The Builders

In this episode of The Builders, I sit down with Akash Agarwal—CEO of Conmitto and the builder behind Dock Optimizer—for a deep dive into how spotting inefficiencies in logistics led to a freight tech breakthrough.From his early days in fintech and retail apps to recognizing massive gaps in the rail and trucking industries, Akash shares how powerful networking, clear customer pain points, and a passion for building simple solutions shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Key TakeawaysReal Problems Build Real Solutions: Akash’s journey began not with a business plan—but with a question: “Do you want a real problem?” That moment sparked the creation of Dock Optimizer.The Power of Pivoting: When the railroad industry changed course, Akash saw greater opportunity in the fragmented trucking space. Being adaptable opened new doors.AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement: Dock Optimizer uses AI to enhance productivity—automating tasks, surfacing insights, and letting humans focus on high-impact decisions.Bootstrapping with Intention: Self-funding gave Akash flexibility and focus. Instead of chasing VC pressure, he followed customer needs and grew sustainably.Networking Is Everything: From college connections to industry events, meaningful relationships led to partnerships, product validation, and new opportunities.Digitizing Old Industries: The logistics world is still full of paper-based workflows. Akash is bringing tech to these spaces—one micro-app at a time.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen sits down with Andreas Pettersson, a former corporate executive turned scrappy entrepreneur. Andreas shares his journey from structured leadership roles to the fast-paced, ever-changing world of startups. This conversation dives deep into the mindset shifts required to transition successfully, the power of action-taking, and why building people is just as important as building a business.Key Takeaways:Mindset Shift for Growth: Moving from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship requires agility, resourcefulness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.Action Over Perfection: The best way to learn and grow is to take action quickly, iterate, and adapt.Leadership at Scale: Entrepreneurs must evolve from being problem-solvers to empowering and developing leaders within their teams.Fractional Work & Delegation: Hiring the right talent at the right stage—especially fractional executives—can optimize business efficiency.Culture & Team Development: Great businesses are built on great people. Identifying and nurturing talent is key to long-term success.The Power of Radical Candor: Honest, direct feedback helps individuals and businesses grow faster and smarter.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Ken Cox joins Matt Levenhagen to explore how AI is transforming business. Ken shares his journey from web hosting to building InLink, an all-in-one AI-powered business solution. He dives into the concept of AI employees, how they streamline operations, and why they are the future of small business success.Key Takeaways:AI Employees are Here: Virtual agents are no longer futuristic—they’re actively performing tasks and automating workflows for businesses today.From Web Hosting to AI Innovation: Ken’s experience with hosting giants like Mastercard and AOL gave him insights into technology’s evolution and the next big leap.Small Businesses Can Compete with AI: InLink is designed to help solopreneurs and small businesses automate, streamline, and scale without massive overhead.The Future of Business is AI-Driven: AI solutions are becoming as essential as having a website in the late '90s—early adopters will gain the biggest advantages.Mindset Shift is Key: Businesses that embrace AI and automation will be better positioned for growth, efficiency, and sustainability.Join us as Ken Cox shares his vision for AI-powered business solutions, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why he believes now is the best time to start integrating AI into your business.

In this engaging episode of the Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen explores the intersection of technology and creativity with guest Erich Archer. Erich brings a wealth of knowledge from his background in TV production and his recent focus on developing AI-driven tools. The discussion highlights how Erich transitioned from traditional media production to utilizing AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, to streamline workflows and create innovative business solutions.Throughout the episode, Erich delves into his journey of discovering AI's transformative power in video production and business analyses. He shares how he started integrating AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney into his work, making substantial improvements in efficiency and creativity. The conversation touches on Erich's venture into creating custom GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers), which he terms as "Smarty Pants." These are tailored AI solutions for specific business needs, ranging from SWOT analysis tools to personalized document processing applications. The dialogue underscores the growing importance and accessibility of AI tools in enhancing business operations and creative endeavors.Key Takeaways:Erich Archer has leveraged his extensive media production experience to dive into the creation of AI tools and custom GPTs, offering tailored solutions to streamline business processes.ChatGPT and Midjourney were pivotal in transforming Erich’s approach to video production, enhancing creative processes, and improving efficiency.Erich has developed over a hundred custom GPTs, which serve various functions like business frameworks and document processing, highlighting AI's versatility in different industries.Transitioning from TV production to AI tool creation, Erich emphasizes the balance between leveraging AI technology and maintaining creative control and personal expertise.The conversation centers on how easy AI tools are to integrate for businesses, and the importance of adopting these technologies to stay competitive and enhance professional capabilities.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen sits down with Alykhan Jetha (AJ), CEO of Marketcircle, to discuss the evolution of the Daylite app and the lessons learned through major technological shifts. What started as an internal tool grew into a full-fledged product, serving small businesses in their quest for efficiency and growth.AJ shares the challenges and insights from transitioning Daylite from on-premise software to a cloud-based solution, a move that took nearly six years. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of microservices, why they initially seemed like a great fit but eventually created unnecessary complexity, and how AJ and his team refocused on eliminating waste to improve efficiency.Beyond the technical journey, AJ offers valuable leadership lessons from building his company without a mentor, making tough business decisions, and staying committed to innovation while keeping customer needs at the forefront. If you’re interested in product evolution, cloud transitions, or scaling a small business, this episode is packed with actionable insights!Key Takeaways:The Cloud Transition: Moving from on-premise to cloud is a long-term strategy that requires patience, planning, and strong customer communication.Microservices Realities: While microservices offer flexibility, they can introduce unnecessary complexity for smaller teams. Simplification and efficiency should always be the goal.Eliminating Waste: AJ highlights the importance of streamlining processes and questioning inefficiencies—if a process is taking over, it’s a red flag.

