Liftoff with Keith: Conversations with Super Founders and Growth Experts sharing useful insights

What does it take to build a hypercar company that challenges the traditional automotive industry?In this episode of Liftoff, Keith Newman sits down with Nikita Bridan, Co-Founder and CEO of Oil Stain Lab, an automotive design studio building extraordinary cars that combine nostalgia, modern technology, and unconventional thinking.Founded in 2019 with his twin brother Ilya, Oil Stain Lab is taking a different approach to the automotive industry. Rather than competing with established manufacturers on volume, the company is building highly exclusive, bespoke vehicles with a strong emphasis on design, storytelling, and driving experience.Nikita discusses the development of HF, a 650-horsepower hypercar limited to just 25 units, the company's future vehicle roadmap, and why he believes the automotive industry needs to rediscover its soul.We also explore how AI is changing automotive design and manufacturing, the future of electric performance cars, building a brand around a passionate community, and what it really takes to turn a creative vision into a business.In this episode, we cover:Building Oil Stain Lab and challenging conventional automotive thinking.The HF hypercar: 650 HP, approximately 2,000 pounds, and just 25 units.Why the company believes the past can overtake the future.Building a premium automotive brand through storytelling and community.The future of EVs, combustion engines, and performance cars.How AI is transforming design, engineering, and manufacturing.Making difficult product decisions and embracing character over perfection.Lessons on entrepreneurship, passion, and building something different.About Nikita BridanNikita Bridan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Oil Stain Lab, an automotive design studio based in Signal Hill, California. Before starting the company, he worked with leading automotive brands including Honda, Toyota, Cadillac, Hyundai, and Genesis. He also teaches at ArtCenter College of Design.His philosophy is simple: life's greatest privilege is to lose your mind doing the thing that you love.Connect with Nikita: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-bridan-oilstainlab Website: https://housedestains.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Join the Community for unique content and Liftoff benefits: https://keithnewman.substack.com/

Scaling a startup before proving your go-to-market strategy can be an expensive mistake.In this episode of Liftoff With Keith, Eric Poley, an experienced go-to-market leader with a background at Salesforce, Veracode, and Google Cloud, explains why early-stage companies need more than initial revenue to build a repeatable growth engine.Eric shares why your first 5–10 customers should help validate product-market fit and repeatability, how to identify a focused ideal customer profile (ICP), and why founders should resist the temptation to over-customize their product for every customer.The conversation also explores how to build a strong buying coalition before launching a pilot, define measurable success criteria, understand the economics of converting pilots into production customers, and know when it is time to move beyond founder-led sales.In this episode, we discuss:Why early customers should validate your GTM strategy, not just generate revenueHow to identify your ideal customer profile and the right market entry pointWhy over-customization can turn a scalable product into a services businessHow to align buyers, budget holders, and stakeholders before a pilotThe importance of measurable outcomes and clear production requirementsWhen founders should hire sales leadership and which early GTM hires matterHow to evaluate pilot-to-production conversion and scalable unit economicsWhat startups should prove before raising capital and accelerating growthThe central lesson: Earn the right to scale by proving that your go-to-market motion is repeatable, measurable, and economically viable.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Eric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpoley/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

AI won’t fix a broken go-to-market strategy. In fact, it might expose everything that’s already wrong with it.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Max Hoffer, founder of Stackfinder and Head of AI Go-to-Market Systems, explains why companies can have a great product but still struggle to build a repeatable revenue engine.From fragmented tools and poor CRM data to slow lead follow-ups and broken marketing-sales handoffs, Max breaks down the hidden revenue leaks that prevent businesses from growing efficiently — and why adding AI before fixing these fundamentals can make things worse.In this episode, we discuss:Why AI amplifies existing GTM problems instead of automatically solving themThe common revenue leaks hiding in marketing and sales processesHow to audit your website, lead routing, CRM, and buyer journeyWhy speed-to-lead and consistent follow-up matterHow to assess whether your business is ready for AIPractical ways to introduce AI into your workflows without overcomplicating thingsWhy customer conversations and call recordings can improve marketing and product decisionsHow to use data to communicate recommendations and drive better business outcomesMax also shares practical ways to identify bottlenecks, measure the impact of AI, and start with one workflow rather than trying to automate everything at once.About Max HofferMax Hoffer is the founder of Stackfinder and works on AI go-to-market systems. His work focuses on helping businesses identify revenue bottlenecks, improve workflows, and understand where AI can make a meaningful difference.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Max: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-hoffer-70079a47/ Website: https://stackfinder.com/Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.#AI #GoToMarket #RevenueGrowth

