funnel for Early Traction34:11 When to Start Building Your MVPResources & LinksConnect with David Hirschfeld on LinkedInTekyz Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Fuzzy Math - B2B & Enterprise UX Design Consultancy

Send us a textIn our latest episode, guided by Kaleem Clarkson and guest co-host Josh Morse, we dive deep into the fascinating path of Joshua Parkinson, founder of Post Planner, a SaaS platform revolutionizing social media management. From street performer to philosopher to tech entrepreneur, Joshua's journey embodies adaptability, creativity, and resilience. This conversation explores his unconventional path, philosophies on work and leadership, and strategies for building a thriving remote-first business in the digital age.Joshua's story begins with a degree in philosophy, which continues to shape his worldview. These academic interests fueled his creativity during a transformative period living in Europe, where he supported himself by rapping on the streets. This phase, filled with spontaneity and cultural immersion, also brought personal growth and love—it was during this time that he met his French wife.Flash-forward to 2009, when Joshua embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the inception of Post Planner. Inspired by the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, he identified a gap in the market for scheduling tools tailored to marketers. What began as a suite of Facebook apps quickly evolved into a flagship product, now serving businesses across eight social platforms, with Facebook remaining a core focus.A significant part of Post Planner's success lies in Joshua's ability to forge meaningful partnerships. Early on, he collaborated with Slav, a Bulgarian developer who built the platform's first version. This partnership not only provided technical expertise but also demonstrated the value of leveraging global talent. Today, Post Planner's development team remains based in Bulgaria, a testament to the enduring impact of this early collaboration.Post Planner's innovative approach to work centers on asynchronous communication, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional, meeting-heavy environments. By minimizing interruptions and embracing tools like Slack, the fully remote team maintains a strong focus on output while preserving work-life balance. This model eliminates time zone conflicts—like late-night calls for overseas colleagues—and replaces micromanagement with trust and autonomy.Joshua, as the company's founder, champions this method, driven by his distaste for inefficient synchronous workflows. While acknowledging initial concerns about team cohesion, he highlights how written communication fosters thoughtful contributions and builds a culture of autonomy. Employees are free to balance personal and professional priorities without rigid oversight, fostering loyalty and engagement. For startups, he argues, this flexible model reduces costs, unlocks global talent, and drives efficiency—key advantages in today's remote-first world.Discover how Joshua's philosophical roots and global experiences shaped his approach to entrepreneurship. Hear insights into Post Planner's innovative asynchronous work model and learn how he leverages global talent to build a culture of trust and autonomy. Tune in to hear how Joshua's journey can inspire your own path and transform your approach to work and leadership!

In this episode of That Entrepreneur Show, we sit down with James Strayer, co-founder of Rubber Surfaces, to explore how he's turning recycled tires into innovative, non-slip surfaces for homes and businesses.

Kyle York of York IE joins Nick to discuss The VC Myth, AI Hype, Mastering GTM, and The Smart Approach to Capital Strategy and Achieving Startup Success. In this episode we cover: Rolling Syndicate and Market Challenges Operational Support and Early-Stage Investing Sustainable Growth and AI Opportunities Vertical Software and Market Consolidation Founder-VC Relationships and Due Diligence Successful Founder Traits and Market Trends Venture Trends and Future Perspectives Master Class for Early-Stage Founders Guest Links: LinkedIn (guest)  Twitter/X (guest)  Twitter (company) Company's Website The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we'll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

In this episode of Strap on Your Boots, I dive into the harsh realities of startup failure and the critical mistakes that lead to it. With 90% of startups failing, I break down the biggest reasons why, from ignoring market demand and running out of money to co-founder conflicts and poor customer engagement. Using real-world examples, I highlight what went wrong and how you can avoid the same fate. I also share lessons from my own AI B2B SaaS startup, Vengo AI, on how to stay lean, validate ideas, and build a product people actually want. If you're an entrepreneur looking to beat the odds, this episode is packed with no-nonsense advice to help you succeed.

In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike Parsons and Mark Pearson Freeland explore the inspiring and practical lessons from Chris Guillebeau's bestselling book, The $100 Startup.Chris is a renowned entrepreneur, traveler, and author who has built a life around creative self-employment and financial freedom. His book is a blueprint for launching a profitable business with minimal investment, proving that you don't need venture capital, an MBA, or a perfect plan to succeed.

