Ready, Set, Startup! - Strategies from Founders, Funders, and Beyond

Aya Jacob, a business psychologist researching connected leadership, believes most founders misunderstand what actually makes them effective under pressure. After a decade in high-stress digital marketing, she saw how a leader’s internal chaos quietly ripples through a team, shaping trust, performance, and culture. That experience led her to study the link between self-connection and leadership impact, and what she’s finding challenges the idea that so-called soft skills are optional. In this episode, we unpack why urgency often masks reactivity, how nervous system regulation influences decision-making, and why psychological safety is a strategic advantage in fast-moving startups. Aya explains what self-connection really looks like in practice, how presence changes communication even over Slack and email, and how leaders can create conditions where people feel safe, clear, and motivated to perform at a high level. --- Episode Resources “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life” by Alice Schroeder - Brandon references this biography while discussing the power of compounding and applying lessons early rather than staying stuck in the learning phase. (⁠https://a.co/d/09ioHR6h⁠)  Relational Leadership Theory - Aya references this academic framework that views leadership as a dynamic social process emerging from interactions, rather than a function of hierarchy or title. (⁠https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1048984306001135⁠)  Psychological Safety - A key concept discussed in relation to trust, performance, and team effectiveness. Often associated with Amy Edmondson’s research on teams and workplace culture. (⁠https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54809⁠)  “Where your attention goes, results show,” - Aya’s closing quote emphasizing focus and intentionality as drivers of outcomes. This idea aligns with the broader focus principle often phrased as “Where focus goes, energy flows.” (⁠https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/focus.html⁠)

Artem Kuzmych, co-founder of Applica, went from freelancing in marketing to building a philosophy-infused mental health app that started scaling fast, until the App Store suddenly removed it and he spent the next two years fighting to get it back. That chaos forced a pivot that shaped everything he does now. Artem now helps mobile app founders grow with a full-cycle approach that goes way beyond paid ads, focusing on activation, monetization, retention, and the product experience that makes growth actually stick. We unpack how he validated early demand on Reddit, what it takes to hire people who can deliver value and communicate it, why he’d rather hire too late than too early, and how he keeps building a company while living through the war in Ukraine. --- Episode Resources “I am immortal until God’s work for me to do is done. The Lord reigns,” Artem references a quote commonly attributed to Henry Martyn (https://www.azquotes.com/author/32976-Henry_Martyn; https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/immortal-till-his-work-was-done) Notion - An all-in-one workspace for notes, docs, databases, and internal “wikis.” Artem mentioned saving the above quote in his personal Notion wiki. (https://www.notion.com/) Reddit - A network of topic-based communities (subreddits) where people discuss niche interests and share feedback. Artem used Reddit to validate the app’s idea and content with real users before scaling paid acquisition. (https://www.reddit.com/)

Jim Ryun went from getting cut from nearly every team to becoming the first high schooler in history to break four minutes in the mile. He credits much of that breakthrough to a coach who convinced him to adopt a dream he did not yet believe was possible, and to a moment when he decided to take ownership of it himself. That shift carried him beyond track into small business, public service in Congress, and eventually the Jim Ryun Running Camps, where he and his wife Anne blend elite training with character formation and faith. We unpack what ownership really means, how sacrifice becomes leverage instead of loss, what sports teach about leadership under pressure, and how to build something mission driven that outlasts you. --- Episode Resources Jim Ryun Running Camps (https://ryunrunning.com/)   Philippians 4:13 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13&version=NIV)  Roger Bannister and the first sub four minute mile (https://www.olympics.com/en/news/roger-bannister-first-sub-four-minute-mile)  Jim Ryun Running YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@JimRyunRunning)

Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, is building a nonprofit that teaches kids ages 6 to 17 entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and leadership by making it real. Kids launch actual businesses, sell at children’s business fairs, and then workshop what worked and what didn’t so they can iterate and grow. She traces her own entrepreneurial streak from selling five-dollar MySpace layouts in high school to running an in-home daycare, until black mold, a deployment, and the March 17, 2020 stay-at-home order forced a pivot that sparked her daughter’s first business and, by accident, the organization she runs today. We unpack what makes her program different, how she funds and scales a mission-driven nonprofit, and why “nothing about us without us” includes a junior board of directors so kids help shape the curriculum. --- Episode Resources Society of Child Entrepreneurs (SoCE) - Leah’s nonprofit teaching entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and leadership to kids ages 6–17. (https://bit.ly/m/SoCEHub)  SoCE Circle - SoCE’s online community and lesson-plan platform for families, homeschool groups, and programs. (https://bit.ly/m/SoCEHub)  Acton Children’s Business Fair - The platform Leah uses to host children’s business fairs; also lets anyone apply to host a fair. (https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/)  Host an Acton Children’s Business Fair - The “start a fair” page Leah referenced for applying to host anywhere. (https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/start)  “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz - Money management framework Leah uses to run the nonprofit with tight budgeting and ROI thinking. (https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/)  Profit First Professionals - The organization Leah worked with (training accountants/bookkeepers/coaches on implementing Profit First). (https://profitfirstprofessionals.com/)  “All In” by Mike Michalowicz - Team/ownership framework Leah referenced for giving board/staff ownership over projects. (https://mikemichalowicz.com/all-in/) “Sparks to Stars: The Story of Astra & Zeke” by Leah Ellis - Leah’s published children’s book she wrote. (https://a.co/d/i34QqFg)  Bookshop.org - The retailer Leah recommended because it supports local independent bookstores. (https://bookshop.org/)  Search Institute: Developmental Assets Framework (40 assets) - The “top 40 skills/assets” Leah referenced as part of the standards/research base. (https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/developmental-assets-framework)  Junior Achievement (JA) - One of the other organizations Leah mentioned that teaches entrepreneurship/financial literacy to kids. (https://jausa.ja.org/)  Lemonade Day / My Lemonade Day App  - The lemonade-stand entrepreneurship program/app Leah references (https://lemonadeday.org/mylemonadeday)  YIPPEE Exchange - Entrepreneurship education marketplace/platform Leah mentioned. (https://yippee.exchange/)  The Young CEO Club - Another entrepreneurship-for-kids organization Leah mentioned. (https://www.theyoungceoclub.com/)

Marcio Goncalves, founder of a fast-growing virtual assistant agency (a team that handles admin and day-to-day tasks for busy founders) and a fully remote podcast production company, argues that scale comes from structure, not luck. He shares how his first taste of entrepreneurship started at 12, raising pet-store hamsters and finding homes for the new litters, and how that early instinct evolved into launching a podcast in 2012 before most people knew what a podcast was. He walks through leaving a steady salary after a quick real estate win, then building toward the businesses he runs today, including a virtual assistant company growing 10 to 15 percent month over month. We unpack how he turns getting new customers into simple math, the hiring order that helps founders stop being the bottleneck, and the kitchen-table low point that pushed him to adopt the Entrepreneurial Operating System framework plus personality assessments to steady the team and the metrics. --- Episode Resources EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) - A simple operating framework for running a business with clear priorities, weekly meetings, and a few key numbers to track. (https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos)  “Traction” by Gino Wickman (https://a.co/d/3Ox5Q9d)  Ninety - An EOS software (https://www.ninety.io/) Culture Index - A personality tool mentioned for hiring and team alignment. (https://www.cultureindex.com/) The Predictive Index, PI Behavioral Assessment - A personality tool for understanding how people are wired at work. (https://www.predictiveindex.com/assessments/behavioral-assessment/)  Gatekeeper for Spark Mail - Screens and blocks senders to keep inbox clean. (https://sparkmailapp.com/features/gatekeeper)  “The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber (https://a.co/d/11bO4lH)

