The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

Foundr Media
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Oct 23, 2025 • 41min

599: They Rejected Her Idea, She Turned it into a BILLION Dollar Business | Suneera Madhani (Best of Foundr)

Suneera Madhani, a visionary entrepreneur and CEO of Stax, recounts her journey from selling credit card terminals out of her car to leading a $1B fintech unicorn. She discusses the rejection of her initial idea by her employer and how that motivated her to innovate a subscription-based payment model. Suneera shares insights on securing over $500M in funding, the strategic decision to turn down a $17.5M acquisition offer, and the importance of resilience and community in scaling a business—offering invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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7 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 10min

598: (Solo) Your Brand Is Not a Logo: Why Most Founders Get Stuck Before They Even Launch

Discover why a brand is more than just a logo—it's about the emotional connections that resonate with customers. Learn the importance of feeling understood and how trust drives sales. Uncover the four pillars of effective branding and the low-cost signals that can enhance conversions. Explore the power of brand ambassadors to boost credibility rapidly. Finally, understand that successful branding is a systematic approach, not just a vibe, to ensure your brand feels necessary, not just nice.
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20 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 51min

597: How She Built a $33M App with ZERO Ads | Tezza Barton

Tezza Barton, founder and creative director of the Tezza app, shares her remarkable journey from a two-person project to a powerhouse with 25M+ downloads and $38M in revenue—without paid ads for four years. She discusses the importance of building a community pre-launch, pivoting pricing strategies after early setbacks, and maintaining a lean, high-performing team. Tezza reveals her unique approach to product-led marketing, collaboration strategies, and the role of AI in enhancing creativity while emphasizing human touch.
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Oct 13, 2025 • 10min

596: (Solo) The Most Unexpected Lessons I Learned From Scooter Braun

A surprising interview reveals powerful lessons from Scooter Braun about resilience and humility. The importance of self-reflection and staying present is discussed, highlighting the pitfalls of chasing milestones. Braun's emphasis on building meaningful relationships over mere success and the impact of burnout on mental health are explored. This conversation reminds us that true success is about personal growth and connections rather than just accomplishments.
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Oct 13, 2025 • 1min

TRAILER: Welcome to The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

Dive into the world of entrepreneurship with real playbooks from successful founders. Discover actionable insights from industry giants like Mark Cuban and Seth Godin. Learn essential strategies for product development, effective marketing, smart hiring, and securing funding. Each episode promises candid stories and practical tactics you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to launch a product or lead a team, this show offers clear frameworks to help you build and scale your business.
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46 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 53min

595: She Turned Handmade Jewellery Into $10M Brand | Pia Mance

Pia Mance, founder of Heaven Mayhem, is a dynamo who turned $900 into a $10 million accessories brand. She shares her scrappy strategies for launching products from her living room, including viral guerrilla marketing that earned her celebrity endorsements, notably from Hailey Bieber. Pia emphasizes that 'done is better than perfect,' using grassroots tactics to build a community-focused brand. From navigating factory production to balancing innovation with authenticity, her journey offers essential advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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9 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 9min

594: (Solo) The Mindset Lessons I’ve Learned From 100+ Founders

Mindset trumps tactics when it comes to success. Believing in yourself plays a huge role—it's half the battle. Overnight success is often an illusion, masking years of hard work. Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle, as hidden struggles remain unshared. Fear and failure can be great teachers, guiding you through tough times. Persistence can turn rejections into opportunities, and focusing on long-term growth is key. Embrace patience; great things take time and dedication.
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9 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 50min

593: Phoebe Gates: Building an AI Fashion Startup Backed by Kris Jenner & Sara Blakely

Phoebe Gates, co-founder of the AI fashion startup Phia, shares her inspiring journey from failed ideas in her Stanford dorm to securing $9M from high-profile investors like Kris Jenner and Sara Blakely. She reveals how she built a user base from scratch, utilizing feedback loops and creative growth hacks like 'pizza nights.' Phoebe discusses the challenges of raising funds, embracing her background while forging her own identity, and leveraging AI for scalability, all while focusing on building community through transparency and collaboration.
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Sep 30, 2025 • 8min

592: (Solo) The Truth About Originality: What Great Founders Really Do

Many founders wrongly believe they need an original idea to succeed. Instead, proven strategies can accelerate growth. This discussion highlights how to ethically borrow and adapt ideas, showcasing successful brands like Canva and Airbnb. Learn how to grow your social media and improve product designs by studying what works. It’s all about finding existing successes, adding your twist, and making it better. Embrace this mindset to free yourself from the pressure of innovation and focus on effective strategies!
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Sep 26, 2025 • 43min

591: From $0 to $3.4 BILLION Selling Socks | Bombas (Best of Foundr)

David Heath and Randy Goldberg, co-founders of Bombas, transformed a $140K Indiegogo campaign into a $3.4B brand known for its one-for-one donation model. They discuss how a simple insight about homelessness sparked their mission. The duo shares their strategies for bootstrapping, navigating Shark Tank, and scaling profitably. They reveal the importance of authenticity in branding and the lessons they've learned about balancing purpose with profit. Their journey offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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