The Eric Ries Show

Misha Esipov, Co-founder and CEO of Nova Credit, shares his journey from emigrating from the Soviet Union to tackling the credit access issue for immigrants. He discusses the impact of COVID on his company and how crises can sharpen leadership focus. Misha highlights the importance of customer interviews in pivoting Nova Credit's offerings towards urgent needs like income verification during unemployment spikes. He emphasizes balancing social missions with profitable models and the need for sustainable solutions in entrepreneurship.

Zita Cobb, founder of Shorefast and a visionary entrepreneur from Fogo Island, shares her journey shaped by a cashless childhood and the collapse of the local fishing industry. She discusses her transition from tech success to community-focused enterprises, highlighting how Shorefast reinvests in local culture. Zita's insights on using business to solve real problems emphasize community agency and the importance of nurturing local assets. The conversation explores ethical hospitality, the Fogo Island Inn's design, and the need for a new economic model that prioritizes purpose over profit.

Seth Goldman, a mission-driven entrepreneur and cofounder of Honest Tea, shares his journey of building brands that prioritize values. He discusses transitioning from politics to business as a force for good and how Honest Tea evolved into an organic and fair-trade certified model. Seth reveals the emotional challenges faced when Honest Tea was discontinued by Coca-Cola, leading to the rapid relaunch of Just Iced Tea. He emphasizes the importance of trust within supplier relationships and advises fellow founders to stay committed to their missions for long-term success.

Todd Park, co-founder and CEO of Devoted Health and former U.S. CTO, shares insights on building a healthcare company that prioritizes love and community. He discusses how to operationalize love within a complex system, creating an environment where trust fuels growth. Todd emphasizes that hard healthcare problems should be central to a company's mission and how a strong culture can prevent mission drift. The conversation also touches on attracting top talent, forming partnerships, and the significance of member stories in fostering a robust organizational culture.

Join Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founders of Beekman 1802, known for their innovative goat milk skincare line. They share their journey from city careers to a farmhouse with 80 goats that sparked a purpose-driven brand. Discover how they turned a simple soap into a luxury product and scaled through community support. The duo discusses the strategic advantages of kindness in business, maintaining authenticity, and creating a brand that fosters a sense of belonging. Learn why true purpose comes from consistent actions, not just marketing.

Lukas Biewald, founder of Weights & Biases and former CEO of CrowdFlower, shares insights from his extensive career in AI. He discusses how playing Go shaped his understanding of computation and pattern recognition. Lukas reveals lessons learned from his early struggles, emphasizing the importance of timing and genuine care for products and users. He also explains how he reignited his passion through an unpaid internship at OpenAI. Additionally, he highlights the significance of delight in enterprise software and the cultural fit that matters in acquisitions.

Gary Hamel, a leading management thinker, and Michele Zanini, co-founder of the Management Lab, dive deep into how to eliminate the shackles of bureaucracy to unleash human potential. They discuss the historical roots of bureaucracy, highlighting its past benefits and current drawbacks. Engagement is alarmingly low, and they propose a shift from compliance to contribution. With principles of ownership and minimal hierarchy, they share practical steps for creating dynamic organizations. Case studies like Buurtzorg illustrate the power of autonomous teams, making a compelling case for change.

David Gelles, a New York Times climate correspondent and author of 'Dirtbag Billionaire,' delves into the ethos of Patagonia and its founder, Yvon Chouinard. They discuss how Patagonia defies profit-driven norms by prioritizing environmental values and quality craftsmanship. Gelles explains Chouinard's unconventional journey from blacksmith to billionaire while maintaining integrity. The conversation also highlights the importance of ethical corporate practices and innovative ownership structures that ensure a company’s mission endures beyond its founder.

Matthew Prince, Co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, discusses the evolution of his company, which now protects a significant portion of internet traffic. He dives into the urgent challenges posed by AI, particularly how it threatens the traditional web business model. Prince emphasizes the need for creators to be compensated fairly and paints a vision for a more sustainable, human-centered internet. The conversation reflects on the balance between ethics and profitability as Cloudflare navigates its mission-driven journey.

In this engaging conversation, Guillermo Rauch, CEO and founder of Vercel — a leader in web development powering giants like OpenAI and Nintendo — shares his inspiring journey from Argentina to Silicon Valley. He delves into how open source not only shaped his career but remains essential for innovation. The discussion touches on the evolution of coding practices, the rise of AI in software development, and the concept of 'vibe coding.' Guillermo also highlights the importance of empowering teams to drive adaptability and creativity at Vercel.