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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Sarah Loretta, a former nonprofit worker turned digital architect. Sarah shares her journey from making $40K at a nonprofit to building a successful digital systems business through Notion templates and consulting.
Learn how Sarah:
- Started freelancing with no website or business plan
- Landed 40 clients in her first 6 months through strategic networking
- Turned a $47 Notion template into $120K+ in revenue
- Built her entire client base through referrals with zero marketing
- Leverages tool certifications and partnerships for business growth
- Transitioned from design work to high-ticket systems consulting
Whether you're a freelancer looking to scale or an entrepreneur building systems, Sarah's insights on creating multiple revenue streams and building valuable partnerships are not to be missed!
Watch the full episode @FundsAndFounders
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & Where to Find Sarah
1:00 - Early Entrepreneurial Journey
4:13 - Landing First 40 Clients in 6 Months
7:46 - Video Production & Freelance Work
11:34 - First Big Website Project ($1,800)
15:07 - Taking the Leap from 9-5
20:48 - Journey from Design to Business Operations
29:32 - Finding & Monetizing Notion
41:03 - Building Multiple Revenue Streams
46:54 - Template Business Success ($120K+)
59:06 - Current Pricing Model & Strategy
1:02:41 - Tech Stack & Tools Breakdown
1:06:54 - Three Essential Resources for Beginners
1:09:42 - Interesting Recent Learning
1:13:13 - Final Thoughts & Wrap-up
#entrepreneur #business #startup #podcast #marketing #notion #sale #tools #aspirations #founder #freelancing
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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Joshua Rosario, founder of J.Rozario, also has a luxury custom shoe brand. Joshua shares his journey from a shoe enthusiast with over 500 pairs to launching his own high-end shoe company.
Learn how Joshua:
- Turned his passion for quality footwear into a business
- Navigates the challenges of educating customers about craftsmanship
- Uses innovative hand-painting techniques to create unique designs
- Leverages e-commerce and custom 3D configurators to sell bespoke shoes
- Balances craftsmanship with scalability in a luxury brand
Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, Joshua's insights on building a luxury brand and educating consumers are not to be missed!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Joshua's background
2:00 - Early entrepreneurial experiences and learning about human behavior
7:22 - The journey from shoe enthusiast to brand founder
12:45 - Explaining the J.Rosario brand and custom shoe process
17:30 - Challenges of educating customers about shoe quality
22:05 - The technology and craftsmanship behind J.Rosario shoes
27:40 - Marketing strategies and early sales experiences
32:15 - Balancing quality, craftsmanship, and scalability
37:50 - Tech stack and tools for running an e-commerce business
42:30 - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
47:15 - Lessons learned from mentorship
52:00 - The importance of hunger alignment in business
56:45 - Closing thoughts and where to find J.Rosario online
#entrepreneur #business #startup #podcast #marketing #ecommerce #sale #scalability #aspirations #founder
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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Becca, co-founder and COO of Workweek, a rapidly growing B2B media company. Becca shares her journey from customer success roles to building a multi-million dollar media business. Learn how Becca:
- Transitioned from The Hustle to co-founding Workweek
- Built a portfolio of niche B2B media brands
- Leverages the "knowledge expert paradox" to create valuable content
- Manages remote teams and builds company culture
- Balances work and personal life as a founder
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your media business, Becca's insights on content creation, audience building, and business growth are not to be missed!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Becca's background
1:06 - The start of Becca's entrepreneurial journey
2:19 - Transitioning from employee to founder mindset
4:09 - Building a strong co-founder relationship
5:51 - Managing conflicts and decision-making as co-founders
8:28 - From idea to launch: The birth of Workweek
12:02 - The "knowledge expert paradox" in B2B media
14:51 - Building and scaling niche B2B media brands
18:42 - Strategies for content creation and distribution
22:34 - The importance of authenticity in content
26:44 - Team building and remote work culture
31:35 - Insights on newsletter growth and audience building
37:35 - The role of personal branding for founders
41:26 - Balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur
45:54 - Tech stack and tools for running a media business
50:51 - Resources for aspiring entrepreneurs
56:38 - Exciting developments and future plans for Workweek
59:30 - Closing thoughts and how to connect with Becca
#MediaStartup #ContentCreation #B2BMarketing #Entrepreneurship #WorkweekMedia #podcast #startup #founder
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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Brennan Bliss, CEO of Propellic, a digital marketing agency specializing in SEO for the travel industry. Brennan shares his journey from building websites as a teenager to running a multi-million dollar agency. Learn how Brennan:
- Started his entrepreneurial journey at 13 years old
- Scaled his agency to 25 team members
- Niched down to focus on the travel industry
- Manages a remote team and builds company culture
- Balances work and personal life as a CEO
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Brennan's insights on agency growth, hiring, and financial management are not to be missed!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Brennan's background
2:20 - Early entrepreneurial experiences and website building
5:34 - Lessons learned from early financial mistakes
10:22 - The journey from web design to SEO agency
15:19 - Niching down to focus on the travel industry
22:02 - Team building and managing a remote workforce
26:44 - The process of scaling and hiring for an agency
32:57 - Insights on the travel industry and marketing strategies
41:26 - Long-term goals and future of Propellic
46:36 - Marketing tests and LinkedIn conversation ads
49:36 - Tech stack and tools for running an agency
54:13 - AI applications in agency workflows
56:32 - Book recommendations and resources for entrepreneurs
59:45 - The cost of mis-hires and importance of a good hiring process
1:02:42 - Balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur
1:06:07 - Closing thoughts and how to connect with Brennan
#AgencyGrowth #DigitalMarketing #SEO #TravelIndustry #Entrepreneurship
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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Tomer, a former structural engineer turned serial entrepreneur. Tomer shares his journey from designing skyscrapers to building multiple successful businesses, including an e-commerce brand, a virtual staffing agency, and an innovative product company.
Learn how Tomer:
- Transitioned from a 9-to-5 job to entrepreneurship
- Built a 7-figure e-commerce business
- Successfully launched a product on Kickstarter
- Developed and scaled a virtual staffing agency
- Balances multiple businesses and projects
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Tomer's insights on product development, e-commerce, and business growth are not to be missed!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Tomer's background
3:06 - The importance of business models in entrepreneurship
7:52 - Transition from engineering to e-commerce
12:02 - Insights on private labeling and wholesale
18:42 - The birth of Sableflow and product development process
26:28 - Balancing business relationships with family and friends
31:16 - From concept to finished product: The Sableflow journey
37:05 - Kickstarter campaign strategies and lessons learned
42:39 - The transition to Effortless Hire and virtual staffing
46:10 - Common mistakes business owners make with virtual assistants
49:29 - Misconceptions about offshore hiring
52:27 - The importance of hiring before creating SOPs
55:24 - Three valuable resources for entrepreneurs
59:20 - Startup tech stack and tools
1:01:24 - Favorite entrepreneurial stories and lessons
1:06:13 - Closing thoughts and where to find tomer's businesses
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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Jon, former CEO of Hyperlinks Media and current organizer of Tiny Talks in Austin. Jon shares his journey from starting an SEO blog in high school to building and selling a successful digital marketing agency, and eventually launching a community-driven event series. Learn how Jon:
- Built a 7-figure SEO agency from his dorm room
- Pivoted to content marketing and affiliate sites
- Knew when it was time to exit his business
- Started Tiny Talks and grew it to 200+ attendees
- Balances passion projects with financial success
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Jon's insights on SEO, content marketing, and community building are not to be missed!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Jon's background
2:31 - Starting an SEO business in high school
7:17 - Scaling the agency and hiring employees
12:03 - Pivoting to content marketing and affiliate sites
18:42 - Deciding when to exit the business
22:34 - The origin of Tiny Talks
27:41 - Memorable Tiny Talks stories
32:25 - The importance of in-person connection
37:29 - Running Tiny Talks as a passion project
41:33 - Advice on finding your niche
45:22 - Book recommendations for entrepreneurs
49:51 - Event planning tips from "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party"
54:26 - Closing thoughts and where to find Tiny Talks
#podcast #digitalmarketing #seo #contentmarketing #communityservice #community #entrepreneur #business
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In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Ryan Atkinson, CEO and co-founder of Spacebar Visuals. Ryan shares his journey from working at an aquatic center to becoming a growth specialist at HubSpot, and eventually launching his own successful video production agency.
Learn how Ryan:
- Started multiple podcasts to network with entrepreneurs
- Built a 6-figure agency in less than a year
- Uses cold outreach to land high-value clients
- Manages a remote team and builds company culture
- Balances multiple projects and businesses
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Ryan's insights on sales, marketing, and agency growth are not to be missed!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Ryan's background
3:45 - The power of podcasting for networking and personal growth
7:22 - Transitioning from side hustle to full-time business
10:15 - Building an agency vs. creating a SaaS product
14:30 - Client acquisition strategies and outbound marketing
19:05 - Email marketing tactics and closing deals
23:40 - Pricing strategies and maintaining margins
28:15 - The challenges of running a service-based business
32:45 - Tech stack and tools for running an agency
35:20 - Book recommendations for entrepreneurs
38:30 - The importance of rereading books
42:33 - Why Ryan moved to Austin and who should consider it
46:37 - Exciting future technologies (AI video generation)
48:47 - Podcast post-production and marketing tips
53:42 - Closing thoughts and where to find Ryan online
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In this captivating episode of Funds and Founders, Catalin, co-founder and CEO of Linnify, joins us to discuss his journey as a serial entrepreneur and product development expert. Catalin shares valuable lessons from his experiences with previous startups and offers advice on avoiding "shiny object syndrome" while staying focused on long-term goals. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established founder, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for navigating the startup landscape. In this insightful conversation, we explore:
👉 Linnify's mission to simplify life through innovation
👉 The challenges of taking ideas from concept to product-market fit
👉Strategies for effective product validation and market research
👉Common pitfalls founders face when launching new products
👉The pros and cons of focusing on personal brand vs. company brand
Watch the full episode on @FundsAndFounders
#Entrepreneurship #ProductDevelopment #StartupAdvice #RemoteWork #innovation
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction and Linnify's mission
00:04:29 Product validation and market research
00:11:58 Founder pitfalls and early startup experiences
00:24:52 Managing remote teams and company culture
00:27:33 Misconceptions about offshore development
00:32:08 Future plans for Linnify
00:39:52 Personal brand vs. company brand
00:43:24 Catalin's support system
00:45:02 Startup tech stack and tools
00:47:24 Discussion on recommended resources for entrepreneurs
00:48:05 Question from previous guest about entrepreneurial moment
00:49:33 Catalin's question for future guest
00:50:13 Host shares anecdote about previous guest's entrepreneurial moment
00:50:56 Discussion on the impact of first business check
00:51:17 Where to find Catalin online
00:51:42 Closing remarks and future plans
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Join us as we sit down with Hunter Burkey, Partner at Next Level Valet and CEO of Next Level Security. Hunter shares his incredible journey from living in his car to building two successful businesses in Austin, TX.
👉Hunter's early struggles and how he turned his life around
👉The birth of Next Level Valet and its rapid growth
👉Expanding into security services during COVID-19
👉Challenges of scaling a business and managing 300+ employees
👉Innovative employee engagement strategies
👉The importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship
Watch the full episode on @FundsAndFounders
#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #AustinStartups #ValetService #SecurityBusiness
0:00 - Introduction of Hunter Burkey and his current roles
0:35 - Brief mention of failed business attempts
1:10 - Hunter's experience being homeless and living in his car
9:10 - Discussion about failed businesses and lessons learned
17:06 - Addressing fears and challenges in the early days of the business
19:07 - Major setback: losing a significant client and nearly shutting down
30:40 - Handling the challenge of parking 2300 cars per night
35:48 - Current size of the valet company (approximately 150 employees)
41:20 - Insight into company culture and employee communication
42:37 - Transition from valet services to starting a security company
47:30 - Introduction to Formula One events through valet connections
49:23 - Hunter's involvement with the F1 travel team
50:53 - Construction Security
55:08 - Scaling the company
1:00:00 - Closing remarks
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In this captivating episode of Funds and Founders, Nikhil, CTO and co-founder of Hylio, shares the inspiring journey of building an innovative drone company. From their initial focus on drone delivery to pivoting into agricultural applications, Nikhil reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating cutting-edge drone technology. Tune in to discover:
- The evolution of Hylio from a drone delivery concept to a leader in agricultural drone solutions
- Overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles in the drone industry
- The importance of perseverance and adaptability in entrepreneurship
- Insights into scaling hardware production and navigating complex sales processes
- The role of co-founders and support systems in startup success
Watch the full episode on funds and founders.
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In the latest episode of Funds and Founders, Jessi, founder of Downland, reveals how agrotourism and regenerative agriculture could revolutionize land management and food production. Discover how matching landowners with next-generation land stewards can restore landscapes and create sustainable business models.
Tune in to explore:
- The journey of building an AgTech startup from scratch
- How to leverage your unique strengths and network in entrepreneurship
- The crucial balance between mission-driven goals and venture capital expectations
- Strategies for validating your business model and preparing for fundraising
00:46 - Entrepreneurial journey
06:05 - what a land steward does and their responsibilities?
09:33 - Agrotourism
12:48 - Decision of taking passion to a full time job
16:48 - how did you get a hundred customer interviews?
20:52 - Regenerative farming
26:30 - Understanding the customer wants in a business
29:36 - Journey of a Solo founder
33:25 - Eliminating the uncertainty and challenges in the entrepreneur journey
34:47 - Crossfit journey
42:34 - Product Development Strategy for a Marketplace Startup
47:26 - Finding the right partners and right advisors
54:13 - Fundraising process
1:02:33 - Rapid fire question
1:09:15 - Question for the future Guest
Subscribe now and hit the notification bell to Funds and Founders
Mentions:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessi-roesch-rhymes-with-fresh/
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Simran Singh narrates his entrepreneurial journey from his college days at Duke University to co-founding Zogo, a financial education platform which was eventually acquired by Peak Six. He elaborates on the challenges of early-stage startups, the pivoting of Zogo, and decision-making processes related to product development and market targeting. Simran also introduces his new venture, SwayStack, while providing valuable insights on growth, partnerships, and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset. Additionally, the episode explores influential books like 'Poor Charlie's Almanac' by Charlie Munger, favorite tools and tech stacks like Notion, JIRA, GitHub, Figma, Google Drive, AWS, and Dynalist, and shares advice on resilience, support systems, and customer engagement. The conversation wraps up with anticipation of the next guest's insights into the role of mentors or advisors. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
• How will you know when to invest in an initial MVP?
• Calculating market size to predict scalability
• How working with private equity can be beneficial to your long term vision
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:31) - Simran’s Indian Family Influence
(04:40) - Challenges and Learnings from Zogo
(14:39) - Navigating Early MVPs
(29:25) - Balancing Risk and Stability
(35:50) - Zogo's Business Development Strategy
(36:23) - Sales and Marketing
(38:36) - Total Addressable Market (TAM)
(46:50) - Acquisition by Private Equity
(55:27) - Post-Acquisition Reflections and New Ventures
(59:12) - Rapid Fire Questions and Resources
(01:07:40) - Final Thoughts
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital
Mentions:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esimran/
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Having been with SXSW for 35 years, Hugh Forrest, the Chief Programming Officer and Director of the Interactive Section of South by Southwest (SXSW), shares the origins and growth of Austin's largest conference and festival. He discusses the event's roots in 1987, modeled after the New Music Seminar in New York City, and its evolution into a major cultural and tech convergence. Hugh recounts the challenges faced in the early years, the festival's impact on Austin's ecosystem, pivotal moments like Johnny Cash's appearance and Twitter's launch, and the continued shift from a music-dominated event to an extensive tech and creative industry platform. The conversation also delves into the future of SXSW, including the upcoming challenges with the Austin Convention Center's reconstruction and the continuous adaptability of SXSW to reflect Austin's dynamic trends. Listeners will gain insights into the intricacies of event programming, the significance of perseverance in the startup ecosystem, and the broader economic and cultural impact of SXSW. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
• What makes South by Southwest different from other conferences?
• Making unconventional ideas a reality while turning something nobody wants or has value into value
• What does it take to host and grow a large, successful networking conference?
• Is AI in a hype cycle?
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - The Origins of SXSW
(01:48) - Challenges and Early Successes of SXSW
(05:17) - Hugh's Journey with South by Southwest
(08:24) - The Evolution of South by Southwest
(20:08) - SXSW’s Impact on Austin's Ecosystem
(27:43) - SXSW’s Programming and Structure
(39:17) - Future Changes for SXSW
(40:51) - Adapting to Austin
(42:38) - Emerging Trends and Technologies
(49:12) - Creating Successful Events
(56:29) - Importance of Human Connection
(59:25) - The Evolution of SXSW
(01:03:33) - Final Thoughts and Resources
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, South by Southwest, Southby, SXSW
Mentions:
Website: https://www.sxsw.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughforrest
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Vikas is an experienced entrepreneur, advisor and the Managing Director of Frisco Analytics. In this conversation, he discusses the importance of selecting good advisors and how he identified gaps in the tech consulting space to grow his successful company later acquired by Huron. Vikas gives insights on how to build the right team, and sales strategies, navigate acquisitions and foster the right team culture. Finally, he shares his experiences with acquisition processes, incentive structures in consulting, managing multiple ventures and the value of direct feedback and the growth dynamics in the tech industry.
Key Takeaways:
• Choosing experienced advisors to save on finances and time
• Identifying what’s missing on the team and choosing members with the right culture fit
• Addressing incentive structures in consulting as a worker retention strategy
• Insights into the acquisition process for consulting teams
• Addressing the need for direct and honest feedback
• Navigating the complexities of managing multiple ventures
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:55) - Building a successful consulting business
(07:30) - Scaling and managing growth as an Investor
(09:05) - Proven incentive structures in the consulting space
(15:17) - What is product market fit?
(21:24) - The company acquisition journey and post-sale experience
(33:48) - The process of underwriting a deal
(35:21) - When does one need an exit strategy?
(39:17) - Deal flow, evaluation and selection criteria used to issue funding
(48:29) - Strategic investment roadmaps
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, product-market fit, acquisition, team building strategy
Mentions:
Website: https://www.friscoanalytics.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikas-punna-94b33216/
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Vinay Chandrasekaran, founder of Frontek Solutions, Crayon’d, and Layerpath, shares his fascinating journey from learning HTML as a teenager in India to becoming the CEO of a successful SaaS company. Vinay delves into his entrepreneurial motivations, experiences at Zoho, and the essential role of community, mentorship, and resilience. He also discusses raising venture capital and emphasizes the importance of energy, passion, and mindset. Additionally, Vinay reflects on how his endurance sports endeavors have shaped his discipline and mindset and explores the idea of merging his tech expertise with sports training. The episode concludes with his thoughts on manifestation and public speaking. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
• What’re the first three steps a founder should take in building a startup?
• What does failing fast look like in the startup ecosystem?
• When will you know to raise venture capital?
• What is the role of a Chief Focus Officer?
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction
(03:18) - Building Frontex Solutions
(06:12) - The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship
(08:23) - Building a Founding Team
(10:32) - Joining Zoho
(14:36) - Travel and Personal Growth
(20:48) - Returning to Entrepreneurship
(25:57) - The First Thing Startups Should Do
(31:53) - Bringing an Idea to Market
(34:49) - The Importance of Founder Fit
(41:13) - Raising Venture Capital
(51:19) - Burnout and Support Systems
(53:41) - Closing Thoughts
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital
Mentions:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivinayc/
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Alberto Silveira is a seasoned engineering leader with a diverse career spanning companies like IBM, Kaplan, Amplify, OnDeck, and currently, HireVue. He is also the author of the book, Building and Managing High Performance Distributed Teams. Alberto discusses the differences between leading small and large engineering teams, the importance of creating a positive engineering culture, and the nuances of hands-on leadership. He also shares his passion for distributed teams, the challenges of scaling team culture in a remote environment, and his philosophy on balancing immediate deliverables with long-term team health. Alberto reflects on his career journey, the lessons learned from writing his book on high-performance distributed teams during the pandemic, and offers advice on overcoming organizational challenges by taking an inclusive leadership approach.
Key Takeaways:
• How can you humanize work culture in a remote environment?
• How can you create focused teams to improve delivery and outcome?
• How the Iron Triangle allows founders to align product, engineering and design teams
• Identifying problems and suggesting solutions empowers team members and builds a strong team culture
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:40) - Hands-On Leadership as a CTO
(08:45) - Defining and Building Engineering Culture
(010:44) - Challenges of Scaling and Remote Work
(25:49) - Balancing Change and Delivery
(31:39) - Engineering vs Product Leadership
(37:27) - The Iron Triangle Concept
(39:18) - Importance of Design in Product Development
(43:06) - Building High-Performance Distributed Teams
(48:57) - Leadership and Team Motivation
(60:26) - Entrepreneurship is a Journey
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Abhinav Sinha, Abhi, Austin Texas,, Venture Capital, Ecosystem, Culture, Company Values. Collaboration, Distributed Teams, Scalability, Engineering, Technical, Product, Leaders, Product-Driven, Early-Stage, SaaS
Mentions:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asilveira/
Mentions: Who: Building and Managing High Performance Distributed Teams, The A Method for Hiring by Geoff Smart and Randy Street, Lean Inception, Scale Up
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Aaron Trahan, founder of Performance Mindset Coaching, discusses the fundamental differences between a coach and a mentor. Aaron shares his journey to becoming a coach, emphasizing the importance of having a coach for achieving personal and professional breakthroughs. The conversation delves into identifying signals for needing a coach, finding the right coach, and getting the most out of the coaching relationship. Aaron also highlights the value of structured systems like OKRs for setting and achieving goals, and the necessity of prioritizing tasks effectively. The episode concludes with actionable insights on how to incorporate coaching strategies to accelerate growth and navigate entrepreneurial challenges. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
• Why mimicking your mentor's journey can be a pitfall
• The advantages of professional coaching over traditional mentorship
• How to unlock your distinct potential
• Strategies to forge your own path to success in the competitive world
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:29) Aaron's Journey to Coaching
(03:39) Coaching vs. Mentoring
(05:55) Finding and Utilizing a Good Coach
(09:59) Knowing When You Need a Coach
(15:36) Breaking Through Personal Barriers
(33:06) The Importance of Accountability in Achieving Goals
(36:52) Leveraging Coaching
(40:29) The Power of Prioritization
(43:28) The Warren Buffett Priority Story
(48:26) Frameworks and Operating Systems
(56:03) The Importance of Morning Routines
(59:26) Conclusion
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, coaching, mentoring, coach, mentor, goal setting, achievement. operating systems, routines
Mentions:
Website: https://performancemindsetcoaching.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-trahan-6135909
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderpodcast.com
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YJ Lin is a key player in the Austin startup ecosystem. He graduated from the University of Houston and is deeply involved with communities like Ascend Austin and the Executive Council Network. Currently, he is the Chief Fun Officer of York's Game Pieces, and Senior Program Manager at Dell for Startups. Over the past decade, YJ has orchestrated city-wide events across North America through nonprofit and corporate entities, focusing on uniting community leaders to build stronger, sustainable ecosystems. YJ specializes in startups, culture, and volunteerism, emphasizing the importance of community, mentorship, and finding the right support systems for personal and professional growth. His dedication to fostering collaborative environments drives ecosystem development and connected human experiences. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
• Explicitly defining one’s role in growing a sustainable community
• Recognizing the importance of building strong communities and ecosystems for collaborations
• Finding balance through mapping out a life plan
• Why is it important to have the three builders, a Rainmaker, Conductor, and Expert in your business?
• How to leverage the 4 P’s of Mentoring to foster your community
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction
(05:05) - Who is YJ Lin?
(07:30) - Challenges and Realizations in an Entrepreneur’s Journey
(12:21) - Community and Ecosystem Building
(14:03) - What a Harvard Study Can Teach You About Happiness
(25:27) - What’s All of This For?
(30:32) - YJ’s Big Realization
(32:38) - The Power of Community Collaboration
(37:07) - Challenges in Building Community Ecosystems
(43:56) - The Importance of Mentorship and Support Systems
(45:55) - The 4 P’s of Mentoring
(49:44) - What Type of Builder Are You?
(50:56) - What Makes Us Human?
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Abhinav Sinha, Abhi, Austin Entrepreneurs and Founders, Venture Capital, Ecosystem, Community, Relationships, Sustainable Community, Community Building, Leverage, Collaborative Visionary
Mentions:
Website: https://yjlin.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yjlinco/
Mentions: The Paterson LifePlan Process by Peter Drucker and Tom Paterson, Austin Stars Facebook group, Born To Build (Jim Clifton and Sangeeta Bharadwaj Badal)
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Jeff Eversmann is an experienced design engineer, fractional CFO at Miranti Growth, and GP at Longview Tech Ventures. Drawing from his career across various high-level roles, Jeff explains the continuum from product market match to alignment and finally to fit. He discusses examples, especially Uber's market strategy, and elaborates on how early-stage founders should approach achieving and measuring product market fit. He shares insights into venture capital dynamics, emphasizing the importance of founder-investor compatibility, effective fundraising strategies, and the critical role of executive coaching.
Key Takeaways:
• Signals, tools, data and metrics early-stage founders can use to assess product-market fit
• Importance of achieving customer validation before Series A funding
• Why balancing investor advice with the founder's vision is crucial
• How founders can effectively network and use their connections for successful fundraising
• Ways to determine pivot points and avoid distractions during a product’s life cycle
• Understanding venture capital and early-stage investment dynamics
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:50) - Defining Product Market Fit
(05:25) - Product Market Fit Challenges for Early-Stage Founders
(08:20) - Customer Discovery and Validation
(09:58) - Raising Series A and Selecting Suitable Marketing Channels
(13:35) - Dealing with Investor Pressure in Decision-Making Processes
(16:45) - Longview Tech Ventures Investment Criteria
(21:46) - Challenges of First-Time Founders
(23:30) - Market Sizing and Unit Economics
(28:32) - Raising a VC Fund
(32:50) - Understanding Internal Product Updates
(33:14) - Raising Funds and Communicating with VCs
(38:59) - Importance of Founder-VC Alignment
(42:17) - Dealing with Awkward Pitching Moments
(47:24) - Building Startups and Raising Capital
Key Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Abhinav Sinha, Abhi, Austin Entrepreneurs and Founders, product-market fit, customer validation, early-stage investments, Series A
Mentions:
Website: https://www.merantigrowth.com/
https://www.longviewtechventures.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffeversmann/
Mentions: War of Art by Steven Pressfield, The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick, The Innovator’s Solution by Clayton Christiansen
Check out the Funds & Founders Community:
Reach out to Abhi at [email protected]
Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com
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Ben James and Dylan Mankey from Tubular Networks discuss their journey from their initial meeting at HomeAway to co-founding Tubular Networks. Ben shares his extensive background in product management, having worked at companies such as National Instruments, VRBO, and Magic Leap, while Dylan talks about his engineering leadership roles with experience at companies like Expedia, HomeAway, and MapMyFitness. The conversation delves into how they decided to partner up, overcoming co-founder conflicts, and the importance of the right dynamics in a startup. Ben and Dylan share insights on building a prototype, gaining their first customer, and validating their idea. They describe Tubular Networks' mission to decarbonize the transportation of goods through a city-scale infrastructure of robotic delivery systems. They also discuss the challenges of hardware startups, the importance of failing fast and learning quickly, and the support systems that have helped them, including the significant influence and advice from their spouses.
Key Takeaways:
Ways to demonstrate VR concepts before creation to impress first customersNegative impact on health from working excessively and relentlessly pursuing opportunitiesChallenges with pitching solutions to unacknowledged problemsOvercoming legal obstacles in the hardware businessBalancing opportunities with big companies and focusing on smaller contracts for stabilityIntentionally choosing a team that’s comfortable learning new skills and making decisionsAdvantages of using off-the-shelf components for prototyping to reduce the cost of learningEmphasis on the importance of viewing failures as opportunities to gather fresh insightsImportance of balancing carbon footprint considerations with scalability and societal impactPromoting a culture of respect at all decision-making levels for strong founder dynamicsRecognizing the importance of humility and clear feedback to build a strong teamBoldness to seek input from various trusted sources at critical stages of growthKey Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction(06:27) The Vision and Mission of Tubular Networks: Revolutionizing Delivery(07:40) Validating the Vision: From Prototype to First Customer(20:37) Navigating the Startup Journey: Challenges, High Points, and Learning(25:57) The Art of Building a Hardware-Software Startup(30:25) Innovative Cost-Saving Measures and the Spirit of Jugaad(32:32) Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool(34:53) Long-Term Vision for a Sustainable Future(38:39) Navigating the Challenges of Decarbonization(45:05) Co-Founder Dynamics and Decision-Making(48:46) Leveraging Technology and Advisor Insights(52:25) Support Systems and Advice for EntrepreneursKey Topics Discussed:
Funds and Founders, Abhinav Sinha, Abhi, Austin Entrepreneurs and Founders, Venture Capital, Untold Stories, robotic delivery, tubular networks, Letter of Intent (LOI), decarbonization, carbon footprint, prototyping, Robot Operating System (ROS), Co-Founder dynamics
Mentions:
Website: https://www.tubular.network/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-p-james/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-mankey/
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