Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Steve Schwartz, Master Tea Blender, best-selling author, and founder of Art of Tea—an award-winning tea brand based in Los Angeles. After dropping out of college to care for his mother, Steve discovered Ayurvedic medicine and began a journey that would take him across the globe sourcing and blending the world’s finest teas.Starting with $2,500 in credit card debt, Steve built a vertically integrated company that now supplies iconic restaurants and hotels. He shares how he turned tragedy into purpose, created the U.S.’s first tea sommelier role, and built a legacy-focused business with intention and heart.Chapters:02:32 – Losing His Mother and the Awakening of Purpose04:11 – Discovering Ayurveda and the Art of Botanical Blending06:23 – The Truth About Supermarket Tea07:12 – The Power of Ritual: Why Tea Is Not Just a Beverage08:52 – Choosing Steady Growth Over the Hockey Stick11:03 – Building with a Multi-Generational Vision12:35 – American Flips vs. Eastern Longevity Thinking14:40 – Why Art of Tea Avoids Supermarkets16:03 – Creating the First Tea Sommelier Position in the U.S.17:22 – Expanding Art of Tea to the East Coast19:13 – Controlling Quality Through Vertical Integration21:16 – Coaching vs. Babysitting: Leadership Lessons22:12 – The Daily Work of Unlearning Scarcity25:37 – Childhood Scarcity and the Roots of Limiting Beliefs28:08 – From Rabbi Aspirations to Global Tea Advocate30:00 – Smiling as Strategy33:14 – The Power of Giving Before You Receive36:44 – Parenting, Abundance, and Entrepreneurial Mindsets39:58 – Why Entrepreneurship Is the Best Way to Live43:30 – Creating Safe Spaces for Founders to Be Real45:29 – Betting on Himself With a Baby on the Way47:09 – Filling an Org Chart by Removing Himself50:11 – DJ Fails and the Power of Vulnerability53:01 – The Real Reason People Join Founder’s Club54:06 – Building Grit in the Next Generation55:46 – One Day a Week Off: Shabbat as a Business Advantage57:12 – What His Late Mother Would Say Now59:14 – A Message to His 20-Year-Old Self1:00:33 – The Power of Trust Over Fear1:03:19 – What He Wants to Be Remembered For1:05:53 – Getting Out of Your Own Way1:07:20 – What’s Actually Going On With Matcha1:11:39 – Matcha Sourcing Crisis and the Japan Trip That Changed It1:13:55 – The Matcha Trend Explained1:18:06 – Closing Reflections on Legacy and LeadershipGuest Links: Website: https://www.artoftea.com/Instagram: @artofteala  @steveschwarxLinkedIn: Art Of Tea   Steve SchwartzFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Megan Klein, founder of Little Saints, the sugar-free, mushroom-powered non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits brand redefining the way we drink. A former environmental attorney turned two-time brand founder, Megan’s journey is one of radical pivots, personal reinvention, and unshakable self-belief. She shares how she went from shutting down her first startup to investing her last million, selling her own apartment to fund it, and scaling Little Saints to $9.6M in revenue without traditional VC backing.Megan opens up about her lowest moments, from navigating loneliness during the pandemic, to hitting $10 in her personal bank account, and the turning point that came from trusting her own intuition over outside “expert” advice. She dives into how plant medicine shaped her leadership style, the hard lessons of Shark Tank, and why aligning brand growth with personal growth has been the foundation of her success. This is an unfiltered conversation on grit, discernment, and building a category-defining CPG brand on your own terms.Chapters:02:21 – From Lawyer to Rooftop Farming04:51 – The Fog of Misalignment in Corporate Life07:41 – Equity-Only Hustle at Farmed Here08:22 – Building The Fresh Factory from a Failed Startup11:42 – Fundraising Lessons from the First Business12:35 – Investing Her Own $1M to Start Little Saints14:37 – The Solo Founder Reality During the Pandemic16:42 – Hemp Silk Cocktail Masks: The First Little Saints Product18:05 – The Dry January Experiment That Sparked the Brand21:00 – Discovering Ayahuasca and Plant Medicine’s Impact28:55 – Quitting Alcohol for Good32:39 – Going All-In with DTC36:09 – Selling Assets to Save the Business39:50 – Crisis Summer: Cancellation, Family Emergency, and Cash Shortage41:06 – Unlearning the Need for Outside Approval46:57 – Filming Shark Tank and Walking Away from the Deal51:01 – Scaling from $100K to $9.6M in Three Years53:17 – Laying the Foundation for $20M+ Growth56:53 – Using Plant Medicine to Become a Better Leader59:08 – Radical Feedback from the Team1:03:26 – Little Saints Dirty Martini Demo1:07:20 – Building in Miami and Creating the Little Saints House1:11:32 – In-Person vs. Remote Team Dynamics1:13:08 – What December 2020 Megan Would Be Most Proud Of1:16:03 – Message to a 16-Year-Old Megan1:18:39 – Blending Personal Development with Business Growth1:21:31 – Choosing Alignment Over Short-Term Gains1:22:23 – Where to Buy Little SaintsGuest Links:Website: littlesaints.comInstagram: @littlesaintscoLinkedIn: Little SaintsFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this special episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak brings you an unfiltered masterclass with legendary entrepreneur and investor, Mark Cuban. Recorded live for members of The Founders Club, this exclusive session covers Cuban's raw insights on building billion-dollar companies, the unglamorous truths of scaling, and how AI is rewriting the rules for modern founders. From sleeping on floors to exiting for $5.7 billion, Cuban reflects on his journey and the mindsets that separate the winners from everyone else.Mark doesn’t hold back; he dives into why founders should stop glamorizing fundraising, how sales always win over hype, and the one habit that will leave your competition behind. He shares honest perspectives on balancing relationships and business, the brutal reality of hiring the wrong CEO, and how to futureproof your company in the age of AI. Whether you’re bootstrapping or scaling fast, this episode is packed with tactical clarity and real founder-to-founder advice.Chapters: 01:40 – Why Personal Brands Are Overrated 03:15 – The One Trait All Successful Founders Share 05:45 – Sales First, Always 07:40 – Raising Capital Is Not an Accomplishment 09:34 – Work-Life Balance? Wait Until You're Winning 12:20 – How AI Is Changing the Game (and Why You Can’t Delegate It) 15:00 – How Founders Should Be Learning AI Right Now 17:15 – When to Sell (Even If You're Loving the Business) 20:00 – Why College Accreditation Is Fundamentally Broken 22:00 – What’s Next for Higher Education in an AI World 24:00 – Why You Should Think Twice Before Publishing Anything 25:55 – Should You Hold Back Expansion When Prepping for Exit? 27:40 – Launching Into Sports Partnerships the Smart Way 29:45 – Niche Product? Why You Should Be More Expensive 32:10 – When It’s Time to Hire an External CEO 34:30 – How Mark Leverages ChatGPT in Real Business Decisions 36:20 – Fundraising in a Tough Market: Take the Money or Bridge? 39:00 – Handling Tariffs and Scaling Beyond Local Markets 41:00 – One Simple Daily Habit That Pays Big Mental Returns 44:55 – Should You Expand Your Product Line or Focus Deeper? 47:15 – Promoting Internally vs Hiring for Scale 49:45 – Equity Strategy: What’s Too Much, What’s Too Little 52:30 – The Belief Cuban Had to Unlearn About Leadership 54:50 – "Don’t Be a-”: A Founding Principle That Pays 55:45 – What Every Founder Needs to Learn About Healthcare Costs 57:15 – Mark’s Final Word: Keep Showing UpGuest Links:Instagram: @mcubanTikTok: @mcubanFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Larysa Nakonecznyj, CEO of Nako Creative, an award-winning digital marketing agency known for driving measurable results through innovation and tailored strategy. With a background in communications and advertising, Larysa has helped global brands grow fast and grow smart. She’s been recognized with the 2024 Global Recognition Award and was nominated for the Women Empowerment Foundation’s “Rising Star” award.Larysa unpacks the exact moment her path shifted after a single shift waiting tables, and how she walked away from law school to build something of her own. She shares the story behind her first pitch, scaling too fast, bouncing back from burnout, and the mindset work that’s kept her going. This conversation is a powerful look at what it takes to build a solo agency to seven figures while staying grounded in vision and values.Chapters:01:40 – Realizing She Wasn’t Meant to Work for Anyone03:23 – First Corporate Job & Red Flags04:59 – The Shift at The Keg That Changed Everything06:12 – Pitching an Agency She Hadn’t Built Yet07:33 – The Woman Who Believed in Her First08:33 – Faking a Florida Trip to Buy Time09:38 – Where Her Standard for Excellence Comes From11:29 – Walking Away From Law School12:57 – Breaking the News to a Traditional Family14:10 – Seeing Opportunity Everywhere15:59 – Manifesting Confidence Before the Pod17:44 – Prepping for the Next Hour, Always19:15 – Discovering “The Secret” and Shifting Mindset22:54 – When Scaling Too Fast Breaks the System24:46 – Burnout and Questioning It All26:14 – Almost Going Back to School28:14 – Saying No Becomes the New Strategy30:01 – Doing It Alone Without a Co-Founder32:08 – From Doubting to Betting on Herself33:47 – Building Confidence Through Results35:29 – Curating a Circle That Believes In You37:54 – Two Types of Friends (Choose Wisely)39:17 – Life After Exit and the Power of Community41:54 – The Mental Weight of Being a Young CEO44:54 – “Move With Confidence”, The One Conversation That Shifted Everything46:54 – Building Systems Through Mistakes48:08 – Why Most Agencies Don’t Work Hard Enough50:18 – The Ferrari x Art Basel Win52:59 – The Internal Team Mentality Clients Love55:20 – Advice to Her 20-Year-Old Self56:13 – Designing a Business Around the Life She Wants59:35 – Naivety Can Be a Superpower1:01:09 – The Truth About Building a Business1:04:31 – Retention as the Ultimate KPI1:05:32 – Final Word: Show Up, Work Hard, Win!Guest Links: Website: https://nakocreative.com/Instagram: @nako.creativeLinkedInFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak is joined by Austin Copeland—a 21-year-old founder who’s already built and sold two companies, including COMPREADY, acquired by CosmicWire. From founding a nonprofit at 13 that delivered over 13,000 shoes to kids in Africa, to managing a 25-person team at global esports giant TSM, Austin’s journey is driven by one mission: improving people’s lives.He unpacks how he went from gaming enthusiast to building an analytics model that led to six-figure player buyouts, what it takes to stay true to yourself in high-pressure environments, and why being surrounded by the right people can accelerate everything. Now overseeing COMPREADY under CosmicWire, Austin is focused on optimizing computer performance at scale—all while continuing to grow into the entrepreneur he was built to be.Chapters:02:24 – A Childhood Immersed in Business03:40 – First Taste of Entrepreneurship: Beachside Hustles04:51 – Flipping Burgers at 13: Real-World Lessons06:03 – Rejecting the “Right Path” and Going His Own Way07:51 – Selling His First Business at 1908:03 – Gaming as Passion and Profit09:29 – Building a Data-Driven Talent Engine11:30 – COVID’s Influence and Seizing Opportunity13:28 – The First Exit: Acquired at 1614:17 – Earning $80K and Managing 25 People15:43 – The Spark Behind COMPREADY17:19 – Leaving a Safe Role to Build Again18:46 – Sacrifice and Identity in the Startup Grind20:22 – Going All In at 1822:35 – Choosing College Amid Success24:37 – The Moment He Knew It Was Real25:50 – Exit #2: COMPREADY Acquired by CosmicWire27:03 – Leadership Mistakes and Learning the Hard Way28:40 – Not Everyone Has Your Fire30:13 – Making Decisions Through Noise31:27 – Becoming Unapologetically Himself33:46 – Vision for 30 and Long-Term Fulfillment35:45 – The Mentors Who Changed the Game38:41 – “It’s OK”: How Reassurance Moves Founders Forward42:44 – Experience Over Theory, Every Time45:50 – Giving First and Building Reputation47:11 – Manifesting the Jet and What It Represents50:59 – Freedom, Frustration, and Fuel52:04 – You’re Only Out When You’re Dead54:25 – Don’t Judge What You Haven’t Tried56:39 – Volunteering to Learn and Grow58:22 – Advice to His 15-Year-Old Self1:03:29 – Life in Reverse: Start From the End1:04:49 – Your Environment Won’t Always Grow With You1:06:28 – The Power of Being Good EnergyGuest Links:Website: https://compready.gg/LinkedIn: Austin CopelandSARAL: Get your free trial here: https://www.getsaral.com/demoFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Swan Sit, a trailblazing operator and creator at the intersection of corporate leadership, digital transformation, and consumer connection. With an impressive background as the Global Head of Digital Marketing at Nike, Revlon, and Estée Lauder, Swan now advises startups, sits on public company boards, and brings value to millions as a creator and speaker.Swan shares her journey from a disciplined immigrant upbringing to transforming some of the world’s most iconic brands. She opens up about navigating the dot-com crash, pivoting into the creator economy through Clubhouse, and ultimately discovering her purpose: democratizing access, information, and opportunity. This is a rich conversation on resilience, relevance, and redefining success on your own terms.Chapters:03:06 – Immigrant Upbringing and Early Discipline05:35 – Childhood Dreams and Retail Tech Fascination07:37 – Going Against the Grain: Startup Over Goldman10:57 – Dot-Com Crash, Layoffs, and Lessons Learned12:58 – Study Abroad and Breaking From Family Influence15:24 – Finding Self Through Distance and Travel17:27 – Product Marketing, Emotional Branding, and Grad School21:18 – Joining Estee Lauder and Building Early E-Com22:05 – Leading Digital at Revlon and Nike23:57 – Navigating Change: Why Adaptability Wins25:49 – Making AI Useful Without Getting Lost in It28:43 – Personalized Content and the Future of Storytelling31:58 – Using Social Graphs to Build Digital Communities34:52 – NFTs, Ownership, and Reframing Value37:29 – Clubhouse Origins: Mentorship and Scale41:44 – Creator vs. Influencer: Making Real Impact47:19 – Defining Purpose: Access, Information, and Equity50:39 – Family, Scarcity, and Quiet Generosity54:14 – Rest as a Strategy: Recharging for Performance57:36 – Public Speaking: From Corporate to Global Stages1:00:13 – Live Speaking Tips: Energy, Feedback, and Q&A1:02:37 – From Corporate Leader to Founder Mindset1:05:31 – Reading the Room: Intuition and Audience Engagement1:10:21 – Where Empathy Comes From1:13:45 – Identity, Belonging, and Owning Your Story1:17:49 – Advice to Her Younger Self: “Go Be Your Freak Self”1:21:22 – Detaching Worth From Titles and Roles1:23:13 – Legacy, Impact, and Reversing Into PurposeGuest Links:Website: www.swansit.comInstagram: @swansitTwitter/X: @swansitLinkedIn: @swansitTikTok: @swansit23SARAL: Get your free trial here: https://www.getsaral.com/demoFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with his own mother, Rachel Spivak, for an intimate and powerful conversation that spans generations, continents, and entrepreneurial journeys. Born in the small Israeli town of Ofakim as one of 13 siblings, Rachel shares her story of resilience, ambition, and unwavering love for her family. From leaving her home at age 13 to go off to school, to raising five boys in Canada, her life is a testament to grit, sacrifice, and entrepreneurial instinct.Rachel recounts building a new life in Canada with no job, no English, and three kids under three, eventually launching multiple businesses, including a successful care agency and retail ventures. She opens up about losing everything overnight, rebuilding from scratch, and instilling entrepreneurial values in her children, all of whom became business owners. Rachel offers timeless wisdom on parenting, perseverance, and how to build a meaningful life from the ground up.Chapters:01:20 – Growing Up in Ofakim With 13 Siblings04:13 – Childhood Lessons in Strength05:13 – “Don’t Be Afraid of Fear” – A Life Mantra07:12 – Leaving Home at 13 for a Different Life14:01 – Moving to Canada With Three Young Children15:52 – Starting Over Without English or a Job21:03 – Building Businesses From Scratch24:15 – Cleaning Houses and Driving a School Bus to Survive27:56 – From House Cleaner to Care Agency Owner30:42 – Losing a Business Overnight, Starting Again With Jewelry Sales33:02 – Teaching Her Kids To Build and Rebuild36:30 – Leading By Example: The Power of Silent Sacrifice39:27 – Parenting Wisdom for the Modern Generation41:55 – Encouraging Entrepreneurship From a Young Age44:34 – Working Through Setbacks and Always Showing Up46:49 – Why She’s a Mom, Not a Friend49:11 – Raising Five Boys and Navigating Marriage, Business, and Life53:52 – How Many Kids Should People Have Today?56:37 – Parenting Without Complaints, Even in the Digital Age1:00:22 – Still Working: Showing Up at Early to Lead By Example1:03:56 – Working With Family: The Greatest Challenge1:05:44 – Family Unity Above All: Why Fighting Was Never an Option1:11:06 – Dealing With Distance: Moving to Miami and Family Bonds1:20:00 – What Rachel Would Tell Her 18-Year-Old Self1:24:47 – Her New Mission: Creating Memories With Her GrandkidsGuest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakelaspivakTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@immigrantmomRevitasize: https://www.revitasize.caSARAL: Get your free trial here: https://www.getsaral.com/demoFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak speaks with Mark Shapiro, founder of Shapiro Capital, a seasoned real estate investor with over four decades of experience. Mark shares his journey from selling gum in elementary school to building a multimillion-dollar real estate empire. He offers valuable insights into the mindset, drive, and strategies that led him to success, as well as the lessons learned from both his victories and setbacks.Mark delves into his early real estate experiences, creative financing tactics, and the importance of simplicity and discipline in both business and life. His approach to mentoring others, navigating personal struggles, and focusing on authentic relationships is a powerful example of how real success is built over time.Chapters:00:00 – Mark’s Entrepreneurial Spark In Elementary School04:00 – Early Lessons From The Family Business07:40 – Snowblowing Driveways And Learning Value10:47 – The Influence Of Mark’s Father13:28 – First Business Deal With His Dad At 2318:06 – Overcoming Personal Loss And Finding Purpose22:51 – Discovering Real Estate Through Family And Books25:42 – Scaling Early: From College Deals To 58 Units38:22 – Addiction To The Chase: Why Mark Loves The Game43:20 – Taking Big Risks At 26 And The $3M Payday49:16 – How Success Complicated Personal Life54:20 – The Wisdom Of Grinding It Out58:33 – Life Lessons On Margin, Simplicity, And Consistency1:04:06 – Teaching Real Estate: Building A High-Touch Mentorship Model1:06:42 – Lydia’s Journey: 0 To 24 Units In A Year1:08:57 – From Scratch: Helping Beginners Get Their First Deal1:13:48 – For Founders With Capital: How To Start In Real Estate1:16:39 – The Power Of Community And High-Touch Guidance1:22:00 – Reflecting On Regrets And Legacy1:28:12 – Living With Integrity And Spiritual AnchorsGuest Links:Website: https://mshapirocapital.comInstagram: @themarkshapiroTwitter X: @TheMarkShapiroYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@markshapiro1887SARAL: Get your free trial here: https://www.getsaral.com/demoFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FermatCommerce.com Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Shelby Sapp, the founder of She Sells Academy, the world’s largest all-women remote sales academy. After beginning her career in door-to-door pest control sales, Shelby realized traditional sales models weren’t built for women or the lifestyle they wanted. With She Sells, she’s built a community of over 3,000 women mastering high-ticket remote sales, unlocking financial independence and freedom along the way.Shelby discusses her journey from figure skater to powerhouse sales trainer, the critical role of mindset and visualization in success, and how her mother and grandfather influenced her fiercely independent drive. She shares candid reflections on building her business, dealing with imposter syndrome and online hate, and the nuances of masculine and feminine dynamics in both sales and relationships. Shelby’s story is a powerful example of how vision, grit, and being a “calculated psychopath” can not only change your own life, but the ripple effect of others.Chapters00:00 – Shelby’s Sales Origin Story02:55 – Discovering Remote Sales As A “Cheat Code”03:26 – Mindset, Manifestation, And The Impact Of Figure Skating06:13 – Growing