Lifeselfmastery's podcast I Startups I Venture Capital: Recent Episodes

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I am thrilled to have Daniil Shcherbakov, CEO of TonTon Games, a Telegram gaming publisher welcomed into Binance Labs' incubation program. Daniil holds a MBA from Cambridge Business School

In this episode, Daniil Shcherbakov, co-founder and CEO of TonTon Games, shares his journey from studying computer science to launching TonTon Games within Telegram's ecosystem. He delves into TonTon Games' unique strategy for long-term growth, the blue ocean opportunities within Telegram, and the company's commitment to genuine gaming experiences. Daniil offers valuable insights into user acquisition, sustainable monetization, and balancing creativity with data-driven decisions in gaming, and much more!

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• How does Daniil approach monetization in your games while maintaining a positive user experience?

• What are the single biggest mistakes companies make with content today?

• What trends does Daniil see emerging in the casual mobile gaming market?

• What is your favourite business book? –Atomic Habits

• What is your favourite online tool? –Use Bubbles

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Start company earlier

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction to Daniil, CEO of TonTon Games.

1:30 - Daniil shares his background, his shift from a family of doctors to pursuing computer science, and discovering his passion for tech.

5:45 - His experience of joining Fibrum, an early startup where he created the company’s name.

10:45 - Daniil describes the camaraderie he built with classmates and the benefits of Cambridge's smaller, diverse class.

13:00 - Founding of TonTon Games and the blend of his passion for gaming and startups.

14:45 - TonTon Games’ focus on Telegram as a gaming platform and the “blue ocean” opportunity in this space.

16:30 - Overview of how Telegram's ecosystem for games is similar to WeChat's in China.

18:15 - Daniil explains TonTon Games’ strategy of avoiding “pump and dump” schemes and instead focusing on long-term incentives.

20:45 - Discussion on acquiring users, including their approach to organic growth through influencers.

23:00 - Success of their flagship game, DFT, which reached top 10 grossing apps on Telegram.

24:30 - Daniil explains why they are not creating their own token and instead focus on sustainable mechanics.

27:00 - How they evaluate and collaborate with development teams before entering formal agreements.

28:30 - Explanation of the iterative approach to user acquisition and maintaining platform stability.

31:00 - Strategy for monetizing games while respecting user experience.

33:00 - Importance of data analysis in game development and Daniil’s insights on balancing gut feeling and metrics.

35:00 - Daniil’s thoughts on the future of mobile gaming, especially in emerging markets.

39:00 - Advice for budding game developers about the future of gaming demographics.

45:00 - Daniil’s perspective on AI, highlighting that it’s a helpful tool rather than a replacement.

Daniil’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/shcherbakovds/

Website - https://tonton.games/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am excited to have Arjun Pillai Cofounder & CEO of Docket, an AI Platform that serves as a Virtual Sales Engineer for AEs to close complex B2B deals. He is a serial entrepreneur with two successful exits and is currently on his 3rd venture. Arjun was most recently the Chief Data Officer at ZoomInfo Technologies Inc.

In this episode, Arjun Pillai, Docket's co-founder and CEO, shares his journey from Kerala, India, to Silicon Valley, highlighting early startup experiences, failures, and successes with companies like Profoundis and Incent. He discusses the acquisition of his previous ventures, the evolution of Kerala's startup ecosystem, and his passion for AI, which inspired him to build Docket, an AI-powered virtual sales engineer. Arjun offers valuable insights on topics like building resilient teams, fundraising strategies, and the future impact of AI on SaaS, sales roles, and startup playbooks, and much more!

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• How did Arjun approach fundraising for Docket

• How does Arjun see AI transforming the sales and marketing landscape?

• What are the single biggest mistakes people make when hiring sales reps and teams?

• What is your favourite business book? –Hard things about hard things

• What is your favourite online tool? –Zoom, chatgpt, loom, screen studio

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Nothing

Timestamps

03:30 - Arjun's first startup experience with Profounders and early challenges.

05:15 - Importance of frugality and team cohesion in Arjun's early days.

07:10 - Building Profoundis, a successful sales intelligence product.

09:20 - Profoundis’s acquisition by Full Contact, marking Kerala’s first significant startup exit.

12:05 - Kerala’s evolving startup ecosystem following Arjun's exit.

13:40 - Arjun's transition from Full Contact to founding Insent

16:10 - Pivoting Insent’s business model to a buyer-centric platform.

18:00 - Acquisition of Insent by Zoom Info and Arjun's new role there.

21:15 - Arjun's experiences and learnings from working with Zoom Info.

23:05 - Inspiration for Docket, his AI platform for sales engineering.

27:40 - Evolution of SDR roles and potential shifts due to AI.

30:20 - Future of SaaS companies in the era of AI.

32:15 - Cost and efficiency changes in software development using AI.

35:30 - Founders' role in creating playbooks for revenue teams.

37:45 - Timing for hiring a VP of Sales in a startup’s growth phase.

40:10 - Sales team ramp-up expectations and performance indicators.

42:30 - Structuring effective sales compensation plans.

45:00 - Fundraising strategies for founders, including the importance of building investor relationships.

47:30 - Key metrics for choosing the right investors for your startup.

Arjun’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/rarjunpillai

Website - https://www.docketai.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Guy Rubin, the founder and CEO of Ebsta, the Revenue Intelligence Platform for Salesforce and Hubspot customers. Ebsta delivers real-time forecasting tools and uses engagement trends to benchmark live pipeline against previously closed won deals.

In this episode Guy Rubin, founder and CEO of Ebsta, a revenue intelligence platform for Salesforce and HubSpot customers shares insights into the role of AI in automating sales admin tasks, freeing up reps to focus on building relationships. He also discusses the importance of benchmarking sales data to improve performance, the challenges of scaling from SMB to enterprise, and advice on hiring for early-stage startups. Guy emphasizes the need to focus on human connections in sales, even in a world increasingly driven by AI tools and automation, and much more!

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Learn

• When is the right time to hire your first sales rep?

• Should the founder be the one to create the sales playbook?

• How important are logos? Does social validity really work in the enterprise?

• How should sales teams use discounting in enterprise sales most effectively?

• What is your favourite business book? –Crossing the chasm

• What is your favourite online tool? –Slack

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Thinking and planning in advance

Timestamps

2:45: The role of AI in reducing the administrative burden for sales teams.

3:30: The importance of relationships in B2B sales and how AI enhances, but doesn’t replace, human connection.

4:45: Analyzing sales data to identify key differences between top performers and average performers.

6:00: The role of AI in benchmarking and recreating unrecorded sales activities.

8:15: The impact of time on win rates and the importance of closing lost opportunities early.

10:45: Differences between selling to small, medium, and enterprise customers.

12:00: The importance of choosing the right customer profile for a successful sales process.

13:15: The value of company logos and social proof when selling to enterprises.

16:00: Budgeting for enterprise sales and managing slow-burn deals.

18:45: Guy’s advice on outbound sales and building human connections during sales calls.

20:00: The importance of relationships in B2B sales and becoming an expert advisor.

23:45: Guy’s advice on hiring the first sales representative versus a VP of Sales.

26:15: The difference between people who can turn zero into one versus those who follow existing processes.

27:30: Domain expertise in new hires and the importance of a startup mentality.

30:00: Pros and cons of hiring from your own network versus using recruiters for early hires.

32:00: How Ebsta analyzes sales data to understand revenue signals.

Guy’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubinguy

Sales report - https://www.ebsta.com/2024-b2b-sales-benchmarks/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am happy to have Reinout Vander Meulen, a partner at TIN Capital. He was a co-founder at Type22, an airport baggage handling innovator MSc in Aerospace Engineering.

In this episode, Reinout Vander, Partner at TIN Capital shares his journey from co-founding Type 22, a baggage handling innovator, to transitioning into venture capital. He discusses his experiences scaling international startups, the importance of product localization in Europe, and the challenges in cybersecurity investments. Reinout also highlights key lessons from working with cybersecurity founders and navigating the complexities of market timing, scaling, company exits, and much more!

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Learn

• What are the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing European businesses today?

• How does Reinout approach when to sell vs when to hold a position?

• What does Reinout know now that he wishes he had known when he got into VC?

• What is your favourite business book? –Spin Selling

• What is your favourite online tool? –iharvest

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – NA

Timestamps

4:10 - How Type 22 pivoted to focus on product innovation in self-service baggage systems.

7:00 - Reinout’s involvement with the Delft University incubator

8:10 - Reinout discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry.

10:00 - TIN Capital’s focus on cybersecurity investments.

12:45 - Differences in scaling startups between Europe and the U.S.

14:05 - Importance of localizing products for different European markets.

18:00 - Key cybersecurity challenges for European businesses.

20:00 - How cybersecurity regulations in Europe impact startups and investments.

22:30 - The competitive advantage of being a European cybersecurity startup.

28:00 - Deciding when to sell portfolio companies and the importance of timing.

30:00 - The importance of maintaining ownership and how to manage dilution.

34:00 - Reinout’s biggest lessons in market timing for cybersecurity investments.

36:00 - Mistakes made in investing in too niche markets.

40:00 - Importance of relationships and trust in cybersecurity VC investments.

42:30 - Reinout’s advice for emerging managers in the VC ecosystem.

Natalia’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinoutvandermeulen

Website – https://www.tiincapital.nl/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter: partnergrow.substack.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Natalia Cebotari, the co-founder of Osmos building the first networking platform for entrepreneurs and professionals that saves time and finds relevant people in less than a minute.

In this episode, Natalia Cebotari, founder of Osmos, talks about the networking platform designed to save time and connect professionals quickly. Natalia shares her journey, from working alongside her husband on their first startup to becoming Chief Strategy Officer at Yandex, where she built new ventures within the corporation. She discusses the challenges of building a social platform, the growth of Osmos, the importance of conversations in expanding one’s network, and much more!

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Learn

• What are the key metrics Natalia focuses on to measure the success of Osmos?

• What strategies have been most effective in growing the user base of Osmos?

• Will companies actually make more revenue from having AI in products

• What is your favorite business book? –Lean Analytics

• What is your favorite online tool? –iPhone notes

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Talk to customers

Timestamps

• 03:30 – Learning to navigate challenges and becoming resilient in entrepreneurship.

• 05:00 – Natalia’s transition to working at Yandex as Chief Strategy Officer.

• 06:30 – Building new ventures inside Yandex and the differences from a small startup.

• 08:15 – The importance of collaboration and communication in large companies like Yandex.

• 11:00 – The vision behind Osmos and Natalia's motivation to create an alternative to LinkedIn.

• 13:00 – Challenges entrepreneurs face with loneliness and isolation.

• 14:30 – How conversations with new people can bring fresh energy and ideas.

• 16:00 – Natalia discusses how Osmos grew its initial user base through networking.

• 17:30 – The effectiveness of attending online conferences for user acquisition.

• 19:00 – The role of email integration in Osmos' growth strategy.

• 23:00 – The importance of tracking the number of conversations and user satisfaction.

• 26:00 – How paid users behave differently and take conversations more seriously.

• 28:00 – Insights on product development from feedback received from paid users.

• 30:00 – Balancing user growth with maintaining a high-quality user experience.

• 32:00 – Natalia’s perspective on growth as an art, not just a science.

• 33:30 – The right time to hire a growth team

Natalia’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliechebotar

Website – https://osmos.social

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am excited to have Ajith Govind, the founder of Cravd, an online marketplace to book a home chef to visit and cook right in your kitchen. He earlier co-founded Turing Labs, achieving Series A funding backed by Y Combinator and top investors, including Insight Partners, raising over $20M.

In this episode, Ajith Govind, co-founder of Cravd, an online marketplace for booking home chefs shares his entrepreneurial journey, including his experience with Turing Labs. He discusses the challenges of launching a startup, the importance of product-market fit, and the significance of culture in building a successful company. Ajit also talks about Cravd’s expansion strategy, focusing on empowering home chefs, providing healthy, home-cooked meals for busy families, and much more!

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Learn

• How can marketplace founders be strategic in building moats around their business?

• What is the single most important metric for Cravd

• Does Ajith pay attention to CACs at all?

• What is your favourite business book? –Hard things about hard things

• What is your favourite online tool? –Sunsummer

• If you could go back to when you started working on Energy Capital Ventures, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Focus on culture

Timestamps

3:30 Ajit shares insights from his experience co-founding Turing Labs.

6:30 The significance of Y Combinator in Ajit’s entrepreneurial journey.

10:30 Ajit’s thoughts on the importance of mentorship and Y Combinator experience.

12:30 The concept behind Cravd , an online marketplace for home chefs.

14:30 Crave’s initial model and its evolution based on customer feedback.

17:30 The unique selling point of Cravd in providing healthy, home-cooked meals.

20:30 The importance of GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) as a key metric for Cravd .

22:30 Crave’s ideal customer profile: busy, working families with disposable income.

25:30 Ajit discusses the challenges faced by home chefs in the marketplace.

27:30 The importance of building a moat around Cravd ’s business to ensure defensibility.

29:30 How Cravd ’s low take rate (10%) differentiates it from other predatory platforms.

33:30 The importance of launching products quickly and iterating based on user feedback.

34:30 Ajit’s advice for founders: Focus on culture from the beginning to drive success.

Ajith’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajith-govind

Website – https://cravd.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Victor Pascucci III, the co-founder and Managing General Partner of Energy Capital Ventures. The only early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to the resilience, sustainability and digital transformation of the natural gas industry. Vic has over 20 years of experience in venture capital and financial services encompassing over $750 million in VC and M&A transactions.

In this episode, Victor Pascucci III, co-founder and Managing General Partner of Energy Capital Ventures shares his unique journey from trial attorney to venture capitalist, offering insights into the natural gas industry’s digital transformation and sustainability efforts. He discusses emerging trends in green molecules, hydrogen technology, and renewable natural gas. Victor also offers advice for aspiring VCs, highlighting the importance of perseverance, non-dilutive funding, building strong teams, and much more!

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Learn

• How do you evaluate the potential of a startup when considering an investment?

• What advice would you give to aspiring venture capitalists looking to enter the industry today?

• How does Victor approach market sizing?

• What is your favourite business book? –The advantage

• What is your favourite online tool? –Slack

• If you could go back to when you started working on Energy Capital Ventures, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Use a broader approach

Timestamps

04:25: Victor’s journey into venture capital through corporate partnerships and investments.

06:15: Victor’s advice for those wanting to enter venture capital without traditional paths.

07:35: Discussion about the recent boom in new seed VC firms and their challenges.

09:00: Victor shares insights into the difficulty of starting a VC fund and the path to success.

13:30: Why natural gas and its role in future energy needs remain critical.

14:20: Game-changing emerging trends in the energy and natural gas sector.

15:10: The future of hydrogen and its potential in the aviation industry.

16:40: Evaluating startups based on team, technology, market, and competitive advantage.

21:30: The potential for Europe to become a leader in deep tech and climate tech innovations.

22:40: The biggest missed opportunities in VC and lessons learned from early mistakes.

25:10: Approaching market sizing and the importance of creating new markets in green molecules.

26:30: When to sell or hold a position in venture capital.

28:00: The role of VC in helping founders and where they can add value.

31:20: Advice for operators transitioning from big companies like Google and Amazon to startups

33:40: Discussion on the mental model shift required for operators moving from big companies to startups.

Victor’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorpascucci

Website – https://www.energycapitalventures.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am excited to have Julio Avalos, the founder of Shades News which brings you daily bites of news and culture, presented from multiple points of view so that you can see the whole picture quickly. The mission is to unlock the potential of the internet to help people stay informed in a fun and positive way.

In this episode, Julio Avalos, founder of Shades News and former Chief Strategy Officer at GitHub Julio shares his journey from law to tech startups, his early experience with Facebook, and his pivotal role in GitHub’s open-source and remote-first culture. He discusses the motivation behind founding Shades News, a platform aimed at providing multiple perspectives on news and culture for Gen Z. Julio also talks about the impact of generative AI in content curation, the rise of one-person media companies, and the future of legacy media, and much more!

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Learn

• How does Shade News aim to address the issue of biased reporting and fake news?

• How does Julio see the future of news consumption evolving

• What does Julio believe are the biggest mistakes early-stage founders make when telling stories?

• What is your favourite business book? – Zero to one

• What is your favourite online tool? –Figma slides

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – less focus on paid ads

Timestamps

04:15 - Impact of Early Startups

06:00 - Humanizing Big Tech

08:10 - Working with Mark Zuckerberg

10:00 - The Reality of Startup Founders

12:30 - Transition to GitHub

15:45 - Open Source and Remote Culture at GitHub

18:15 - Lessons from Remote Work

21:00 - Founding Shades News

24:00 - Challenges in Journalism

28:10 - Gen Z and Information Consumption

30:30 - Bias in News Media

33:00 - The Role of Generative AI in Curating Content

36:15 - The Rise of One-Person Media Companies

39:00 - Consolidation in Media

41:30 - Shades News Revenue Model

43:45 - Insights on Gen Z Search Habits

47:00 - AI's Impact on Content Creation

50:15 - Fundraising Challenges for Startups

52:45 - Balancing Optimism and Realism

55:30 - Future of AI in Product Development

Julio’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-avalos-who/

Website – https://www.shadesnews.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Asya Kuznetsova, a product and growth expert who has led the product growth unit at Wise, a global FinTech company that processes more than £8B worth of international transactions for over 16M people and businesses.

In this episode, Asya Kuznetsova, a product and growth expert with experience at Wise and Yandex discusses building products that are ten times better than competitors, optimizing growth through referrals, and the differences between B2C and B2B scaling. She also highlights data-driven decision-making long-term growth strategies, and much more!

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Learn

• What are the most effective metrics to measure the success of organic growth initiatives?

• How to structure and optimize referral programs to maximize their impact on user acquisition?

• What are the biggest mistakes founders make when scaling into an enterprise?

• What is your favourite business book? – Cold start problem

• What is your favourite online tool? –Figma

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Build 10x better product

Timestamps

06:30 - Yandex Lessons

08:45 - 10x Approach

11:30 - Fail Fast, Learn Fast

13:45 - B2C vs B2B

15:00 - Customer-Centric Approach

17:10 - Metrics for Growth

19:00 - Word of Mouth Growth

22:30 - Referral Programs

25:10 - Customer Delight

27:00 - Product-Led Growth

30:00 - Localization

33:00 - Managing Scale and Quality

35:10 - Data-Driven Growth

39:45 - Enterprise Scaling

42:30 - Building for Enterprises

Asya’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/asya-kuznetsova/

Website – wise.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Manish Patel, a GP at Nava Ventures who has led teams that have designed, developed, and scaled products with global impact from enterprise advertising systems like AdWords to consumer experiences like Google Maps.

In this episode, Manish Patel, General Partner at Nava Ventures discusses the importance of market conditions for startups, early-stage companies' challenges, and the critical role of founder-market fit in venture capital. Manish also reflects on the evolving landscape of AI, venture capital, the lessons learned from his investment experiences, and much more!

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Learn

• How does Manish approach market sizing?

• Is Manish willing to take market timing risk?

• How does Manish prioritise between founder vs market?

• How does Manish approach mentorship and supporting other entrepreneurs in the network?

• What is your favourite business book? – Creative confidence

• What is your favourite online tool? –Google Maps

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Raise a bigger fund

Timestamps

[00:04:10] - Stanford's entrepreneurial culture and its impact on Manish.

[00:06:15] - Manish's experience at Google, working on Google Maps and Adwords.

[00:10:30] - The role of market conditions in the success of startups.

[00:12:45] - Discussion on the impact of AI and platforms like ChatGPT on search engines.

[00:15:20] - Challenges faced by early-stage startups in today’s market.

[00:17:50] - Importance of being aware of market conditions as a founder.

[00:19:10] - The Series A crunch and its impact on startups.

[00:21:30] - Insights on raising Series A and the importance of showing results.

[00:23:00] - How venture capitalists provide mentorship to founders.

[00:25:00] - The significance of market sizing in venture capital decisions.

[00:27:20] - Discussion on how the best companies expand their markets.

[00:29:10] - Market timing risks and lessons on timing in startups.

[00:31:15] - Manish’s preference between new and experienced founders.

[00:33:00] - The role of venture capitalists in the success of founders.

[00:35:10] - Importance of board management in startups.

[00:37:30] - Areas where VCs and founders are often not aligned.

[00:42:15] - Discussion on founder-market fit and its importance in investments.

[00:44:30] - Reflections on missed investment opportunities in venture capital.

Manish’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishpatelli/

Website – nava.vc

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am excited to have Mazen Kanaan, the CEO and co-founder of House of Pops. His expertise lies in managing and growing portfolios across diverse markets, such as Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.

In this episode, Mazen Kanaan, CEO and co-founder of House of Pops shares his entrepreneurial journey from Lebanon to Dubai, talking about how his experience at Unilever inspired the creation of a health-focused ice cream brand. He discusses the challenges of entering a competitive market, the importance of brand differentiation, and building a strong company culture. Mazen also explores the opportunities in the Dubai ecosystem, strategic expansion plans, and much more!

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Learn

• The journey from Unilever to building House of Pops

• How can an e-commerce company go about their distribution

• What are some growth tactics that have become stronger over time?

• What is your favourite business book? – Zero to one

• What is your favourite online tool? –Hubspot

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Launch in Saudi Arabia earlier

Timestamps

02:37 The health and wellness trend in the ice cream industry and the gap in the market.

03:32 Challenges of entering a market dominated by big brands like Unilever and Nestlé.

04:18 Importance of brand building and differentiating from competitors.

05:09 Developing an omnichannel approach and the difficulties for big players to replicate it.

05:54 Why big brands avoid omnichannel and the complexity of such a business model.

06:36 Initial challenges of pricing and convincing customers to choose House of Pops.

09:34 Scaling House of Pops from events to e-commerce and physical locations.

10:09 Strategic decisions on when to enter supermarkets and the benefits of patience.

11:42 Customization options for clients and the flexibility offered by House of Pops.

12:32 Building a strong team and the importance of cultural fit in hiring decisions.

14:19 Addressing performance issues and the process of personal improvement plans.

15:13 Maintaining company culture as the team grows beyond 50 employees.

16:04 Strategic decision-making on when to discontinue new projects or ventures.

17:45 Opportunities in the Saudi market and potential expansions into Europe and the U.S.

18:30 Mazen’s reflection on the importance of starting earlier in certain markets and his overall learnings.

Mazen's Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/mazenkn

Website – https://houseofpops.ae/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Simon Wijckmans, CEO of c/side, a cybersecurity company with tools for monitoring, optimizing, and securing vulnerable browser-side third-party scripts.

In this episode Simon Wijckmans, CEO of cside.dev shares his journey from homeschooling in Belgium to working at Microsoft and Cloudflare before founding cside.dev. He discusses the challenges of starting a company as a solo founder and the importance of product-market fit. Simon explains cside.dev's unique approach to client-side security and its pricing strategy for SMBs and enterprises. He also touches on hiring the right engineering talent, the role of AI in product development, and competing with larger companies, and much more!

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Learn

• How does c/side differentiate itself from existing web security solutions in the market?

• What is the go-to-market strategy for c/side

• How does c/side balance security and performance considerations for websites?

• What is your favourite business book? – On writing well

• What is your favourite online tool? –Discord

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Did not hire right people

Timestamps

[03:30] - Simon's experience with early tech projects, leading to a career start with Microsoft.

[05:45] - Simon's move to Dublin for a full-time position at Microsoft and reflections on Dublin's tech scene.

[08:30] - Simon's transition to Cloudflare and the identification of a significant security gap in client-side security.

