Ready For Launch: How To Build A Startup

This week I have Matt Walsh in the house, founder of distributed experience design agency Green Stone, and newly formed digital talent advisory company Morel.  We discuss: the difference between distributed work and working from home the future of hybrid working models why businesses should treat freelancers just like full-time employees how the role of CEO changes as a company matures and why starting a business definitely isn't fun at first! Enjoy the show! https://morel.gs/ https://www.greenstone.co/

This week I'm chatting to Braden Parker, co-founder, and CEO of custom footwear company Casca. We had a great conversation where we dove into how Casca are working to revolutionize the shoe manufacturing process that hasn't really changed in a century. We also discuss the difficulties of hiring a team that will take your business to the next level, how to focus your product messaging for the right consumers, the ways in which phone technology will impact custom footwear, and, surprisingly, the pitfalls of trying to launch a cricket pasta business! https://casca.com/

This week we're taking a trip down memory lane with Byran Mahoney, CEO of Chord Commerce (formerly CTO at Glossier, and Co-founder of Dynamo). We discuss his journey launching multiple businesses over the course of his career, and what he's learned along the way. From his first job scrubbing toilets and cutting grass at age 13, through to the launch of his latest endeavour Chord, a commerce-as-a-service company. As well as many great throwback stories from Byran's life, we discuss: What headless commerce means The importance of business partners, The benefits of side projects Advice on pursuing venture capital Why wine is so important https://chord.co/

This week I'm learning from the wonderful Danielle Thompson about how she's transforming her existing online community Design Club into a more focussed service called Design Match. We discuss : What it takes to become a confident designer Tips and tricks for managing your time Creating an online community that people want to engage in Avoiding the busy trap The benefits of fear, and the power of vulnerability https://www.designclub.co/ https://www.instagram.com/danielletom/ Also mentioned on the show: https://www.rescuetime.com/ https://sunsama.com/

This week I had a wonderful conversation with the author of the number 1 bestselling book The Purpose Myth, Charlotte Cramer.  We dive into the world of vulnerable storytelling, self publishing, and plagiarism, and the effects of ego on decision making. Listen to learn about: The three fundamental needs of humans for their careers, How to feel more purpose in your life. The importance of honesty in your writing. Keyword advice for Amazon's algorithms The value of accountability in communal pursuits https://charlottecramer.com/

This week I'm talking to Andrew Burton, founder of Creative agency Shoreditch design studio. We get into the pros and cons of running a product business versus a service business, the importance of picking the right business partners, tips for hiring outside your area of expertise, and how to approach sales. Andrew is the Creative Director & Founder of Shoreditch Design Studio. Creative agency for your next big thing. Before launching Shoreditch Design Studio, he co-founded a fitness app called Tona, which was then acquired by another company. https://shoreditchdesignstudio.com/

This week I'm talking with Ryan McKee, founder of Elemeno, a company that delivers healthy hassle-free kids lunches to Vancouver parents. We discuss what it's like to try and completely reinvent yourself and your career, while also building up a business from nothing. Topics: The benefits of an MBA Failed side hustles Benefits of customer research Reinventing yourself The slow pace of launching Having self-belief Staying nimble for the future. https://www.elemeno.co/

My guest this week is a veteran in the Vancouver agency world. JP Holecka, founder of PowerShifter. After 12 years building digital product for clients with his team. Now he's taken the plunge to become a product founder in the luxury watch space with his new business venture, Luxxee. We discuss what it takes to find product-market fit, attract a diverse audience, and how company culture keeps talent from walking out the door. getreadyfor.luxx.ee searchluxxee.com

My guest this week is Kendra Kawala, the delightful co-founder and COO of Maker Wines, the first Direct to consumer canned wine company, and leading premium canned wine company in the US. We discuss how it feels like to be somewhat of an outsider to the typical founder profile...developing episodic balance in your life... and the importance of making art out of scraps of yarn. www.makerwine.com https://www.instagram.com/makerwine/ https://twitter.com/MakerWineCo

This week I'm chatting with someone I have a huge amount of respect for as a friend, and a founder of Montreal-based agency Brit Klik - Alexis Nicolas. Brit Klik is a specialist in the Google platform Search Ads 360. He has a real passion for business, but uniquely uses that as a way to create the freedom to pursue the other aspects of his life outside of work in incredible ways. We talk about how the process of building a business really helps you believe that through hard work and process, you truly can turn your crazy ideas into a reality. https://britklik.com/