Up With A Hardworking Single Mom07:35 – Living The Life She Once Dreamed08:53 – Proving Herself In Male-Dominated Sales Teams10:53 – Who Joins She Sells And Why13:09 – Selling What You Believe In15:56 – Helping Women Find Financial Independence17:26 – Who Supports The Leader20:53 – Navigating Friendships During Rapid Growth25:03 – The Early Vision That Sparked She Sells30:14 – Balancing Masculine Energy In Business And Relationships34:18 – Should Salespeople Seek Equity?36:22 – Dealing With Online Hate41:56 – Do Women Perform Better In Sales?44:14 – The Nuances Of Women Selling To Women45:43 – Staying Authentic As A Founder48:34 – What Shelby Wants To Be Remembered For51:15 – The Legacy Of Her Grandfather56:23 – Loving Pressure And Building Through It57:44 – Embracing Being “Delulu” As an Entrepreneur1:01:19 – Clarity In Vision And Decision-Making1:06:22 – Adjusting To Success And A New Lifestyle1:09:24 – How Shelby Manages Her Money1:11:45 – Final Message: Be A Calculated Psychopath1:13:13 – The Power Of Belief And PresenceGuest Links:Instagram: @shelby.sapp@shesellsacademyWebsite: https://shelbysapp.comTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diaryofad2dsaleswomanSARAL: Get your free trial here: https://www.getsaral.com/demoFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comFERMÀT: The AI native commerce platform that optimizes shopping experiences, leading to best-in-class shopper engagement and conversion. FeStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Gaston Becherano Cohen, CEO of Smorgasburg—the largest weekly open-air food market in the U.S. Gaston shares how a solo trip to Japan reignited his entrepreneurial drive and ultimately led him from shaved ice vendor to acquiring the entire Smorgasburg brand. His journey includes launching, and losing, a café during COVID, starting over in Miami, and building markets that now draw millions of visitors.He speaks candidly about scaling with lean teams, trusting his instincts, and launching his Japanese tea brand, Motorcycle Matcha. This conversation dives deep into the mindset, resilience, and strategic pivots behind building a cultural institution rooted in food, community, and creativity. Subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!Chapters:02:56 – Leaving IBM: Realizing He Wasn’t Built for Corporate Life|03:54 – A Solo Trip to Japan That Changed His Trajectory04:26 – Discovering Hospitality as His Lane08:58 – Getting Accepted as a Shaved Ice Vendor in Brooklyn09:49 – Launching Bonsai Café and Learning the Business11:24 – COVID Hits: Closing the Café and Moving Back to Miami14:00 – Starting Over with a Farmers Market in Aventura18:48 – Seeing the Vision for Smorgasburg Miami20:05 – Convincing the Landlords and Licensing the Brand22:25 – The Grueling Process of Getting Permits Approved24:56 – Opening Day in Wynwood: 15,000 Attendees and Flying Tents27:38 – Sustaining Demand Week After Week28:20 – Acquiring the Entire Smorgasburg Brand30:51 – Reframing Entrepreneurship as a “Grand Adventure”32:01 – Building Motorcycle Matcha in the Japanese Countryside34:00 – Sourcing, Storytelling, and Building a Passion-Driven Brand36:17 – Growing Up in a Tight-Knit, Entrepreneurial Community38:40 – “Entrepreneurship Is Like Riding a Motorcycle”41:15 – Gaston’s Vision for Smorgasburg as a National Incubator43:58 – The Emotional Cost of Growth and Staying Positive45:57 – Detaching From the Rollercoaster of Business48:30 – Running Lean: 16 Full-Time Staff, Millions of Visitors49:51 – Leadership Through Empowerment and Humility51:50 – Advice to Younger Gaston: Enjoy the Ride58:45 – The Magic of Type 2 Fun in Entrepreneurship1:00:09 – Final Words: Start Young, Start Naive, Start NowGuest Links:Website: Smorgasburg.comInstagram: @gastonbecherano@​​smorgasburgmiamiSARAL: Get your free trial here: https://www.getsaral.com/demoFully Accountable: Mention this ad and have your onboarding fees waived at https://fullyaccountable.comStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @‌SpivakLinkedinThe Founders ClubInstagram @‌TheFoundersClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Founder2Founder:TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast