In this episode of The Founder Podcast, we're talking all about the six must-have hires if you're thinking of exiting your business.  No matter what your industry, these roles are absolute game-changers. Chris is going to walk you through each of these key positions, explaining why they're so crucial and how they can help take your business to the next level! Highlights: "The executive assistant is absolutely imperative for you to be able to scale and be able to go and sell your business." "Marketing provides opportunities. Sales actually closes the deal down." "You have to have clean books in order to scale your business and ultimately be able to sell." Timestamps: 00:41 Hire #1: Executive Assistant 01:33 Hire #2: Marketer 02:31 Hire #3: Salesperson 03:01 Hire #4: Fulfillment 03:29 Hire #5: Management 04:29 Hire #6: Finance 05:24 Focus on Strategy and Vision Live Links:  🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Noah Kagan, Founder and CEO of AppSumo, shares his journey from being an employee at Facebook to starting a nine-figure business. He discusses his early career and starting AppSumo to capitalize on opportunities in the Facebook platform and iPhone app markets. Kagan shares his philosophy on work, including his belief that everyone should aim to become an entrepreneur. He also talks about overcoming the two biggest fears holding most people back - starting and asking. Listeners will gain valuable insights on entrepreneurship and building a successful business.

Levi Ringo discusses the early days of building Solgen from the ground up, including challenges faced while bootstrapping a solar installation business. Listeners learn about the founders' vision and grit that kept Solgen powered through adversity. Valuable lessons in problem-solving, pivoting, and building a startup culture are explored. With humor and honesty, Chris and Levi take listeners on the wild ride of the early days that established Solgen as an industry leader in solar energy.

Chris, an entrepreneur who went from bankruptcy to 9 figure exits, shares his story of perseverance and success. He discusses the lessons he learned around living for external validation, his insights on skills like sales, marketing, team building and culture, and what it takes to scale a business to nine-figure exits. The podcast also touches on the importance of pricing, reinforcing core values in an organization, the significance of business partners and teams, and the value of finding great mentors and embracing your own journey.

Welcome to another episode of the Founder Podcast with your host, Chris Lee. Today, get ready to be inspired by Amin Shaykho, a trailblazing entrepreneur and software engineer.  Amin is the mastermind behind Kadama, an educational platform that soared to immense popularity with millions of users and a staggering social media following. His achievements have landed him a coveted spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and he's also a TED speaker. With tech expertise honed at Apple, where he contributed to projects like iMessage, Amin raised a remarkable $1.7 million seed round for Kadama. In this episode, Chris welcomes Amin Shaykho to the show. Amin, at just 25 years old, is a bit different from other founders featured on the podcast. His tech platform, Kadama, connects students and tutors to get homework help. Chris dives into Amin's journey, discussing his background, experiences at Apple, and the evolution of Kadama through three distinct phases. Amin shares the challenges of the initial phase, where Kadama aimed to be an affordable platform connecting users with various services. The startup faced a chicken-and-egg problem, leading them to pivot and focus solely on tutoring. Just as they were gaining traction in the in-person tutoring space, the pandemic hit, prompting a second pivot. Kadama adapted to the virtual environment and quickly became the most downloaded Gen Z tutoring app in 2020. With millions of users, Kadama is not only an educational platform but also a social media powerhouse, boasting the second-highest follower count in the education category, just behind Duolingo. Amin emphasizes the flexibility of Kadama for both students and tutors, allowing them to connect whenever needed and setting their own rates. Chris delves into Amin's background, including his time at Apple and the significant impact he made with the development of a feature in iMessage. Amin's entrepreneurial spirit shines as he reflects on the differences between corporate life and the thrill of being a startup founder. Tune in to discover Amin's remarkable journey from a young entrepreneur with a vision to the founder of a groundbreaking education platform with global impact. Don't miss this episode filled with insights, lessons, and the entrepreneurial roller coaster experienced by Amin on the Founder Podcast.. Highlights: "He is a very young founder, and he's got a really cool technology platform that he is building with Kadama. And 25 years old. Yeah. Man. So my listeners know, when I was 25 years old, like I was in the middle of my first startup, and about a year away from bankruptcy has, you know, it's always a physical roller coaster, to be honest, that's what I call it." "I'm always intrigued by young entrepreneurs. Because, you know, really, the rule in entrepreneurship is, is a lot of time a lot of effort over a long period of time usually leads to results.   