Afleveringen
-
Sanjay Chadha, co-founder of SAV Associates, brings over 25 years of global experience in corporate finance, cybersecurity, and risk management. From navigating boardrooms in Vietnam and Madagascar to safeguarding data in North America, Sanjay has advised more than 1,000 clients on building resilient, profitable companies. In this episode, he reveals the costly mistakes most founders makeâplus how to prevent a deepfake disaster from taking down your business.
Key Discussion Points
Why He Left Corporate Life: The spark that pushed Sanjay to leave Big Four consulting and build a global advisory firm.
Global Lessons from 7 Countries: What living and working across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East taught him about scaling internationally.
How to Think Like a CFO: The most overlooked financial mistakesâand why founders must read the story behind their numbers.
Cybersecurity & Deepfakes: Why AI is a blessing and a bombshellâand how one email nearly tricked his entire firm.
Risk is the New Currency: Why protecting data matters more than profits in todayâs tech-driven landscape.
Cash Burn â Growth: The trap of fast-spending founders and the secret to building companies that last.
Key Takeaways
Startups donât fail from bad ideasâthey fail from poor financial fluency.If you canât read your numbers, you canât write your success story.Cyber risk isnât optional anymoreâone deepfake could cost your company everything.Global mindset, local agility: Scaling safely starts with structure, not size.Every number tells a storyâand your CFO should know how to read it.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Kit Gray, President and Co-Founder of PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC), reveals how he parlayed childhood radio fandom into a thriving public podcast network. From early iPod hacks with Adam Carolla to structuring live reads, community-first ad packages, and an IPO, Kit shares the timing, tactics, and tenacity behind PodcastOneâs $51M revenue and its 200-show roster.
Key Discussion Points
Radio Roots & Howard Stern: How listening to sports talk and Sternâs brand-building ignited Kitâs love for audio.
Selling the Download: Early deals with Adam Carolla (ProFlowers, LegalZoom) that proved CPMs & CPA tracking worked.
Building a Network: Moving from one-off ad reads to 360° packagesâaudio, video, socialâfor A&E, Lady Gang, Jordan Harbinger, and more.
Timing the Tides: Why the iPhone, COVID lockdowns, and YouTubeâs podcast push turbocharged growth.
Going Public: Lessons (and flip-flops) on spinning out, partnering with bankers, and using equity to align talent.
Community over Impressions: Why buying engaged audiences beats mass buy, and how brands scale with niche pods.
Key Takeaways
Be first, but stay fast: Early movers in on-demand audio captured both talent and advertisers.Proof precedes scale: Start with one host, one campaign; use hard ROI data to win bigger deals.Sell the community, not just ad slots: True influence lies in loyalty, not lowest CPM.Equity aligns interests: Offering stock to creators fosters retention and shared upside.Adapt or fade away: From iPods to social streams to IPO filings, continual reinvention is non-negotiable.Closing Thoughts
Dive into how Kit Gray built a soup-to-nuts podcast empireâsigning singers turned podcasters, structuring ad-stacked communities, and trading on NASDAQâand walk away with a playbook for finding, owning, and monetizing the next great audio audience.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Alessandro Figliano, Founder & CEO of Jet 365, shares how he turned a love for flying into a luxury aviation brand trusted by F1 and high-net-worth clients. From flying school to building a white-glove charter service, Alessandro breaks down how Jet 365 blends safety, personalization, and tech into an experience the new generation of elite travelers demands, while maintaining the service standards legacy brands lost.
Key Discussion Points
Pilot to Founder: How Alessandro funded a flying school through his first business, then transitioned from hobbyist to charter operator.
Seeing the Gap: Why a fragmented broker space inspired Jet 365âs concierge modelâtailored for both tech-savvy users and traditional luxury clients.
F1-Level Partnerships: How a personal network led to Jet 365 becoming the aviation provider for a Formula One team.
Luxury that Listens: The power of referrals, retention, and saying yesâeven when a plane breaks down hours before takeoff.
High-Touch Meets High-Tech: How Jet 365 is building a new platform to serve both automated and white-glove clientele.
Custom Over Scale: Why Alessandro rejects fast growth in favor of sustainable, service-first expansion.