[11:00] - The founding of cside.dev and the specific problem Simon aimed to solve with third-party script security.

[13:20] - Differentiating cside.dev from competitors in the cybersecurity market.

[16:00] - cside.dev’s pricing strategy and target market, including SMBs and enterprise clients.

[18:30] - Overview of the core technologies used by cside.dev and how they address third-party script vulnerabilities.

[21:00] - Discussion on balancing website security with performance considerations.

[24:00] - Challenges and considerations in hiring engineering and product teams for startups.

[27:00] - The role of AI in product development and Simon’s views on AI-generated code.

[30:00] - Challenges in achieving product-market fit and common pitfalls for founders.

[36:30] - The challenges of competing with larger, established companies and the importance of product quality.

[40:00] - Simon’s experience as a solo founder and the reasons for choosing this path.

[43:30] - The impact of being a solo founder on business decisions and investor relations.

Simon's Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/wijckmans

Website – https://cside.dev/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am excited to have Roy Heldshtein, a Managing Partner at Team8, a venture group with a remarkable track record of nearly $2 billion in exits and over $1 billion in assets under management (AUM). Roy holds an MBA with a focus on Strategy and Finance from the University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

In this episode, Roy Heldshtein, Managing Partner at Team8 discusses his journey from BCG and Checkpoint Software to leading investments at Team8. He explains Team8's unique approach to venture creation, focusing on sectors like cybersecurity, fintech, digital health, and data. Roy highlights the importance of AI, market sizing, and team dynamics in successful ventures. He also shares insights on the value of resilience in founders and Team8's collaborative operations with LPs, and much more!

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Learn

• What major trends are Team8 currently seeing in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, fintech, and digital health

• Does Roy prefer first or second-time entrepreneurs?

• How does Roy rank the following when investing; team, market, traction and technology?

• What is your favourite business book? – Zero to one

• What is your favourite online tool? –Gemini

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Build structure differently

Timestamps

06:18 - Roy’s involvement in M&A at Checkpoint.

07:05 - Team8’s approach to investing and venture creation.

10:05 - How Team8 assesses startup ideas and founders.

10:55 - Importance of market sizing and timing in investments.

12:20 - The significance of ownership in venture returns.

15:20 - Discussion on the preference for first-time vs. experienced founders.

16:20 - What Team8 looks for in potential team members.

18:45 - Building and maintaining relationships with LPs.

19:40 - Advice for emerging VC managers in the current market.

21:00 - Israel’s unique startup ecosystem and its global impact.

22:30 - Israel's strengths in cybersecurity, fintech, and digital health.

23:10 - Emerging trends in energy and food tech in Israel.

Roy’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/roy-heldshtein-5370441

Website – https://team8.vc/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am thrilled to have Julia Sarfrati, Chief of Staff at Shipup. Shipup helps online retailers around the globe to deliver consistent and proactive communication that delights customers at every stage beyond purchase, from delivery to returns.

In this episode, Julia Safrati, Chief of Staff at Shipup discusses her journey from studying international relations to working in startups, her experience at HEC Paris, and her time as a consultant at Frog. She highlights the use of data to enhance post-purchase experiences and AI's impact on e-commerce. Julia also shares advice on the chief of staff role, hiring processes, alignment with the CEO, and much more!

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Learn

• How does Shipup leverage data to enhance the post-purchase experience?

• What does the role of Chief of Staff mean to Julia?

• How would you structure the process of hiring a Chief of Staff?

• What is the right relationship between the CEO and the Chief of Staff?

• What is your favourite business book? – Loudest duck

• What is your favourite online tool? –Klaviyo

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Focus

Timestamps

00:05:00 - Julia’s experience at HEC Paris during COVID

00:09:30 - Julia’s work at Frog and lessons learned from consulting.

00:12:00 - Transitioning from consulting to startups and joining Shipup.

00:16:00 - Use of data in enhancing post-purchase experience at Shipup.

00:18:30 - Trends in e-commerce logistics and Shipup’s preparations.

00:20:45 - Role of AI in e-commerce and Julia’s perspective on job automation.

00:25:30 - Advice to founders on hiring a chief of staff.

00:28:00 - Structuring the process of hiring a chief of staff.

00:30:00 - Importance of the relationship between the CEO and the chief of staff.

00:34:00 - Common growth mistakes founders make.

00:36:00 - Challenges in achieving product-market fit.

Julia’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-sarfati-529904133

Website – https://www.shipup.co/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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Today I am excited to have Monik Pamecha who is one of the co-founders of Toma, helping auto dealerships automate phone calls with AI. Toma offers AI agents that can autonomously handle phone calls, provide a natural voice experience, design call flows, integrate with existing software, and perform tasks on and off calls.

In this episode Monik Pamecha, co-founder of Toma, leveraging AI to enhance customer calls for auto dealerships shares his journey from India to the US, his early fascination with technology, and the transformative impact of Y Combinator on his entrepreneurial path. Monik elaborates on Toma’s pivot to focusing on the auto dealership industry, the challenges faced, and the rapid traction gained. Monik also provides insights into the future of AI in customer service, its impact on the BPO industry, and essential advice for early-stage startup founders, and much more!

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Subscribe on iTunes

Learn

• Why did Monik decide on a specific niche in auto dealerships

• What approaches are used to design and manage the AI call flows and agents?

• How does Toma ensure transparency that customers are interacting with an AI agent?

• What is your favourite business book? – Zero to One

• What is your favourite online tool? –Jira

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Be bolder

Timestamps

6:15 - Comparison between New York and San Francisco tech scenes.

8:45 - Overview of Y Combinator's philosophy and process.

12:15 - Pivoting during YC and the support for such changes.

13:30 - Finding a product-market fit in auto dealerships.

15:00 - Initial traction and customer feedback.

17:45 - Regulations and business dynamics in the automotive industry.

19:00 - Onboarding first customers across various states and brands.

21:30 - Developing natural-sounding voice interactions and product iterations.

23:30 - Metrics for judging call performance and business impact.

24:45 - Potential impact of AI on the BPO industry in India and the Philippines.

27:30 - Addressing AI bias and design solutions for inclusivity.

Monik’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikp/

Website – https://tomato.ai/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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I am excited to have Leor Catalan who is the CEO of Corporate Ventures at DavidShield - PassportCard Group. He attended The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In this episode, Leor Catalan, CEO of David Shield Passport Card Group shares his journey from management consulting to leading innovations in the travel insurance sector. He discusses how David Shield differentiates itself by processing claims in real time and offering unique services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also explores the future of insurance with AI, the rise of digital nomads, and the impact of remote work. Leor offers advice on pivoting business strategies, the significance of team fit in M&A, and the evolving role of AI in customer service and much more!

Subscribe on Spotify

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Learn

• How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the insurance industry

• How do M&A teams like to get to know startups that they could invest in or acquire?

• How does Leor think AI will change the world of Insurance

• What is your favourite business book? – Zero to One

• What is your favourite online tool? –LinkedIn

• If you could go back to when you started working, what is the one thing you would have focused on? – Be bolder

Timestamps

01:05: Leor’s start in the tech world

02:00: Discussion on the role of management consulting in entrepreneurship.

03:30: Leor explains how David Shield differentiated itself in the insurance industry.

05:00: Impact of COVID-19 on the insurance industry

06:15: Insights on remote work trends and the future of hybrid work models.

09:00: Overview of Corporate Ventures' role within David Shield and their approach to scaling.

11:00: How David Shield processes insurance claims in real-time.

13:20: Adapting to the rise of digital nomads and remote work during the pandemic.

15:30: Challenges and strategies for integrating acquisitions and maintaining team alignment.

16:20: Leor’s views on Israeli startup culture and its success in fostering innovation.

18:00: The importance of team-to-team fit in successful M&A integrations.

19:00: How David Shield scouts for new technologies and startups.

21:30: The evolution of AI and its applications in insurance and fintech.

23:30: The significance of listening to customer feedback in product development.

Leor’s Links

LDN– https://il.linkedin.com/in/leor-catalan-entrepreneur

Website – https://www.passportcard.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit partnergrow.substack.com

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In this episode, Aakash Shah, founder of Wyndly discusses his entrepreneurial journey, influenced by his immigrant father, and his own struggles with allergies that inspired him. He talks about the challenges of allergy care in the US and UK and how Wyndly uses AI and telehealth to improve patient experiences. Aakash shares insights on revenue models in healthcare startups and his positive experience with Y Combinator. He also discusses Wyndly's future growth plans, including international expansion, and much more!

Timestamps

02:46 Childhood experiences

05:01 - Beginnings of Wyndly

08:16 Indian immigrants in the US.

13:31 Identifying the market need for allergy care.

16:01 The most effective treatment for allergies

19:21Challenges faced by patients in getting proper allergy care

22:31 Use of AI and telehealth at Wyndly

25:01Complexity of the US healthcare system

28:46 Experience with Y Combinator

31:16 Future growth plans

34:01 Advice for pre-product-market fit founders

37:01 Next billion-dollar companies

Aakash’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/mraakashshah/

Website – https://wyndlypr.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

Newsletter: https://partnergrow.substack.com

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In this episode, Simon Holland, founder of Vance, a back-office service for startups and SMBs shares his entrepreneurial journey from his diverse upbringing in Peru, Australia, and Spain to founding his first business, Papercloud. He discusses differences in the tech ecosystems of Australia, London, and the US, and explains Vance’s focus on SMBs and the impact of AI on the SaaS industry. Simon covers identifying ideal customer profiles, effective growth channels, hiring challenges, company culture, and much more!

Timestamps

3:31 Australian tech ecosystem

4:31 Vance and its focus on SMBs and startups

5:31 Differences in definitions of enterprise and mid-market between Europe and the US.

6:31 The success of companies like HubSpot and Gusto in the SMB market

7:31 When and why a company might decide to move up market and target enterprise customers.

8:31 The future of SaaS and the impact of AI on the industry.

9:31 The current state and future of foundation models in AI.

11:31 The ease of building new products with AI and how to differentiate in a competitive market.

13:31 The importance of focusing on quality customers and effective growth channels for startups.

14:31 Challenges of hiring at an early stage and the importance of company culture.

16:31 Simon's approach to creating a product vision and the importance of customer feedback.

18:31 When to pivot or close shop if product market fit is not achieved.

20:31 Future plans for Vance, including automating administrative tasks for SMBs.

Simon’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-holland-00710b13

Website – https://www.hirevance.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this episode, Mila Khrapchenko, co-founder and co-CEO of Ameetee shares her journey from public market investments to startups, discussing her 18-year career at Alpha Bank. She provides insights on investing in derivatives and highlights her focus areas like Edtech and Fintech. Mila explains the creation of Ameetee, aimed at facilitating late-stage private equity investments for banks and financial institutions. We talk about Israel's unique startup culture, the future of fintech, AI's impact on financial services, and cryptocurrency regulation, and much more.

Timestamps

Mila's Investment Journey (01:21)

Career at Alpha Bank (04:56)

Advice on Investing in Derivatives (08:11)

Sectors of Startup Investments (11:21)

Investment Portfolio Diversification (13:31)

Building Ameetee (15:31)

Challenges in the Current Market (17:51)

Israeli Startup Culture (20:46)

Future of Fintech and Crypto Regulation (24:11)

Impact of AI on Financial Services (29:01)

Mila’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/mila-khrapchenko-76aa511

Website – https://ameetee.io/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this episode, Arshad Hisham, founder of inGen Dynamics shares his insights on his MBA journey, building executive teams, and the importance of investor-friendly funding. He discusses the mission to enhance human life through AI, automation, and robotics, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and much more.

Timestamps

Starting in Startups (1:31)

Choosing an MBA Program (5:41)

Building an Executive Team (9:46)

Funding and Investor Relations (17:11)

AI, Automation, and Robotics (22:46).

Industry Risks and Deployment Timelines (27:51)

Future Job Skills and Market Changes (31:01)

Cultural Differences in Startup Ecosystems (36:01)

Arshad’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/arshadhisham/

Website – https://ingendynamics.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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Thomas Ryan is the CEO and founder of Bigly Sales, a startup transforming the sales landscape. Bigly sales have helped others boost marketing and sales with AI-powered solutions.

In this episode, Thomas Ryan, CEO of Bigley Sales shares the potential for automation in sales processes. He discusses the limitations of traditional sales methods and the need for efficient tools and AI-driven automation. Thomas emphasizes the importance of integrating various communication channels into a unified platform and the shift towards AI-powered, personalized marketing. He also addresses regulatory challenges, the evolving role of sales development representatives, and the impact of AI on global call centres and enterprise sales strategies, and much more!

Timestamps

Automation in Recruiting (00:01:05)

Challenges with CRM Integration (00:02:06)

The Evolution of Sales Outreach (00:04:28)

The Future of SDR Role (00:07:33)

Impact on Call Centers (00:14:24)

Scaling into Enterprise (00:16:01)

Effective Use of Discounting (00:18:47)

Discounting and Long-Term Contracts (00:19:34)

Impact of AI on Sales Processes (00:21:32)

Sectors Most Affected by AI (00:25:24)

Skill Set for Future Careers (00:28:32)

Transformation of Employment and Business Operations (00:30:29)

Regulations and Sales Strategies (00:35:08)

Future of Sales with AI (00:32:26)

Cold Outreach and Advertising (00:39:34)

Targeting Larger Enterprises (00:42:48)

Thomas’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ryan-5302751

Website – https://biglysales.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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Bruce Ballengee is a Founder and Director at Pariveda. Pariveda is a consulting firm dedicated to solving complex business, brand, and technology problems from the inside out.

In this episode, Bruce Ballengee, founder and director of Pariveda Solutions, discusses his transition from working at major consulting firms to starting his own company, influenced by his family's entrepreneurial background. He emphasizes creating an ESOP company and achieving B Corp certification. Bruce also highlights the significance of managing cash flow, strategic decision-making during tough times, the value of hiring top performers, and much more!

Timestamps

Challenges in Starting the Firm (00:00:44)

Becoming a B Corp (00:06:13)

Getting the First Projects (00:10:27)

Mistakes in Scaling Up (00:14:02)

Hiring Mistakes (00:16:59)

Compensation Structure (00:20:01)

Higher Base Salary and Performance (00:20:45)

Voluntary Temporary Pay Reduction (00:21:47)

Challenges of Counter Offers and Bonuses (00:23:08)

Scaling and Leadership (00:24:12)

Business Model and Scaling (00:27:05)

Key Moment for Acceleration (00:28:06)

Quality and Speed in Scaling (00:30:00)

Assessing Candidate's Attributes (00:33:32)

Maintaining Culture and Values (00:36:05)

Navigating Challenging Market Conditions (00:39:44)

Challenges with Revenue Collection (00:43:24)

Evaluating Growth Strategies (00:47:43)

Control and Legacy Building (00:49:26)

Bruce’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceballengee/

Website – https://parivedasolutions.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this episode, Olga Bortnikova, founder of startups YouTravel and Tripsider discusses her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting a travel company, and the importance of personalizing travel experiences. She also talks about acquiring customers, raising funding, and the effectiveness of marketing channels like SEO. Olga highlights the impact of AI on travel, focusing on personalization and enhancing customer experiences rather than replacing human jobs, and much more!

Timestamps

Travel Preparation and Inspiration (00:00:32)

Friendliest People and Positive Experiences (00:02:41)

Building YouTravel and TripsRyder (00:04:32)

Acquiring the First Customers (00:09:30)

Raising the First Round of Funding (00:13:28)

Marketing Channels and Technology Impact (00:21:54)

Personalized Travel Experiences (00:26:59)

Real-Time Assistance and Predictive Analytics (00:28:19)

Sustainability and Support for Local Providers (00:31:21)

Disruption by AI in Travel Agencies (00:35:59)

Olga’s Links

LDN– https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-bortnikova/

Website – https://tripsider.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Derek Sivers, talks about his unique approach to life, discussing his book curation process, travel experiences, and his accidental journey into entrepreneurship with CD Baby. Derek shares his philosophy on money, emphasizing intellectual pursuits over financial gain, and offers advice on customer engagement through personalization. He also reveals his efficient email management system that supports his diverse interests, and much more!

Timestamps

Note-Making Process (00:01:19)

Reading Preferences and Travel Experiences (00:03:15)

Music, Entrepreneurship, and Success (00:09:15)

Relationship with Money and Entrepreneurship (00:11:48)

Customer Delight and Personal Touch (00:19:18)

Efficient Communication and Multitasking (00:22:31)

Assuming You're Below Average (00:25:09)

Feedback Loops and Coaching (00:29:10)

Measuring Success in Writing (00:35:34)

Hell Yeah or No (00:40:22)

Living in New Zealand (00:47:22)

Prioritizing Fatherhood (00:49:29)

Derek's Links

Twitter - https://x.com/sivers

Website - https://sive.rs/

How to live - https://sive.rs/h

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Eugene Malobrodsky, Managing Partner at One Way Ventures, shares his journey from Lithuania to the U.S. and his evolution from founder to venture capitalist. He also covers the strategies for investing in early-stage companies and the challenges that new venture capital managers face. Eugene shares insights on the role of liquidity events like secondaries and M&A in the current market, as well as his perspective on the potential impact of political leadership on the M&A landscape, and much more!

Timestamps

Building and Selling Companies (00:03:51)

Transition to Venture Capital (00:08:28)

Focus on Immigrant Founders (00:12:21)

Pattern Recognition in VC (00:18:20)

Early Stage Investments and Ownership (00:22:24)

Challenges for Emerging Managers (00:25:09)

Valuations and Investments (00:25:36)

Founder's Secondary Exits (00:28:21)

Liquidity in the Market (00:31:35)

Venture Capital Focus Areas (00:32:44)

Political Impact on Business (00:33:57)

Emerging Managers' Decision-making (00:38:16)

Founder's Retreat and Community (00:40:12)

Eugene’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/afeugene/

Website – https://www.onewayvc.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Vikram Chachra, founding partner of 8i Ventures, delves into the nuances of venture investing in India. He shares his entrepreneurial background and his transition to venture capital, highlighting the cultural and generational shifts shaping the investment landscape. Vikram underscores the importance of understanding consumer pain points and the role of digital solutions in fostering progress. He advises young professionals to work with startups and stresses the need for strategic thinking in early-stage investments, and much more!

Timestamps

Early Mobile Internet and Startup Experience (00:01:12)

Investing and Operating Startups (00:03:21)

Observing Changes in India (00:06:56)

Investment Thesis and Fintech Focus (00:11:34)

Friction and Digital Acceleration (00:15:51)

Scenario Planning and Reserves (00:18:43)

The journey of Slice (00:18:54)

Market Maps and Generational Companies (00:19:54)

Capital and Investment Strategy (00:20:50)

Valuations and IPO Market (00:21:59)

Startup IPOs and Market Dynamics (00:23:08)

Founder Selection and Prioritization (00:26:49)

Investment Prioritization and Lessons (00:29:00)

LP Relationships and Founder-Centric Approach (00:33:23)

Approaching LPs and Trust Building (00:35:20)

Building Trusted Relationships in India (00:37:30)

India's Wealth and Family Offices (00:38:06)

Venture Capital Fund Length in India (00:38:59)

Entering the Venture Landscape (00:39:31)

Patience and Belief in Startups (00:40:41)

Vikram’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vchachra/

Email – vikram@8ivc.com

Website - 8ivc.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Mohammed Khachab, Senior Vice President at BNP Group. his entrepreneurial journey from Lebanon to the thriving startup scene in Dubai. He shares the story of building and selling a company for $200 million, sharing the importance of assembling a complementary team and focusing on distribution before marketing. Mohammed also discusses the supportive Dubai ecosystem and his future endeavours as an angel investor and advisor. He highlights the significance of culture, values, and mental resilience in business, offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs on hiring and scaling their ventures, and much more!

Timestamps

Starting a Business in Dubai (00:02:24)

Importance of Distribution (00:04:31)

Selling a Company for $200 Million (00:07:39)

Dubai Startup Ecosystem (00:09:39)

Lessons from Scaling a Company (00:17:18)

Finding the right team (00:17:19)

Distribution and marketing (00:18:13)

Marketplaces and own distribution channels (00:20:09)

Hiring marketing personnel (00:22:03)

Fundraising insights (00:24:19)

Biggest moment in business (00:26:30)

Key traits in hiring (00:29:10)

Values-driven leadership (00:33:48)

Cultural reflection of leadership (00:34:19)

Recruitment process (00:38:04)

Mohamad’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamad-khachab-581533a7/

Website – https://bmbgroup.com/

Email - mokhashab@hotmail.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this episode, John Li, CEO of Vimcal discusses his transition from Twitter to entrepreneurship, detailing the evolution of his startup from AR technology to a fitness venture, and ultimately to a specialized calendar app. He emphasizes the critical role of executive assistants in product development, the necessity of user feedback, and the integration of AI. John also talks about the unique challenges of user acquisition, the strategic shift to a vertical SaaS model, and the company's inclusive hiring practices, and much more!

Timestamps

The journey from Twitter to Y Combinator (00:00:02)

Pivoting from AR to Fitness to Calendar (00:03:38)

Onboarding users and fundraising challenges (00:10:26)

Vimcal's focus on meetings, not just a calendar (00:13:26)

The role of AI in startups and fundraising (00:15:29)

Launching Whimsical E and serving executive assistants (00:17:15)

Speed vs Quality in Product Development (00:19:43)

Lessons in conducting effective product reviews (00:20:21)

The Harmony of Features (00:20:41)

Product Teams' Focus (00:21:53)

Challenges in User Acquisition (00:22:58)

Enterprise and PLG Approach (00:24:49)

Traits in Hiring (00:26:26)

Assessing Curiosity and Clarity of Thought (00:29:43)

Hiring Mistakes and Parting Ways (00:33:19)

John’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnli611/

Website – https://www.vimcal.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jaylbird11

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Kyle Forster, CEO of RunWhen, shares his journey from growing up in Silicon Valley to becoming a leader in product management. He discusses the nuances of product management across different customer segments, offering advice on collaboration between product and commercial teams. Kyle also explores leadership roles, the transition from SMB to enterprise clients, and the unique challenges of enterprise product development. He shares his motivation for starting RunWhen, aiming to solve enterprise technology adoption issues and much more!

Timestamps

Growing up in Silicon Valley (00:00:25)

Transition to Product Management (00:03:10)

Different Types of Product Management (00:05:09)

Friction Between Commercial and Product Teams (00:07:16)

Product Managers' Mistakes (00:10:03)

Commercial Leaders and Product Strategy (00:15:24)

Transition to Enterprise Sales (00:17:46)

Building the Product for Different Users (00:18:42)

The Role of AI in Product Design (00:20:48)

Measuring Impact and Product Discipline (00:22:34)

Emotional Experience of Selling a Company (00:26:12)

Transitioning from Startups to Big Companies (00:28:27)

Importance of Reference Checks in Hiring (00:30:52)

Mistakes in Hiring the First Product Manager (00:36:08)

Product Mistakes and Learnings (00:36:51)

Kyle’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyforster

Website – https://www.runwhen.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Alex Twigg, founder of Appeggio, shares his transition from the banking sector to creating a no-code SaaS platform. He discusses the evolution of his leadership style, the impact of AI on jobs, and the concept of "invisible banking." Alex emphasizes the importance of nurturing talent, the role of experience in leadership, and the challenges faced by startups in distribution and customer acquisition. He also touches on the personal toll of entrepreneurship and recommends resources for founders and much more!