Roy unpacks his strategic game planning process, explains the power of differentiation, and discusses how he created a business that later reached $18 billion in revenue. If you're looking to stand out, scale up, and execute like a pro, this episode is for you.Learn more!

In this episode of KP Unpacked, we challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in AEC startups: the idea that working harder equals faster results. Spoiler alert—it doesn't.Host Jeff Echols sits down with Nick Heim, a structural engineer turned senior innovation engineer, to dissect a key passage from KP Reddy's book What You Know About Startups Is Wrong. They break down why most entrepreneurs and innovators struggle with what KP calls "natural harmonics"—the reality that some things move at their own pace, no matter how hard you push.They discuss:

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory  In this Lessons episode, David Hauser, startup culture architect and entrepreneur behind a $175M exit, shares how core values drive success in both business and life. Learn how mindfulness and extreme focus can be a superpower for entrepreneurs, why high-achievers often take an all-or-nothing approach, and how to channel that intensity productively. Discover how yoga and meditation can enhance decision-making, clarity, and resilience, and gain insights into the biggest mistakes founders make when scaling a business.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com  YouTube: https://youtu.be/OLb4X0WUuRcApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-hauser-entrepreneur-author-speaker-investor-how/id1484783544Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sKQCEUuGs3psLP8GBmhc4➡️ Watch the Podcast On Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

Podcast Alert!

Mack McKelvey, Founder and CEO of SalientMG, joins me to explain why "being uncomfortable" has been a great recipe for success throughout her award-winning career in tech and marketing. With remarkable candor, Mack reveals how disruption propelled her from big tech brands like Lucent, Verisign, and British Telecom to the startup world, where she mastered being an "intrapreneur" before launching her own ventures. While I almost give away what my initials (E.B.) stand for, Mack shares the fun but sobering story behind her own name change—and a realization about "what's in a name." It definitely ties in with how it took a name change for this powerful woman, appropriately featured during Women's History Month, to go to game changer.  She ultimately created SalientMG in order to offer "the kind of firm I could never find when I was on the inside"—a company staffed entirely with senior practitioners who understand the daily realities of startup marketing. This same commitment drove yet another one of her startups just last year, but this time in the form of a  community appropriately called "StartUp Marketer," that democratizes access to marketing expertise with everything from templates to live advisors.  As a fellow podcaster (host of "The Cred"), Mack generously shares both professional insights and personal stories—from her surprising celebrity encounters (think Jude Law to Dave Grohl!) to how her move from Manhattan to Vermont during the pandemic influenced her perspective on work and life. Throughout our conversation, Mack emphasizes what she's learned throughout her career: the importance of staying relevant and adapting to change. Read everything! She also emphasizes that successful marketing isn't just about tactics—it's about understanding the people behind every decision and fostering diverse teams to help drive meaningful outcomes. She's an advocate for underrepresented voices and speaks passionately about her mission to create platforms for women, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and people of color -- evident from her work, for example, with the non-profit, Creative Spirit -- and giving all people more visibility. "I had a real challenge with representation in technology. I felt like there were a lot of people that we weren't hearing from. But man did they have great ideas and I wanted to build a platform or a way to help these folks get out in market in a meaningful way." Whether you're a startup founder, a marketing professional, or simply someone interested in authentic leadership, Mack's journey from "accidental" tech marketer to industry game-changer offers invaluable insights about intention, representation, and the courage to create what doesn't yet exist. Key Moments: 01:29 The Twists and Turns to Tech In Mack's Career Timeline 08:40 The Importance of Names and Intentional Branding 11:04 SalientMG's Mission and How to Deliver Impact 14:52 Challenges and Opportunities in Tech Marketing 21:16 Innovative Tech Companies to Watch 22:55 The Role of Marketers in Adapting to New Technologies 26:08 The StartUp Marketer Initiative: Democratizing Marketing Expertise 29:43 Supporting Creative Spirit and Inclusion Everywhere 36:42 Personal Stories: Celebrity Encounters 42:15 Pro Advice for Aspiring Marketing Leaders Key Links: Connect with Mack: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackmckelvey/ Salient MG: https://salientmg.com/ StartUp Marketer: https://thestartupmarketer.com/ Connect with E.B. Moss and Insider Interviews: With Media & Marketing Experts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mossappeal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insiderinterviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsiderInterviewsPodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@insiderinterviews Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/mossappeal.bsky.social And, as mentioned, catch my other podcast, "It's Quite a Living," too!  If you enjoyed this episode, follow Insider Interviews,

