The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan
559: How a $100M Exit Left This 30 Year Old Lost | Jake Kassan
Apr 11, 2025
Jake Kassan, co-founder of Movement Watches, shares his journey from building a $100M brand to grappling with an identity crisis post-sale. He discusses the overwhelming loneliness that followed financial success and the realization that money alone doesn’t bring fulfillment. Jake reveals how his passion for video production reignited his creativity and the importance of personal values over mere financial achievements. His insights resonate deeply with founders facing burnout and searching for meaning in their entrepreneurial lives.
48:26
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Jake Kassan emphasizes that personal fulfillment goes beyond financial success, highlighting the importance of maintaining personal interests and relationships.
- The emotional challenges faced after selling a business reveal the necessity of a balanced life that prioritizes mental health and well-being for entrepreneurs.
Deep dives
The Journey of Building Movement
Movement began as a collaborative idea between two college roommates determined to create a watch brand that resonated with young consumers. They identified a gap in the market for affordable, stylish watches that evoked emotional connections, leading to their initial success on crowdfunding platforms, which raised $300,000 in the first year. Over the years, the brand grew exponentially, reaching $100 million at the time of its sale in 2018, thanks to innovative marketing strategies and the effective use of influencer partnerships. However, despite the impressive financial success, the founder faced deep personal challenges, struggling with feelings of identity loss and uncertainty following the sale.