Matthew Stafford, professional investor and co-founder of Nine Others, argues that simplicity wins. He shares how starting on the Venture Capitalist side sharpened his founder's empathy, the early signals he listens for, and how one dinner became a global peer network. We unpack the pre-boom London fundraising scene, practical ways to cut noise from your pitch, and the community mechanics that actually move founders forward. --- Episode Resources Nine Others - Official Website (co-founded by Matthew Stafford) (https://9others.com/) “What’s Keeping You Up at Night?” by Matthew Stafford & Katie Lewis (https://a.co/d/hMhyJBI) Overview of Matt & STAFFORD VC (https://www.stafford.vc/?pvs=143)

Cheryl Kellond has built startups from the ground up, survived the crash of a hardware business, raised millions in venture capital, and walked away with battle scars. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to lead a company through chaos. We get into why hiring fast can backfire, how funding can trap you, and what founders often overlook when chasing growth. Cheryl talks candidly about ignoring her gut, managing burnout, and staying true to the reason she started in the first place. It’s a sharp, honest look at the difference between building a business and building one that lasts. --- Episode Resources “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz (https://a.co/d/9j9DMya)  Tyler Denk’s Beehiv Newsletter (https://www.beehiiv.com/blog/newsletter-behind-the-scenes)

Jesse Mecham, former accountant and creator of You Need A Budget, argues that your real money problem is worry, not math. He shares how a tiny spreadsheet he built to fix one household cash crunch became a calm, profitable business, and what he learned from building his software and methodology: YNAB (You Need A Budget) at night while working full time, botched early hires, and the moment he stopped playing small. We unpack the myths around raising money, co founders, and five year plans, how to grow slowly on purpose without feeling behind, and practical ways to feel in control of your money again. Along the way, Jesse shows how changing your relationship with money can reshape how you think about risk, work, and the life you are building. --- Episode Resources You Need A Budget (YNAB) - Jesse’s budgeting software and methodology that he created. (https://www.ynab.com) True Alignment: Linking Company Culture with Customer Needs for Extraordinary Results, by Edgar Papke. (https://www.truealignment.com/true-alignment/) “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. This book speaks about how systems and people can benefit from volatility and stress.(https://a.co/d/hWw7TJW) “Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.” by Ron Chernow. (https://a.co/d/gUs7qXn)  “Washington: A Life” by Ron Chernow.  (https://a.co/d/bzkS3F0)  “Goals! ” by Brian Tracy. This book is a classic goal-setting and personal development book. (https://a.co/d/9wnWUi4)  “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. A Personal finance book. (https://a.co/d/aSFlfOq)

Reuben Levinsohn, professional investor and founder coach behind Exit Quotient Ventures and Flying with Founders, argues that clarity and discipline win. He shares how starting from an “exit first” mindset sharpens founder focus, the early signals he listens for like EQ, leadership quotient, paid pilots, and a clean path to $1M ARR, and when to graduate beyond founder-led sales. We unpack the red flags that kill momentum, practical ways to earn a second meeting, and the founder-wellness routines that keep you in the game. Along the way, Reuben breaks down what he saw in Pavewise and Protein Pints, and how to turn traction into a real go-to-market engine. --- Episode Resources Flying with Founders: Founder Coaching, Meetups, Retreats. (https://www.flyingwithfounders.com/) Flying with Founders Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@FlyingWithFounders/videos) Reuben’s Venture Capital: Exit Quotient Ventures (https://www.exitquotient.com/) Webinar event series: “Inside the Mind of a VC / Investor” (https://www.flyingwithfounders.com/fwfevents/inside-the-mind-of-a-vc-customer-satisfcation) Pavewise: AI-assisted planning for paving in relation to weather. (https://www.pavewisepro.com/) Protein Pints: High-protein ice cream startup that Reuben angel-backed. (https://proteinpints.com/) Catalina Crunch: Exec talent the Protein Pints founders recruited from. (https://us.catalinacrunch.com/) “Lift Others as You Climb” by Scott D. Idle (https://scottidle.com/ , https://a.co/d/hvRFPYv) “The Founder’s Survival Guide” by Rachel E. Turner. (https://www.thefounderssurvivalguide.com/ , https://a.co/d/8BkG46M)

