AI and other emerging tools have made it easier than ever for the next generation to start a business. But launching something and building something people actually use? That’s a whole different game. I’m Hendrick McConnell, and this is Varsity Ventures — a podcast where I interview both rising and seasoned entrepreneurs to uncover what it really takes to create something that lasts. This show is for teens who are dreaming of starting a business, now or in the future.
Varsity Ventures
Claim This Podcastby Hendrick McConnell
11 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
42
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality58
Social0
YouTube66
Engagement0
Podcast Overview
AI and other emerging tools have made it easier than ever for the next generation to start a business. But launching something and building something people actually use? That’s a whole different game. I’m Hendrick McConnell, and this is Varsity Ventures — a podcast where I interview both rising and seasoned entrepreneurs to uncover what it really takes to create something that lasts. This show is for teens who are dreaming of starting a business, now or in the future.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
7/7/2025
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42
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality58
Social0
YouTube66
Engagement0
7
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3
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9
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
22 minutes
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good
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Every 12 days
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Recent Episodes
June 10, 2026
From College Project to 30-Year Tech Company: Dallas Kashuba's DreamHost Story
<p>What does it take to build a technology company that lasts nearly 30 years?</p><p>In this episode of Varsity Ventures, I sit down with Dallas Kashuba, co-founder of DreamHost, one of the world's largest web hosting companies. Dallas shares how DreamHost started as a college project, why the company chose to remain bootstrapped, and how it grew into a business supporting millions of websites.</p><p>We discuss the early days of the internet, the rise of AI, the importance of open-source software, lessons from decades of entrepreneurship, and why founders should carefully think before raising venture capital.</p><p>Whether you're interested in startups, technology, or building something that lasts, this conversation offers practical insights from someone who has experienced multiple generations of change in the tech industry. </p><p>If you want to learn more about Dallas or his journey, follow him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallaskashuba/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
April 1, 2026
From Big Tech to Founder: Nathalie Walton on Building and Exiting a Mission-Driven Startup
<p>Nathalie Walton’s career began in big tech, with leadership roles at Google, Airbnb, and eBay. But after experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, she saw firsthand how challenging the journey into parenthood can be and felt compelled to build something that could help.</p><p>In this episode, Nathalie shares her path from tech executive to startup founder. She explains how she joined and then took over Expectful, raised $4 million in just 90 days, scaled the company, and ultimately led it through a successful acquisition.</p><p>Nathalie also breaks down how she approached fundraising, built relationships with future acquirers early, navigated uncertainty as a first-time CEO, and managed crises from industry shifts to global events. She explains how she uses AI as a strategic thinking partner, why founders should think about their exit strategy early, and why young people are uniquely positioned to build impactful companies today.</p><p>This conversation offers practical insight into leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build a company with purpose. You can learn more about Nathalie on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliewalton/.</p>
November 20, 2025
Episode 8: Michelle Stephens on What It Takes to Build Health Tech
<p>Former pediatric nurse and Oath Care co-founder Michelle Stephens Ph.D. joins Varsity Ventures for an unfiltered breakdown of what it actually takes to build in health tech.</p><p>Michelle talks about her academic past, how she jumped from nursing to a startup, and what she learned the hard way about venture capital, product timing, and selling a healthcare vision in a world that moves faster than medicine can.</p><p>Now the Chief Revenue Officer at Felt, Michelle explains why the next wave of care won’t happen in clinics at all - it’ll happen inside the apps people already use every day. She pulls back the curtain on what’s broken, what founders get wrong, and where AI fits (and absolutely doesn’t).</p><p>If you want a real look at what building in healthcare actually demands - not the glossy version - this episode is worth your time. You can follow Michelle and her work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michelle-stephens/ or got https://www.feltclinic.com/.</p>
11 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Varsity Ventures?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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