The Accidental Entrepreneurs

In our season finale, we dig into some game-changing customer engagement strategies that fueled our startups. Ever thought about how an app or a clever email campaign could transform your business? Or imagine hosting a Willy Wonka-inspired event in Las Vegas complete with golden ticket candy bars and a lovable mascot named Mr. Meowgy. We share behind-the-scenes insights that can inspire your next big idea. It's all about building a community that is both engaged and excited.As we toast to the end of an amazing season of "The Accidental Entrepreneur," we express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and look forward to more enriching discussions in the future. Cheers!

In this episode, we reflect on Jerry Seinfeld's memorable commencement speech at Duke University. We delve into his three keys to life—bust your ass, pay attention, and fall in love—and discuss how these principles are essential for entrepreneurial success. We will also share a few stories about overcoming imposter syndrome, handling the pressures of starting a business, and even making the tough call to fire a customer to maintain the integrity of your venture.We tackle the difficult subject of toxic clients and the strategies we’ve developed for handling unreasonable demands while prioritizing employee well-being. 

As we approach the end of our season, we break down how we landed on the pricing strategy for our products. We also discuss the pros and cons of pricing against a competitor.We've got a TikTok to share by Luis Fernandes who shares some of his most loved and least favorite tequilas.Lastly, for our tip of the week, we both decided to share some valuable lessons we learned from our parents.

Have you ever wondered how to market effectively to a niche audience? In our conversation, we uncover grassroots marketing strategies tailored specifically for the veterinary medicine field.  We offer practical tips for enhancing engagement through traditional marketing tactics and providing educational support to make your product indispensable.Is trade show marketing still relevant in the digital age? We tackle this question by exploring creative ways to make a splash at trade shows and build lasting connections with potential customers. 

This week, we dive into the labyrinth of startup organizational structures. Discover the sometimes arbitrary nature of assigning titles and roles within a small team, where everyone is juggling multiple hats.  Learn about a friend's innovative approach to structuring roles based on compensation, and weigh its pros and cons with us. Finally, we explore how rigid titles can limit contributions and why a more flexible approach might just be the key to a thriving startup. Ira's tip of the week: Lucid ChartStacee's tip of the week: Send thank you notes to your employees

Ever wondered how to what the best way is to get feedback from your customers? Gathering useful user feedback for products in development is a critical step to building the right stuff. In this episode, we share creative strategies, such as involving children and parents for initial testing and how to set up an active engaged user group on social media. At the end of the day, the trick is to create a safe environment that triggers real, honest feedback from your audience.Special mentions:Dr. Ellen Langer, Harvard’s renowned ‘Mother of MindfulnessMauricio DujowichTip of the week:Ira: Advice from MauricioStacee: Advice on making decisions

Meet Luke Burnett, the innovative mind behind KeraVet Bio, who stumbled upon a brilliant idea that’s transforming pet wound care. In our latest episode, Luke shares the  story of KeraVet Gel, a reformulated human medical product now eliminating the need for those pesky Elizabethan collars. Discover how this breakthrough is not only improving compliance but also strengthening the bond between humans and their furry friends. Luke’s journey is a testament to embracing unexpected opportunities and finding joy in the unplanned paths life offers.Luke also imparts valuable lessons on effective communication and prioritization in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of active listening, teamwork, and finding the right people to support your vision. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a veterinary professional, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips to inspire and guide you.

Being an entrepreneur isn't all rainbows and unicorns. Guest cohost Cindy Trice and Ira discuss some of the downsides to being the head honcho of a startup ranging from bearing the ultimate burden of all decisions to feelings of loneliness.Tips of the week:Cindy: "Humor Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life " by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi BagdonasIra: Dr. Cheryl London: You really want to know what you're talking about at such a detailed level that like you could go up without any notes and basically draw the whole thing out, and then you will have the ability to sort of explain, explain things to anybody, right

Imagine being inspired to change your career path because of a chance encounter. That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Cindy Trice, a veterinarian who transformed her passion for relief work into a thriving business. In our latest episode, Cindy recounts her unconventional journey from a freelance production worker to founding Relief Rover, a platform designed to connect relief veterinarians and technicians with job opportunities and resources. She shares how her early experiences and an inspirational figure led her to embrace the dynamic and flexible nature of relief veterinary work, which eventually sparked her entrepreneurial spirit. Cindy’s story is an eye-opener into how diverse experiences can unexpectedly shape one's career path.We also delve into the intricacies of building a two-sided marketplace and the emotional highs and lows that come with it. Cindy describes how she sustained the business without initial revenue and the subscription-based model that ensured its success. Moreover, she talks about the strategic merger with Hound, aligning with partners who shared her vision and integrity. As if that wasn't enough, Cindy opens up about her personal battle with chemotherapy and how it led to the creation of Kick It Pajamas—functional yet stylish clothing for women undergoing medical treatments. Her resilience, creativity, and dedication are a testament to the power of turning personal challenges into impactful business ventures. Don’t miss this episode filled with insightful stories of entrepreneurship, growth, and meaningful partnerships.