Timestamps

The Humble Beginnings (00:00:34)

The evolution of the banking sector (00:01:58)

Generational work ethics (00:05:31)

Leadership journey (00:08:38)

CEO's nature vs. nurture (00:19:48)

Transition to software development (00:23:49)

The journey from banker to technologist (00:24:13)

Judo Bank's innovative approach (00:25:52)

Challenges and success of Judo Bank (00:27:00)

Experience as a service (00:31:15)

Impact of AI and new code solutions (00:34:33)

Invisible banking and customer engagement (00:43:23)

Customer acquisition and onboarding (00:42:24)

Invisible Banking (00:47:06)

Distribution is Key (00:49:22)

Choosing Distribution Channels (00:51:44)

Balancing Entrepreneurialism and Family Life (00:53:35)

Alex’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextwigg

Website – Appeggio.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Boris Manhart shares his experience leading Codecheck and his journey through the fintech landscape with Numbers. He shares his expertise on team alignment, leadership, and the critical role of market needs in AI startups. Boris emphasizes the significance of product-market fit, sustainable capital use, and the evolving dynamics of seed funding. He also offers advice to young entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of passion, patience, and much more!

Timestamps

Boris's Journey (00:00:25)

Lessons from Numbers (00:03:02)

Transition to Code Check (00:05:29)

Challenges in AI Startups (00:06:47)

CEO Skills and MBA (00:09:21)

Team Alignment and Failure Conditions (00:13:06)

Product-Market Fit and Startup Funding (00:16:31)

Managing Capital and Market Changes (00:20:28)

VC Lessons for Founders (00:23:20)

Lunch with Founders (00:24:03)

Investment Priorities (00:24:26)

Entering the Startup Landscape (00:25:51)

The Lean Startup (00:27:43)

Focus on Product-Market Fit (00:28:42)

Boris’s Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/borismanhart/

Website - growthunltd.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Guy Kawasaki, talks about his latest book "Think Remarkable," exploring themes such as marketing excellence, the intricacies of podcast growth, the power of a growth mindset, and the art of finding mentors. Guy shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of quality in product evangelism and the challenges of leveraging a large social media following for impact. Guy also talks about the nuances of remote work management, the value of diversity in hiring, and learning from past decisions, and much more!

Timestamps

The Golden Touch (00:01:55)

Building a Podcast (00:03:10)

Challenges of Growing Social Media Channels (00:05:15)

Writing "Think Remarkable" (00:06:39)

Growth Mindset (00:07:26)

Qualities of Remarkable People (00:09:04)

Building Skill Sets (00:10:08)

Doing Epic Shit (00:11:31)

Creating a Subcategory (00:13:31)

Finding Mentors (00:15:27)

Effective Storytelling (00:17:41)

Pitching Framework (00:18:36)

Managing in a Remote Work Environment (00:19:56)

Remote Work Management (00:21:12)

Diversity in Hiring (00:22:21)

Learning from Career Regrets (00:23:55)

Lessons from Career Choices (00:24:16)

Impact of AI on Creativity (00:25:57)

Book Writing Process (00:27:15)

Overcoming Challenges (00:28:15)

Future Book Plans (00:29:53)

Guy’s Links

Website - https://guykawasaki.com/

Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Remarkable-Paths-Transform-Difference/dp/139424522X

Email – guykawasaki@gmail.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Josh Muccio, co-founder of The Pitch and a general partner at The Pitch Fund talks about his entrepreneurial background, his ventures in e-commerce and media, and the intricacies of building a successful media company like The Pitch. Josh recounts the show's sale to Gimlet Media and subsequent repurchase, as well as his personal experience pitching on the show. He discusses the challenges faced by emerging fund managers in 2023 and The Pitch Fund's remarkable achievement of raising significant interest from listeners alone. He also covers strategies for growing a podcast in a competitive market, the unique approach of The Pitch Fund in seed investments, and the rise of owner-operator led funds. Josh shares insights on AI startups, emphasizing the need for real-world applications and value creation, and much more!

Timestamps

Josh's Entrepreneurial Journey (00:00:25)

Building and Selling Startups (00:04:19)

Challenges of Media Business (00:04:34)

Venture Backing for Media Companies (00:06:40)

Starting The Pitch (00:08:05)

The Journey of The Pitch (00:13:08)

Pitching on The Pitch (00:16:23)

Fundraising Challenges for Emerging Fund Managers (00:19:02)

Raising a Fund from Listeners (00:20:20)

Podcast Distribution and Growth (00:22:30)

Value of Authenticity in Content Creation (00:25:24)

Unique Deal Flow for The Pitch Fund (00:26:35)

Selecting VCs and Building Relationships (00:28:46)

VC Value Beyond Capital (00:31:09)

Portfolio Construction and Investment Strategy (00:33:37)

Founder-Led Funds and Operator Expertise (00:36:03)

Specific AI Use Cases (00:39:02)

Podcast AI Tool (44:54)

Starting The Pitch Show (46:17)

Josh’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshmuccio/

The Pitch - https://www.thepitch.show/

Pitch Fund - https://www.thepitch.show/p/fund/

Email - josh@pitch.show

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Darya Sesitskaya, founder of Shader, shares her entrepreneurial journey and insights into product development. She emphasizes the role of intuition in the early stages of design and the importance of simplicity in product interfaces. Daria also discusses her approach to user feedback, highlighting that not all suggestions are implemented but are carefully evaluated. For fundraising, she credits her participation in an accelerator program for building connections and stresses consistent communication with investors and much more!

Timestamps

The journey to Shader (00:00:02)

From Belarus to the US (00:02:38)

Experience at Snapchat (00:04:50)

On Deck Fellowship Experience (00:07:34)

Product Management and Design (00:10:17)

Hiring the First Product Manager (00:12:59)

The Future of Product Development (00:15:15)

Core Roles for Product Managers (00:17:03)

Working with Design Partners (00:18:55)

UI/UX Design Principles (00:21:08)

Balancing Intuition and Data (00:23:43)

Vision and Prototypes (00:23:56)

Simplicity in Product Design (00:24:49)

User Feedback and Implementation (00:26:31)

Hiring High-Quality Talent (00:29:22)

Raising Funding and Building Relationships (00:31:31)

Startup Lessons and Growth (00:36:15)

Darya’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryasesitskaya/

Shader - Shaderapp.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Justin Smith, Managing Partner at Recharge Capital delves into his venture capital journey, his experiences at Recharge Capital and Tusk Ventures, and the intricacies of angel investing and SPVs. Justin shares his transition from auditing to venture capital, his approach to building a sourcing network, and the importance of partnerships in investing. He discusses the strategic role of distribution channels in fintech and healthcare startups, the impact of brand names on cap tables, and the current state of M&A in venture capital. Justin also touches on fund dynamics, such as liquidity events and reserve allocations, and concludes with personal insights on fundraising and relationship building, highlighting the usefulness of AngelList for SPVs and syndications, and much more.

Timestamps

The journey to venture capital (00:00:03)

Transition to SPVs and Recharge Capital (00:02:56)

Differences between SPVs and institutional capital (00:08:45)

Building partnerships through angel investing (00:14:35)

Diversifying the investment portfolio (00:15:10)

Importance of distribution channels in startups (00:18:57)

Distribution as a Key Issue (00:18:57)

Building Partnerships and Distribution Channels (00:20:07)

Brand Names on Cap Tables (00:22:12)

Clubbed Rounds and Founder Strategies (00:23:06)

M&A Activity in the Next 12 Months (00:25:03)

Misalignment Between VCs and LPs (00:26:22)

Liquidity and Reserve Allocation (00:29:45)

Follow-on Investments and Fund Dynamics (00:31:36)

Venture Decision-Making and Postmortems (00:33:59)

Ownership Allocation in Companies (00:36:17)

Justin’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-b-smith/

Email - justin@recharge.capital

Recharge Capital - https://www.rechargecapital.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this episode, Stefan Ross, Head of Partnerships at Pigment, shares his journey from sales to partnerships and his experiences in the UK startup ecosystem. He discusses the importance of strategic thinking and curiosity in partnerships, the centralized nature of the UK startup scene, and the misconceptions about partnerships. Stefan emphasizes the need for structural alignment within companies and how to effectively manage and communicate with multiple partners. He also touches on the hiring process for partnership managers, the significance of mentorship, and his favorite tools and resources. Stefan offers valuable insights into building successful partnerships and the internal culture needed to support them, and much more!

Timestamps

The partnership journey (00:00:19)

Entering the world of partnerships (00:01:13)

UK startup ecosystem (00:11:35)

Common misconceptions about partnerships (00:16:44)

Internal culture for being partner-ready (00:18:32)

Understanding the Importance of Executive Buy-in (00:18:49)

Transitioning to Multi-Product Platforms (00:21:04)

Managing Multiple Product Sales Teams (00:23:49)

Scoring and Evaluating Partnerships (00:25:52)

Types of Alliances in Business Ecosystems (00:27:00)

Choosing the Right Alliances and Metrics for Success (00:29:25)

Aligning Incentives for Partner Success (00:32:00)

Communicating Metrics to the C-suite (00:34:35)

Tools and CRM for Partnerships (00:36:16)

The value of structural alignment (00:37:09)

Hiring process for partnership managers (00:38:25)

Qualities of a great partnership manager (00:41:29)

Learning from mistakes in partnerships (00:46:36)

Stefan’s Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-ross-83641074

Pigment - https://www.pigment.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

🎓 5-day email course: www.enterprisesalesexpertise.com

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In this podcast episode, Jonny Miller, founder of Nervous System Mastery, talks about his journey from studying at Durham University to becoming an entrepreneur and eventually creating a course to help others manage stress and enhance resilience. He discusses his startup experiences, including his travel magazine and MapTier, and the lessons learned from those ventures. Jonny shares insights on emotional resilience, the importance of learning and curiosity, and the development of his course. He also covers the impact of technology on well-being, the benefits of meditation and yoga, and strategies for handling emotions and stress in professional settings. Jonny emphasizes the importance of intentionality in technology use and the concept of "emotional debt," advocating for healthy outlets to express and process emotions to prevent burnout, and much more!

Timestamps

Jonny Miller's Background and Startup Journey (00:00:02)

Challenges and Learnings from Startup Experience (00:01:55)

Advice for Young Entrepreneurs (00:03:08)

Creation of Nervous System Mastery Course (00:04:19)

Startup Culture in Bali (00:06:52)

Managing Nervousness in High-Pressure Situations (00:08:25)

Visualization and Present Moment Awareness (00:13:10)

Effectiveness of Meditation and Mindfulness (00:15:09)

Cultivating Interoceptive Awareness (00:19:20)

Technology Detox and Phone Usage (00:19:55)

Removing Technology from Day-to-Day Life (00:20:22)

Understanding Intention Behind Phone Usage (00:21:32)

Managing Emotional Debt (00:29:40)

Nervous System Mastery Course (00:32:41)

Stress Management Practices (00:36:07)

Favorite Business Book (00:38:02)

Reflecting on Starting Nervous System Mastery (00:38:35)

Jonny’s Links

Nervous system course - nsmastery.com

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnym1ller/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Luca Cartechini, founder of Shopcircle, shares his journey from Italy to the UK, his experience in investment banking and venture capital, and the founding of Shopcircle. He discusses London's vibrant tech scene, the impact of Brexit, and the benefits of corporate experience for entrepreneurs. Shopcircle's focus on the Shopify ecosystem, growth strategies, and product development are also covered. Luca highlights the importance of a high-performing team, the challenges of remote work, maintaining company culture, and much more!

Timestamps

Studying in the UK (00:00:38)

Diversity in the UK Ecosystem (00:03:01)

Career Path and Entrepreneurship (00:06:10)

Starting Shop Circle (00:09:17)

Expanding Beyond Shopify (00:11:02)

New Product Developments (00:12:59)

Product Growth Strategies (00:14:29)

Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy (00:17:22)

Building a Team (00:19:06)

Remote Work Challenges (00:20:20)

Team Growth and Culture (00:21:19)

Setting Goals and KPIs (00:22:21)

Balancing Innovation and Risk (00:27:12)

Cultural Embedding in Growing Teams (00:25:34)

Luca’s Links

Shopcircle - https://shopcircle.co/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-cartechini/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Arthur Bernard, General Partner at Athletic Ventures, talks about his transition into venture capital and the role of athletes in this sector. Arthur discusses his early career, experience in sports marketing agencies, and return to venture capital in 2020. He emphasizes the importance of educating the European market on athlete investments in startups, noting the unique value athletes bring beyond mere influence. Arthur also touches on the LP-GP relationship, portfolio construction, and the challenges of raising a first fund. He advises patience for those entering venture capital and highlights the importance of understanding lead investors' motivations and much more!

Timestamps

Arthur's Journey into Venture Capital (00:00:02)

Experience Working in Sports Agency (00:02:11)

Role of Athletes in Venture Capital Ecosystem (00:05:10)

Athletes' Say in Investment Decisions (00:08:05)

Closing the First Fund and LP-GP Relationship (00:10:35)

Portfolio Construction and Allocation (00:14:36)

Efficient Company Building and Funding Environment (00:16:55)

What Founders Want from VCs (00:18:52)

Investment Success and Impact on Mindset (00:21:46)

Evaluation of Startup Growth (00:23:00)

Adjusting KPIs for Different Stages (00:23:12)

Impact of Missed Opportunities (00:24:18)

Importance of Lead Investors (00:25:31)

Challenges for Emerging Managers (00:26:48)

Patience and Relationship Building (00:27:55)

Arthur’s Links

Athletico ventures - https://www.athletico.vc/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-bernard1984/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Brian Evans, CEO and founder of BDE Ventures, shares his insights into the crypto and blockchain industry. He shares the transformative potential of blockchain in gaming, the integration of NFTs in various sectors, and the importance of building a strong online presence. Brian shares his journey into crypto, the impact of recent crypto developments, and his firm's investment focus. He also explores the intersection of AI and blockchain, the play-to-earn gaming model, and the future of digital assets and metaverses. Brian emphasizes the need for cybersecurity and offers advice on networking and validating startup ideas, and much more!

Timestamps

Interest in Crypto and Bitcoin (00:00:27)

Bitcoin and Ethereum's Future (00:05:07)

Potential of Blockchain Technology (00:07:16)

FTX Exchange Incident (00:10:29)

Gaming and NFTs (00:18:15)

Investments and Startups (00:21:12)

Web3 Gaming (00:22:36)

AI and Innovation (00:27:30)

Blockchain and AI Integration (00:27:39)

Play-to-Earn Gaming (00:34:21)

Gaming and Education (00:36:47)

Metaverse and Fashion Brands (00:37:44)

Virtual Reality and Social Interaction (00:40:11)

Growing Social Media Following (00:44:15)

Business Books and Productivity (00:49:56)

Startup Challenges and Investment (00:50:59)

Brian’s Links

BDE Ventures - https://bde.io/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/briandevans

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandevansla/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Ali Jamal, General Partner at First Check Ventures shares his multicultural upbringing and its influence on his interest in startups and venture capital, particularly in Latin America. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working in high-growth startups in developing economies and his transition from a full-time job to focusing on his syndicate. Ali provides insights into the venture capital industry, including securing funding allocations, the impact of market conditions on investments, and the potential for increased mergers and acquisitions. He also talks about AI business models, his biggest investment win, the importance of learning in startup roles, and much more!

Timestamps

Childhood and International Background (00:00:25)

Investment Focus on Latin America (00:03:59)

Working in High Growth Startups (00:07:10)

Syndicating with ShopCircle (00:10:07)

Balancing Full-Time Job with Syndicate (00:11:52)

Approach to LPs and Sense of Urgency (00:13:32)

Multi-Stage Funds and Seed Stage Investment (00:16:51)

Access to Hot Deals (00:17:55)

Investment Decision-Making (00:18:59)

Challenges for Venture Funds (00:19:49)

Market Conditions and Fundraising (00:20:17)

Struggles for Emerging Managers (00:22:08)

Potential Mergers and Acquisitions (00:24:02)

Liquidity Decisions in VC (00:25:40)

IPO Market Outlook (00:27:21)

AI Business Models (00:30:29)

Successful Investment and Approach (00:34:13)

Challenges in Syndicate Investments (00:35:19)

Misalignment Between GP and LP (00:36:12)

Ali’s Links

First Check Ventures - https://www.firstcheckventures.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mralijamal/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Ricardo Pero, CEO of SellersFunding talks about e-commerce financing and business strategy. Ricardo discusses his background in finance, the inception of SellersFunding, and the nuances of revenue-based versus seller financing. They explore qualifying criteria for e-commerce companies, the process of obtaining revenue data, and the impact of COVID-19 on the industry. Ricardo advises on scaling, branding, and competing in online retail, emphasizing the importance of culture in his company and the need for alternative capital sources in a challenging investment climate, and much more!

Timestamps

Founding SellersFunding (00:02:01)

Differences in Financing Models (00:05:42)

Qualifying Criteria for E-commerce Companies (00:08:39)

Turnaround Time for Funding (00:10:42)

Obtaining Revenue Data from Merchants (00:11:29)

Power of Online Platforms for Direct-to-Consumer Companies (00:12:53)

Differences Between Selling on Amazon and Branching Out (00:14:42)

Retail Companies' Strategies to Combat Amazon (00:19:23)

Effectiveness of Amazon Advertising (00:20:43)

Impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chains (00:23:22)

Challenges for Amazon Sellers (00:24:41)

Competing with Shein (00:27:26)

Challenges of Competing with Amazon (00:27:50)

Managing a Growing Startup (00:30:01)

Shift in Investment Sentiment (00:33:05)

Business Book Recommendation (00:35:41)

Balancing Equity and Debt (00:36:33)

Ricardo’s Links

Sellers Funding - https://sellersfi.com

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-pero-b7659437/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Shankar Ganapathy, founder of Boomerang, shares his professional journey from marketing to sales and his experiences at MindTickle and Boomerang. He discusses the nuances of sales playbooks and advises on the optimal timing for startup founders to hire sales personnel. Shankar emphasizes the importance of adapting sales strategies to meet individual customer needs and the transition from a broad marketing approach to personalized sales interactions and much more!

Timestamps

Transition from marketing to sales (00:02:39)

Moving from India to the US (00:06:06)

Starting Boomerang (00:09:07)

Acquiring first customers (00:12:14)

Defining a sales playbook (00:14:32)

Making the first sales hires (00:18:27)

Sales Hiring (00:20:03)

Curiosity Assessment (00:24:18)

Compensation Negotiation (00:26:48)

Title Negotiation (00:29:18)

Timing of Sales Hiring (00:30:54)

Deal Structuring (00:33:08)

Deal Reviews (00:35:07)

Multiyear Deals (00:37:12)

Experience with Sequoia Surge (00:39:08)

Building a Startup Program (00:39:58)

Pivoting Decision (00:40:59)

Shankar’s Links

Boomerang - Getboomerang.ai

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanksgan/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Justin Michael shares his unique sales methodology, the Justin Michael Method, emphasising the importance of understanding prospects' needs and building relationships. He discusses strategies for bypassing gatekeepers, the art of discounting, and engaging CFOs by demonstrating ROI. Justin also highlights the role of customer case studies in proving value and addresses the challenges of sales forecasting. He stresses the significance of developing sales talent within organisations and the value of mentorship and apprenticeship in achieving sales excellence, and much more!

Timestamps

The start of sales career (00:00:56)

Working with Sean Parker (00:01:50)

Building a community (00:04:33)

The Justin Michael Method (00:05:58)

Psychology in sales (00:11:22)

Building relationships with prospects (00:14:34)

Preventing loss of champions (00:18:53)

Morphing and Waterfalling (00:19:53)

Discounting Strategy (00:20:45)

Creating a Compelling ROI Business Case (00:22:39)

Value Demonstration through Case Studies (00:24:43)

Approaching Sales Forecasting (00:26:06)

Balancing Quotas and Celebrating Wins (00:28:14)

Career Advancement and Specialization (00:30:13)

Developing Sales Talent (00:32:44)

Challenges of Writing a Book (00:34:17)

Writing a Business Book (00:35:57)

Michael’s Links

Agency - https://hypcccycl.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljustin/

Sales Superpowers - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sales-Superpowers-Outbound-Operating-Explosive/dp/1948382687

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Lisa Nestor, Chief Strategy Officer at Airtm, discusses her diverse background and the fintech industry. She shares her passion for crypto, its potential for asset sovereignty, and the excitement around self-custody products. Lisa reflects on the challenges and opportunities CBDCs and stablecoins present and the competition they may bring to international currency markets. She offers investment advice for cryptocurrencies and highlights the qualities of a great growth hire. Lisa also delves into product-channel fit for startups, and much more!

Timestamps

Benefits of International Experience (00:04:55)

Airtm's Differentiation (00:07:42)

Airtm's Innovative Payment Rails (00:08:36)

Navigating Regulatory Environments (00:11:32)

Adoption of Digital Currencies by Companies (00:15:06)

Factors Affecting Bitcoin's Price (00:17:58)

Lessons from FTX's Implosion (00:19:59)

Cryptocurrency and Self-Custody (00:22:26)

Regulation and Digital Gold Standard (00:22:59)

Central Bank Digital Currency (00:24:38)

Stablecoins and CBDCs (00:27:07)

Characteristics of a Great Growth Hire (00:32:08)

Identifying a Bad Growth Hire (00:34:19)

Product-Channel Fit in B2B and Fintech (00:35:50)

Marketing Channel Strategy (00:39:24)

Lisa’s Links

Airtm - https://www.airtm.com/en/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisacnestor/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Sameet Mehta shares his journey into venture capital, his investment misses with Zoom and Dropbox, and the importance of cautious hiring for startups. He also discusses the decision-making process at his fund, Granite Hill, and the significance of creating a safe environment for open discussion. Sameet emphasizes the role of early-stage investors in a company's growth and shares his insights on the trend of hedge funds investing in emerging countries and also talks about his involvement with Thread Optics, a cybersecurity company, and much more!

Timestamps

The world of venture capital (00:00:41)

Corporate venture vs. decision-making at own firm (00:03:17)

Changes in venture capital over the last two decades (00:05:21)

The benefits of going public for consumer companies (00:09:50)

Missed investment opportunity in Zoom (00:11:06)

Advice on hiring for early-stage startups (00:15:09)

Creating an environment of safety (00:18:46)

Building trust with younger founders (00:20:09)

Hiring mistakes founders make (00:23:29)

The trajectory of the industry (00:28:09)

The role of investors in early-stage companies (00:28:52)

Thread Optics and Cybersecurity (00:32:04)

Sameet’s Links

Granite Hill - http://www.granitehill.net

ThreadOptix - https://www.threatoptix.ai

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameet-s-mehta-09520/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Yoav Vilner, co-founder and CEO of Walnut, shares his journey in startups and insights on sales and marketing strategies. He discusses the relationship between sales and marketing teams, the importance of hiring the right salespeople, and when to target larger companies. He also highlights the significance of measuring metrics like retention, churn, and net dollar retention for SaaS companies. Yoav emphasizes the value of prioritizing people over products in the early stages of a startup and much more!

Timestamps

The journey in startups (00:00:39)

Sales and marketing teams (00:01:47)

Hiring salespeople (00:03:27)

The right time to move up the market (00:11:18)

Working with design partners (00:12:16)

Metrics for growth in SaaS companies (00:13:12)

The importance of people in startups (00:21:11)

Yoav’s Links

Walnut - walnut.io

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoav-vilner/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Mikhail Taver, the founder of Taver Capital discusses his venture capital journey, his focus on AI startups, and the future of AI. He shares his experience at Nafta-Moscva and AAR and his first encounter with neural networks. Mikhail believes in the symbiotic relationship between startups and big companies in the AI space and emphasizes the importance of regulating AI. He also highlights the significance of a founder in driving a startup's success and the importance of market potential and traction, and much more!

