Gihan Amarasiriwardena, co-founder of Ministry of Supply, discusses the innovative approach his company takes towards performance clothing designed for the modern professional. With a background in engineering and a passion for outdoor activities, Gihan emphasizes the importance of materials innovation and versatility in clothing. He shares insights into the challenges faced by start-ups, particularly in the volatile post-pandemic market, and how they have adapted their supply chain to meet changing consumer demands.

Nico Torteli, a former Olympic swimmer and successful fintech entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from the competitive swimming world to the realm of startups. After a notable athletic career, which included breaking records and competing in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Nico transitioned into finance, co-founding multiple fintech companies in Brazil. His passion for sports and technology culminated in the creation of Sportidia, a social media platform designed to foster community and encourage physical activity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Demi Oloyede is a Veteran, dynamic entrepreneur and the founder of Limpiar, a cutting-edge cleaning service provider leveraging technology and sustainability to redefine industry standards. With a background in IT management and product development, Demi’s journey began as a first-generation immigrant who worked in cleaning services while putting herself through college. Her experiences and insights have fueled her mission to address challenges in the cleaning industry by building accessible, eco-conscious solutions.

Bennett Maxwell, a multifaceted entrepreneur and the founder of Dirty Dough Cookies, shares his inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and innovating in the competitive cookie market. He discusses the unexpected lawsuit from Crumble, a billion-dollar company, which initially seemed like a setback but ultimately became a catalyst for his brand's growth. With a focus on joy and fulfillment, Bennett emphasizes the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, especially after realizing that monetary success does not equate to happiness.

Natalyn Lewis emphasizes the importance of having a crystal clear vision when starting a business, arguing that many entrepreneurs begin their journeys with half-baked ideas that lack direction. Drawing from her extensive experience in both the corporate world and entrepreneurship, she illustrates how self-doubt and imposter syndrome can derail founders. The conversation delves into her personal journey, including her struggles with anxiety and the pivotal moments that led her to become a coach to entrepreneurs.

Jonathan Lowenhar, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO advisor, shares his insights on the journey of founders transitioning into effective CEOs. With nearly 30 years of experience, he has successfully navigated various roles in startups and large companies, ultimately leading him to create Enjoy the Work, a firm dedicated to helping founders develop their leadership skills. Jonathan emphasizes the unique challenges faced by startup CEOs, particularly the lack of formal training and the overwhelming pressure to succeed.

In this enlightening conversation, mindset expert Alicia Kramer shares her insights on how beliefs and self-image shape our capabilities and outcomes in business. She discusses the importance of understanding our subconscious programming and how it influences our actions, particularly for technically-oriented individuals who may struggle with leadership roles. Alicia emphasizes that true success stems from addressing these internal conflicts and cultivating grit, which can be developed through personal growth and determination.

In this conversation, Andrea Stephany shares her journey from being recognized as one of the top 100 young scientists in Europe to co-founding OncoSwap, a startup focused on early lung cancer diagnostics. She discusses her multicultural background, the challenges of starting a business, and her vision for improving lung cancer detection. Andrea emphasizes the importance of grit, the need for more female role models in STEM, and her commitment to inspiring the next generation of women in science and entrepreneurship.

In this conversation, Svetlana shares her remarkable journey from a small town in Siberia to becoming a founder and CEO in Silicon Valley. She discusses her passion for women's health, the transition from her first startup focused on environmental sustainability to her current venture, Strawberry Health, which aims to educate and support women regarding health conditions. Svetlana emphasizes the importance of community building in the FemTech industry and shares insights on balancing family life with entrepreneurship.

In this engaging conversation, Jothy Rosenberg reconnects with Julia, an accomplished entrepreneur and former Olympic athlete. They discuss Julia's journey from sports to startups, her experiences in building successful companies like Sheepdog and Shoelace Learning, and the importance of community and support in entrepreneurship. Julia shares insights on navigating the EdTech landscape, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nova Scotia, and the lessons learned from her Olympic journey.

