Gildre Spotlight

About Gildre Spotlight

Most founder podcasts are fluff. Not this one. Real founders. Real strategies. Real results. Hosted by Taiga Gamell, he interviews founders who’ve scaled companies, raised capital, and know what actually works. Every episode: 30-50 minutes with one founder who’s been from start to scale. The pivots that saved them. The mistakes that cost six figures. The growth hacks that 10x’d revenue. No theory. No BS. Just tactical advice from entrepreneurs who’ve raised millions, built teams, and created real exits. Subscribe. Take notes. Build something that matters.

Publisher

Gildre.com

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Aug 2023

Latest episode

28 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

53 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Aug 2026

   53. Why This Founder Bet $140 Million on Laundry

   Join the Gildre Community: https://www.gildre.com/membership (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rUXROTW9IbWN0X01BR2FkeVJfYkhUTXxBTl9pYzRjMF9yZTFsSGxDQWhGNWpXbzk4U002TXBjSGk2ZFNBRmE0OGVDQnUyX0pEYk5UNHN6aXpLenlWbTJWQkxVODVtM2xLVVRLQ3owZFNfaERqZ2kzQkZyeVZBVW93M1p5&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gildre.com%2Fmembership&v=_XavBEfBAQA)Free Newsletter: https://gildre-for-founders.beehiiv.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rUlRlUXJRNkZrcUpTWkxtX2NhRW51VnxBTl9pYzRjZ0tyRVV5b1czeEVNcTFFRzNjUmZIcGxYMENsQUZHVWRpd1UtZ3gtN1dVdGV1T0Q2NkY2TU9aTWRZVzdZSzNoYkNCaDJnLUk0SjdNOVZDdmw0YWxDekZvZ2Z2ZUpB&q=https%3A%2F%2Fgildre-for-founders.beehiiv.com%2F&v=_XavBEfBAQA)The advice that wins in SaaS can fail spectacularly in the real world of small businesses. Alex Jekowski has raised nearly a quarter billion dollars, built two companies, and turned Sense into a category-defining platform for laundromats and other overlooked verticals by betting on what most investors dismissed: hardware, software, and the operators powering the business.If you’re a founder trying to find product-market fit, raise smarter, or build in an industry people keep calling "unsexy," this conversation will change how you think about scaling. Alex breaks down why he never owned stores, why the best advisors give brutal feedback, and why the biggest opportunity often lives with the people everyone else underestimates.You'll discover: How a college startup evolved from campus classifieds into a payments business serving student life commerce The exact lessons Alex carried from his first exit into Sense, including co-founder selection, fundraising timing, and capital discipline The culture framework behind Sense’s extremely high employee retention and near-perfect customer retention Why falling in love with the problem beats chasing the founder identityWhy laundromat operators resisted "Silicon Valley tech" at first, and how trust became the real moatAlex also shares what surprised him most about raising a quarter billion dollars, why hardware looked "dumb" to investors until it suddenly looked inevitable, and how Sense is expanding beyond laundromats into dry cleaning, shared laundry rooms, RV parks, multifamily, and campuses.This is essential listening if you want the unfiltered version of building a venture-scale company in a market most people ignore, and the mindset shifts that keep founders from chasing hype instead of real value.

2. 

   23 Jul 2026

   52. The Hidden Power of Challenging Yourself Every Day as an Entrepreneur

   Join the Gildre Community: https://www.gildre.com/membership Free Newsletter: https://gildre-for-founders.beehiiv.com/ Unlock the secrets to transforming your entrepreneurial journey with insights from Cody Graham, COO of SoGo and a dedicated lifelong learner. Imagine building a product that genuinely changes lives—Cody shares how a simple idea and relentless curiosity can turn into a nationwide movement that connects people through food, community, and personal growth. Most founders kill their biggest opportunities by sticking to conventional paths. Cody's story of meeting his co-founders in a Scotland flat, and his pivot from corporate roles to launching SoGo, reveals how serendipity, boldness, and continuous learning can accelerate success. From his early career navigating Agile as a Scrum Master, to leveraging AI for smarter product development, Cody emphasizes the power of adaptability and pushing beyond comfort zones to solve real-world problems. In this episode, you'll discover: The crucial mindset shifts that enabled Cody to transition from corporate roles at DuPont and Fusion 92 to leading a revolutionary restaurant curation app. How a random flatmate in Scotland became a lifelong partner in building a venture driven by community, authenticity, and user-centric design. Practical strategies for integrating AI into your workflow without losing sight of the human element and quality. The importance of genuine relationships, boundaries, and clear communication—especially when working with friends and co-founders. Why doing one thing well, focusing on solving everyday problems, can create lasting impact and loyal customers. Why does it matter? Because in a world flooded with options, real innovation and authenticity stand out. Cody’s story demonstrates how embracing change, challenging assumptions, and relentlessly pursuing value-driven products can open doors to markets and opportunities you never imagined. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, product creator, or someone seeking lifelong growth, this episode offers actionable insights to fuel your journey and inspire you to build something meaningful. Perfect for entrepreneurs, product builders, and anyone eager to turn ideas into impactful realities—tune in to learn how a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and purpose can reshape your path and create lasting success. Cody Graham is COO of SoGo, a community-focused restaurant app, and a Gildre member with a background in product development and AI integration. His journey from corporate roles to startup success is driven by a passion for building accessible, personalized solutions that improve lives.

3. 

   7 May 2026

   51. How Asking Questions With the ASLA Principle Can Double Your Income

   Join the Gildre Community: https://www.gildre.com/membership Free Newsletter: https://gildre-for-founders.beehiiv.com/ Unlock the secret to exponential growth through the power of genuine connection and servant leadership—lessons from a seasoned entrepreneur who built multiple successful ventures from scratch. When most people focus solely on transactions, they miss the transformative impact of relationships. Steve Ramona reveals how authentic networking at places like gyms, restaurants, and community events can turn casual encounters into lifelong opportunities—just like it did for his fitness and restaurant businesses, and even his recycling company. Dive into concrete frameworks like the ASLA principle—Ask, Listen, Learn, Act—that have fueled not only his business success but also his ability to connect deeply with others. You’ll discover: - How building a network in a health club led to launching a record-breaking restaurant and recycling business in Silicon Valley. - The surprising role gyms and community spaces play in cultivating powerful relationships and business opportunities. - The mindset shifts—such as practicing humility and asking questions—that turn everyday interactions into valuable connections. - Why asking questions and listening actively can double your income and elevate your leadership skills. - The importance of lifelong learning, humility, and serving others without expectation—principles that can transform your personal and professional life. Whether you’re a founder, sales professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is a masterclass in doing business with a servant’s heart. Missing out on these insights could mean passing up on the relationships and opportunities that could redefine your career and life. Perfect for anyone committed to growth, connection, and making a meaningful impact—because in business, the real asset is people. Will you step into the power of service and authentic connection? Steve Ramona is an accomplished podcaster, TV host, and business mentor known for his authentic approach to networking and leadership. His eclectic background—from fitness to food, electronics recycling, and media—demonstrates how genuine relationships and continuous learning can propel you to new heights. Get ready to change your perspective on networking, sales, and leadership—this isn’t just theory, it’s proven real-world success. Hit play and start transforming your relationships into your greatest business assets.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

39,877

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

25

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

60