Founders Trust Podcast

Today, we’re discussing how founders can start building a culture of effective management in their startups. In this episode, I spoke with Erin Brown, the founder of Lead Connext.

Erin and I discuss why “management” often gets a bad rap, the importance of structure in facilitating good management principles, the idea of management vs. mentorship, and a whole lot more.

And stick around to the end of the episode for how you can enter our contest for a free 3-minute promotional video for your startup!

Today, we’re discussing how founders can start developing their leadership skills from Day One of their startup journey. I spoke with leadership coach, world traveler, and overall badass, Cassa Grant.

Cassa and I discuss what it means to be an “offbeat leader”, the factors that most often hold people back from achieving their leadership potential, how to instill a culture of leadership in your startup, and a whole lot more.

And stick around to the end of the episode for how you can enter our contest for a free invitation to Clubhouse!

You can’t sell your product or service unless you get it in front of the right people. Even if you’re the most technical founder out there, you still need to understand how to tee up your solution for your target customers. So today, we’re discussing how founders can develop their marketing skills without spending a lot of time or money. I spoke with Keith Kriegler, the founder of Savvyeur, a Chicago-based startup helping entrepreneurs apply effective marketing campaigns to achieve their business goals through online courses, coaching sessions, and done-for-you execution services.

Keith and I discuss why it’s important for founders to build a foundational understanding of marketing, the necessary alignment between strategy and tactics, and some areas of marketing that serve as good starting points for entrepreneurs to begin their marketing education. Keith brings more than 20 years of experience in the field and is a terrific mentor to first-time founders.

And Stick around until the end of the episode for a discount code to take 20% off the purchase of a course on the Savvyeur platform!

Today, we’re discussing how founders can build and lead their startups in ways that are authentic to their mission. I spoke with Loren Taylor, the founder of AwokeNet, a Chicago-based startup providing reliable, vetted content about social justice work, organizations, and activists. Loren is fighting the growing trend of misinformation online in order to eliminate the noise that distracts and detracts from the necessary and powerful work that people are doing to advance various social justice causes.

Loren and I discuss what it means to build a mission-driven business, how to lead in a way that’s authentic to your mission, and how to make tough decisions in the face of conflicting incentives and beliefs. Loren's tremendous energy and passion for his work is evident in all that he does.

And stick around until the end of the episode for a Twitter resource that all first-time founders should be following!

In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Kenworthy, an experienced founder, investor, and advisor in Chicago’s healthcare ecosystem. Cathy is a terrific mentor offering practical, thoughtful guidance for early-stage founders. 

Cathy and I discuss her approach to planning a product launch, some thoughts on sourcing feedback from early adopters, and her perspective on the future of medtech. 

As always, stick around to the end of the episode for a free giveaway of an email sequence that you can take and use to help generate some buzz around your own product launch!

Today, we’re discussing how startups can successfully plan and execute an initial product launch. I spoke with Gerald and Colton Horn, the founders of Breinfuel, one of the hottest startups in Chicago that just launched its premium line of cerebral beverages. Stay tuned for their pitch to kick off our conversation! 

Gerald, Colton, and I then discuss their approach to product development and branding to launch a successful consumer product. They are two of the most energetic founders to emerge on the Chicago startup scene this year and offer some terrific advice on how to take your product from an idea and get it into the market. 

As always, stick around to the end of the episode for the one tool you should be using any time you’re launching a new product launch or beta release!

Today, we’re discussing how new founders can approach the beginning of their startup journey. I spoke with my good friend, Aimee Venot, a serial entrepreneur, a tech whiz, and one of the sharpest founders in Chicago.

Aimee and I discuss her path as a founder, holding yourself accountable, the benefits of accelerator programs, and a whole lot more, so you don't want to miss Aimee’s terrific advice for first-time entrepreneurs!

And stick around to the end of the episode for a free business idea for an AI startup that you can start building today. All I ask is that you give us a shoutout when you raise that first round of funding!

Today, we’re discussing how new founders can approach the beginning of their startup journey. I spoke with Cheri Williams-Franklin, the founder of Life Snapshot, an early-stage digital estate planning startup right here in Chicago.

Cheri and I discuss how she started her business, the resources she turned to for guidance as a first-time founder, the benefits of accelerator programs, and a whole lot more. Thank you, Cheri, for sharing your insights and experiences with us!

And stick around to the end of the episode for our first giveaway. Today, we’ll be sharing a tech stack you can use to build and launch a product in less than a week without any code, which is an especially helpful resource for non-technical founders.