Product In LA: Recent Episodes
Ethan Cole, PhD
Welcome to Product In LA Podcast with Ethan Cole, PhD – where we shine the spotlight on some of the exceptional Product Leaders we have as part of the LA Product Community. New guests each episode will share their journey into Product, how they Product Manage in their current role vs how they did so in the past, and of course, what's the most LA thing that's happened to them (Product-related or not!).
In this episode, Vince Lucero, Founder & CEO of DubPrime, shares his journey from working on the Google Play Store and Credit Karma to founding a company aimed at revolutionizing credit access for gig workers.
Vince discusses the challenges of traditional lending systems and how DubPrime is leveraging AI to assess creditworthiness in a more inclusive way.
With a deep commitment to social impact, Vince’s story is one of innovation, passion, and a desire to pay forward the opportunities he’s had. Founders In LA listeners will gain insights into the intersection of technology, finance, and social equity.
"My two passions in life from as long as I could remember were technology and fashion."
We welcome Jessie Somekh, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Rotate Your Closet, a peer-to-peer clothing rental app designed to monetize those barely-worn pieces sitting in your wardrobe in this episode of Founders in LA.
Jessie shares her journey from a STEM-focused education at Vanderbilt to pivotal roles at Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, all while maintaining a passion for fashion.
She discusses how Rotate Your Closet helps women access an endless wardrobe, save money, and earn from their investments in fashion. Jessie recounts into the startup's early days, the role of social media in gaining traction, and the innovative use of AI to personalize the shopping experience.
Listen to this episode to hear about Jessie’s insights into the intersection of fashion and technology, and her vision for transforming how we think about our closets.
"The idea that we cannot leverage our most intimate and valuable space in any way to recoup any value while we're gone is insane."
In this episode of Founders in LA, we sit down with Bo Abrams, Co-Founder of kommu, a groundbreaking home-sharing network.
Bo shares his journey from a determined business school applicant to a visionary entrepreneur revolutionizing the rental market.
kommu leverages trusted personal networks to unlock home-sharing opportunities that traditional platforms overlook.
Bo discusses the challenges millennials face with rising living costs and how kommu provides a solution by allowing users to share their homes with trusted connections.
He also reflects on the evolution of the home-sharing industry and kommu's unique social network model that enhances travel experiences.
"If you can really be the lowest risk, highest return option, people will get it. The experts in that industry will get it and they will sign up."
We sit down with Rachael Nelson, the Founder and CEO of Brandy, in this episode of Founders in LA. Rachael shares her journey from aerospace manufacturing to leading a groundbreaking app that democratizes influence by allowing everyday consumers to earn meaningful money through simple endorsements of their favorite brands.
She describes the inception of Brandy, highlighting the importance of passive income and the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
Rachael's insights into creating a low-risk, high-return product, and her commitment to adding value to the economy by supporting consumers, provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice and the story behind Brandy’s mission to make affiliate marketing accessible to everyone.
Top Takeaways:
- Simplified Affiliate Marketing: Brandy is designed to make affiliate marketing incredibly easy and accessible for everyone, including older adults like Rachael's 92-year-old grandmother. The platform allows users to earn money by endorsing brands they already use without needing to create content or build a large following.
- Focus on Passive Income: Rachael is passionate about adding billions to the economy by enabling consumers to generate passive income. She emphasizes the joy and financial relief that can come from earning money by simply sharing products they already love and use in their daily lives.
- Low-Risk, High-Return Product: Rachael stresses the importance of making Brandy a low-risk, high-return option for brands and consumers. By carefully analyzing market options and addressing pain points such as tracking conversion rates and payment difficulties, Brandy positions itself as a reliable and attractive platform.
- Adapting to Market Needs: While staying true to Brandy’s core mission, Rachael acknowledges the need to be aware of market trends and prepare for future features that will keep the platform relevant. However, she advises against chasing every trend, instead focusing on the essential elements that will benefit the community.
- Community and Networking: Rachael highlights the importance of being in the right environment for growth and networking. Moving to Venice, a hub for serious entrepreneurs, provided her with invaluable connections and inspiration. She underscores the value of surrounding oneself with a community that supports and accelerates one’s business goals.
Top Quotes:
- "It's simple enough that even my grandma who's 92 actually can understand and use that on her iPhone and so it's the most simple form of affiliate marketing that could possibly be produced in my opinion and I'm amazed it doesn't exist yet but we're doing it for the first time."
- "I want to add billions to the economy, to consumers who need passive income, who need to feed their kids, buy Christmas presents... there's so much joy that we get out of the things that we buy when they're the right things that we buy."
- "To be low risk you really have to look at what options are available on the market currently and like make a feature list and go through every single one of those and start talking to people about those different features."
- "I think one thing I will say about anyone who is building I think what was particularly impactful for me was making the decision to move to Venice."
- "And there's certainly ways to watch what the market is doing and watch what people are flocking to and prepare for the day when it is essential for those features to be incorporated into your product in order to be essential and relevant to your community."
"You need a great lawyer and you need a great accountant. Those two things are inevitable. But they look at me and I go, 'Oh, you've never looked at your cap table."
Joshua Lee, CEO and Founder of Ardius explores the vital importance of cap tables in managing startups and guiding investment decisions, in this episode of Founders In LA. With his deep background in accounting and building ventures, Joshua sheds light on the typical challenges and the strategic value of keeping cap tables clean and detailed. He outlines potential issues entrepreneurs may encounter, such as dilution, valuation discrepancies, and investor expectations, offering insightful advice on how to tackle these hurdles. Through practical examples and personal stories, Joshua highlights the need for transparency and meticulous planning in venture relationships and the growth of startups. This episode is a valuable resource for both founders and investors, providing practical tips on how to understand and use cap tables to drive successful business outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Cap Tables: Joshua Lee highlighted the intricacies of cap table management, noting issues like convertible notes and safe notes. He emphasized the importance of meticulous attention to detail in tracking each entry, as these have significant implications on future strategic decisions, especially concerning funding and exits.
- The First $10 Million In an Exit Can Be Tax Free: Joshua underscored the crucial need for skilled accountants and lawyers to guide founders through the complexities of startup management. These advisors ensure legal and financial robustness -like uncovering thousands of dollars in taxes or understanding that the first $10 million in an exit might be tax free under the right conditions.
- The Difference Between Joining a New Fund vs. One that is Almost Closed: Joshua detailed the challenges of navigating funding cycles and managing investor expectations. For instance, a company joining at the beginning of the fund may have different timelines and expectations than one at the end of the fund.
- Long-term Vision and Strategic Exits:Joshua shared his approach to strategic exit planning, stressing the need for alignment between a startup's operational activities and its exit strategy. He noted how a well-maintained and clear cap table is essential for facilitating smooth transitions and maximizing stakeholder benefits during exits.
- Founder Diligence: Joshua advocated for proactive founder engagement with their cap tables, emphasizing the critical nature of understanding the implications of each entry. He highlighted the risks of dilution and the necessity for founders to remain vigilant about how transactions affect their control and align with their long-term goals.
Top Quotes: 1. "We started opening up the cap table. Start seeing the convertible notes, the safe notes, the priced rounds even venture debt and the warrants that have been issued. It's all over the place." 2. "What is QSBS? It sounds like BS. No, it's called Qualified Small Business Stock. Just look that up. That will pay for itself." 3. "You need a great lawyer and you need a great accountant. Those two things are inevitable. But they look at me and I go, 'Oh, you've never looked at your cap table.'" 4. "So when you take money, there come expectations of different sorts. One is the return, depending on how their fund's doing." 5. "This is why our last company was sold in 18 months, and, very interestingly enough, it was done in a way where I thought everyone's numbers were achieved."
"Cold calls are the base of our entire business. The first three months we spent in Flick's basement, cold calling, and it's still the best tool that we have. We still do it every day."
Flick Moradian and Louis Pascal Walsh, Co-Founders of Tequio, a premium canned tequila cocktail brand, share their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting their persistent cold-calling efforts to establish connections, secure partnerships, and obtain valuable insights from industry experts on this episode of Founders In LA.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of persistence and not taking "no" for an answer, as demonstrated by the founders' relentless cold-calling and in-store pitching efforts.
- The value of building relationships and making personal connections, even with prominent industry figures or unlikely prospects.
- The significance of differentiation and focusing on quality ingredients, as exemplified by the decision to use premium tequila in their canned cocktails.
- The critical role of sales and marketing in the early stages of a startup, even for founders without prior experience in those areas.
- The importance of expressing gratitude and following up with contacts, as a lack of follow-up can be perceived as disrespectful.
- The value of leveraging local resources and opportunities, especially in a city like Los Angeles with its diverse network of entrepreneurs and influencers.
- The significance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of rejections and setbacks, as success often comes after numerous failures or unsuccessful attempts.
Top Quotes:
- "It's actually similar to cold calling. You need the same persistence. But instead of actually, like, picking up the phone and calling these people, you just have to walk into their store." (Flick Moradian, on getting into retail stores)
- "Cold calls are the base of our entire business…and it's still the best tool that we have." (Louis Pascal Walsh, on the importance of cold calling)
- "We literally just bootlegged a couple bottles over the border, brought them back to LA, and did a bunch of, like, at home bench samples." (Louis Pascal Walsh, on early product development)
Chapter 1: The Origins of Tequio
This chapter covers the initial idea of Flick and Louis to create a fermented coconut water beverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, their subsequent pivot to a premium tequila-based canned cocktail, and the challenges they faced in finding a suitable tequila distillery in Mexico.
Chapter 2: Navigating the Tequila Industry in Mexico
This chapter delves into Flick and Louis's journey of cold-calling various tequila distilleries in Mexico, their initial struggles, and the serendipitous encounter with the Benuelos family, who became their partners and provided the high-quality tequila for their canned cocktails.
Chapter 3: The Art of Cold Calling
This chapter focuses on the importance of cold calling in the early stages of their business, the strategies they employed, the lessons learned from persistent follow-ups, and the value of building relationships and connections through these calls.
Chapter 4: Breaking into Retail
This chapter explores Flick and Louis's efforts to secure shelf space in retail stores, their persistent in-store pitching, and the challenges they faced in selling a premium-priced product in a competitive market.
Chapter 5: Future Plans and LA Moments
This chapter discusses Flick and Louis's plans for expanding Tequio's presence in Southern California, increasing brand awareness through marketing efforts, and shares amusing anecdotes involving celebrity encounters during their product demonstrations in Los Angeles.
Keywords:
- Entrepreneurship
- Startups
- Beverage Industry
- Tequila
- Cold Calling
- Persistence
- Relationship Building
- Sales & Marketing
- Product Development
Find Founders In LA on Deepcast.fm:
https://deepca.st/founders-in-la
"It's these knowledge graph relationships that tie all these episodes together and enable users to discover each other's new content somewhat serendipitously or organically."
This episode with Lucas Dickey, CEO and Co-Founder of Deepcast.fm, explores the platform's mission to revolutionize podcast discovery and engagement through AI-driven indexing and structuring of audio content.
Lucas shares his extensive background in software product management and passion for podcasting, discussing the challenges faced by both listeners and podcasters in navigating the vast podcast landscape. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI tools, prioritizing execution over perfection, and adopting product-led growth strategies for startups, while also offering insights into customer acquisition and team building on this week's episode of Founders In LA.
Top 10 Topics Covered
- Podcasting
- AI Technology
- Audio Content
- Product Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Startup Advice
- Content Discovery
- Product-Led Growth
- Team Building
- Los Angeles Tech Scene
Lucas Dickey (Person) -https://linkedin.com/in/lucasdickey
Deepcast (Company) - https://www.deepcast.fm
Ethan Cole (Person) -https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancolephd/
Amazon (Company) - https://www.amazon.com
Spotify (Company) - https://www.spotify.com
The Echo Nest (Company) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Echo_Nest
Fernish (Company) - https://www.fernish.com
Techstars (Company) - https://www.techstars.com
Okapi Ventures (Company) -https://okapivc.com
IMDb (Product) - https://www.imdb.com
genius.com (Company/Product) - https://genius.com
YC (Company) - https://www.ycombinator.com
Chamath Palihapitiya (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamath_Palihapitiya
Tyra Banks (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyra_Banks
Shay Mitchell (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Shay_Mitchell
Chamillionaire (Person) - https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamillionaire
"Co-Intelligence" (Book) -https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick/dp/059371671X/
- Deepcast leverages AI technology to structure and index podcast audio content, making it more discoverable and engaging for listeners through features like episode summaries, key takeaways, and searchable transcripts.
- Lucas Dickey has over 20 years of experience in software product management, spanning various industries such as digital media, ad tech, and martech, which has prepared him for his current role as CEO and co-founder of Deepcast.
- Dickey emphasizes the importance of doing more with less, particularly in the early stages of a startup, by leveraging AI tools, virtual assistants, and fractional resources to maximize efficiency and minimize costs.
- Product-led growth strategies, such as organic content distribution and word-of-mouth marketing, are crucial for startups like Deepcast to acquire both listener and podcaster customers.
- Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for entrepreneurs, as Dickey highlights the need to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies like generative AI and multimodal content creation.
- Building a strong team with a diverse set of skills and leveraging AI tools as co-pilots can help founders navigate the challenges of starting and scaling a business.
- The Los Angeles tech scene offers a unique blend of various industries, from media and entertainment to logistics and aerospace, creating opportunities for startups to thrive in different verticals.
- Prioritizing execution over perfection and adopting an iterative approach to product development can help startups validate their ideas and gather feedback quickly, which is crucial in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
"I've talked to founders who have been in LA for years and never felt like they had a sense of community within like a group of other founders who were doing the same things."
In this episode, we sit down with Zack Oliver, the innovator behind Founders Table, a community initiative that connects LA founders over intimate dinner settings. Zack shares his journey from finance in New York to creating a network in LA through curated gatherings, aiming to foster relationships and exchange knowledge among local entrepreneurs.
As Zack details the evolution of Founders Table from casual meetups to structured, meaningful interactions, listeners will gain insights into the significance of community in the entrepreneurial landscape. This episode of Founders In LA explores how personal connections can amplify professional journeys and the role of shared experiences in overcoming business challenges.
"We specialize in creating experiences that are immersive and spatial."
Jack Gerrard and Jake Sally of Jadu AR take us into the development of their groundbreaking augmented reality game on this episode of Founders In LA. They describe the innovative challenges and creative solutions involved in bringing a mobile AR fighting game to life.
Jack and Jake discuss their philosophy of creating immersive, spatial experiences that push the boundaries of traditional gaming, using augmented reality to enhance player interaction with their environment.
They also delve into the iterative process that shapes their design decisions, from avatar scale to gameplay dynamics, revealing how they balance technical limitations with user engagement.
