Founders Podcast

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Joanna Zhang shares her inspiring journey as a founder, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, personal growth, and the integration of technology in business. She discusses her experiences in building a structured business, balancing passion with reality, and the role of love in her entrepreneurial journey. Joanna also highlights innovative service models that support side hustlers and the significance of energy management over time management. The conversation culminates in a lightning round where Joanna shares her insights on success, productivity, and her unique approach to leadership.TakeawaysTeamwork is essential for achieving business success.Founders should keep their dreams wild and real.Building a structured business helps in managing responsibilities.Love and compassion are crucial in leadership.Energy management is more important than time management.Innovative service models can fill gaps for entrepreneurs.Personal growth is a continuous journey for founders.AI can augment human capabilities but cannot replace them.Understanding one's unique value is key to success.True success is living in a state of happiness.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey02:41 The Importance of Teamwork and Vision05:26 Building a Business Structure08:18 Finding Your Passion and Responsibility11:21 The Role of Love in Business14:06 Innovative Business Models16:46 Services for Founders and Entrepreneurs19:40 Navigating Side Hustles and Time Management22:24 Creating Efficient Workflows25:26 Final Thoughts and Advice28:05 Budgeting for Success29:26 Integrating AI and Human Collaboration34:36 The Role of Humans in AI38:22 Lessons Learned from Setbacks43:01 Lightning Round: Quick Insights

In this conversation, Kelvin Johnson shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the founding of Brevity Pitch, an AI-powered role play software designed to enhance conversation skills for sales teams. He emphasizes the importance of passion, market validation, and strategic partnerships in building a successful business. Kelvin also discusses the challenges of B2B sales, the significance of business justification, and the lessons learned from his experiences in hiring and leadership.TakeawaysDon't get bitter, get better.A driving passion is essential for entrepreneurs.The reality of entrepreneurship is often different from perceptions.Brevity Pitch helps improve conversation skills for sales teams.Market validation is crucial before launching a product.Sales strategies should focus on building relationships and credibility.Business justification is key in B2B sales.Understanding customer pain points is vital for product development.Hiring the right people is essential for company culture.Resilience is a key trait for successful founders.TakeawaysDon't get bitter, get better.A driving passion is essential for entrepreneurs.The reality of entrepreneurship is often different from perceptions.Brevity Pitch helps improve conversation skills for sales teams.Market validation is crucial before launching a product.Sales strategies should focus on building relationships and credibility.Business justification is key in B2B sales.Understanding customer pain points is vital for product development.Hiring the right people is essential for company culture.Resilience is a key trait for successful founders.

In this conversation, David Soileau shares the journey of Gopher, a delivery service that aims to revolutionize logistics by providing a platform for quick and accountable deliveries. He discusses the inspiration behind Gopher, the challenges faced during its inception, and the importance of having a trustworthy co-founder. David elaborates on the unique features of Gopher, including its automation and paperwork management, and highlights the significance of market research in navigating competition. He also shares insights on scaling the business, funding strategies, and valuable lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey.TakeawaysCompetition is healthy and domination is immunity.Gopher delivers anything from paper clips to rocket ships.The idea for Gopher originated from a need for convenience.Trust and chemistry are crucial in co-founder relationships.Market research is essential to identify gaps in the industry.Streamlining paperwork can enhance accountability in logistics.Automation can significantly improve delivery processes.The gig economy model helps mitigate operational costs.Gopher has seen significant growth without extensive marketing.Lessons learned include the importance of perseverance and grit.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes01:06 Understanding Gopher: The Delivery Solution03:12 The Origin Story of Gopher05:25 The Importance of Co-Founders06:54 Adapting to Market Needs08:49 Navigating Competition and Market Research10:50 Innovative Solutions to Paperwork Challenges16:54 Streamlining the Delivery Process18:24 Scaling Operations and Managing Costs20:44 Business Growth and Revenue Insights23:40 Funding and Future Plans25:25 Lessons Learned and Advice for Entrepreneurs26:35 Lightning Round: Quick Insights