AI Strategies for Startups (Recorded Live on Clubhouse February 7, 2025)  How can AI supercharge your startup? This open mic session explores practical AI hacks, from SEO and content creation to lead generation and business automation. Discover how AI can help you scale faster and work smarter. Hosts: Colin C. Campbell, Michele Van Tilborg

 Is AI going to replace entrepreneurs, or is it the ultimate tool for success? In this episode of Future Tech, I break down the impact of AI on business, exploring whether it's a threat or an opportunity. From automating tasks to optimizing marketing and even generating business ideas, AI is transforming how we work. But can it replace human creativity, risk-taking, and leadership? I dive into real-world examples, the power of intuition, and how AI can be the ultimate co-founder for entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn how to leverage AI to build, scale, and future-proof your business! 

Send us a textIn this game-changing episode of Security Halt!, we dive into the world of veteran entrepreneurship and explore how military veterans are making waves in the business world through the Veteran Business Battle—one of the most competitive pitch competitions for veteran-owned startups.From military leadership to business leadership, veterans face unique challenges transitioning into the private sector. This episode breaks down the struggles, risks, and rewards of pursuing entrepreneurship after service, offering first-hand insights from those who have turned their military experience into thriving businesses.Key Topics Covered:✔️ What is the Veteran Business Battle? A Breakdown of the Competition ✔️ How Veterans Can Overcome Job Market Challenges with Entrepreneurship ✔️ The Highs & Lows of Starting a Business: Risk, Failure & Leadership ✔️ Why Purpose & Passion Matter in Building a Business After the Military ✔️ Lessons from Veteran Entrepreneurs Who Turned Their Ideas into RealityWhether you're a veteran looking to start your own business, an entrepreneur navigating challenges, or someone interested in supporting veteran-owned companies, this episode is a must-listen.

 From Garage to Global: Spilling the Beans on Startup Success with Jon Lambert Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “You can run the best business in the world, but if you as an individual, fail, the entire thing falls to pieces.” —Jon Lambert   In the world of startups, your network can be as valuable, if not more, than your net worth. A strong community can provide the resources, mentorship, and support needed to navigate the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship. By fostering meaningful connections and collaborations, founders can unlock opportunities that money alone can't buy, turning their vision into a thriving reality. Jon Lambert is the CEO of The Cannon, a community-driven organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and startups. With a background in tech, startups, and corporate venture capital, Jon has made it his mission to democratize access to resources and support for founders at every stage of their journey. Tune in as Justine and Jon explore the essential ingredients for startup success, including community building, pandemic resilience, digital networking, global expansion strategies, funding challenges, and the power of founder-to-founder support in this insightful conversation about nurturing the next generation of business innovators.  Meet Jon:  Jon Lambert is the CEO of The Cannon, a company dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and startups. Under his leadership, The Cannon has expanded from its initial focus on mobilizing people and conversations to establishing nine physical locations in Houston, while also developing a robust digital platform to connect members globally.  With a vision for global expansion, Jon is guiding The Cannon toward an international network that transcends geographical boundaries, providing resources and support to innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide.  Jon's expertise in fundraising, community building, and providing comprehensive support to businesses at various stages has positioned him as a respected figure in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.    Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 02:00 The Initial Focus of The Cannon in Houston 08:00 How the Pandemic Impacted The Cannon's Community 15:00 Join the “Founder's Confessions” Event 22:00 Accelerator Services  28:00 Global Reach and International Support StartUps    

Lindsey Carter, founder and CEO of SET ACTIVE, is a true trailblazer who bootstrapped her way to building a double-digit, million-dollar activewear brand in just six years. By pioneering a community and content-led strategy, she has disrupted the activewear category with her elevated athleisure approach and high standard in digital branding and social media storytelling. In this episode, Lindsey shares her inspiring journey from her early corporate days at NBC Universal to launching her own venture. She chats with Elizabeth about her hands-on experiences with product development, community building, and maintaining work-life balance, while revealing the secrets behind SET ACTIVE's authentic connection with its community. She also shares some of her favorite things that keep her thriving as an entrepreneur, even if it means missing out on a late night dinner. Episodes Here Say Hi To Elizabeth and Purely Elizabeth: Website | InstagramLindsey: SET ACTIVE | Lindsey's Substack | IG Mentioned: TheraFace Depuffing Wand Kerastase  Below Deck