Throughout our conversation, the duo highlight the potential of AR to transform not just gaming, but how we interact with the digital world. Tune in to discover the future of augmented reality through the eyes of two visionary builders.
"Customer feedback is gold. Whether it's good, bad, ugly- whatever the feedback is- that's gold."
We welcome back Sumeet Rana, the CEO and Founder of Prodhub.ai, in this episode of Founders In LA. Sumeet shares progress on prodhub.ai and how it has continued its mission to serve as a co-pilot for product managers, automating routine tasks to allow for the creation of superior products more efficiently.
Beyond merely speeding up product development processes, Prodhub has significantly broadened its scope to include strategic elements like product discovery and ideation tools, enabling product managers to explore new revenue opportunities and develop comprehensive business strategies.
Sumeet underscores the critical role of customer feedback in shaping the trajectory of Prodhub, detailing how insights gathered from hundreds of interviews have informed the platform’s development and helped pivot towards features that resonate deeply with users’ needs.
The discussion touches on the importance of genuine feedback over niceties, the strategic decision to offer a free plan for individuals, and the ongoing effort to demystify AI and data security concerns among their clientele.
The conversation also highlights the latest developments at Prodhub.ai, including the introduction of an Opportunity Dashboard designed to help Product Managers identify and prioritize the most valuable opportunities based on customer feedback and market data. Sumeet reveals plans for further innovation, with a focus on enterprise maturity and infrastructure improvements powered by Azure to ensure data security and build trust with large enterprise customers.
This episode not only showcases the impressive strides Prodhub has made under Sumeet Rana’s leadership but also offers valuable insights into the importance of customer feedback, the strategic application of AI in product management, and the challenges and opportunities of innovating in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
"One of the biggest problems we see, at least on the physician side, is that any other kind of disease that you have, you always get a quantitative test. So if you have heart disease or high cholesterol, you get that blood panel back with concrete numbers on it. and if it's diabetes, it might be A1C, it might be glucose, but for musculoskeletal disorders, it's always in either an x-ray or an MRI, which is considered qualitative"
We sit down with Rebecca Zheng, the mind behind Calcu, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of medical device technology for musculoskeletal disorders in this episode of Founders In LA.
We uncover the inspiration behind Calcu's inception, driven by Rebecca's personal battle with a herniated disc and subsequent journey into wearable technology during her time at Georgia Tech.
Calcu’s mission is to transform the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like sciatica and knee pain through smart, sensor-based devices, providing real-time, actionable data outside the clinical setting.
This episode peels back the layers on the challenges of healthcare entrepreneurship, the pivot from a consumer-focused model to a medical-oriented approach, and the future of wearable technology in enhancing patient care.
Join us as Rebecca shares insights on the importance of quantitative data in musculoskeletal disorders, the potential to reduce reliance on surgery and medications, and her vision for integrating Calcu into the healthcare ecosystem.
"Failing is the best way to learn"In this episode of Founders in LA, Jason Vego, CEO and Co-Founder of Bevz, shares insights into the journey of revolutionizing retail operations for independent liquor and convenience stores through innovative SaaS solutions.With a focus on simplifying inventory management and enhancing e-commerce capabilities, Vego illuminates the challenges and triumphs of catering to a sector often overlooked by technology advancements. The conversation navigates the intricacies of understanding customer needs, adapting to industry shifts, and leveraging personal experiences to drive a business forward.Beyond the narrative of Bevz's evolution, Vego's personal anecdotes about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the spirit of collaboration offer valuable lessons on navigating the tech startup landscape. This episode not only highlights Bevz's mission to empower small businesses but also reflects on the broader implications of technology in transforming traditional business models.
"So now these humans, these agencies, are stuck with going with these other platforms that are available out there that are catering clearly saying we hate the middleman like you. And I'm like, what's going on here?"
In this episode, we're joined by Julio Chaves, the visionary founder and CEO of XrossWorld, a pioneering platform revolutionizing influencer marketing in this episode of Founders in LA.
Julio takes us into the fascinating journey of XrossWorld, sharing how they leverage artificial intelligence to empower advertising agencies and streamline influencer campaigns.
With a refreshing perspective on the role of middlemen in the digital era, Julio argues for the value of human connection in marketing, challenging conventional industry wisdom. He sheds light on the challenges facing influencers and creators, including the lack of standardized monetization and the complexities of brand collaborations.
Julio's story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and a deep passion for creating meaningful connections in a digital world. This episode of Founders In LA offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of digital marketing and influencer relations.
"In Uruguay, we are used to going against the odds."
In this episode, we welcome Hilario Canessa, the visionary Founder of Studio4D to Los Angeles. Canessa brings us with him into the world of digital twins for urban planning, a concept that merges cutting-edge video game technology with the complexities of city development.
He shares how his company uses immersive environments to simulate future urban landscapes, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions. By providing unmatched accessibility to the designs, in an intuitive, hyper-realistic video-game-like experience, Studio 4D allows a broad range of personas (inspectors and contractors to city planners and real estate developers) to easily understand complex aspects of urban planning like the resultant shadows throughout the day or even the type of vegetation that will be incorporated into the project.
Canessa's unique journey from an architecture student in Uruguay to pioneering the use of video game technology for urban planning reveals the innovative intersections between gaming, architecture, and urban development. His insights into the challenges and opportunities of virtual reality and the potential future of digital urban planning make this episode of Founders In LA a must-listen for tech enthusiasts and urban planners alike.
"We think it is unethical and broken for tech companies to steal people's copyrighted artwork and train models and derive value from it without permission and without compensation."
In this episode of Founders in LA, Matthew Adell, Co-Founder and COO of SOMMS.AI, we dive into the intersection of generative AI and the music industry, focusing on ethical practices and artist compensation.
Matthew criticizes big tech for exploiting artists' copyrighted work without permission or fair compensation, highlighting the detrimental impact on the music ecosystem. He advocates for a new approach where artists retain control over their work and are adequately compensated.SOMMS.AI offers solutions that emphasize attribution and rights management, allowing artists and rights holders to navigate the digital landscape more effectively.
His insights offer a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the music industry, advocating for a future where technology supports rather than undermines creative professionals.
"Humans are really good at workarounds. We have finite brain capacity and the flood of information that's coming in, especially with Gen AI, can't be processed by humans."
In this episode, Jon Lemelman Founder and CEO of Classify, showcases its role as a beacon in the realm of personal productivity tools. Classify is not just another app—it's a groundbreaking platform designed to address the modern dilemma of information overload through its innovative use of AI-based workflows.
The workflows are meticulously crafted to automate routine tasks, including the dynamic preparation for meetings, thus ensuring users are always a step ahead.Jon elaborates on the thoughtful integration of features aimed at users with ADHD, making productivity accessible to a broader audience. He shares the startup's journey, emphasizing the importance of a user-centric approach in design and functionality, and Classify's commitment to transforming our digital interactions into a more manageable, efficient, and less overwhelming experience.
This episode of Founders In LA reveals the exciting trajectory of Classify, from its inception to its mission to redefine personal organization through technology, making it a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the future of work and digital well-being.
"We solve the problem of knowledge walking out the door when someone retires or changes jobs, and we elevate everyone to the level of a star performer"
In this Founders in LA podcast episode, Joe Rogers, CEO of Workdone.ai, shares his entrepreneurial journey from consulting to creating an innovative AI platform that captures and automates corporate knowledge.
Joe discusses how Workdone.ai prevents knowledge loss due to employee turnover, ensuring all team members perform at their highest capability. He emphasizes the significance of adaptability in entrepreneurship, the impact of accelerator programs, and strategies for acquiring initial customers.