In this conversation, Vince Perri shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of mindset, value over revenue, and the challenges of scaling a business. He discusses the significance of recurring revenue, effective lead generation strategies, and the necessity of financial management through the Profit First model. Vince also reflects on decision-making processes and the mindset shifts that have contributed to his success. The conversation concludes with a lightning round of quick-fire questions, revealing personal insights and future aspirations.TakeawaysRich people spend money to buy back their time.Focus on value over revenue for long-term success.Recurring revenue models significantly increase business valuation.Hiring should be strategic, not just filling positions.Mindset shifts from fear to courage are crucial for entrepreneurs.Self-awareness is key to successful decision-making.Profit First model helps in financial management.Planning for life after selling a business is essential.Lead generation can be done through social media and personal networks.Building a business with systems in place increases its value.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Motivational Quotes03:07 Value Over Revenue: A New Perspective06:02 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Influences and Experiences12:00 Scaling Challenges and Lessons Learned16:50 Lead Generation Strategies for Entrepreneurs20:52 Lead Generation and Client Qualification22:33 Financial Strategies for New Entrepreneurs24:56 Lessons Learned from Business Setbacks31:52 Preparing for Business Exit36:21 The Value of Recurring Revenue in Business

In this conversation, Jason VanDevere shares his journey from leaving his family's car dealership to pursuing his passion for entrepreneurship. He discusses the importance of dreaming, finding the right customers, and the challenges of running an e-commerce business. Jason emphasizes the value of mentorship and the lessons learned from his experiences, including the significance of viewing one's email list as an asset. He also shares insights on helping other founders and the strategies for new entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses.TakeawaysPursuing dreams often feels crazy but is essential for success.Finding your passion is crucial for fulfillment in business.Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool for gaining initial customers.Understanding your target market is key to product development.Dreaming helps unlock purpose and direction in life.Mentorship can significantly shorten the learning curve for entrepreneurs.Your business should serve your desired lifestyle, not the other way around.Paid advertising can be challenging but necessary for growth.Building an email list is a valuable asset for any business.Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Inspiration03:11 The Journey of Leaving Family Business06:03 Finding the First Customers08:59 Growth and Expansion of Business11:56 The Importance of Dreaming15:01 Helping Other Founders17:56 Lessons Learned and Mistakes20:45 Strategies for New Entrepreneurs23:45 Marketing Strategies and E-commerce Challenges26:52 Future Aspirations and Digital Products29:48 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this engaging conversation, Jeremy Shapiro shares insights from his journey as an entrepreneur and author of the Business Growth Playbook. He emphasizes the importance of taking action, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and the transition from traditional business models to SaaS. The discussion covers strategies for gaining customer attention, understanding market needs, and maximizing existing customer relationships. Jeremy highlights the significance of resilience in entrepreneurship and offers practical advice for founders looking to grow their businesses in 2025 and beyond.

Lirone Glikman, a branding consultant and founder, discusses the art of personal branding essential for entrepreneurs. He shares insights on building credibility and effective communication, emphasizing the impact of cultural nuances on interactions with investors. Lirone delves into the power of webinars in enhancing trust and highlights the significance of authentic online presence. He stresses learning from feedback and the vitality of personal branding in increasing business success. Persistence and networking are also underscored as key elements in the entrepreneurial journey.