In this conversation, Jothy and Caity discuss the 9 lessons learned from her first SAAS exit that are now shaping her approach to building a more resilient and impactful second SaaS venture. From embracing the power of just starting to understanding that you don't need to boil the ocean, these insights will provide aspiring founders with practical, hard-earned advice on navigating the complex world of SaaS development. Tune in to discover how these experiences can help you build better, smarter, and more successful startups.

Kelly, a woman who was born without a complete leg, shares her journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success. She grew up with a prosthetic leg and faced the realization of being different in middle school. Despite the internal struggles and traumatic experiences, Kelly developed a strong drive to prove herself and be as capable as anyone else. She excelled in sports, including running track and field, and went on to participate in Ironman races. Kelly's determination and resilience have led her to pursue a career in medicine.

Saul Orbach joins the Designing Successful Startups podcast to share his remarkable journey through the world of startups, venture capital, and the challenges of tech transfer. At the heart of the conversation is his recent venture, the development of artificial kidneys aimed at revolutionizing treatment for end-stage renal failure. Saul reflects on his extensive experience, discussing both the successes and setbacks he faced throughout his career, including the impact of market conditions on his previous startup ventures. His grit comes from his mother, a Holocaust survivor.

Ray Bradbery, a former IT professional and entrepreneur, shares his journey from working in the IT department of a major bank to starting his own consulting practice and later owning a cafe and restaurant. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customers, doing thorough research before starting a business, and having the grit to overcome challenges. Ray also discusses the lessons he learned from his time at Borland, including the power of saying yes and the importance of product management. He highlights the need for optimism and resilience in the startup world.

Giles Taylor, the founder of Trans Solutions, shares his journey from working in the maritime industry to starting his own logistics company. Trans Solutions specializes in optimizing transportation and offering engineering solutions for businesses. Trans Solutions has been self-funded with occasional use of a line of credit. He also shares his experience of making mistakes and the lessons he learned from them. Giles talks about the process of being acquired and how he found the right buyer for his company. He reflects on the source of his grit and the mindset that has driven his success.

In this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg interviews Leslie Barthel, a marketing professional with extensive experience in tech startups. They discuss Leslie's career journey, the challenges and rewards of working in startups, and the importance of marketing in early-stage companies. Leslie shares insights on marketing strategies for startups, including how to market a product that is still in the proof-of-concept stage and how to build brand awareness with limited resources. They also touch on the value of grit and a positive mindset in navigating the ups and downs of startup life.

Doug Weisman, the founder of VideoLink, shares his journey of starting and growing the company. VideoLink provided live television production services and became a premier broadcast entity. Doug and his team took risks, worked long hours, and built a unique business that attracted clients from major networks. They focused on providing exceptional service and treating employees and clients with respect. After 26 years, Doug and his partners sold the company and retired. Their success was a result of their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence.

Alicia Williams, co-founder of Aliste Marketing Collective, shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she has learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance, surrounding yourself with a supportive network, and bringing in experts to enhance the quality of work. Alicia also discusses the challenges and strategies of working with startups, including the need to allocate a marketing budget and the integration of product management and marketing functions. Additionally, she highlights the significance of giving back to the community and the role of grit in achieving success.

Carl J Cox, founder of 40 Strategy, shares his journey from being a CFO to starting his own strategic planning company. He emphasizes the importance of strategy in guiding a company's direction and increasing its value. Cox introduces the Captain Strategy Methodology, which focuses on de-risking a company and maximizing its potential. He also discusses the challenges CEOs face and the need for external support and guidance. Cox highlights the value of transparency and consistency in leadership. The conversation explores the importance of strategy.

Suvojit Ghosh, founder of FYELABS, discusses his product development shop that is purpose-built for startups. FYELABS offers development services under fixed price and fixed timeline contracts, making the development process more predictable for startups. Ghosh emphasizes the importance of the customer in the startup journey and the need to solve a problem that customers are willing to pay for. He also shares insights on outsourcing product development, the concept of ultra-lean product development, and the importance of passion and grit in entrepreneurship.