Buying and selling bulky secondhand items can be complicated. From coordinating pickup and delivery to handling payments and building trust, the logistics often make the process harder than it needs to be.On this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Ari Kimmelfeld, founder of Commonplace, shares how he is building a marketplace that makes buying and selling large secondhand items easier. Starting with Pelotons, Commonplace expanded into categories such as furniture, appliances, and hot tubs, combining secure payments, vetted delivery partners, and added buyer and seller protection.Ari discusses the challenges of scaling a marketplace, why logistics became the foundation of the business, and how founders can identify the metrics that actually matter instead of chasing traffic and social media views.In this episode:How Commonplace makes bulky secondhand transactions easierBuilding trust through delivery, secure payments, and warrantiesExpanding from Pelotons into multiple product categoriesThe operational challenges of scaling marketplace logisticsWhy qualified buyers matter more than vanity metricsHow sellers can save time with pricing suggestions and cross-listingLessons on validating demand and prioritizing what moves the needleThe future of secondhand shopping and AI-driven product discoverySponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Ari: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arikimmelfeld Website: https://trycommonplace.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

AI is changing how companies hire, manage employees, and get work done. But are businesses prepared for the HR, compliance, and workplace challenges that come with it?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith sits down with Sara Skowronski of EOS HR and AI Consulting to explore how small businesses can adopt AI while protecting their people, data, and organization.With 25+ years of HR and employment law experience and expertise in AI consulting, Sara shares a practical perspective on where AI and HR intersect, from hiring and employee policies to training and productivity.They discuss:Why every company needs an AI policyThe HR risks of employees using personal AI toolsHow AI can affect hiring and recruitmentWhy humans must remain involved in AI-assisted hiring decisionsHow AI can dramatically reduce repetitive HR workWhy AI training needs to be specific to each roleThe difference between AI literacy and simply knowing how to use ChatGPTWho should own AI implementation inside a companyHow small businesses can increase productivity without immediately increasing headcountSara's AI Clarity RoadmapHow Sara uses a personal AI chief of staff to stay focusedWhy clear expectations remain one of the most important parts of managing employeesIf you're a founder, HR leader, or business owner trying to understand how AI will change your workforce, this conversation offers a practical starting point.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Sara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraskowronski Website: https://eoshr.com/ Speaker Kit: https://go.eoshr.com/speaker-kit Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.#AI #HR #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanResources #FutureOfWork

Due to some video connection challenges the host wasn't on the video feed for the first few minutes of the programsWhat if your battery didn’t need to be replaced every few years?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith speaks with Raouf, co-founder and CEO of CTRL ENERGY, a Paris-based energy startup building a different approach to battery technology.CTRL ENERGY is developing ZERO, a repairable, modular and scalable portable battery, alongside LEPO, a stationary energy storage system designed for a much longer operating life. Raouf explains how his previous experience in the energy sector led to the company's focus on repairability, reuse and battery recycling.The conversation covers:Why CTRL ENERGY chose to bootstrap a hardware deep tech companyHow ZERO is designed to be repairable, modular and scalableUsing 3D printing and automated microfactories for localized manufacturingWhy CTRL ENERGY is building a community around product developmentThe company's Kickstarter strategy and early customer tractionHow ZERO and LEPO serve different markets and business modelsBattery recycling and the afterlife of battery cellsThe role of AI and automation in manufacturingThe challenges of getting deep tech hardware funded in EuropeWhy founders should build a working prototype as early as possibleWhy building a community can give hardware startups an advantageRaouf also shares his perspective on why hardware is becoming easier to build and why there is still significant room for innovation outside the current AI boom.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Raouf: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raoufremidan/ Website: https://ctrl.energy/ Learn more about CTRL ENERGY and ZERO:https://go.nomorezero.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

