PODCAST · business
The Way In
by Shijia Mao
The Way In dives into the choices, risks, and lessons behind building a business. Each week, founders and small business owners share how they carved their own path. Season 1 featured 23 entrepreneurs. Now on Season 2.
Episodes
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Prue @ New New Patch: Making Repair Easier Than Buying New
New New Patch was named in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 Special Mentions. Prue spent 18 years in product marketing before becoming a founder herself. New New Patch started with a very ordinary parenting problem: what do you do when your kids’ clothes are stained? Her answer was a peel-and-stick...
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Tim @ Bonsai Bar: Growing the Economy Around a Niche Hobby
Tim, founder of Bonsai Bar, discovered bonsai while working in software and eventually started wondering not just how he could make a living from bonsai, but how he could help grow the economy around the hobby. That idea eventually became Bonsai Bar. What started with small workshops in Boston…
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Tiffany @ FinFast: Can AI Make Sense of the Noise in Economic Research?
AI tools for investment research have exploded over the past year, but more information doesn't necessarily make research easier. In fact, it can make it harder to know what to pay attention to. In this episode, I talk to Tiffany Qiu, founder of Oxbridge Economics and the company behind FinFAST…
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Natasa Tuohy: Building a Life of Your Own, from Florence to New York
Natasa Tuohy grew up in Yugoslavia, moved to Florence at 19 to study architecture, and made her way to New York, where she spent nearly a decade working in architecture before starting her own studio in 2019. In this episode, we talk about that journey from Florence to New York, what she learned...
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Kim @ Utopia Club: Building for Founders Entering the U.S.
In this episode, I’m joined by Kim, founder of Utopia Club, a private community for software founders making high-stakes decisions around entering and scaling in the U.S. market. Kim started her career as a fractional marketing operator and founded Fua Collective three years ago. After working...
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Anthea @ ANS: Performance for the Long Run
Sports gels are everywhere in North America, but in much of Asia, the bigger challenge isn't convincing someone to switch brands - it’s convincing them to use a gel in the first place. In this episode, I’m joined by Anthea, founder of ANS, a Singapore-based sports nutrition brand built around the...
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Laura @ Renata Rubio: The Unusual Business of Selling Jewelry
What does it actually take to build a jewelry business? She didn't start with Instagram. She didn't start with a consumer brand. She didn't chase trends. She didn't prioritize rapid scale. She didn't build a big team. Instead, Laura started in jewelry distribution, eventually building…
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Maggie Blackburn: Building a Portfolio Career
After more than a decade in product marketing, Maggie left her corporate career in November 2024 without even knowing the term “portfolio career.” She initially thought she was simply making a pivot into events. But as she began freelancing, coaching, teaching, creating content, and taking on...
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Eric @ Heylo: From Lonely Marathon to Two Million Check-ins
Eric left what many people would consider a dream job at Google after realizing that achievement alone wasn't enough. What he was missing was community, a realization that eventually led him to co-found Heylo, a platform that helps thousands of running clubs, hiking groups, book clubs, and social...
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Miles @ The Tea Stand: The Power of Showing Up
When Miles left a stable career in biotech, he wasn't chasing the next startup idea. Instead, he began serving free tea in New York City parks— no agenda, just an open space for strangers to slow down and connect. What started as a simple experiment has since grown into The Tea Stand, a nonprofit...
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Leeah @ Newberry Travel: The Case for Intentional Travel
In this episode, I sit down with Leeah, founder of Newberry Travel. After leaving a career in corporate sourcing, Leeah realized that just as every purchasing decision can shape a factory and its community, every travel dollar can shape the people and places we visit. She shares how a four-month...
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Ricky @ SourceReady: The Global Supply Chain Reset
Ricky sold his first startup at 23. Instead of taking a break, he jumped straight into building SourceReady, an AI platform that helps companies source top products from global suppliers. In this episode of The Way In, Ricky shares his vision of building the “Google search for supplier data”. Why...
