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The Founder Hour

The Founder Hour

Pat and Posh

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In this podcast series, we hit the road to find and sit down with incredible founders, entrepreneurs, and creators behind some of the world’s most successful and up-and-coming startups, businesses, and movements to document their stories and inspire listeners to turn their ideas into actions.
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Top 10 The Founder Hour Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Founder Hour episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Founder Hour for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Founder Hour episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Jim McKelvey is the co-founder of Square, a financial technology company powering millions of small businesses that he launched in 2009 with Jack Dorsey, who’s also the founder and CEO of Twitter. The company debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and is currently worth about $53 billion.

Jim is also the author of “The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time,” where he breaks down what it truly means to be an entrepreneur and build a world-changing business. It’s one of our personal favorite books that we’ve read in a very long time and we wanted to dive deep into some of the concepts and stories Jim shares in the book, so we definitely recommend picking up a copy if you enjoy this conversation.

We talked about everything from Jim’s personal story and how being an outcast at a young age helped him as an entrepreneur, how he got into glass blowing and eventually opened up his own studio which he still runs today, hiring Jack Dorsey as an intern at his first company and how their relationship has evolved, how losing a sale at his studio gave him the idea for Square, the evolution of the word “entrepreneur” and what it truly means, experience vs. naïveté when it comes to innovation, how he literally built the Square reader and went against Apple’s rule and regulations, the meeting with Steve Jobs that never happened, how they went up against Amazon and won, managing fear and staying motivated, and what his definition of success is.

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Alex Lieberman is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Morning Brew.

Morning Brew is a media company bringing informative and digestible daily business news straight to the inboxes of over 2.5 million subscribers. What started out as a business newsletter by a couple of students at the University of Michigan in 2015 has since grown into a full-fledged media business with several newsletters, podcasts, and much more. In 2020, Morning Brew was acquired by Business Insider for about $75 million.

We had a blast getting to know Alex and hearing about the incredible story of how he built Morning Brew along with his co-founder, Austin!

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Miki Agrawal is the founder of several acclaimed social enterprises: TUSHY, THINX, & WILD. She is also the author of the #1 best-selling books DO COOL SH*T and DISRUPT-HER.

Miki was named "Fast Company's Most Creative People", “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum, and INC's “Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs”.

She passionately speaks about her 15 years of entrepreneurial adventures, from inventing products in taboo categories, to creatively launching them, to marketing and scaling them exponentially, to dealing with shocking setbacks - and she shares her colorful, authentic revelations along the way.

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR? EMAIL US > [email protected]

***

Follow The Founder Hour on:

Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhour

Twitter/X | www.x.com/thefounderhour

LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhour

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Peiman Raf is the co-founder and CEO of Madhappy, an optimistic lifestyle clothing brand focused on positivity and mental health.

Peiman was born in Italy but moved to America at a young age. His parents are Iranian immigrants who ultimately brought their family to America for a better life and more opportunities for Peiman and his younger brother, Noah.

Before launching Madhappy in 2017, Peiman worked as an investment banker in New York for several months after graduating college but quickly realized he wasn’t on a path that he wanted to go down. Over the holidays, while on a ski trip, he reconnected with a couple of friends from high school and discussed the idea of starting a clothing brand - they decided to call it Madhappy (a catchy name that their co-founder and friend, Mason, had come up with a few months prior).

Since then, the four founders (Peiman, Noah, Mason, and their friend Josh), along with their growing team, have gone on to build an incredible community and a brand that stands for something. They’ve put on pop-ups, thrown massive parties, and sold millions of dollars worth of product. In May 2019, they raised a strategic round of capital from high-profile investors such as LVMH, Tommy Hilfiger, and the founders of Sweetgreen.

In this episode, Pat and Posh hang with Peiman at Madhappy HQ to chat about the early days of starting the brand, the mistakes and lessons they’ve learned, and what’s to come for the growing label. They also discuss the topic of mental health and the personal connection to the founding team, how Peiman maintains his own mental sanity while building the next big clothing brand, and his advice to anyone who’s just starting out in the space.

