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Earning Permission To Build Through Customer–Founder Fit
Regan and Henrik Werdelin (Co-founder of BARK, Prehype, and Audos) explore why many start-ups struggle because they start from the wrong place. They unpack Henrik’s Customer–Founder Fit framework, how technology should follow the problem, and why long-term trust and authority create the permission to build more over time.
Key Takeaways
- Why picking your people and naming their problem comes before product—and changes the entire trajectory.
- How “it sucks that” statements surface the real problems customers actually care about.
- Why defining your company by outcomes creates expansion power.
Resources
Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelin/
Subscribe to Henrik’s Substack: https://substack.com/@werdelin
Learn more about Henrik: https://hellohenrik.com/
Try Audos: https://www.audos.com/
About Our Guest
Henrik Werdelin is a founder, investor, and author with over 15 years in entrepreneurship. He co-founded BARK (BarkBox/BARK Air), the NYSE-listed brand for dog lovers, and Prehype, the startup studio behind Ro, ManagedByQ, and now Audos, an AI platform for launching startups smarter and faster. Active in applied AI since 2020, he co-hosts Beyond the Prompt with Stanford’s Jeremy Utley and last book is Me, My Customer & AI - about what AI will mean for entrepreneurship. Formerly at Index Ventures and MTV International, his ventures have been bought by Facebook, Microsoft, Dropbox, and Fiverr. Named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People,” Werdelin speaks worldwide on entrepreneurship, AI, and building cool things with kind people.
About Future Fit™ with Regan Robinson
Future Fit™ unravels the secrets of how the world’s most innovative leaders stay future-ready in a fast-paced world. Hosted by innovation and growth strategist Regan Robinson, each episode explores how trailblazing executives turn uncertainty into their strategic advantage. Gain powerful insights and practical approaches as these visionary minds share the unconventional and imaginative ways they thrive today while leading their teams into tomorrow.
If you love what you’re getting out of our show please subscribe, rate and review.
About Regan Robinson
Regan Robinson builds strategic growth engines that drive revenue for companies at inflection points—by aligning what they say, sell, and scale around the edge only they can own. She’s engineered 3.5x - 25x growth for challenger brands, investment-backed start-ups, and B2Bs. Launched high-impact platforms for Pfizer, Stila Cosmetics, and HP. Built multi-million dollar revenue streams, business models, and scalable systems at VICE Media and Solento Organic Tequila.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reganrobinson
Future Fit™ Newsletter:
https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7054904910919667713
Website: https://www.reganrobinson.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@regan_robinson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamreganrobinson
All contents of this show are rights of Regan Robinson and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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By Regan RobinsonRegan and Henrik Werdelin (Co-founder of BARK, Prehype, and Audos) explore why many start-ups struggle because they start from the wrong place. They unpack Henrik’s Customer–Founder Fit framework, how technology should follow the problem, and why long-term trust and authority create the permission to build more over time.
Key Takeaways
- Why picking your people and naming their problem comes before product—and changes the entire trajectory.
- How “it sucks that” statements surface the real problems customers actually care about.
- Why defining your company by outcomes creates expansion power.
Resources
Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelin/
Subscribe to Henrik’s Substack: https://substack.com/@werdelin
Learn more about Henrik: https://hellohenrik.com/
Try Audos: https://www.audos.com/
About Our Guest
Henrik Werdelin is a founder, investor, and author with over 15 years in entrepreneurship. He co-founded BARK (BarkBox/BARK Air), the NYSE-listed brand for dog lovers, and Prehype, the startup studio behind Ro, ManagedByQ, and now Audos, an AI platform for launching startups smarter and faster. Active in applied AI since 2020, he co-hosts Beyond the Prompt with Stanford’s Jeremy Utley and last book is Me, My Customer & AI - about what AI will mean for entrepreneurship. Formerly at Index Ventures and MTV International, his ventures have been bought by Facebook, Microsoft, Dropbox, and Fiverr. Named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People,” Werdelin speaks worldwide on entrepreneurship, AI, and building cool things with kind people.
About Future Fit™ with Regan Robinson
Future Fit™ unravels the secrets of how the world’s most innovative leaders stay future-ready in a fast-paced world. Hosted by innovation and growth strategist Regan Robinson, each episode explores how trailblazing executives turn uncertainty into their strategic advantage. Gain powerful insights and practical approaches as these visionary minds share the unconventional and imaginative ways they thrive today while leading their teams into tomorrow.
If you love what you’re getting out of our show please subscribe, rate and review.
About Regan Robinson
Regan Robinson builds strategic growth engines that drive revenue for companies at inflection points—by aligning what they say, sell, and scale around the edge only they can own. She’s engineered 3.5x - 25x growth for challenger brands, investment-backed start-ups, and B2Bs. Launched high-impact platforms for Pfizer, Stila Cosmetics, and HP. Built multi-million dollar revenue streams, business models, and scalable systems at VICE Media and Solento Organic Tequila.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reganrobinson
Future Fit™ Newsletter:
https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7054904910919667713
Website: https://www.reganrobinson.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@regan_robinson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamreganrobinson
All contents of this show are rights of Regan Robinson and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices