Founder Secrets with Taylor and Flaviu
by Flaviu Simihaian & Taylor Trusty
Join Taylor (@ttrusty) and Flaviu (@FlaviuSim) as they interview inspiring founders, and discuss entrepreneur ideas, news, experiences, struggles and successes. This is Founder Secrets. Watch the episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@foundersecretspod
Episodes
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Ep 121: The Final Chapter of Founder Secrets - Reflecting on 120 Episodes of Entrepreneurial Insights and Podcasting Lessons
The greatest podcast in history is coming to a close. In this final episode, Flaviu and Taylor reflect on over 120 episodes of lessons learned, revealing the surprising insights they wish they'd known from the start - and how these lessons can transform your approach to building, growing, and…
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EP 115: Dan Van Tran | From TI-82 Hacks to Scaling a Global Collectibles
Join us as Dan Van Tran, CTO of Collectors, shares how a childhood spent reverse-engineering games on a TI-82 turned into a career leading one of the world’s most influential collectibles companies. What started with curiosity, constraint, and a $140 calculator he hoped his parents wouldn’t…
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Ep 120: Laurel Mintz | From Family Business to Venture Capitalist: Lessons on Transformation and Leadership
Join us as we delve into the world of entrepreneurship with Laurel Mintz, a powerhouse at the intersection of marketing and venture capital. As the founder and CEO of Elevate My Brand, Laurel has spent the last 16 years leading award-winning campaigns for iconic names like Verizon, Paw Patrol,...
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Ep 119: The Olive Oil Mafia: Why ‘Extra Virgin’ Isn’t Always Real (with Alya Health’s Maya Ayed)
Maya Ayed moved from Tunisia to the US at 17, got diagnosed with SIBO, and found an unexpected fix: a tablespoon of real olive oil every morning. That personal turning point turned into Alya, a DTC subscription brand built from a family olive farm—and a crash course in how broken (and fake) the...
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EP 118: Ash Straughn | The Operator’s Playbook Behind SAM and the Future of Startup Hiring
Join us as Ash Straughn, founder of SAM, shares how a career built across JP Morgan, Postmates, and Cody shaped her into one of the most operationally sharp founders in today’s startup ecosystem. What began with discovering she didn’t belong inside massive institutions evolved into mastering...
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EP 117: Sarah Fleischer | Building Europe’s Battery Recycling Future with tozero.
Join us as Sarah Fleischer, co-founder and CEO of tozero, shares how she is building one of Europe’s most innovative deep tech companies focused on lithium-ion battery recycling and critical materials recovery. From her early beginnings in the space industry to launching a company designed to...
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EP 116: Agustin Linenberg | Building AeroLab from Argentina to NYC
Join us as Agustin Linenberg, Co-founder and CEO of AeroLab, shares how he turned a small design studio in Buenos Aires into a global product agency trusted by top startups and venture-backed teams. From Dribbble-fueled serendipity to landing Silicon Valley clients, Agustin breaks down the…
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EP 115: Dan Van Tran | From TI-82 Hacks to Scaling a Global Collectibles
Join us as Dan Van Tran, CTO of Collectors, shares how a childhood spent reverse-engineering games on a TI-82 turned into a career leading one of the world’s most influential collectibles companies. What started with curiosity, constraint, and a $140 calculator he hoped his parents wouldn’t…
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EP 114: Debbie Kiederer | From Early Web Pioneer to AI-Era Leader
Join us as Debbie Kiederer, founder of Chalk Dust Consulting, shares her journey from leading digital innovation inside Estée Lauder to building one of the earliest remote-first digital agencies long before remote work was mainstream. With decades of experience in luxury beauty, e-commerce,...
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EP 113: Chris Bailey | How a “Failed” Startup Led to a Hardware Exit
Join us as Chris Bailey, hardware founder and creator of GearBrake, shares how he turned a homemade Arduino prototype in an Altoids tin into a venture backed motorcycle safety product, and what really happened when the company hit technical and financial walls. What started as a side project for...
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EP 112: Varun Bansal | Building a Brand on Precision and Purpose
Join us as Varun Bansal, founder and CEO of eLtru, shares how he left a 15-year career in finance to build a furniture company rooted in precision, transparency, and trust. What started as a personal leap into manufacturing has evolved into a fast-growing business redefining how office and home...
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EP 111: Andrei Papancea | Building Conversational AI That Actually Works
Join us as Andrei Papancea, Co-Founder and CEO of NLX, shares how his company is redefining conversational AI for the real world. With deep experience building voice and chat applications for global enterprises, Andrei reveals how NLX empowers teams to create AI-driven conversations that are...
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EP 110: Panos & Antonis | From Greece to Givelink: Turning Donations into Tangible Impact
Join us as Panos and Antonis, two young founders from Greece, share their bold mission to reinvent online giving through Givelink, a donation platform that transforms every euro or dollar into tangible, trackable impact. Straight out of university and driven by frustration with Europe’s slow...
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Episode 109: Nathaniel Hill, Founder & CEO of Broadway Plus
In this episode of Founder Secrets, Nathaniel Hill - founder of Broadway Plus - shares how he built one of Broadway’s most innovative businesses. From managing Hamilton in its early days to connecting global audiences with Broadway stars, Nathaniel turned his love of theater into a thriving...
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Episode 108: Jennifer Williams, Founder of Cuddle Clones
In this candid episode of Founder Secrets, host Taylor sits down with Jennifer Williams, the founder behind the beloved custom pet replica company, Cuddle Clones. Jennifer shares the rollercoaster journey of creating a brand that resonated deeply with pet owners, starting from a rough prototype…
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E107: Chad Coulter, Founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly
Join us on this episode of Founder Secrets as we dive into the incredible journey of Chad Coulter, founder of the rapidly expanding breakfast concept, Biscuit Belly! Chad shares his story of leaving a career in pharmacy to build a restaurant empire from scratch. Discover the secrets to Biscuit...
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Episode 106: Discipline, Wealth & Real Estate | Collin Hart, ERE Healthcare CEO & Managing Director
In this episode of Founder Secrets, Collin Hart (ERE Healthcare Real Estate) reveals how doctors secretly build wealth through real estate. From hidden investment strategies to why companies like Starbucks rent instead of own, Collin shares the insider knowledge that every entrepreneur and…
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E105: Jeff Harrington, Co-Founder and CTO at Cardoona
In this episode of Founder Secrets, Principal Engineer at Microsoft Jeff Harrington takes us through his career journey — from early coding experiments to building the restaurant-tech startup Cardoona, and eventually returning to the corporate world. Jeff shares candid insights on fundraising...
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E104: Arian with IgnitePOST is Automating Handwriting
In this engaging conversation, Arian Radmand shares his experiences with technology, particularly focusing on his journey with IgnitePost and CoachUp. He discusses the evolution of IgnitePost, the importance of handwritten communication in a digital world, and the challenges of funding and...
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E103: Jon Matzner on scaling a global talent on demand with Sagan
Jon Matzner shares his journey from government work to entrepreneurship, discussing the importance of building a global team and the innovative membership model of his company, Sagan. He emphasizes the challenges of scaling small businesses, particularly in the home services sector, and the role…
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E102: Kyle Matthys from Triibe.us on Impact Entrepreneurship
In this episode, Kyle Matthys shares his journey as a young entrepreneur passionate about sustainability and community building. He discusses his work with Triibe.us, a nonprofit supporting youth-led initiatives in climate action, and his role at Turtle.com, a 102-year-old energy company focusing...
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E101: Zach Getrost from visbl.io
In this episode of Founder Secrets, Zach Getrost shares his unique perspective on education, entrepreneurship, and the outbound email landscape. He discusses his journey from early ventures in robotics to mastering outbound strategies for businesses. The conversation delves into the startup...
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E100: Lady Gaga's Father - Joe Germanotta - from WiFi to Trattoria
Joe Germanotta (Lady Gaga's father) shares his journey from childhood food memories to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the restaurant and technology sectors. He discusses the evolution of his businesses, including the creation of Wi-Fi services for hotels and the challenges of running a...
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E99: Matthew Johnson - iMedicare and Amplicare Co-founder with a successful exit
In this conversation, Flaviu and Matt discuss their entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges they faced while building and selling their company, the health issues that impacted their work, and the lessons learned about company culture and navigating exits. They also touch on Matt's...
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E98: From Spotify to Soulmates - Brandon Dawkins’ Dating Coach Revolution
Join us as Brandon Dawkins, a former Spotify product manager turned NYC dating coach, shares his unexpected journey from corporate life to founding Beyond Nice, a coaching service revolutionizing love for nice guys. With a CPA background, a passion for community, and a fresh take on dating…
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E97 Alan Lin: From China to Liquid Salad Hustle
Join us as Alan Lin, a design veteran turned food innovator, shares his wild journey from China’s booming creative scene to launching Liquid Salad, a health food disruptor that hit the market on March 24, 2025. With 12 years of experience design, a knack for turning chaos into opportunity, and a...
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E96 Adrianne Nickerson: From Cancer Care to Oula’s Maternity Revolution
Join us as Adrianne Nickerson, a healthcare innovator and founder of Oula, shares her inspiring journey from co-founding a cancer support startup to revolutionizing maternity care for women across the U.S. With a data-driven passion and a knack for building community, Adrianne offers a fresh...
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E95 Joel Duncan: From Marine Corps to Pothole Empire & Michigan Grit
Join us as Joel Duncan, a former Marine and corporate finance professional turned entrepreneur, shares his remarkable transition from a structured career in Michigan to owning Spray Patch Road Repair, a niche pothole repair business. With a blend of military grit, financial acumen, and a leap of...
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E94 Paul Adams: From Northern England to Jay-Z & Phoenix Rising Glory
Join us as Paul Adams, a seasoned entertainment industry veteran with a distinctive British accent, shares his extraordinary journey from a working-class background in northern England to managing global superstars like Duran Duran, Justin Timberlake, Radiohead, and Jay-Z. As a key player in…
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E93 Gabby's Journey from China to Celebrity Marketing in New York City
Join us as Gabby Gabriel, the visionary founder of GAB Inc. and GAB China, shares her incredible journey from teaching English in Shanghai to leading a global marketing empire. With an adventurous spirit and a talent for turning challenges into opportunities, Gabby transformed a spontaneous move…
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E92 Manik Bhat: From Medicine to Mission with Healthify
Join us as Manik Bhat, the visionary behind Healthify, shares his remarkable journey from medicine to tech entrepreneurship, driven by a mission to improve health outcomes through social services. With a background in philosophy, health care, and a knack for innovation, Manik has made significant...
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E91 Fungi Forward: Addy Malhotra's Journey from Tech to Agricultural Innovation.
Join us as Addy Malhotra, Co-Founder & CEO of Enhanced Nature, shares his journey from an accidental discovery to revolutionizing agriculture with beneficial fungi. With a background in electrical engineering and a family legacy in manufacturing, Addy has pivoted to create a brand that leverages...
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E90 From Law to Skincare: Hyper Skin's Journey to Inclusive Beauty
Join us as Desiree Verdejo, the founder of Hyper Skin, shares her inspiring journey of transforming personal struggles into a skincare revolution. With a background in law and a passion for beauty, Desiree has built a brand focused on addressing skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, particularly...
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E89 Saving Lives with Aviation: How Laura Epstein is Revolutionizing Organ Transplant Logistics
Join us as Laura Epstein, the founder of Pulse Charter Connect, shares her inspiring journey of combining aviation expertise with a mission to save lives. With a background in aerospace engineering and a passion for logistics, Laura is redefining how organ transport operates. Pulse Charter…
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E88 Jeb Banner, Revolutionizing Event Management with OpenDate.
Join us as Jeb Banner, the seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of OpenDate, shares how he’s revolutionizing event management by fostering meaningful connections and streamlining operations. With a rich history of entrepreneurial success, Jeb’s latest venture, OpenDate, is redefining how communities…
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E87 Revolutionizing Networking: Arjun Rai’s Vision with SelfTact
Join us as Arjun Rai, the visionary entrepreneur behind SelfTact, shares how he’s redefining personal productivity and networking. Drawing from his entrepreneurial success with HelloWoofy and other ventures, Arjun’s latest innovation, SelfTact, empowers professionals with a personal CRM designed…
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E86 Revolutionizing Skincare: Cristiana Banila on Epigenetics, Biotech, and the Longevity Revolution
Join us as Cristiana Banila, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Mitra Bio, shares her groundbreaking journey in the biotech and skincare industries. From her academic roots at the University of Oxford to leading innovations in non-invasive skin diagnostics, Cristiana is revolutionizing…
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E85 From Personal Adversity to Purpose-Driven Success: Mark DeRosa’s Journey in Benefits and Recovery
Join us as Mark DeRosa, Founder of Vantage Point Benefits and Co-Founder of Woodhaven Recovery, shares his inspiring journey from family tragedy to entrepreneurial impact. Motivated by his father’s workplace accident and personal experiences with addiction recovery, Mark has dedicated his career…
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E84 Redefining Cardiovascular Care: Ian Koons on Innovation and the Journey of Karoo Health
Join us as Ian Koons, Co-Founder and CEO of Karoo Health, shares his journey from sports professional to healthcare entrepreneur. Motivated by personal experiences with cardiovascular disease, Ian co-founded Karoo Health to revolutionize cardiac care through value-based models and innovative...
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E83 Fee-Free Fundraising: François de Kerret on how Zeffy is Revolutionizing Nonprofit Impact
Join us as François, Co-Founder and CEO of Zeffy, shares his journey from physics student to mission-driven entrepreneur. Discover how his passion for social impact and frustration with nonprofit inefficiencies led to the creation of Zeffy—a fee-free fundraising platform ensuring nonprofits…
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E82 Leadership and Innovation with Steve Zehngut, Founder of Zeek Interactive
Steve Zehngut, Founder of Zeek Interactive, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share his journey from filmmaker to tech entrepreneur and agency leader. He delves into the early days of web development, navigating the dot-com crash, and the decision to sell his agency after nearly 30 years. In...
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E81: Navigating the Defense Industry with John Dewey, CEO of Dewey Electronics
John Dewey, President of Dewey Electronics, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share his journey from artist and consultant to defense contractor and CEO. He delves into the unique challenges of the defense industry, managing a public-to-private business transition, and finding a niche in...
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E80 Growing with Purpose: Michael Caito on Strategic Decisions and Accountability Systems
Michael Caito, Owner & CEO of MAP Consulting, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share his expertise in scaling businesses through strategic leadership and process-driven growth. He discusses how he built and sold his food delivery company, Restaurants on the Run, to Grubhub, and how these...
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E79 Unlocking Business Freedom with Adi Klevit: How Systems and Processes Drive Success
Adi Klevit, CEO and founder of Business Success Consulting Group, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share her expertise in creating and documenting processes for scaling businesses. Adi discusses how she turned her background in industrial engineering into a consulting practice that helps...
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E78 Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Essential Lessons from Rich Shinnick
Rich Shinnick, the founder of Touchstone Security, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share his journey from various jobs to becoming a cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur. Rich discusses how his background in the Air Force and Goldman Sachs shaped his leadership style and business approach....
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E77 Behind the Mic: Reflections on Two Years of Founder Secrets
In this special two-year anniversary episode of the Founder Secrets podcast, hosts Taylor and Flaviu reflect on their journey from launching a creative experiment to building a platform for insightful conversations. They discuss the evolution of the podcast, their experiences with diverse guests,...
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E76 Risk and Reward: Inside Chris Yeung’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Chris Yeung, Founder and CTO of Vimbly Group, joins Founder Secrets to share his journey from finance to building a successful holding company. He explains how his background in finance and risk management shaped his approach to creating businesses that prioritize strategic opportunities and...
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E75 Walk Slow, Smile More: Lessons from PropFuel CEO Dave Will
Dave Will, co-founder of PropFuel, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey from corporate life to building a member engagement platform for associations. From his early experiences at SAP to founding Peach New Media and eventually selling it to a private equity…
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E74 Kotryna Jukneviciute: ARÊTE; Revolutionizing Fashion-Tech with AI and Sustainability
Kotryna Jukneviciute, the co-founder of ARÊTE, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share her journey in revolutionizing the fashion-tech industry. From her childhood in Lithuania to building a platform that combines AI with fashion, Kotryna dives into how ARÊTE evolved into a cutting-edge…
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E73 Irina Constantin: Vaunt; Simplifying Global Property Investments with Tech
Irina, the visionary behind Vaunt, joins the Founder Secrets podcast to share her journey in transforming the real estate industry through innovative technology. From her roots in Romania to expanding her business globally, Irina details how Vaunt evolved from a custom ERP project into a...
About this show
Join Taylor (@ttrusty) and Flaviu (@FlaviuSim) as they interview inspiring founders, and discuss entrepreneur ideas, news, experiences, struggles and successes. This is Founder Secrets. Watch the episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@foundersecretspod
Hosted by
Flaviu Simihaian & Taylor Trusty
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