Founder In Progress

In Episode 109, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, Jorge shares the story of building Aldea, an education platform helping kindergartens focus more on children and less on administration. He breaks down the early days of the company, from launching an MVP and losing customers, to taking the risk of continuing when the project was almost shut down. Through that journey, Jorge discovered that conviction, sacrifice, and a clear sense of purpose were what kept the company moving forward. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, education, parenting, discipline, and what it means to build something that truly serves others. Jorge also shares why Aldea’s mission goes beyond software: helping teachers save time, giving parents peace of mind, and creating better experiences for children across Latin America

In Episode 108, filmed in Monterey, Mexico, Raul shares a personal conversation about entrepreneurship, perspective, and redefining success. This episode goes beyond startups. Raul reflects on grief, divorce, failure, and the mindset shift that helped him move from constant pressure to building with more meaning. He also shares his journey through multiple companies, his work in digital transformation for small and medium enterprises in Latin America, and why innovation often starts with seeing problems differently. This conversation is for anyone building a business, chasing success, or learning how to enjoy the ride along the way. LEARN MORE about RaulLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raulfernando/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zellship/ Website - https://zellship.com/ FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 107, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Paola, the first Entrepreneur Agent of PR in Latin America and the United States, to explore the real meaning of visibility, trust, and connection in the entrepreneurial world.Paola shares how she built her business during the pandemic, why PR is about more than social media, and how founders can use media, podcasts, events, and storytelling to build credibility in the real world. She also opens up about burnout, personal branding, intuition, and the challenges of building a company around your own name.We also discuss Paola’s book, which dives into the Mexican startup ecosystem and the honest stories behind some of the country’s most important entrepreneurs. Throughout the conversation, Paola offers a grounded look at what it really takes to build trust, create meaningful connections, and stay human in a fast-moving business worldLEARN MORE about PaolaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/paolavillarrealc/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolavillarrealcarvajal/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/paola-villarreal-entrepreneur-agent/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 106, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, Stella Jimenez shares her journey as an innovation strategist, entrepreneur, designer, and builder who has spent her career creating at the edge of the unknown. Stella talks about how intuition has guided her through business, leadership, motherhood, creativity, technology, and personal transformation. From falling in love with tech through design to building companies in AR, VR, AI, tourism, hospitality, and innovation strategy, she explains why the earliest stage of creation, going from zero to one, is where she feels most alive. The conversation also explores the human side of entrepreneurship: knowing when to stop, protecting your energy, building trust-based partnerships, and using fear as a tool rather than letting it control you. Stella opens up about her 2023 cancer diagnosis, the uncertainty that came with it, and how that experience reshaped her understanding of legacy, relationships, and what truly matters. This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, resilience, intuition, and what it means to build something meaningful while staying true to yourself.LEARN MORE about Stella Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stellajimenezinnovation LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-jimenez/ Website - https://www.stellajimenez.com/ FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 105 of Founder In Progress, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Dagoberto Cedillos, founder of Punto, a mobility platform built for gig economy drivers. Dagoberto shares how he went from working in energy and electric mobility in London to returning to Mexico to build a company focused on solving real-world transportation challenges.After COVID shut down his first startup, Dagoberto partnered with a local transportation group and launched Punto—starting with just 10 vehicles and growing to a fleet of 400+ serving thousands of drivers. By focusing on reducing costs, minimizing risk, and improving the driver experience, Punto has created a more flexible and sustainable way for people to earn income through platforms like Uber and Didi.This episode dives into the realities of building in emerging markets, balancing growth with profitability, and navigating the operational complexity of a physical + digital business. We also explore partnerships, the future of mobility (including electric and autonomous vehicles), and what it takes to build something that actually works in the real world.LEARN MORE about Dagoberto LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagocedillos/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/drivepunto/ Website - https://www.punto.app/ FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In episode 104, we sit down with Hugo — a lifelong creator who has built, lost, and rebuilt across construction, real estate, entrepreneurship, music, and global leadership. Filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, this conversation explores the deeper thread behind all of it: Hugo’s love of creating from zero. He opens up about failure, losing confidence, rebuilding his identity, and the personal breakthroughs that helped him reconnect with himself, his work, and the kind of life he actually wanted to build. We also dive into Burning Man, therapy, alchemy, music, and the mindset shifts that shaped his newest creative projects. From learning how to trust himself again to creating spaces for others to express their art, Hugo shares a perspective on entrepreneurship that goes far beyond business. This episode is about flow, transformation, reinvention, and what it means to keep creating — even after life forces you to start over.LEARN MORE about Hugo Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elespacio.io/following/ - https://www.instagram.com/hugoasalinas/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-a-salinas-75a71024/ Website - https://elespacio.io/ FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 103, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Walter and his co-founders at Wasco to unpack how they’re turning industrial waste into certified construction materials. The conversation explores the origin of the company, the pollution challenges that inspired Walter to act, and how the team built a business at the intersection of mining, cement, and construction to create solutions that are both sustainable and commercially viable.They also get into the reality of scaling climate tech in conservative industries, from product validation and strategic partnerships to funding, licensing, and expanding across the Americas. This episode is about persistence, accountability, and what it really takes to build solutions that can work at industrial scale while making a measurable environmental impact.LEARN MORE about WalterInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/wascomexico/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/waltermatamtz/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wascomexico/Website - https://www.wascompany.com/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 102 of Founder In Progress, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Ivan Garza—an entrepreneur building across marketing, music, and venture-backed startups—to unpack what it really looks like to build companies with purpose in today’s world. Ivan shares his journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family to launching a live events company that worked with 150+ emerging artists across Mexico—before losing it all during COVID. From there, we dive into how he rebuilt, transitioning into marketing, sound branding, and now a venture studio model focused on building and scaling startups from the ground up. This conversation covers the reality of building in LATAM, why many industries are still outdated, how to pivot when everything falls apart, and how to know when to walk away and start again. At its core, this episode is about resilience—because entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous, and success isn’t just business, it’s the life you build alongside it. LEARN MORE about Ivan De La Garza Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ivandelagarzamx/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivandelagarzamx/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/abetterworldventures/ Website - https://abetterworld.ventures/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 101, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Luisa, the founder of Pico Norte, to explore how she built more than a climbing gym — she built a people-centered community rooted in vulnerability, purpose, and personal growth. From accidentally discovering climbing to leading Pico Norte with a vision of inclusion, conscious leadership, and authentic connection, Luisa shares how the sport transformed her life and how that same mindset now shapes her business.This conversation dives into sustainable growth, community building, and why putting people before profit creates lasting impact. Luisa opens up about leadership, self-doubt, creating safe spaces, and what it means to grow a business without losing its soul. If you’re a founder, operator, or anyone interested in business with purpose, this episode offers a thoughtful and refreshing perspective.LEARN MORE about LuisaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/piconorte/- https://www.instagram.com/riosluisafer/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisa-fernanda-r%C3%ADos-su%C3%A1rez-b8885baa/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/piconorte/Website - https://piconorte.mx/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Logistics is a $1 trillion industry — and much of it still runs on email, WhatsApp, and phone calls.In this episode, we sit down with Diego Rhon, a founder building an AI-driven logistics brokerage designed to automate freight coordination without breaking trust or existing workflows.Diego explains why logistics has resisted innovation for decades, why brokers still exist, and why most automation efforts fail in fragmented markets like Mexico and Latin America. Instead of forcing companies onto new platforms, his approach uses AI to replicate the human coordination layer — quietly structuring information while preserving the way people already work.The conversation also dives into the founder journey behind the product: leaving a stable job, navigating doubt and imposter syndrome, raising capital across different