Afleveringen
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EPISODE 11
From hand-carving a single silicone spatula in her kitchen to running a portfolio of revived consumer brands, Sam Rose walks Kevin and Jason through the through-line of her career: obsess over the customer, build a brand (not just a product), and make logistics as lovable as design. She explains how a “collision with the customer” on Kickstarter forced her into customer-service mode before she even had inventory, why color stories beat strict SKU rationalization, what the GIR sale to Pattern taught her about single-channel risk, and how vertical integration led to Manifest’s 3PL and the launch of Endless Commerce. Sam also breaks down AI’s role in just-in-time inventory, predicts an LLM-powered shopping future that both excites and unnerves her, and offers two free months of her commerce OS to fellow founders.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Collision with the Customer & Kickstarter Lessons
02:44 – Scaling GIR: Color Stories vs. SKU Discipline
07:32 – Acquisition Insights: Building a Balanced Brand Portfolio
09:54 – Manifest & the Cost of Learning Curves
13:03 – Endless Commerce and AI-Driven Supply Chains
OFFER
Get two months free on any tier and free onboarding to Endless Commerce when you mention the Founder Mode podcast or that Jason & Kevin sent you!
LINKS
Connect with Samantha Rose
endlesscommerce.com • LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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EPISODE 10
Serial CTO and Acompli co-founder JJ Zhuang joins Kevin and Jason to explain why the next generation of great products will be built by tiny, AI-super-powered teams. He unpacks lessons from taking Acompli’s first line of code to a $200 million Microsoft exit, steering Instacart through pandemic hyper-growth, and relearning to code with tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor and Devin now writing the majority of his team’s code. Along the way JJ outlines the shift from hiring stack specialists to adaptable generalists, the rise of agentic “AI teammates,” and his mantra of “fast software” that lets founders prototype, test and ship at the speed of imagination—while still cutting through the 2025 hype cycle around agents and other buzzwords.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Shots Fired: Surprising Start & Show Kick-off
01:52 – From Acompli to Outlook: Building All-Star Teams
06:11 – Instacart’s Pandemic Sprint & Early AI Adoption
11:50 – Pair-Programming vs. Agentic Devs: Devin, Cursor & More
22:12 – Fast Software & Filtering the 2025 AI Hype
LINKS
Connect with JJ Zhuang
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
RESOURCES
GitHub Copilot
v0
Devin
Cursor
Windsurf
Augment
OpenAI Codex
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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EPISODE 9
Megan Berry—architect, pop-up pioneer, and Mentors Fund partner—shows DTC founders how to move from clicks to bricks without torching cash. She explains her 8-foot-by-50-square-foot kiosk “permit hack,” the KPIs (unaided brand awareness, repeat engagement, dwell-time hot spots) that justify a multimillion-dollar flagship, and why post-COVID stores should feel like friction-free showrooms, not inventory caves. The talk digs into festival activations, cadence-matched merchandising, omni-channel partnerships that now include hotels and Pilates studios, AI-powered journey tracking, and practical founder advice on conserving runway while staying crazy-creative.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Permit Hack & Pop-Up Spark
06:46 – KPIs That Green-Light a Flagship
12:51 – Post-COVID, Low-Friction Store Design
19:17 – Omnichannel Expansion & Partnerships
26:25 – AI, Cash Efficiency & Founder Advice
LINKS
Connect with Megan Berry
LinkedIn
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Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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EPISODE 8
In this episode, serial entrepreneur Ritwik Pavan joins Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton to explore the rise of AI-first product design and its profound implications on consumer hardware, smart cities, and modular construction. They discuss the essential strategies founders need to adopt, including the importance of hyper-personalization, overcoming challenges in training data, untapped opportunities in lifestyle and public safety sectors, and why AI is turning hardware into recurring revenue businesses.
CHAPTERS
00:34 – What It Means to Build AI-First
03:53 – Ritwik’s Journey and AI Consumer Innovations
08:41 – Smart Cities, AI, and the Future of Urban Life
17:08 – Modular Construction and AI’s Role in Housing
22:20 – Underrated Opportunities: Lifestyle and Public Safety
LINKS
Connect with Ritwik Pavan
Hardware Herald • LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
Connect with Jason
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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EPISODE 7
In this episode, seasoned marketing leader Peter Farago shares zero-to-one marketing insights for early-stage startups, emphasizing empathy, iterative messaging, and organic inbound strategies. Drawing on experiences from Flurry, Acompli, and RunLLM, Peter highlights the importance of a clear value proposition, building brand credibility, and leveraging customer feedback loops. He also addresses AI’s evolving role in marketing, reassuring listeners that AI won’t replace jobs but will reshape how marketers operate. Packed with tangible advice, this conversation offers a roadmap for founders seeking to refine their product, storytelling, and growth approach in crowded markets.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introducing Peter Farago and the Power of Empathy
01:34 – Zero-to-One Marketing Fundamentals
08:03 – Lessons from Acompli’s Early Growth
16:42 – Leveraging Customer Feedback and Iteration
29:04 – AI’s Evolving Role in Marketing
LINKS
Connect with Peter Farago
runllm.com • LinkedIn • X/Twitter • Podcast
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Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
Connect with Jason
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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EPISODE 6
In this episode, Viktor Petersson shares how saying “no” can be a superpower for founders managing remote teams. He discusses practical strategies for email triage, boundary-setting to avoid burnout, and why in-person retreats are key to trust and alignment. Learn how Viktor’s approach to documentation, intrinsic motivation, and selective communication helps him preserve energy for what matters most—while still leaving the door open for valuable opportunities.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Why Saying No Matters for Remote Teams
02:23 – Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Burnout
09:12 – Remote Work Fundamentals & Hiring
15:18 – Onboarding & Team Summits
22:21 – Building Trust Through Retreats & Face-to-Face Time
LINKS
Connect with Viktor Petersson
Screenly: https://www.screenly.io/
sbomify: https://sbomify.com/
Podcast: https://vpetersson.com/podcast
LIinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpetersson/
X/Twitter: https://mobile.x.com/vpetersson
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Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com
Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
Connect with Jason
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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EPISODE 5
In this episode of Founder Mode, Jason and Kevin sit down with Andreas Homer—startup founder, former BD leader at Microsoft, and now Head of Product Partnerships at Shopify—to explore the underrated superpower of asking. They unpack how a single well-phrased request can unlock jobs, capital, and high-leverage relationships. Andreas shares how he’s built a career by asking with clarity, fairness, and authenticity—whether it's securing investor intros, landing competitive roles, or hiring top-tier talent. The episode also dives into how to ask differently depending on your audience—investors, users, or team members—and why being yourself beats mimicking someone else’s style. The key lesson: Asking isn’t about pressure or persuasion—it’s about being clear, human, and real.
CHAPTERS
0:00 — Why Asking Is a Founder Superpower
5:18 — How Andreas Landed Jobs by Asking the Right Way
11:02 — Fundraising: Clarity, Conviction & Handling Rejection
18:05 — Hiring: Framing Startups as Growth Opportunities
26:11 — Final Takeaway: Ask Authentically
LINKS
Connect with Andreas
Personal Site • LinkedIn
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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Episode 4: In this episode of Founder Mode, Jason and Kevin kick things off with an unexpected Bill Russell story—revealing how the legendary NBA center threw up before every single game, including the easiest matchups. It becomes a perfect parallel for founders grappling with anxieties that simply won’t go away. They argue that anxiety, if handled properly, can be the secret sauce of drive and resilience. Special guest Slobodan “Sani” Manic, host of the No Hacks podcast and founder of PodPacer, discusses turning nerves into productive energy, the importance of building culture with real integrity (no shortcuts!), and why data should inform but never completely override your gut. They wrap by emphasizing old-school personal values in a world of AI-driven quick fixes—reminding us that nothing beats honesty and consistent effort when building a sustainable, founder-led venture.
CHAPTERS
0:00 — Bill Russell & The Anxiety Factor
0:35 — Episode Intro: Anxiety as a Founder’s Superpower
1:08 — Overcoming Founder Anxiety & People Challenges
7:21 — Interview with Slobodan (No Hacks, PodPacer)
25:45 — Recap & Closing Thoughts
LINKS
Check Out Slobodan
No Hacks Podcast • PodPacer • LinkedIn
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Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com
Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
Connect with Jason
LinkedIn • X/Twitter
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Episode 3: In this episode of Founder Mode, Jason and Kevin dive into how AI is transforming startup life—from supercharging everyday workflows to enabling solo entrepreneurs to build fully functional SaaS products in record time. They share personal anecdotes on using AI tools for email summarization, research, marketing campaigns, and even multimillion-dollar licensing negotiations. The highlight is an interview with Alex Finn, founder of CreatorBuddy, who reveals how he leveraged AI coding to singlehandedly create a six-figure ARR content platform for X (formerly Twitter). Alex emphasizes the value of empowering individuals to act as independent entrepreneurs within organizations and explains why forming and expressing strong opinions is essential in a noisy tech landscape. The takeaway: AI can handle grunt work at lightning speed, but human insight, creativity, and leadership remain the driving forces behind true innovation.
Chapters
0:00 — Introduction & AI’s Transformational Power5:43 — Negotiating with AI & Productivity Wins8:40 — Avoiding “Slop-Bot” Syndrome18:12 — Interview with Alex Finn & CreatorBuddy28:08 — Key Takeaways & Wrap-UpConnect with Alex:
X/Twitter
Check out CreatorBuddy (use code FOUNDER for 20% off your first 6 months)
Subscribe to Alex's newsletter 1% BetterStay Connected
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Connect with Kevin:
LinkedIn | X/TwitterConnect with Jason:
LinkedIn | X/Twitter -
Episode 2: In this episode, Jason Shafton and Kevin Henrikson discuss balancing health and hustle as a founder, exploring why many entrepreneurs struggle to maintain their health and relationships while building businesses. They highlight the importance of recognizing the phase you're in, using tools and AI to simplify health management, and proactively communicating with family and colleagues to protect essential relationships. Kevin shares insights from his extensive tracking of health data and how he leverages technology, while Jason provides candid reflections on managing family life amidst intense work commitments. The conversation emphasizes sustainable practices and prioritizing impactful actions over mere busyness.
00:00 - Intro: Crawl, Walk, Run
01:44 - Balancing Health and Hustle as Founders
16:05 - Tools and AI for Health Management
21:15 - Protecting Relationships During Intense Work
27:49 - Identifying and Managing Your Current PhaseSubscribe to the Founder Mode newsletter
Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn X/Twitter
Connect with Jason: LinkedIn X/Twitter -
Episode 1: In this first episode of Founder Mode, hosts Jason Shafton (Google, Headspace) and Kevin Henrikson (Acompli, Outlook, Instacart) break down the idea that luck isn't random—it's a skill you can manufacture. Through candid stories from their experiences at Google, Microsoft, and early-stage startups, Jason and Kevin reveal how successful founders intentionally create their own opportunities by taking risks, building strategic relationships, and rapidly experimenting. The conversation highlights the true essence of "founder mode," emphasizing a relentless bias for action, deep customer focus, and the growing importance of AI tools for entrepreneurs. Whether you're just starting out or leading at scale, this episode delivers actionable insights and inspiration to help you shift into founder mode and start making your own luck.
0:27 – What Is Founder Mode?
3:19 – Applying Founder Mode to Life
5:02 – The Hard Work Behind ‘Luck’
9:16 – Kevin’s Background
11:05 – Jason’s Google Years
14:14 – Getting ‘Lucky’ at Microsoft
20:24 – Mentorship & Advisor Mode
23:50 – Transition to Building With Few Resources
33:04 – Curiosity, Team Building, & Leadership
35:25 – IRL Networking & Personal Branding
40:51 – Bias for Action: Shipping Quickly
44:25 – Final Takeaways & Who This Podcast Is ForSubscribe to Founder Mode newsletter: https://foundermode.kit.com/
Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhenrikson/ https://twitter.com/KevinHenrikson
Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonshafton/ https://twitter.com/jasonshafton
