Founders Podcast

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.

SummaryIn this conversation, Tanner Haas shares his journey as a young entrepreneur who has successfully founded multiple companies, including the privacy-focused messaging app, Freedom Chat. He discusses the challenges he faced, the lessons learned from failures, and the importance of persistence and adaptability in business. Tanner emphasizes the need for privacy in communication and how Freedom Chat aims to address this issue. He also reflects on the significance of personal growth and the mindset required for success in entrepreneurship.TakeawaysTanner started his first company at 18 and sold it by 21.He emphasizes the importance of finding trustworthy role models in business.Freedom Chat is designed to be the most private messaging app available.Tanner faced numerous challenges, including financial struggles and legal threats.He believes that every entrepreneur should be prepared for difficulties.The business model for Freedom Chat includes both B2C and B2B aspects.Tanner stresses the importance of doing due diligence before starting a business.He encourages entrepreneurs to focus on solving problems that make them passionate.Persistence is a key trait for successful founders.Tanner advocates for continuous learning and reading as a habit. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Motivation02:31 The Journey of a Young Entrepreneur05:58 Introducing Freedom Chat: A Privacy Revolution09:42 Overcoming Challenges in Business14:55 Lessons from Early Ventures20:53 The Birth of Freedom Chat: Inspiration and Ideas21:55 The Evolution of Ideas23:41 Identifying Market Gaps and Competitors25:55 Passion as a Driving Force26:52 Freedom Chat: Launching and Revenue Models29:26 Business Growth and Customer Insights31:36 Lessons Learned from Mistakes35:38 Quickfire Insights and Personal Reflections

In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Ash interviews Jeff Holman, an experienced attorney who shares insights on the challenges startup founders face, particularly regarding equity, term sheets, and investor relations. Jeff emphasizes the importance of confidence in innovation, the pitfalls of early-stage deals, and the complexities of navigating investor agreements. He discusses the significance of understanding different types of stock, the implications of anti-dilution clauses, and the necessity of maintaining control as a founder. The conversation also touches on real-world case studies and practical advice for founders to protect their interests in a competitive landscape.TakeawaysInnovate with confidence is crucial for success.Many founders end up with little at exits due to poor deal terms.It's essential to vet investors thoroughly before accepting funding.Keeping deals simple and documented is vital for clarity.Dirty term sheets can lead to unfavorable outcomes for founders.Founders should understand the implications of common vs. preferred stock.Balancing control and cash is a critical consideration for founders.Anti-dilution clauses can significantly impact founder equity.Waterfall structures determine how exit proceeds are distributed.Founders must protect their roles to avoid being ousted from their own companies.Chapters00:00 Innovate with Confidence03:01 The Startup Founder Dilemma05:52 Navigating Early Stage Deals08:52 Understanding Term Sheets11:44 Confidentiality and Control in Deals14:43 The Impact of Dirty Term Sheets17:41 Real World Case Studies20:52 Common vs. Preferred Stock23:41 The Investor's Perspective27:44 Navigating Complex Business Models27:57 Understanding Anti-Dilution Clauses30:05 The Impact of Ratchets and Waterfall Structures35:46 Control vs. Cash: The Founder's Dilemma39:52 Super Voting Shares: A Double-Edged Sword44:29 Protecting Founders' Roles in Term Sheets47:09 Learning from Mistakes: The Importance of Knowledge48:15 Lightning Round: Quick Insights