markets, and staying focused on execution when progress feels slow.LEARN MORE about Diego RhonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/r8log/jobs/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegorhon/Website - https://www.r8log.com/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 99, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Juan, founder of Kali Coffee, to explore how his journey takes coffee from the farms of Chiapas to supermarkets, cafés, and beyond.We unpack the reality of Mexico’s coffee market — where 80–85% of consumption is still instant — and the shift happening as independent cafés surge across cities like Monterrey. Juan breaks down Kali Coffee’s vertically integrated model, the difference between green and roasted coffee margins, and why scaling through supermarkets is a completely different game than opening cafés.He also shares a high-pressure moment when a major contract nearly fell through, and what it taught him about resilience, diversification, and leadership.At the core of Kali Coffee is a belief in conscious capitalism — building a business where producers, partners, employees, and customers all win. This episode is about patience, relationships, brand building, and staying true to your vision while scaling.If you’re a founder, operator, or coffee enthusiast, this one blends strategy with story.LEARN MORE about Juan Carlos GarciaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kalicoffeehouse/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-carlos-garcia-895b48a5/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kalicoffeeroasters/Website - https://kalicoffee.com/es-ca?srsltid=AfmBOoo7F5pu1pl4vfcH73AG1NtxGcdsN_HeqRbWGvKs2k08zpX2n6VSFOLLOW US on social media:Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In episode 98, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Daniel — a five-time founder and exited entrepreneur — to break down one of the biggest hidden problems in LATAM’s business ecosystem: the exit gap. Why do only ~2% of businesses in Mexico successfully exit, compared to 10–20% in the U.S. and other developed markets? Is it culture? Liquidity? Lack of access to buyers? Or simply that founders don’t even realize selling is an option? Daniel has lived both sides of it. After building and exiting a company in 2017, and later experiencing a deal that fell through, he realized something surprising: in LATAM, “finding a buyer” still often means digging through spreadsheets and personal networks. So he built Adquiere.ca — a platform connecting buyers and sellers across the Hispanic market to make M&A faster, safer, and more accessible.LEARN MORE about Daniel RodriguezInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/adquiere.co/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/adquiere-co/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrdzd/ Website - https://adquiere.co/ FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 97, Lucia shares how Harbor has spent over 30 years helping companies make faster, smarter, and more informed decisions. From macroeconomic forecasting to real-time inflation analysis, she breaks down why reliable, timely data is only half the equation — and why the human factor still matters more than ever in the age of AI.We dive into the reality of forecasting in uncertain environments shaped by geopolitics, trade wars, inflation, and shifting supply chains. Lucia explains why businesses need an unbiased third party before making major investment decisions — and how internal forecasts can quietly become influenced by hope, ideology, or preference.This conversation also explores her journey from intern to CEO, the culture of “always deliver more than expected,” and what it really takes to build trust that lasts decades.LEARN MORE about Lucia GarzaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lucygarzagarza/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luc%C3%ADa-garza-garza-679a4662/?utm_source=chatgpt%2Ecom&originalSubdomain=mxWebsite - https://harboreconomics.com/en/expert-team/?utm_source=chatgpt.comFOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 96, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Ricardo — architect turned founder of Monte Coyote, one of the city’s leading specialty coffee brands. He shares how his background in architecture and hospitality design prepared him to build a café rooted in flow, storytelling, and customer experience.We talk about scaling from an expected 30–40 cups a day to 500–700, why “opening day is when the fantasy ends,” and how he navigated Monterrey’s 2022 water crisis as a founder. Ricardo also breaks down the importance of loyalty over hype, training baristas to guide customers into specialty coffee, and why Monte Coyote sources exclusively Mexican beans.If you’re building in hospitality or any experience-driven business, Episode 96 is a masterclass in adaptability, brand consistency, and founder resilience.LEARN MORE about Ricardo LunaInstagram -https://www.instagram.com/montecoyote/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardourbinaluna/- https://www.linkedin.com/company/montecoyote/Website - https://montecoyote.comFOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In Episode 95, filmed in Monterrey, Mexico, we sit down with Rodrigo, a builder who followed a small opportunity that turned into real momentum. What started as a simple eSIM experiment for family and friends quickly became a fast-scaling business serving 10,000+ customers, built on a rare balance of deep automation and high-touch customer support. In this conversation, Rodrigo breaks down why customer service became their unfair advantage in a space dominated by bots and bad onboarding, and