His insights offer valuable lessons on leveraging AI for business efficiency and navigating the challenges of building a startup.
"How do you make [athletes] reach their best performance without injuring them? That's it. That's the equation we're trying to solve."
In this episode of Founders in LA, Luca Buratto and Ahmed Issaoui introduce Lubu. This innovative startup is redefining the landscape of sports and healthcare with its smart orthotics designed to elevate athletic performance while minimizing the risk of injury.
Embedded with advanced sensors, Lubu's orthotics meticulously analyze foot dynamics and body forces in real-time, offering unprecedented insights into movement patterns and biomechanical data previously available only in high-end research labs.
Luca and Ahmed, both athletes turned entrepreneurs, share their transformative journey from experiencing firsthand the challenges of sports injuries to pioneering a solution that bridges the gap between technology and wellness.A groundbreaking venture transforming athletic performance and injury prevention with smart orthotics. These devices, embedded with sensors, analyze foot movement and body force, providing insights for risk assessment and decision-making.
The duo's journey from athletes to innovators is showcased, highlighting Lubu's mission to make elite lab analysis accessible to all. They discuss their vision for Lubu's impact on sports, healthcare, and beyond, emphasizing the potential for early detection of neurological conditions.
They discuss Lubu's broader mission to democratize access to elite sports science, enhancing not just athlete performance but also offering potential early detection of various neurological conditions through gait analysis.
This episode not only highlights Lubu's technological breakthroughs but also illuminates the founders' dedication to improving health outcomes and the quality of life through innovation. Join us to explore how Lubu is setting new standards in preventive healthcare and performance optimization.
Mike Chen of Cohere Commerce offers a deep dive into the intersection of retail and technology. As a former chef turned data scientist, Chen brings a unique perspective to the retail industry, emphasizing the importance of data in making informed buying and selling decisions.
He details the journey of creating a platform that not only facilitates smarter sourcing for retail buyers but also helps vendors showcase their market fit with solid data. Chen also opens up about the hurdles in traditional retail sourcing methods and how Cohere Commerce aims to streamline the process, bringing transparency and efficiency to the forefront.
This episode of Founders In LA paints a picture of a transformed industry where data-driven decisions lead to more robust business strategies and trusted brand relationships. Chen's story from the kitchen to coding captures the essence of innovative problem-solving in the entrepreneurial world.
"We didn't really understand how big the problem was until we really went live with the Fairmont hotel. And then after Techstars, we finished Los Angeles CleanTech Incubator, and they kept pushing us to go bigger and bigger. And it's, can we solve organics at a massive scale for massive businesses? Sowe can do it for businesses and now we can do it from municipalities."
In this episode of Founders in LA, Lee Robinson, CEO and founder of Dyrt returns to our podcast studio to provide an update on how he and his company have grown in the last 6 months.
Lee elaborates on how his company has transitioned from a small-scale waste collection to a larger operation focused on organic waste. He highlights Dyrt's groundbreaking methods for reducing waste in the food industry by implementing composting solutions that turn organic refuse into reusable compost.
Hear his challenges and triumphs encountered while scaling up, such as gaining acceptance within established businesses and strategizing the logistics of waste collection.
Finally, Lee outlines Dyrt's vision for creating a closed-loop system that contributes to environmental sustainability, particularly through innovative composting techniques that could revolutionize the management of organic waste in urban settings.
"Education is about inspiration, not memorization. Memorization is part of it but really to inspire students, professors need these insights and they need high-quality, engaging content"
In this episode of Founders in LA, Steven Walters, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer at Breakout Learning, discusses the innovative approach of his AI-enabled educational publisher.
Breakout Learning focuses on engaging content and AI-powered small group discussions, aiming to revolutionize critical thinking and discussion in education.
Walters shares insights on how the company scales the Harkness method, using AI for moderation and assessment, and enhances the learning process by replacing traditional homework with dynamic, story-driven content.
He also reflects on his journey from a creative entrepreneur to an ed-tech innovator, and the unique challenges of merging storytelling, technology, and education.
"I always offer [prospective clients] to be their intern [for a day]. So if you want me to do work for you, I'm happy to do it. But what we are actually doing is just taking notes."
In this episode of Founders in LA, Dan Botero, CEO and Founder of inlike, shares his journey in revitalizing real estate development through technology. inlike is a groundbreaking project management platform tailored for small to medium real estate developers, blending AI and software engineering to enhance efficiency.
Dan discusses the platform's inception, its focus on a digitally adept new generation of developers, and its unique approach to integrating various project management aspects.
He emphasizes understanding customer needs, product-led growth, and future ambitions to become a comprehensive back-office solution for real estate developers, reflecting on the challenges and successes of innovating in a traditional industry.
"Every [banking] app is different, but they're all different in a similar way. So for us, it's actually to have that meta understanding of what an app is, and what needs to be modified and how, and that's what I think we've cracked in a pretty good way."
In this episode of the Founders in LA podcast, Jorge Garcia, CEO and Co-Founder of Linker Finance, shares his remarkable journey from Honduras to the US and his mission to revolutionize community banking.
Jorge discusses the importance of community banks in the American economy and how Linker's digital banking platform is empowering them to compete with larger institutions. He highlights their white-label solutions, low-code approach, and open ecosystem, enabling banks to provide efficient, modern services.
Join us for an insightful conversation about the future of banking and supporting small businesses with Jorge Garcia.
"Our objective is to add value to each phone call that is being made by a patient to a provider and even from a provider just trying to actually follow up with the patient."
In this episode of Founders In LA, Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda, the CEO and co-founder of Vital Audio takes us into the world of healthcare technology, unveiling Vital Audio's innovative platform for capturing vital signs during routine patient-doctor phone calls.
He explains how this cutting-edge technology extracts crucial health data, including heart rate and lung capacity, using voice biomarkers. This revolutionary approach empowers physicians to remotely monitor patients, transforming the healthcare landscape.
Calvin discusses the value of data-driven, proactive care, highlighting Vital Audio's dedication to ongoing customer discovery and customized pricing models. Join us for an in-depth look at how Calvin Mahinda is shaping the future of healthcare technology with Vital Audio's pioneering solutions.
"The biggest thing for me, especially as a scientist, is trying to solve problems that have a high impact."
In this episode of Founders in LA, Patricia McNeill, the CEO and Co-Founder of Westwood Aerogel, shares her journey into the world of advanced manufacturing and aerogel production.
Westwood Aerogel specializes in creating the lightest and most insulating material on Earth, with applications ranging from aerospace to electric vehicle battery protection.
Patricia discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in this innovative field, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and green technologies.
She also highlights the serendipitous way she met her co-founder and the company's plans for scaling up production and addressing the evolving needs of various industries. This episode presents our fascinating conversation on her groundbreaking technology and entrepreneurial vision.