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Kate @ Dip: Anti-Amazon Entrepreneur on Growing Without Selling Out
In a beauty industry obsessed with greenwashing and Amazon scale, Kate Assaraf, founder and CEO of Dip, chose a different path. In this episode of The Way In, Kate shares how she built a 7-figure haircare brand rooted in community and clear positioning. We talk about early product development…
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JJ Ram @ Claim Health: From Startup Bouncer to Building for the $100B Home Health Market
In this episode of The Way In, I speak with JJ Ram, CTO and co-founder of Claim Health, about his journey from a start-up bouncer to building an AI company for the $100B+ U.S. home health industry. JJ shares how he and his co-founder navigate the challenges of running a startup together…
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From Engineer to Operator: Trevor @ Olive Legal on Taking Over a Business He Didn’t Start
In this episode of The Way In, I speak with Trevor, CTO of Olive Legal, about stepping into leadership at a company he didn’t start. Trevor joined Olive Legal as the first engineering hire, drawn by the chance to learn from experienced founders. When those founders later moved on to a new…
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Founder Duo @ Marmalaide: Where Creativity Meets AI Marketing
In this episode of The Way In, I speak with Eric and Dev, the founder duo behind Marmalaide, a company using generative AI to create high-quality marketing content. Eric shares his background as an independent filmmaker and how the writers’ and actors’ strikes pushed him to experiment with AI,...
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Navigating SaaS in the AI Era: How Sid @ Spendflo Chose to Disrupt His Own Company
In this episode of The Way In, I speak with Sid Sridharan, co-founder and CEO of Spendflo, about the evolution of the company from SaaS spend management to an AI-native platform. Sid shares lessons from founding and scaling Spendflo, the role of venture capital, the difficult decision to exit a...
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Radical Transparency: Sol @ Neptune on Building a New Prenup Experience
In this episode, Sol shares her personal journey with prenups and how Neptune is changing the narrative around these conversations. We discuss the lessons she learned from her first startup, the challenges couples face when talking about money and prenups, and how Neptune aims to simplify the...
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Brian @ Verteel: Reinventing Medical Logistics with Drones
Brian, founder of Verteel, didn’t start out in tech - he started in the cockpit. In this episode, Brian shares his journey from being a professional pilot to building a drone company focusing on transforming medical logistics. He discusses the challenges of navigating regulatory environments, the...
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Maximize Your Earnings: Maggi @ Sumly on Building for Solopreneurs
In this episode, Maggi shares the journey behind Sumly, from its early prototype to its official launch after a year of development. During pilot testing, users saw an average savings of $2,350, a clear signal that the product was solving a real and painful problem. From meeting her co-founder at...
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From Hedge Funds to Healthcare: Kartik @ Quill Bills Tackles Healthcare’s Messiest Workflow
Kartik’s journey checks all the classic tech-founder boxes -MIT dropout, YC alum - but the real story begins when he walks away from his first product. After realizing their hedge-fund modeling tool wasn’t sticking, he made a sharp pivot into a far more chaotic world: medical billing. With…
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Made to Be Different: Dana @ Selformer on Creativity, the Misfit Mindset, and Self-Invention
Dana’s path to founding Selformer Pilates is far from traditional. After nearly 20 years as a music photographer - constantly traveling and carrying heavy gear - she turned to Pilates to repair her body, eventually discovering a new calling. With no business background, she built Selformer by...
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From 100 Customers to $1M ARR: How Gu @ Adzviser Bootstrapped in 3 Years
Launching a startup is often about timing - and Gu’s journey with Adzviser is a perfect example. As he was building the first version of the product, ChatGPT launched, creating a sudden surge of interest in AI tools. The timing was serendipitous: Adzviser quickly became one of the first tools...
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Beyond the Stereotypes: How Alvina @ SHUMINGYU Brings Chinese Art into Slow Fashion
Alvina, founder of SHUMINGYU, didn’t come from a traditional fashion background. A humanities student who later worked at Christie’s, she draws inspiration from a wide range of artistic genres and notices the subtle nuances in Chinese culture. From classical poetry to watercolor paintings, Alvina...