Jule Salem turned a panicked request to staff 200 call-center reps into the foundation of Salem Solutions. In this episode she shares how “smiling and dialing” became a scalable system, why call centers require highly skilled technical talent, and the playbook she uses to fill high-volume roles without sacrificing quality. You’ll hear her early scrappy origins, the mindset that converts urgent problems into opportunity, and practical tactics for building a staffing agency that lasts. --- Episode Resources Salem Solutions Company Site (https://www.salemsolutions.com/about/)

Dawn Haynes is the CEO of Stardust Studio, a nonprofit accelerator for early-stage tech startups. In this episode, Dawn shares her journey from pioneering transatlantic leisure travel to leading a team focused on helping founders build scalable, sustainable businesses. She discusses the importance of problem-solving, resilience, and embracing feedback, along with the challenges of finding the right co-founders and navigating the world of venture capital. If you're looking for practical advice on building a business and leading with purpose, this episode offers valuable insights from a seasoned entrepreneur. --- Episode Resources University of Toronto Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment (ESA) (https://www.studocu.com/en-ca/u/26265481?sid=01761601462) “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” - Simon Sinek, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (https://a.co/d/0O5KQLW)  “The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership” by James C. Hunter (https://a.co/d/e2S0RB4)

Marc and Gina Calaunan built Healing Hands from a love story into eight thriving clinics. They reveal the scrappy moves that sparked their first surge, the “four clinic wall” that almost broke them, and the systems that protected quality while they scaled across borders. Expect hard-won playbooks on hiring for heart, SOPs that actually stick, and the mindset that kept their marriage strong while the business leveled up. If you are scaling a service brand, this is your blueprint. --- Episode Resources Healing Hands Chiropractic (https://healinghands.com.sg/) “Serenity Prayer” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer) “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho (https://a.co/d/3cbwOH5)

What happens when you jump into entrepreneurship without a co-founder and without a safety net? Vijay Rajendran has done just that, and more. In this episode, he shares his journey from launching Hungry Globetrotter to leading digital innovation at global banks and advising hundreds of startups. We dig into the emotional weight of solo founding, the value of structured support, and why your “path to moat” matters more than having one on day one. Vijay also talks about his approach to hiring, staying in your zone of genius, and increasing your surface area for opportunity. Packed with practical wisdom and honest reflections, this one is for anyone building from zero to one. --- Episode Resources “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz (https://a.co/d/5sivXFO)  “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel (https://a.co/d/8q4Dut7)  “Venture Deals” by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson (https://a.co/d/brj0OO0)  “How Will You Measure Your Life?” by Clayton Christensen (https://a.co/d/8l6kqb7)  “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss (https://a.co/d/ir3M1YX)  “The Funding Framework” by Vijay Rajendran (https://a.co/d/7szE3tu)  “The Illusion of Invincibility or Why Cannons > Moats” article by Vijay Rajendran (https://open.substack.com/pub/startupsystem/p/the-illusion-of-invincibility-or?r=1z3bi1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false)

Doug Polster was deep into clinical work when a conversation with a former classmate sparked something bigger. What started as a way to keep his private practice afloat during COVID slowly turned into a cross-state mental health network rooted in accessibility and real care. In this episode, Doug unpacks the lessons behind Thriving Center of Psychology’s growth, from sunsetting a failed tech platform to rethinking how founders define their roles. He reflects on the quiet wins, the tough calls, and what it really means to build with intention. --- Episode Resources “The Confidence Gap” by Russ Harris (https://a.co/d/jbAY54D)

Stavros Michailidis didn’t plan to become a founder. He simply grew up around it. From revitalizing his family’s construction business to landing Fortune 500 clients with an innovation consultancy, his path has been shaped by experimentation, reinvention, and a deep curiosity about what makes businesses actually work. In this episode, he reflects on the difference between an A-plus idea and a B-plus outcome, why most hiring mistakes start with ego, and what it means to build something because it matters, even if it never scales. --- Episode Resources “The Surrender Experiment” by Michael A. Singer (https://a.co/d/0OPRKar)  “The Aspirational Investor” by Ashvin B. Chhabra (https://a.co/d/4zw97dQ)