"One thing that worked well is again, building in public. Showing people what you're doing, getting people excited about it and having some way to keep in touch with them."In this episode of Founders in LA, Joseph Jorgensen, the co-founder and CTO of Capsule, delves into Capsule's groundbreaking AI-powered video editing tool, designed to empower content marketing teams. Joseph passionately describes how Capsule offers a user-friendly, browser-based video editing solution, making professional, on-brand content creation accessible to everyone, even those without video editing experience.The conversation spotlights Capsule's pivotal role in dismantling barriers and optimizing video content production for large companies. From enhancing social marketing content to addressing internal communication needs in the era of remote work, Joseph reveals the versatile applications of Capsule.He emphasizes the power of "building in public," showcasing their dedication to fostering a thriving user community. Capsule's journey involved teasing upcoming features, engaging potential customers, and building a substantial waitlist through public showcases. The meticulous process of converting Alpha and Beta testers into paying customers is unveiled, showcasing the importance of creating internal champions among the target audience.This portion of the conversation culminates in an exploration of post-launch community-building challenges. While Capsule has successfully engaged its user base through webinars and office hours, it acknowledges the ongoing quest for more effective community engagement strategies.Discover how Capsule is revolutionizing video content creation while gaining insights into Joseph's entrepreneurial expertise and vision.
"You're meeting them where they are, you're speaking their language"
In this episode of Founders in LA, Noam Katz, Co-founder and CEO of ParentCubby describes ParentCubby as an innovative online service designed to foster connection between parents and children, especially in scenarios like post-divorce where parents live separately.
The platform offers secure, private virtual rooms for one-on-one interactions, utilizing multimedia rather than just text-based communication.
Katz emphasizes the platform’s unique focus on children's communication needs, recognizing that traditional video calls can be unnatural and challenging for kids and meeting them where they are at. ParentCubby addresses this by incorporating play into its design, informed by insights from child psychologists. The service allows asynchronous interaction, enabling parents and children to connect without the need for simultaneous online presence, making communication more flexible and natural.
Further discussing the platform’s potential, Katz shares how ParentCubby can be used in various scenarios, including by parents who travel frequently or even within the same household to engage with children on a different level. He also highlights the platform's potential as a digital time capsule, capturing precious moments and interactions over time.
Katz's journey to founding ParentCubby stemmed from his personal experience post-divorce, driving him to seek a better way to stay connected with his children. His background in startups and big tech, like Amazon, equipped him with the necessary skills and customer-focused approach to develop ParentCubby. The initial response from single parent communities on social media confirmed the demand for such a platform.
"Every time you're pushed against the wall what do you do? How do you get yourself out of it?"
Hamza Farooq's entrepreneurial spirit shines in this episode of Founders in LA. Starting from his passion for machine learning and AI, Hamza took a leap of faith, leaving Google to create Traversaal.ai.
His venture, born out of a personal project to find the best travel accommodations, evolved into a company that assists businesses in building large-scale LLM-powered applications. With no initial product but a clear vision, Hamza transformed challenges into opportunities, even turning potential investors into customers. He emphasizes the importance of founder-led sales, especially in the technical domain of LLMs.
Traversaal.ai, now a growing startup, is a testament to Hamza's resilience and innovative thinking, proving that when your back is against the wall, finding a door is key.
His journey, intertwined with teaching and a love for food, particularly LA's Armenian bakeries, adds a unique flavor to his story, showcasing the diverse inspirations behind entrepreneurial success.
"We started a little 10-foot by 10-foot tent at a farmer's market to test out our ideas for improving on salad."
In this episode of Founders in LA, Dan Londono, co-founder and co-CEO of Alfalfa takes us behind the scenes of his unique eatery that blends salads and gluten-free donuts. Dan recounts Alfalfa's origins at a Hoboken farmers' market, where a 10x10 foot tent served as a test bed for their salad concepts.
The idea stemmed from a gap in the local market for healthy options, combined with co-founder Dan Sobsey's insights from his family's produce business. Initially, the team juggled their day jobs with this venture, personally preparing and selling salads every Saturday. This hands-on approach allowed immediate customer feedback, shaping Alfalfa's menu and customer experience.
Their breakthrough came when they took over a 1930s diner, adapting the space into Alfalfa’s first brick-and-mortar outlet. This transition enabled them to incorporate donuts into the menu, reflecting their philosophy of balance in eating. Dan emphasizes the importance of customer experience, a lesson ingrained from their market days, which plays a pivotal role in their operations and team culture.
Alfalfa's expansion to Los Angeles was a blend of opportunity, hard work, and serendipity. Despite the logistical challenges of operating bi-coastally, the brand's Southern California-inspired aesthetic and philosophy resonated well in the new market. Dan highlights the critical role of community engagement and staff hospitality in establishing Alfalfa's presence in Santa Monica.
The episode encapsulates Alfalfa's entrepreneurial spirit, showcasing how a simple farmers' market stall evolved into a distinctive and successful brand, deeply connected to its community and committed to a unique culinary experience.
In this episode of Founders in LA, Tuan Ma, the Founder and CEO of PlayersOnly, shares insights into his AI-powered sports social network, designed to be the LinkedIn for the sports industry. Ma discusses the platform's role in helping athletes, especially college students, navigate the new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, emphasizing the need for a professional online presence beyond casual social media platforms.
Ma describes the challenges young athletes face in brand building in the era of NIL and explains how Players Only assists athletes and their parents in managing their sporting and branding responsibilities, highlighting the platform's initial success and its strategic focus on both college-level and professional athletes.
Ma also delves into the parental involvement in athletes' careers, the evolving dynamics of athlete branding, and the potential of partnerships with pro athletes to enhance their social media presence.
In this episode of Founders in LA, we engage in an insightful conversation with Balaji Lakshmanan, co-founder and CTO of Vast Communications. Balaji shares the journey of Vast Communications, a company that evolved from offering simple telephony solutions to competing with giants like Zoom in web conferencing. He reflects on the challenges of bootstrapping, the importance of simplifying technology for small business owners, and the pivotal role the pandemic played in transforming digital communication. Balaji also explores the future of content creation, highlighting Vast's focus on leveraging AI to enhance user experience and content distribution.
"We should have the power and the knowledge to be able to make the right decisions about where we get care based on convenience, based on access, based on cost."In an insightful episode of Founders in LA, Ahmed Marmoush, CEO & Founder of Handl Health, shares his vision of revolutionizing employer-provided health insurance. He emphasizes the need for a system designed with the consumer in mind and with technology, addressing the current state where costs are as unclear as "a restaurant menu without the prices." Marmoush highlights the critical issue of information asymmetry between patients and providers and underscores the importance of empowering individuals to make healthcare decisions based on convenience, access, and cost. Through Handl Health, he's on a mission to clear the murky waters of healthcare expenses, making it a transparent and understandable part of our lives.
"Can I also invest? So when somebody who is critical to your equation resoundingly says yes, and believes enough to put their own capital behind it, that's a moment of unbelievable encouragement."
In this episode of Founders in LA, the guest is Ilias Beshimov, the co-founder of Class Hour. Ilias reveals the pressing challenges facing higher education today, including the exponential increase in the number of high school graduates each year and the shortage of universities to accommodate them. He emphasizes that by 2040, we will be graduating a staggering 200 million students annually. To address this issue, Class Hour has devised a revolutionary platform that connects top educators with learners worldwide, utilizing the power of artificial intelligence for personalized learning experiences. Ilias also shares insights into signals he received that helped inform his decision to co-found Class Hour. Spoiler alert, in addition to a brotherly shove, he also found that potential stakeholders were asking to be investors.
In this episode of Founders in LA, we had the pleasure of speaking with Rachael McCrary, Founder and CEO of Gather Labs. Rachael describes Gather Labs as a modernized clinical diagnostic laboratory with a unique twist – it offers a spa-like experience for patients while providing a wide range of tests, from wellness panels to traditional blood tests. They're all about taking the stigma out of testing and making it a comfortable, human-centered experience. Rachael's journey from the fashion industry to healthcare entrepreneurship is both fascinating and inspiring. Tune in to learn how she's disrupting the healthcare industry and making diagnostics more accessible and enjoyable.
In this episode of Founders in LA we dive into the world of digital media security with Eric Wengrowski, the Founder, and CEO of Steg AI.
Eric introduces us to the innovative realm of Steg AI, where invisible forensic watermarks are crafted to protect and authenticate digital media assets. Discover how these hidden signatures are employed to combat the rising threat of deepfakes, ensuring the integrity of content in the age of generative AI.
Explore the journey that led Eric from academia to entrepreneurship, and how Steg AI emerged as a solution to the growing challenges of trust and authenticity in the digital landscape.
In this episode of Founders in LA, we sit down with Nick Loui, the co-founder and CEO of PeakMetrics, a company at the forefront of battling online disinformation. Nick explains how PeakMetrics utilizes machine learning to measure and predict the spread of online narratives, particularly those with harmful intent. With insights into their work with the Department of Defense and election security, Nick discusses the escalating threat of deepfakes and the global reach of information manipulation. Learn how Nick's journey, from hacking school networks to influencer marketing, led him to create a platform dedicated to defending the truth in the digital age.
In this episode of the Founders in LA podcast, we dive deep into the world of startups and startup building with Jason Sharp, the CEO, and co-founder of Umi. Umi is not your typical language learning app—it uses TV and movie clips to teach you languages in a fun and immersive way.Jason shares his journey of falling in love with language learning during his time in China and how he decided to create a unique language learning platform. Umi's approach is to connect learners to the culture, not just the language, through popular film and TV clips. Jason discusses the importance of feedback from users and how he swiftly responds to their needs and suggestions. He provides an depth behind-the-scenes look at how he's building Umi, reached profitability in less than a year, and challenges the idea of long term roadmaps for early stage startups.Discover how Umi is changing the way people learn languages and connect with different cultures in this engaging episode. If you've ever been frustrated with traditional language learning methods, this podcast is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the world of language, culture, and entrepreneurship with Jason Sharp and Umi.
In this episode of Founders in LA, we welcome Ego Alpay, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple companies, including AllTi Alloys, Unita Club (podcast sponsor and host location), and ApeRyder. Ego's focus is on businesses that directly or indirectly make a positive impact. AllTi Alloys specializes in aerospace recycling, with a focus on titanium and nickel alloys, contributing to environmental sustainability. ApeRyder, an e-bike company, encourages people to reduce their carbon footprint by using electric bicycles for short commutes. Unita Club serves as a hub fostering a community that collectively strives for positive change for all of the company's that have been founded by and employ its members. Ego shares his journey, emphasizing the importance of impact-driven entrepreneurship and community engagement. He also discusses how South Bay's unique atmosphere and his commitment to doing the right thing played crucial roles in overcoming challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Ego's story is a testament to the power of community, ethics, and environmental consciousness in business.
In this episode, we sit down with Joe Rapaport and Allen Song, co-founders of Kenko, an innovative mobile platform designed to empower physical therapists. Kenko's app is reshaping how home exercise programs are delivered, replacing traditional paper instructions with a comprehensive digital solution that fosters patient engagement and tracks progress. The founders discuss the origins of Kenko, from stretching breaks at USC to a funded startup on the verge of launching its beta. The platform not only enhances patient recovery but also has potential for wider applications in the healthcare system.
We dive into the world of food inequality with Sam Polk, founder and CEO of Everytable. With a past rooted in Wall Street and a drive to make fresh, healthy food accessible for everyone, Polk's story is a testament to the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship. Listen in as he discusses the challenges and triumphs of creating a business that challenges the norm and aims to eradicate food deserts in underserved communities. From discussing the inception of Everytable to highlighting the challenges of operationalizing a fresh food business at fast food prices, this episode provides a unique insight into the intersections of business, health, and social justice.
In this episode of Founders in LA, we dive into the world of entrepreneurship with Annemarie Penny, the dynamic Founder of Dreamore. Dreamore is not your typical executive search firm; it's a company that blends expertise with human connection to elevate startups in Southern California.
Annemarie's journey from being a shy individual to a successful connector of people is nothing short of inspirational. She shares how her unique approach to executive search goes beyond just filling positions – it's about finding the right people who will not only do the job but elevate the entire company.
Listen in as Annemarie discusses her roots, her love for California, and the importance of kindness and human connection in the tech-driven startup world. Discover how she turned a challenging day in LA – complete with a hurricane and an earthquake – into a quintessential California experience.
If you're curious about entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the LA startup scene, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we uncover the secrets to Annemarie's success and explore the heartwarming moments that make her company, Dreamore, truly unique.
Dive into the insightful world of Vadi Efe, Founder and CEO of Businesswise, in this episode of Founders In LA. Discover how Businesswise connects brands and clients with audio and video creators for B2B marketing, reshaping content delivery. From bridging the gap between creatives and businesses to his journey from Turkey to sunny Los Angeles, Vadi shares the inception of his visionary platform. Uncover the challenges of contextual targeting and the rise of AI in the audio-video landscape.
We sit down with Selin Tamer, the co-founder and CEO of Cubtale, a groundbreaking platform designed to alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies parenting. Selin introduces us to the world of Cubtale, explaining how their personalized product, expert, and content recommendations offer parents tailored support throughout their parenting journey. We delve into the power of personalization, how it goes beyond general parenting advice, and how Cubtale's innovative physical device – reminiscent of Amazon buttons – aids caregivers in tracking routines. Join us as Selin shares her journey from engineering decision-making tools to creating a platform that empowers parents with precise guidance and a sense of community.
In this episode of Founders in LA, we delve into the journey of Alex Hejazi, CEO of Placement (formerly Ballbox). Alex's visionary insights take center stage as he unveils the evolution of Placement's concept—a platform enabling brands to sell and sample products in automated retail spaces. Exploring beyond digital marketing saturation, Alex reveals the mission of reviving physical product discovery.
Host Ethan Cole engages Alex in a candid conversation about his entrepreneurial drive and transformative path. From childhood exposure to entrepreneurship to rebranding Placement, Alex's journey showcases his commitment to enhancing product experiences. Learn how strategic partnerships like Luxer One propel Placement's global presence, maximizing user experience and revenue streams. Tune in for this episode's unique blend of visionary entrepreneurship and insightful storytelling.
In this episode of Founders in LA, host Ethan Cole sits down with Derek Osgood, the founder and CEO of Ignition, a groundbreaking go-to-market operating system. Osgood provides a comprehensive overview of Ignition's mission, which is to streamline the process of bringing new products, features, and campaigns to market, from concept to launch. Osgood explains how Ignition's suite of tools bridges the gap between product development and marketing, enhancing communication, collaboration, and accountability across teams. He delves into a powerful upcoming feature that leverages AI to identify deal-blocking feature ideas and quantifies their revenue impact. The conversation covers challenges in product development, the power of data-supported arguments, and the frustration that led Osgood to build Ignition.
In this episode of "Founders in LA," host Ethan Cole interviews Cullen Gallagher, the Co-founder and CEO of Lunch. Lunch is a company aiming to build payment networks in legacy industries, starting with government payments. Cullen discusses how Lunch is addressing the issue of slow payment times in government transactions, particularly affecting small businesses and startups. By creating a free payments network, Lunch allows governments to pay vendors quickly and efficiently, while also offering supplier financing to ensure working capital for businesses. Cullen shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of disrupting payment systems and how his background in the military and tech industry influenced his entrepreneurial journey. He also shares a humorous story of an unforgettable karaoke experience involving a celebrity party and a surprise duet with actor Lamorne Morris from "New Girl."
In this episode, we dive into the world of tech-enabled divorce solutions with Laila Aitken, the co-founder of Split.Fyi. Laila introduces us to the revolutionary platform that serves as a divorce management tool, community, and emotional support hub. She sheds light on the inspiration behind Split.Fyi and its role in guiding individuals through the complexities of divorce and separation.
Laila shares her journey from being a serial entrepreneur in Italy to creating a successful jewelry line in London, UK, before her life took an unexpected turn with a divorce. She reflects on the challenges and isolation she faced during that period and how her personal experience propelled her to establish Split.Fyi, a safe space where people can find guidance, resources, and connect with others going through similar experiences.
We explore the unique features of Split.Fyi, including its forums, community initiatives, and mentorship opportunities, all accessible through technology. Laila emphasizes the importance of education in the divorce process and discusses the platform's role in helping users strategize their legal approach and build confidence.
The conversation also touches on the parallels between divorce tech and other life event tech spaces, such as death tech, where the need for guidance and support is crucial during challenging times and references Founder In LA conversations with Sarah Grifferty of LooseEnds.co and Daniel Shaw of Autumn.co.
Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and personal transformation with Laila Aitken on this enlightening episode of Founders in LA.
In this captivating episode of the Founders in LA podcast, we're joined by Ryan Morrissey of Happiest Ours. Dive into the world of startup founders as he discusses Happiest Ours, a unique marketplace that lets you book bartenders and purchase alcohol for events with remarkable ease. Discover how Happiest Ours streamlines the process, solves the challenge of estimating alcohol quantities, and creates memorable experiences. Ryan also shares his journey from bartending in England to founding Happiest Ours in LA.
In this episode, host Ethan Cole, PhD sits down with John King, Founder of TAPP, a social platform prioritizing privacy and mental well-being. TAPP allows users to share HD videos and photos exclusively with their closest friends and family while maintaining control over their content. They discuss the toxic nature of traditional social media and TAPP's mission to create a safer, more positive space. John shares how a personal tragedy led to the platform's pivot and the importance of combating cyberbullying and deep fake threats. Tune in now to hear how TAPP is redefining social networking in LA's tech scene.
In this exciting episode of Founders in LA, Natasha McCrea and Sheila Jackson, fresh from TechStars LA Demo Day, share their inspiring journey as founders of Jackson McCrea Whiskey. Breaking stereotypes, they're disrupting the male-dominated whiskey industry with a whiskey made by and for women. They shed light on the historical role of women in whiskey-making and their passion for empowering women. From their Hollywood backgrounds to launching a revolutionary brand, they discuss the evolution of their dream. Tune in to hear how they're creating a platform for women to show up unapologetically in the world of whiskey.
In this episode of the Founders in LA podcast, host Ethan Cole welcomes Lee Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Dyrt, a company revolutionizing the management of food waste in commercial businesses. Lee shares how Dyrt processes food waste close to the source, eliminating diesel emissions and reducing the need for large dumpsters and trucks. They discuss the immense amount of food waste generated in restaurants and event venues, highlighting the need for a more sustainable solution. Ethan and Lee delve into Lee's background, from growing up in a middle-class family to his farming experiences and his time at companies like Segway and Bird. They explore the lack of innovation in waste management and the increasing problem of landfills. Lee explains how Dyrt is applying principles from sustainability companies to bring composting technology to the last mile. They also touch on the LA experience of not recognizing famous people. To learn more about Dyrt, visit www.dyrt.co.
In this episode, we’re giving a special update to our beloved Product In LA listeners. We’re transitioning our name to Founders in LA, but don’t worry—the essence of the content you love remains intact. We’re excited to bring you the same focus on LA Tech, and the people dedicating their lives to building it, through a Product lens, with a fresh, new identity.
Part 2 of my conversation with Sumeet Rana, founder and CEO of Prodhub. Sumeet explains that Prodhub.ai is a platform built on the belief that digital applications contain common repeatable patterns. However, Product Managers often spend significant time writing requirements for these patterns, leading to duplication of effort. Sumeet draws a parallel with software engineering and the creation of libraries, highlighting the lack of a similar solution for Product Managers. Prodhub.ai aims to be the "GitHub for product," offering a repository of product requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria. It helps Product Managers save time by reusing existing requirements, reducing technical debt, and preventing duplication within organizations. Sumeet shares his motivation for founding Prodhub.ai, driven by the desire to enable Product Managers to focus on strategic aspects and customer problems.
In this episode, our guest Sumeet Rana, founder and CEO of Prodhub.ai, shares his journey and insights into Product Management. Sumeet has held senior Product roles at renowned companies like Expedia, Disney, Mylife.com, Fox, and My Space. He also discusses an interesting patent he worked on, aimed at solving the challenge of managing messages from multiple platforms and identifying important messages and people. Sumeet emphasizes the importance of understanding the "why" behind Product decisions and highlights the significance of disciplined OKR (Objectives and Key Results) planning. He recounts a funny encounter with Jessica Alba at Honest Company, where he unintentionally parked in her designated spot. Sumeet shares valuable lessons from his experiences in product management and the dynamic tech industry.
Part 2 of my conversation with Daniel Shaw. In this episode, we dive into the world of early stage startups and explore the significance of branding in their journey to success. We discuss the debate around branding's importance, especially in the VC startup world focused on traction numbers. Daniel also shares insights into some of the challenges he is facing at Autumn.co, including his learnings from building a two-sided marketplace and where they are going from here.
Part 1 of 2 of Daniel Shaw, the co-founder and CEO of Autumn.co, an innovative end-of-life marketplace. Discover how Autumn supports bereaved communities with guides and tools, helping them overcome the complex challenges that arise after the loss of a loved one. Learn about the fragmented state of the end-of-life services industry and the transformative power of bringing it online. Daniel shares his personal experiences, the inspiration behind Autumn mission of Autumn in creating a more transparent and consumer-centric approach to end-of-life services.
Aarik Gulaya, Co-Founder and CEO of Safa.ai, shares how his passion for marketing and how a non-traditional path led him to create Safa.ai, a platform automating document review and generation for software engineers. His unique approach, drawing parallels between car engines and software systems, underscores the challenges of growing software complexity and the critical role of documentation. From discussing his unconventional journey into the tech industry, to highlighting the importance of effective communication in product design, Aarik offers rich insights and a a fresh perspective on product design and business development.
This segment with Andrew Skotzko explores preventing Founder burnout, the importance of focus, and the difference between Mission and Purpose.
In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Sarah Grifferty, who, having experienced the loss of both parents at a young age, delves into the unique challenges and opportunities of working in the emerging DeathTech space. Fresh from the stage of LA TechWeek 2023's exclusive DeathTech event, Sarah provides a captivating overview of the industry, its evolution, and offers her insights into the exciting future of DeathTech.
Thor Clark, a coding prodigy who wrote his first program at age 12, turned HealthTech leader, shares his experiences transitioning from a successful FinTech career to leading an Engineering Team in the HealthTech startup space during the early days of the COVID pandemic. Gain valuable insights into the unique challenges, exciting opportunities, and his predictions for the industry's future in the next 5 years.