In this episode of No Hacks Podcast, host Sani chats with Kevin Henrikson, an entrepreneur and engineering leader whose journey began on a pig farm. Kevin co-founded Acompli, sold it to Microsoft in just 18 months, and helped turn it into Outlook Mobile. He explains how to move fast without sacrificing quality, why your first-time user experience (“Kleenex user”) is so crucial, and how to adopt an “advisor” mindset inside big companies. If you're looking to master the MVP philosophy, leverage AI for higher productivity, and cultivate a curiosity-driven mindset, this is the episode for you.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Ship Early, Learn Fast“If everyone loves your MVP, you shipped too late.”Kleenex Users MatterYou only get one shot at a first impression—make it count.Advisor Mode Post-AcquisitionOffer ideas without bulldozing existing culture.AI as a ‘First Pass'Use automation to handle repetitive or initial drafts, then refine with human expertise.MEMORABLE QUOTES:“If everyone loves your MVP, you shipped too late.”“Your first-time user is like a Kleenex—you only get that fresh perspective once.”“Be an advisor, not a disruptor, when you join a big company.”SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Introduction[00:00:10] Kevin's Background[00:00:22] Early Career in Tech[00:02:49] Rapid Decision-Making & Mindset[00:05:01] MVP Philosophy & “Kleenex Users”[00:08:21] Starting vs. Scaling[00:11:56] The Acompli Story[00:14:42] Post-Acquisition Life[00:20:14] AI, Automation & the Future[00:27:23] Rapid-Fire Q&A[00:33:00] Final Insights & Wrap-Up[00:43:42] End of EpisodeCALL TO ACTION:Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhenrikson/Subscribe to Kevin's newsletter (Founder Mode): https://foundermode.kit.com/Share Your Takeaway: Tag @nohackspod with your favorite insight!---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

90% of Businesses Fail in Year One – Here's How to Survive! Most businesses don't fail because of a bad idea or lack of hard work—they fail because of FOUR critical mistakes that choke their growth before they even get started. In this episode, I break down the biggest reasons new businesses collapse and, more importantly, how YOU can avoid them. If you're serious about making your business last, this is the video you can't afford to miss!

Kat Hantas is a co-founder of the multi-million dollar infused tequila brand 21 Seeds. She shares the inspiring entrepreneurship story of how she took her homemade infusions and forged them into a successful brand, highlighting the power of women supporting women and the importance of following your entrepreneurial dreams. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the importance of knowing your audience, and how connection and collaboration can spark big ideas. Plus, Danielle reveals her exciting new collaboration with Kat on a fun card game, “Shot Callers.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

90% of Businesses Fail in Year One – Here's How to Survive! Most businesses don't fail because of a bad idea or lack of hard work—they fail because of FOUR critical mistakes that choke their growth before they even get started. In this episode, I break down the biggest reasons new businesses collapse and, more importantly, how YOU can avoid them. If you're serious about making your business last, this is the video you can't afford to miss!

In this episode, I talk with Adam Rosen, a world-traveling entrepreneur who has cracked the code on cold email outreach. Adam sold his first tech startup in 2019 and has since built a thriving business helping companies generate consistent sales meetings through expert-level email strategies.We cover:✔️ How Adam built a seven-figure business while traveling the world✔️ The biggest mistakes businesses make with cold email✔️ How to scale a remote team and maintain strong company culture✔️ Why systems and automation are key to business growth✔️ Tips for staying resilient through business ups and downsPlus, Adam shares insights from his newsletter The Nomad Cloud, which has grown to over 350,000 subscribers, offering resources for entrepreneurs who want to travel and grow professionally.

Veteran investor Rowan Simpson's new book How to be Wrong: A crash course in startup success draws on two decades at the heart of New Zealand's most successful technology companies, to create a masterclass on embracing uncertainty and transforming mistakes into fuel for success.