His achievements have landed him a coveted spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and he's also a TED speaker. Amin raised a remarkable $1.7 million seed round for Kadama, which achieved a number to peak ranking in the app stores' education category, amassing over 2.5 million followers and 1 billion views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram." Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction 04:15: Apple Experience 13:31: Tutoring Platform 17:10: Bootstrapping A Tech Company 25:38: Leadership  28:43: Future Plans Language Learning  33:50: What is Education? 40:44: Content For The Masses 46:35: Finding Solutions Vs. Who Has The Solutions  Live Links:  🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Daryl Kelly, co-founder of Solgen Power, reminisces about growing up in a big family, the values instilled in him, and memorable experiences with Chris over 19 years. They discuss their first business venture, a coupon book fundraiser, and the challenges they faced. From competitions in wheelbarrows to daring dares with hot sauces, join them for a fun look back at their entrepreneurial journey!

This episode of the Founder Podcast features host Chris Lee interviewing serial entrepreneur Ian Prukner. Ian shares his background growing up in Michigan and his journey starting in network marketing after facing financial difficulties.  He discusses scaling his business to 48 locations and selling it for millions. Ian provides insights on principles of success like winning fully across faith, family, fitness, finance and future self. He describes tough times like losing business overnight and how he overcame challenges through discipline and commitment.  Ian offers a masterclass on recruiting through identifying pain points and making people feel special. Listeners will learn lessons on building a business through principles, mentoring others and more. Highlights:  "My philosophy is ran by this faith, family, fitness, finance, future self, these are the five things, Chris that like, in my opinion, if we get them wrong, that is irreparable, irreparable damage."  "You can be disciplined, or somebody can discipline you, but there is no escaping the discipline, just like there's no escaping the pain, you can pick your pain, pick it now or pick it later. But you're gonna have to pick it." "Recruit people away from where they are not to what you're doing. So another word for that is expose the nightmare and sell the dream."  Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction  04:28: Quick Vs Long Term Success 09:20: Investing In Personal Growth  19:04: Short Vs Long Term Consequences  28:21: Leadership  31:23: Unethical Practices  40:44: Real Estate During Covid  50:19: Recruiting   Live Links:  🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Join host Chris Lee on another exciting episode of The Founder Podcast, where he sits down with the renowned Dr. Chau Ong, a real estate guru with a unique approach to achieving financial freedom. Dr. Chau, formerly a pharmacist turned entrepreneur, has made a mark in the world of real estate by teaching thousands of individuals how to scale to a multiple six-figure income without massive upfront investments. In this episode, Dr. Chau shares his journey from immigrant beginnings, sleeping on a single mattress in a challenging neighborhood, to becoming a successful entrepreneur. With an MBA and a background in pharmacy, Dr. Chau decided to break free from the corporate grind and dive into the world of entrepreneurship. He reveals how he built an impressive Airbnb portfolio, garnering attention from industry giants like Tony Robbins and Grant Cardone. Chris, a seasoned real estate investor himself, explores the practicalities of Dr. Chau's methods and challenges him on the accessibility of such strategies for individuals with limited resources. Dr. Chau shares insights on mindset transformation and resourcefulness, emphasizing that anyone can overcome financial constraints with the right mindset and connections. Listeners get a glimpse into Dr. Chau's Financial Freedom Formula, where he breaks down the steps to achieving financial