From Start-Up to Grown-Up

Patrick Lee is best known as the co-founder and founding CEO of Rotten Tomatoes, the groundbreaking review platform that reshaped how audiences connect with movies and television. What started as a side project born out of his love for film became a global authority that continues to influence critics, fans, and the entertainment industry.In this conversation, Patrick shares his journey from running a small web design firm to creating one of the most recognizable brands in pop culture. He opens up about navigating the chaos of the dot-com boom, the lessons learned from selling his company, and how he’s managed imposter syndrome and focus throughout his entrepreneurial career.Today, Patrick continues to merge storytelling, technology, and fandom through his latest venture, Fanverse, a curated community for passionate fans. His insights reveal what it truly takes to build something people love and to keep evolving long after success.Where to find Patrick:XInstagramLinkedInTimestamps:(00:00) Founding Rotten Tomatoes(02:57) Transitioning to a Business(07:50) Selling Rotten Tomatoes(25:29) Entrepreneurial Spirit(30:58) Other Business Ventures(37:46) The Importance of Product Focus(39:04) Dealing with Failure and Self-Doubt(40:12) The Impact of Company Culture(41:31) Lessons Learned from Zombie Companies(42:46) The Importance of Company Growth and Culture(43:27) Creating a Curated Community at Fanverse(50:28) Learning from Other Communities(51:57) Building Community and Bonding(55:06) Learning from Other Communities and Models(01:00:58) Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt(01:05:01) The Importance of Focus and Network(01:06:44) Advice for Founders on Growing into LeadersConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

Robert Glazer is the founder of Acceleration Partners, a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and a leading voice on how values shape leadership. In this episode, Bob shares why stepping down from the company he built triggered a surprising crisis of meaning, how that experience led him to write The Compass Within, and how helping people clarify their core values has become his new personal mission.Bob opens up about the link between pain and passion, the power of writing and brand-building for impact, and why success often leaves high achievers feeling empty until they redefine what it means. He also discusses parenting through a values-first lens, the danger of protecting kids from disappointment, and what happens when founders skip the inner work.Whether you're a founder, leader, or someone navigating your next chapter, this episode offers a clear, grounded path toward meaning, alignment, and better decision-making.Where to find Bob:robertglazer.comThe Compass Within (book)XInstagramLinkedInFacebookTimestamps:(00:00) Redefining success after stepping down as CEO (04:00) Why overachievement never feels like enough (05:20) Lessons from Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks (06:30) Building a life around one core value (08:18) The ripple effect of leadership (10:24) Bob’s daily dashboard and time-blocking system (13:45) How to focus in a world full of distraction (15:32) Why building a platform matters (17:00) Imposter syndrome and the long game of brand-building (19:06) Parenting with purpose and avoiding overprotection (22:26) A story of failure, transfer, and self-advocacy (26:52) Bob’s new book, The Compass Within (29:37) Making the big three life decisions with values in mind (32:45) The power of identifying your values through pain (35:35) Trust, self-awareness, and leading from values (38:30) The six questions to uncover your personal core values (41:34) Why one-word values fall short (43:43) Bonus question: tracing childhood roots of values (47:23) Company values that are lived, not laminated (49:26) Mission to Mars and value DNA extraction (52:22) Behavioral interviews that screen for culture fit (55:48) Rituals and rewards that reinforce company values (57:43) The J&J Tylenol recall and values in hard decisions (58:32) What Bob hopes readers take from The Compass Within (01:00:22) What Bob wishes he knew earlier (01:02:59) Founders need mentors, masterminds, and a few steps aheadConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

Nick Huber is an entrepreneur and real estate investor who resides in Athens, Georgia, with his wife and three children. He owns Somewhere.com, Bolt Storage, RE Cost Seg, and several other businesses. His real estate portfolio currently includes sixty-eight self-storage properties, covering two million square feet. His portfolio of companies employs over 325 people and makes over $35 million annually. He’s the author of “The Sweaty Startup: How to Get Rich Doing Boring Things.” Where to find Nick:Sweaty StartupLinkedInXInstagramTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Boring Businesses(02:46) The Value of Boring Startups(05:59) The Journey of Entrepreneurship(08:58) Understanding Stress in Entrepreneurship(11:53) Sales as a Core Skill(14:57) Building Resilience in Kids and Employees(17:57) Effective Delegation and Decision Making(20:50) The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership23:59) Navigating Employee Dynamics(26:44) The Role of Mentorship in Growth(29:37) Sales Strategies for Entrepreneurs(36:07) Mastering Sales Through Practice(40:56) Hiring Strategies for Entrepreneurs(49:20) Understanding Financial Goals(55:05) Balancing Ambition and Personal Life(01:00:12) Building Your Brand on Social Media(01:07:41) Advice for Aspiring Founders Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