What if your biggest success came from a total collapse? For Ryan Estes, that moment came when the pandemic wiped out his agency’s entire client list. Instead of folding, he doubled down on a side project—Kitcaster—and turned it into a thriving podcast booking service that would eventually be acquired. In this episode, Ryan opens up about his scrappy start, the mindset shift that fueled his growth, and why building a culture rooted in clarity (not chaos) made all the difference. --- Episode Resources “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind” by Julian Jaynes (https://a.co/d/8gKcq1r)

After years of side hustles and self-doubt, Steve Young made one decision that changed everything. He began his entrepreneurial journey selling cassette tapes in grade school, but it wasn’t until he launched a niche podcast about apps that things finally clicked. In this episode, Steve shares how fear nearly held him back, how he landed his first client, and how he built a profitable agency without outside funding. It's a story about persistence, clarity, and the freedom that comes from betting on yourself. --- Episode Resources “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (https://a.co/d/e1Wvgug) “Do Things That Don’t Scale” by Paul Graham (https://www.paulgraham.com/ds.html)  EO Fire by John Lee Dumas - A daily podcast featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs, focused on their journeys, lessons learned, and tactical advice for aspiring founders. (https://www.eofire.com/podcast/)  Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn - A podcast that explores how to build online businesses and create multiple streams of passive income, featuring strategies, case studies, and personal experiments from Pat Flynn and his guests. (https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/spi/)

When Chris Girbés left a steady job to start his own wealth practice, he wasn’t chasing scale. He was chasing meaning. In this episode, he shares what he’s learned from working with startup founders: the myth of the perfect exit, the danger of unclear goals, and the burnout that comes from tying your identity too closely to your business. Whether you're scaling or still scrappy, this conversation is packed with grounded insight on building a business while you build the life you actually want to live. --- Episode Resources Registered Life Planner (RLP) -  A certification focused on life-first financial planning. (https://www.kinderinstitute.com/rlp-designation/)

When Erik Stanley left the comfort of a steady paycheck and the familiarity of a running store, he didn’t just launch a business, he built a movement. In this episode, Erik shares how Trail Roots was born from a desire to coach differently, build genuine community, and carve out space on Austin’s untamed trails. He opens up about the emotional hurdles of breaking ties, the real cost of hiring wrong, the power of purpose, and why having a clear mission is the cornerstone of long-term success. Whether you’re a founder, a runner, or somewhere in between, this is one you don’t want to miss. --- Episode Resources “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek (https://a.co/d/548A9oO)  “Slicing Pie” by Mike Moyer (https://slicingpie.com/) (https://a.co/d/ceQJmgs)   The Dave Ramsey Show by Dave Ramsey / Ramsey Solutions Financial advice podcast covering entrepreneurship, debt, budgeting, and leadership. (https://open.spotify.com/show/5exfRPDNCBHmntEkJrlLmX?si=0e9911336ac64f3f)

At just 25, Tom Williams launched his first lending business with $5,000, a dream, and a San Francisco office he secretly lived in. In this episode, Tom walks us through his unorthodox journey from boat-washing teenager to fintech founder, revealing the pivotal moments, early sacrifices, and bets that shaped his entrepreneurial path. He opens up about navigating failure, weathering the dot-com bust from inside Silicon Valley, and rebuilding from scratch to ultimately create a sustainable, values-driven business that’s thrived for over two decades. This is a story about resilience, conviction, and what it really takes to build a business from the ground up. --- Episode Resources “The Man in the Glass” by Anonymous (https://allpoetry.com/The-Man-in-the-Glass) “The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt (https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Learn-About-TR/TR-Encyclopedia/Culture-and-Society/Man-in-the-Arena.aspx)

Neil Cameron’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t start in a boardroom—it started on a beach in Australia after a career in athletics came to an unexpected end. In this episode, Neil reflects on the leap from solo founder to seasoned leader, revealing the struggles of bootstrapping, the power of listening to your customers, and the hard-earned wisdom behind building the right team. With honesty and humility, he shares what it really takes to grow a business—and yourself—along the way. --- Episode Resources The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber (https://a.co/d/2ARcl6J)