Ever thought about how leaders adapt as their startups morph into the real business world? Stacee and Ira pull back the curtain on their evolution from the early days of winging it with their teams, to mastering the art of delegation and trust in a growing company. We get real about the gnarly bits of meshing with larger corporate beasts post-acquisition and why having your ducks in a row with processes can save you from a world of hurt down the line. Special shout outs:Mike FisherFish Food for Thought newsletterDani McVetyTips of the week:Ira: CanvaStacee: Tango

In our latest discussion,  we unpack the tango of competition and innovation in the business world. Ira and Stacee share their stories of discomfort of encountering their rivals and the subsequent appreciation for the diversity and drive it brings to the market.Ira's tip of the week: Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill AuletStacee's tip of the week: Radical Candor podcast

The episode takes a turn as we confront the reality of firing an employee—a challenge that tests the alignment of personal compassion with a company's core values. We discuss the broader impact these decisions have on the team and the delicate nature of delivering difficult news.

There comes a time in every successful entrepreneur's life when they just "know" (hopefully). It might be a key event, your inner voice or a gut feeling but some where along the journey, something happened that clued you in that you were really on to something. This week, Stacee and Ira share their special moment.Special mentions this week:Adam LittleElizabeth GreenEd CatmullAmy Wallace

Have you ever faced the daunting challenge of building a startup from the ground up? This episode is a goldmine of guidance, as Dr. Adam Little shares insights around foundational steps for budding entrepreneurs to thrive.Adam and Ira spend some time talking about de-risking the company, the problem with hiring too many people too early and why strategic partnerships are a huge waste of time for early stage companies in the veterinary space.The biggest lessons don't come from success, they come from trying something that fails. If you are an entrepreneur, don't learn the hard way. Instead, take Adam's advice to heart and avoid these pitfalls. Special mentions:Mark StephensonCouto Guillermo

Glance behind the curtain with Dr. Adam Little as he chats with Ira about his startup journey including the highs of innovation and the lows of layoffs. Adam shares the hard knock lessons he learned with brutal honesty showing that integrity and compassion always win.  You won't want to miss this episode with one of the most brilliant innovators in veterinary medicine.Learn more about Adam on LinkedIn

Stacee and our special guest cohost, Beth Green, spin the wheel today and talk about their business partners and the way they found them.Special mentions:Toni PassarettiJohn O'BrienDr. Pat TomlinsonKaryn GavzerMartin Traub-Werner

Discover the inspiring journey of Beth Green, CEO of Vetmedux. She takes us through her remarkable transition from veterinary publishing into a leader of tech innovation in this field. As the brains behind Clinicians Brief, Beth's tale is one of pioneering spirit and ingenuity, turning a stack of unread journals into an essential resource for vets everywhere. Her company's strategic acquisition of Plumb's Veterinary Drugs is just one highlight of how Vetmedux has become a staple in every veterinarian's toolkit.Special mentions:Caleb FrankelIndu Mani

Stacee and Ira talk about their initial misconceptions about software development and the often overlooked immense value of an ongoing partnership with engineers beyond the launch phase. Lessons include learning the ropes of product development timelines and understanding the investment costs are critical for any entrepreneur aiming for success.

This week, Stacee and Ira talk about where they found their first employee and discuss what type of person can you attract when you can't pay well and don't offer any benefits....yet!Tip of the week: Ira: You can find employees that actually care more about the business than yourselfStacee: The importance of holding in-person team meetings early on (and some great locations to do this).

This week, Ira and Stacee share what it actually feels like to see millions of dollars drop in your bank account one day when you sell your company. So, technically you're rich now....what's the first thing two nerds purchase?!And, we have our eye on some future millionaires (entrepreneurs we love):Dani RabwinNicole ClausenAlex ContrerasFavorite tip, trick, quote of the week:Ira: The book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan CainStacee: How to handle your overwhelming inbox and still get back to people in 24h

This week, Ira and Stacee talk about being sued or having to sue someone. Unfortunately, if you have a company, you are going to need a lawyer somewhere, somehow for something.  Tip of the week:Stacee: The podcast "How to be awesome at your job"Ira: The book "Finding confidence in conflict- How to negotiate anything and live your best life" by Christian Kwame

Have you ever launched a marketing campaign that failed miserably? Trust us, we've been there. Join us as we take a walk down memory lane, cringing at our biggest mistakes in marketing. Here is a link to Stacee's embarrassing explainer video that is inappropriate on so many levels.Our favorite things:Ira: The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Pat LencioniStacee: Loom software

The question today is "What was your first office like?"In talking about this we delve into the importance of enjoying the climb when you are an entrepreneur. Take it from us, the money is good but the journey there is better.Our favorite tip, trick, or quote this week:Ira: SlackStacee: JotformTo hear the whole Jim Carrey speech, go here: https://youtu.be/YAzTIOy0ID0P.S. It's amazing!