how refunds, trust, and word of mouth fueled growth. We unpack the tension between automation and white-glove experience, what actually makes digital ads convert, and what started to strain when growth accelerated faster than expected. We also dive into founder mindset — making decisions without an “adult in the room,” balancing risk, working with co-founders, and raising pre-seed capital after proving real demand. This episode is for founders and operators who want to scale efficiently without losing trust, control, or clarity.LEARN MORE Rodrigo de la Garza Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/datosdeviajemx/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-de-la-garza-3b2313191/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/puntadigital/ Website - https://datosdeviaje.com/ FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In episode 94, we sit down with Hans — co-founder & CEO of Nufi — to unpack how trust infrastructure actually gets built in Mexico and across Latin America. Hans breaks down what KYC and KYB really mean in practice, why compliance is the real “moat,” and how Nufi went from manual verification workflows that took weeks to a system that can return answers in minutes. We also go deep on why KYB is the “black pearl” — and how their in-house AI stack is changing the way banks, fintechs, and businesses verify companies, reduce risk, and move faster without cutting corners. But this conversation goes beyond ops and product. Hans gets brutally honest about the entrepreneurial path: why “motivation comes and goes,” why you have to choose to show up, and what it looks like to keep executing through panic, depression, and setbacks — one step at a time. This episode was shot in Monterrey, and yes — Nufi was on Shark Tank México (and got all five sharks to say yes).LEARN MORE about Hans Villa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nufi.mx/ - https://www.instagram.com/hansise/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansvilla/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nufimx/ Website - https://www.nufi.mx/en FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Episode 93 features Andrés from Tierra Prieta, recorded in Monterrey, Mexico. Andrés breaks down biochar carbon credits, the realities of carbon removal, and why this approach works best when treated as a focused tool rather than a silver bullet. In this conversation, we trace Andrés’ path from an engineering project turning spent coffee grounds into biodiesel… to discovering biochar through academic research… to building a real business that’s now scaling fast (35 employees, sold out for years). We also unpack the uncomfortable truths: additionality, MRV (measurement, reporting, verification), why credit quality matters, why most pyrolysis tech is overcomplicated, and why building the bio side first beats chasing credits first.If you’re a founder or operator who wants to understand climate tech without the hype, this one’s for you.LEARN MORE about Andrés Chapa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tierra_prieta/?hl=en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreschapa958/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tierra-prieta/about/ Website - https://www.tierraprieta.org/en FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In this episode of Founders in Progress, we sit down with Jill Dewes, founder of Nice One, to talk about what happens when success no longer feels like success. After more than 25 years in the agency world, Jill made a fast, intentional decision to step away from leadership and rebuild her career on her own terms. We unpack identity, burnout, decision-making, and the quiet pressure founders put on themselves to stay “important.” This conversation explores why over-attachment to work can become unhealthy, how redefining success requires real trade-offs, and why being a founder doesn’t always mean scaling bigger—it can mean scaling truer. If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with work, struggled to let go of being needed, or felt the pull to reinvent yourself without permission, this episode will resonate.LEARN MORE about Jill Dewes LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilldewes/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/niceoneyyc/about/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/niceoneyyc Website - https://www.niceone.ca/ FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Rich Waller has built companies, exited, and now helps operators scale with intention. In this episode, we go deep on what leadership actually requires when you step into ownership—vision, accountability, hiring, onboarding, and the discipline of working on the business instead of getting trapped in it. Rich shares how joining Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) shaped his leadership journey, why goal-setting is a “muscle,” and how to build a team that can execute without constant founder involvement. We also unpack balance, time tracking, and the idea that your real priorities are proven by where your time goes—not what you say matters. If you’re building a company (or thinking about it), this one is a practical masterclass in how to scale with clarity.LEARN MORE about Rich Waller Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rich.waller/followers/mutualOnly LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-waller-icd-d-57390529/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wallerco-advisory/ Website - https://wallercoadvisory.ca/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Episode 90 of Founder In Progress features EOS Implementer Chris Jones, sharing what it really takes to scale a business without burning out—or becoming the bottleneck. Chris opens up about losing 70% of his business overnight, how mentorship helped him prepare a “Plan B” before crisis hit, and why implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) became the turning point that allowed him to rebuild and grow stronger. We also unpack what “Relentless AF” really means—not just nonstop intensity, but pairing drive + fun as a leadership advantage. This conversation explores why founders unintentionally undermine their teams, how fear and ego slow growth, and what it takes to build real trust through clarity, accountability, and better decision-making. Chris also shares his perspective on balance, energy, and designing a life that supports long-term leadership.LEARN MORE about Chris Jones Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/RelentlessChrisJones/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonesyyc/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/eos-worldwide-llc/ Website - https://www.relentlesschrisjones.com/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Roger Walco is MIT-trained, design-schooled, and shaped by nearly 30 years in the video game industry. He breaks down what actually makes great experiences feel magical. We talk about why taste beats tools, why the first moment of interaction matters more than features, and how strong team chemistry creates outcomes no amount of brute-force hiring can replace. From Bethesda and Fallout to a behind-the-scenes Ghostbusters game redesign, Roger shares lessons on immersion, storytelling, and building worlds people want to return to. We also dive into the intersection of gaming, digital collectibles, blockchain, and NFTs. What went wrong, what players truly value, and where real, player-first utility could still exist. The conversation closes on craft, purpose, and leadership: knife making, furniture commissions, teaching, and why protecting small teams that can create meaningful work may be the most important job of a founder.LEARN MORE about Roger Walco LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-walco-1142771/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rogerwalco/ Website - https://www.realitylens.us/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Most “healthy” snacks promise a lot and deliver very little. In this episode, Peter shares the 30+ year journey behind Shār Snacks and how a lifetime of experiences growing up outdoors, obsessing over ingredients, and learning by doing shaped the brand. We unpack why trail mix is broken, how most food companies compromise on quality, and why you can actually taste the difference when ingredients are treated with care.This conversation is about patience, craftsmanship, and building something people come back for. We talk about why “product is king” isn’t a cliché, the education gap that holds better food back, and what it really means to stay in business for the long run. If you’re building a product-led company or thinking about one this episode offers a grounded, founder-to-founder look at why quality beats hype every time.LEARN MORE about Peter RushfordLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-rushford-34183b44/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharsnacks/Website - https://sharsnacks.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shar.snacks/ - https://www.instagram.com/prushford/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

When an autoimmune diagnosis forced impossible choices, Leanne and Jesse didn’t just change their diet they changed their lives. What began as a deeply personal health journey turned into Whims Delight, a low-sugar, plant-based chocolate company redefining what indulgence can look like without sacrificing taste. In this conversation, we unpack the real story behind building a modern CPG brand from scratch: navigating chronic illness, cutting sugar, competing with food conglomerates, fighting for shelf space, and refusing to compromise on flavor even when costs rise and capital tightens. Leanne and Jesse share how taste became their north star, why community mattered more than marketing, and how a chance meeting at a school picnic led to the product innovation that changed everything. This episode is about more than chocolate. It’s about resilience, intentional growth, founder alignment, and building a business that pulls millions of pounds of sugar out of the food system one product at a time.LEARN MORE about Jesse & Leanne Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whimsdelights Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Whimsdelight LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/whimsdelights/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannev/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessebarruch/ Website - https://www.whimsdelights.com/en-ca FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Eric Dorris has been self-employed for over 30 years, beginning with a Handyman Connection franchise he built alongside his wife Jill before gradually pivoting into video production and long-form storytelling. A drummer at heart and an artist by nature, Eric reflects on how creativity shaped his entrepreneurial instincts, why artists are often drawn to self-employment, and what it truly takes to build a business with your spouse. He also shares how the video industry has evolved from expensive, highly technical productions to a world where anyone with an iPhone can create and how he adapted through each shift while staying grounded in craft and intention. We also unpack the story behind Eric purchasing CatVideos.com in 1999 for just $10, the hard lessons he learned while trying to scale it, and why the right partners matter more than