Episódios
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Maria Pasquale grew up between Australia and Italy, but it was her deep cultural roots and appetite for storytelling that led her to become one of Italy’s most trusted food voices. In this episode, she shares the real reason Italians don’t eat pizza and pasta in the same meal, why regional pride shapes every plate, and what most tourists never taste when they travel to Italy.
Key Discussion Points:
The inspiration behind her bestselling book Mangia
How growing up Italian-Australian shaped her food philosophy
Why each region in Italy feels like a different country
Hidden gems: where to eat beyond the Amalfi Coast
The myth of “just pizza and pasta” in Italian cuisine
What local dining rules tourists should know
How to eat like a Roman—even if you’re just visiting
Takeaways:
Italy is not one cuisine—it’s 20+ regions of culinary identity
Locals don’t eat pizza and pasta together—and you shouldn’t either
If you want the best food, go beyond the tourist trail
Closing Thoughts:
Maria Pasquale reminds us that Italian cuisine is a living, breathing story of place, pride, and people. Through her work, she helps the world rediscover Italy—not through guidebooks, but through the flavors that define it. -
Fontine Da Luz—a rising force in the real estate world who began closing deals at 17 and now commands an empire fueled by millions of social media views. She’s not just selling homes—she’s turning followers into clients and laughter into leads.
Key Discussion Points:
How Fontine turned a marketing failure into a viral breakthrough with her comedy character “Ling Ling”
Why entertainment beats education in today’s content-driven market
The psychology behind analogies, relatability, and storytelling in sales
What business owners get wrong about social media—and how to fix it
The systems she built to turn DMs into deal flow
Scaling a global client base without paid ads
How she plans to retire by 25 while moving into large-scale commercial deals
Takeaways:
Humor isn’t a distraction—it’s a strategy
Authenticity wins over perfection in marketing
Systems turn attention into revenue
Your personality can be your biggest brand asset
Most people won’t believe in you—until they see it working
Closing Thoughts:
Fontine Da Luz isn’t just building a real estate business—she’s rewriting the playbook for digital-age entrepreneurship. Her story proves that bold risks, raw authenticity, and a well-timed punchline can be more powerful than a polished pitch. -
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Victor Boechat de Carvalho built GlideScale as a university student, challenging the outdated structure of affiliate marketing. In this episode, he breaks down why traditional affiliate models are broken and how his team rebuilt the system to be universal, efficient, and fraud-resistant.
Key Discussion Points:
Why most affiliate platforms are built on bloated, insecure infrastructure
How GlideScale automates instant payouts and slashes fees
The tech breakthrough behind universal compatibility
Why brands and affiliates are both winning with his model
How GlideScale validates real traffic before paying affiliates
Takeaways:
Disruption often starts with questioning what feels “normal”
Building for universality can unlock massive scale
Trust and automation are the future of digital marketing platforms
Closing Thoughts:
Victor's story is a reminder that real innovation doesn't just improve a system—it reimagines the foundation. GlideScale may not just fix affiliate marketing—it may redefine it. -
Chris Newlands turned a shower thought into Spelfie—one of the fastest-growing apps of all time. Now, with Space Aye, he’s building the Google Maps of the future—live, in real-time, from space. In this episode, he shares how he navigated pandemic disruption, secured global patents, and built a platform that could reshape industries from logistics to disaster response.
Key Discussion Points:
The origin story of Spelfie and how it reached the top 10% of global app downloads in one week
How Space Aye aims to be “Google Earth Live”—combining satellite imagery with IoT and AI
The real-world use cases: from wildfire tracking and search & rescue to anti-poaching and supply chain optimization
Securing patents across the U.S., China, Japan, and Europe—and why that matters
The privacy dilemma and how Space Aye balances innovation with global law
What the former head of Google Maps said about Chris’ work—and why he joined the team
Takeaways:
Big ideas can come from anywhere—even the shower.
Real-time space data isn't sci-fi—it's here, and it could transform entire economies.
Solving massive problems (like climate disasters or global shipping inefficiencies) is no longer a dream—it’s a business plan.
Closing Thoughts:
Chris Newlands reminds us that some of the most powerful innovations start with a simple question: What if we could see the world exactly as it is—right now? Space Aye may just be the 26th human capability, and Chris is the founder bold enough to launch it. -
Laura Inamedinova, one of the most influential women in Web3. From her accidental entry into Bitcoin during college to leading investments at Gate Ventures, Laura shares unfiltered insights into crypto, venture capital, and what most founders get wrong when pitching investors.
