How I Hacked College Admissions to get Into Top schools!

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• In this episode of Fundsandfounders, we sit down with Anthony Berryhill, the founder of Elite College Hacker, to discuss the insider secrets of elite college admissions. Anthony shares his personal journey from growing up in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward to getting into Stanford and Yale, and how he now helps students from diverse backgrounds navigate the college admissions process.
• 🔹 How do top schools really choose applicants?
• 🔹 What are the biggest mistakes students make in their applications?
• 🔹 How is AI and tech changing the admissions industry?
• 🔹 How can students stand out beyond grades and test scores?
• If you’re a student, parent, or entrepreneur looking to understand the evolving landscape of college admissions, this episode is packed with insights, strategies, and practical advice.
• **** Timestamps:
• 📌 00:00 - Intro to the episode
• 📌 00:14 - Meet Anthony Berryhill & his company Elite College Hacker
• 📌 01:10 - How Anthony’s journey started: From at-risk youth to Ivy League success
• 📌 02:55 - The school-to-prison pipeline & how he escaped it
• 📌 06:06 - The power of debate & how it changed his life
• 📌 09:11 - What top schools REALLY look for in applicants
• 📌 14:39 - The biggest mistakes students make in applications
• 📌 20:44 - How he built Elite College Hacker from a side hustle to a business
• 📌 25:24 - Is college still worth it? How the industry is changing
• 📌 32:36 - How students can stand out in Ivy League admissions
• 📌 39:50 - The red flags when hiring a college admissions consultant
• 📌 48:56 - Where the real opportunities are in the college admissions industry
• 📌 58:04 - The best resources for college admissions success
• 📌 1:06:37 - Final thoughts & how to reach out to Anthony
• Connect with Anthony: 📧 Email: [email protected]
• 🌐 Website: www.elitecollegehacker.com
• 📱 LinkedIn: Anthony Berryhill
• 🔔 **Subscribe @fundsandfounders for more insights on entrepreneurship, funding, and business success!
• #CollegeAdmissions #EliteSchools #Stanford #Yale #IvyLeague #Entrepreneurship #AdmissionsConsulting #Fundsandfounders**

In this episode of Funds & Founders, we sit down with Ansh, co-founder of Quickreel, the AI-driven platform that helps content creators, brands, and marketers transform long-form videos into viral short-form clips.

We dive deep into his entrepreneurial journey — from selling stickers in second grade to building a SaaS product with over 100K users. He shares his growth mindset, the ups and downs of building a startup, fundraising stories, and how Quickly stands out in the crowded content creation space.

Ansh shares:

💡 The inception of Quickreel and solving real creator problems

💰 The grind of early-stage fundraising and finding the right investors

🎯 Scaling from 0 to 100K+ users with minimal marketing

⚡ The challenges of building in the creator economy

📊 Pricing strategies, customer acquisition, and competition insights

If you're a founder, content creator, or just love stories of building from scratch — this one's for you! Watch the full episode

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Guest Introduction

01:05 - What is Quickreel? Solving the short-form content problem

02:30 - Early entrepreneurial spark: Selling stickers in 2nd grade

05:00 - Choosing tech over family business

08:15 - The idea behind Quickly: From agency work to product building

11:45 - First MVP struggles and user feedback

14:30 - Acquiring the first 500 users without ads

17:20 - Fundraising journey: From self-funding to investor backing

21:00 - Pricing strategies: Moving from free to paid users

25:45 - Competing with Opus Clip & other clip generators

29:40 - Balancing profitability vs. user growth

33:00 - The future of AI in video editing

36:15 - Expansion plans: APIs, agencies, and scaling globally

40:00 - Rapid Fire Round: Tech stack, marketing tools & resources

42:30 - Biggest startup challenges & what's next for Quickly

44:20 - Advice for First-Time Founders

46:00 - Question for the Next Guest

**From delivering newspapers in 4th grade to raising millions for real estate and co-founding a thriving co-working space—James Wahba’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.**🚀

In this episode of Funds & Founders, James shares:

✅ How his childhood paper route taught him business fundamentals 📈

✅ Raising $13M at 25 for real estate development 🏗️

✅ Building one of NYC’s most iconic co-working spaces 🚀

✅ Lessons from working alongside startups like Uber, Instacart, Stripe, Airbnb

✅ Why co-founder conflicts are one of the biggest startup killers 😨

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, real estate investor, or startup founder, you don’t want to miss this one!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to Funds & Founders!

00:20 - James Waba’s entrepreneurial journey begins

01:14 - Growing up in Connecticut and learning business from a paper route

02:18 - The business lessons from his first job 📜

03:14 - Learning about customer retention and revenue at a young age

05:10 - From paper route to film school & shooting concerts 🎥

06:35 - Starting one of the first online streaming sites (before YouTube!)

07:54 - Partnering with Microsoft & early struggles of internet startups 💻

09:12 - Raising funds & the early days of NYC tech

12:22 - Competing in the pre-YouTube era—how streaming was built back then

16:04 - Shutting down the startup and pivoting to real estate development

17:08 - Converting industrial property to high-value waterfront real estate

19:52 - Raising $13M for a real estate project at 25

22:11 - The 2008 market crash hits—what happened next?

25:46 - Lessons learned: How to survive market crashes

28:49 - Bootstrapping vs. raising VC: What should startups do?

31:07 - The reality of investor expectations & startup funding

32:55 - Pivoting from real estate to co-working spaces 🏢

35:49 - How James built one of NYC’s top co-working spaces

39:32 - Uber, Instacart, and Airbnb worked here—what was it like?

41:14 - Why taking equity over cash would have been the best move

44:08 - The rise and fall of the co-working space model

46:50 - How to build a real, engaged community (not just a Slack group)

49:21 - Challenges of managing a co-working space & scaling it

51:34 - What James is building in Austin & his new boutique hotel project

54:45 - Rapid fire Q&A: Advice for founders, resources, and more

58:07 - Best books for entrepreneurs 📚

1:00:39 - What’s missing in the Austin startup ecosystem?

1:01:34 - Final thoughts & where to connect with James

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Rajesh Sawhney—a seasoned investor, advisor, and the founder & CEO of GSF—who’s backed over 135 companies. Rajesh shares deep insights on what first-time founders need to know, the art of achieving product–market fit, and the unique dynamics of the Indian startup ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in your entrepreneurial journey, Rajesh’s practical advice on early validation, team building, and strategic execution is invaluable.

Learn how Rajesh:

• Evaluates startup potential by spotting early traction and customer validation
• Determines the right stage to raise funds and scale a business
• Supports founders through hands-on mentorship and strategic guidance
• Navigates the differences between local and global startup ecosystems
• Adapts his investment approach in a rapidly evolving tech landscape

Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Rajesh Vijay and his journey as an investor and founder

9:10 – From Idea to Product: How early validation sets the stage for success

19:50 – Tips for First-Time Founders: Balancing passion with pragmatic execution

27:45 – Understanding Product–Market Fit: Recognizing early indicators and challenges

41:24 – Funding Stages: The importance of small validations before big bets

51:20 – Evaluating Founders: Key traits like decision-making, team building, and adaptability

63:10 – The Role of Angel Investors: Mentorship and strategic support for startups

76:50 – The Indian Startup Ecosystem: Regional insights and the nuances of market dynamics

87:30 – Regulatory Impact: Adapting to policy changes for sustainable growth

95:45 – Final Thoughts: Embracing a long-term vision in an ever-changing landscape

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we welcome back Justin, founder of Fantasy Elect, a cutting-edge political gaming startup. Justin dives into his journey over the past year, tackling fundraising challenges, optimizing user acquisition, and building a trust-driven remote team. Gain actionable insights on scaling a startup in the political arena and preparing for upcoming elections.