When Tiffany Bailey stepped into her family’s sod farming business, she didn’t see herself as an entrepreneur, just someone grinding to get the work done. But nearly two decades later, she’s redefined the company, the culture, and herself as a leader. In this episode, Tiffany shares the raw truth about running and growing a business with family: the trust, the tension, and the tough calls. Hear how she navigated succession, scaled the business, embraced B2C, and built a culture rooted in clarity and care. This is a masterclass in leadership, learning, and legacy. --- Episode Resources Check out what Tiffany is building at Bayside Sod (https://baysidesod.com) Read more about the Full Focus Planner (https://fullfocusstore.com) Learn more about the Culture Index (https://www.cultureindex.com)

Can a robot become your child’s best friend? Peter Fitzpatrick thinks so. In this episode, Peter, co-founder of Fawn Friends, shares the personal story that led him to build emotionally intelligent AI companions for kids. From pool party hustles in grade school to raising millions in venture capital, Peter opens up about the emotional challenges of leadership, the power of character-driven products, and why putting truth first might be the most underrated startup strategy. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re crazy to dream this big, this one’s for you. --- Episode Resources Stay up to date with what Peter and his team are building (https://www.fawnfriends.com) Learn more about Vernon Howard (https://www.anewlife.org)

What happens when someone who loves being the #2 decides to take the lead? Bryan Barletta, founder of Sounds Profitable, joins the show to talk about his unlikely journey to building one of the most influential organizations in podcasting. From calling out broken systems to creating real solutions, Bryan shares how he’s challenging industry norms, creating momentum without investors, and building a business that lifts the entire space. This is a masterclass in clarity, conviction, and community-driven growth. --- Episode Resources Superhuman Email App (https://superhuman.com)

Iñaki joins the show to share how he turned a no-code prototype and one powerful ally into his fast-growing climate-tech startup, Climatta. He dives into the power of starting lean, why building with customer feedback is everything, and how trust—not just traction—wins investors. From co-founder dynamics to bootstrapping with nothing but a Figma file and a favor, this is a raw, insightful look at what it really takes to build something that matters. --- Episode Resources “Only the Paranoid Survive” by Andrew Grove (https://a.co/d/acCH658) “Predictable Revenue” by Aaron Ross (https://a.co/d/iFC7efW) “The Mom Test” by Rob Fitzpatrick (https://a.co/d/drMFDyi) “Crossing the Chasm” by Geoffrey Moore (https://a.co/d/9tq5mlq)

What if your biggest competition isn’t the market—but yourself? In this candid conversation, Lucia Van Den Brink recounts her journey from coding a webshop at age 11 to leading a thriving CRO agency. She shares what it was like to pause everything during maternity leave, why her first hire failed, and how embracing rejection shaped her entrepreneurial resilience. It’s a powerful exploration of self-doubt, personal values, and redefining success on your own timeline. --- Episode Resources Get more info on Lucia’s company (https://increase-conversion-rate.com)

How do you spot, then evaluate, the breakthrough technologies of tomorrow? In today’s episode, I sit down with James Wang — a deep tech investor who helps unpack the truths behind venture capital, startup success, and the gritty realities of building frontier technology companies. From founding a startup with his wife to investing in AI, robotics, and synthetic biology, James shares hard-earned insights on what separates funded founders from the rest, why the best product doesn’t always win, and how momentum — not just money — makes or breaks a startup. Whether you’re pitching, investing, or just curious about how it all really works, this conversation offers valuable perspective from a thought-leader in the niche but fascinating world of deep tech investing. --- Episode Resources Subscribe to James’ Blog (https://weightythoughts.com) Get more info on Creative Ventures (https://creativeventures.vc)