Key Takeaways
Solve before you scale: High-end clients donât care about volumeâthey care about flawless delivery.White-glove wins: Luxury is less about cost and more about care. Every detail matters.Two types of clients, one standard: Whether booking online or via a concierge, the experience must exceed expectations.Build in public (quietly): Real partnerships and growth happen behind the scenes, not on Instagram.Sustainability > speed: Growth that protects service levels will outlast shortcuts every time.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
David Royce, a serial entrepreneur (Aptive Environmental) recounts his journey from a broke college door-to-door rookie to scaling a pest-control startup into a $500 million national leaderâand why heâs now taking a well-earned sabbatical.
Key Discussion Points
The Rookie Summer: How a disastrous first week of door-to-door sales prompted Davidâs self-education marathon in sales books.
Systems Over Spark: Building replicable training, manuals, and processes that delivered 2Ă results and launched him into leadership.
Scaling Pains: Why hyper-growth nearly bankrupted his first venture and how he raised capital to keep pace.
Leveling Up: Swapping his original exec team for seasoned billion-dollar operators to navigate the jump from regional to national scale.
Entrepreneurial Highs & Lows: The dopamine rush of the early years, the burnout of success, and the intentional one-year pause to rediscover purpose.
Investor IQ: Why proven operators attract funding, and the difference between a slick pitch deck and a battle-tested team.
Sabbatical Mindset: Lessons on stepping back, letting others lead, and treating entrepreneurship like a lifelong sport you can pause and replay.
Key Takeaways
Master your craft first: hands-on experience de-risks your startup journey.Build playbooks, not personalities: systems scale; individuals stall.Growth capital is a double-edged swordâraise just enough to stay nimble.Only the paranoid survive: swap in fresh talent as your needs evolve.Sabbaticals can reboot your passionâsometimes stepping off the gas is the smartest move.Closing Thoughts
Tune in to learn how David Royce became an accidental CEO, why he sold his own dream once (and why heâll do it again), and how even the fastest-growing entrepreneurs need time off to stay in the game.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Matt Raad (CEO & CoâFounder of eBusiness Institute) shares how he and his wife, Liz Raad, went from farming and zoology students to buying, scaling, and exiting online businesses. Learn why âpageâfiveâ passion sites can be goldmines, how AI accelerates growth, and the blueprint for lowârisk, highâcashâflow digital entrepreneurship.
Key Discussion Points
From Kangaroos to Cashflow: How Matt & Liz leveraged rural roots and early manufacturing M&A mistakes to discover onlineâs superior riskâreturn profile.
Valuing Digital Assets: Why net profit Ă 1â5Ă multiples, recurring revenue, traffic quality, and audience/community strength are your core due diligence metrics.
Finding Diamonds in the Rough: Hunting bargains via Flippa classifieds and private outreach to pageâ5+ Google sitesâplus the art of negotiating with cash and escrow.com.
Build, Automate, Flip: Renovate niche blogs with SEO, monetization (ads, affiliates, sponsorships), and AIâassisted content editing to boost profits.
Scaling with AI: How ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini are slashing team sizes, turbocharging site builds (tenâminute bootcamp wins!,) and cutting content costs.
ExitâReady Growth: Why hitting 7âfigure ARR unlocks privateâequity interest, and how leadership + repeatable processes maximize your sale multiple.
Key Takeaways
Start Small, Win Big: Learn website building, buy a subâ$5K site, and experiment with AIâno big capital required.Audience Is Asset: Communities trump pageâone rankings; loyal followings drive recurring, scalable revenue.Due Diligence Matters: Practice on lowârisk deals, use escrow for safe transfers, and know threshold profit multiples.Niche Is King: Passionate microâniches host undervalued sites ripe for 10Ă upside with the right knowâhow.Exit Strategy: Buyers buy growth potential and proven teamsâbuild with scalability and clear leadership in mind.Closing Thoughts
Ready to quit the nineâtoâfive grind? Tune in to discover a battleâtested playbook for buying, scaling, and exiting online businesses with Matt & Lizâplus actionable steps to launch your own digital side hustle.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Alfonso Guerreri, A Harvard-educated lawyer turned hands-on entrepreneur, founded RICI Contracting in 2022 and has since grown it into a full-service powerhouse. Today, RICI delivers construction, asphalt paving, snow & property maintenance, waste management, and facility services across Ontario. Alfonso shares how he parlayed legal training into strategic vision, weathered early food-truck misfires, and now innovates a once-old-school industry with sustainability, operational excellence, and client-first focus.
Key Discussion Points:
Law Meets Hard Hats: How a top-tier legal education taught Alfonso discipline, risk assessment, and negotiation skills he now applies to multimillion-dollar contracting bids.
Early Failures to Firm Foundations: The food-truck chapter that taught him to test market fit, manage debt serviceability, and pivot swiftly into construction.
Building RICIâs Service Portfolio: The step-by-step playbook for adding roll-off trucks, portable toilets, paving rigs, and snow-plow fleetsâeach driven by recurring revenue needs.
Ideally Niche Clients: Why focusing on property managers, REITs, and pension-fund portfolios ensures monthly billing reliability and repeat business.
Innovation & Sustainability: How Alfonso is modernizing a legacy sector through advanced equipment, AI-powered fleet surveillance, and eco-minded operational upgrades.
Scaling with Discipline: His criteria for debt-financed expansion, in-house versus subcontractor work, and turning low-risk jobs into entry points for higher-ticket contracts.
Key Takeaways:
Strategic Pivoting: Embrace early failures as fast-feedback loops that uncover scalable opportunities.Debt Serviceability Test: Only invest in capital assets when your recurring cash-flows can safely cover the payments.Client Lifetime Value: Lock in high-margin, recurring services for the same ideal customers rather than chasing one-off gigs.Operational Excellence: Leverage technology, standardize processes, and build sustainability into every service offering.Closing Thoughts:
Alfonso Guerreriâs journey from articling desks to asphalt crews illustrates that true entrepreneurial grit lies in mastering finance-savvy expansion and relentless client focus. Tune in to discover how RICI Contracting is redefining Canadian facility servicesâone strategically financed roll-off bin at a time.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
After engineering stints and an immigrant-family push toward a PhD, Brian Le accidentally fell into entrepreneurship, first by noticing Bird scooters on campus, then by solving studentsâ last-minute snack and supply crises with app-powered micro-convenience. A Y Combinator alum, Brian tells how COVID tested Needâs model, why blind ambition is a superpower in your twenties, and how he sees college (and AI) shaping the next generation of founders.
Key Discussion Points
Engineering Roots â Accidental Startup: How Bird scooters at UCLA sparked a âWhy not?â moment.
YC Crash Course: The plunge from no-name founders into the worldâs top acceleratorâand why every twenty-something should consider it.
Pandemic Pivot: When campus shutdowns zeroed out revenue, why doubling down on your mission becomes your strongest play.
Pitching 101: The art of âsellingâ your startup: story-driven conviction and painting a vivid vision five-to-ten years out.
Collegeâs True Value: It isnât just classesâitâs community, hands-on experiments, and leadership labs for budding founders.
AI as a Tool, Not a Threat: Why aspiring entrepreneurs should harness AI to supercharge impact, not replace human ingenuity.
Key Takeaways
Ignorance Is Bliss: Youthful âdeluluâ ambition fuels moonshot ventures that grizzled veterans second-guess.Sell the Vision: A great pitch isnât a slide deckâitâs an emotional story backed by unwavering conviction.Embrace Crisis: A downturn isnât a dead endâitâs a moment to build your foundation and outpace slow movers.College = Sandbox: Beyond tuition, campus life offers accelerators, orgs, and friendships that forge real-world entrepreneurs.Check them out https://wefunder.com/need
Closing Thoughts
Brian Leâs journey proves that true founders are often âaccidentalââignited by frustration, honed by trial, and scaled by audacious positivity. Whether youâre racing a scooter or racing a market, the college decade remains the ultimate launchpad for ventures that dare to deliver.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Colin Walsh CEO & CoâFounder of YayDay; CEO of P&G Specialty Beauty and Dr. Roshini Raj boardâcertified gastroenterologist, Gut Renovation author, coâfounder of Tula & YayDay share how beauty meets biotech in a gutâfirst wellness brand. They reveal why fiber + magnesium is only the start, and how gut health underpins sleep, mood, immunityâand even skin health.
Key Discussion Points
Roots in Beauty & Medicine: How Roshiniâs probiotic skincare journey at Tula and Colinâs 20âyear beauty career sparked a gutâhealth collaboration.