Learn how Justin:

• Navigated fundraising in a volatile market
• Tailored user acquisition for B2B and B2C
• Leveraged strategic partnerships and VC relationships
• Selected the best cities and events for growth
• Pivoted from fantasy sports to political engagement
• Fostered a remote team culture based on trust

Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Year in Review

2:50 - Fundraising Challenges

5:32 - Choosing the Right City

9:04 - Fundraising Lessons

12:47 - Cold Emailing Strategies

15:09 - Current Fundraising Focus

16:53 - Event Optimization

21:25 - Ecosystem Insights

22:29 - Pivoting Customer Acquisition

24:32 - Early Lessons

25:44 - First Three Months vs Now

29:45 - Importance of Marketing

34:09 - Continuous Marketing & Feedback

38:24 - Planning for Elections

42:41 - Engagement in Off-Cycles

46:04 - Exploring New Marketing Channels

49:12 - Time Management

55:09 - Team Culture & Trust

57:06 - Remote Work vs In-Person

59:04 - Future Plans & Insights

Follow Funds and Founders:

• Website: https://www.fundsandfounders.com
• Twitter: @fundsandfound
• Instagram: @fundsandfounders
• YouTube: Funds and Founders

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Garrett and Brian from Lucid, a consulting firm specializing in pitch decks and brand clarity. Garrett and Brian share how they combined their complementary skill sets—spanning design, operations, and growth—to help founders overcome the challenge of communicating complex ideas simply.

Learn how they:

• Refined their own co-founder “dating” process before teaming up
• Developed a framework for uncovering a company’s true mission, vision, and values
• Help founders craft investor-ready pitch decks—even for highly technical products
• Distinguish “brand” from “culture” and why both matter for scaling
• Approach growth strategy differently for B2B vs. B2C startups

Whether you’re an early-stage founder seeking investment or a seasoned entrepreneur refining your pitch, Garrett and Brian’s insights on clarity, branding, and storytelling are not to be missed!

Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction and overview of Lucid 2:05 – How Garrett & Brian met and became co-founders 7:00 – Defining “clarity” and why founders struggle with it 12:40 – Business philosophy: getting to the “why” behind your startup 16:35 – Why technical founders need help explaining complex ideas 21:05 – When to invest in brand clarity vs. staying lean 26:10 – B2B vs. B2C: differences in messaging and traction 30:40 – Examples of effective (and ineffective) mission statements 35:50 – Branding vs. culture: how they intersect and why both matter 40:35 – The “spark moment” behind launching a startup 45:10 – Avoiding “cargo cult” thinking and learning real lessons 50:05 – Pivoting and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship 55:00 – What VCs really look for in a pitch deck 1:00:05 – Essential resources: Sequoia format, Venture Deals, and more 1:05:00 – Growth strategies: Revenue Architecture and the brand canvas 1:10:25 – The personal “why” and mental health in entrepreneurship 1:15:30 – Early-stage brand vs. Series A brand requirements 1:20:15 – Staying focused on real revenue-driving activities 1:25:05 – Wealth building, skill development, and time freedom 1:30:10 – Support systems: the Austin startup community 1:35:00 – “What would make you quit?” Parachute question from the previous guest

1:38:00 – Wrap-up and where to find Lucid Consulting

#entrepreneur #company #venturecapital #investors #business #pitchdeck #brand #investment

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Moby, a seasoned paid ads specialist who helps startups and established businesses alike accelerate their growth through strategic advertising. Moby shares his journey and dives deep into:

• Determining the right time to start running paid ads—and why timing is crucial
• Choosing between Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms based on your audience
• Understanding key metrics like CTR and conversion rates to gauge campaign success
• Crafting compelling offers, landing pages, and funnels that convert
• Avoiding common pitfalls and maximizing ROI with a data-driven approach

Whether you’re looking to launch your first campaign or refine your existing strategy, Moby’s insights on funnel design, audience targeting, and the art of testing are not to be missed!

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction and Moby’s paid ads background

1:16 – When is the right time to invest in paid ads?

2:36 – Finding product-market fit vs. message-market fit

6:09 – The 80/20 of setting up your first paid ads campaign

8:36 – Paid search vs. paid social: Key differences and considerations

14:03 – Defining search intent and picking the right keywords

18:05 – Budgeting for ads and what metrics to watch

22:05 – Understanding funnels and lead qualification

26:45 – Tracking ROI: Cost per lead, cost per meeting, and RoAS

31:30 – Crafting offers and packaging: Why it matters

36:55 – Common mistakes to avoid when running ads

39:56 – Brand awareness campaigns vs. direct response tactics

43:09 – The importance of creative testing and ad copy

47:15 – Why landing page experience can make or break conversions

50:42 – E-commerce vs. B2B: Ad strategy differences

54:03 – Overcoming qualification hurdles with leads

56:31 – Final tips to refine your paid ads funnel

59:27 – Conclusion and wrap-up

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Aaron, a performance coach who helps founders and entrepreneurs optimize their business execution through OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Aaron shares deep insights on goal setting, prioritization, and creating effective business frameworks.