In this conversation, Tommy shares his personal journey from being a teacher to uncovering a worldwide banking fraud. He discusses the legal terminology surrounding alleged debt, the role of judges in the banking system, and the importance of questioning authority. Tommy emphasizes the need for financial literacy and understanding the nature of bank loans and credit cards. He also touches on the impact of inflation on banking and offers insights into venture capital. The conversation concludes with a lightning round of quick insights and Tommy's future plans.TakeawaysA mind is like a parachute; it only works when it's open.Tommy discovered a worldwide bank fraud affecting many individuals.Fraud undoes all contracts, and this principle is crucial in financial dealings.Questioning authority is essential for financial literacy and understanding banking.The concept of alleged debt can change the narrative in legal situations.Understanding the difference between true credit and alleged credit is vital.Inflation plays a significant role in the banking system and personal finance.The importance of having a promissory note in any loan agreement cannot be overstated.Tommy's approach to financial education emphasizes giving back and helping others.The idea of a barter system can be a creative way to manage resources and finances.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Story02:37 Understanding Alleged Debt and Legal Terminology05:37 The Concept of Credit and Fraud in Banking08:32 Explaining Banking Practices to a Child11:29 The Nature of Loans and Promissory Notes14:00 The Impact of Inflation and Banking Systems16:43 The Relationship Between Banks and Customers19:24 Concluding Thoughts on Debt and Financial Awareness29:13 Understanding Banking Practices and Client Rights32:44 Debunking Credit Card Myths and Misconceptions36:15 Navigating Legal Challenges with Banks40:30 The Role of Authority and Questioning the System43:03 Strategies for Financial Protection47:52 Innovative Business Ideas for Social Impact

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Ash (Herschelle) interviews Andy Halko, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 23 years of experience. They discuss the importance of being open to feedback, understanding customer needs, and the journey of a founder. Andy shares insights on how to validate ideas, the significance of building relationships, and the innovative concept behind his company, Buyer Twin. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of customer-centric approaches in business and the role of AI in understanding market demands. Andy also reflects on personal growth and the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey.TakeawaysBias is the enemy of growth.Successful founders listen and ask tough questions.Understanding customer needs is crucial for innovation.Building relationships is key to business success.Feedback should be a continuous process.Validating ideas through direct conversations is essential.Customer-centric companies outperform others.Using AI can enhance customer understanding.Prioritize feedback from potential paying customers.Networking can significantly impact business growth.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Openness in Growth02:58 Founder's Journey: Embracing Ups and Downs06:31 Identifying Unseen Constraints in Innovation09:26 Creating Buyer Twin: Understanding Customers Better12:21 The Role of Customer Feedback in Product Development15:10 Prioritizing Customer Understanding for Founders17:34 Validating Ideas Before Launching21:03 Filtering Valuable Customer Feedback24:43 Finding Leverage Points in Customer Base28:38 Lessons Learned: The Value of Relationships31:15 Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights

In this conversation, Ash and Gerry Hays explore the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and venture capital. Gerry shares his extensive experience in the startup world, discussing the challenges and opportunities for founders. He introduces the innovative concept of venture staking, which aims to democratize access to startup funding for retail investors. The discussion highlights the importance of transparency, education, and community in building successful ventures, as well as the lessons learned from past investment mistakes. Gerry emphasizes the need for a new capital creation system that fosters shared prosperity among all stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.TakeawaysEntrepreneurship is about having a strong vision and emotional drive.The traditional venture capital model is limited and needs innovation.Venture staking allows retail investors to participate in early-stage funding.Education and transparency are crucial for both founders and investors.Investing in startups requires a mindset shift towards shared risk and prosperity.Founders should focus on building value rather than holding onto equity.Mistakes in investment often stem from concentration risk and lack of speed.The future of venture capital may involve equity tokenization for liquidity.Community support can significantly impact a startup's success.Every entrepreneur should be prepared to adapt and learn continuously.TakeawaysEntrepreneurship is about having a strong vision and emotional drive.The traditional venture capital model is limited and needs innovation.Venture staking allows retail investors to participate in early-stage funding.Education and transparency are crucial for both founders and investors.Investing in startups requires a mindset shift towards shared risk and prosperity.Founders should focus on building value rather than holding onto equity.Mistakes in investment often stem from concentration risk and lack of speed.The future of venture capital may involve equity tokenization for liquidity.Community support can significantly impact a startup's success.Every entrepreneur should be prepared to adapt and learn continuously.