Gut Microbiome 101: What exactly lives in your gut, why its balance matters for everything from digestion to mood, and how fiber (prebiotics), beneficial bacteria (probiotics), and postbiotics play their part.
YayDayâs âTriple Playâ: The science behind their prebiotic fiber blend, digestive enzymes and sleepâboosting magnesium glycinateâwhy it works where Metamucil and melatonin fall short.
Brand with a Cause: Reinventing embarrassing âhealthâ routines into a joyful, resultsâdriven ritualâhow great packaging, expert science and rapid, tangible benefits build trust in a crowded wellness market.
Marketing & Growth: Lessons from Procter & Gamble on creating proven efficacy, growing wordâofâmouth, and earning âtrust capitalâ through real customer results.
Exit Strategies: What acquirers really buy (growth potential + leadership) and why thoughtful timingâand full clarity on postâexit rolesâmatters for founders.
Key Takeaways
Your gut is its own âorganââits microbes influence sleep, skin, mood and immunity.Simple rituals win: combining prebiotic fiber + enzymes + magnesium delivers nearâinstant sleep and digestion benefits.Brand trust is built on proven results, expert endorsement and joyful, approachable design.Marketing health means sampling broadly, showcasing real reviews and earning attention over time.Whether you build or sell, acquirers want teams who can scale the brand far beyond todayâs footprint.Closing Thoughts
Tune in to learn how two industry legends turned an awkward health topic into YayDayâs delightful daily ritualâplus practical tips on gut wellness, branding in a noisy market, and creating exitâworthy growth.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Korosh Farazad traded a UK law career for two decades of pioneering structured finance in hospitality real estate. Today, his Farazad Advisory specializes in value-add hotel acquisitionsâ85â200 rooms, no global brands, 3â5-year holdâin gateway cities across North America and Western Europe. From SLS Dubai to a sudden Swiss relocation, Korosh reveals the deal architecture, market pivots, and hard-won lessons behind his boutique empire.Key Discussion Points:
The Spark: How a people-personâs obsession with behind-the-scenes hotel value drove Korosh from courtroom to keys.
Deal DNA: Why only sub-200-room, unbranded hotels qualify, and how minority stakes plus franchise tie-ins deliver 1.8â3Ă returns.
âSLS Dubaiâ Benchmark: The guest-experience blueprint that turns check-in into a 24-hour mousetrap of F&B and nightlife options.
Market Pivot: Exiting a cooling UK scene, relocating to Switzerland in five weeks, and sealing first Swiss deals in record time.
Architects of Upside: Balancing debt-serviceability and in-house expertise to self-power roll-off trucks, paving rigs, and franchise roll-outs.
Failure â Fuel: Why every crash taught him more than success, and how relentless iteration builds the confident dealmaker.Key Takeaways:
Start Small, Crawl First: Deeply master every back-and-front-of-house nuance before running.Value-Add Over Core: Seek the âunfinished canvasâ hotels that reward hands-on branding and operational revamps.Crystal-Clear Criteria: 85â200 rooms ⢠no legacy brand ⢠three-to-five-year hold ⢠gateway city tourist flow.Speed to Market: Quick pivots (e.g., Switzerland in five weeks) beat protracted, high-cost transformations.Closing Thoughts:
Korosh Farazadâs journey reminds us that hospitality deals arenât hotel-chain clones but stories begging to be rewritten. Tune in to discover how structured finance, guest-obsessed engineering, and bold market moves can redefine real estate successâone boutique acquisition at a time.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Kuty Shalev shares how a college accounting grad became a pioneer of fully remote software consultingâ25 years before âwork from homeâ was a thing. He explains why speed, adaptability, and âsoft skillsâ (EQ as deliberate practice) trump raw IQ in todayâs agile, AI-driven world.
Key Discussion Points:
A Serendipitous Start
From PwC-sponsored coding at Columbia to founding a lean software firm with Pricewaterhouse as Year-One client.
Early adoption of Skypeâpowered remote teams to solve developer shortages.
Building a True Remote Culture
Lessons learned: codifying checklists, connectivity standards, and clear response SLAs.
Hiring only those who thrive in remote settingsâsurfing from the beach, caring for family, or rural living.
Soft Skills as a âMust-Haveâ
Reframing EQ as a learnable âsoft skillâ through deliberate practice and gamified coaching.
Engineers with high EQ excel at adapting to rapid change, cross-team collaboration, and maintaining motivation.
Digital Transformation Reimagined
Rejecting one-size-fits-all platforms in favor of modular, vendor-agnostic architectures.
Rapid, low-risk proofs of concept that scale, saving time and budget.
Remote model enables access to global talent, faster staffing (2â3 weeks), and reinvesting office savings in senior engineers.
Speed & Resilience
Speed as competitive advantage in a landscape where AI and new tools emerge daily.
Overcoming early stumbles by showing up, iterating fast, and leveraging trust and feedback loops.
Key Takeaways:
Speed Wins: Rapid iteration and fast staffing trump slow, monolithic âbig-bangâ IT projects.
EQ Matters: Soft skills can be learned; they unlock collaboration, resilience, and better outcomes.
Remote Is a Strength: A 25-year remote track record proves that location-agnostic teams deliver quality, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
Modularity Over Monoliths: Architect for choiceâcloud providers, SaaS, and stacksâso you can pivot as technology evolves.
Show Up Relentlessly: Consistent effort, forgiveness of failure, and learning from mistakes fuel long-term success.
Closing Thoughts:
Lueinaltaâs journey shows that innovation isnât just about techâitâs about people, practices, and the courage to redefine work itself. By mastering speed, empathy, and modular design, founders can build resilient organizations ready for whatever comes next.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
April (âWaeprilâ) shares how battling teenage acne sparked her obsession with ingredient-led skincare and launched her Instagram career. From zero views in quarantine to brand partnerships and a new website, she reveals the mindset, strategies, and resilience needed to turn personal struggle into a thriving beauty business.
Key Discussion Points:
Origins of Her Passion:
Teenage acne eroded Aprilâs confidence, driving her to decode product labels and hunt active ingredients that truly work.
Emphasis on teaching followers how to read ingredients rather than chase marketing claims.
Authentic Community Growth:
Early quarantine boredom turned into daily posting despite tiny view countsâpassion kept her going.
Advice for new creators: embrace originality, adapt trends into your own voice, and persist through slow growth.
Monetization Pathways:
As follower count climbs, brands seek her out for product launches and paid collaborations.
Amazon affiliate links and TikTok/IG Shop as accessible entry points before launching a full e-commerce site.
Content Differentiation:
Stand out by infusing every reel with your personality and story, not just mimicking top trends.
Trend hijacking vs. trend transformation: use popular formats as springboards for unique angles.
Overcoming Personal Loss:
A pause after her fatherâs passing led to renewed clarity and commitmentâturning grief into motivation.
Balancing vulnerability and positivity to build deeper audience trust.
The Future of Social Commerce:
Huge potential in live selling on TikTok, YouTube Commerce, and Amazon Live, especially for beauty demos.
The importance of user-friendly affiliate programs for creators without bespoke websites.
Key Takeaways:
Ingredient Literacy Is Power: Teach your audience to look past branding and focus on actives that actually deliver.
Passion Fuels Persistence: When growth stalls, genuine enthusiasm and a personal âwhyâ will carry you forward.
Authenticity Wins: Audiences connect with real stories and personalities more than polished, generic content.
Accessible Monetization: Start with affiliate links and brand collaborations before scaling to full e-commerce.
Closing Thoughts:
Aprilâs journey proves that turning personal pain into purpose can create a loyal, engaged communityâand a viable business. By prioritizing ingredient expertise, authentic storytelling, and resilience, any creator can transform their passion into influence and income.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Sheelam Chadha discusses her bold journey from two decades in corporate real estate to launching her own firm, Dry Capital, symbolically founded on International Womenâs Day 2025. Driven by the desire to break the glass ceiling and leverage her extensive experience in the volatile European real estate market, Sheelam shares insights into navigating uncertainty, the importance of trust, and the power of strategic networking.