Angel investor, author, TEDx speaker, and SEC advisor Marcia Dawood joins me to pull back the curtain on what angel investing really is—and why you don’t need to be a millionaire or a finance expert to get started. She shares what most founders get wrong in their pitch, how to evaluate a startup beyond the hype, and why obsessing over the problem is more important than selling the solution. Whether you’re a founder raising capital or someone curious about investing in early-stage companies, this episode is packed with unfiltered insights you don’t want to miss. --- Episode Resources Marcia’s Podcast: The Angel Next Door (https://www.marciadawood.com/angelnextdoor) Marcia’s Book: Do Good While Doing Well (https://www.marciadawood.com/dogood) “Venture Deals” by Brad Feld & Jason Mendelson: (https://a.co/d/eZTwdZy)

Ana left a decade-long career in ad tech to build a beverage brand inspired by Mabí — a traditional Caribbean drink brewed from tree bark. In this episode, she shares how nostalgia sparked innovation, how she bootstrapped her way through formulation fails and supply chain setbacks, and what it really takes to launch a CPG product solo. No funding, no co-founder — just grit, Google, and a vision to bring a forgotten flavor to the mainstream. --- Episode Resources Try some Bayjoo! (https://bayjoo.com)

After building a fast-growing production company from the ground up, Ben Brownback lost everything—money, team, confidence, and direction. In this episode, he shares the raw, unfiltered story of what really happens when a business collapses, how he found the courage to start again, and why he’ll never build the same way twice. Ben opens up about leadership, failure, fear, and what it means to rebuild smarter the second time around. --- Episode Resources “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't” by Jim Collins (https://a.co/d/d13leDe) “The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership” by Steven Sample (https://a.co/d/bMpm7gr)

What does it take to walk away from a $15M term sheet? Bob Knorr did just that — choosing ownership, control, and vision over outside capital. He built that company (then 2 others) with a poignant blend of business sense, ethics, and intuition. In this episode we discuss how he built a medtech company from the ground up, bootstrapped it with creativity (and a Costco credit card), and ultimately exited to a publicly traded company. We discuss his other ventures and what he’s learned along the way about hiring the right early employees, developing a go-to-market strategy, and how to stay true to a vision while adapting to reality. Throughout every topic we cover, Bob shares hard-earned wisdom for founders at every stage. --- Episode Resources Check out what Bob is currently building with his company “Timeless Tartans” (https://timelesstartans.com)

In today’s episode I sit down with Katie Brinkley of Next Step Social to candidly explore the realities of entrepreneurship—how to price your services, when to hire, and some of the tough lessons learned along the way. We discuss the importance of scaling with intention, and how to use your business to actually create the change you believe needs to happen in your industry. We also dig into years of Katie’s expertise to understand why social media success isn’t about posting more, but posting smarter. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to build a business that works FOR you, this conversation is packed with a ton of actionable insights you’ll want to hear. --- Episode Resources Keep up with Katie (http://www.katiebrinkley.com) (https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley) (https://facebook.com/iamkatiebrinkley) (https://linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley) Learn More About Next Step Social (https://www.nextstepsocialcommunications.com) Learn More About Katie’s Book, “The Social Shift” (http://www.katiebrinkley.com/book) Listen to Katie’s Podcast, “Rocky Mountain Marketing” (https://www.youtube.com/@rockymountainmarketingpodcast) Tools Discussed In This Episode (https://www.loom.com) (https://toggl.com)

In today’s episode I talk with Arjun Sharma, a seasoned product & project manager who’s worked with over 200 founders across a variety of technical industries. Arjun shares invaluable insights from his experience guiding startups through the entire product lifecycle—from idea to market. Discover the key traits successful founders share, the importance of balancing vision with flexibility, and why having the best product means nothing without a strong go-to-market strategy. Whether you’re a new founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical advice for building and scaling your product. --- Episode Resources Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon (https://a.co/d/1AT07NP)