In this engaging episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen explores the art of building flexible and adaptable service frameworks that evolve alongside client needs. He compares these frameworks to a codebase—designed with a solid foundation but requiring continuous refinement to stay relevant. Through real-world examples, Matt shares how structured adaptability supports client growth, team scalability, and efficient cost estimation.Matt dives into the key elements of a well-structured yet flexible service model, covering pricing strategies, contract structures, and quality assurance. He highlights how businesses can create frameworks that balance consistency with customization, ensuring smooth client collaborations and long-term partnerships. The episode underscores why ongoing refinement and adaptability are crucial for web development agencies, freelancers, and service providers navigating a fast-changing industry.Key Takeaways:Service frameworks should be structured yet dynamic, allowing for adaptation to client and industry shifts.A strong foundation includes clear service definitions, pricing models, and contractual agreements to guide scalability.Iterative improvements, like updating a codebase, ensure service frameworks remain effective and competitive.A client-centric approach fosters trust and long-term partnerships, making service delivery more seamless and proactive.Flexibility enables integration with various client workflows and tools, ensuring efficient collaboration and better outcomes.

In this episode, host Matt Levenhagen sits down with Doug Katz to explore the mindset and process behindturning problems into solutions and ideas into businesses. Doug shares how a simple need in his daily life led to the creation of Nulu Knives, and the steps he took to bring the idea to market.Fromfinding inspiration in unexpected places (like his jacuzzi “Think Tank”) toleveraging collaboration to refine an invention, Doug breaks down the key principles of successful innovation. This conversation dives into the importance ofavoiding invention for invention’s sake, embracingthe builder’s mindset, andstrategically growing a business through partnerships and teamwork. If you’ve ever had an idea but weren’t sure how to take the next step, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward.Key TakeawaysInnovation starts with solving real problems – Don’t invent just to invent. Identify gaps and needs in the market.Your best ideas come from experience – Doug’s inspiration came from daily frustrations and personal challenges.Create space for your “Archimedes moments” – Find where and how you do your best thinking.Once others are involved, it’s no longer just your idea – Collaboration is essential for refining and scaling innovation.Funding and launching a product takes strategy – Doug shares his Kickstarter lessons and the importance of knowing your audience.Your network is your net worth – Surround yourself with the right people who push your ideas forward.

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, Matt Levenhagen welcomes Mallory Glessner, Manager of Content and Product Marketing at Trainual, to explore the process of building and scaling a successful content machine. Mallory shares her journey from operations to marketing, revealing the key strategies that helped grow Trainual’s social media presence. They discuss how to create content that balances engagement with problem-solving, ensuring that brands remain both relevant and impactful. The conversation highlights the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to social media strategy. Mallory emphasizes the role of repurposing high-performing content and using analytics to refine content distribution. By experimenting with humor, storytelling, and audience insights, brands can maintain a compelling presence while driving meaningful engagement. Key Takeaways: ✅ Great content machines require strategy and innovation. A high-performing team that understands trends and audience engagement is crucial. ✅ Quality beats quantity. Posting strategically, rather than flooding social feeds, leads to better engagement and brand growth. ✅ Repurpose and redistribute content. If a post performs well, don’t let it gather dust—reshare, reshape, and maximize its impact. ✅ Analytics-driven decision-making. Understanding what works (and why) can help refine content strategies for sustained success. ✅ Balance humor with problem-solving. A relatable brand isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about solving pain points in a way that resonates.

In this episode of the Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen welcomes entrepreneur Jason Saltzman to explore the evolving landscape of debt management and the art of building digital platforms that meet modern consumer needs. The conversation begins with a compelling dive into the entrepreneurial mindset, as Jason shares actionable insights on managing anxiety and fostering resilience in business. Drawing from his extensive experience, Jason underscores the importance of forging meaningful connections and assembling the right team to fuel innovation and success. Jason introduces Relief, a groundbreaking app designed to democratize debt management and alleviate financial stress for users. He shares his journey from uncovering inefficiencies in traditional financial systems to designing a tech stack that simplifies and automates essential debt relief processes. The discussion delves into customer acquisition strategies, navigating venture capital, and the value of cultivating a positive, negativity-free environment to spur growth. This episode invites listeners to discover strategies for disrupting entrenched industries and finding joy and purpose in the entrepreneurial journey. Key Takeaways: Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people to tackle the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship. Targeting digital natives and understanding consumer behavior can significantly lower customer acquisition costs. Keep innovation simple to make debt relief and other solutions more accessible and user-friendly. A clear mission and vision are vital for communicating effectively and securing investor buy-in. Embrace the journey—success is as much about enjoying the process as it is about achieving the destination.

In this insightful episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen sits down with leadership results coach and author Jeannette Seibly to discuss the transformative power of bragging. Together, they explore how recognizing and articulating personal achievements can boost confidence, build credibility, and open doors to meaningful connections. Jeannette shares strategies to overcome cultural stigmas around self-promotion, emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling and metrics in establishing authority. From tackling imposter syndrome to leveraging bragging as a networking tool, this episode offers practical advice for professionals and entrepreneurs alike. Key Takeaways: Bragging is a Skill: It’s not about ego; it’s about sharing achievements authentically to inspire trust and confidence. Numbers Speak Volumes: Use specific metrics to validate accomplishments and stand out in competitive environments. Overcoming Fear: Cultural norms often hinder self-promotion, but reframing bragging as storytelling can make it more approachable. Brag with Purpose: Highlight successes that align with your goals and resonate with your audience. Build Connections Through Sharing: Effective bragging fosters trust and credibility, strengthening personal and professional relationships.