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Creating a Cult Following: How Kiki @ Sourmilk Hits Grocery Shelves in Just 10 Months
In this episode, Kiki, co-founder of Sourmilk, breaks down how she built a sold-out yogurt brand in record time. In just 10 months, Sourmilk landed on shelves at two NYC grocery stores, sitting right next to industry giants like Chobani. Was it luck, relentless hustle, or the right partnership at...
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Chef Cipollone @ Francie on Earning, Keeping, and Building Beyond a Michelin Star
Chef Cipollone knows what it takes to earn a Michelin star -and more importantly, to keep one. In this episode, he shares how years in top kitchens shaped his approach to leadership, creativity, and building a team that lasts. We talk about the mentors who pushed him, the lessons behind Francie’s...
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From Fan to Franchisee: How Logan Brought Paulie Gee’s to Gowanus
Logan started out as a Paulie Gee’s fan - now he’s behind the counter running his own location in Gowanus. In this episode, he shares how a love for great pizza turned into a full-time pursuit, what he learned opening a restaurant in New York City, and why consistency, community, and craft matter...
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What Comes After Fine Dining: How @ PlatedbyChefKiah Brings People Together
This episode is full of energy, grit, and heart — just like Kiah herself. After years in the Bay Area restaurant scene and co-founding Far Out Catering, Chef Kiah Fuller took a leap to start Plated by Chef Kiah — a private dining brand that brings high-end experiences to people’s homes and...
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The Math Behind the Paddle: Daniel's Journey from Investor to Building Ping Pong Community in NYC
In this episode of The Way In, I sit down with Daniel, the new owner of three PingPod franchise locations in Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn, and the Lower East Side. Daniel shares what inspired him to move from investor and advisor to franchise owner, his transition from analyzing businesses to...
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A Bold Bet in a Sweet Market: How Gene @ Afar Foods Is Challenging an $8B Industry
When it comes to protein bars, 99% of the market is dominated by chocolate or peanut butter flavors. Frustrated by the lack of variety, Gene set out to create something different - savory protein bars inspired by international flavors. After hundreds of recipe iterations, he and his mom hand-made...
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Creating Intimate Dinners & Big Experiences: Jennifer @ Club Soda on Her Culinary Journey
From her early days as a hostess at COTE Korean Steakhouse to partnering with wine bars across New York City, Jennifer has carved her own path with Club Soda — a proof of concept that Chinese dishes and natural wine can be a perfect match. In this episode, Jennifer shares what motivated her to...
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Weathering Hurricane Maria & Covid 19: How Bryan @ Spotin Built Puerto Rico’s Top Rainforest Tours
If you visit Puerto Rico, chances are you'll find yourself exploring the breathtaking El Yunque rainforest. And if you're there, you'll likely go on one of the waterfall hikes that have become a must-do experience. But these adventure tours didn't exist until just 5-6 years ago, when a few local...
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Designing for a Kinder Tomorrow: Anyi @ Koi Studios on Building Her Own Path
From in-house designer to cofounder of Koi Studios, Anyi has never shied away from taking risks - including sponsoring herself as a foreigner working in the U.S. What started as juggling client needs, design work, and even accounting has evolved into her leading business development at the…
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Resilience, Research, and a 7x Hidden Gem: Ryan @ Infuse’s Investing Journey
As a firm believer in the power of compounding, Ryan began managing money for his family and friends at the age of 25. But in the early days, his fund lost more than 30% in just two quarters. In this episode, Ryan shares how he pushed through those tough times and stayed laser-focused on…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Way In dives into the choices, risks, and lessons behind building a business. Each week, founders and small business owners share how they carved their own path. Season 1 featured 23 entrepreneurs. Now on Season 2.
HOSTED BY
Shijia Mao
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Way In have?
The Way In currently has 34 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Way In about?
The Way In dives into the choices, risks, and lessons behind building a business. Each week, founders and small business owners share how they carved their own path. Season 1 featured 23 entrepreneurs. Now on Season 2.
How often does The Way In release new episodes?
The Way In has 34 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Way In?
You can listen to The Way In on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Way In?
The Way In is created and hosted by Shijia Mao.
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