Key Discussion Points:
From Corporate to Founder:
The motivation behind launching Dry Capital after encountering limitations in the traditional corporate structure.How Sheelam turned professional frustrations into entrepreneurial opportunity by creating a company aligned with her vision and values.Navigating Market Volatility:
Insights on how major eventsâlike Brexit, COVID-19, and recent interest rate hikesâhave reshaped the European commercial real estate landscape.Why traditional bank financing is increasingly limited, and how Dry Capital provides alternative private capital solutions to help companies navigate prolonged market challenges.Challenges and Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
The barriers faced by women in traditionally male-dominated industries and how Sheelam overcame criticism by cultivating resilience and self-belief.Practical advice on why women should embrace risk, leverage supportive networks, and pursue their entrepreneurial visions without hesitation.Strategic Networking and Building Trust:
How critical building and maintaining a professional network has been throughout Sheelamâs career.Advice for young professionals: proactively attend industry events, build genuine relationships, and cultivate trust that can last decades.Valuable Corporate Experience:
How experiences during economic downturns and corporate restructuring periods provided Sheelam with invaluable insights and resilience.Why challenging times offer greater learning opportunities compared to periods of easy growth.Key Takeaways:
Embracing discomfort and uncertainty can drive significant personal and professional growth.Genuine trust and integrity within professional relationships can be a key differentiator and asset throughout one's career.Courage, belief in oneself, and leveraging past corporate experiences can empower entrepreneurs to launch and scale their own businesses successfully.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Aaron Marcum spent over two decades in the home care industry before founding Breakaway365, a coaching program designed to help agency owners scale their businesses while reclaiming the time, energy, and freedom theyâve lost. In this episode, Aaron shares what inspired him to launch Breakaway365, how positive psychology transformed his approach to leadership, and what he's learned from coaching hundreds of overwhelmed home care entrepreneurs.
Drawing on data from his previous venture, Home Care Pulse, Aaron explains how burnout, poor delegation, and always-on leadership are silently eroding the effectiveness of many agency owners. Through Breakaway365, he now empowers leaders to rethink how they build their businessesâwith scalable systems, strong culture, and purpose-driven leadership at the core.
Key Discussion Points:
The Burnout Epidemic in Home Care Leadership:
Aaron shares how most agency owners lose sight of their original vision due to constant stress and reactive leadership. Breakaway365 was created to help them "break away" from always being on and return to the freedom they set out to create.
Positive Psychology Meets Entrepreneurship:
Backed by a masterâs degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, Aaron explains how mindset shiftsâlike reframing setbacks as temporaryâcan radically transform business ownersâ resilience and performance.
Keeping Culture Framework:
A proprietary model developed by Breakaway365 focused on retention and team growth.
K.E.E.P. stands for Knowledge, Empowerment, Engagement, and Partnership.Emphasizes autonomy, relationships, and confidence as the âarc of growthâ that drives team loyalty and performance.AI-Driven Purpose Matching:
Aaron introduces a powerful tool Breakaway members use to help caregivers define their personal purpose, aligning it with the companyâs missionâenhancing retention and employee engagement from day one.
Three-Day Immersive to Three-Year Commitment:
Breakaway365 starts with a transformational three-day event where owners define their Breakaway Blueprintâa roadmap tailored to what they truly want from their business. The program then continues for up to three years, offering tools, coaching, and AI-powered systems to build lasting success.
Why This Matters:
Home care is a mission-driven industry deeply impacted by leadership burnout and staff turnover.Breakaway365 is not just about growing revenueâit's about restoring joy and purpose to business ownership.Aaronâs approach is adaptable across industries, offering a blueprint for any founder looking to scale with sanity.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Yaroslav Lazor and Sergiy Korolov take us on their fascinating journey from passionate software engineers to innovative entrepreneurs at Railsware. They share how their love for building software evolved from personal passion into a thriving business, influencing multiple industries and countless lives. Railswareâs approach of treating every internal process as a product is central to their ability to innovate, scale, and continuously improve.