freedom through his unique approach. The conversation takes a turn towards mindset and personal development, with Dr. Chau revealing his commitment to continuous learning from industry elites like Tony Robbins and Richard Branson. Tune in to this episode of The Founder Podcast for an inspiring conversation that goes beyond real estate strategies, offering valuable insights into mindset, resourcefulness, and the pursuit of financial freedom. Learn how Dr. Chau's unconventional approach can empower everyday individuals to break free from the rat race and live life on their terms. Highlights: "It's not about me. It's about you. It's about leaving a legacy and helping people achieve their legacy." "Cash flow is king, cash flow is freedom." "The question to ask in business is not what kind of business do and the question to ask is, who is the ideal clients I want to serve?" Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction Dr. Chau BnB  01:34: Financial Freedom 07:35: Real Estate Investing 12:33: Overcoming Financial Obstacles 17:43: Personal Development 22:54: Investing in Yourself 27:39: Spirituality & Growth Live Links: Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this vibrant episode of the Founder Podcast, we dive into the enthralling world of hiring all-stars! Get ready to discover how to attract top-tier talent to your organization and build a winning team. We kick off by exploring a fundamental truth: the essence of successful recruiting is salesmanship. If your sales game needs a boost, now's the time to level up! Read that book, tune into a sales podcast, or seek training from the world's leading sales experts. Then, we explore the topic of unraveling personalities using the DISC assessment. Don't miss this chance to gain invaluable insights into assembling a dream team for your business! Highlights: "You have to master the skill of influence. If you can't, you need to have a partner or somebody in your organization who can." "You don't have to be that personality to be a successful entrepreneur, you just have to balance yourself out." "If you are unwilling to stand up against me, I just believe that your opinion isn't that strong. And so I give people permission to fight against me, to conflict against me." Timestamps: (0:00) DISC Assessments in Hiring (3:56) Business Personality Types (7:04) Applying Personality Types (11:08) Personality Strengths/Weaknesses (14:29) Talent Recruitment Strategies Live Links: For more information: www.thefounderdisc.com & www.thefounderdisc.com/employee 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Get ready for a thrilling ride in this episode of the Founder Podcast, featuring the charismatic Jayson Waller, founder of Power Home Solar, known as Pink Energy. Jayson's entrepreneurial journey is a captivating tale of scaling a business to billion-dollar heights and facing sudden, steep challenges. In this candid conversation, he shares the rollercoaster of emotions and decisions involved in leading a high-stakes business. This episode is a treasure trove of raw, honest insights, delving into the complexities of entrepreneurship, the impact of public perception, and the resilience required to navigate through tough times. It's a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the real stories behind business headlines – whether you're just starting out or have been in the game for years. So, tune in as we explore Jayson's remarkable story, filled with valuable lessons, humor, and genuine reflections. His openness and hard-earned wisdom are not only inspiring but also a reminder of the relentless spirit of entrepreneurship. Let's embark on this journey of learning, inspiration, and a bit of laughter with Jayson Waller! Highlights: “I have an 80 20 rule... The bottom 20% are on a pit plan. If they can't get off the pit plan next month, they're fired.” “Somebody else's opinion of you says more about them than it does about you.” “It's okay to have your name on a business, but then you outgrow that.” Timestamps: 0:00 - Building a billion-dollar business and its downfall. 2:50 - Company closure and product liability. 5:38 - Dealing with negative publicity and death threats. 8:31 - Building a successful company and dealing with criticism. 11:35 - Business struggles and recovery after losing $400 million. 14:24 - Business regrets and net worth reset. 18:03 - Entrepreneurship, reality TV, and personal life. 25:07 - The human side of reality TV and dealing with criticism. 29:11 - Overcoming haters and finding success. 32:27 - Entrepreneurship, business, and impact. 36:16 - Business name changes and marketing strategies. 40:16 - Overcoming failure and starting a comeback story. 43:26 - Aliens, mentors, and business success. Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast