The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

Aimee Smale, founder of Odd Muse, takes us through her remarkable journey from designing logos to creating a £24M fashion brand. She reveals how an iconic blazer led to viral success and discusses using pre-orders for growth without external funding. Aimee shares her strategies for community-driven marketing and influencer partnerships while tackling challenges from copycats. With insights on maintaining brand integrity and expanding into retail, her story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.

In this episode, Mike Smith, founder of Zero Co, shares how a backpacking trip around the world turned into a mission to solve the plastic waste crisis. Mike walks us through the early days of bootstrapping the business with his last $100K, moving back in with his parents, and how he raised over $750K through Australia's most successful Kickstarter campaign. He dives deep into the challenges of supply chain innovation, the power of radical transparency, and the tough decision to completely overhaul Zero Co’s business model after discovering flaws in its sustainability approach. Entrepreneurs will learn firsthand how to balance purpose with profitability, navigate manufacturing setbacks, and use community-driven marketing to build a loyal customer base.Listen to Nathan and Mike discuss: - The journey from an 18-month backpacking trip to launching Zero Co- Bootstrapping with $100K and leveraging crowdfunding to raise $750K- The importance of radical transparency in customer communication- Scaling a product-based business while staying sustainable- The challenges of manufacturing sustainable packaging and evolving the business model- How Zero Co is expanding internationally and into retail- And much more business and personal growth advice…Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

Cassey Ho, founder of POPFLEX and Blogilates, shares her inspiring journey from rock bottom to building two successful brands. She reveals how Taylor Swift's unexpected endorsement of her skort led to a massive surge in demand. Cassey discusses the importance of community trust and authenticity while navigating challenges like copycats and scaling her business. Listeners will gain practical insights on creating viral content and the significance of transparent engagement with a loyal audience. A blend of passion, business, and overcoming adversity!

Caleb Marshall, founder of Tropeaka, turned his health struggle with chronic fatigue into a thriving global health brand. He discusses how to scale a business without an initial marketing budget, focusing on influencer partnerships to drive growth. Caleb shares insights on product development and building a unique brand identity in the crowded wellness market. He emphasizes the importance of community and customer retention, while also highlighting strategies for navigating online commerce and future expansion plans.

Erin Deering, co-founder of the $200 million Triangl swimwear brand, shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting with a simple beachside idea. She discusses the adrenaline-fueled moment when celebrity endorsements sent her brand skyrocketing. Erin reveals lessons on dealing with copycats, the significance of authentic influencer relationships, and the precious balance between freedom and financial gain. She also reflects on her mental health challenges and the personal discovery that followed her exit, offering inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

We're diving back into another episode from the Foundr Archives to revisit my interview with Mitch Harper, founder of BigCommerce - as well as a long-time mentor and coach of mine who has been driving force behind Foundr’s success. In this episode, Mitch Harper takes us behind the scenes of his incredible entrepreneurial journey. From building software at the age of 12 to co-founding one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, Mitch shares the strategies and lessons that helped him scale BigCommerce from a bootstrapped startup to a billion-dollar company. He discusses the importance of mitigating risk in business, why he avoided venture capital for as long as possible, and how he cultivated a leadership style that allowed his team to thrive. Listeners will learn actionable insights into scaling a SaaS business, mastering e-commerce, and building a strong company culture.In this interview you will learn:- The journey of bootstrapping BigCommerce and raising $250 million- The importance of mitigating risk as an entrepreneur- Cultivating leadership skills and building a strong team- Navigating the challenges of scaling a SaaS business- The power of customer feedback in product development- Strategies for raising venture capital and working with investorsClick here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

Kendra Scott started her self-titled billion-dollar jewelry business out of failure. Her first business failed after 5 years, and she started selling handmade jewelry door-to-door as a side hustle. Now, Kendra Scott Jewelry is a billion-dollar business with 100 retail locations across the US. But success didn't come quickly. Through personal struggles, recessions, and rejections, Scott built a fashion business driven by an unforgettable customer experience. Listen to Nathan and Kendra discuss:- What she learned from her failed business - Fundraising and dealing with rejection- The best piece of business advice she still follows - Shifting her business model from wholesale to retail- The nightclub atmosphere of Kendra Scott stores - How philanthropy creates customer loyalty - How to weather the storm as a founder - Her new entrepreneurial memoir Born to ShineAnd much more founder advice…Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

In 2024, we had our most raw, insightful and relevant conversations with founders to date. To cap off the year, we've compiled their most impactful lessons, stories, and business advice into a final episode for 2024.In this exclusive episode, you'll gain valuable insights from:Eric pulls back the curtain on his wild partnership with Kanye West, from creative genius to unpredictable challenges at Adidas.Allison bets big on a last-minute Super Bowl ad for Poppy, skyrocketing brand recognition with a bold move that paid off​.Noah breaks down how taking action and validating ideas early separates successful entrepreneurs from those stuck in limbo​.Shay brings her brand to life through bold, immersive pop-up experiences, blurring the lines between retail and entertainment​.Alicia turns a trademark lawsuit into a blessing, rebranding her company as Range Beauty and making inclusivity her secret weapon​.Guy recounts a high-stakes encounter with Steve Jobs, revealing how brutal honesty and tough leadership shaped his career.Raquel and Adam uncover a shocking deception by a supplier, leading them to find the true mastermind behind their fragrance success.Ezra reveals the hard truth about entrepreneurship: failure is inevitable, but resilience and consistency are the keys to long-term success​.Will shares a lightbulb moment of serving hot dogs in a Michelin-star restaurant, redefining customer service with "unreasonable hospitality.And much more...Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.If you loved this conversation and learned something new, rate and review this episode. Stay in touch with us, follow foundr on your favorite platform: Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook X LinkedIn Magazine

Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking, is a savvy entrepreneur owning over 25 cash-flowing businesses. In a fascinating conversation, she discusses her transition from journalism to investing and entrepreneurship. Codie reveals her strategy for acquiring 'boring businesses' and transforming them into cash cows. She emphasizes the significance of mindset in maintaining financial freedom and shares tips on identifying undervalued ventures. Listeners will gain insights into the importance of community engagement and innovative business approaches.

Drew Houston, co-founder of Dropbox, shares his journey from a missed thumb drive on a bus to revolutionizing file storage with a multi-billion dollar company. He debunks the myth of 'magic' startup success, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and timing. Houston discusses decision-making as a leader, highlighting the need for intentional choices and continuous learning. He also introduces Dropbox Spaces, aimed at transforming scattered work environments into cohesive productivity hubs. His insights on designing workspaces for success are invaluable.