2025 has been one of the most eye-opening years of my founder journey — personally, professionally, and strategically. Instead of sharing a highlight reel, I want to share the real lessons that moved the needle for me. Some changed how I think about business. Others changed how I think about myself.
In this episode, I break down the five biggest lessons I learned this year, and how they’re shaping everything I’m doing heading into 2026. These aren’t theories. They’re lived experiences — conversations with billion-dollar founders, tough decisions inside Foundr, personal growth work, and some hard realities about what actually drives results.
Here’s what you’ll take away:
• “If you don’t have repeat customers, you don’t have a business.” Why retention is the real engine of profit — and how John Paul DeJoria reframed the entire way I think about growth
• Why AI and automation are now a non-negotiable competitive advantage, and how we used them internally this year to compress months of work into weeks
• The mindset shift that got me unstuck: When you’re stuck, ask what you’re avoiding — not what you should do
• How to negotiate from power, not panic — and why being willing to walk away changes everything
• The truth about growth: nothing great works instantly, and why patience, pressure, and data-backed iteration are the real superpowers going into 2026
If you want a clearer lens to evaluate your own business next year — what to double down on, what to avoid, and what to rethink — this episode will give you the frameworks and perspective to build with intention instead of chaos.
This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I read every reply. Hope you enjoy it.
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The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan