Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs

Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Tomer, a former structural engineer turned serial entrepreneur. Tomer shares his journey from designing skyscrapers to building multiple successful businesses, including an e-commerce brand, a virtual staffing agency, and an innovative product company. Learn how Tomer:- Transitioned from a 9-to-5 job to entrepreneurship- Built a 7-figure e-commerce business- Successfully launched a product on Kickstarter- Developed and scaled a virtual staffing agency- Balances multiple businesses and projectsWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Tomer's insights on product development, e-commerce, and business growth are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Tomer's background3:06 - The importance of business models in entrepreneurship7:52 - Transition from engineering to e-commerce12:02 - Insights on private labeling and wholesale18:42 - The birth of Sableflow and product development process26:28 - Balancing business relationships with family and friends31:16 - From concept to finished product: The Sableflow journey37:05 - Kickstarter campaign strategies and lessons learned42:39 - The transition to Effortless Hire and virtual staffing46:10 - Common mistakes business owners make with virtual assistants49:29 - Misconceptions about offshore hiring52:27 - The importance of hiring before creating SOPs55:24 - Three valuable resources for entrepreneurs59:20 - Startup tech stack and tools1:01:24 - Favorite entrepreneurial stories and lessons1:06:13 - Closing thoughts and where to find tomer's businesses

Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Jon, former CEO of Hyperlinks Media and current organizer of Tiny Talks in Austin. Jon shares his journey from starting an SEO blog in high school to building and selling a successful digital marketing agency, and eventually launching a community-driven event series. Learn how Jon:- Built a 7-figure SEO agency from his dorm room- Pivoted to content marketing and affiliate sites- Knew when it was time to exit his business- Started Tiny Talks and grew it to 200+ attendees- Balances passion projects with financial successWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Jon's insights on SEO, content marketing, and community building are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Jon's background2:31 - Starting an SEO business in high school7:17 - Scaling the agency and hiring employees12:03 - Pivoting to content marketing and affiliate sites18:42 - Deciding when to exit the business22:34 - The origin of Tiny Talks27:41 - Memorable Tiny Talks stories32:25 - The importance of in-person connection37:29 - Running Tiny Talks as a passion project41:33 - Advice on finding your niche45:22 - Book recommendations for entrepreneurs49:51 - Event planning tips from "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party"54:26 - Closing thoughts and where to find Tiny Talks#podcast #digitalmarketing #seo #contentmarketing #communityservice #community #entrepreneur #business

Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeIn this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Ryan Atkinson, CEO and co-founder of Spacebar Visuals. Ryan shares his journey from working at an aquatic center to becoming a growth specialist at HubSpot, and eventually launching his own successful video production agency.Learn how Ryan:- Started multiple podcasts to network with entrepreneurs- Built a 6-figure agency in less than a year- Uses cold outreach to land high-value clients- Manages a remote team and builds company culture- Balances multiple projects and businessesWhether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Ryan's insights on sales, marketing, and agency growth are not to be missed!Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction and Ryan's background3:45 - The power of podcasting for networking and personal growth7:22 - Transitioning from side hustle to full-time business10:15 - Building an agency vs. creating a SaaS product14:30 - Client acquisition strategies and outbound marketing19:05 - Email marketing tactics and closing deals23:40 - Pricing strategies and maintaining margins28:15 - The challenges of running a service-based business32:45 - Tech stack and tools for running an agency35:20 - Book recommendations for entrepreneurs38:30 - The importance of rereading books42:33 - Why Ryan moved to Austin and who should consider it46:37 - Exciting future technologies (AI video generation)48:47 - Podcast post-production and marketing tips53:42 - Closing thoughts and where to find Ryan online

Catalin Briciu, Co-founder and CEO of Linnify, shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights from previous startups. He discusses the importance of finding the right product-market fit and offers a structured approach to validating business ideas. Catalin highlights common pitfalls founders face and the delicate balance of personal versus company branding. He also emphasizes the crucial role of support systems and effective communication in managing expectations and scaling businesses. Tune in for a mix of wisdom and practical advice!

Subscribe here https://newsletter.fundsandfounder.com/subscribeJoin us as we sit down with Hunter Burkey, Partner at Next Level Valet and CEO of Next Level Security. Hunter shares his incredible journey from living in his car to building two successful businesses in Austin, TX.👉Hunter's early struggles and how he turned his life around👉The birth of Next Level Valet and its rapid growth👉Expanding into security services during COVID-19👉Challenges of scaling a business and managing 300+ employees👉Innovative employee engagement strategies👉The importance of adaptability in entrepreneurshipWatch the full episode on  @FundsAndFounders  #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AustinStartups #ValetService #SecurityBusiness0:00 - Introduction of Hunter Burkey and his current roles0:35 - Brief mention of failed business attempts1:10 - Hunter's experience being homeless and living in his car9:10 - Discussion about failed businesses and lessons learned17:06 - Addressing fears and challenges in the early days of the business19:07 - Major setback: losing a significant client and nearly shutting down30:40 - Handling the challenge of parking 2300 cars per night35:48 - Current size of the valet company (approximately 150 employees)41:20 - Insight into company culture and employee communication42:37 - Transition from valet services to starting a security company47:30 - Introduction to Formula One events through valet connections49:23 - Hunter's involvement with the F1 travel team50:53 - Construction Security55:08 - Scaling the company1:00:00 - Closing remarks

In this captivating episode of Funds and Founders, Nikhil, CTO and co-founder of Hylio, shares the inspiring journey of building an innovative drone company. From their initial focus on drone delivery to pivoting into agricultural applications, Nikhil reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating cutting-edge drone technology. Tune in to discover:- The evolution of Hylio from a drone delivery concept to a leader in agricultural drone solutions- Overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles in the drone industry- The importance of perseverance and adaptability in entrepreneurship- Insights into scaling hardware production and navigating complex sales processes- The role of co-founders and support systems in startup successWatch the full episode on funds and founders.