fast growth. The conversation moves beyond business into faith, purpose, and intentional living, including how Eric now chooses where to spend his time and energy. Finally, we look ahead to what’s next: his vision for turning Cat Videos into a positive, family-friendly platform that supports cats and shelters worldwide.LEARN MORE about Eric Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catvideos/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdorris/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/catvideos-com/about/ Website - https://www.catvideos.com/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Dustin is the founder of Troov, a meetup app built to reduce screen time by helping people connect through real-world activities — hikes, co-working sessions, slow jogs, soccer games, and more. In this conversation, he breaks down how COVID sparked the idea, why being an engineer can actually hurt your MVP, and the brutal challenge of earning user attention when 100% of it is already monopolized by giants like Instagram. We dive into founder psychology — the mix of delusion, competence, and pain tolerance required to push through rock-bottom moments — along with the realities of taking friends-and-family money, moving between cities like Austin and SF, and trying to build authentic community in a world full of noise. We also explore how AI now powers parts of Troov, from real-time moderation to proactive activity matching, and why the future of the company might look less like a standalone app and more like a platform licensed to communities that already have traction. Dustin talks openly about loneliness as a founder, unexpected pivots, the economics of consumer social, and what he wishes he had known before starting. If you care about building in public, consumer products, or the messy middle of entrepreneurship, this is a must-watch.LEARN MORE about Dustin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/somedustinmybin/ - https://www.instagram.com/troov.app/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-godevais-60232229/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/troov-app/ Website - https://troov.app/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

From corporate strategy to canned cocktails, this episode dives into Jacob’s journey from American Airlines and Princess Cruises to founding Bold Move Beverages and creating Cold Brews—his vision for “America’s boozy coffee.” He shares how growing up around entrepreneurial parents, falling in love with coffee after college, and craving a drink that could “energize and socialize” pushed him to leave the safety of Fortune 500 jobs, move to Austin for his MBA, and plug into the CPG and startup ecosystem that helped turn a kitchen experiment into a multi-state alcohol brand. We get into the realities behind the brand: R&D in his apartment, food science and pasteurization, navigating the three-tier alcohol system, choosing the right distributors and channels, crowdfunding on Wefunder, and growing into six states while staying true to quality and community. Jacob talks candidly about burnout, failed manufacturing runs, car accidents, and what it really takes to keep going—leaning on mentors, co-founders, and a strong support network. If you’re building in CPG, beverages, or just trying to make your own “bold move,” this conversation is packed with lessons on product-market fit, brand building, and defining success beyond just the exit.LEARN MORE about Jacob Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/boldmovebevs/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-guss/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bold-move-beverages/ Website - https://boldmovebeverages.com/ FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

In this episode, we sit down with Tara, founder and CEO of Splice Software, to explore her 19-year mission of proving that data, when handled responsibly, can be used for good. Tara breaks down what trust-led personalization actually looks like, why preference design matters, and how secure, localized AI can strengthen—not replace—human connection. She shares the early influence of growing up around 1970s database systems, the psychology behind voice and language tuning, and why the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn’t compute power or infrastructure, but human comfort, privacy, and trust. From the decline of text messaging to the rise of secure chat and natural voice experiences, Tara explains how consumer behavior is shifting and what companies need to do to keep up. We also dive into the realities of scaling: expanding into Europe too early, growing without external funding, and the massive gap between Canadian and American tech maturity. Tara talks about why security is the number-one non-negotiable for founders, why companies should only build preference systems if they’re willing to respect them, and how the next decade will feel exponentially faster than anything we’ve seen so far. Beyond technology, she opens up about volunteering, elevating the Canadian ecosystem, passing the right values to her kids, and redefining success as making the world small—people helping people. If you care about AI, personalization, entrepreneurship, trust, security, or the future of human-tech interaction, this is an interview you don’t want to miss.LEARN MORE about TaraLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-kelly/?originalSubdomain=ca - https://www.linkedin.com/company/splice-software-incorporated/ Website - https://www.splicesoftware.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/splicesoftware/ - https://www.instagram.com/tara.kelly77/ FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Meet Samantha, founder of Fresh Ideas Club and strategy-first marketer who cares more about building fandom than pumping out campaigns. In this episode, we sit down at her Calgary ceramics studio to talk about the overlap between craft and brand building, why happy mistakes matter, and how a 13-year ceramics practice shaped the way she sees story, patience, and permanence in marketing.Sam shares how founders can turn community into a real channel, move audiences off rented platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and build durable relationships through email, storytelling, and mission-driven brands. She breaks down the creator economy (and why it’s just the artisan economy with new tools), the risks of relying on algorithms, and why even camera-shy founders need to lead the story of their business. We also get into Calgary’s underrated community culture, her move to Victoria and back, and what it means to choose people and place over a “perfect” lifestyle.LEARN MORE about SamanthaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DK08AR2xzwP/- https://www.instagram.com/sam_lillian/?hl=enLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambeck1/Website - https://www.freshideasclub.com/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

From a small kitchen in Syria to grocery aisles across Texas, Farrah and Yassin’s story is one of resilience and purpose. What began with a few handwritten recipes in a black notebook became Afia Foods — a frozen-food brand built on authenticity, family, and culture. Starting at local farmers’ markets, they sold out week after week before building their own manufacturing line to protect quality and stay true to their roots. When the pandemic disrupted supply chains, that decision kept Afia Foods producing when others couldn’t.Now stocked in over 200 stores and recognized through H-E-B’s “Quest for Texas,” Afia Foods stands as a symbol of craftsmanship and community. Beyond business growth, Farrah and Yassin have created jobs for refugees and newcomers, offering the same opportunity they once needed. This episode dives into how they scaled with discipline, stayed grounded in culture, and turned a family recipe into a purpose-driven food brand inspiring a new generation of immigrant entrepreneurs.LEARN MORE about Farrah & YassinInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/afiafoods/Website - https://afiafoods.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/afiafoods/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrahsibai/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/yassinsibai/FOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

From throwing underground events in Normandy to running a cross-continental creative agency — this is Eva Wolf’s journey of instinct, risk, and reinvention. Eva didn’t plan to be an entrepreneur. A neighbour asked her to host a party; within a year she was running 20 events and working with the city. Then COVID hit and her entire business model collapsed overnight. Instead of stopping, she rebuilt — shifting from nightlife and culture to digital creative services, hiring globally, and building a 12-person agency serving France and the U.S. She talks candidly about leaving her home country, learning English to survive in business, building and trusting a team, dealing with burnout, and losing $100K when a CTO vanished mid-product. This episode is raw founder truth — zero filters, real stakes, hard pivots, and a mission-driven approach to growth.LEARN MORE about Eva Wolf LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsevawolf/ Website - https://www.askwolf.agency/the-founder-eva-wolf Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/evawolf.fr/?hl=en FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

From college intern to agency owner, Kristin shares her remarkable journey leading ECPR Texas, one of Austin’s most respected PR and digital firms. What started as an internship turned into a decades-long career defined by mentorship, risk-taking, and learning how to lead with empathy. In this honest and inspiring conversation, Kristin opens up about the realities of business ownership — from buying the firm from her boss to managing growth, raising a family, and finding balance when work and life collide.She also dives into the evolution of Austin’s business landscape — from light rail and major infrastructure projects to the rise of Austin FC — and explains how ECPR became known as a connector that brings organizations, communities, and causes together. Kristin shares how her team uses AI (“Liz”) as a strategic thought partner, why kindness is a non-negotiable in hiring, and what it truly means to build a purpose-driven company rooted in relationships, not just results.LEARN MORE about Kristin MarcumLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-marcum-3036604/Website - https://ecprtexas.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ecprtexas/?hl=enFOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Entrepreneur and data veteran Ed Vincent (Founder & CEO, Festival Pass) joins us to unpack a 20-year journey that bridges finance, technology, and live experiences. From investment banking and e-commerce to building analytics platforms for TV and film—and later helping scale MoviePass—Ed’s path reveals how data and storytelling can reshape industries. We dive into unit economics, how credit-based pricing (inspired by ClassPass) became the foundation for Festival Pass, and why the Lifetime Pass—$1,200 in yearly credits for life—is built to be both valuable and sustainable. Ed also explains how blockchain quietly powers true ownership and transferability behind the scenes. Beyond the model, Ed shares lessons on resilience, leadership, and reinvention—from navigating major market shifts to balancing ambition with founder well-being. We close with Festival Pass’s AI concierge (AWS-backed) and the next phase: selling out Lifetime Passes and scaling a community-driven platform redefining how people connect through live events.LEARN MORE about Ed Vincent LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edvincent/ Website - https://www.festivalpass.com/events/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/ FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