Maulik Parikh, despite limited computer access in his childhood, earned a CS degree during a recession. In a challenging job market, he secured a B2B sales role at CompUSA before becoming a technology consultant at Accenture. Working with Fortune 500 companies, he learned valuable business lessons: prioritizing efficiency, leveraging technology, avoiding mistakes, planning for change management, and exuding confidence with clients. In the Era of AI, he advises preparing for automation's impact on roles and suggests utilizing abundant training resources like www.joinai.la to stay technologically relevant. With access to training at an all-time high, opportunities to upskill are plentiful.
Andrew Skotzko reflects on his unexpected journey into Product Management. Initially a Marketer and Growth Hacker, Andrew delved into the realm of quantitative and experimental marketing strategies, which ultimately resulted in a transition into a full-stack Engineer. Discovering Product Management along the way, he joined Chill.com and later contributed to Pebble's e-commerce system. Focusing on growth-oriented Product Management, Andrew explains the concept of growth hacking and the pursuit of the "aha moment." He eventually shifted to "core" Product Management, where he now highlights the value creation process, understanding users' needs, and enabling progress in their lives.
Adam Judelson describes what it was like winning the grand prize at the Silicon Valley Science and Engineering Fair (and 4th place in the International Competition) in high school, and how it has provided inspiration throughout his career. He also discusses what makes a great marriage between Product and Engineering Teams.
Elizabeth Osder describes her experience working as the tip of the spear in what is now called “digital media” in the earliest days of the Internet. From her work on a private internet for the Associated Press to launching the New York Times’ first website.She drops absolute gems of practical advice on how to address the integration and implementation of new technologies and suggestions for how to be aware of the unintended consequences of good intentions. This is the episode you want to listen to if you are figuring out what ChatGPT and generative AI might mean for your career path.
Reza Rassool, CTO of RealNetworks, shares how he started his career by disrupting Hollywood with a revolutionary digital video editing platform that resulted in a technical Oscar and an Emmy. He later became a CTO-as-a-Service and now he and his team are refreshing a pioneer product of the Internet - from the dominant Internet streaming platform it was- into a world class AI driven facial recognition for live streaming video.
Kaelin Burns shares how an American Literature major translated nicely into Product Management. She reveals why PMs are likely good essayists and intuited a lost chapter from Teresa Torres’ book, “Continuous Discovery Habits.” She also provides tips and tricks from her career working on two-sided marketplace discusses the importance of adverse impact testing; especially when it comes to AI tools to identify potential unintended impact of biases baked into the system.
This segment didn't make it into the full-length episode with Chris Chenet, Sr. Technical Advisor to the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, but it explores the definition of homelessness, and different tiers of homelessness. I found it enlightening, and wanted to share it with you all, in case you learn something too.
Margarita Mangino shares her journey from running a business at age 16 to running one of the few women led software development agencies on the planet. We also discuss how the gender gap in tech worsened during the pandemic and through the layoffs of 2022 and 2023 and her mission to help close it.
Part 2 of my conversation with Travis Corrigan. In this episode we discuss why most A/B tests perform worse than a coin flip, the difference between pragmatic relevance and statistical relevance, why most user persona's don't work, and a systematic process for overcoming blindspots. It was a conversation so nice, we had to publish it twice.
Travis Corrigan who, majored in Entrepreneurship in college to combat the financial climate of the Great Recession, discusses how a car ride in Utah changed his life and led to his love for user research. Highlights include conducting over 1200 customer interviews, how AI is transforming the user research profession by reducing the biases of user research, creating a 400K row excel spreadsheet analyzing all of the VC funding round from 1980-2010, and paying it forward by teaching classes where he gives the gift of creating a first product for folks trying to break into Product. Also, a run-in with Jon Favreau at a Christmas Eve screening of Elf!
Chris Chenet describes how his team approaches LA's homelessness challenges with technology, and how LA Tech4Good helps train folks to use data in more equitable ways. He also walks us through his journey into technology, in which he didn't even have a computer in his home until age 20!
Derek Kwan provides an amazing account of how creating organic relationships led to internal champions who helped catalyze his career. He also blows minds with the concept of Probabilistic thinking that’s not only aided him on the poker table, but also in building successful digital products.
Josh Grayson looks back at how a summer job blossomed into a full-fledged career in Tech. He describes how creating a cross-section of fun, entertainment and learning led him from roles as a counselor and a digital intrapreneur at a kid's coding camp to NBC, Fender, and Amazon, all while remaining close to his passion for education and self-improvement tech.
Rhys Quirk recalls being inspired to join tech via his Grandfather’s own work in digital transformation. He also describes his journey through the 2008 recession and advice for making it through the Layoffs of 2022 and 2023.
David Subar, Founder and Managing Partner of Interna, describes his early work in ML/AI and how it compares to the new world of ChatGPT. We also discuss the differences between science and technology as well as the evolution from output-based results to outcome-based results.
Miles Montes discusses his journey into tech, turning a childhood passion into a professional career and enlightens us with one of the pieces of advice that helped him break into Product; if you want a role that is unavailable, "get into the role that you can now and work your way horizontally." He also describes his experience as a founder from leveraging his 401K to bootstrap a startup to participating in Techstars.
Pam Yoon recounts her experiences working in Product during the Dot-Com era in San Francisco. We also discuss the "Industry" of Product Management; where it is today and where it is headed in the future.
Alec Miller brings over 10 years of experience in renewable energy to the conversation where we discuss the critical importance of data and data management in current and future wind and solar farm deployments. We also chat about the needs-based approach to Product Management and his cameo on the TV show, Silver Spoons!
Matt Goldade provides a first-hand account of the evolution of Streaming TV from being secondary content on websites to premium subscription platforms across devices. He also drops gems of knowledge from his participation in shaping streaming websites through A/B testing and introduces us to the Thursday afternoon innovation sessions that led to patents for some of the popular features we see in action today.
Eric Lodge describes his journey from being a Top 40 Billboard musician into Product Management and Executive Coaching. He discusses the power of harnessing the intuitive mind, especially when building pre-launch products. He also provides an amazing tip for avoiding the trap of being so in the weeds that the possibility space becomes obscured.
Chris Brereton discusses how roadmaps differ between large companies and startups and provides handy communication tips for keeping teams and stakeholders apprised of the current plans and changes to them. And there's a solid Wayne Gretzky story!
Natalia Contreras-Brown, SVP of Technology at The Bouqs, discusses how she broke into Product Management from Business Design to run her own org. She also reviews the unique challenges and provides her perspectives on the future of products that are heavily dependent on the supply chain.
Mark Levy drops key insights into his experiences in Product Management and Product Marketing. Highlights include gems of advice like "If you don't innovate, someone else will." He also leaves us with his view of the future of DevOps (spoiler alert: it involves expansion into Security, Marketing and other considerations when releasing code).
Shuo Song describes his journey from Pediatrics to Product Management. He describes how hospital physicians have surprisingly similar roles & responsibilities as PMs and how he built a Product Intern program at GoodRX.
Britney Russ describes her transition from particle physics to Product Management. We also discuss the power of Mentors to accelerate careers and how 1:1 mentorship is one of the most effective tools to foster more diversity and inclusion in the field. For more info on the PMA.LA Mentorship Program that Britney is Chair and Founder of, visit pma.la/mentorship.
David Coleman discusses how he broke into Product Management and ran his own team. He also describes his thoughts on the future of Data Product Management and provides a key insight in how to avoid Analysis Paralysis.
Kevin Sakamoto and I discuss his journey into Product from Hawaii to Zappos. We also discuss A/B testing at Lululemon and how technology may impact our shopping behaviors from buying shirts to picking out prom dresses.