Founders Podcast

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Jeff Luther shares his journey as a founder, discussing the emotional and practical challenges of running a business. He emphasizes the importance of treating businesses as living entities, facing difficult conversations head-on, and understanding accountability in leadership. Jeff also shares success stories, lessons learned from setbacks, and practical advice for founders on recognizing dependency and overcoming challenges. The conversation culminates in a quickfire round where Jeff shares insights on productivity, empathy, and personal experiences.TakeawaysTreat your business like a living entity.Difficult conversations are essential for maintaining control.Avoidance of hard decisions leads to greater emotional damage.Accountability in leadership is crucial for business health.Recognizing dependency on the founder can be a liability.Success often comes from focusing on existing clients rather than chasing new ones.Empathy is a key trait for successful founders.Understanding financials is critical to avoid hidden costs.Postponing hard conversations can damage organizational culture.Every founder should learn from their setbacks to grow. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Motivation01:13 Facing Business Challenges06:06 The Importance of Hard Conversations10:03 Organizational Culture and Leadership13:19 The Dilemma of Kindness vs. Dignity17:22 Treating Business as a Living System23:26 Signs of Founder Dependence25:31 Framework for Overcoming Challenges28:16 Lessons Learned from Setbacks30:51 Quickfire Round and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Albert Howard shares his journey as a founder in the fintech space, focusing on his company MiniBranch, which provides communication solutions for credit unions. He discusses the importance of learning from failures, understanding customer needs, and the significance of emotional connections in business. Albert emphasizes the need for founders to identify their niche, adapt to digital transformation, and develop effective pricing strategies. He also highlights the impact of MiniBranch on credit unions and the future trends in remote banking.TakeawaysIf you're not losing, you're not winning.Founders often feel they should be further ahead.Building a product with customer input is crucial.The credit union ecosystem is unique and collaborative.Pricing strategy can significantly impact sales.Emotional connections enhance customer loyalty.Digital transformation is essential for survival.Simplicity in pricing can attract more customers.Success stories highlight the product's impact.Future trends will focus on AI and voice capabilities.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes02:49 The Journey of a Founder06:00 The Birth of MiniBranch08:57 Understanding the Credit Union Ecosystem11:58 Building a Product with Customer Input14:50 Navigating the Competitive Landscape17:58 The Importance of Pricing Strategy21:08 Adapting to Digital Transformation23:47 The Role of Emotional Connection in Business26:55 Success Stories and Impact29:59 Future Trends in Remote Banking33:05 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Greg Lind shares his journey as a founder, discussing the importance of community, learning from failures, and the role of AI in software development. He emphasizes the need for effective communication between technical and business teams and the significance of building a supportive community around a product. Greg also outlines the growth strategies for his product, Build, and the onboarding process for new users, highlighting the value of AI as an augmentative tool rather than a replacement for human capabilities.TakeawaysEnjoy the journey as a founder, not just the destination.Failures are learning opportunities; embrace them.Building a community is essential for long-term success.AI should enhance human capabilities, not replace them.Focus on organic growth through community and networking.Transparency in communication between teams is crucial.The product should solve real problems faced by users.A strong onboarding process can provide immediate value to users.Founders should prioritize building relationships over financial goals.Creativity is vital in both technical and business roles.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Motivational Insights03:30 Understanding the Product and Its Purpose08:44 The Importance of Community in Founding15:49 The Origin of Build and Market Research21:10 Business Growth and Customer Acquisition Strategies30:00 Onboarding Process and User Experience33:16 Quick Fire Round: Insights and Recommendations