Timestamps

Experience at Nafta Moscow (00:01:33)

Focus on industrial AI (00:05:42)

Regulating AI (00:09:18)

Prioritizing People, Traction, and Market (00:11:19)

Decision-Making in Venture Funds (00:15:36)

The advice for founders (00:19:04)

The value of an investor (00:19:13)

Mikhail’s Links

Taver Capital – https://www.taver.capital/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtaver

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Michael Luciani, the managing partner and co-founder of Climate Capital Fund shares his experiences working for Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Tuesday Company, where he built consumer-facing products and raised funding from high-impact investors. He discusses his journey into angel investing and his role at Climate Capital. Michael also talks about sourcing a deal with Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction company, and the potential of climate tech in driving sustainable practices. He shares his insights on investing in biotech companies, the potential for disruptive changes in the industrial sector, the efforts of China and India towards a sustainable future, and much more!

Timestamps

The Clinton Campaign Experience (00:00:49)

Founding The Tuesday Company (00:02:28)

The first close of the fund (00:11:08)

Investing in Colossal Biosciences (00:12:17)

The importance of sustainable materials and supply chains (00:23:22)

Due diligence for biotech companies (00:24:12)

Business model disruption in climate tech (00:34:11)

The Industrial Revolution of Advanced Manufacturing (00:35:14)

China and India's Steps Towards a Sustainable Future (00:36:42)

Michael’s Links

Climate Capital - https://www.climatecapital.co/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-luciani/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mbluciani

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Anis, the founder of Attention, shares his journey from being a self-taught coder to starting his own sales intelligence tool. He discusses the challenges he faced in his previous startup, Mixer, which led him to create Attention Tech. Anis highlights the importance of understanding the pain points of sales professionals and using AI to address them. He shares insights on effective sales strategies, the significance of positive response rates, and the importance of personalization in outreach efforts, and much more!

Timestamps

The journey into startups (00:00:47)

Challenges in sales operations (00:03:35)

Optimizing follow-up emails (00:06:12)

The importance of personalization in sales outreach (00:10:26)

Transitioning from selling to startups/SMBS to enterprise (00:11:37)

Recognizing when it's time to sell to bigger clients (00:12:49)

Hiring mistakes (00:20:45)

Onboarding sales and ramp time (00:22:02)

Founder's Superpower (00:29:00)

Anis’s Links

Attention – https://www.attention.tech/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anis-bennaceur/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast, Sergey Gribov shares his journey from being the first employee of a successful startup in Israel to becoming a partner at Flint Capital. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working in tech startups, the role of a board member in a startup, and the factors contributing to the success of the Israeli startup ecosystem. He also shares his insights on the traits of successful founders, the importance of feedback, their investment strategy, and the impact of remote work on their investment process, and much more!

Timestamps

Becoming a board member of a startup (00:04:16)

Israeli startup ecosystem(00:13:43)

Emergence of unicorns(00:15:10)

Management buyout (00:16:26)

The problem with the team of founders (00:28:48)

The impact of excessive money in the market (00:30:31)

Challenges of raising down rounds (00:33:20)

Importance of Team in Early Stage Startups (00:43:45)

Sergey’s Links

Flint Capital – http://flintcap.com

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgribov

Email - sg@flintcap.com

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this conversation, Winter Mead, founder and managing member of CoolWater Capital, about his journey from studying innovation in grad school in England all the way to his work today helping emerging fund managers navigate the VC landscape. He shares insights about the importance of track records, persistence, and understanding the investment world. He also talks about how the market has changed significantly over a span of two years in relation to raising funds, especially for emerging managers, with detailed discussions about Winter’s various programs, Explore, Build, and CFO, and much more!

Timestamps

00:29 Venture Capital Journey: The Beginning

01:35 Transition to Private Equity and Venture Capital

02:12 Identifying Gaps in the Venture Capital Industry

05:16 Skills Acquired as a Limited Partner

11:41 The Birth of CoolWater Capital

12:06 The Role of Track Records in Fund Management

14:55 The Importance of Building a Strong Foundation for Fund Managers

18:43 The Evolution of Becoming a Fund Manager

23:42 The Significance of Back Office Operations in Fund Management

25:42 Scaling Up and Creating Operating Leverage

25:48 Understanding the Explore and Build Programs

26:12 The Importance of Commitment in the Build Program

26:50 The Flexibility of the Explore Program

27:39 Taking Team Risk in the Build Program

28:43 The Role of the Explore Program in Building Investment Track Records

30:06 The Need for Good Fund Managers

30:24 Challenges in the Early Stage Ecosystem

30:53 Emerging Themes in the Market

32:00 The Importance of Investment Thesis

35:31 Changes in the Market and Fundraising

39:48 The Impact of Market Changes on Fundraising and Investment Dynamics

49:36 Recruiting for the Build and Strategic CFO Programs

Winter’s Links

CoolWater Capital - https://www.coolwatercap.com/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/wintmead

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/wintermead/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this episode, Gabby Cazeau, partner at Harlem Capital, shares her professional journey from starting as an engineer to becoming a venture capitalist. She discusses the importance of changing the face of entrepreneurship by investing in diverse founders and the valuable lessons she's learned throughout her career from different people and market trends. Additionally, she offers insights on how AI is disrupting traditional business models and the current venture capital landscape. Gabby also provides advice for young people looking to break into the venture capital field, and much more!

Timestamps

00:03 Introduction and Background

00:34 Gabby's Journey into Venture Capital

03:00 The Role of Engineering and Product Mindset in Venture Capital

04:16 Lessons Learned from Investing with Harlem Capital

05:58 How Harlem Capital Adds Value to Founders

07:43 Advice for Founders in Difficult Times

10:02 Understanding Market Sizing and Timing Risk

11:56 Reflecting on Investment Hits and Misses

18:44 The Impact of AI on Business Models

21:47 Advice for Aspiring Venture Capitalists

Gabby’s Links

Harlem Capital - https://harlem.capital/

Email - gabby@harlem.capital

Twitter – https://twitter.com/gabbycazeau

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellecazeau/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this episode, Eric Jorgensen, CEO of Scribe Media and author of "Almanack of Naval Ravikant" and "Anthology of Balaji” discusses his journey to becoming the CEO of Scribe Media, the success of his books, and the importance of understanding different disciplines. He also delves into topics such as the role of technology in various industries, the impact of AI on jobs, cryptocurrency, and the influence of technology on political order. Erics shares his views on truth, media, and the impact of negative news. He also expresses his admiration for Elon Musk and his mission-driven approach to entrepreneurship and much more!

Timestamps

The Journey to Becoming CEO of Scribe Media (00:00:21)

The Success and Impact of the Almanack of Naval Ravikant (00:01:56)

The Unique Perspective and Optimism of Naval Ravikant (00:06:02)

The self-driving car controversy (00:18:27)

Balaji's bet on Bitcoin (00:19:40)

Technology's impact on political order (00:22:59)

The pursuit of truth (00:30:16)

Media misalignment with truth (00:35:27)

The Tragedy of Negative News (00:38:45)

Optimism and Building a Beneficial Future (00:39:49)

Next book on Elon Musk (00:51:22)

Eric’s Links

Book - https://balajianthology.com/

Almanack of Naval Ravikant - https://www.navalmanack.com/

Website - Ejorgenson.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/EricJorgenson

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit857/

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In this podcast episode, Brandon Kleinman, the founder of Birthday App, a fintech platform that consolidates birthdays and provides reminders and gift options discusses the app's success and future expansion plans. He shares insights on startup success, emphasizing the importance of speed, endurance, and adaptability. He also advises on co-founder relationships, fundraising, and identifying target audiences. The episode concludes with an update on Birthday App's development, including the relaunch of their gift store, the potential introduction of a "magic button" feature for partner app integration, and much more!

Timestamps

Brandon's Journey in the Startup World [00:00:17]

Scaling Two Different Startups [00:02:00]

The Concept Behind Birthday App [00:05:10]

The gift store relaunch [00:09:33]

Not relying on Facebook [00:11:08]

Revenue model and advertising component [00:14:22]

Finding the Core Target Audience [00:19:32]

Understanding Why Things Work [00:20:58]

Defining Success and Keeping Score [00:27:05]

The Unreasonable Drive to Build [00:29:03]

Outcomes for Companies in 2023 [00:30:26]

Selecting a Co-founder [00:33:53]

The importance of understanding individual investors [00:39:22]

Creating emotional excitement during fundraising [00:41:56]

The value of in-person meetings [00:47:19]

Building the gift store and seeking partner brands [00:48:44]

The magic button and potential partnership with other apps [00:49:39]

Brandon’s Links

Birthday App – https://birthday.app/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonkleinman/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/bksenior

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Ethan Song, the CEO of Rare Circles shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days at Deloitte to founding the fashion brand, Frank and Oak. He discusses the importance of community-building in product-based companies and shares insights from his experience. Ethan also talks about his new venture, Rare Circles, which helps brands build loyal communities. He shares advice on raising funding during challenging times and discusses the future of social networking online communities and much more!

Timestamps

Building a Community and Starting a Company [00:00:02]

The Early Success of Frank and Oak [00:04:08]

The Future of Commerce and the Role of Community [00:07:19]

Building a Community [00:09:31]

Circles and the Importance of Community [00:11:39]

The Future of NFTs [00:16:45]

Web3 and Web2 Communities [00:18:11]

Leveraging Web3 for Brands [00:19:05]

Content Moderation and Community Management [00:20:00]

Lessons learned in building Race Circles [00:28:57]

Ethan’s Links

RareCircles - https://www.rarecircles.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansong/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mrethansong

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Vance Roush, founder and CEO of Overflow and executive pastor at Vibe Church, discusses his journey in the startup world and his passion for churches and nonprofits. He shares how his experience as a CFO for his church led him to start Overflow, a platform that simplifies the process of accepting non-cash donations. Vance also talks about the principles that have helped his church grow and emphasizes the importance of listening to customers, fully connecting members into the community, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:43] On Deck and Village Global

[00:02:06] Experience at Google

[00:03:31] Starting Overflow and Involvement in Churches

[00:11:07] The importance of community connection

[00:13:16] Millennial and Gen Z perspective on churches

[00:15:51] Simplifying the process of donating stocks

[00:22:57] The importance of input-based goals

[00:24:17] Making quick decisions and reducing distraction

[00:27:10] Engaging the younger generation in charitable giving

[00:34:38] The mindset and disciplines of creating

[00:36:13] Being selective with customers in the early days

Vance’s Links

Overflow – Overflow.co

Vibe Church – Vibechurch.org

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanceroush

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: twitter.com/rohitmal

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Sandy Kory is the Managing Director at Horizon vc, a seed-stage investor in product-driven startups. Sandy is an alumnus of Stanford from where he has done his MS in Management.

In this podcast episode, Sandy Kory, the Managing Director at Horizon Venture, discusses his experiences and insights in the world of tech investment and angel investing. Sandy discusses the differences between bootstrapped software companies and those that raise venture capital, the importance of investing in people you trust, and the significance of due diligence in angel investing. Sandy also shares his thoughts on product growth and profitability, runway for founders, marketing budgets, and competition analysis, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:26] Sandy's journey into tech investment banking

[00:03:32] The differences between bootstrapped and venture-backed companies

[00:05:47] Lessons from angel investing and advice for beginners

[00:08:01] Investing in Palantir

[00:09:45] Investing in Canva

[00:17:51] Ideal runway length for founders

[00:20:12] Marketing budget adjustments during challenging times

[00:24:22] The psychology of founders and employees during layoffs

[00:26:35] The importance of competition analysis for investors

[00:31:42] The significance of ambitious vision and exceptional product development

[00:34:01] Building Horizon Venture

Sandy’s Links

Substack - https://sandykory.substack.com

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandykory/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/sandykory

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Lloyed Lobo, author of the book, From Grassroots to Greatness shares his journey as a refugee, his experiences in India and Kuwait, and the power of community and entrepreneurship. He discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people, the role of community in building successful brands, and strategies for leveraging social proof and building a community-led business. Lloyed also talks about the impact of COVID-19 on community building and the value of rituals and community leaders in spreading a brand's message, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:02:22] Lloyed talks about his fond memories of spending summers in the slums of Mumbai, where everything was communal and people shared food, watched TV together, and even used communal bathrooms.

[00:03:21] Lloyed discusses his experience during the Gulf War, where he witnessed the power of community coming together to create big impact and solve problems in the face of extreme risk, uncertainty, and fear.

[00:06:48] Lloyed shares his journey from moving to Canada with his family to pursuing a career in business. He talks about his desire for risk and uncertainty and how he learned the importance of communication and self-motivation in becoming an entrepreneur.

[00:10:41] Lloyed talks about his experience of learning marketing and sales, including joining the inbound marketing community and implementing strategies from hubspot.

[00:11:51] Lloyed discusses how the companions we surround ourselves with and the environment we're exposed to play a crucial role in our journey and success.

[00:16:13] Lloyed shares his insights on the three essential elements for success: effective communication, continuous creation, and consistent execution.

[00:23:46] Lloyed discusses the four stages that every enduring brand has in common: audience, community, movement, and religion.

[00:30:11] Lloyed shares how they started hosting small meetups that eventually grew into the traction community, with over 100,000 subscribers and influential speakers.

[00:32:15] Using smaller social proof to gain credibility and leverage the brand reputation of others to level up.

[00:33:16] Turning a blog post into a regular print column by showcasing the value and reaching a younger tech-savvy audience.

[00:36:23] The framework for building a community-led business, including identifying target markets, understanding their goals and problems, and building partnerships and social proof.

[00:42:29] Lloyed discusses the importance of falling in love with customers and aligning with a purpose beyond product or profit.

[00:45:30] Lloyed shares how consistent small actions, like hosting live webinars, can lead to significant audience growth over time.

[00:49:12] Lloyed discusses the need for a hybrid approach, incorporating both in-person and virtual events, to create stronger connections and combat virtual fatigue.

[00:52:52] Discussion on the importance of rituals in building strong connections within a community and focusing on providing outcomes rather than just products.

[00:53:55] Exploration of how communities can be leveraged to create impact and turn a brand into a cult-like phenomenon, with examples from successful companies like Notion and TikTok.

[00:57:23] Insights on the benefits of growth equity for founders, including liquidity and the ability to de-risk while still retaining a significant stake in the company. Discussion on misalignment between founders and VCs and the importance of defining personal success and long-term goals.

[01:04:30] Discussion on the significance of founders understanding their true motivations and goals before embarking on the journey of building a company.

[01:05:26] Explanation of how venture capitalists (VCs) raise money from institutional investors and high net worth individuals, and the pressure they face to deliver significant returns.

Lloyed’s Links

'From Grassroots To Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led Growth' – FromGrassrootstoGreatness.com

TractionConf.io - TractionConf.io

Boast.AI - Boast.AI

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyedlobo

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: youtube.com/lifeselfmastery

Twitter: twitter.com/rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Satej, CEO of Rocketium, shares his journey into startups and the founding of his company. He discusses his experience at Taxi For Sure and the importance of having a core team. He explains the concept behind Rocketium and the ideal candidate profile for hiring. He emphasizes the value of listening to candidates and assessing their cultural fit. He also discusses the transition from founder-led sales to building a sales team and the importance of having a true salesperson. He advises against promoting solely based on individual contributor skills and shares insights on expanding into the US market selling software effectively, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:46] Satej talks about his early interest in startups and his desire to be a part of a new venture.

[00:02:16] Satej discusses his experience working at Taxi For Sure, a high-growth startup that eventually got acquired.

[00:04:45] Satej explains the core concept behind Rocketium and how it evolved from a gaming company to an enterprise-focused platform.

[00:11:33] Satej explains what he looks for in candidates, including their level of ambition, culture fit, and depth of thinking.

[00:13:02] Satej discusses the interview process, emphasizing the importance of simulating real work situations to evaluate candidates.

[00:16:35] Satej reflects on the biggest hiring mistake, which is not relying on gut instinct and making decisions based on pros and cons alone.

[00:21:05] Discussion on the challenges of transitioning employees from operational roles to sales roles and the importance of hiring the right people.

[00:23:29] Exploration of the factors to consider when expanding to the US market, including the need for local expertise and understanding of customers.

[00:25:40] Analysis of the evolving expectations of software buyers, including the need for software to enhance productivity and the importance of demonstrating adoption and cost-saving benefits.

[00:30:57] Discussion on the different types of users and buyers for Rocketium's software and the importance of equipping them with the right information.

[00:32:37] Advice on the importance of choosing a specific customer, company size, industry, and buyer to focus on, in order to save time and accelerate business growth.

Satej’s Links

Rocketium – https://rocketium.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/satejs/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Anna Lorena talks about her new book "The Learning Game." Anna discusses her journey in education, her experience studying education at NYU, and her observations about the lack of genuine learning in traditional schools. She shares how she discovered online education through David Perell's writing course and joined a startup called Synthesis. Anna also talks about the shortcomings of traditional education systems, the impact of COVID-19 on students, and the importance of empowering children to think for themselves. She offers advice for aspiring writers and emphasizes the value of writing and its connection to success, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:46] Anna shares her journey into teaching, starting with her internship in her dad's educational company.

[00:02:05] Anna discusses her experience as a student teacher and her realization about the lack of genuine learning in schools.

[00:03:53] Anna talks about leaving the classroom and exploring alternative learning experiences, including her involvement with Synthesis and writing a book.

[00:11:11] Discussion on the grouping of kids by age and the limitations it imposes on learning and interaction.

[00:14:04] Exploration of the drawbacks of teaching subjects in isolation and the lack of personalization in the curriculum.

[00:15:08] Analysis of how traditional education focuses on following instructions rather than fostering deep thinking and creativity.

[00:16:11] Anna discusses the problem of traditional schooling not providing authentic challenges and genuine learning experiences for students.

[00:18:22] Anna explains how COVID-19 exposed the shortcomings of traditional education and discusses the harmful effects of online learning on students.

[00:21:10] Anna talks about how COVID-19 brought awareness to alternative education options, such as micro schools, and increased interest in school choice.

[00:24:14] Discussion on the detrimental effects of the fear of failure in traditional schooling and how video games provide practice in a positive way.

[00:25:51] Exploration of the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in education and how video games fulfill these needs that traditional schooling often lacks.

[00:28:54] Conversation on the importance of encouraging children to think for themselves and question authority, starting from a young age, and strategies for parents to foster independent thinking.

[00:31:54] Anna discusses ways to empower children to think for themselves and solve problems without relying on instructions or following the crowd.

[00:32:54] Anna explains how Elon Musk hired the best teacher, Josh Dawn, to create a school from scratch, focusing on problem-solving, mixed-age groups, and developing soft skills.

[00:35:37] Anna shares her experience joining Synthesis School, witnessing the engagement, empowerment, and hunger for learning in students, and the launch of the digital tutor, revolutionizing education by teaching core subjects in an interactive and effective way.

[00:38:59] Anna discusses her observations about the lack of genuine learning in traditional education and the importance of understanding the basics of math.

[00:39:55] Anna talks about the benefits of one-on-one tutoring and how it can help students learn faster and have more time for other activities.

[00:43:16] Anna shares her experience of writing a book while juggling multiple responsibilities and offers advice on how to make progress by dedicating a little time each day.

[00:45:58] Anna discusses her experience studying education at NYU and her observations about the lack of genuine learning in schools.

[00:46:48] Rohit and Anna discuss the habit of writing, generating ideas, and the importance of stepping away from the computer.

[00:49:21] Anna talks about the importance of giving kids space to fail, taking risks, and allowing them to face challenges without always intervening.

[00:54:12] Anna discusses the importance of giving kids opportunities to write, focusing on their ideas rather than grammar and mechanics.

[00:55:07] Anna explains how writing serves as a starting point for various activities like social media posts, podcasts, videos, etc.

Ana’s Links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/anafabrega11

Instagram - intagram.com/msfab_learninglab

Newsletter - https://newsletter.afabrega.com/

Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Game-Teachers-Inspirational-Story/dp/0349113882

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Andrew Sheffield discusses his background as a poker player and his transition into venture capital. Andrew talks about online poker websites and his preference for playing in casinos. He then delves into the investment strategies of Playfair Venture Capital, including the number of investments they make per year and their assessment process for portfolio companies. He also discusses the role of VCs in connecting founders to the venture ecosystem offering advice for founders raising rounds in 2023, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:22] Andrew Sheffield explains his background as a poker player and his transition into venture capital.

[00:01:49] Andrew Sheffield discusses the similarities between playing poker and working in startups and venture capital.

[00:03:15] Andrew Sheffield talks about online poker websites and the challenges of playing poker online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[00:08:36] Andrew Sheffield discusses the number of companies they invest in per year and the range of check sizes.

[00:09:09] Andrew Sheffield talks about the distribution of their investments across the UK, Israel, and the rest of Europe.

[00:10:24] Andrew Sheffield explains the importance of reserving funds for follow-on investments and their approach to allocating capital based on company performance.

[00:18:27] VCs connecting founders to the venture ecosystem is crucial for success.

[00:18:53] Startups can build defensibility through processes, people, brands, and execution, especially as AI becomes more prevalent.

[00:20:17] Having a compelling story and a beautiful deck is important for early-stage founders, and traction adds validation to the story.

[00:28:28] Andrew Sheffield discusses the similarities between playing poker and working in startups and venture capital.

[00:29:51] Andrew Sheffield talks about the energy transition being the biggest problem the human race faces and the need to move towards sustainable energy.

Andrew’s Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sheffield-264360134

Playfair - https://playfair.vc/

Female founder office hour events in Europe - https://playfair.vc/community.php

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Steve Chou, founder of the "My Wife Quit Her Job" podcast and successful entrepreneur shares his journey in e-commerce, starting with selling handkerchiefs on eBay, which led to the creation of Bumblebee Linens. He discusses the viability of e-commerce in 2023 and the importance of building an audience before launching a course. Steve also shares insights on growing a YouTube channel, repurposing content and creating passive sources of income. He talks about the "four burners theory" managing employees and automation in his businesses, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:57] Steve Chou shares how he stumbled upon e-commerce when looking for handkerchiefs for his wedding and how it led to the creation of Bumblebee Linens.

[00:02:22] Steve Chou discusses the advantages of e-commerce as a fast way to make money compared to SaaS, but expresses interest in pursuing SaaS in the future.

[00:03:53] Steve Chou affirms that e-commerce is still a viable business model in 2023 and emphasizes the importance of marketing and driving traffic to your site.

[00:08:17] Steve Chou talks about how he initially resisted launching a course but eventually gave in due to demand from his audience.

[00:09:36] Steve Chou explains that the key to launching a successful course is to build an audience first, which he did through his blog and email list.

[00:10:31] Steve Chou shares his content strategy for growing his YouTube channel, emphasizing the importance of consistency and framing content to appeal to a wider audience.

[00:17:07] Fastest Way to Make Money Steve Chou suggests starting with e-commerce for a one-year timeframe, and content creation (specifically video channels like YouTube) for a two to three-year timeframe.

[00:18:23] Monetizing Content through Affiliate Marketing Steve Chu recommends affiliate marketing as the best way to monetize content, even with low traffic levels.

[00:23:45] Managing Employees and Automation Steve discusses his approach to managing employees and automation in his businesses, including the use of a virtual assistant and writing standard operating procedures.

[00:25:06] Reasons for Not Using Shopify Steve explains why he doesn't use the Shopify platform and instead relies on custom code for his e-commerce business, highlighting the flexibility it provides.

[00:25:50] Getting a Book Deal from HarperCollins Steve shares his experience in getting a book deal from HarperCollins, including the importance of having an existing audience and the process of putting together a book proposal.

[00:31:57] Steve Chu shares information on how to access bonuses and courses related to his book.

[00:32:36] Steve Chu mentions a free six-day mini-course on e-commerce available on his website, "My Wife Quit Her Job."

Steve’s Links

Website: https://mywifequitherjob.com/

Book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-family-first-entrepreneur-steve-chou

Course: https://profitableonlinestore.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube:

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In this podcast episode, Barry shares his journey into venture capital, explaining how his background in tech led him to explore the startup ecosystem and angel investing. He discusses the check size for investing, emphasizing the importance of showcasing value to startups. Barry also talks about building relationships with potential investors and his experience with the VC Lab program. He highlights the startup landscape in Australia and his strategy for attracting LPs to his fund. Barry shares insights on sourcing deals, evaluating founding teams, and the challenges faced by founders and VCs during fundraising, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:35] Barry discusses his background in tech and his fascination with helping build cool stuff, leading him to explore angel investing.

[00:01:07] Barry talks about his transition from working in large corporations to the startup ecosystem, learning about fundraising, and building networks in the angel investing community.

[00:04:23] Barry shares his thoughts on the amount of money one should invest as an angel investor, considering relationships with founders and the value one can offer.

[00:11:27] Barry discusses his experience with the VC Lab, an accelerator for emerging fund managers, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of venture capital investors.

[00:13:39] Barry talks about the traditional focus on B2B SaaS companies in Australia but also mentions the emergence of successful B2C companies like Atlassian and Canva.

[00:15:42] Barry explains how Meadow Grove started as a community and evolved into a fund, with LPs being sourced from within the community through one-on-one conversations and cold outreach.

[00:20:52] Discussion on how building a network makes deal sourcing easier over time.

[00:21:05] Exploration of various ways deals come in, including through personal networks, accelerators, and outreach.

[00:22:57] Explanation of how personal networks can help filter deal flow and increase the quality of investment opportunities.

[00:31:44] Discussion on the challenges faced by founders and VCs in raising funding and the misalignment in expectations.

[00:34:02] Recommendations for founders on fundraising strategies, including bootstrapping and conserving cash.

[00:36:22] Exploration of how previous successful investments influence decision-making and the importance of evaluating investments based on changing market conditions.

Barry’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrywinata

Website: https://metagrove.vc

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Anupam Rastogi, partner at Emergent Ventures discusses his background and experience in investing and firm building. The conversation covers topics such as the impact of AI on jobs and the future of work, competition between startups and incumbents, the importance of large models and productivity tools, building teams and acquiring customers in different markets, pricing and marketing strategies for SaaS companies, qualities sought in early-stage startups for investment, and fundraising tips, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:48] Anupam discusses his journey of moving to the US for his Master's and his interest in technology and business.

[00:02:54] Anupam talks about his experience working with Capital and X Partners, including firm building and decision-making processes.

[00:04:39] Anupam discusses the potential impact of AI on jobs and how the nature of tasks may change, emphasizing the importance of leveraging expertise and adapting to new technologies.

[00:09:52] Discussion on the early stages of technological disruption and the importance of execution in driving progress.

[00:12:18] Exploration of the role of regulation in AI development and the need for guardrails to address specific use cases.

[00:15:58] Examples of how AI tools are enhancing productivity in various professions, such as software development, marketing, and sales.

[00:19:08] Discussion on companies building outside of Silicon Valley and New York, targeting the US market.

[00:21:10] Importance of focusing exclusively on the target market from day zero for success in global markets.

[00:23:29] The correlation between founder's presence in the US market and success in enterprise-focused companies.

[00:27:50] Discussion on the effectiveness of freemium models for certain types of products and the need for wide-ranging value.

[00:28:46] Exploration of how to combine freemium models with sales strategies to encourage team adoption of products.

[00:29:31] Factors such as market competition, ROI, and customer perception of value affect a company's ability to raise prices.

[00:36:47] This topic discusses the importance of a founder's ability to learn and their stakeholder management skills in the early stages of a startup.

[00:38:57] The differences between fundraising and sales are explored, including the competitive nature of fundraising and the need for urgency and scarcity in the process.

Anupam’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anupamr/

Website: https://emergent.vc/startups/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Brian Nichols, the founder of Angel Squad, shares his background and experiences working at companies like Lyft, Zoox, and Blackbird. He talks about his first angel investment and how he identifies the right opportunities. Brian also discusses the number of startups to invest in for a diversified portfolio and the process of deal sourcing and syndicate investing. Brian discusses his journey with Angel Squad, the decision-making process within the community, and the training and mentorship they offer. He reflects on his experience in angel investing and starting Angel Squad, mentioning the importance of creating a complete framework for investment decisions, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:21] Brian discusses his experience with Reward Tag, an internet lost and found project that was eventually acquired by an Australian luggage company.

[00:03:30] Brian talks about the strategies Lyft used to compete with Uber, including incentive programs for drivers and focusing on events like Coachella.

[00:08:25] Brian shares his transition from operating roles to investing, starting the Lyft alumni syndicate and his role at On Deck.

[00:11:48] Brian talks about the minimum number of startups one should invest in to build a diversified portfolio and the investment size involved.

[00:17:01] Brian gives advice on how to source deals and build a network as an angel investor, and how to run an angel syndicate.

[00:18:27] Brian explains how deal sourcing works in the angel investing ecosystem and the importance of sharing high-quality deals with others.

[00:19:21] Brian discusses the additional work involved in the syndicate piece of angel investing, including running a Kickstarter campaign for the invested company and the minimum amount required for pooling funds.

[00:23:00] Brian explains how to invest alongside tier one VCs, including being brought into the deal by the tier one VC and leveraging their involvement to attract other investors.

[00:33:30] Discusses the value of operator angels and emerging managers in venture-backed companies and the democratization of investing.

[00:36:16] Explains how Hustle Fund and its founders, Elizabeth Yin and Eric Bahn, have built their brand through authentic and transparent content on social media.

[00:37:22] Building a Brand vs. Building a Product Brian discusses the importance of building a product that people want and are willing to pay for before focusing on building a brand.

Kaiwei’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannichols11/

Website: https://hustlefund.vc/squad

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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In this podcast episode, Kaiwei Tang, the founder of Light Phone discusses the inspiration behind Light Phone, a credit card-sized device that encourages people to take a break from technology and live in the moment. He explains the concept of minimalism in design and how it aligns with the core values of Light Phone. Kaiwei emphasizes the importance of eliminating distractions and creating a device that blends into the background. He also criticizes the advertisement and data-collecting business models behind smartphones and social media platforms. Kaiwei shares its distribution strategy and future plans to improve the software experience of Light Phone and much more!

Timestamps

[00:00:39] Kaiwei Tang discusses his background in design and user research, and how he joined an incubator created by Google for designers.

[00:03:10] Kaiwei Tang explains the motivation behind creating Light Phone, emphasizing the negative effects of excessive screen time and the need for a balance in technology usage.

[00:08:02] Kaiwei Tang introduces Light Phone 2, the next version of Light Phone, which is a credit card-sized device with its own operating system and a toolbox of utility tools, without any entertainment or social media features.

[00:14:08] Kaiwei Tang discusses how minimalism is a core value in the design of Light Phone, eliminating unnecessary noise and distractions.

[00:16:29] Kaiwei Tang explains how design is not just a trade or service, but a way of life that influences every decision made for the company.

[00:19:08] Kaiwei Tang discusses how Light Phone aims to create a boundary from distractions and encourages users to focus on what is important to them.

[00:27:59] Discussion on the dislike of the advertisement business model and data collecting behind smartphones and social media platforms.

[00:29:40] Exploration of how the focus on driving engagement on social media platforms can lead to division and lack of common ground.

[00:34:19] Explanation of why Light Phone is more expensive due to customization and the inability to compete with big tech companies' low pricing.

Kaiwei’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tangkaiwei/

Website: https://www.thelightphone.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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I am excited to have Indus Khaitan, the founder of Quolum, a SaaS and Cloud Spend Reduction product funded by Sequoia and Nexus. He earlier founded Bitzer Mobile, which was created on the heels of the 2008 recession, and exited in what was Oracle’s first acquisition in mobile.

In this podcast episode, Indus discusses the growth and future of the Indian startup ecosystem, his experience working with Chargebee, and transitioning from big companies to smaller ones. Indus also offers advice on protecting startups in the event of a bank's collapse and emphasizes the importance of scenario planning. He discusses creating urgency in sales, onboarding sales reps, the use of AI in improving business processes, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:03:34] Discussion on the growth and potential of the Indian startup ecosystem in the next ten years.

[00:07:50] Advice on how to adapt and transition from working in a big company to a small company.

[00:09:33] The inspiration behind starting Quolum, a SaaS product aimed at helping companies manage their software purchases and subscriptions.

[00:13:00] Importance of having liquid cash in the bank and backup bank accounts to avoid difficulties in withdrawing money during a crisis.

[00:17:00] The suggestion to bank with startup banks rather than traditional banks due to their innovation and ability to launch features quickly. Trust in the founder is crucial.

[00:24:43] Explains the importance of creating urgency in selling a product, using examples related to the tech economy and softness in the economy leading to recession.

[00:26:20] Explains the importance of looking beyond the resume and assessing candidates' outside experiences and self-driven nature during the interview process.

[00:37:26] Indus discusses the need to build a network, particularly with CFOs, and learn about finance and accounting.

Indus’s Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1ndus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaitan/

Website: https://quolum.com/

My Links

Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

YouTube: lifeselfmastery

Twitter: rohitmal

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I am thrilled to have Arian Ghashgai as a partner at DVC and GP at Earthling VC and was a machine learning infra engineer within Meta Reality Labs

In this podcast episode, Arian talks about his background, childhood, and interest in startups. He discusses his approach to evaluating startups, emphasizing the importance of the team, market, and vision. Arian also talks about his role in Earthlink, focusing on 3D and AI to enrich the human experience. He discusses the capabilities of AI technology, particularly GPT-3 and ChatGPT, and how they can enhance productivity and creativity, and much more!

Timestamps

[00:01:05] Arian talks about his experience starting a business in college and deciding to drop out to focus on it full time.

[00:03:03] Arian discusses the platform Rapify, which was a streaming service for indie artists in the German market.

[00:09:01] Discussion on the importance of evaluating the team and market when investing in pre-seed startups.

[00:12:33] Arian reflects on the mistakes made in angel investing, including not trusting gut instincts and the importance of a good fit between investor and founder.

[00:15:16] Explanation of the fund's philosophy and focus on AI and 3D technologies as transformative computing mediums with potential for positive societal impact.

[00:18:25] Discussion on the capabilities and impact of GPT-3, including its potential to iterate through concepts faster.

[00:19:04] Exploration of how AI, such as ChatGPT, can enhance productivity and output in fields like software engineering, writing, and gaming.

[00:23:22] Advice on how founders can establish strong relationships with investors, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and trust-building.

[00:27:55] Founders should focus on creating momentum in their early rounds to attract investors and avoid falling into a state of inaction.

[00:30:15] The decision to do angel investing alongside being a founder and operator depends on individual circumstances and preferences.

[00:32:45] Founders should send monthly investor updates to keep investors engaged, showcase progress, and potentially attract more investment.

[00:37:41] Discussion about the potential opportunity in managing accounts across different banks and the need for innovative solutions.

[00:38:42] Exploration of the idea of solving banking issues through regulation, including raising thresholds and the potential for positive impact.

Arian's Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/arian_ghashghai

Website: https://arian.vc/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arian-ghashghai-73ba4681/

Jeroen's episode: https://lifeselfmastery.com/2022/01/15/ep-224-jeroen-bertrams-on-investing-in-10-unicorns-and-how-the-world-of-fundraising-has-changed-with-covid/

My Links

🎙 Podcast: https://lifeselfmastery.com/itunes

🎥 YouTube: ...

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I am excited to have Nick Huber who is the founder of the Sweaty Startup, sold his service business in Jan 2021 for 7 figures and now owns and operates a self-storage portfolio with 61 self-storage properties,

In this podcast episode, Nick shares his journey in the world of startups, starting with a pickup and delivery student storage company while in college. He explains how he gained experience in running a company and eventually sold it. With the profits, Nick and his team started investing in commercial real estate. They discuss their focus on the student property market and offer advice to recent graduates interested in entrepreneurship. Nick also talks about his large online following and networking strategies on social media platforms like Twitter. He shares insights on building a following, showcasing expertise and adding value to others.

Timestamps

The start of the journey [00:00:29] Nick discusses how he started a pickup and delivery student storage company in college and gained experience in running a business.

Advice for recent graduates [00:03:09] Nick gives advice to recent graduates on pursuing entrepreneurship, suggesting starting with a normal business to gain experience, cash, and a network.

The capital needed for real estate [00:05:09] Nick explains that to start in commercial real estate, one would need around $305,000 to $400,000, plus a reserve for unexpected expenses. He also discusses the importance of being well-capitalized in the real estate industry.

Title: Real Estate Investment and Operations [00:09:37] Nick discusses the process of investing in real estate, managing the business, and approaching investors.

Title: Property Sourcing and Management [00:10:34] Nick explains how his company remotely manages properties across different cities, sources deals, and manages the properties themselves.

Title: Challenges in the Real Estate Market [00:12:04] Nick talks about the current challenges in the real estate market, including the difficulty in finding deals and the impact of interest rates on affordability.

The Advantage of Building an Audience [00:20:13] Building a large online audience and leveraging it to generate business and sales.

Synergy in Service Businesses [00:21:16] The benefits of having multiple service businesses that can support and complement each other.

Learning and Decision-making as Skills [00:22:49] The importance of continuous learning and practicing decision-making skills in business and entrepreneurship.

[00:30:12] "Entrepreneurship and Building a Network" Discussion on the importance of networking and connecting with like-minded individuals in entrepreneurship.

[00:31:07] "Building a Personal Brand" Exploration of the two reasons why someone would follow you on the internet: making good arguments and accomplishments.

[00:35:14] "Networking Strategy and Building Trust" Explanation of how networking on Twitter has led to meeting mentors, collaborating with business people, finding investors, and selling services.

The investor as the number one customer [00:40:17] Nick discusses the importance of viewing investors as the primary customers in the self-storage business.

Underrated tools for small business owners [00:40:46] Nick mentions Airtable and Customer.io as valuable tools for small business owners, particularly in terms of customer relationship management and automated emails.

Subscribing to the newsletter [00:41:30] Nick invites listeners to follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his newsletter on the Sweaty Startup website for insights on hiring, managing...

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In this podcast episode, Joe talks about his experience of building and selling a startup and emphasizes the importance of engaging with multiple buyers to secure the best valuation. He discusses Foundry's two-sided marketplace, attracting high-quality sellers and providing buyers with insights into financial performance. He also talks about streamlining the sign-up process for sellers and automating due diligence. He also discusses Foundry's self-serve platform, transparent pricing, and support services. He mentions lending partners for seller financing and their goal to automate and streamline the M&A process, and much more!

Timestamps

Building and Selling Startups [00:00:22] Joe discusses his journey of building and selling startups, including their experience of selling a previous business and the process of attracting buyers.

Engaging with Buyers [00:03:37] Joe talks about his strategy of engaging with potential buyers, including how they reached out to multiple buyers and created competitive tension to secure the best valuation for their company.

Sourcing Deals and Attracting Buyers [00:07:44] Joe explains the process of sourcing deals and attracting buyers on their platform, focusing on the importance of having a good product and a supply of high-quality profitable businesses.

Streamlining the Due Diligence Process [00:10:36] Joe discusses the current process of due diligence, which involves traditional methods such as in-person meetings and paper questionnaires. They mention their efforts to streamline this process and automate software due diligence.

Timeline to Exit [00:11:39] Joe talks about recent deals that have gone through on the platform, with one taking 25 days and another taking five weeks. They mention that the average exit process outside of Foundry's platform typically takes nine to twelve months, highlighting the efficiency of their platform.

Valuation and Negotiation [00:17:33] Joe discusses the valuation calculator they have built and the revenue multiples they consider for startups. They emphasize the importance of efficient negotiation and how it can impact the final exit valuation. He also mentions the strategic value that can be captured in a business.

[00:20:36] Foundry's self-serve platform and tailored advisory services for business sellers and buyers. Joe discusses how Foundry offers a self-serve platform with additional support when needed, as well as tailored advisory services for businesses of different sizes.

[00:21:54] Comparing Foundry's pricing and services to traditional advisory firms. Joe explains how Foundry's pricing is transparent and tailored to business size, unlike traditional advisory firms that have hidden fees and less relevant services.

[00:23:38] Discussion on Foundry's funding platform and automation of the M&A process. Joe mentions lending partners and the goal of automating and streamlining the M&A process.

Automating the hiring process [00:31:39] Joe discusses the benefits of using platforms like LinkedIn to automate and streamline the hiring process, saving time and hassle for founders.

Funding strategy and getting VC investment [00:33:45] Joe talks about their strategy to secure funding from Fuel Ventures and shares advice for founders looking to raise funding, including building a list of prospective investors and leveraging warm introductions.

Tips for raising funding and simplifying the introduction process [00:36:55] Joe provides tips for raising funding, including getting feedback on pitch decks, using tools like Bridge, and simplifying the introduction process to make it easy for busy investors.

Hiring a founder associate [00:42:54] Joe talks about the benefits of hiring a founder associate from an early stage and how it can...

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In this podcast, Michael Cardamone, founder of Forum Ventures, shares his valuable insights on the startup world and his journey in founding and running a leading seed-stage SaaS venture VC firm. He talks about the importance of building relationships and being transparent about your track record when raising funds. He also provides insights on investing in startups, moving upmarket into enterprise, and building channel partnerships. Additionally, he discusses the topic of diversity in venture capital and the future of the venture capital landscape, and much more!

Timestamps

How Michael got into startups [00:00:22] Michael talks about his transition from working for a family business to getting into tech and venture startups.

Partnerships and KPIs at Box [00:02:01] Michael discusses the partnership goals and KPIs at Box, including building credibility in certain industries and driving more sales.

Founding Forum Ventures [00:04:59] Michael talks about founding Forum Ventures, including his idea for a differentiated accelerator and how he raised his first $1 million.

Fundraising Challenges [00:08:15] Michael talks about the challenges of fundraising for his accelerator and seed funds, including finding early believers and building top of funnel.

Founder Characteristics [00:11:23] Michael discusses the qualities and characteristics he looks for in founders and companies, including founder-market fit, ability to recruit, and obsession with the business.

Investment Strategies [00:14:05] Michael explains the three different ways Forum Ventures engages with founders, including the accelerator, studio, and seed fund, and the ticket sizes and follow-up strategies for each.

Investing in SaaS Startups [00:16:43] Michael talks about investing in a SaaS startup and the importance of building relationships with founders.

Moving Upmarket into Enterprise [00:17:37] Michael discusses when it's the right time for a startup to move upmarket into enterprise and how to navigate the transition.

Building Channel Partnerships [00:19:20] Michael shares his experience with building channel partnerships and advises startups to be thoughtful and build real relationships with partners.

Analyzing Competition [00:25:17] Michael discusses the mistakes investors make when analyzing competition, including overindexing on competition and not considering market dynamics.

Total Addressable Market [00:27:13] Michael talks about the mistakes founders make when presenting the total addressable market, including taking a generic approach instead of a nuanced, bottoms-up approach.

Venture Capital Landscape [00:31:11] Michael discusses the changes he sees coming in the venture capital landscape in the next 5 to 10 years, including a decline in the number of small funds and a potential shift towards more emerging manager funds.

Building a brand [00:34:43] Michael talks about how he underinvested in building a brand for Forum Ventures and how he focused on founder experience instead. He shares how he rebranded and invested more in building the brand over the last couple of years.

Favorite online tools [00:35:49] Michael shares his favorite online tools, including Gmail, Slack, and a product from a company he invested in called Hyper.

Key Links

Forum Ventures - https://www.forumvc.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcardamone/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MGCardamone

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I’m excited to have Polina Marinova Pompliano who is the author of 'HIDDEN GENIUS: The Secret Ways of Thinking That Power the World's Most Successful People.' She is also the founder of The Profile, a media organization that studies successful people and companies.

In this podcast episode, Polina Marinova Pompliano, founder of Profile discusses her career in journalism, her experience working at Fortune magazine, and her transition to starting her own media organization. Polina shares her insights on writing tips and advice for businesses looking to create content on different platforms. She also talks about the importance of authenticity, perseverance, and continuous learning in both journalism and entrepreneurship. The conversation also touches on the future of media companies and the importance of personal human trust, and much more!

Timestamps

Motivation for pursuing a career in journalism [00:00:23] Polina talks about how her childhood experience with the nightly news in Bulgaria sparked her curiosity and love for asking questions, which eventually led her to pursue a career in journalism.

Learnings from working at Fortune magazine [00:02:08] Polina shares her experience working at Fortune magazine and the valuable lessons she learned about precision, accuracy, and context in journalism.

Advice for improving writing skills [00:04:56] Polina gives tips on how to improve writing skills, including reading more, questioning your own beliefs, and avoiding absolute words like "everyone" and "never."

Paulina's transition to entrepreneurship [00:08:49] Polina talks about her transition from being a writer to becoming an entrepreneur and starting her own media organization, Profile.

Researching people for journalism [00:10:42] Polina shares her tips on researching people for journalism, including reading, watching, and listening to everything they've ever done to notice their mannerisms and ask unique questions.

What makes winners different [00:14:16] Polina discusses what separates the top 1% of successful people, including their willingness to reinvent themselves, learn from failure, and bet on themselves.

Facing Pain [00:16:53 - 00:19:30] Polina discusses the concept of facing pain and how it can lead to personal growth, using examples of ultra-athletes and a wrongfully imprisoned man.

Writing a Book [00:19:30 - 00:22:22] Polina talks about her process of writing her book "Hidden Genius" and how she initially never thought she would write a book.

Tracking Reader Feedback [00:22:41 - 00:24:20] Polina gives advice on how to track reader feedback for content creation, including using both quantitative and qualitative methods and staying true to the promise of the content.

Experimenting with Content [00:24:37] Polina talks about the importance of experimenting with different topics and interests when creating content, and how it can lead to unexpected success.

The Future of Media Companies [00:27:35] The discussion touches on the future of media companies, with Polina predicting that the top 1% of media companies will continue to thrive, while the middle ones will struggle. She also emphasizes the importance of personal human trust in the future of media.

Favorite Online Tool [00:30:36] Polina shares her favorite online tool, Notion, and how it has helped her stay organized.

Key Links

Book - hiddengeniusbook.com

Profile - https://theprofile.substack.com/

Email -

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In this podcast episode, Osajie is the founder of Cut Box, a company that provides affordable, high-quality haircuts. Oz discusses his background in engineering, his journey as a startup founder, and Cut Box's expansion plans. Oz shares his thoughts on pricing strategy, customer experience, and talent acquisition. We also touch on the possibility of offering haircuts for women and kids in the future, and much more!

Timestamps

Starting a Billion Dollar Business [00:00:18] Oz talks about his background in engineering and his goal to create a billion-dollar business.

Raising Funds through Crowdfunding [00:02:33] Oz discusses Cut Box's crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube and their plans to expand to more stores.

Pricing Strategy and Market Differentiation [00:06:13] Oz shares his thoughts on pricing strategy and how Cut Box differentiates itself from competitors in the men's grooming industry.