What if safety isn't just a compliance requirement, but one of the most important foundations of leadership, culture, and business performance?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, we sit down with Brian L. Fielkow, recognized business leader, board director, advisor, former CEO of Jetco Delivery, and author of Making Safety Happen, to explore how leaders can build organizations that remain strong when the pressure is high.Brian shares lessons from decades of operating and advising businesses where safety, risk, and performance are closely connected. We discuss why safety should be treated as a core value rather than simply a department, how leadership shapes employee behavior, and what it takes to create a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up when something isn't right.From managing operational risks to building trust, accountability, and psychological safety, this conversation offers practical insights for founders, CEOs, and business leaders who want to build companies that are both safe and productive.In this episode, we discuss:Why safety is a business responsibility, not just the job of a safety departmentThe difference between a compliance culture and a genuine safety cultureHow leadership influences employee behavior and organizational performanceWhy psychological safety encourages employees to speak up and report risksBuilding accountability and learning from near missesHow companies can balance growth, productivity, and risk managementIdentifying hidden risks during periods of rapid growthThe importance of clear, practical, and understandable processesHiring for both technical competence and attitudeWhy humility and the ability to course-correct matter in leadershipHow leaders reveal their culture when things go wrongWhy maintaining culture requires continuous investmentBrian also shares examples from his experience at Jetco Delivery, including how listening to frontline employees can uncover risks and lead to meaningful improvements.Whether you're a founder scaling a business, a CEO managing operational challenges, or a leader working to build a stronger company culture, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on leadership, safety, and sustainable performance.About Brian L. FielkowBrian L. Fielkow is a recognized business leader, board director, and advisor known for his work in safety, risk, and organizational performance. He previously served as CEO of Jetco Delivery and is the author of Making Safety Happen.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Brian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfielkow Book: https://www.amazon.in/Making-Safety-Happen-Productive-Profitable-ebook/dp/B0GX2ZXGFY Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

Harvey Liu, CEO of LeveX, joins Keith to discuss his journey from computer science and network engineering to venture capital, Web3 investing, and building a next-generation crypto trading platform.Harvey shares how LeveX grew from an early-stage product into a platform with hundreds of thousands of registered users, why he believes crypto is becoming increasingly connected with traditional finance, and how institutional adoption is changing the market.In this episode, Harvey also discusses:Building LeveX around traders and their feedbackThe evolution of Bitcoin, Web3 and crypto marketsTokenized stocks and real-world assetsWhy technical founders need strong communication and sales skillsOrganic growth versus paid customer acquisitionChoosing strategic investors over purely financial capitalDifferences between the U.S. and Chinese venture capital ecosystemsHow AI can help startups operate with leaner teamsWhy Harvey would consider a decentralized model if starting LeveX todayThe future of DeFi, prediction markets and crypto tradingHarvey brings a unique perspective shaped by technology, venture capital, finance and years of experience across global markets.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Harvey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveylevex/ Website: https://levex.com/en Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

Physical AI is everywhere in the conversation, but getting it to work reliably in the real world is a very different challenge.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Mike Link, COO of Kami Vision, to explore what it takes to move computer vision and physical AI from promising demos to real-world products operating across millions of devices. Mike shares how Kami Vision evolved from home security into AI-powered applications for elder care, including fall detection and remote monitoring, while continuing to expand into enterprise security and robotics. The conversation covers:What makes scaling physical AI different from traditional software Moving from hardware to software and eventually an AI-native model Using computer vision to transform elder care The challenges of enterprise AI deployment Privacy, trust and adoption in real-world environmentsWhy partner-led distribution can accelerate growthHow AI agents are changing internal business operations Why founders should get real customers using their product before trying to scale A practical conversation about the gap between building AI that works in a demo and building AI that works in the real world.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrenard/ Website: https://www.southviewtimber.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

Most investors are chasing the next hot market—from AI and data centers to the latest high-growth opportunities.But sometimes, the better opportunity is hiding somewhere few people are looking.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with John Brennard, Managing Director & Founder of Southview Timberland Investments, to explore the world of timberland investing and what makes it an intriguing alternative asset class. John shares how his family's timberland investment in 2008 introduced him to the asset class, eventually leading him to build Southview around timberland and rural land investments across the U.S. Southeast. The conversation goes beyond timberland, covering:How to find opportunity in overlooked markets Why disciplined underwriting matters The value of patient ownership and hands-on execution How timber harvesting and land development can create value Why understanding an investment is critical before entering private markets The importance of staying close to sales and making progress every day As John puts it, there are no shortcuts in this game—and sometimes the best opportunities aren't the ones everyone is talking about. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrenard/ Website: https://www.southviewtimber.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.