We often excuse morally questionable behavior with ‘that’s just business’. But is it possible to build companies we’re proud of without making decisions we’re not proud of? Join your hosts Drew Lyton and Henry Burreson each week as we explore this question and what it means to build a ‘Just Business’.
Stay part-time until you have none | Ep 14 Just Business
Drew and Henry explore the limits of efficiency, the perils of charisma in startups, and the optimal time to go full-time as a founder, delivering insights for entrepreneurs to navigate the challenges of building a business.
18 Nov 2024
Is democracy actually worth it? | Ep 13 Just Business
Is Democracy the Best Model for Companies? Analyzing Ancient Athens and Modern Workplaces
In this episode, the hosts delve into the complexities of democracy, both historically and within modern organizational structures. Inspired by a podcast episode featuring Lauren Sammons, they discuss the rise and fall of Athens as a democracy and debate whether democracy is the ultimate form of governance. They also explore the implications of democratic principles in business settings, the challenges of ethical decision-making, the role of leadership, and the intricacies of starting co-ops in the U.S. It's a politically charged discussion that bridges history, economics, and contemporary issues in entrepreneurship.
11 Nov 2024
Max Gain or Min Harm? | Ep 12 Just Business
Facing Ethical Dilemmas in Business & The Role of AI in Solving Loneliness
Welcome to Just Business! This week, Henry and I delve into the ethical quandaries businesses face when their products cause unintended harm. We share thoughts on AI's potential—and limitations—in addressing the loneliness epidemic. We then discuss our personal struggles with sales and profitability, and how transparency and minimizing harm can play a crucial role. Join us for an enlightening conversation that touches on social responsibility, ethical entrepreneurship, and the future of human connection in a tech-driven world.
4 Nov 2024
Build bridges not moats | Ep 11 Just Business
Compete or Collaborate? The Startup Dilemma | Just Business Podcast
Join us on this episode of Just Business as we explore the startup landscape and the potential benefits of collaborating with competitors. We discuss the power of low-code and no-code tools in launching MVPs, and the crucial decision of knowing when to quit your startup. Tune in for insights, personal experiences, and practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating the challenging world of startups.
28 Oct 2024
Are Founders Just Liars? | Ep 10 Just Business
Navigating Startup Ethics, Promises, and Emotional Journeys: Essential Insights for Founders
In this comprehensive episode of Just Business, we explore the complex landscape of startup ethics, the balance between visionary leadership and honesty, and the emotional journey of shutting down a business. We discuss the temptation founders face to stretch the truth in pitch competitions, the potential for small exaggerations to lead to large-scale fraud, and the crucial balance between excitement and transparency. Leveraging real-world examples, such as the stories of Jesse Liu and Elizabeth Holmes, we highlight common pitfalls and the importance of staying truthful. The episode also delves into the practical and emotional aspects of shutting down a startup, offering personal experiences, essential steps, and strategies for supporting employees through transitions. Lastly, we provide practical advice on defining and maintaining focus in your Minimal Viable Product (MVP) to avoid scope creep. Join us to gain valuable insights on minimizing ethical lapses, managing promises, and navigating the end of a startup journey.
21 Oct 2024
Why do we do Entrepreneurship? | Ep 9 Just Business
Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Reality: Myths, Motivations, and Practical Advice
Join us in this episode of Just Business as we uncover the harsh truths of entrepreneurship. We dive into the motivations behind starting a business, dispel common myths, and address the real-world challenges from launching products to managing financial struggles. Discover the crucial role of prototyping with traditional tools, the importance of user feedback, and practical insights on creating MVPs. Emphasizing the journey over the end goal, we discuss the importance of small victories, the reality of long hours, and the dedication needed to overcome obstacles. Tune in for a sobering yet inspiring look at what it means to be an entrepreneur.
14 Oct 2024
Democratizing vs Financializing | Ep 8 Just Business
Democratization in Startups, Tools vs Terminals and Building Relationships with Competitors
In this episode of Just Business, we dive deep into the topic of democratizing access with startups. Are you truly democratizing or just creating a financialized market? We explore how business models influence product development and the pros and cons of tools versus terminals. Finally, we tackle the often-avoided topic of why fostering a relationship with your competitors can be crucial for startup success. Join the conversation as we challenge conventional wisdom and offer fresh insights. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments!
7 Oct 2024
Are you creating more problems than you're solving? | Ep 7 Just Business
Navigating Startup Trade-Offs & Assessing The Ethics of the Gig Economy
This week on Just Business, we're diving into the complexities of startup trade-offs and the gig economy. We'll explore how businesses can sometimes create more problems than they solve and look at the winners and losers 15 years into the gig economy. Lastly, Henry and I discuss the simplest ways to differentiate your business. From the pitfalls of the scooter startup saga with Bird and Lime to the realities of Uber and Lyft's employee classification challenges, this episode is packed with insights on creating a sustainable and ethical business model. Join us for an in-depth conversation on balancing innovation, regulation, and responsibility in the entrepreneurial world.
30 Sept 2024
Do you REALLY want to be a monopoly? | Ep 6 Just Business
Balancing Business Success - Google's Monopoly, Entrepreneurial Burnout, and Website Building
In this episode of Just Business, we discuss three impactful topics for entrepreneurs. First, the US Justice Department's ruling that Google is a monopoly — we explore what this means for competitive practices and market dominance.
Second, we dive into the concept of burnout and how it can paradoxically play a useful role in an entrepreneur's journey.
Lastly, Henry shares his experience and challenges transitioning from Framer to Wix while building his new startup's landing page. Join us for nuanced conversations and practical insights!
23 Sept 2024
Can you own an idea? | Ep 5 Just Business
Owning Ideas, Overcoming Self-Doubt, and Building Trust in New Ventures
Henry's new startup website: https://www.repbot.io/
In this episode of Just Business, we delve into the complex world of idea ownership and the challenges entrepreneurs face in protecting their concepts. We discuss the importance of execution over mere ideation, the nuances of intellectual property laws, and the moral dilemmas related to patenting innovations.
The conversation also explores strategies for dealing with self-doubt as an entrepreneur and highlights personal anecdotes that resonate with many in the business world.
Finally, we address the challenge of building trust and authority with a new business, offering insights on authentic branding and customer engagement.
16 Sept 2024
Is Apple Still Innovating? Do They Have To? | Ep 4 Just Business
In this episode of Just Business, Drew and Henry discuss Apple's latest iPhone launch and whether the tech giant has lost its innovative edge. They also delve into the concept of 'founder mode' as popularized by Brian Chesky of Airbnb and Paul Graham of Y Combinator, questioning the necessity of constant innovation and the pressures faced by tech founders. Lastly, they share a three-step framework for kickstarting your startup idea. Tune in for insights on innovation, leadership, and practical startup advice.
9 Sept 2024
Why Are Companies Authoritarian | Ep 3 Just Business
In this episode, we delve into why many companies operate like authoritarian regimes even within democratic societies. We'll also discuss whether YouTube should be allowed to train AI on creators' videos, and the balance between product development and customer engagement in the early days of building a company.
Join hosts Drew and Henry as they tackle these compelling topics while exploring the implications for entrepreneurs and the broader business landscape. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation about creating more fair and just businesses!
Startups look into https://www.start.coop/https://startcoop.notion.site/Meet-the-Start-coop-Portfolio-155711f34937461ba1a1304f72ee732d
2 Sept 2024
Do Algorithms Have Responsibility? | Ep 2 Just Business
In this episode, we discuss whether social media companies should be responsible for minimizing the harms of political polarization, explore how to maintain friendships with co-founders, and examine ways to attract and build a founding team for a cooperative business.
Topics include the ethical responsibilities of tech developers, the impact of algorithmically generated feeds on political discourse, and strategies for sustaining strong personal relationships in startup environments. Additionally, we delve into the unique challenges of forming cooperative businesses and debate whether current startup culture prioritizes speed over sustainable, relationship-centered growth.
26 Aug 2024
What's Wrong with Small Businesses? | Ep 1 Just Business
Does Size Matter? Exploring the Pressures and Realities of Growing a Business
Join Henry and Drew as they delve into the complexities of business size and growth. Based on their experiences and current entrepreneurial journeys, they discuss the pressures to rapidly scale businesses and the preconceived notions that influence these decisions.
They explore alternatives to high-growth models, the risks of taking external investment, and the potential benefits of maintaining a smaller, more sustainable business. This episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to balance growth with quality of life and long-term success.
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