In this conversation, David Kiwimagi discusses the three businesses of life: your business, other people's business, and God's business. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you can control and creating a positive environment. David introduces the metaphor of the hammer and the ham sandwich to illustrate the significance of leveraging one's strengths. He also addresses the challenges of discipline and adaptability in business, providing a three-step framework for aspiring founders. The discussion concludes with quickfire questions that reveal insights into David's personal journey and philosophy.takeawaysThere are three businesses in life: your business, other people's business, and God's business.You have full control over your thoughts, feelings, and actions.Creating a positive environment can influence others' feelings and actions.Focus on your natural strengths rather than trying to fix weaknesses.Discipline is not a natural talent for everyone; adaptability can be just as effective.You can control what you can and let go of what you can't.Finding your passion is crucial for success in business.Embrace your unique journey and experiences to inspire others.Public speaking has been a key strategy for generating leads.You are infinitely unique, and your strengths can change the world.Unlocking Your Potential: The Three Businesses of LifeFrom Ham Sandwich to Hammer: Mastering Your Strengths"You have full control here.""You are infinitely unique.""You are diamond." Chapters00:00 Understanding the Three Businesses of Life02:56 The Hammer and the Ham Sandwich: Finding Your Strengths05:40 The Importance of Focusing on Your Strengths08:48 Navigating Discipline and Adaptability in Business11:49 Implementing the Three-Step Framework for Founders14:53 Quickfire Questions and Insights19:41 Embracing Your Unique Journey

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, hosts Ash, Cosimo, and Omer discuss the journey of building MindStash, a tool designed to help users manage information overload. They share their inspirations, the challenges of execution, and the importance of curiosity in entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the problem of information overload, the research process behind validating their idea, and the strategies for pricing and community engagement. Cosimo and Omer also reflect on their backgrounds, the fundraising journey, and the significance of building a movement around their product.TakeawaysCuriosity drives innovation and entrepreneurship.Execution is crucial; ideas need to be acted upon.Identifying a real problem is key to building a successful product.Research and validation are essential before launching a product.Pricing strategies should be flexible and based on user feedback.Building a community around your product fosters engagement and loyalty.Founders should be prepared for the challenges of fundraising.Authenticity in communication resonates with investors and customers alike.The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with ups and downs, requiring resilience.Curiosity and grit are essential traits for successful founders.Chapters00:00 Inspiration and Motivation02:33 The Journey Begins: From Idea to Execution06:29 Identifying the Problem: Information Overload11:51 Researching the Market: Validating the Problem14:23 Pricing Strategies: Finding the Right Model18:29 Founders' Background: The Roots of Entrepreneurship34:09 Fundraising Journey: Pitching and Learning34:38 The Reality of Entrepreneurship36:20 Business Size and Team Dynamics37:47 Community Engagement and Technology Relationships40:32 The Art of Pitching and Fundraising42:55 Strategies for Growth and Traction50:31 Curiosity and Grit in Founding56:00 Productivity Tools and Habits57:10 Innovative Business Ideas and Future Visions59:29 Fun Facts and Personal Insights

In this conversation, David Feinman shares his journey as an entrepreneur, discussing the challenges he faced, including nearly losing everything in his business. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, the transition from a hustler to a CEO, and the significance of building a productized service that can scale. David also explores the role of AI in enhancing productivity, the necessity of documenting processes, and the value of creating a life-aligned business. Throughout the discussion, he provides actionable insights for founders looking to grow their businesses effectively.TakeawaysDavid's favorite quote is about going one more round when you don't think you can.He faced significant challenges in his business but rebuilt it stronger.The importance of mindset in overcoming adversity is crucial.Productized services can help scale a business effectively.AI tools can enhance productivity in video production.Founders should focus on high-leverage tasks to grow their business.Documenting processes is essential for repeatability and growth.Creating a life-aligned business is vital for long-term success.Endurance is a key characteristic of successful founders.Building a creative system allows for a state of flow in work.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes02:29 Overcoming Adversity in Business04:53 The Impact of Bad Partnerships08:13 The Importance of Value Alignment in Partnerships11:38 Building a Productized Service17:51 Creating a Life-Aligned Business21:52 Customer Acquisition Strategies26:00 Embracing AI in Video Production28:39 The Importance of Modern Skills in Video Editing30:32 Automation and Productivity in Creative Workflows35:18 Designing Effective Creative Systems41:14 Documenting and Improving Processes45:15 Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights

In this conversation, Gwen Bortner shares her insights on accountability, untapped potential, and the importance of reflection for founders. She emphasizes the need for focus, the distinction between discipline and genuine accountability, and the role of external accountability partners. The discussion also covers how to define success, prioritize tasks, and the significance of metrics in tracking performance. Gwen provides practical strategies for founders to enhance their productivity and achieve their goals while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.TakeawaysEveryone has untapped potential that needs to be tapped into.Accountability is more than just task management; it's a conversation.Urgent tasks often distract from what is truly important.Discipline is not the same as accountability; true accountability requires reflection.Defining success is personal and can change over time.Reflection helps identify what to stop, continue, or start doing.Metrics should focus on profit, not just income.An accountability partner should be committed and not too close to you.Success can mean different things to different people.Regular check-ins can help maintain accountability and focus.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes02:36 Unlocking Untapped Potential07:36 The Importance of Accountability14:55 Discipline vs. Accountability22:45 Setting Priorities for Success27:16 Navigating Project Forecasting and ROI28:52 Defining Success for Founders30:46 The Importance of Clarity in Business31:43 Adapting to Change: A Client's Journey34:06 Reflection and Accountability in Business36:15 Metrics That Matter: Income vs. Profit39:01 Finding the Right Accountability Partner46:16 Quickfire Insights for Founders

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Andrew Ackerman shares his extensive experience in the startup ecosystem, discussing his journey from founder to investor and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, understanding market dynamics, and the value of storytelling in entrepreneurship. Andrew also delves into the challenges faced during his two startups, the insights gained from writing his book 'Entrepreneur's Odyssey', and offers practical advice for aspiring founders. The conversation covers various themes including customer discovery, the startup ecosystem, and strategies for success, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the entrepreneurial journey.TakeawaysA lot of things in life are luck, intention, and being ready for luck.Founders often stay in their comfort zones instead of exploring necessary areas for growth.Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.Contracts keep honest people honest; clarity is crucial in partnerships.A startup is more of a chain; if one link fails, the startup fails.You need to test your cost to customer acquisition; it's vital for success.The startup journey is not as glamorous as portrayed in movies.It's important to understand the real day-to-day of running a startup.Building a strong network is essential for startup success.Customer discovery can be done effectively with simple prototypes. Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: A Joke with a Lesson01:52 From Founder to Investor: Andrew's Startup Story07:49 Navigating Challenges: Lessons from Two Startups16:56 The Birth of 'Entrepreneurs Odyssey': Sharing Wisdom25:47 The Startup Landscape: Why and How to Start28:44 The Startup Decision: Is It Right for You?30:26 Understanding the Startup Ecosystem: Trends and Tides35:51 Strategies for Startup Success: Insights from Experience41:29 The Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights52:03 Personal Insights: Balancing Work and Life

In this conversation, Todd Hagopian discusses the importance of focusing on key activities that drive profitability in business. He emphasizes that spending time on non-profitable tasks can significantly reduce overall profitability. By concentrating on the most impactful areas, businesses can enhance their profitability dramatically.TakeawaysIf you spend 40% of your time on non-profitable tasks, you'll be 40% less profitable.Focusing on the 4% of activities that drive 64% of profitability can lead to a 600% increase in profits.Identifying key profit drivers is essential for business success.Efficiency in task management can lead to greater profitability.Understanding where to allocate time and resources is crucial for growth.Profitability is not just about revenue, but about strategic focus.Businesses should regularly assess their activities for profitability impact.Time management is a critical skill for business leaders.Prioritizing high-impact tasks can transform business outcomes.Continuous evaluation of business strategies is necessary for sustained profitability.

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Colin Sanburg shares his journey from starting in a family business to becoming a fractional CFO. He emphasizes the importance of understanding business metrics, the dangers of focusing on surface-level numbers, and the foundational role of pricing in profitability. Colin discusses how to engage teams in profitability, the significance of tracking meaningful metrics, and the necessity of looking forward in decision-making. He also reflects on personal growth and the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey, providing valuable insights for founders and early-stage builders.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes01:46 Colin's Journey and Business Philosophy05:00 Understanding Metrics in Business07:46 The Danger of Surface-Level Metrics11:41 Reframing Metrics for Decision Making15:49 Key Numbers for Business Health18:55 Misunderstandings About Profitability23:46 Understanding Profitability Challenges29:09 Balancing Short-Term Profitability with Long-Term Sustainability32:30 The Importance of Forward-Looking Decision Making38:09 Lessons from Mistakes and the Path to Professionalism40:07 Quick Fire Round: Essential Strategies for Founders