Entrepreneurship is complicated. So the show is simple. In each episode, we focus on one practical aspect of the day-to-day experience of being an early-stage startup founder, particularly in the Midwest. We cover everything from go-to-market strategies and marketing execution to mental resilience and mentorship.
Each week, we speak with an "entrepreneurial resource, " such as an experienced founder, investor, or other professional, who provides perspective on the topic of the day, and a founder of an early-stage startup, who pitches his or her company and offers practical guidance.
Epoch Boats (https://epochboats.com/) is building the first skiff boat designed with foils and electric propulsion using cutting-edge engineering and technology. Cruising at speeds of more than 30 mph while producing only 1% of the carbon emissions produced by traditional combustion engine boats, Epoch's watercraft provide the optimal mix of performance and environmental impact.
Are you a founder looking to be matched with early-stage investors who are experts in your industry? Apply to be a part of Founders Trust Network at https://airtable.com/shrxI7QVlToNTLY4C (https://airtable.com/shrxI7QVlToNTLY4C).
Are you an angel investor or early-stage VC fund looking to connect with startups curated to match your specific investing parameters? Sign up to join our community of FTN investors at https://airtable.com/shrBmd8lWM9PTcIKS (https://airtable.com/shrBmd8lWM9PTcIKS).
9 Sept 2022
Startup Spotlight: Genetica
Genetica is a consumer commerce tool that uses its “Flora” artificial intelligence across Cannabis and CBD dispensaries to provide personalized recommendations for the customer. Flora represents a data pool of over 650 million sources utilized in real-time to scientifically select the best product recommendations for individual consumers. Learn more about the company at https://www.getgenetica.com/ (https://www.getgenetica.com/)!
Are you a founder looking to be matched with early-stage investors who are experts in your industry? Apply to be a part of Founders Trust Network at https://airtable.com/shrxI7QVlToNTLY4C (https://airtable.com/shrxI7QVlToNTLY4C).
Are you an angel investor or early-stage VC fund looking to connect with startups curated to match your specific investing parameters? Sign up to join our community of FTN investors at https://airtable.com/shrBmd8lWM9PTcIKS (https://airtable.com/shrBmd8lWM9PTcIKS).
17 Aug 2022
Startup Spotlight: Damn Right Cocktails
Damn Right Cocktails is a new line of "ready-to-drink" ("RTD") tequila beverages focused on providing millennial women with a drink made just for them. Made with 100% agave tequila and USDA certified organic, Damn Right beverages can be found in Costco, Goody Goody, and Fiesta Beverage in CA, TX, CO, MA, and RI. Product is currently being rolled out in AZ, IL, NY, NY, GA, and FL. If you're interested in connecting with the company or checking out other startups that are part of the Founders Trust Network, join for free today at https://airtable.com/shrBmd8lWM9PTcIKS (https://airtable.com/shrBmd8lWM9PTcIKS).
27 Jul 2022
Startup Spotlight: Tallysight
Our first Startup Spotlight segment features Tallysight, the content marketing & monetization platform used by thousands of sports gaming media teams and creators to eliminate time-consuming work, scale creator-driven content, and grow revenue in sports gaming. Gavin Gilfand walks through an overview of the company, providing insight into Tallysight's model, traction, and future prospects.
Learn more about the company at tallysight.com!
27 Apr 2021
Groovy with Improovy: Andre Kazimierski
I spoke with Andre Kazimierski, the founder of Improovy, which matches customers with vetted, trustworthy painters and home improvement professionals.
Andre and I discuss the founding story of Improovy, why he’s so invested in changing the status quo for service businesses, his focus on being an “engine of delight” for his customers, and a whole lot more. Check out https://www.improovy.com/ (https://www.improovy.com/) the next time you need a trusted, reliable professional painter for your home improvement project!
22 Apr 2021
Lessons from WealthBlock: Trill Jeong
I spoke with Trill Jeong, the founder of WealthBlock, which streamlines fundraising and LP management for PE and VC firms, hedge funds, and other capital raisers.
Trill and I discuss the origins of WealthBlock, his passion for investing, building confidence as a first-time founder, setting up a system to bring top talent to your team, and a whole lot more.
25 Mar 2021
Knowing When to Pivot: Joe Lee, Gamerjibe
Today, we’re discussing the one word founders dread: pivoting. I spoke with Joe Lee, the founder of Gamerjibe, one of Chicago’s hot new startups that connects people through the gamification of virtual events.
Joe and I discuss Gamerjibe’s evolution over time, the pivot that brought them to find their niche for success, and raising venture capital funding for the first time. As part of our conversation, Joe shares his thoughts on the importance of finding early advocates for your startup.
23 Mar 2021
Scaling Through Tech: Daleele Alison, RooksDM
Today, we’re discussing how founders can scale by automating the processes that eat up their daily schedule. I spoke with Daleele Alison, a cofounder of RooksDM, a technology service provider that scales professional services firms through automated systems and processes.
Daleele and I discuss the importance of creating and understanding your process for even the most simple of tasks, how simple automations can result in massive leverage of time and resources, and the unfortunate reality that not everything can actually be automated. As part of our conversation, Daleele offers some great advice on how to streamline your customer onboarding process.
9 Mar 2021
Building a Personal Brand: George and Sami Jarjour, Sports On Tap
Today, we’re discussing how founders can build their personal brands through social media and integrate them into the fabric of their overall company brand. I spoke with George & Sami Jarjour, the founders of Sports On Tap, a national sports media company.
George, Sami, and I discuss their company’s origin story coming from an entrepreneurial family who immigrated from Syria and how they’re tying that legacy of entrepreneurship and brotherhood into their personal brands. I am excited to share the brothers' story with you in this authentic and honest episode.
4 Mar 2021
From Service-Based to Scale: Cory Roberson, FIN Compliance
Today, we’re discussing how founders can take service-based businesses and scale them into tech-driven startups. I spoke with Cory Roberson, founder of FIN Compliance.
Cory and I discuss the mindset needed to scale services through tech, the importance of implementing a system of repeatable processes, how to fundraise with a service-focused business model, and a whole lot more.
25 Feb 2021
Instilling A Culture of Effective Management: Erin Brown, Lead Connext
Today, we’re discussing how founders can start building a culture of effective management in their startups. In this episode, I spoke with Erin Brown, the founder of Lead Connext.
Erin and I discuss why “management” often gets a bad rap, the importance of structure in facilitating good management principles, the idea of management vs. mentorship, and a whole lot more.
And stick around to the end of the episode for how you can enter our contest for a free 3-minute promotional video for your startup!
23 Feb 2021
Developing Your Leadership Skills: Cassa Grant
Today, we’re discussing how founders can start developing their leadership skills from Day One of their startup journey. I spoke with leadership coach, world traveler, and overall badass, Cassa Grant.
Cassa and I discuss what it means to be an “offbeat leader”, the factors that most often hold people back from achieving their leadership potential, how to instill a culture of leadership in your startup, and a whole lot more.
And stick around to the end of the episode for how you can enter our contest for a free invitation to Clubhouse!
18 Feb 2021
Developing Your Marketing Skills as a Founder: Keith Kriegler, Savvyeur
You can’t sell your product or service unless you get it in front of the right people. Even if you’re the most technical founder out there, you still need to understand how to tee up your solution for your target customers. So today, we’re discussing how founders can develop their marketing skills without spending a lot of time or money. I spoke with Keith Kriegler, the founder of Savvyeur, a Chicago-based startup helping entrepreneurs apply effective marketing campaigns to achieve their business goals through online courses, coaching sessions, and done-for-you execution services.
Keith and I discuss why it’s important for founders to build a foundational understanding of marketing, the necessary alignment between strategy and tactics, and some areas of marketing that serve as good starting points for entrepreneurs to begin their marketing education. Keith brings more than 20 years of experience in the field and is a terrific mentor to first-time founders.
And Stick around until the end of the episode for a discount code to take 20% off the purchase of a course on the Savvyeur platform!
16 Feb 2021
Living Your Mission: Loren Taylor, AwokeNet
Today, we’re discussing how founders can build and lead their startups in ways that are authentic to their mission. I spoke with Loren Taylor, the founder of AwokeNet, a Chicago-based startup providing reliable, vetted content about social justice work, organizations, and activists. Loren is fighting the growing trend of misinformation online in order to eliminate the noise that distracts and detracts from the necessary and powerful work that people are doing to advance various social justice causes.
Loren and I discuss what it means to build a mission-driven business, how to lead in a way that’s authentic to your mission, and how to make tough decisions in the face of conflicting incentives and beliefs. Loren's tremendous energy and passion for his work is evident in all that he does.
And stick around until the end of the episode for a Twitter resource that all first-time founders should be following!
11 Feb 2021
Planning and Executing a Product Launch: Cathy Kenworthy, Health Hippo
In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Kenworthy, an experienced founder, investor, and advisor in Chicago’s healthcare ecosystem. Cathy is a terrific mentor offering practical, thoughtful guidance for early-stage founders.
Cathy and I discuss her approach to planning a product launch, some thoughts on sourcing feedback from early adopters, and her perspective on the future of medtech.
As always, stick around to the end of the episode for a free giveaway of an email sequence that you can take and use to help generate some buzz around your own product launch!
9 Feb 2021
Planning and Executing a Product Launch: Gerald and Colton Horn, Breinfuel
Today, we’re discussing how startups can successfully plan and execute an initial product launch. I spoke with Gerald and Colton Horn, the founders of Breinfuel, one of the hottest startups in Chicago that just launched its premium line of cerebral beverages. Stay tuned for their pitch to kick off our conversation!
Gerald, Colton, and I then discuss their approach to product development and branding to launch a successful consumer product. They are two of the most energetic founders to emerge on the Chicago startup scene this year and offer some terrific advice on how to take your product from an idea and get it into the market.
As always, stick around to the end of the episode for the one tool you should be using any time you’re launching a new product launch or beta release!
4 Feb 2021
Where Founders Should Start: Aimee Venot, Entrepreneurial Resource
Today, we’re discussing how new founders can approach the beginning of their startup journey. I spoke with my good friend, Aimee Venot, a serial entrepreneur, a tech whiz, and one of the sharpest founders in Chicago.
Aimee and I discuss her path as a founder, holding yourself accountable, the benefits of accelerator programs, and a whole lot more, so you don't want to miss Aimee’s terrific advice for first-time entrepreneurs!
And stick around to the end of the episode for a free business idea for an AI startup that you can start building today. All I ask is that you give us a shoutout when you raise that first round of funding!
2 Feb 2021
Where Founders Should Start: Cheri Williams-Franklin, Life Snapshot
Today, we’re discussing how new founders can approach the beginning of their startup journey. I spoke with Cheri Williams-Franklin, the founder of Life Snapshot, an early-stage digital estate planning startup right here in Chicago.
Cheri and I discuss how she started her business, the resources she turned to for guidance as a first-time founder, the benefits of accelerator programs, and a whole lot more. Thank you, Cheri, for sharing your insights and experiences with us!
And stick around to the end of the episode for our first giveaway. Today, we’ll be sharing a tech stack you can use to build and launch a product in less than a week without any code, which is an especially helpful resource for non-technical founders.
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