SUBSCRIBE TO TFH NEWSLETTER & STAY UPDATED > http://bit.ly/tfh-newsletter

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR? EMAIL US > [email protected]

***

Follow The Founder Hour on:

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41 is here! On this episode of The Founder Hour, Pat and Posh sit down with Mark Brazil, co-founder of Ikonick.

Ikonick sells super modern, affordable, culture-inspired canvas art that’s solely designed and distributed by Mark and his co-founder, Jeff Cole. In under 2 years, they’ve sold tens of thousands of pieces, generated millions of dollars in revenue, and secured partnerships with Gary Vaynerchuk and Scooter Braun. And they’re just getting started.

Throughout this episode, they talk about Mark’s upbringing in Long Island, NY, what brought him to Los Angeles, how a couple sales jobs early in his career helped shape who he is today, and what sparked the idea for Ikonick.

They also chat about what makes a successful entrepreneur, what it’s like working with social media influencers, and the future of eCommerce and how to play the game while scaling a company in the space.

PROMO CODE ALERT! Head on over to ikonick.com/thefounderhour and use the code FOUNDER15 for 15% off your next order!

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR? EMAIL US > [email protected]

***

Follow The Founder Hour on:

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Twitter/X | www.x.com/thefounderhour

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Daymond John is the founder of FUBU, a hip-hop apparel company and pioneer of the streetwear industry, that he started in 1992 with his three friends from Queens, NY. He’s also the star of ABC’s “Shark Tank” where he’s spent the last 11 years investing in and advising countless startups and entrepreneurs.

In this episode, we spoke with Daymond about his upbringing and what he was like as a kid, some of his formative experiences and entrepreneurial ventures that shaped who he is today, the origin story of FUBU along with its successes and failures, how he ended up on Shark Tank and what most people may not know about the show, and much more.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER & STAY UPDATED > http://bit.ly/tfh-newsletter

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR? EMAIL US > [email protected]

***

Follow The Founder Hour on:

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LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhour

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The Founder Hour - Oren Aks | How Fyre Festival Blew Up
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04/29/19 • 102 min

Oren Aks is the founder of Atomic Milk Media, co-founder of Jerry Media, and former lead designer for Fyre Festival.

In this episode, Pat & Posh hang with Oren to chat about his upbringing, working at Jerry Media, and ultimately leading design, marketing, and strategy for Fyre Festival and his overall involvement with the project.

Whether or not you’ve seen the now infamous documentaries on Netflix and Hulu, you definitely don’t want to miss this epic discussion!

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Joe Gebbia's journey began in Georgia, where his early interest in sports led him to work as a ball boy for the Atlanta Hawks. However, his true passion lay in art, earning him the nickname "art guy" in school as he spent countless hours drawing from comic books. This passion led him to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he discovered industrial design and the work of Charles and Ray Eames. A pivotal moment came when a professor doubted his art project, but Joe secured school funding and proved the professor wrong, showcasing his early entrepreneurial spirit.

At RISD, Joe met Brian Chesky, and he felt an instant connection, believing they would create something significant together. After graduation, Joe moved to San Francisco and convinced Brian to join him, leading to the creation of Airbnb. Faced with skepticism and rejection from investors and law firms, Joe drew on his art background to reframe challenges as opportunities. This resilience paid off as Airbnb became a global phenomenon, changing how people travel and connect.

Joe's journey at Airbnb taught him invaluable leadership lessons and underscored the importance of creativity and innovation. His artistic sensibility helped him approach problems with a fresh perspective, leading to the creation of Samara, a venture focused on reimagining home design. After Airbnb went public, Joe branched Samara out as a separate company, recognizing the potential in the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) space.

Beyond Airbnb, Joe relocated to Austin, Texas, becoming a minority owner of the San Antonio Spurs and aligning his entrepreneurial pursuits with his passion for sports. Committed to making a positive impact, Joe is passionate about causes such as homelessness and environmental sustainability. He also helped establish the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, reflecting his commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. Joe Gebbia's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of dreams, inspiring others to embrace their passions and challenge the status quo.

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The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last. For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

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Still using your personal phone number for your startup in 2024? OpenPhone makes it easy to get business phone numbers for your team with an app that works on both phone and computer. It integrates with CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce, and offers AI-powered call transcripts and summaries. Plus, your whole team can access the same number. Start at $15/user/month, but The Founder Hour listeners get 20% off for 6 months. Visit https://www.openphone.com/founder to start your free trial!

Stressed, sleepless, or need a health boost? Try Magnesium Breakthrough from BiOptimizers! It’s the only supplement with 7 types of magnesium, each with unique benefits like muscle recovery, heart health, and energy production. All-natural, vegan, and gluten-free. Visit www.bioptimizers.com/founderhour and use code FOUNDERHOUR for 10% off.

***

Follow The Founder Hour on:

Instagram | www.instagram.com/thefounderhour

Twitter/X | www.x.com/thefounderhour

LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/company/thefounderhour

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For Episode 34, Pat & Posh sat down with Michael Kay Keshishian to learn about his upbringing as the son of immigrant parents, his sincere love for people, and the life-changing experience he had during a spontaneous trip to a reggae festival that sparked his passion for food and hospitality.

After graduating from culinary school, Michael launched a catering company called Kitchen12000, which quickly became a full-service event production firm after landing a gig (over Wolfgang Puck) to throw a corporate party for Yelp which exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations.

Michael talks about his thoughts on failure, how the past dictates the present and affects the future, stress and anxiety, and his formula for happiness.

If you enjoy deep conversations about life, its meaning, and everything in between, you’re going to love this episode!

SUBSCRIBE TO TFH NEWSLETTER & STAY UPDATED > http://bit.ly/tfh-newsletter

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In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Kym Gold, the entrepreneurial force behind True Religion and Style Union Home. Explore Kym's rise in the fashion world, as she co-founded True Religion, revolutionizing denim. Then, discover her pivot into interior design with Style Union Home, blending fashion and home decor seamlessly.

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The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

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This episode is sponsored by Decrypted Law. They’re pioneers in transparent flat free pricing for startups - no more hidden fees and complex billing structures! They even have a subscription service for fractionalized general counsel and are revolutionizing the way legal services are consumed. For a flat monthly fee, startups can now have access to top-tier, on-demand legal counsel. No more bill shock, just clear, predictable costs.

Learn more and contact them at www.decryptedlaw.com. Make sure to mention The Founder Hour podcast so they know who sent you.

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This episode is sponsored by OLIPOP, a new kind of soda that's actually good for you. It's the fastest-growing beverage brand in America. Gut health matters and OLIPOP has your back. 2 out of 3 Americans suffer from digestive issues, and OLIPOP tackles that with a soda that tastes amazing. With 9 grams of prebiotics in every can, it's the gut-friendly choice you've been waiting for.

Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, Orange Squeeze, Classic Grape, and more. And guess what? OLIPOP has way less sugar than traditional sodas. Vintage Cola only has 2 grams of sugar compared to the 39 grams in a regular Coca-Cola. But it doesn’t stop there.

OLIPOP's drinks are Non-GMO, Vegan, Paleo, and Keto-friendly, with less than 8 grams of net carbs per can. They've got something for everyone.

Ready to give OLIPOP a try? The Founder Hour listeners get 20% off their next order with the code FOUNDER20. Head to their website www.drinkolipop.com or find OLIPOP in over 22,000 stores nationwide.

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The biggest fortunes aren’t made on Wall Street. They’re made way before startups hit the stock market. Consider Mike Walsh, a name just like any of ours who invested $5,000 into Uber. And that investment money? It grew to a staggering $24,827,400!

Such opportunities were once behind closed doors. Reserved for those with connections or vast fortunes. But that’s no more.

StartEngine is tearing down those exclusivity walls and making startup investments accessible to you and me...

With Howard Marks, co-founder of the gaming giant Activision at the helm, StartEngine and its 1.7 million users have fueled startups with over $1.1 billion. This is no longer just an investment platform, but an investing revolution.

And it gets better. They're inviting you to be a part of their journey. With just $500, you can join their live fundraising round and own shares of this revolutionary company.

Visit https://www.startengine.com/offering/startengine5 and jump on board before their investment round wraps up.

Disclosures:
17b disclosure
This Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering. The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns. Number of Users is determined by counting user profiles with unique email addresses which are active and have been confirmed. Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.

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