Learn how Aaron:

- Helps founders set realistic yet ambitious 12-month goals

- Creates frameworks for breaking down long-term vision into actionable steps

- Guides teams in implementing effective OKR systems

- Balances personal and business priorities for sustainable growth

- Transforms company execution through priority management

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or leading an established company, Aaron's practical approach to goal setting and execution is invaluable for any business leader!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction & The importance of strategic planning

1:24 - Fundamentals of effective goal setting

3:37 - Choosing the right time horizon for goals

5:48 - Setting realistic 12-month targets

10:41 - Balancing ambition with reality in goal setting

15:44 - Priority management and maintaining focus

21:25 - Taking action vs over-planning

26:50 - Understanding and implementing OKRs

34:37 - Getting leadership team alignment

39:19 - Quarterly planning and execution strategies

46:00 - Defining and tracking success metrics

55:59 - When and how to adapt your vision

58:30 - Recommended resources for goal setting

1:00:24 - Creating freedom through effective business systems

Connect with Aaron:

Website: performancemindsetcoaching.co

In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with John Davison, founder of StartupLandia, a hybrid venture studio and development shop. John shares his journey from being a Bay Area engineer to helping early-stage founders build sustainable products. Learn how John:

• Helps founders validate ideas before writing code
• Reduces engineering costs through strategic tool selection
• Navigates the impact of AI on product development
• Structures development teams for optimal efficiency
• Balances technical implementation with business needs

Whether you're a technical founder or a business person looking to build a product, John's insights on sustainable development and founder success are invaluable!

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & StartupLandia's Mission 2:32 - When Founders Need Technical Help 6:20 - Why Pre-Development Work Matters 9:54 - Validating Ideas Before Building 12:42 - AI's Real Impact on Development 16:40 - The Truth About Software Costs 20:35 - Importance of User Experience 29:10 - Working with Technical Founders 33:20 - Structuring Development Teams 42:37 - Global Development Perspectives 47:09 - Building Support Systems 1:02:06 - Resources for Founders 1:07:09 - Austin Tech Ecosystem 1:10:42 - Contact & Final Thoughts

Connect with John: Website: startuplandia.io Twitter: @JCDavison LinkedIn: John Davison

In this episode, we sit down with Preeya, COO of Beehive, to discuss her journey from being a VP at a large tech company to joining Beehive as employee. Learn how she helped scale the company from seed stage to Series B, growing from 8 to 80+ employees. Priya shares insights on startup operations, remote work culture, board management, and making the leap from big tech to early-stage startups.

Priya shares how she:

• Transitioned from a VP role to an early-stage startup
• Helped scale Beehive from 8 to 80+ employees through Series B
• Built and maintains a successful remote-first company culture
• Navigates board management and metric tracking
• Approaches goal setting and prioritization in a high-growth environment

Whether you're considering joining a startup or already in a leadership role, Priya's insights on scaling operations and building successful teams are invaluable!

Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and Background 3:29 - Evaluating Early-Stage Companies 6:18 - First 90 Days at a Startup 8:41 - Transitioning Industries 11:22 - Understanding the Chief of Staff Role 14:16 - Red Flags When Joining Early-Stage Companies 16:38 - Compensation Structure in Startups 21:57 - Scaling from 8 to 80 Employees 29:06 - Remote vs In-Person Work Culture 31:42 - Prioritization and Goal Setting 34:27 - Board Management and Metrics 48:39 - Importance of Mentorship 55:04 - Future of Beehive 56:15 - Book and Resource Recommendations 57:21 - Support Systems for Startup Life 58:09 - Personal Growth and Freedom

Connect with Preeya: Email: [email protected] Website: https://beehive.com

#startup #tech #leadership #entrepreneurship #careeradvice