Key Discussion Points:
Origins & Inspiration:
How their genuine passion for software as a transformative force inspired the founding of Railsware.Viewing software development as an exciting sportâendlessly challenging and infinitely rewarding.Product Mindset & Business Evolution:
The philosophy of approaching every company function (legal, finance, recruitment) as a "product" to enhance efficiency and user experience.Balancing in-house product development with collaborative ventures to constantly engage with fresh ideas and challenges.Building & Scaling Successful Companies:
Why early-stage entrepreneurs must juggle multiple roles, from visionary to executor.The critical importance of team-building, sharp decision-making, and scaling thoughtfully as the business grows.Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs:
Embracing a "founder mode craziness," coupled with conscious decision-making, intuition, and deep domain knowledge.How luck, timing, persistence ("don't quit"), and managing your own psychology are underestimated yet critical factors in entrepreneurial success.The Impact of AI:
AIâs role as a productivity booster rather than a complete replacement for creative roles such as writing, design, and software development.How AI fosters clearer articulation of ideas, better prototyping, and expanded creative possibilities.Key Takeaways:
Passion and continuous learning fuel entrepreneurial longevity.Treating business processes as products helps create clarity and efficiency.Understanding timing, persistence, and adaptability is critical for sustained success.Leveraging AI effectively enhances human potential rather than replacing it.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
In this episode of Founder's Story, Raza Sheikh, Founder & CEO of Identable, explains how he distilled his own frustration with fragmented SEO, content, and social tools into Identableââone platform, zero fragmentation.â Designed for businesses of every size, Identable combines AI-powered SEO, content creation, social scheduling, and lead capture into a single dashboard. Raza describes how his technologist roots and Antler VC experience revealed a universal pain point: marketing teams wasted hours wrestling with disconnected systems instead of crafting strategy.
Key Discussion Points:
Inspiration & Problem: Juggling multiple free AI utilities, legacy SEO tools, and agencies left teams burned out.Founderâs Path: Solving his own go-to-market struggles led to a platform that any entrepreneur can use.Core Features: Unified website optimization, AI-driven content generation, social posting, and real-time lead tracking.SEO Meets GSO: Integrating traditional backlink SEO with generative search optimization for structured, AI-aware content.AIâs Role: Speed and scaleâusing AI to handle repetitive tasks so humans can focus on strategy and creativity.Takeaways:
Fragmented marketing stacks cost time and talent; consolidation boosts both productivity and results.Generative Search Optimization (GSO) is the next evolution of SEOâstructure and semantics matter.AI tools amplify human insight but must be steered by clear strategy and intent.Closing Thoughts:
Whether you run brick-and-mortar shops or digital agencies, Identable offers a streamlined, AI-powered path from content idea to customer captureâfreeing teams to innovate rather than integrate.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Shane Smith is a seasoned med spa entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and the CEO of Upkeep Venturesâone of Americaâs fastest-growing aesthetic brands. With multiple Inc. 5000 awards and 1000%+ year-over-year growth, Shane has built a national business by making high-quality med spa services accessible to the customers most companies overlook.
His fearless approach to scaling and commitment to affordability are changing the face of the industry.s a seasoned med spa entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, responsible for building and leading some of the worldâs top-performing spa and med spa companies, including multiple Inc. 5000-ranked businesses. As the CEO of Upkeep Ventures, Shane has scaled a national med spa brand focused on affordable, high-quality aesthetic services, driven by rapid growth, fearless strategy, and a commitment to serving customers others overlook.
We dive into: â Why being too smart can hold you back as a founder
â What Shane learned by shadowing elite CEOs
â His no-fluff take on entrepreneurship and risk
â Why doing what others wonât is the secret to growth
â And how to scale a service business without losing your soul
đť Visit: https://www.upkeepmedspa.com
đ More: https://www.upkeepventures.com
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Divakar Vijayasarathy is the founder of DVS, a global platform revolutionizing the accounting and business services industry with a presence in the USA, India, Singapore, and Dubai. A self-described Thought Capitalist, Divakar is also the author of 16 books on taxation and a globally respected strategist in scaling professional services. His mission? To help CPAs and small firms overcome fragmentation, eliminate fear, and scale toward global impact and freedom.
đŹ In This Episode:What if scaling your firm wasnât just about better tools, but about completely rethinking your mindset?
In this mind-expanding episode, Divakar breaks down the illusions that hold entrepreneurs back, especially in the professional services industry. From growing up in the slums of India to building a multi-country platform for CPAs, he shares how fear, perception, and discipline shape success.
If you're a service-based founder, CPA, or anyone who feels stuck doing everything in your business, this episode is your wake-up call.
đ§ Topics We Cover:What âThought Capitalismâ really meansâand how it drives modern valueWhy most CPAs and service providers stay small (and how to escape it)The three-part transformation every founder must go through: mindset, vision, actionHow to turn a one-person firm into a $10M+ business through DVSâs growth modelThe truth about exitsâand how DVS creates liquidity from day oneWhy scaling is less about hard skills and more about decluttering your roleThe hidden costs of fear in fragmented industriesWhy discipline + direction = inevitable successđ Key Quotes:âThe accounting world isnât playing to winâtheyâre playing not to lose.â âOne plus one doesnât equal two. It equals infinity.â âSuccess isnât about effortâitâs about perception and discipline.âđ Want to connect with Divakar?