Recruitment and Training [00:08:32] Oz explains how Cut Box recruits and trains barbers, including character phone calls, trade tests, and data analysis. They also discuss plans for a Cut Box finishing academy.

Choosing Bristol as the First Location [00:12:57] Oz talks about why Cut Box chose Bristol as their first location, citing the city's young, affluent demographic and competitive barber market. They also discuss leveraging their relationship with House of Fraser.

Launching in a Second City [00:15:44] Oz discusses the strategy behind launching in a second city, emphasizing the importance of identifying what makes a good barber store.

Geographic Expansion [00:15:59] Oz discusses Cut Box's expansion plans, focusing on major cities in the UK and franchising opportunities.

Differentiating with Tech [00:18:37] Oz explains how Cut Box differentiates itself from competitors with a focus on innovation and optimizing the customer experience through tech systems.

Revenue and Break-Even [00:21:43] Oz shares Cut Box's revenue run rate and discusses the revenue and break-even numbers for each store, as well as the higher margins for products.

Product Development Mistakes [00:23:31] Oz shares his experience with product development and the importance of getting a minimum viable product to market quickly.

Messaging Philosophy [00:24:39] Oz discusses the importance of clear and simple messaging that highlights the value proposition for customers.

Talent Acquisition Lessons [00:26:45] Oz shares his insights on talent acquisition, including the importance of hiring senior people early on and the value of hiring hustlers with drive and enthusiasm.

Successes and failures [00:32:29] Oz talks about the importance of determination and drive in succeeding as a startup founder.

Hiring a senior operator [00:32:50] Oz shares what he would have done differently if he could go back in time when he started Cut Box.

Cut Box's crowdfunding campaign [00:33:29] Oz shares how people can reach out to him and know more about Cut Box's crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube.

Key Links

Cutbox - https://cutbox.co.uk/

Crowdcube - https://www.crowdcube.com/early-access/cutbox

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/osajie-oboh-b5291a127/

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In this podcast episode, Ashley Aydin talks about her journey into the startup and venture world, her experiences working in startups and venture funds, and her focus on investing in diverse founders, particularly in the Latinx community. She discusses the importance of operational experience in becoming a good investor, Vamos Ventures' investment focus and their efforts to support diverse founders, and Ashley's insights on what founders should focus on when presenting their startup to investors. Ashley also shares her thoughts on the future of the venture capital space and the importance of specialization and diversity on boards, and much more!

Timestamps

Ashley's journey into startups and entrepreneurship [00:00:54] Ashley talks about her childhood and how she became interested in entrepreneurship, her involvement in the Brown entrepreneurship program, and her experiences at Morgan Stanley and startups.

Importance of operational experience in becoming a good investor [00:05:22] Ashley discusses the importance of having operational experience in startups to become a good investor and how it helps in providing valuable feedback to early-stage companies.

Vamos Ventures' mission and focus on investing in diverse founders [00:07:15] Ashley talks about Vamos Ventures' mission to invest in diverse founders and create social impact through wealth creation, social mobility, community empowerment, and racial equity.

Fund Focus [00:08:06] Ashley Izen discusses the focus areas of Vamos Ventures, including health and wellness, fintech, future of work, and sustainability.

Diversity in Investing [00:08:59] Ashley Aydin talks about Vamos Ventures' focus on investing in diverse founders, particularly in the Latinx community, and the importance of having more women in capital allocator seats.

LPs and Emerging Funds [00:12:43] Ashley Aydin discusses the importance of having LPs aligned with Vamos Ventures' mission and the shift in the LP landscape towards investing in diverse emerging managers.

Investing in Non-Traditional Founders [00:15:35] Ashley Aydin talks about the importance of taking big bets and investing in non-traditional founders with a spark of intuition.

The Importance of Storytelling [00:17:21] Ashley Aydin emphasizes the importance of storytelling for founders to captivate investors and customers, and advises practicing storytelling skills.

Scenario Planning for Startups [00:21:47] Ashley Aydin advises founders to scenario plan for worst, base, and best cases, and to be conservative with projections and numbers.

Winners in the Venture Capital Space [00:23:28] Ashley Aydin discusses the importance of specialization in venture capital and how niche investors will outperform traditional generalists.

Diversity on Boards [00:25:59] Ashley Aydin emphasizes the importance of diversity on boards, not only in skillset but also in background, and how it can provide valuable perspective for early stage companies.

Favorite Business Book and Advice [00:27:33] Ashley Aydin shares her favorite business book, "Alpha Girls," and advises listeners to be comfortable with their unique perspective and voice, and to be fearless in expressing their opinions.

Key Links

Vamos Ventures - https://vamosventures.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyaydin/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ashaydin

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In this podcast episode, Daniel talks about Marble, a platform that helps property owners manage their properties remotely talks about his journey. We discuss Daniel's background, advice for graduates, and how Marble got started. We cover Marble's growth and services, including an end-to-end leasing engine, 24/7 maintenance, and rent collection. Daniel talks about the importance of focus in building a startup and building a good brand and much more!

Timestamps

Daniel's background [00:00:49] Daniel talks about his background, his experience at Facebook, and how he got started with Marble.

Advice for graduates [00:03:34] Daniel gives advice to graduates of 2023 on whether they should work in a startup or a big company.

Getting the first 10 landlords [00:06:47] Daniel talks about how Marble got its first 10 landlords and the different strategies they used to acquire them.

Marble's Market Expansion [00:07:52] Daniel Lee discusses Marble's growth in different real estate markets across the US.

Marble's Three Main Categories [00:08:52] Daniel Lee explains the three main categories of services Marble offers to landlords: end-to-end leasing engine, 24/7 maintenance, and rent collection.

Speed vs Quality in Startups [00:12:59] Daniel Lee shares his thoughts on the importance of speed in startups and how quality should be optimized on a six-month time horizon. He also discusses which departments should focus on quality.

Focus on the Customer Persona [00:15:58] Daniel Lee talks about the importance of focusing on a specific customer persona and how Marble lost focus when they started building products for different customers.

Importance of Branding [00:17:18] Daniel Lee discusses how Marble's brand was founded on a desire to change how people rent and live in their homes, and how this resonated with their customers.

Hiring A-Players [00:22:41] Daniel Lee shares his belief that it's important to hire A-players who are dedicated to the company's mission, rather than settling for B-players who may not be as committed.

Managing underperformance [00:25:09] Daniel discusses how he manages and communicates underperformance, including setting clear expectations and monitoring performance closely. He also talks about the challenges of dealing with cultural misfits.

Hiring for experience [00:28:17] Daniel explains that Marble doesn't make a concerted effort to hire people specifically from the real estate industry. Instead, they look for people who are willing to learn quickly and have the ability to operate in a startup.

Favorite business books [00:30:25] Daniel shares that he doesn't read many specific business books, but he recommends "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman and enjoys reading anecdotes about how large companies got founded.

Pushing too hard [00:32:30] Daniel reflects on the burnout and stress caused by pushing the team too hard.

Favorite online tools [00:33:13] Daniel shares his favorite online tools, including Zoom and Superhuman.

Contact information [00:33:38] Daniel provides his email and support chat as ways to reach out to him and learn more about Marble.

Key Links

Rentmarble - https://www.rentmarble.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dli123/

Email - dli@rentmarble.com

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In this podcast episode, Idriss Al Rifai, CEO and founder of Flow48, talks about his journey as an entrepreneur and his experience with fundraising. Idris shares his background as a professional basketball player and military experience, drawing parallels between sports and entrepreneurship, and discusses the critical role of fundraising in startup success and the value of consulting experience for building a strong team and securing funding. He also talks about his company's unique revenue-based financing model and the metrics they use to process loans to startup founders, and much more!

Timestamps

Basketball and Military Experience [00:00:22] Idriss talks about his background as a professional basketball player and his experience in the special forces.

Similarities between Sports and Entrepreneurship [00:02:28] Idriss discusses the similarities between sports and entrepreneurship, including the importance of dedication and teamwork.

Value of Consulting Experience [00:05:27] Idriss shares his opinion on the importance of consulting experience for building a successful startup, particularly in terms of fundraising and developing critical skills such as quick thinking and storytelling.

Importance of storytelling [00:06:48] The speaker emphasizes the importance of storytelling in recruiting, fundraising, and building a successful startup.

Consulting experience for building a successful startup [00:07:30] The speaker discusses the value of consulting experience in identifying gaps and opportunities in emerging markets, citing examples from Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East.

Untapped lending opportunities for SMEs in the Middle East [00:12:11] The speaker highlights the huge gap in lending opportunities for SMEs in the Middle East, with only 6% of bank lending going to SMEs despite representing 50-55% of GDP.

Importance of Partnerships [00:15:32] Idriss discusses the importance of B2B partnerships for startups, especially in the Middle East, and how it can help with scaling and customer acquisition.

Metrics for Loan Processing [00:16:43] Idriss explains the financial metrics and liquidity ratios that are important for processing loans to startup founders, and how they are able to process loans within 40 hours.

Creating a Culture of Ownership and Accountability [00:19:47] Idriss talks about how financial incentives such as ESOPs are critical for creating a culture of ownership and accountability in early-stage startups, but also emphasizes the importance of shared values and team culture.

Building a startup team [00:22:23] Idriss discuss the importance of building a strong team culture, with Idriss describing his team as a "special forces team" rather than a family.

Balancing trust and safety in a startup [00:24:31] The speakers discuss the relationship between trust and safety in a startup, with Iris A stating that both are important and go hand in hand.

Banking for startups [00:27:28] Idriss advises startups to diversify their banking relationships and have multiple bank accounts to avoid potential issues, and discusses the pros and cons of working with big banks versus smaller banks like Mercury.

Government support for startups [00:29:15] Discussion on the importance of government support for startups in UAE and Saudi Arabia, and the announcement of the next 20 unicorns by the Saudi Arabian government.

Personal motivation for entrepreneurship [00:31:27] Idriss's personal motivation for entrepreneurship, includes the desire to prove herself and the excitement of building something from scratch.

Learning from past mistakes [00:35:41] Idriss regret about spending too much time talking to debt providers early on in her startup journey, and the importance of waiting to establish a track record before seeking debt.

The Importance of Fundraising [00:37:06] Idriss talks about the importance of fundraising for startups.

Building a Successful Startup [00:37:12] The value of consulting experience for building a successful startup is discussed.

Entrepreneurship and Sports [00:36:55] The similarities between sports and entrepreneurship are briefly mentioned.

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In this podcast episode, Stephanie Demetriou talks about how Maekersuite enables professionals to create talking head videos in minutes. Stephanie shares her journey in startups, her experience as a management consultant, and the development of Maekersuite. She discusses the revenue model, ideal customer profile, and tips for improving video content. Stephanie offers advice on hiring sales and product personnel in a pre-seed or seed-stage startup and much more!

Timestamps

Starting Maker Suite [00:00:30] Stephanie talks about her journey in startups and what led her to start Maker Suite, a SaaS solution that enables professionals to create talking head videos in minutes.

Experience as a Management Consultant [00:02:33] Stephanie discusses her experience as a management consultant in South Africa and her conscious move to London to build a startup.

Revenue Model and Ideal Customer Profile [00:06:10] Stephanie explains Maker Suite's revenue model and ideal customer profile, which are marketing leads or heads of communication at businesses that must create a high video content volume. She also shares tips on how to improve video content.

Starting a Video Content [00:08:21] Stephanie gives tips on starting a video content, including the importance of messaging and having a specific ideal customer profile.

Improving Video Content [00:09:21] Stephanie shares tips on improving video content, such as tweaking thumbnails, and descriptions, and creating more of the type of content that resonates with the audience.

Differentiating Tactics and Strategy [00:16:06] Stephanie explains the difference between tactics and strategy, and how to differentiate them in different stages of the company. She also shares the importance of having a clear set of hypotheses and testing them using certain tactics.

When to hire a Head of Sales? [00:18:51] Discussion on when to hire a Head of Sales, whether to hire a junior or a senior salesperson and the importance of direction and motivation.

Hiring Marketing Experts [00:21:26] The preference for hiring experts in specific marketing channels rather than generalists, and the importance of finding the right people through networks and references.

Hiring A-Players [00:24:05] The importance of hiring A-players for strategic roles such as product, technology, sales, and marketing, and the possibility of outsourcing marketing to experts to avoid the weight of having a full-time employee.

Tech and Product Hiring [00:26:52] Stephanie discusses the different roles and responsibilities of tech and product hires, and shares tips on how to onboard them effectively.

Favorite Business Books [00:28:38] Stephanie shares two of her favorite business books, "Crossing the Chasm" and "Predictably Irrational", and explains why they are important for startups.

Favorite Online Tools [00:30:17] Stephanie shares her favorite online tools, Canva and Pipedrive, and how they help her with design and sales.

Key Links

Maekersuite - https://maekersuite.com/

Email - stephanie@maekersuie

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In this podcast episode, Payman Taei, founder of VisMe, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and the development of VisMe, a platform for creating engaging presentations, infographics, and other visually appealing content. Payman talks about his previous experience with three other SaaS companies and his challenges in the agency world. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on product development before seeking funding and creating a lasting income. Payman also discusses the challenges of hiring high-performing employees, creating a safe and open environment for team members, and much more!

Timestamps

Payman's Journey [00:00:26] Payman's journey as a self-taught designer and his experience with flash websites and interactive animated sites.

VisMe's Mission [00:03:40] VisMe's mission to bridge the gap between simple and powerful presentation design tools, empowering non-design professionals to create engaging content.

Hindsight and VisMe [00:05:46] Payman's decision to focus on VisMe and how Hindsight served as an incubator for VisMe, leading to the creation of another product to solve marketing challenges.

VisMe and Responder [00:07:24] Payman Taei talks about VisMe and Responder, two products that save time and costs for businesses by bringing multiple tools under one umbrella.

Growth Strategies [00:08:59] Payman Taei discusses the growth of VisMe, from zero to over eight million users, and how organic search and word of mouth played a significant role in their success.

Revenue Model and Funding [00:11:15] Payman Taei explains why VisMe is still bootstrapped, their revenue model, and why they have not looked at raising funding.

Creating a Startup [00:14:09] Payman Taei shares his thoughts on creating a startup and the challenges of becoming a unicorn.

Product Differentiation [00:15:45] Taei discusses the biggest challenge for VisMe, which is product differentiation, and how they are different from other design tools.

High Performance in Business [00:20:18] Taei defines high performance in business as being a self-starter, thinking outside the box, being humble and open to constructive feedback.

Teamwork and Hiring [00:21:00] Payman discusses the importance of teamwork and hiring grounded individuals who are open to feedback and constructive criticism.

Quality vs Speed [00:25:01] Payman talks about the balance between quality and speed in product development, and how they prioritize both at VisMe.

Product Prioritization [00:26:18] Payman explains how VisMe prioritizes product development based on demand, intuition, and the needs of their ideal customers.

Delegation Challenges [00:28:08] Discussion on effective delegation and challenges faced by Payman Taei in delegating product-related tasks.

Internal Team Debates [00:29:48] How VisMe manages internal debates between sales, product, and customer success teams.

Early Access Mistake [00:32:59] Payman Taei's regret of opening VisMe to the masses too early and not focusing on a smaller group of people for exclusive feedback.

Finding Payman Taei [00:35:09] Payman Taei shares how to connect with him on LinkedIn and how to access VisMe, a free platform for creating visually appealing content.

VisMe discount code [00:35:09] Payman Taei offers an exclusive discount code for the podcast audience to get 15% off any of VisMe's premium plans.

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In this episode, Ida Tin talks about her journey of starting a jewelry business, traveling to Mexico, and starting a motorcycle tour company with her father. She also discusses how Clue grew as a company, raising funds from investors and building a successful startup team culture. Ida Tin shares her insights on the venture capital industry and her upcoming book, which aims to provide tips and tricks on how to think twice when building technology that will change the world.

Timestamps

Starting a Business and Traveling the World [00:00:41] Ida Tin shares her journey of starting her first business in crystal bee jewelry, traveling to Mexico for six months, and later starting a motorcycle touring company with her dad.

Working with Family Members in a Startup [00:02:45] Ida Tin talks about working with her father in Moto Mando and how it was a great experience for her. She also shares her thoughts on giving hard feedback to family members in a startup.

Building a User Base for a Niche Product [00:08:13] Ida Tin explains how Clue, a female health app, is relevant to 50% of the world's population and shares the importance of starting with a period tracking app to build a customer base. She also gives advice on growing the app's user base.

Growing through digital marketing [00:09:16] Ida Tin talks about how Clue grew through digital marketing, specifically by working with YouTubers and influencers who found the product meaningful.

Convincing investors [00:11:01] Ida Tin shares how they convinced Union Square Ventures to invest in Clue, including the importance of having a woman in the company and USV's intellectual thesis.

Quality vs speed of execution [00:13:31] Ida Tin discusses the importance of quality in building a product that touches people's health, and how Clue rebuilt their app from scratch to ensure high quality. She also talks about how building a culture of trust and communication can increase speed of execution.

Hiring for Mental Health [00:18:57] Ida Tin talks about the importance of hiring people with mental health and readiness to learn and grow in a startup environment.

Prioritization and Mistakes [00:20:09] Ida Tin discusses the process of prioritizing tasks and products in a startup and the mistakes they made in the past.

Creating Safety for Team [00:24:07] Ida Tin shares her approach to creating relational safety for her team, including skip-level meetings and involving the team in formulating the company's values.

Venture Capital and Ethical Concerns [00:28:22] Ida Tin talks about her criticisms of the current venture capital system and the need for ethical considerations in building technology.

Favorite Business Books [00:30:33] Ida Tin shares her favorite business books, including "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" and "Girl Boss."

Importance of Building a Hug Culture [00:33:24] Ida Tin emphasizes the importance of building a culture where people feel comfortable giving each other a hug, as a sign of human connection and support in the workplace.

Key Links

Clue - https://helloclue.com/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/idatin/

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In this episode, James Wang, General Partner at Creative Ventures, talks about his journey from working in hedge funds to investing in startups, the importance of finding a career that aligns with one's values and passions, and explores the differences between deep tech and software startups, addressing concerns about automation taking away jobs and discusses the impact of technology on climate change and much more!

Timestamps

Startups and Hedge Funds [00:00:02] James talks about his experience working in hedge funds and how it exposed him to different people and ideas. He also explains how hedge funds are like a math puzzle and how they help in understanding the interactions of the global economy.

Revolution in Technology [00:02:35] James discusses the fundamental shift in the technology landscape that happened around 2015, where technology was able to have capabilities matching or beyond what humans can do. He mentions that this was an exciting time for AI, synthetic biology, and other areas.

Challenges in Nonprofits [00:04:12] James talks about his background in nonprofits and social impact and why he eventually left that space. He explains that he left because he thought nonprofits wouldn't be able to make as large of an impact as he wanted, and that the ways nonprofits work are pretty non-sustainable and hard to measure.

Nonprofit space optimization [00:05:03] Discussion on the challenges of measuring impact in the nonprofit space and the importance of scale in venture capital.

Women's health tech startup [00:07:35] The founding of a women's health tech startup, Liners, and the potential for integrating cheaper sensor technologies and AI to bring more insights to the field.

Evaluation of deep tech companies [00:09:42] The differences in evaluating deep tech companies versus software companies and the potential for new technologies, such as AI and cheaper sensors, to create new capabilities and provide better care.

Deep Tech vs Software Startups [00:10:10] The speaker explains the difference between deep tech and software startups, particularly in terms of the importance of having a specific target market and the difficulty of pivoting in deep tech.

Importance of Traction in Deep Tech [00:13:46] The speaker emphasizes the importance of having traction in deep tech, particularly in finding a target market that is desperate for a solution and willing to pay upfront.

Labor Automation [00:14:35] The speaker gives an example of a specific industry, labor automation, that is in crisis and desperate for a solution, making it an ideal target market for deep tech companies.

Automation and job shortage [00:15:43] Discussion on the implications of automation and AI on job opportunities and shortages, with examples from the restaurant industry.

Automation and higher-paying jobs [00:17:08] Automation can actually create better and higher-paying jobs for workers, as it increases productivity and expands margins for businesses.

Automation and knowledge workers [00:18:49] Automation is easier to implement for knowledge workers, but it is still a tool that can supplement and change the nature of their work, rather than replace them entirely.

• Aging populations and labor shortage [00:20:42-00:22:13] * Discussion on the aging population and labor shortage in different countries, including developing countries, and the impact on manual labor and healthcare costs.
• Retirement age and healthcare costs [00:23:11-00:24:18] * The possibility of people working longer and changing retirement ages to keep the system solvent, but the fundamental imbalance in terms of labor productivity and healthcare costs remains.
• Opportunities and challenges in climate change [00:25:01-00:25:57] * The importance of addressing climate change as a burning problem, but the need to go after it in a way that solves a specific issue rather than relying on global carbon pricing.

Renewables and technology [00:25:46] Discussion on the impact of renewables and technology on climate change and the opportunities in storage.

VC approach to investing [00:28:09] The importance of having a clear idea of the market and enabling technologies before meeting with founders and not being swayed by charismatic pitches.

Dealing with difficult founders [00:30:22] How to do a reference check for difficult but brilliant founders and the value of a VC bringing more market knowledge to the table.

Founder Archetypes [00:31:22] Different types of founders needed for different types of businesses, depending on what the business needs.

Scenario Planning for Deep Tech Startups [00:34:26] Credit engages in outcome scenario planning by understanding the boundaries of the market and the finite end point of deep tech startups.

Approaching Startups [00:36:43] James Van discusses how they approach startups and find founders, particularly in the US early-stage startup space.

Enmeshed in the Deep Tech Ecosystem [00:37:00] James Van talks about how Creative Ventures is enmeshed in the deep tech ecosystem, including academia, government funding, and different accelerators.

Advice for Deep Tech Startups [00:38:22] Van gives advice to founders looking to raise funds for deep tech startups, emphasizing the importance of understanding the market and having a clear execution plan.

Favorite Business Book and Advice for Young Folks [00:40:00] Van recommends "Influence" by Chaldini as his favorite business book and advises young people to not wait for the perfect path to start their careers.

Investing in interdisciplinary areas [00:41:50] James Van talks about the importance of gaining experience in relevant areas and investing in interdisciplinary fields.

Favorite online tools [00:42:51] The host asks James Van about his favorite online tools, and he mentions Superhuman as a productivity tool for managing emails.

Contacting Creative Ventures [00:43:41] James Van shares the email address and Twitter handle for Creative Ventures and encourages people to reach out for advice or to pitch their ideas.

Key Links

Email - invest@creativeventuresvc

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwang10/

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In this episode, Simran talks about her career in sales and her insights on hiring and building a sales team for startups, her journey to becoming a sales manager, and her thoughts on when to hire a head of sales for a startup. She also talks about the characteristics of high-performing sales hires and how to identify them in the hiring process, measuring the impact of a sales rep, motivating a sales team during tough times, and compensating sales reps, and much more!

Timestamps

Simran's Career Journey [00:00:26] Simran shares her career journey from being a bank teller to becoming a sales manager at Webflow.

When to Hire a Head of Sales for a Startup [00:05:08] Simran discusses the importance of founders being the OG salesperson and when it's appropriate to hire a head of sales for a startup.

Characteristics of High-Performing Sales Hires [00:06:31] Simran talks about the fundamental characteristics of high-performing sales hires, such as closing attainment and strong discovery skills, and the challenges of identifying them in the hiring process.

Curiosity as a Key Attribute [00:07:19] Simran discusses the importance of curiosity in high-performing sales reps and how to screen for it in the hiring process.

Screening for Curiosity [00:08:45] Simran explains how Webflow screens for curiosity in the hiring process, including asking questions and conducting a chronological interview.

Hiring A-Players in Early-Stage Startups [00:12:43] Simran shares her thoughts on hiring A-players in early stage startups, including the challenge of attracting top talent and the importance of finding the best person for the company at the time.

Building a Sales Team [00:14:26] Simran discusses the importance of hiring experienced sales reps and identifying high-performing sales hires.

Effective Hiring Process [00:16:05] Simran explains the three-part interview process used at Webflow to identify the best candidates for the sales team.

Mock Discovery Call [00:19:53] Simran discusses the purpose of the mock discovery call in the interview process and the importance of preparing candidates for success.

Onboarding the first sales rep [00:22:46] Simran gives advice to founders on how to onboard their first sales rep, including spending time with the founder and understanding institutional knowledge.

Measuring sales rep impact [00:25:03] Simran discusses tangible and intangible impacts of sales reps, including quotas, inputs and outputs, and core behaviors like providing feedback and mentorship.

Motivating a sales team [00:28:13] Simran talks about motivating a sales team during rough patches, including boosting morale and focusing on intangible impacts like building trust with customers.

Mental Resiliency [00:28:36] Simran discusses the importance of mental resiliency in sales and how to stay balanced during tough times.

Compensation for Sales Reps [00:30:46] Simran talks about the right way to compensate sales reps and how it depends on the stage of the company.

Discounting in Sales [00:33:32] Simran discusses the impact of discounting on sales outcomes and how to approach negotiations with enterprise buyers.

Discounting and Deal Synopsis [00:35:54] Simran talks about the importance of learning from discounting and doing a deal synopsis to understand if it was required.

Women in Sales [00:36:30] Simran discusses the underrepresentation of women in sales and how to attract more women to the field.

Favorite Business Book and Sales Career Advice [00:41:02] Simran shares her favorite business book, "The Making of a Manager" by Julie Zoo, and advice she would give to her younger self about focusing on strong discovery and mental resilience in sales.

Key Links

Webflow - webflow.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simranduggal03/

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In this episode, Rob talks about his experience in the startup world, including his successes with HitTail and Drip, his thoughts on bootstrapping versus venture capital, the criteria for implementing a freemium model in a SaaS company, the hiring process for startups, and Rob's decision to launch his new book on Kickstarter, thoughts on angel investing and if founders should angel invest while they are still building their own companies, and much more!

Timestamps

Robert's interest in startups [00:00:31] Robert's motivation for entrepreneurship and how he got interested in startups.

Rob's first successful startup [00:01:29] Rob's first successful startup, HitTail, and how he bought it instead of building it.

Building Drip and the exit [00:04:36] Rob's experience building Drip, considering raising funding, and ultimately selling it to Leadpages.

Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital [00:06:34] Rob's thoughts on bootstrapping versus venture capital, and why most businesses should be bootstrapped.

Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital [00:07:26] Rob Walling discusses his thoughts on when to bootstrap a company versus when to raise venture capital, and the factors that influence this decision.

Tiny Seed Investment Model [00:09:23] Rob Walling explains the investment model of Tiny Seed, a startup accelerator that invests in bootstrap SaaS companies, and how it gives founders optionality.

Advantages of SaaS Business Model [00:11:30] Rob Walling shares his thoughts on why SaaS is the best business model, citing reasons such as high margins, subscription-based revenue, and high exit multiples.

Impact of AI and No-Code on SaaS [00:13:26] Rob Walling discusses the potential impact of AI and no-code tools on the SaaS industry, and how they may affect custom SaaS apps and pricing models.

Pricing Strategies for Early-Stage Startups [00:15:14] Robert asks Rob Walling about pricing strategies for early stage startups, including whether or not offering a free model is a good idea.

Freemium Criteria [00:15:31] Rob Walling discusses the criteria for implementing freemium, including quick onboarding, low incremental cost per user, low support load, and virality.

B2B SaaS Marketing Approaches [00:19:01] Rob Walling outlines the 20 B2B SaaS marketing approaches, with the top five being content marketing, SEO, cold outreach, integrations/partnerships, and advertising.

Ideal Cadence for Cold Outreach [00:21:31] Rob Walling advises that a high volume of cold outreach is necessary, with multiple channels used, and suggests outsourcing to a company like Post if possible.

Hiring and De-risking [00:23:30] Advice on how to attract great people and compensate them for revenue ties and non-founder product guys engineering talent.

Building a Product, Business, and Company [00:23:53] The stages of building a startup and when to start hiring managers and building a company.

Interviewing Sales and Product Candidates [00:27:04] The importance of hiring a recruiter and the interview process for sales and product candidates.

Testing for Grit and Curiosity in Interviews [00:29:29] The challenges of testing for grit and curiosity in interviews and the importance of asking hard questions tactfully.

Asking Hard Questions [00:30:13] Rob talks about the importance of asking hard questions during interviews to reveal more about a candidate's experience and grit.

Key Metrics for SaaS [00:30:52] Rob discusses the six key metrics for SaaS businesses, including ARR, month-over-month growth, cost to acquire a customer, sales effort, churn, annual contract value, expansion revenue, and referrals.

The Importance of Churn [00:34:23] Rob emphasizes the importance of churn in SaaS businesses and how it impacts lifetime value, annual contract value, and spending on hiring and customer acquisition.

Angel Investing [00:36:57] Rob shares his thoughts on angel investing and advises against founders doing it unless it's a shoe-in investment opportunity.

Rob's new book and Kickstarter campaign [00:37:45] Rob explains why he chose to launch his new book on Kickstarter and the benefits of doing so.

Writing the book and hiring a writing coach [00:39:49] Rob talks about the process of writing his new book and how he hired a writing coach to help him overcome writer's block.

Growing a podcast audience [00:41:29] Rob shares his experience on growing a podcast audience and the challenges he faced.

Favorite business book and online tool [00:42:46] Rob recommends a business book called "Founding Sales" and talks about his favorite online tool, Airtable.

Contacting Rob [00:43:59] Rob shares how people can reach out to him and learn more about his new book, "The SaaS Playbook."

Key Links

Drip - https://www.drip.com/

SaaS playbook - https://saasplaybook.com/

Startups for the rest of us - https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/robwalling

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In this episode, Brittany talks about her experience as an accidental entrepreneur, building and scaling her company to eight figures before exiting, appearing on Shark Tank, and her role as chief experience officer at Experience.com. She emphasizes the importance of customer experience and earned growth rate for founders. She advises them to focus on hiring the right people and defining the experience of working with the brand. We also discuss Brittany's new book, "Creating Super Fans," and the writing and promotion process, and much more!

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In this episode, Dave talks about his journey from working at Facebook for a decade to becoming a startup founder and eventually a venture capitalist. He shares his experience working with Mark Zuckerberg and his current role as a VC. Dave also discusses his experience as an angel investor and his current venture capital fund, which has a thesis focused on the impact of exponential technologies such as crypto, AI, and deep science on the physical world. The conversation also touches on climate change and its potential impact on the economy and technology, and much more!

Timestamps

Dave's journey to startups [00:00:24] Dave talks about his journey from a liberal arts college to working at Facebook for a decade and eventually becoming a startup founder and VC.

Lessons learned from Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg [00:05:53] Dave shares his experience at Facebook, including lessons learned from Mark Zuckerberg, such as the importance of focus and the ability to disrupt oneself.

Becoming a venture capitalist [00:02:28] Dave discusses his transition from startup founder to venture capitalist, including the multidisciplinary nature of investing and the challenges of raising funds as an emerging manager.

Lessons learned from Mark Zuckerberg [00:09:30] Mark Zuckerberg's ability to focus narrowly and disrupt the company's trajectory based on feedback.

Angel investing and institutionalized investing [00:10:37] Dave BL's experience with angel investing and the mindset change when transitioning to institutionalized investing.

Thesis for the fund [00:13:37] Dave BL's view of the world and the fund's thesis on the impact of technology on traditional power structures, focusing on crypto, AI, and deep science.

Controversies surrounding crypto [00:18:49] Discussion on the use of crypto, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as a replacement for traditional currency and the controversies surrounding it.

Blockchain and Trust [00:19:30] Discusses how blockchain solves trust at a global scale and how it will eventually be used for every aspect of value and trust transfer.

Investing in Robotics [00:24:27] Discusses how the guest invested in a robotics startup and the breakthrough they achieved in metallurgy.

Founder-VC Alignment [00:28:28] Discusses how founders can identify if a VC can add value and the importance of understanding oneself and their needs.

Investor-Founder Relationship [00:30:26] Importance of communication and leveraging advantages in the relationship, with tips for founders on how to extract value from investors.

Decision Making Process [00:34:05] The benefits of having a partner to bounce ideas off of and the importance of having differing viewpoints to make better decisions.

Climate Tech Opportunities [00:36:43] The potential for growth in climate tech due to the changing global landscape and the impact of climate change on various industries. Also, the prediction that the first trillionaire will come from climate tech.

Favorite Business Books [00:40:06] Recommendations for three favorite books: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron, and Zero to One by Peter Thiel.

Investing Lessons [00:41:45] Dave talks about lessons learned from his investing experience, including missed opportunities and verbal commitments.

Unprecedented Markets [00:43:09] Dave discusses the importance of understanding that unprecedented market swings can happen and how it's crucial to consider long-tail possibilities.

Chat GPT [00:45:07] Dave shares his favorite online tool, Chat GPT, and how he uses it to explain dense scientific literature and summarize articles.

Reaching Out to Dave [00:47:28] Dave provides his contact information for those interested in learning more about White Cap and potentially investing in their fund.

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In this episode, Christophe talks about Slite’s customers, mission and values about remote culture, high performance in leadership, biggest weaknesses, experience with YCombinator, how has Christophe chawed as a leader, and much more!

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In this episode, Allison talks about the KPIs of venture capitalists, building a relevant network from scratch, evaluating companies during their due diligence process, keeping away from own biases when choosing opportunities, raising a fund for a new VC, advice to founders on doing layoffs today, what makes great boards, the process to writing the book, Breaking into the venture, and much more!

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In this episode, Alex talks about building Upflow, experiences with YCombinator, B2B payment methods being outdated, enabling card payments, hiring experienced people or young hustlers, interview structure, shortening the ramp time for AEs, and much more!

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In this episode, Nick talks about selling Heal, risingcosts for chronic conditions, high performance in business, when to release a second product, mistakes while releasing a second product, when to stop working on a product, raising funds in the challenging market conditions, how to separate personal vs professional life, why are Indians so driven, and much more!

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In this episode, Melissa talks about how to turn any video into a webinar, pricing strategy, first 100 customers, running remote teams, structure for new sales teams, onboarding of new sales reps, digital nomad places to travel, and much more!

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In this episode, Aaron talks about PathSource, Crossing over from being an operator to being a VC, the origin of 1984 VC, Why doesn’t 1984 Vc take board seats, how can VCs add value, what’s important when investing in a market, assessing the market size, giving hard feedback to founders, and much more!

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In this episode, Aline talks about anonymous mock interviews, 2022 layoffs affecting engineers, companies not providing post-interview feedback, reviewing product strategy, the biggest mistake hiring managers to make, and much more!

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In this episode, Patrick and Ben talk about the thesis of the fund, geographic focus, how can founders know whether a VC can add value, what should the founders ask their investors for help with, when are boards valuable, the right time to exit a position, private company valuations, growth stage checks in next 12 months, and much more!

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In this episode, Evan talks about his experience as a Ph.D. student, Revela's Hair Revival Serum, the unit economics of building the product, the daily decision-making process, decentralization of talent, lessons on hiring people, the mindset of leaders, and much more!

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In this episode, Moah talks about starting Boomerang, growing to a $10 million profit with only $400k funding, how to hire 10x hires, conducting performance reviews, what can a founder do to ensure that he does not burn out, building schools in Burma, how to be intellectually challenged, and much more!

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In this episode, Joe talks about his opportunity with Thomson Reuters, the core objective of the fund, the benefits of taking corporate VC money, the learning process for new and young VCs, the future for corporate VC, the attractiveness of acquihires, hiring Head of Corp Devs, assessing unit economics, burn multiple, and much more!

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In this episode, Masha talks about how she turned from an operator to an investor, the most critical element when investing in the market, assessing both market size and market growth, how founders can know whether a VC can add value, giving hard feedback to founders, board membership, and much more!

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In this episode, Srinath talks about his experience working in early teams at Google and Facebook, what makes Mark Zukerberg special, how Regie is using NLP in their content platform for sales & marketing, email sequencing for sales teams, interview structure to hire sales teams, shorten the ramp time for new AEs, and much more!

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In this episode, Sarah talks about Under Canvas, the thesis of Engyma Ventures, her biggest investing misses, insecurities as an investor, changes in the venture landscape, the power of business to change the world, and much more!

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In this episode, Sam talks about his experience building Pavilion, defining values, university offerings, imposter syndrome, landing big clients for startups, the book writing process, building up different sources of income, unlocking your highest potential, and much more!

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In this episode, Joyce talks about her experience with Human interest and McKinsey, starting Alariss, fractional talent in the US, performance reviews, decision-making frameworks, raising funds in challenging market conditions, the biggest mistakes Joyce sees founders make when raising, and much more!

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In this episode, Matthew talks about why did he write Attention factory, how Shein got to $10 billion in revenues ranking above Amazon, Why was TikTok banned in India and why did trump want to split Tiktok from Bytedance, the rivalry between Tencent and ByteDance, growth hacks did Bytedance do in order to grow their market, expansion strategy in Japan, and much more!

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In this episode, Selma talks about her experiences with Lebara and M-Pesa, the biggest lessons from investing in 100s of companies with Africinvest group, portfolio construction, outlook towards new opportunities, thesis on Southern Africa, biggest misses and hits, and much more!

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In this episode, Nick talks about how wine hashistorically outpaced the S&P 500, the revenue model, time allocation, his approach to hiring, his biggest strengths and weaknesses, mental health, and much more!

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In this episode, Harini talks about how she considers herself an “intrapreneur”, what qualities she looks for in a prospective CS hire, advice for new and growing businesses, what intersectionality means to Harini, decision-making processes, internal role migration, and much more!

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In this episode, Carter talks about the biggest challenges in venture firm building, investment decision-making in the partnership, how does iSelect fund connect investors to startups, when is the right time to pull back vs when to be aggressive in deployment, problems with mainstream investing, and much more!

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In this episode, Carter talks about the biggest challenges in venture firm building, investment decision-making in the partnership, how does iSelect fund connect investors to startups, when is the right time to pull back vs when to be aggressive in deployment, problems with mainstream investing, and much more!

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In this episode, Will talks about building Lavender, how should you write cold emails to get better responses, the right hook to get a better response, follow-up emails to be sent on each social media platform, how to personalize and understand more about prospects, and much more!

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In this episode, Leslie talks about how sales teams can get potential customers on a call in the first place, how sales teams can relay feedback to customer success and product, price discipline, building urgency to close deals, the biggest mistakes in on-boarding sales reps, how to launch with a fractional sales leader in North America, and much more!

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In this episode, Mark talks about approaching portfolio construction, the right level of diversification, outcome scenario planning, decision-making framework, analyzing the market, learnings from failures, and much more!

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In this episode, Shruti talks about her experience with Y-combinator, building a sales playbook, should a sales rep or a sales leader come in first, the hiring process for new hires, prep for on boarding the first sales hires, analyzing the sales calls, and much more!

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In this episode, Joy talks about why banks haven’t disrupted the fintech industry, whether will we see the verticalisation of banking and will every company become a payments company, how Mast had their first bank customer, the biggest hiring mistakes Joy has made, and much more!

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In this episode, Joy talks about why banks haven’t disrupted the fintech industry, whether will we see the verticalisation of banking and will every company become a payments company, how Mast had their first bank customer, the biggest hiring mistakes Joy has made, and much more!

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In this episode, Triin talks about her time spent with Founders factory and Startupbootcamp, Sie catalyst/ Founders program, building defensibility over time, market sizing, biggest hits and misses, portfolio construction, adding more women as founders and investors, and much more!

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In this episode, Triin talks about her time spent with Founders factory and Startupbootcamp, Sie catalyst/ Founders program, building defensibility over time, market sizing, biggest hits and misses, portfolio construction, adding more women as founders and investors, and much more!

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In this episode, Enzo talks about how he built a tax app for side incomes and the self-employed, how he thinks about retaining high performance, approaching product reviews, biggest product mistakes, and much more

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In this episode, Melissa talks about her experience with venture capital companies, important metrics for SaaS companies, unit economics, how remote culture differs from physical culture, how to advise founders to structure their raise, and how to level the playing field for female founders, and much more

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In this episode, Soumyadip talks about MysteryVibe, the secret of keeping long-term relationships, raising VC for a Non-Typical Product, the sexual health and wellness sector being a fragmented market, acquisition channels, most requested products, and much more!

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In this episode, Gale talks about her learnings from Orbitz and failed startups and her time spent at Booth Biz School, being an LP at other funds, decision-making process, training, and mentorship, internal talent building, sourcing deals on Twitter, VITALIZE in 20 years, Experience as a Kauffman fellow, and much more!

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In this episode, Jordan talks about building QisstPay in Pakistan, onboarding retailers, moving to Dallas at their HQs, BNPL, building an ecosystem, the future of everyday banking service, risk-taking and leadership, and much more!

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In this episode, Rob talks about learnings from Mainstage, the benefits of investing in startups, how Further partners with venture funds, market sizing, market timing risk, hiring decisions, and much more!

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In this episode, Anh talks about her experience building Qonto, how the Lago team pivoted the product, top marketing skills to master growth, growth channels, when to expand into new markets, angel investments, web3, the French startup ecosystem, and much more!

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In this episode, Anta talks about innovation in fintech on the consumer side, learning frameworks for new topics and how he constructs them, equity sharing and optimizing ESOP plans, approach to risk and decision-making, and much more!

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In this episode, Martin talks about his reason for building Arctoris, the role of unit economics, barriers to entry in the healthcare IT space, and how is Arctoris looking to expand precision medicine research, and expand into the US, and the Asia Pacific, and much more!

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In this episode, Nick talks about his process of hosting a party, when and where to host a party, icebreaking questions, the cost of hosting a party, his process of writing a book, and much more!

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In this episode, Nathan talks about the tech scene in Australia, his Experience at Zuora, working with Gil Penchina, his value add to founders, building your relationships with other syndicates and LPs, and much more!

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In this episode, Jacob talks about how did he go about bootstrapping Shiny and then raising funds, signing up with top talent and top startups, vetting and matching executives to jobs, experiences with ODX1, and much more!

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In this episode, Graham talks about the seven-step approach, which are the first three 'perfect' clients to ask, how to ensure success that the referral will be given, how to choreograph meetings, and much more

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In this episode, Kevin talks about the requirements for founders to get an exit, the SaaS company buying process, the best ways to use the profits of a company, the biggest acquisition channels, the founder’s squad, and much more!

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In this episode, Nik talks about his start with building This Week In Fintech and the global events, the thesis of the fund, how does he analyze the trio of people, product, and market, giving updates on the LPs, portfolio construction, building relationships with other syndicates and LPs, advise on the runway and burn, and much more!

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In this episode, Pierre talks about what made him start Claap, an ideal relationship with the VP of marketing and CEO, asynchronous meetings, monetizing the product, unbundling of zoom product, and much more!

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In this podcast, Paul talks about his book, Clean meat and why he built Better Meat, the cost of meeting the global demand for meat, fermented fungi called Rhiza, the B2B distribution process, vesting schedule, and much more!

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In this podcast, Romain talks about how Groover helps musicians get more visibility and their revenue channels, how the growth comes from outside France, the thesis behind Groover Obsessions, metrics should one look at when looking at acquiring a startup, and much more!

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In this podcast, Jan talks about how Otto vets financial coaches, how to build moats around businesses, metrics which marketplace founders should focus on, how to look at data to acquire customers, and the growth of influencer marketing in financial industries, and much more!

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In this episode, Sydney talks about thesis for Precursor Ventures, assessing TAM and unit economics, why interning is the best way to get into VC, experience being a Kauffman fellow, how can black women be supported in venture capital, the future of venture being services platforms, and much more!

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In this episode, Prateek talks about Grad Capital’s selection process to fund startups, the thesis for the funds, and why students from Science, Commerce, Arts, and Engineering colleges have a lot of potential to unlock, boot camps, and personalized training, and much more!

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In this episode, Liam talks about his companies - Time Doctor, Staff.com, and Running Remote conference, the best ways for remote workers to operate, the future of remote work, his new upcoming book, Running remote, and much more!

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In this episode, Daniel talks about his journey from Israel, playing professional basketball, building Mailpop during covid, the target audience and the mission statement for Mailpop, and much more!

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In this episode, Jared talks about building a community for sales, marketing, and customer success professionals, motivating members to become ambassadors, common mistakes that make communities fade, Future plans for RevGenius, how to build an account-based pipeline model, and much more!

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In this episode, Vanessa talks about writing Cues, What makes someone charismatic, vocal cues for sales guys, research experiments on Shark Tank, and much more!

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In this episode, Fran talks about making data storage cloud storage more decentralized, more secure, and more affordable, growth strategies, the best advice on hiring, what to look for in talent, and much more!

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In this episode, Carmen talks about her operating experience in Morgan Stanley, her early investment in Hopin, market sizing, building ownership in your best companies, Carmen’s biggest misses, hacking your first round of funding, and much more!

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In this episode, Mike talks about his experience with the Lehmann Brothers and Marc Andreessen, how Next Coast Ventures is growing the next generation of entrepreneurs, his biggest lessons on market size, Mike’s biggest misses and How did they impact his decision-making process moving forward, and much more!

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In this episode, Zhong talks about how did he come up with the idea of Deliverect, the experience of raising money remotely, acquiring first customers, what does a customer care about, how to decide which market to enter, the decision-making framework, company culture, and much more!

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In this episode, Alex talks about the pain points Fuzey solves for SMEs, the prioritization process, how decision-making changes with scale, reference-checking investors, and much more!

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In this episode, Elaine talks about the process for writing the book, strategies to grow small businesses, tools for automating your business, marketing channels, funding options, and what is common among all tiny businesses and much more!

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In this episode, Atul talks about how decision making is determined at Horseshoe Capital, mental model when investing into crypto, differences between DAO and more traditional forms of financial services such as traditional banks, practical applications of NFTs, and much more!

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In this episode, Joseph talks about Sales practices you should be practicing, customer personas, unbundling of the university, secret weapon to scale startups, selling freemium products, and much more!

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In this episode, Ansaf talks about his experience at McKinsey and HBS, sourcing deals, metrics an enterprise software founder should focus on, the biggest mistakes founders make when they hit traction, assessing market timing,, and much more!

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In this episode, Rob talks about his journey with Land Rover; how does Rob determine what to do next vs what to do later, his style of leadership today, fund-raising, strategy lessons, and much more!

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In this episode, Jeroen talks about the biggest changes in the venture landscape in the last few years; DVC funds, market timing risk, presenting CAC/LTV metrics to investors, and much more!

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In this episode, Miguel talks about helping SaaS companies finance the growth of their operations, distribution channels one should use to build a business, metrics to process loans; Capchase Expense Financing, hiring the best remote talent, and much more!

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In this episode, Nitin talks about challenges for smaller businesses selling on Amazon, how are Amazon businesses typically valued, how does GlobalBees pick companies to acquire, Brand building on amazon, and much more!

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In this episode, Victoria talks about her learnings from Google and Wildfire, the audience for Prisma; How does Prisma provide socialization for a child, building a two-sided marketplace, unbundling of education, and much more!

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In this episode, Chad talks about the current financial ecosystem, thesis of the Rolling fund, investments in Level and Baraka, current Fintech M&A market, portfolio construction and much more!

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In this episode, Roshan talks about his journey with Space Capital and H/L ventures; how does Walnut make money; how much loan can a customer take, his experience with OnDeck and Plaid accelerator, and much more!

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In this episode, Ryan talks about how he grew iContact to 300 employees, his time at HBS, the Thesis behind HeartRithm fund, and how it never had a down month, and what crypto-currencies he would invest now, and much more!

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In this episode, Ahana talks about the story behind Clear app, customer acquisition channels, biggest lessons in building community, right time to add ancillary products, YC experience and her biggest learnings, and much more!

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In this episode, Patrick talks about the biggest lessons from his time working with Larry Page and Sergey Bin, the decision framework at Inovia Capital, his advice to founders to look at diversity and inclusion in their teams, approaching the talent market today, and much more!

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In this episode, Alexej talks about how Alphagreen picks companies to acquire, what are retail cos doing to combat Amazon’s massive marketplace, the importance of trust and quality in brand building, and much more!

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In this podcast, Ali talks about his experience in building his syndicate and how the rise of syndicates has impacted the seed capital landscape and much more!

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In this podcast Ashmeet talks about how investing in Technical Insights is different from traditional venture capital in Silicon Valley, why he choose to be a solo GP, his biggest advice to those in the earlier years of their VC career, and much more!

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In this episode, Evgenia talks about portfolio construction, time allocation across your portfolio companies, innovation in SaaS, revenue metrics, and much more!

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In this episode, Scott talks about processes of converting underperforming buildings to self-storage, capital Requirements For Self-Storage, the occupancy rate for customers renting self-storage units, and much more!

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In this episode, Charlotte talks about how is Avid different from other e-learning companies, target audience, the production value for a creator, marketing the courses, Avid’s revenue model, comedy stand-ups, and much more

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In this episode, Piotr talks about debt financing, higher CACs on traditional platforms, opportunities in DTC and SaaS, metrics for processing loans, remote work, and much more!

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In this episode, Gaurav talks about learnings from Founder Collective, the thesis behind Afore VC, the investment decision-making process, and much more!

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In this podcast, Eric talks about how AltoIRA adds alternative assets to Individual Retirement Accounts, how much should one invest into alternative investments, and why it is the best time to invest in private companies and much more!

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In this episode, Anna talks about her journey from Pakistan to being a General Partner at CRV, her investment thesis, and what does she look for in an enterprise software investment?

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In this episode, James talks about Softbank, creator monetization, the future of education and unbundling of corporations, and much more!

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In this episode, Minnie Ingersoll talks about her journey from being an early employee at Google to being a partner at TenOneTen Ventures, unit economics at an early stage, portfolio diversification, and her learnings from running the LA Venture podcast.

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In this episode, Alex talks about launching Elude, tracking KPIs, and his frameworks when expanding into new markets.

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In this episode, Shu talks about the thesis behind LATAM growth fund and Opportunity fund, the decision-making process at Softbank, portfolio construction, and is there a pipeline problem for underrepresented founders, and much more!

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In this podcast, Amanda talks about the journey of Fiveable, working in smaller ecosystems, and how did Amanda get Serena Williams, BBG ventures to invest in her startup, and much more!

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In this episode, Sridhar talks about his early days at Google, his experience in Greylock VC, Why is he building Neeva, and the responsibility of entrepreneurs and immigrants towards society.

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In this episode, Norman Crowley talks about his interest in climate change, why is global warming happening, and the future of energy technology

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In this episode, Taylor talks about the best way to build habits, how did Toucan get to product-market fit, and can a chrome extension be a billion-dollar company?

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In this episode, Mac talks about his value system which led to building RareBreed ventures, what can LPs do to encourage more underrepresented founders to be backed, and much more!

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In this episode, Danielle talks about her lessons from running the Thiel fellowship, the thesis behind the 1517 fund, and how should students look at having conversations on not going to college.

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In this episode, Joe talks about in-person Learning Pods and how the pandemic accelerated the micro-school learning trend

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In this episode, Ashley talks about what does it take to run a successful Angellist syndicate, doing due diligence on startups, building relationships with LPs, and much more!

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In this episode, Eric talks about what does artificial intelligence mean, his experience in Y Combinator, and why does Eric believe that Sales is a search problem and not a persuasion problem and much more!

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In this episode, Elizabeth and Seth talk about why entrepreneurship is dying, where would the next wave of entrepreneurship come from and what can be done to turn the decline of entrepreneurship

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In this episode, Jake Gibson talks about early Nerdwallet days, opportunities in Fintech, BTV investment thesis, and much more!

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In this episode, Dmytro talks about customers, pricing, challenges of running a SaaS company, and much more.

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In this episode, Elizabeth talks about raising an early-stage fund, building relationships with founders, the biggest pieces of advice for non-technical founders, and much more.

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In this episode, Justin talks about bootstrapping Transistor, market validation, podcast promotion among other things.

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In this episode, Wes talks about student outcomes, differentiation in content, and how can anyone offer a premium student experience at scale at Maven.

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In this episode, Juan talks about how Fanalyze provides a solution where fantasy players can save time by consolidating all their fantasy teams in one platform

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In this episode, Nirali talks about Fintech, opportunities for women in startups, growth strategies, and much more!

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In this episode, Brian talks about the LATAM market, Viva Real, Latitud fellowship, Viva the Entrepreneur book, and much more!

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In this episode, Ryan talks about why he built TASL and how are drivers rewarded for using TASL?

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In this episode, Stefan talks about how did Booksy digitize the beauty industry.

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In this episode, Adam talks about the core problem the Buffalo market is solving and why are they scaling in California?

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In this episode, Vivek talks about how Superhuman built an engine to drive product-market fit and what was unique about their launch strategy.

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In this episode, Adii talks about his journey from WooCommerce to Cogsy and his process for writing a book along with running a startup.

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In this episode, Eric talks about key traits with gaming and success in life and his launch strategy for launching the book.

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In this episode, Carlo talks about how uDroppy can help you earn more money and What are the areas uDroppy are helping resellers with?

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In this episode, Don talks about how to make the process for making the virtual experience for everyone easier and how is Teeoh different from other virtual platforms?

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In this episode, Chandan talks about how to start with Crypto tax and what is the biggest misconception for Bitcoin?

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In this episode, Matthew talks about his investment making decisions and does CAC/LTV matter in the early days.

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In this episode, Christina talks about how FidoCure is committed to breakthroughs in cancer biology to evolve canine cancer care.

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In this episode, Ashley talks about how to gain energy, better sleep, and a boosted immune system.

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In this episode, Mohit talks about why did you launch Mailman and does he think email is broken?

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In this episode, Ben talks about why the esports ecosystem is so fragmented and why he thinks that esports will be bigger than traditional sports.

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In this episode, Blake talks about how Janover ventures is making it easier for commercial real estate borrowers and commercial property lenders to transact digitally; reducing frictions and costs in the process.

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In this episode, Zac talks about how Official has built a platform to help them keep their partner and build a better relationship with them.

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In this episode, Rohit talks about why banking integrations are slow in India alone?

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In this episode, Mark talks about why it is important to have a mentor and why mentorship is essential to entrepreneurs.

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In this episode, Eric talks about the process of writing the book and How are Charlie Munger and Naval different from each other.

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In this episode, Amit talks about why he raised an AI focussed fund, why believes early-stage is the most efficient segment of the venture landscape, and his advice on how to choose to be an operator, founder, or investor.

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In this episode, Jon talks about why he wrote the book, Slam and what is the 8 step slam process.

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In this episode, Liz talks about how Delee aids to diagnose cancer early and monitor the therapies' effectiveness.

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In this episode, Michael talks about the story of Biggby Coffee and how can anyone achieve big audacious goals.

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In this episode, Mikhil talks about how Apollo Finvest is building "AWS for lending" and what opportunities does he foresee in fintech.

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In this episode, Jeff talks about what attributes needs to be there to be forever employable.

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In this episode, Ayush talks about how the ISA model will disrupt education and how the unbundling of education would happen.

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In this episode, David talks about how UpCoach empowers coaches to spread their teachings to more people with less effort so millions can reach their full potential.

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In this episode, Spandana talks about how Sleek is reinventing the way we wait in lines where they use deep learning to move physical lines to a digital mobile medium and save customers the headache of waiting in lines – a problem that’s massive and multigenerational but never solved.

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In this episode, Jacob talks about building STEM games for pre-K to 5th graders and the opportunity in ed-tech industry.

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In this episode, Harsh talks about how to trade cryptocurrencies and the opportunities ahead on the crypto space.

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In this episode, Mradul talks about how LogiNext leads with customer success and their strategy to enter new markets.

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In this episode, Aaryaman talks about betting on startups and how to build trust and honesty with founders.

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In this episode, Ajeet talks about the opportunities of Blockchain in India.

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In this episode, Mark talks about what ails the Indian agritech space and the opportunities ahead with Agritech space.

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In this episode, Peter talks about why he preferred building a syndicate rather than raise his own fund and why does he believe that the corporate VC fund is usually not a successful model.

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In this episode, Gagan talks about what defines product-market fit and will consumer spending be redefined after Covid19.

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In this episode, Ezra talks about how Upshift is defining car ownership.

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In this episode, Benjamin talks about how personality is not permanent and How do you systematically design and become your desired future self.

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In this episode, Sasha talks about if Kae Capital is still investing in startups and how can founders build companies post COVID era.

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In this episode, Andrew talks about why 50-80% of ad spends is happening on Facebook and Google ads and how the VC model is up for disruption.

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In this episode, Sajid talks about the syndicate he is building and his portfolio construction.

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In this episode, Adith talks about if TAM plays an important role in investment decisions and why did he invest in Airmeet.

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In this episode, Ashwin gives his advice to founders to prepare for the next coming months and his thoughts on portfolio construction?

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In this episode, Daniel talks about his learnings from working with Jack Dorsey and how his investment thesis is different with Blackletter.

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In this episode, Fabrice talks about marketplaces and how to build demand and supply in such situations.

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In this episode, Raveen talks about why he is betting big on Edtech, Retail, and Fintech startups and how his stint in building Myntra helps him in making investment decisions.

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In this episode, Lawrence talks about how has DTC brands changed the outlook for consumers and how they are changing the way we buy products.

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In this episode, Mohit talks about how is ITI Fund is different from every other micro-fund and his experience investing in ECOM Express as their first investor.

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In this episode, Bryan talks about how he got into e-commerce and Facebook marketing.

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In this episode, Richard talks about his time when he was convicted of securities fraud in 2002 (The movie Wolf of Wall Street was made on the partners and his company) and what made him start 70 Million jobs.

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In this episode, Alex talks about why he built SaaStock and how does he market the conferences.

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In this episode, Anirudh talks about the investment thesis behind Artha Fund and what does he think about portfolio construction.

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In this episode, Tanul talks about how India is an exciting place to build a fintech company and how can Afthonia Labs help Fintech entrepreneurs.

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In this episode, Siqi talks about how AI-powered smart platform provides custom skincare product recommendations.

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In this episode, Guillermo talks about how he had scaled up the platform and has received over $1.3 million in booking requests.

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In this episode, Suhas talks about his learnings in building Hector Beverages and why is he building Misters, a sexual wellness company.

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In this episode, Nischal talks about what does the acquisition to Binance means to the Indian Crypto ecosystem.

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In this episode, Dr Stephanie talks about how to effectively communicate data in our businesses.

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In this episode, Pranav talks about the investment thesis of 3one4 Capital and why is he bullish on content and media companies.

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In this episode, Kate talks about how is Jumpstart helping people recover from natural disasters.

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In this episode, Paul talks about how R3 printers will enable mass customization at prices that can compete with mass production.

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In this episode, Nir talks about how to control your attention and being 'indistractable'.

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In this episode, Siddhartha talks about his journey into startups and how did he get to build an active community of 1 million users for Babygogo.

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In this episode, Rooshy and Justin talk about their background story on why they built Aavrani.

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In this episode, Rhiannon talks about how to make intelligent decisions and how to avoid blind spots.

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In this episode, Lindsay talks about the number one secret of brand building and how can one differentiate their brands.

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In this episode, Olivier talks about why did he built Flesky and what does he do to map out customer behaviors.

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In this episode, Derek talks about how to build a side gig and how the gig economy will transform the job market.

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In this episode, Derek talks about why he is excited about drones and why is he building Airbnb of the drone industry.

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In this podcast, Stephen discussed on why he decided to expand to SDL, with the mission of hope as the key driving force.

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In this podcast, Rajul talks about what led him to build Pine Labs and Global Logic and his investment thesis behind Leo Capital.

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In this podcast, Omar talks about how to vet real estate deals and the best real estate investments in his view.

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In this podcast, Brad talks about his book, Venture Deals which came up with its fourth edition and how should a founder look at fundraising and should a founder always be raising funds?

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In this podcast, Daniel talks about his journey into building companies and how Evest technology automates investor acquisition by utilizing technology.

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In this episode, Davis talks about how Eazl is building a digitally enhanced alternative to college that will cost students only $500 to complete.

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In this episode, Susan talks about how is the brand Art & Eden different from other clothing brands for kids.

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In this episode, Emmanuel talks about why he build Bubble and how can anyone build an application without writing any code.

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In this episode, Shashank talks about his journey into Venture investing and how he believes iSafe notes will help startups raise money faster in India.

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In this episode, Mike talks about his journey into sports and entrepreneurship and what made him build a gamified giving tech company..

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In this episode, Cordut talks about how to write great email copy to get better email conversions.

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In this episode, Regan talks about her worst entrepreneurial moment and how can anyone manifest their ideal reality.

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In this episode, Stephen talks about how to find low competition products to sell on Amazon and build a six-figure business.

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In this episode, Marc talks about his new book, Create and what does it take to be creative.

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In this episode, Justin talks about how to build a creative work culture and encourage empathy in creative work environments.

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In this episode, Tom talks about how to create and market a successful online course.

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In this episode, David talks about his thoughts on blockchain and angel investing.

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In this episode, David talks about what made him start MedCorder and what he learned from working in Google and Facebook.

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In this episode, Matt talks about what does it take to design products and what can people learn from his new book, Start at the end.

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In this episode, Greg talks about why did he build Jungle Scout and challenges of running a remote company.

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In this episode, Natalie talks about different ways to make money and about Freedom Plan, her most popular course.

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In this episode, Christopher talks about what does it take to build a SaaS business and why did he build Snappa.

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In this episode, Taylor talks about how is workforce more isolated and distracted than ever before and how is Focusmate trying to solve the problem.

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In this episode, Anne and Mark talk about how can VAs scale up any business.

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In this episode, Radhesh talks about how Arka Labs assist Indian startups to scale-up in the US.

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In this episode, Nathan talks about what made him start Freeeup and who should use the services of Freeeup.

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In this episode, Kristin talks about how Pinterest helped her blog grow and what made her start an FBA brand.

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In this episode, Alex talks about why he started a blog and the best monetization strategies for a blog.

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In this episode, Naresh talks about how he has grown the company and the roadmap ahead for Fretch.

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In this episode, Pranav talks about why he built Xeno and how did Techstars help him build the company.

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In this episode, Jefferson talks about why he got into Mobile home park investing and how it gives better returns than other real estate investments!

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In this episode, Dave talks about his story of why he founded Tomorrow and how Tomorrow enables busy families to take action in establishing guardianship for children and ensuring funding for college and the future.

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I am thrilled to have Jeremy Sherek who is an 8-figure entrepreneur, speaker, health nut, and Co-Founder and CEO at Nested Natural, an e-commerce supplement company..In this episode, Jeremy talks about why did he build a supplement brand and how does he market the products!

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It's been an absolute pleasure to have Guy Kawasaki who has been a big inspiration for me. Guy is a marketing evangelist, author, and venture capitalist who is a founder and Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures. In this episode, Guy talks about his new book, Wise guy, his thoughts on investing and his work at Apple and Steve Jobs!

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In this episode, Harsh talks about his journey to become a professional blogger and his favorite monetization strategies and much more!

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In this episode, Michael talks about how he had built his podcast on the side with millions of downloads.

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In this episode, Ridhima talks about target customers and what made her build Boon VR

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In this episode, Greg talks about how to build sales funnels to convert clients.

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In this episode, Phil talks about his deal flow and why they choose AngelList as a platform.

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In this episode, Sona talks about why she wanted to build Neopanda and a be a For-profit company.

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In this episode, Nikhil talks about how Republic simplifies startup-investing for non-accredited investors.

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In this episode, Perry talks about how to run ads effectively and how to apply 80/20 rule in marketing

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In this episode, Fatima talks about her journey to building Jetpack and how is she trying to build the business in the hyper-competitive market.

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In this episode, Jeff talks about how they have created a platform which is Linkedin for freelancers and what is the best way for people to start their freelancing gigs.

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In this episode, Navid talks about the framework to build your own virtual summit and how to build a summit on your own.

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In this episode, Allison discusses how Hemster is revolutionalizing the industry and their growth plans.

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In this episode, he discusses on why he believes Canada is the next big tech market and how he is helping tech workers to move to Canada.

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In this episode, he talks about his journey to building a multi-million dollar company and why bootstrapping is better for founders.

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In this episode, Andy talks about how to step outside your comfort zone

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In this episode, he talks about his journey to building Recurpost and his thoughts on building a Saas product.

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In this episode, Avlesh talks about his journey to building WebEngage and other business metrics.

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In this episode, Amber talks about how is Indemnis trying to make the commercial flight over people possible.

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In this episode, James talks about how to build great habits and break bad habits. This is a must listen to interview folks!

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In this episode, Lokesh talks about how to build successful products in this age and how to be a great product manager.

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In this episode, Erin and Leif talk about what made them start a detergent brand and how did they market the product to make Frey go viral.

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In this episode, Monica talks about how to start with Facebook ads and the best strategies to scale up your business with Facebook ads.

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In this episode, Jeet talks about the best businesses to build and how he got his start in entrepreneurship.

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In this episode, Malcolm and Simone cover some of the most important questions of life - What is my purpose in life and how can I best realize my potential.

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In this episode, Coran talks about how he got a start in buying and selling e-commerce companies and should an e-commerce company sell their business or not.

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In this episode, John Lee Dumas talks about how he got the big name guests on his podcast and what keeps him motivated to keep going and build a high-quality podcast and online business.

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In this episode, Bryan shares his journey of how he had transformed his life and lost more than 100 pounds and what made him write the book, Do a day.

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In this episode, Alex talks about how he got a start in building subscription businesses and the most effective marketing channels for growing an online subscription business.

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In this episode, Savvas talks about how can businesses use Virap loops to grow their business and what is the right way to do growth hacking!

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In this episode, Ryan talks about how his life turned around when his dreams of being a baseball player got shattered and how he got into real estate investments

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In this episode, Prakhar talks about how startups can raise funds on Angel List and how can investors invest into Indian startups.

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In this episode, Oliver talks about why he built Coding Autism and how do they teach people on how to code.

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In this interview, Elaine talks about some of the best ways to build a one-person million dollar business and what are the best tools and tips for maintaining a one-person business.

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In this episode, Aswin talks about his experience with building Sous Chef and how Start-up Chile helped him shape the company

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In this episode, Ash talks about why he had built Youngry and how do they provide mentorship to young entrepreneurs.

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In this episode, Tam talks about why Facebook messenger is the next big marketing channel and how Botacademy is teaching people to build the chatbots and be marketing champions!ster.

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In this episode, Avi talks about how can people save money by using this service and which brand bags are they allowed to sell.

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In this episode, Omar talks about how did he leverage his podcast to sell his software and how does webinars help in building trust. Enjoy this fun interview!

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In this episode, Craig talked about how did he manage to get into McGill University without an undergraduate degree and got funding from Mark Cuban for his start-up. Enjoy this fun interview!

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In this episode, Shiva talks about how to build a successful subscription business and why did she want to disrupt toys industry.

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I am excited to have Army veteran turned co-founder and CEO of RMR Laboratories, Mike Lui, who runs an over-the-counter cannabis pharmaceutical company. https://republic.co/rmr-laboratories (RMR Laboratories) produces cannabinoid oil that’s applied as a topical cream to relieve pain and other medical ailments. Mike has worked with Amazon and Deloitte and has done his MBA from UCLA.

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In this episode, Anne talks about how can managers transition to a leadership role and what skill sets do leaders and entrepreneurs need assistance on

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In this episode, Kristin talks about how to downsize and live on a sailboat and what are the best and worst things about living on a sailboat.

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In this episode, Jim talks about how important are relationships in order to build a successful brand and what is the best financial advice he would give to people.

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In this episode, Susan talks about how is her book different from other self-help books and how can anyone go about building their personal brand.

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In this episode, Harshil talks about how did he get into Y Combinator and how can a startup company retain great talent. Listen to this awesome episode!

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In this episode, Jonathan and Nina talk about how coordinating with a group of travellers made them build Wolfrun and how they got 22, 000 customers in 115 countries.

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In this episode, Fabian talks about how brands can build their brands using storytelling. He also talks about four steps to launching a brand and how can anyone learn about design.

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In this episode, Marc talks about why content creation and content marketing is important. He also talks about how he manages to build his blog along with his studies and how did blogging change his life.

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In this episode, Tom talks about when researching for the book, Rich habits - The daily success habits of wealthy individuals, he had identified 300 habits which distinguish poor people from rich people. Listen to this awesome interview and know which habits are important if you want to be rich!

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In this episode, Mary talks about why did she get into customer experience and how can companies track happiness score and product feedback training.

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In this episode, Chris talks about some of the products people are selling on Amazon and why did he build Salesbacker and how can Salesbacker help Amazon sellers

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In this episode, Lu talks about why she started her venture fund and what does she look for in entrepreneurs and her advice on people who want to get into entrepreneurship and Venture capital world.

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In this episode, Isabel talks about how do they solve the problem of furnishing and leasing rental property. She also talks about super hosts and how they reached an annual run rate of $ 1 million and their future plans.

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In this episode, Payam talks about how people can save money using Bellhop app and why Bellhop will look at restaurant reservations, food delivery, entertainment and other on-demand verticals for users.

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In this episode, Tim talks about why he started traveling, his coolest travel experiences and how to travel on a budget.

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In this episode, Benny talks about why selling on Amazon Merch is a great business model. How can anyone spread their risk and does one need to be a designer to start selling on Amazon Merch.

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In this episode, Sandra talks about what made her solve the problem of customizing shoes for women and how does she make sure that the shoes are the right fit.

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In this episode, Denise talks about the seven principles which great brands have and how can organizations embrace those principles. She also talks about how can companies differentiate from others and how is customer experience important for brands.

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In this episode, Tom talks about what are the mistakes first-time authors make and how to hit the best selling list as a single author. Listen to this awesome episode!

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I am excited to have Khierstyn Ross who is a product launch specialist, startup advisor, and runs a podcast at crowdfundingUncut.com and had used platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to build successful launches.

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I am excited to have Sean Ogle who is the founder of Location Rebel. Sean specializes in helping people build small lifestyle businesses that can be run anywhere from the world and allows them to do stuff that they like to do. An entrepreneur, writer and a frequent traveler, Sean currently lives in Portland, Oregon who runs locationrebel.com.

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In this episode, Dorie talks about how to build a personal brand and how can you monetize your brand. She also talks about how she was able to build her tribe and create multiple streams of income.

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In this episode, he talks about how to find products on FBA and how to find out which products are profitable. Dan also talks about how much money is needed to sell on Amazon and the best software to run the business.