What do successful entrepreneurs have in common? They ask the questions no one else is asking. Today, I sit down with Daniel Yeboah—founder, problem-solver, and challenger of the status quo. From his first paper route to successfully exiting multiple startups, Daniel has always seen opportunities where others see roadblocks. Now, he’s tackling one of the toughest industries—healthcare—with AI-powered, real-time insights for providers. We cover so much in this episode. We break down the myths of building a business, the realities of fundraising, and why running lean is critical in a company’s early stages. There’s a ton in here to chew on, and anyone in the Startup space will take something practical and insightful away from his perspective. --- Episode Resources Check out what Daniel and his co-founder are building at Ravella Health (https://www.revellahealth.com) “Startup Success” by Gordon Daugherty (https://a.co/d/b50Xzn5)

“Eyelids are gross—people should wash them.” That’s the message that today’s guest, Tom Chapman, is on a mission to share with the world. In our interview, we talk about how his experience as a serial entrepreneur is helping him tackle a problem most of us don’t even realize we have. Dry eye disease is exploding, thanks to our screen-heavy lifestyles, and yet almost no one is doing anything about it. Tom and his co-founders started Peeq Pro to address the issue by revolutionizing eyelid hygiene. We dive into what it takes to build a business in an industry that’s still waking up to its own problem, the hard truths of entrepreneurship, and why taking bigger swings is the key to real impact. Tom transparently shares invaluable perspective on everything from starting a company with your spouse, to navigating the challenges of building hardware vs. software. There’s something here for everyone. Let’s dive in! --- Episode Resources Check out what Tom and his co-founders are building at Peeq Pro (https://peeqpro.com)

What if life insurance didn’t just protect you financially but actually helped you live longer? In this episode, we sit down with Ben Mason, co-founder and CEO of Athlete, a startup that’s disrupting the insurance industry by pricing based on fitness, instead of based on risk level. Ben shares his journey from advertising to entrepreneurship, the hard lessons he learned about chasing ideas vs. listening to customers, and why he believes mental health doesn’t have to be a sunk cost for founders. We dive into the challenges of launching a product in two countries at once, the myths that hold startups back, and how Athlete is planning to navigate data privacy concerns for its customers. Ben’s experience and skillsets are extensive, and I took away so much even from our short time together. You don’t want to miss this one! --- Episode Resources Check out what Ben and his co-founder are building at Athlete (https://lifeathlete.co)

In today’s episode I talk with Kelly Iannone, an experienced full-time investor who’s built a diverse portfolio across real estate, public stocks, and most recently, early-stage startups. She shares why one of the biggest misconceptions about investing is that you have to do it all yourself, how to spot a founder worth betting on, and why trusting the right people is the real key to hedging risk and achieving 10x returns. If you’ve ever wondered how to get involved in startup investing—or how to avoid the biggest mistakes—this episode is for you. --- Episode Resources Keep up with Kelly (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-iannone-waypointcip)

In today’s episode I talk with Martijn Smit, a serial entrepreneur who’s mastered the art of rapidly getting new products to market. Martijn shares his journey from early coding experiments to building multiple startups, including how he balances efficiency with perfection. We dive into why shipping fast beats waiting for the product to be fully-baked, the myth of “if you build it, they will come,” and the power of testing ideas through MVPs. He also reveals his process for filtering ideas, fighting distractions, and overcoming challenges in marketing and sales. If you’re ready to launch smarter and faster, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss! --- Episode Resources Check out a few of Martijn’s projects (https://whatpulse.org)(https://mutedeck.com) Atomic Habits by James Clear (https://a.co/d/akrywzm)

In today’s episode I talk with Tom Griffiths, co-founder of Gale Payments, as we uncover the realities of startup life and accelerators. Tom shares his journey through multiple ventures, including lessons learned from building without customers, balancing speed with craft, and why accelerators like Techstars were crucial for his company’s growth. He dives deep into the power of networks, the importance of traction when applying, and how founders can overcome common pitfalls. Whether you’re considering an accelerator or just curious about the startup process, this episode is packed full of valuable insights anyone can learn from. --- Episode Resources Check out what Tom and his co-founder are building at Gale Payments (https://www.withgale.com) The Underdog Founder by Adrezio de la Cruz (https://a.co/d/gD2GnaI) The Founder University "Pre-Accelerator" Course by Jason Calacanis (https://www.founder.university)