Kickoff Sessions #312 Steve Tan - The Truth About Luke Belmar
Nov 16, 2025
Steve Tan, an e-commerce founder and investor, shares the shocking truth behind his fallout with Luke Belmar. He discusses how trust eroded during a PR crisis and reveals concerns over discrepancies in Luke's success stories. Steve explains the financial strain caused by funding imbalances and details the toxic communication that led to his exit. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in business and reflects on the lessons learned from his experiences, ultimately focusing on rebuilding his personal brand and leading with integrity.
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PR Crisis Exposed Partner Faults
- Steve Tan says trust broke when Luke blamed them for not publicly defending him during a Twitter PR crisis despite their behind-the-scenes support.
- That moment revealed ungratefulness and began questioning whether Luke was a partner they wanted long-term.
Manufactured Come-Up Narratives
- Steve explains many of Luke's public success claims and origin story had discrepancies that people started uncovering.
- He calls out engineered narratives and fake hardships used to attract followers and credibility.
Funding Shortfalls And Unacknowledged Support
- Steve recounts funding Capital Club through repeated loans when the company hit cashflow shortfalls before launch.
- He expected repayment but felt unappreciated when Luke brushed off gratitude and didn't publicly acknowledge support.