After growing up in his father’s small pharmacy in Calgary, Arif knew entrepreneurship was in his DNA — he just didn’t know what form it would take. Years later, that foundation of hard work and service would fuel the creation of Qopia Financial, one of Alberta’s fastest-growing advisory firms.In this conversation, Arif shares how early lessons in customer care shaped his leadership philosophy, why he quit his job after his first $11K commission, and how he scaled Qopia through trust, culture, and acquisitions. From hiring before burnout to building a “no Sunday Scaries” team culture, Arif opens up about balancing risk and intuition while leading with purpose.He also dives into how Qopia Financial integrates AI and tech to streamline operations, the power of DISC in communication, and what it really means to build a company that lasts beyond its founder.LEARN MORE about Arif KanjiLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arifkanji/?originalSubdomain=caWebsite - https://qopiafinancial.ca/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/qopiafinancial/?hl=enFOLLOW US on social mediaInstagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeItLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediaincWebsite - https://2cmedia.caWant to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

After decades leading Fortune 500 tech companies, Joel thought retirement would be fulfilling—until he realized he hated it. Searching for purpose led him to co-found Human, a company tackling cardiovascular health, the world’s #1 health issue. In this conversation, Joel shares why building with purpose feels different than chasing profit, the lessons he brought from scaling Dell, and how Human earned credibility in a skeptical supplement market. From hiring as the “chief talent officer” to avoiding “hope-cast” financials, Joel reveals what it takes to adapt, grow, and stay true to a mission that changes lives.LEARN MORE about Joel Kocher LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkocher/ Website - https://humann.com/blogs/explore/neo40-the-humann-origin-story?srsltid=AfmBOopA50VlkZorPX8xIwSuNunE0zLHJuyE0zQfjM4L3ths_zizC8LH FOLLOW US on social media Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Casey is a father, musician, and biotech founder who turned heartbreak into hope. After years as a touring artist—and the ups and downs that came with it—his world shifted when his daughter Rose was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease. Faced with the words, “There’s nothing we can do,” Casey refused to accept the status quo. Drawing on grit from his music career and the hard lessons of loss, sobriety, and rebuilding, he taught himself the science and business of drug development. He launched the Takira Rose Foundation, built Rare Labs to accelerate patient-specific treatments, and now leads Alpharose Therapeutics, a public benefit biotech company creating faster, more affordable therapies for ultra-rare diseases.LEARN MORE about Casey McPherson Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/casey.mcpherson/?hl=en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseymcpherson/ Website - https://www.startengine.com/offering/alpharose FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - https://instagram.com/2cmadeit/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/2CMadeIt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2cmadeit/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

A born-and-raised Austin founder, Mason is a chemical-engineer-turned-eco-entrepreneur who’s built (and rebuilt) companies around healthier food and a healthier planet. He shares the early wins and hard knocks—from a failed pizza venture in Spain to nearly bankrupting, then turning around and exiting his local-food startup—before launching CC’s Veggie Co. and now Small Potatoes, an acquisition-and-manufacturing platform for better-for-you CPG brands. We get into luck vs. control in entrepreneurship, mental fitness (meditation, float tanks, intuition), why human health is the true north of sustainability, how to survive cash crunches, what great mentors actually do, and his upcoming framework/book, “The Puzzle,” about presence and self-reflection. Practical takeaways, founder scars, and a hopeful roadmap for building mission-driven businesses.LEARN MORE about Mason Arnold LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonarnold?trk=public_post_feed-actor-nameWebsite - https://www.smallpotatoes.life/FOLLOW US on social media: Instagram - / 2cmadeit Facebook - / 2cmadeit LinkedIn - / 2cmadeit Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/2cmediainc Website - https://2cmedia.ca Want to raise a ruckus? Send us a message at https://www.2cmedia.ca/contact

Founder In Progress is a raw, real-time look into the journeys of founders who are building while still figuring it out. Each episode shares unpolished stories, honest conversations, and practical lessons from people in the trenches of entrepreneurship.It’s not about polished exits or perfect success stories — it’s about progress over perfection. FIP captures the highs, lows, pivots, and moments of clarity that founders experience along the way.