In this episode of That Entrepreneur Show, we sit down with Gregory Vetter, CEO and Founder of Alta Fresh Foods and HomeGrown Brands, as well as the author of Undressed: The Unfiltered Story of My Failed American Dream and How It Led to Success.Gregory is a pioneer in the clean food movement, known for launching Tessemae's, the #1 organic salad dressing brand in the refrigerated space. His innovations in gum-free dressing bottling and fresh condiments redefined the industry, leading to partnerships with Whole30 and major retailers.But success didn't come easy. Gregory shares:

The Founder Of LoveSac & His Story Most people would laugh off a crazy idea like making a giant beanbag. But instead of moving on, the founder of Lovesac took action—and built a billion-dollar brand in the process. In this episode of On The Homefront, we're breaking down the real story behind Lovesac, from stuffing foam in a basement to going public. You'll hear: ✅ How a homemade beanbag turned into a billion-dollar furniture empire ✅ The brutal challenges of bootstrapping, venture capital, and going public ✅ Why most brands are designed to fail—but Lovesac is built for life ✅ The key to resilience in business (and why you can quit or keep going) If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or just someone who loves an underdog story, this episode is a must-watch.

Jonathan Ross is the Founder & CEO of Groq, the creator of the world's  first Language Processing Unit (LPUTM). Prior to Groq, Jonathan began  what became Google's Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) as a 20% project where he  designed and implemented the core elements of the first-generation TPU chip.  Jonathan next joined Google X's Rapid Eval Team, the initial stage of the famed  “Moonshots Factory”, where he devised and incubated new Bets (Units) for Google's  parent company, Alphabet. In Today's Episode We Discuss: 04:20 Interview with Jonathan Ross Begins 04:59 Scaling Laws and AI Model Training 06:22 Synthetic Data and Model Efficiency 12:01 Inference vs. Training Costs: Why NVIDIA Loses Inference 17:06 The Future of AI Inference: Efficiency and Cost 18:15 Chip Supply and Scaling Concerns 20:57 Energy Efficiency in AI Computation 25:40 Why Most Dollars Into Datacenters Will Be Lost 31:05 Meta, Google, and Microsoft's Data Center Investments 41:11 Distribution of Value in the AI Economy 42:10 Stages of Startup Success 43:17 The AI Investment Bubble 45:00 The Keynesian Beauty Contest in VC 48:40 NVIDIA's Role in the AI Ecosystem 53:39 China's AI Strategy and Global Implications 57:51 Europe's Potential in the AI Revolution 01:10:14 Future Predictions and AI's Impact on Society  

About the Guest(s):Isaac Carter is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience as a data architect. Along with his expertise in coding and technology development, Isaac is committed to fostering innovation and supporting tech startups. He works closely with Vanny Maltez Navarro, who has a robust background in legal and finance sectors. Together, they have championed numerous tech startups to success through their involvement with Code Launch events, bringing extensive technical and business insights to the table.Episode Summary:In this empowering episode of the "Who You Know Show," host Trevor Houston delves into the world of tech startups with guests Isaac and Vanny, renowned champions at Code Launch 2024. The episode sheds light on the critical issue of product market fit, which is often the pitfall for many startups, reflecting on how 40% fail due to this oversight. Isaac and Vanny introduce their strategic approach to guide startups towards market success by focusing on market needs and not just technology.As Isaac and Vanny share their experiences from the world of startups, they underscore the importance of balancing technological innovation with strong market strategies. Utilizing their backgrounds in data architecture, legal, and finance, they mentor new businesses to align their product offerings with market demands. With insights into how they have helped tech startups innovate and adapt, listeners are treated to fascinating stories of innovation, mentorship, and success. Coding expertise combined with a strategic business mindset is what Isaac and Vanny offer the next generation of tech leaders, proving that with the right guidance, startups can become economic powerhouses.Resources:Isaac Carter LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-carter/recent-activity/all/Vanny Maltez Navarro LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanny-maltez-navarro-6a595b59/Career Transition Summit:https://event.webinarjam.com/register/67/04404igv LinkedIn e-book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://online.flippingbook.com/view/714118097/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/who-ya-know-show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trevor Houston is a licensed financial professional offering insurance/financial products through various carriers. For more info visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://cpwstrategies.comChapters:(0:00) Empowering Startups Through Market-Focused Tech and Business Coaching(2:28) Balancing Technology and Market Needs in Startup Success(4:43) Flexibility and Adaptation in Startup Success(6:46) Empowering Tech Leaders and Creating Opportunities in Central America