In the latest episode of Funds and Founders, Jessi, founder of Downland, reveals how agrotourism and regenerative agriculture could revolutionize land management and food production. Discover how matching landowners with next-generation land stewards can restore landscapes and create sustainable business models. Tune in to explore:- The journey of building an AgTech startup from scratch- How to leverage your unique strengths and network in entrepreneurship- The crucial balance between mission-driven goals and venture capital expectations- Strategies for validating your business model and preparing for fundraising00:46 - Entrepreneurial journey06:05 - what a land steward does and their responsibilities?09:33 - Agrotourism12:48 - Decision of taking passion to a full time job16:48 - how did you get a hundred customer interviews?20:52 - Regenerative farming26:30 - Understanding the customer wants in a business29:36 - Journey of a Solo founder33:25 - Eliminating the uncertainty and challenges in the entrepreneur journey34:47 - Crossfit journey42:34 - Product Development Strategy for a Marketplace Startup47:26 - Finding the right partners and right advisors54:13 - Fundraising process1:02:33 - Rapid fire question1:09:15 - Question for the future GuestSubscribe now and hit the notification bell to Funds and FoundersMentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessi-roesch-rhymes-with-fresh/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Simran Singh narrates his entrepreneurial journey from his college days at Duke University to co-founding Zogo, a financial education platform which was eventually acquired by Peak Six. He elaborates on the challenges of early-stage startups, the pivoting of Zogo, and decision-making processes related to product development and market targeting. Simran also introduces his new venture, SwayStack, while providing valuable insights on growth, partnerships, and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset. Additionally, the episode explores influential books like 'Poor Charlie's Almanac' by Charlie Munger, favorite tools and tech stacks like Notion, JIRA, GitHub, Figma, Google Drive, AWS, and Dynalist, and shares advice on resilience, support systems, and customer engagement. The conversation wraps up with anticipation of the next guest's insights into the role of mentors or advisors. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:• How will you know when to invest in an initial MVP?• Calculating market size to predict scalability• How working with private equity can be beneficial to your long term visionKey Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(01:31) - Simran’s Indian Family Influence(04:40) - Challenges and Learnings from Zogo(14:39) - Navigating Early MVPs(29:25) - Balancing Risk and Stability(35:50) - Zogo's Business Development Strategy(36:23) - Sales and Marketing(38:36) - Total Addressable Market (TAM)(46:50) - Acquisition by Private Equity(55:27) - Post-Acquisition Reflections and New Ventures(59:12) - Rapid Fire Questions and Resources(01:07:40) - Final ThoughtsKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capitalMentions:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esimran/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer at SXSW, shares his 35 years of experience shaping this iconic festival. He reveals the origins of SXSW, inspired by the New Music Seminar, and recounts pivotal moments like Johnny Cash's appearance and Twitter's launch. Hugh discusses the festival's shift from music-centric to a wide-ranging tech and creative platform, its significant economic impact on Austin, and upcoming challenges with the convention center's reconstruction. He also touches on the intersection of quantum technology and AI, highlighting the ongoing adaptability of SXSW.

Vikas is an experienced entrepreneur, advisor and the Managing Director of Frisco Analytics. In this conversation, he discusses the importance of selecting good advisors and how he identified gaps in the tech consulting space to grow his successful company later acquired by Huron. Vikas gives insights on how to build the right team, and sales strategies, navigate acquisitions and foster the right team culture. Finally, he shares his experiences with acquisition processes, incentive structures in consulting, managing multiple ventures and the value of direct feedback and the growth dynamics in the tech industry.Key Takeaways:• Choosing experienced advisors to save on finances and time• Identifying what’s missing on the team and choosing members with the right culture fit• Addressing incentive structures in consulting as a worker retention strategy• Insights into the acquisition process for consulting teams• Addressing the need for direct and honest feedback• Navigating the complexities of managing multiple venturesKey Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(04:55) - Building a successful consulting business(07:30) - Scaling and managing growth as an Investor(09:05) - Proven incentive structures in the consulting space(15:17) - What is product market fit?(21:24) - The company acquisition journey and post-sale experience(33:48) - The process of underwriting a deal(35:21) - When does one need an exit strategy?(39:17) - Deal flow, evaluation and selection criteria used to issue funding(48:29) - Strategic investment roadmapsKey Topics Discussed:Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, product-market fit, acquisition, team building strategyMentions:Website: https://www.friscoanalytics.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikas-punna-94b33216/Check out the Funds & Founders Community:Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.comWebsite: fundsandfounderspodcast.com