The Turning Pro Podcast

Ben Buaron, founder and CEO of Windmill Growth, joins us to unpack his incredible leap from Israeli combat officer and aspiring lawyer to running a 7-figure bootstrapped startup in New York City. In this episode, Ben breaks down how his military background shaped his leadership mindset, what it took to scale Windmill from zero to $1M+ ARR in under a year, and why personal growth became the foundation for business success.--- #EntrepreneurPodcast, #FounderAdvice, #BusinessGrowthTips, #Selfimprovement #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategies #PersonalDevelopment #Advice #TurningProPodcast #BenSharf #AdrianAlfieri #Podcast #Founder #Growth

Jacob Catalano, founder and entrepreneur, knows what it takes to push boundaries in tech and entrepreneurship. After selling his first startup to Snapchat, where he worked on game-changing projects like "My AI", Jacob co-founded Flock*, a product studio revolutionizing content creation with conversational AI. Their flagship product, dubbed an “AI ghostwriter,” helps users express their ideas effortlessly through natural dialogue.In this episode, Jacob opens up about iterating on startup ideas, building a dynamic partnership with his co-founder, and the lessons from Snapchat that shaped his approach to entrepreneurship. He also dives into early-stage investing, balancing vision with pragmatism, and why persistence is the ultimate tool for success.*This episode of Turning Pro Podcast was filmed in 2024.--#EntrepreneurPodcast, #FounderAdvice, #BusinessGrowthTips, #Selfimprovement #Entrepreneurs #BusinessStrategies #PersonalDevelopment #Advice #TurningProPodcast #BenSharf #AdrianAlfieri #Podcast #Founder #Growth

Alex Song, founder and CEO of Proxima, joins us to share his remarkable journey from the high-stakes world of finance to revolutionizing customer acquisition with cutting-edge data intelligence. Drawing from his experience as a DTC brand operator, Alex built Proxima into a transformative platform that helps brands navigate the complexities of the post-iOS privacy landscape. In this episode, Alex opens up about the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the key decisions that shaped his leadership style, and the hard-won lessons on resilience. He shares how he inspires his team with a unified vision, maintains momentum through uncertainty, and stays laser-focused on his mission while balancing personal growth with the demands of scaling a groundbreaking company.

Taylor Brandt, newly appointed Partner at Headline, joins us to unpack the nuances of venture capital through the lens of an operator-turned-investor. With a career that spans leading growth at Rockets of Awesome to navigating the challenges of early-stage VC, Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights. In this episode, Taylor discusses the shifting dynamics of the VC landscape, the traits of founders who succeed, and the art of balancing portfolio management with sourcing new deals. She also dives into the value of storytelling, the importance of understanding venture capital as an asset class, and the evolving role of infrastructure businesses.*Taylor was a Principal at Headline when this episode was filmed.

Brian Von Ancken, founder of Wellness Growth Mastermind, joins us to share how he is building a game-changing community for wellness leaders. As the founder of the number-one member network for wellness professionals, Brian focuses on giving businesses an edge through curated connections, expert feedback, and unparalleled access to industry insights. In this episode, he dives into how he balances family and entrepreneurship, the trends redefining wellness today, and why intentional routines are essential for success. Brian also opens up about the strength in vulnerability, the value of authentic connections, and how building thriving communities can drive meaningful growth.

Meet Nico Ferreyra, co-founder and CEO of Default, the "Costco of go-to-market SaaS." Nico is on a mission to simplify inbound tooling for RevOps and marketing teams. Born in Argentina, he worked his way through the startup worlds of San Francisco and New York, bringing a unique perspective to the challenges of building a company. In this episode, Nico shares his approach to transitioning from founder-led sales to scalable growth strategies. He discusses fundraising without a pitch deck, the power of storytelling in early-stage growth, and the key moments that shaped his journey.

Patrick Cleary, President and Co-Founder of Paul Street and a key member of the founding team at Wayflyer, shares his journey of building two transformative businesses. From driving partnerships and growth strategies at Wayflyer to scaling Paul Street into a leading affiliate-focused marketing agency, Patrick has helped redefine how brands grow and scale. In this episode, Patrick unpacks lessons from building a sustainable business, balancing profitability with growth, and leveraging the power of compounding networks. He reflects on his "Turning Pro" moment, hosting Paul Street’s first team offsite with over 20 employees, a milestone that symbolizes the company’s rapid rise and long-term vision.

Brett Harrison, co-founder and CEO of Roomie and Eepy, is transforming dorm living for students and universities. His entrepreneurial journey began with Eepy, upgrading dorm beds for comfort, and evolved into Roomie, which offers 3D models to help students plan their spaces effectively. In this episode, Brett discusses scaling a niche SaaS business, Roomie’s equity initiative to improve sleep quality for low-income students, and the resilience needed to succeed in challenging industries. He draws a compelling analogy between entrepreneurship and surfing, highlighting persistence, focus, and balance as essential lessons for founders.

Alex Ikonn is the Co-Founder and CEO of Intelligent Change, the company behind globally renowned tools like The Five Minute Journal and the Productivity Planner, designed to inspire intentional and fulfilling lives. Before that, Alex co-founded Luxy Hair, one of Shopify’s early success stories, which he scaled and successfully exited in 2018. From humble immigrant beginnings in Canada to building global brands, Alex’s journey reflects resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of self-reflection. In this episode, he shares the pivotal moments that shaped his success, including his approach to scaling Luxy Hair with a lifestyle-first mindset and creating purpose-driven products through Intelligent Change.

Rohit Bhadange, co-founder and CEO of Zamp, shares his journey from the structured world of Wall Street to the dynamic tech startup scene. In founding Zamp, a tax compliance solution for e-commerce and SaaS businesses, Rohit combines his investment expertise with a passion for problem-solving in the compliance space. In this episode, Rohit delves into the initial challenges and key learnings from the early stages of Zamp, discussing the importance of founder-led sales, hands-on customer acquisition, and building relationships. He touches on his approach to network management and partnerships, revealing how a personal touch in interactions can yield long-term gains.