Luck is a Skill - You Can Manufacture It

Episode 1: In this first episode of Founder Mode, hosts Jason Shafton (Google, Headspace) and Kevin Henrikson (Acompli, Outlook, Instacart) break down the idea that luck isn't random—it's a skill you can manufacture. Through candid stories from their experiences at Google, Microsoft, and early-stage startups, Jason and Kevin reveal how successful founders intentionally create their own opportunities by taking risks, building strategic relationships, and rapidly experimenting. The conversation highlights the true essence of "founder mode," emphasizing a relentless bias for action, deep customer focus, and the growing importance of AI tools for entrepreneurs. Whether you're just starting out or leading at scale, this episode delivers actionable insights and inspiration to help you shift into founder mode and start making your own luck.

0:27 – What Is Founder Mode?
3:19 – Applying Founder Mode to Life
5:02 – The Hard Work Behind ‘Luck’
9:16 – Kevin’s Background
11:05 – Jason’s Google Years
14:14 – Getting ‘Lucky’ at Microsoft
20:24 – Mentorship & Advisor Mode
23:50 – Transition to Building With Few Resources
33:04 – Curiosity, Team Building, & Leadership
35:25 – IRL Networking & Personal Branding
40:51 – Bias for Action: Shipping Quickly
44:25 – Final Takeaways & Who This Podcast Is For

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Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhenrikson/ https://twitter.com/KevinHenrikson

Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonshafton/ https://twitter.com/jasonshafton