đ www.onedvs.com
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Melody Wilding is a professor of human behavior at Hunter College, a licensed therapist, an executive coach, and the author of Managing Up. She was named one of Insiderâs Most Innovative Career Coaches and has been praised by thought leaders like Daniel Pink. Through her research and coaching, Melody has helped thousands of high-achievers navigate the complex relationships and unspoken rules that define career success.
đŹ In This Episode:Melody Wilding joins Founder's Story to unpack the real reason many talented professionals get stuck in their careersâitâs not about skill, itâs about mastering the psychology of the people around you. From decoding power dynamics to influencing with integrity, Melody explains how to âmanage upâ to leaders, navigate workplace politics, and take ownership of your career trajectory.
Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or building your own business, this conversation is packed with actionable tools to help you lead, influence, and grow.
đ§ Topics We Cover:Why your biggest workplace challenges arenât technicalâtheyâre psychologicalThe 10 Conversations that unlock influence, visibility, and career growthHow to master both your inner psychology and the psychology of othersThe difference between managing up at junior vs. senior levelsWhy avoiding workplace politics is a dangerous mistakeHow to communicate with different leadership styles and power personalitiesThe âownership conversationâ and how to act like a business owner in your jobHow small, strategic asks (aka âfoot in the doorâ technique) create big changeHow to build internal visibility without being self-promotionalđĄ Key Quote:âPolitics are going to happen whether you like it or not. If you opt out, you do so at your own peril.âđ Grab the book â ManagingUp.com
đ Bonus templates & scripts included with sign-up!
Connect with Melody:
đ ManagingUp.com
đ Author of Managing Up
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
In this urgent and eye-opening episode of Founder's Story, Daniel sits down with Ricardo Amper, the CEO and Founder of Incode, the revolutionary identity verification platform trusted by Amazon, Citibank, and even U.S. elections.
Ricardo reveals how deepfakes, AI fraud, and impersonation scams are rapidly increasingâand why the future of the internet depends on solving trust. From building a pre-Facebook social app to securing elections with facial biometrics, his journey is filled with unexpected pivots, high-stakes innovation, and global impact.
If you've ever wondered how weâll know whoâs real in the AI era, this episode answers it.
Topics Covered:Ricardoâs failed first startup and why timing matters more than you thinkThe near fraud that almost cost Incode a major dealWhy AI is breaking the internetâand how Incode is fixing itHow governments and Fortune 500s are using IncodeThe future of digital identity, trust, and agentic AIWhat Ricardo believes is the next frontier after facial recognitionHow identity fraud is impacting everyone from small businesses to democracy itselfGuest Info:Ricardo Amper
Founder & CEO, Incode
đ https://incode.com
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
In this powerful episode of Founder's Story, we sit down with world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Osman Bashir Tahirâalso known as Dr. OBTâwhose aesthetic clinics span London, Dubai, and Lahore. From cleft surgeries to cutting-edge regenerative treatments, Dr. OBT reveals how he combines art and science to help people not just look better, but feel better, too.
We talk about the true purpose of plastic surgery, the myths social media has fueled, and how a well-done procedure can transform more than just appearanceâit can change someoneâs entire life. Dr. OBT also dives into regenerative medicine, including fat transfer, salmon DNA facials, and exosome therapy, and how heâs pioneering a more natural, undetectable approach to aesthetics.
Whether you're curious about the latest in aesthetic medicine or want to understand the emotional side of plastic surgery, this episode is honest, insightful, and inspiring.
Topics Covered:
How Dr. OBT got into plastic & aesthetic surgeryWhy blending art with surgery mattersThe problem with âoverdoneâ faces and filler trendsThe right reasons people should get aesthetic proceduresWhatâs next in regenerative aestheticsThe truth about fat transfer, stem cells, and salmon sperm facialsHis views on confidence, wellness, and aging wellConnect with Dr. OBT:
đ Website & Clinic Info
đ Locations: London | Dubai | Lahore
đ˛ Follow on Instagram: @drobt
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Notion: https://notion.com/founders
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/founder
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy - Laat meer zien
