How I Built This with Guy Raz Advice Line with Perry Chen of Kickstarter
20 snips
Jun 12, 2025 
Perry Chen, co-founder of Kickstarter, lends his expertise to early-stage founders facing critical decisions. Joe Fontana shares his vision for Fry the Coop and how he navigates growth in the competitive food industry. Jesse Hodge grapples with whether to sell his cold plunge business, while Catharine Kerbis seeks strategies for scaling her hot sauce brand without heavy investment. The guests dive into the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship, discussing personal aspirations versus business goals, and the importance of community support.
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Jesse's Cold Plunge Origin Story
- Jesse Hodge started ModTub by refurbishing used hot tubs in his garage out of necessity.
- The business pivoted from hot tubs to proprietary cold plunges, growing to over $5 million in revenue and profitability.
Exit or Hire a CEO to Scale
- Consider selling part or all of your company if you want to move on or feel imposter syndrome.
- Alternatively, bring in a professional CEO with equity to scale while stepping back from daily operations.
Scale With Demos and Timelines
- To scale a consumer brand nationally without big investment, focus on demos and marketing in stores.
- Set a timeline to either push for acquisition or accept an exit strategy, giving yourself an emotional safety valve.