Arvind Jain is the founder and CEO of Glean, the Work AI platform that connects to all your company’s data so you can find, create, and automate anything. In this episode, Arvind shares his journey as a second-time founder and first-time CEO, reflecting on the challenges of moving from a deeply technical role into leading an organization.He talks about why selling is one of the most important skills for founders, the importance of hiring for desire and cultural fit, and how company culture and values shape everything from attracting talent to making tough decisions. Arvind also shares how persistence helps founders push through moments of market indifference, and why self-reflection is one of the most powerful tools for becoming an effective leader.Whether you’re a first-time founder, a seasoned operator, or simply curious about the human side of leadership, this episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to grow both a company and yourself along the way.Where to find Naveen:GleanXLinkedInIn this episode, you’ll learn:How a CEO needs to adapt The crucial skill for founders. The most important traits to look for when hiring. How company culture leads to attracting talent.Self-reflection is vital for effective leadership.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction and Context Setting(01:32) Transitioning from Founder to CEO(05:47) Learning to Sell and Collaborate(10:08) Hiring for Growth and Culture(18:18) The Vision Behind Glean and AI Integration(25:19) The Importance of Company Culture(26:40) The Challenges of the Startup Journey(31:02) Building a Strong Company Culture(37:51) Navigating Early Struggles and Market Challenges(44:43) Self-Reflection and Leadership Growth(53:26) Lessons Learned and Advice for FoundersConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

Naveen Verma, a Princeton professor and CEO of EnCharge AI, shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. He discusses rethinking energy-efficient AI computing and the limitations of traditional models. Naveen emphasizes the importance of co-founder alignment over titles and how failure shaped his empathetic leadership style. He also explores fundraising strategies as a professor-turned-founder and the significance of building a culture through actions. This conversation provides invaluable insights for anyone curious about merging research with real-world applications.

Craig Walker, Founder and CEO of Dialpad, shares his journey from door-to-door sales to leading a 1,500-person company. He discusses the pivotal acquisition of TalkIQ and the loneliness of leadership, revealing the toughest day of his career when four crucial deals hinged on one call. Craig emphasizes the significance of long-term trust in leadership and his unique approach to hiring, avoiding a COO. His insights into integrating AI into business strategies and maintaining company culture provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Brad Feld, co-founder of Techstars and author of 'Give First', shares his transformative journey of introspection after turning 60. He discusses the importance of non-transactional generosity and leading with curiosity instead of ego. Feld reflects on Techstars' early struggles, emphasizing founder empathy gained from challenges. He humorously explores personal alter egos and articulates how vital random meetings can be for fostering relationships, all while redefining success and balancing personal purpose with entrepreneurship.

David Heinemeier Hansson, co-owner of 37signals and creator of Ruby on Rails, shares insights on embracing creativity over traditional financing in tech startups. He discusses the importance of a first principles mindset in business strategy and how to navigate the complexities of modern remote work. The guest also reflects on evolving vacation policies and the challenges of authentic leadership. By advocating for flexibility and trust in decision-making, he encourages entrepreneurs to embrace mistakes as part of their innovative journey.

Bob Young, co-founder of Red Hat and a pioneer of open source software, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey. He discusses how Red Hat evolved from a simple CD to a billion-dollar enterprise, emphasizing the importance of customer problem-solving. Young reflects on the financial risks he took, including racking up credit card debt, and stresses that failure can be a stepping stone to success. He also advocates for capitalism as a force for good and explores the significance of personal relationships in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Jonathan Wolf, co-founder and CEO of ZOE, transitioned from tech to health, focusing on personalized nutrition. He shares his inspiring journey from disillusionment to purpose, highlighting the importance of relationships in entrepreneurship. Jonathan discusses the challenges of nutrition science, the impact of processed foods, and the innovative app ZOE launched to democratize nutrition insights. He also reveals key leadership lessons learned along the way and the surprising insights about coffee and gut health.