Problem Solvers

Jake Shivery, founder of Blue Moon Camera and Machine in Portland, thrives in the analog photography world while embracing necessary change. He discusses how he successfully combined classic photography services with modern needs, like film scanning and social media. Jake shares insights on finding his unexpected young customer base and how to adapt without losing a core mission. His journey highlights the importance of blending traditional craft with innovation to survive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Branding expert Laura Ries joins Jason to talk about her new book, The Strategic Enemy , and the power of positioning. Together, they break down how companies can define what they stand against, win customers, and become the go-to name in their category. This is a packed conversation about how to create campaigns that resonate and understand the strategy behind the marketing that shapes our world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when your company is running out of money, your industry has collapsed, and even you think your idea is dumb? That’s the situation Siqi Chen, now founder and CEO of the finance platform Runway, faced in 2016 when he became CEO of Sandbox, a VR startup. Yet through a bold move, Chen managed to get the right people to believe, securing funding for a product that was a stupid good time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max DesMarais, Director of Strategy at Vital Design, offers insights on navigating the rapidly changing landscape of marketing. He discusses the rise of AI tools that provide hyper-specific recommendations, shifting the way businesses attract clients. DesMarais emphasizes the importance of adapting content and SEO strategies to meet these changes. He also highlights the necessity for brands to diversify their marketing approaches and redefine success metrics to stay relevant in today's digital space.

Marcus Lemonis built his reputation as the guy who could fix anything. It’s even in the name of his TV show The Fixer on FOX his new show following the success of The Profit on CNBC. But now, as he enters a new phase of leadership, he’s rethinking what it really means to lead. Lemonis has evolved. He’s leading from behind, pushing people harder than they’d push themselves, and even playing the villain if that’s what the business needs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Jacobson, CEO of The French Florist, transformed his uncle’s struggling flower shop into a thriving franchise. He uncovered industry flaws like outdated tech and inefficient supply chains. Michael discusses innovative solutions, such as enhancing direct farm sourcing to bypass middlemen. He also highlights the importance of technology, creating a custom iPad app for ticketing. With a consumer-focused approach, he aims to redefine the floral experience and support local florists in a competitive market.

The myth of the genius jerk founder has shaped startup culture for decades, but it’s wrong. Dr. Richard Hagberg and Tien Tzuo, co-authors of Founders Keepers, have the data to prove it. In this episode, they unpack the real traits that define high-performing founders, why bad behavior gets glorified, and how emotional intelligence and adaptability, not arrogance, drive lasting success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Hartz is the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, the platform built to help anyone host and sell tickets to an event. But after years in the business, Julia and her team realized something surprising. Their biggest growth opportunity wasn’t with the people creating events, it was with the people searching for them. On this episode, Julia shares how Eventbrite rethought its product, reimagined discovery, and why, in an AI-saturated world, real human connection might just be the ultimate value proposition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Ania Smith, CEO of TaskRabbit, has spent her career building marketplace businesses. She shares the operational challenges of matching people who need tasks done with people who can do them and how TaskRabbit solves for the millions of unpredictable human variables that come with it. Balancing supply and demand at scale means identifying the patterns and solving the problems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eynat Guez, co-founder and CEO of Papaya Global, shares her entrepreneurial journey from near bankruptcy to building a $3.7 billion payroll platform. She discusses how confronting her worst fears transformed her business strategy, allowing her to leverage challenges as opportunities. Guez emphasizes the power of visualizing future success beyond adversity and the importance of a supportive workplace for tackling fears. Her insights highlight how embracing risks can unlock confidence and foster personal and professional growth.