The Mavens Havens: Recent Episodes
Eric Myers-Tayne
From the words "Maven" meaning mogul, tycoon, successful business person etc, and "Haven" meaning a safe place. I created this blog to discuss all things entrepreneurial and create a space for entrepreneurs of all kinds to gather, share experiences, and support one another.
Podcast Highlights Joni’s Journey
1:51-Joni’s background and how she started Evolution University
6:06-Goals and targets for 2020
8:39-The five mindsets Evolution University students must possess
17:43-How to deal with the stresses and hardships of entrepreneurship
20:37-Where entrepreneurs fail and overcoming skill gaps
23:00-Knowing the difference between when to persist and when to move on from an idea
24:51-Where society has the most need of entrepreneurs
30:30-How society can better support entrepreneurs efforts to contribute positively to society
37:08-Parting advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/07/29/sustainability-in-innovation-the-evolution-of-entrepreneurial-enablement/
Podcast Highlights Darius’ Journey
0:55-Darius’ background and how he found his passion
8:53-How Income Share Agreements work for students
13:33-The greatest challenges Darius has faced in his journey thus far
16:33-How Darius shuts off the noise and stays focused
20:45-Some of the mistakes Darius has made and what he’s learned from them
22:50-Where Darius foresees things potentially going wrong and what he’s doing to get ahead of those challenges
27:02-How Darius deals with stress and anxiety as an entrepreneur
32:39-What’s up next for Meratas?
35:53-Parting words of advice
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/07/15/path-to-prosperity-a-new-way-for-students-to-fund-their-futures/
Podcast Highlights Mars’ Journey
1:13-The concept of DAO and Mars idea to build an island community that will heal the world
6:55-Where Mars got this idea and his passion from
12:04-How Mars intends to change minds and get people involved in a project of such grand scope
16:20-Mars’ recent failure to buy the island and what he learned
23:00-How Mars recovered his energy after this setback
30:47-Where Mars sees potential for things to go wrong and what he’s doing to get ahead of those pitfalls
35:15-Mars’ advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/07/08/the-dao-of-self-sufficiency-how-one-man-aims-to-build-an-entrepreneurial-island-oasis/
Podcast Highlights Jeevan’s Journey
1:18-What is an “exponential operating system” and how does it work?
7:15-How Jeevan created the concept and came up with his specific ideas
17:37-Jeevan’s perspective on technology in our lives and how that perspective is shaping his vision
21:30-Jeevan’s approach to getting Apple and Microsoft on board with supporting his vision
23:55-Where Jeevan sees potential for this to be derailed and what he’s doing to get ahead of those pitfalls
33:44-Some of Jeevan’s most memorable mistakes during his journey and what he’s learned
41:25-Parting thoughts and advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/07/01/a-new-way-of-operating-how-a-more-human-approach-to-navigating-the-digital-world-is-being-built/
Podcast Highlights Will’s Story
1.05-How Will came up with his idea and made it into a company
4.42-How Chisos’ Income Share Agreements work
8.59-Will’s take on the availability of startup capital for founders and how they’re leveraging the information available to make sound investments
12.22-Will’s decision to veer from his career in finance to entrepreneurship
15.46-What Will finds most rewarding about entrepreneurship
18.13-Mistakes Will has made and what he’s learned
22.08-The biggest surprise Will has experienced thus far
24.44-Will’s biggest challenge thus far
30.33-Where things could possibly go wrong and what Will is doing to get out ahead of all that
32.15-What Will would have done differently
36.09-Words of advice for entrepreneurs
Podcast Highlights Exequiel’s Journey to Entrepreneurial Success
1.33-How Exequiel created Zappyo and how they create healthy, high energy beverages
5.50-How Exequiel is introducing Yerba Mate to the North American market and overcoming cultural barriers
11.23-How Exequiel tells his story through his brand and his approach to market research
13.53-What motivates Exequiel to opt for entrepreneurship over a traditional career
19.07-Exequiel’s thoughts on the importance of self-awareness for entrepreneurs
21.02-Exequiel’s experience with the stresses and anxiety of entrepreneurship and how he copes with them
25.35-Some of the mistakes made along the way and the learning lessons that have come from them
30.00-Where Exequiel’s sees potential problems in the future and what he’s doing to get out ahead of them
33.02-Advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/06/17/high-energy-delights-how-a-south-american-recipe-combats-fatigue/
Podcast Highlights Rashi’s Journey to Pet Care Excellence
1.02-Rashi’s background and what led her to create CuddlyTails
6.05-How CuddlyTails vets their pet sitters.
9.15-How Rashi went from concept to company
15.40-The role technology plays in growing CuddlyTails
17.04-The biggest challenges CuddlyTails has faced
20.13-The personal challenges Rashi has dealt with and how she overcomes them
24.16-Rashi’s most notable failures and what she’s learned from them
27.41-Where Rashi foresees things going wrong and what she’s doing to get out ahead of potential problems
32.13-Rashi’s book recommendations and advice for fellow entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/06/09/mans-best-friend-what-one-company-is-doing-to-give-pet-parents-better-ways-to-care-for-their-furry-friends/
Podcast Highlights Mark’s Entrepreneurial Journey
1.52-What is Managed Language, and what brought Mark here
4.32-Some examples of Managed Language’s clientele and the value the company brings
11.20-The resources Managed Language uses and how they create the native sounding content clients require
15.25-The moment of discovery that lead to Managed Language
18.25-Mark and Managed Language’s greatest challenges and how they overcome them
25.22-Mark’s passion for entrepreneurship and where it comes from
28.28-Failures made and lessons learned
31.32-Coping with stress and anxiety
33.05-How to balance work and life
34.41-Mark’s biggest fear as an entrepreneur
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/06/03/managed-language-how-to-cut-across-cultural-barriers/
Podcast Highlights Antonio and Evgeny’s Entrepreneurial Journey 2:12-Creating the idea and understanding the needs of the deaf community
6:44-Technological challenges and others related to building the product
12:10-The pitfalls ahead, where things could go wrong, and how Antonio and Evgeny are getting ahead of them
15:07-Raising money from investors and the concurrent challenges
19:23-How SLAIT works alongside the deaf community to ensure they are adding value
21:54-Lessons learned from working with the deaf community and how they’ve altered SLAIT’s course
26:00-The failures Evgeny and Antonio have experienced and what they’ve learned
28:31-The challenges involved with finding the right people to build the company
31:03-Dealing with stress and anxiety
35:41-What Evgeny and Antonio love most about being entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/05/25/see-the-signs-how-technology-aids-an-unheard-culture/
Podcast Highlights How Woostudy became poised to upend the college admissions landscape
0.54-Arif’s background, what Woostudy is, and what drove Arif to start this company
11.12-A more in depth look at the problem facing schools and students and Woostudy’s unique value add
23.13-Going from concept to company
30.18-Dealing with stress, anxiety, and overcoming challenges
33.27-Balancing work/life
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/05/18/match-made-in-heaven-how-one-company-pairs-students-with-their-dream-schools/
Podcast Highlights Marcus’ Journey from software engineer to cofounder
1.22-How Axon Collective provides value through fractional technical experts and Marcus’ background in entrepreneurship
12.27-How Axon found it’s target market and got its first customers
19.55-How Axon is sourcing talent and their philosophy on building a business culture
26.48-How COVID has impacted Axon’s growth
31.00-What Marcus enjoys most about being an entrepreneur
33.55-How Marcus achieves work/life balance
37.12-Marcus’ words of advice for fellow entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/05/11/fractional-excellence-how-to-provide-technical-expertise-as-a-service/
Ed’s entrepreneurial journey-How he’s reimagining AI
1.32-The fundamental challenges companies face leveraging their data and how Edammo helps them
6.26-High level overview of Edammo’s particular approach to solving data problems with AI
12.09-Two real world examples of how Edammo helps clients achieve success
19.20-Ed’s “lightbulb moment” when he realized this is what he wanted to build, and how he took it from concept to company
22.28-Ed tells us how he knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur
24.43-Failures Ed has experienced and what he learned from them
27.13-The values Edammo strives to orient their customers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders around
29.40-The most concerning challenges “that keep him up at night” and what Ed is doing to address them
34.00-How Ed is expanding the team and ensuring everyone brought on adopts and shares his values
35.55-Ed’s advice to entrepreneurs on handling stress and anxiety
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/05/04/ai-reimagined-how-smaller-data-sets-hold-the-key-to-better-business-insights/
Highlighted portions of interview with Garrett Rokosh, Cofounder and Managing Partner of Social Architect
1:05-Social Architects mission and how they enhance empathic communication among teams
6:40-Garrett’s experience with “regular work” and how companies are impacted by withholding cultures
19:39-Confronting legacy companies reluctance to admit they have a problem
30:40-Garrett’s favorite part of being an entrepreneur
34:35-How COVID and WFH have impacted the mission of Social Architect
37:55-Maintaining balance between entrepreneurial passion and regular life
41:45-Words of advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/04/27/increasing-empathy-how-to-architect-safe-communication/
Podcast Highlights Robert’s entrepreneurial journey and all of its twists and turns
0.56-All about how Maxine’s makes its exquisite treats
6.42-Robert’s background and how he found his calling
10.29-Robert’s experience with his team and thoughts on the importance of teamwork
16.10-Greatest challenges and how the team at Maxine’s overcome them
24.25-Robert’s favorite thing about being an entrepreneur
28.36-Robert’s favorite cookie
32.10-The importance of values and the challenges of living up to them
35.33-Unexpected things that have happened
38.55-Up next on the roadmap
40.12-Words of advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/04/13/heavenly-delights-how-maxines-makes-delicious-vegan-cookies/
Podcast Highlights Olga’s journey to creating Mellivora
1.12-Olga’ background and what led her to create Mellivora
9.20-Bridging the gap with customers and overcoming challenges
16.30-Taking on the risk of entrepreneurship as a mother
21.15-What Olga enjoys most about being an entrepreneur
24.39-Deciding on roles
29.40-Hiring the right talent
33.07-Balancing work and life
36.00-Words of advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/04/06/mellivora-upgrading-enterprises-with-devops-nlp-and-big-data-solution/
Some parts got cut off due to bad connection, I included the transcript of those parts here: 1:15-Rohan: “I’d be speaking and understanding that we both are aligned towards the same goal is to help other entrepreneurs make the entrepreneurship community more inclusive”
6:15-Rohan: “Right now there are so many entrepreneurs”
11:15-Rohan: “I want to mention that as a co-founder”
Podcast Highlights
Rohan’s journey to mentoring startups
0.08-Rohan’s massively transformative purpose (MTP)
2.41-How the business is structured and revenue streams
4.39-Partners
6.09-Value proposition
8.04-Short and long term plans
10.11-Roles and responsibilities
13.16-Hiring plans
16.25-Additional plans for the road map
18.08-Biggest challenges faced
21.27-Balancing work and life
26.40-Words of advice for entrepreneursThis episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/01/19/interview-with-rohan-aurora-startup/
Podcast Highlights Highlights about Nick’s journey to producing healthy food for the masses
1.04-Nick’s background, how he started Ready Strong Meals, and what he does best
9.37-Making the leap from a comfortable and lucrative job to an entrepreneurial endeavor
13.28-Dealing with discomfort and anxiety
17.39-Dealing with problems as they arise
22.34-What Nick would have done differently
32.07-The role of technology
36.46-Work/life balance
40.15-Book recommendations for entrepreneurs
41.47-Parting advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/01/26/ready-strong-meals-how-healthy-and-delicious-food-is-made-easy/
Podcast Highlights Sarah’s journey to fitness expertise
1.19-Sarah’s background and how she got into Pilates
6.59-History and fundamentals of Pilates
10.30-Sarah’s work with a Montreal hockey team
15.43-Sarah’s first studio and experience opening a business in a foreign country
17.27-Sarah’s move to NY and starting another studio
22.47-What, if anything, she wishes she had known in hindsight
28.45-Favorite part of being an entrepreneur
35.11-The fitness industry in the world of COVID
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/02/02/how-to-turn-fitness-fanaticism-into-business/
Podcast Highlights Step by step walkthrough of Sethu’s journey through software application management entrepreneurialism
1.08-Explanation of what software asset management is
12.31-Discussion of greatest challenges
19.50-What’s happened that Sethu did not really expect
22.22-What did you not know that you wish you did?
27.48-Taking on the risk of creating a startup as a family man
34.06-How the decision was made for Sethu to become CEO
38.00-Roadmap for future growth
40.31-Sethu discusses work/life balance
44.20-Website and book recommendations
47.06-Words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/02/09/software-application-management-how-to-make-sense-of-it-all/
Podcast Highlights Highlighted portions of interview with language aficionados and entrepreneurs James and Ulrik
1.06-Background on Leerly, language learning platform
9.11-Product validation methods
12.21-How Leerly has gotten its first customers
14.21-Biggest challenges faced
19.00-Dealing with discouragement and keeping your spirits up
23.06-What happened that they didn’t expect
28.29-Things they’ve learned they wish they knew beforehand
31.34-What’s next on the roadmap
41.49-Work/life balance
47.38-Words of advice for fellow entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/02/16/talking-and-communicating-how-to-enhance-language-learning/
Podcast Highlights Highlighted portions about Rene’s journey through Mixed Martial Arts entrepreneurship. Link to transcript at the bottom.
0.26-How Rene deals with imposter syndrome and self doubt
5.09-The definition of Kung Fu
15.07-The Japanese way of thinking and emphasis on long term success
18.36-The importance of vision
21.20-The challenge of COVID
32.20-Coping during incredibly challenging times
39.37-Parting words of advice for entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/02/23/mixed-martial-arts-how-self-defense-makes-for-good-business/
Podcast Highlights Highlighted portions of interview with the co-founders of Seek, the next big thing in travel technology.
0.47-Background of Seek and what brought them to create the app
4.34-Helaina’s role promoting Seek on social media
6:43-Shanna’s career background
10.56-Helaina’s background
13.55-The impact of COVID
18.10-More detail on how Helaina has been promoting the brand on social media
23.19-What they love most about being entrepreneurs
27.11-Biggest challenges Seek has faced
33.07-The culture they’re building at Seek
39.11-Achieving work/life balance
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/03/02/unlocking-your-social-circle-how-to-seek-the-perfect-travel-experience/
Podcast Highlights Breakdown of how GameOn is shaking up the sports world
1.10-Jimmy’s Background
4.02-Gerald’s Background
8.30-The founders vision for the app
19.56-Early momentum, how the ball got rolling (excuse the pun)
29.10-The impact of COVID and how they’ve dealt with it
40.28-Biggest challenges of being an entrepreneur
45.38-Advice for fellow entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/03/16/get-your-game-on-how-one-company-is-changing-the-world-of-sports/
Podcast Highlights Important points about how hollr is helping the world better connect.
1.13-Dave’s background
6.00-Example of how where hollr adds value-the restaurant industry
14.22-Additional value. Cutting down on clicks and capturing customer attention
17.53-Biggest challenges faced thus far
28.35-Favorite part of being an entrepreneur
35.05-Balancing work and life
39.03-Advice for fellow entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/03/23/hollr-at-me-the-best-new-way-to-connect/
Modern Action is a new platform democratizing activism, making online activism easier and more effective than ever.
Podcast Highlights
Breakdown of all the highlights about how Modern Action is changing activism.
2.21-How Modern Action works to democratize activism
7.18-Why Colum chose activism for his entrepreneurial endeavor
9.41-How Modern Action makes money
12.36-What Colum has noticed about usage and growth
14.06-The future direction of the company
17.23-The biggest challenges Modern Action has faced
19.38-The benefits of a cofounder
24.20-How roles were decided
Podcast Highlights Garrett’s journey to creating Authenticity
1:10-The origins of Authenticity
7:50-The medicinal aspects of gamifying marriage
12:20-Testing the value and product/market fit
15:10-Next steps and roadmap
19:00-Fundraising
25:00-A startling moment in the journey that led here; how Garrett rediscovered his creativity
29:55-Most difficult challenges
35:00-Maintaining work/life balance
39:24-Taking on the risk of entrepreneurship
43:25-Advice for fellow entrepreneurs
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://themavenshavens.com/2021/03/30/maintaining-your-authenticity-how-to-gamify-marriage/