Key Discussion Points:
How Laura’s curiosity in college led to early Bitcoin investments
Why being early in an immature industry gave her an unfair advantage
The biggest mistakes crypto founders make when raising capital
How VCs actually think—and what they look for in a pitch
Why personal brand is both a superpower and a liability in VC
The tension between real utility and hype in token-based projects
How to pitch in 5 sentences or less and actually get a callback
Takeaways:
Entering an immature industry can fast-track your expertise—if you're willing to take risks.
Most founders pitch dreams. Investors want clear paths to 10x returns.
“Being cheaper or faster isn’t a competitive edge. It’s just noise.”
Want funding? Don’t tell your life story. Share your token model, GTM plan, and why your cap table matters.
Closing Thoughts:
Laura leaves us with a reminder: if you're serious about raising from top crypto VCs, do your homework and respect their time. The best pitches are clear, specific, and relentlessly focused on how everyone wins. -
Brent and Josh lost their jobs during the Great Recession, they didn’t plan to start a business—they just needed to pay the mortgage. What began with goat milk soap made at their dining room table has become Beekman 1802, a cult-favorite brand with over 60 million bars sold. In this episode, they unpack how desperation, kindness, and slow, intentional growth led to one of the most beloved product-first companies in America.
Key Discussion Points:
Why losing their jobs became the best thing that ever happened to them The early years: no salaries, no investors—just grit and goats How QVC and The Amazing Race helped them master storytelling The “51% rule” that saved their business—and their marriage The problem with chasing unicorns vs. building sustainable ladders How they define success—and why they don’t keep moving the goalposts Why the best founders think like owners, not fundraisers What happens after the exit—and how kindness became their legacyTakeaways:
Kindness is a business strategy—start there You don’t need VC to build something real Your brand should feel like love, not hype Set your own success metrics—and protect themClosing Thoughts:
Brent and Josh didn’t start Beekman 1802 to build a unicorn—they started it to survive. What they built instead was a brand powered by community, trust, and relentless kindness. Their story is a reminder that in business (and in life), doing the next kind thing can take you further than you ever planned. -
Nina Ythier, after 20 years working inside broken systems, turned rejection into redirection—founding MindSpeak Inc., a therapy practice redefining mental health care through real-world, person-first solutions. In this episode, she shares the power of creative healing, why ego-free hustle matters, and how nontraditional care is changing lives.
Key Discussion Points:
Why “graduating” from toxic workplaces led to building something better
Starting with just a few clients—and a side job at Planet Fitness
Building a therapy brand rooted in creativity, not conformity
How Nina uses yoga, art, and community as tools for healing
Industry backlash: what happened when she challenged the system
What Gen Z’s loneliness says about our cultural crisis
The future of therapy: tech, touch, and psilocybin
Redefining success in mental health care—one Dunkin’ chat at a time
Takeaways:
Your style is your brand—especially in human-first work
Building a mission-driven business starts with betting on yourself
Therapy doesn’t belong in beige boxes—meet people where they are
True change comes from trust, presence, and showing up without ego
Closing Thoughts:
Nina Ythier is proving that therapy doesn't have to follow the rules to work. By stepping outside the office and into real life, she's helping clients heal through connection, creativity, and courage—reminding us that the most powerful breakthroughs often happen far beyond the couch. -
Sam Chipkin, after nearly a decade in the high-stress world of New York finance, moved to Bondi Beach and rewired his approach to investing. In this episode, he shares how quiet mornings, long walks, and deep research shaped his investment strategy—and why 5AM Capital is betting on patient capital, enduring businesses, and disciplined risk.
Key Discussion Points:
Leaving Wall Street: Why chaos isn’t required to create value
Building a boutique fund that caps growth at $750M
The power of investing in monopolistic businesses with durable moats
Why the best investors act like long-term owners, not traders
Founder vs. hired CEO mindset—and how it affects outcomes
How stress and stillness each played a role in shaping his success
What most people get wrong about investing returns
The underestimated mental load of wearing every hat as a founder
Takeaways:
Slower, focused growth often outlasts fast, flashy scale
The best investments are deeply researched, not broadly scattered
Building something meaningful requires clarity, conviction, and capacity to think long-term
Culture and alignment are assets—don’t outgrow them
Closing Thoughts:
Sam Chipkin proves that high returns don’t require chaos. With a boutique, conviction-driven strategy and a firm belief in doing fewer things better, he’s showing why simplicity and discipline are the ultimate edge in business and investing. -
Kass and Mike Lazerow peel back the curtain on life—and love—as co-founders of multiple breakout ventures. From the early days of building Golf.com to scaling Buddy Media into a $700 million+ Salesforce acquisition, they share the grit, the joy and the “shoveling shit” mentality behind every pivot and payoff.
Key Discussion Points:
Why “Shoveling Shit”?: The visceral truth of entrepreneurship—every success is paid for in messy, daily hard work. Business + Marriage = Love Story: How dating, co-founding and parenting three kids forged their partnership both in and out of the boardroom. Co-founder Chemistry: Choosing non-overlapping skill sets, setting clear expectations, and having tough conversations early to survive the rough patches. The High-Profile Exit: Celebrating a $700 million sale to Salesforce—and the mixed emotions, burnout and newfound freedom that followed. Who’s an Entrepreneur?: Everyone—from the corner pizza shop owner to the solo‐founder—can embrace the entrepreneurial spirit if they’re willing to shovel shit. Risk, Debt & Scale: Why wanting nothing (minimal burn) + smart leverage of debt + relentless focus on execution define the winners.Takeaways:
Real success demands loving the daily grind—embrace the mess, don’t fear it. A co-founder relationship is your most critical asset—invest in alignment on values, work ethic and communication. Money changes the game but doesn’t guarantee happiness; use your windfall to fuel purpose and impact. Everyone can be a founder at their own scale—but only those who master risk tolerance and ruthless prioritization will thrive.Closing Thoughts:
Kass and Mike Lazerow prove that the world’s greatest companies—and relationships—are built one shovel of shit at a time. Tune in to find out how they turned daily disasters into billion-dollar exits, and why the love of the hustle is the ultimate driver of both profit and purpose.
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Jorge Martinez and Andre Vinay, co-founders of Black Development Group, join Founder’s Story to reveal how they’ve reimagined hospitality by turning apartments into branded hotel-style residences. With a growing partnership with Wyndham, they’re building global investment-friendly resorts in places like Tulum, Los Cabos, and Punta Cana—offering individuals a new way to own a piece of paradise.
Key Discussion Points
From Hot Dogs to Hotels: How Andre began as a teen entrepreneur The Condo-Hotel Model: Why selling individual units funds entire resort builds Strategic Partnerships: How Wyndham helped them go global Ownership, Not Headaches: Giving investors turnkey properties without the hassle Scaling Across Borders: Why Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are next Lean Hotel Ops: How tech and outsourcing reduce overhead and boost profit Defining Success: Why they believe they're still just getting startedKey Takeaways Partnership beats competition when scaling fast A profitable hotel doesn’t need a front desk—just a smart system You can own a slice of a global resort without building from scratch Innovation often lies in blending business models, not reinventing themOur 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 Plus500: https://plus500.com* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com -
Sally So, founder and CEO of Genomii.ai, joins Founder’s Story to share how her lifelong battle with eczema sparked a breakthrough: your health isn’t just in your genes—it’s in your data. Sally reveals how she’s building a digital twin for every human, one that can track your biological age in real-time and coach you back to youth.
Key Discussion Points
From Suffering to Science: How chronic illness led Sally to build Genomii
The Digital Twin Era: What it means to have an AI version of yourself in your pocket
Biological Age Tracking: Why you might age 0.6 or 1.6 days overnight
The Longevity Movement: How Genomii is gamifying health and reversing aging
Stress, Sleep & Biomarkers: What really causes you to age faster
AI, Human Emotion & the Future of Connection: How Genomii balances tech with humanity
Gamified Wellness: Why the future of health might look like Duolingo
Building a $10B Vision: Sally’s plans to scale, IPO, and live 100+ years
Key Takeaways
Every action you take could be aging—or reversing—your biological clockAI-powered personalization will soon outperform generalized healthcareEmotional and social connection remain essential to longevityWellness apps of the future will feel more like companions than toolsClosing Thoughts
Sally So isn’t just building a health app—she’s engineering a future where your phone knows your body better than your doctor. If you’ve ever wondered how long you’ll live—or how young you can stay—this is your episode.
Our Sponsors:
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* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
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Alex Monahan, Stanford engineer turned sports betting entrepreneur, joins Founder's Story to reveal how he bootstrapped OddsJam—dubbed the Bloomberg Terminal for Sports Betting—to a $160 million exit. From obsessing over data to outworking every competitor, Alex shares the gritty journey from side hustle to acquisition, the power of YouTube for growth, and why he’s still not done building. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to win in a high-stakes, high-growth niche—this is the playbook.
Key Discussion Points
The Obsession That Sparked a Startup: Why Alex's love for data, poker, and probability planted the seed for OddsJam.
From Reddit to Revenue: How early Reddit posts and $6 subscriptions helped them land their first customers.
The $20K MRR YouTube Days: Why DIY content outperformed influencers—and how one video changed the game.
The Math Behind the Millions: How understanding sports betting odds led to a product users couldn’t find anywhere else.
Exit Without Burnout: Why selling didn’t change his life—and how growing slowly kept him grounded.
Building a Data Moat: How they acquired their data provider and outpaced competitors with speed and accuracy.
Founder Lessons in Focus: Why juggling multiple startups never works—and why you need to outwork everyone.
Key Takeaways
Don’t build for hype—build what you wish existed.Your edge is what you obsess over when no one’s watching.Distribution is a weapon—master YouTube, Twitter, and content that teaches.Staying focused beats being flashy—especially when billion-dollar markets are on the line.Closing Thoughts
OddsJam wasn’t built on luck. It was built on obsession, precision, and the relentless grind of a founder who knew where his edge was—and ran with it. Whether you’re launching your first business or gunning for your own exit, Alex’s journey is a reminder: master your niche, own your platform, and never stop betting on yourself.
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 Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
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Dr. Arjen de Jong, an aerospace engineer and founder of AirTulip, joins Founder’s Story to share how clean-room tech, fluid mechanics, and a little smoke visualization led to a Shark Tank pitch—and a consumer sleep product unlike anything else on the market.
From clean air in dentist offices to hydrogen water-style traction for your bedroom, Arjen walks us through how laminar airflow can drastically improve health, reduce allergies, and even reinvent how we think about air.
Key Discussion Points
Clean Room to Clean Sleep: How a cigarette in a laminar flow booth sparked the product idea
Pivoting Post-COVID: Why dentistry was the real product-market fit before sleep
Shark Tank Secrets: The casting line, the 30-minute pitch, and walking away from an offer
Visualizing Air: How lasers and wind tunnels helped explain an invisible product
Consumer Trust vs. Engineering Genius: Why educating the market is the hardest part
Scaling a Physical Product: The difference between B2B machinery and consumer DTC
Long-Term Vision: From side hustle to orbiting planet—Arjen’s exponential success roadmap
Key Takeaways
Think Laterally: The best innovations come from cross-industry application of existing techEducate First, Sell Second: Customers need to believe the invisible before buyingPersonal Experience Sells: Real stories of health improvement drive conversionCommunity = Credibility: DTC success hinges on trust, repetition, and consistencyDon’t Just Launch—Prepare for the Surge: Shark Tank is a spotlight, not the finish lineClosing Thoughts
AirTulip isn’t just another sleep gadget—it’s a physics-first approach to rethinking how we breathe. Dr. Arjen de Jong’s journey proves that the smartest solutions aren’t always the loudest. Tune in to learn how engineering curiosity, strategic pivots, and real-world validation turned laminar airflow into a movement.
Our Sponsors:
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* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
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Yash (the "Water Genie") and Smile (an Ironman athlete) co-founded Dr. Water to solve what they call the world’s most overlooked health crisis: dehydration. With backgrounds in sustainability and performance science, the duo reveals how hydrogen water can transform energy, recovery, and aging—while also cutting plastic waste. They share the journey from building DTC wellness brands to going viral on TikTok and pitching billionaires via cold emails.
Key Discussion Points
The Spark of a Problem: Why 75% of Americans are dehydrated—and what that does to your body.
From Ironman to Founder: How Smile’s training journey revealed major hydration myths.
Hydrogen 101: The science behind hydrogen water, molecular research, and anti-aging benefits.
Design Meets Wellness: Creating the first modern hydrogen tumbler with UV filtration.
Go-to-Market Playbook: Why social selling (TikTok, Meta) beat Amazon for this brand—and how they got their first billionaire buyer.
Founders Who Fit: Why this co-founder duo works—9 years of history, clarity of roles, and shared obsession.
Educating a Market: Using MMA athletes, NFL doctors, and real stories to take hydrogen water mainstream.
Key Takeaways
Water is Wellness: You can’t absorb supplements, recover well, or think clearly without proper hydration.Science Backed, Lifestyle Led: Products need to heal and be something people love showing off.Social is the New Shelf: Founder-led brands that educate and entertain will win on TikTok and YouTube.Complementary Founders Scale Faster: Visionary + executor beats any solo genius.Hydration is the First Habit: If you fix water, you unlock the foundation for every other wellness behavior.Closing Thoughts
From battling microplastics to unlocking cellular energy, Dr. Water isn’t just a hydration brand—it’s a movement. Tune in to learn how two first-time founders went from global agriculture and Ironman races to building a multi-country wellness company that just might reshape the water industry from the inside out.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY
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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 make—plus 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 mistakes—and why founders must read the story behind their numbers.
Cybersecurity & Deepfakes: Why AI is a blessing and a bombshell—and how one email nearly tricked his entire firm.
Risk is the New Currency: Why protecting data matters more than profits in today’s tech-driven landscape.
Cash Burn ≠ Growth: The trap of fast-spending founders and the secret to building companies that last.
Key Takeaways
Startups don’t fail from bad ideas—they fail from poor financial fluency.If you can’t read your numbers, you can’t write your success story.Cyber risk isn’t optional anymore—one deepfake could cost your company everything.Global mindset, local agility: Scaling safely starts with structure, not size.Every number tells a story—and your CFO should know how to read it.
Our Sponsors:
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* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com
* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com
* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
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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 PodcastOne’s $51M revenue and its 200-show roster.
Key Discussion Points
Radio Roots & Howard Stern: How listening to sports talk and Stern’s brand-building ignited Kit’s 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° packages—audio, video, social—for A&E, Lady Gang, Jordan Harbinger, and more.
Timing the Tides: Why the iPhone, COVID lockdowns, and YouTube’s 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 empire—signing singers turned podcasters, structuring ad-stacked communities, and trading on NASDAQ—and walk away with a playbook for finding, owning, and monetizing the next great audio audience.
Our Sponsors:
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* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
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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 365’s concierge model—tailored 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 yes—even 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 don’t care about volume—they 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:
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* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
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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 leader—and why he’s now taking a well-earned sabbatical.
Key Discussion Points
The Rookie Summer: How a disastrous first week of door-to-door sales prompted David’s self-education marathon in sales books.
Systems Over Spark: Building replicable training, manuals, and processes that delivered 2× 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 sword—raise just enough to stay nimble.Only the paranoid survive: swap in fresh talent as your needs evolve.Sabbaticals can reboot your passion—sometimes 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 he’ll do it again), and how even the fastest-growing entrepreneurs need time off to stay in the game.
Our Sponsors:
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Matt Raad (CEO & Co‑Founder 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 “page‑five” passion sites can be goldmines, how AI accelerates growth, and the blueprint for low‑risk, high‑cash‑flow digital entrepreneurship.
Key Discussion Points
From Kangaroos to Cashflow: How Matt & Liz leveraged rural roots and early manufacturing M&A mistakes to discover online’s superior risk‑return profile.
Valuing Digital Assets: Why net profit × 1–5× 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 page‑5+ Google sites—plus the art of negotiating with cash and escrow.com.
Build, Automate, Flip: Renovate niche blogs with SEO, monetization (ads, affiliates, sponsorships), and AI‑assisted content editing to boost profits.
Scaling with AI: How ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini are slashing team sizes, turbocharging site builds (ten‑minute bootcamp wins!,) and cutting content costs.
Exit‑Ready Growth: Why hitting 7‑figure ARR unlocks private‑equity interest, and how leadership + repeatable processes maximize your sale multiple.
Key Takeaways
Start Small, Win Big: Learn website building, buy a sub‑$5K site, and experiment with AI—no big capital required.Audience Is Asset: Communities trump page‑one rankings; loyal followings drive recurring, scalable revenue.Due Diligence Matters: Practice on low‑risk deals, use escrow for safe transfers, and know threshold profit multiples.Niche Is King: Passionate micro‑niches host undervalued sites ripe for 10× upside with the right know‑how.Exit Strategy: Buyers buy growth potential and proven teams—build with scalability and clear leadership in mind.Closing Thoughts
Ready to quit the nine‑to‑five grind? Tune in to discover a battle‑tested playbook for buying, scaling, and exiting online businesses with Matt & Liz—plus actionable steps to launch your own digital side hustle.
Our Sponsors:
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Alfonso Gurreri, 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 RICI’s Service Portfolio: The step-by-step playbook for adding roll-off trucks, portable toilets, paving rigs, and snow-plow fleets—each 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 Gurreri’s 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 services—one strategically financed roll-off bin at a time.
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