This week, Ira tells us the story of his son being "scientist of the week" for his school and his quest to analyze the absorbency of paper towels —tackling variables, crunching numbers, and learning that the smallest details can make the biggest impact.The question today is "Who were some of the most critical people in your journey?"Ira and Stacee  will share the stories of Dan and Mihailo, and their undeniable influence on technology and leadership in sculpting a business's destiny. Dan's flair for customer experience and design that brought a new life to the product, inviting the end-user into the development loop. Mihailo, the engineer with a knack for the possible, who pushed boundaries between creation and execution.Our favorite tips this week:Ira: "Just do experiments" and the importance of getting clarity on what you are doingStacee: A book "Product Led Onboarding" by Ramli John that teaches you how to turn your customer into super Mario

On this episode of Accidental Entrepreneur, we talk about some of the worst advice we have heard people giving to founders, like avoid having a cofounder/partner if at all possible and never telling anyone your big idea.Along the way, we share a short list of core qualities to think about when choosing your cofounders and the importance of shouting your idea from the rooftops.Favorite tips, tools or quotes:Ira: Having a CRM like Hubspot or SalesforceStacee: Using Keynote to sketch ideasAwesome folks mentioned in today's episode:Mauricio DujowichSteve ShawMartin Traub-WernerAaron MassecarHubspotSalesforceKaryn Ekola

When my morning run-in with a herd of audacious cows takes an unexpected turn, it sets the stage for a podcast episode that's as wild as the ranch life itself. Join me, Stacy Santee, and my laugh-loving co-host Ira Gordon, as we swap tales of our offbeat paths into the world of startups—in a discussion where the punchlines are as plentiful as the insights. From the story of Vet Prep's birth, buoyed by a modest loan and a mentor's unwavering belief, to the trials of an 18-month development odyssey, we uncover the unpredictable yet exhilarating nature of bringing a vision to life.But the entrepreneurial rodeo doesn't stop there! Hear how my pivot from veterinarian to tech founder with Vet to Pet was fueled by sheer grit, and how a surprise investment from a former client, Marty Kagan, turbocharged our trajectory. We'll also reveal how my partner Eric's low-key start masked his major tech achievement, proving that the real power players often fly under the radar. So saddle up for a rollicking ride through startup success, sprinkled with laughter and learning, that just might leave you asking, "Why not me?" too.Mauricio DujowichJeff ZubaMarty CaganEric ChanLarry SantiLoadmanAmes Prentiss

When Stacee Santi traded her veterinarian scrubs for the innovative world of tech entrepreneurship, she didn't just create an app—she sparked a revolution in pet care communication. On our latest podcast, Stacee shares her inspiring journey from observing pet owners' struggles with heartworm prevention to developing Vet2Pet, a game-changing app that bridges the gap between veterinary services and technology. Her tale is a testament to how a single idea, fueled by passion and perseverance, can transform an entire industry.Her journey is not just about overcoming adversity but a story of how relentless innovation can make every listener believe in the power of determination and the spirit of entrepreneurship.Mentions:Karyn EkolaMobile App Loader: Zvika (Dave) AshkenaziZoetis rep: Tim LaraZoetis rep: John BarrierWebsite developer: Duffy BrookMartin Traub-WernerVetPartnersApp developer: DEVersityMilan BoričićMihailo JovkovićVeterinary influencer: Eric GarciaVetsourceDominos

Today, Ira shares with us his serendipitous shift from veterinary student to innovator, as we explore the origins of an online study platform that revolutionized veterinary education. Scaling a startup isn't all about number crunching and serious business. Ira's journey is proof that taking bold steps with friends can lead to unexpected, prosperous ventures in the world of healthcare education. Join us as we look back on the 17-year odyssey of Ira's enterprise, from its modest beginnings to a bittersweet sale in 2020. Ira leaves us with a nugget of inspiration for all aspiring entrepreneurs: find joy in your journey, because that's where true success takes root.Names mentioned in this episode:Cofounder: Mauricio DujowichCofounder: Steve ShawEngineer: Eric ChanFirst customer: Jose RodriguezBrother in-law: Donovan KeithBrian JensenVetPrep

Ever wonder what it's like to leap into the entrepreneurial abyss and come out the other side, not only intact but thriving? That's the topic  Stacee Santi and Ira Gordon tackle in the Accidental Entrepreneur's debut. We're your unlikely business gurus, swapping tales from the trenches and doling out the kind of advice you'd wish you had when you were starting out. Together, we provide a rare glimpse into the real-world rollercoaster ride of launching and letting go of business ventures. Get ready for a show that will teach aspiring entrepreneurs everything you wish you knew and the unvarnished truth about what it takes to succeed.