Aaron Francis is the co-founder of Try Hard Studios, a company he started with Steve Tenuto that makes amazing videos for developers and teaches companies how to do it too. He started Try Hard Studios after being laid off from PlanetScale… while on paternity leave with his second set of twins (!). Prior to that he was a data analyst and a developer. He started his career as an an accountant at a Big 4 accounting firm. In addition to his work at Try Hard Studios he’s also a husband and the father of two sets of twins. We discussed:

* Navigating a loss of one of their triplets during the first pregnancy

* Life with two sets of twins

* How he and his wife managed after he was laid off on paternity leave

* The challenges of starting a business with newborns

* How to stay present with all the pings from an extremely online life

* Parenting each of his four kids differently

* Finding ways to focus on only what matters at this stage of life

* Hilarious and fascinating stories: falling asleep in a chair at the gym, building a non-traditional office space, and celebrating a birthday with a solo-staycation.

Where to find Aaron Francis

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarondfrancis/

* Twitter: https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis

* Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aarondfrancis

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[2:08] Welcome

[3:01] Laid off while having second set of twins

[6:33] Decision to start a business

[11:34] Conversation with wife about business idea

[12:49] Family now

[14:17] Used to be an accountant

[15:48 Decision to start a family

[23:46] Starting a business w/ newborns

[25:59] Staying present when you have an online presence

[29:33] Advice to younger Aaron

[33:23] Rollercoaster day

[34:48] Parenting style w/ each kid

[36:49] Frameworks

[38:00] Where you don’t align with partner

[42:31] Funny stories

[51:29] Kid’s relationship to tech

[56:15] Follow along

[57:01] Lightning round

[1:09:15] Thank you

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Show references:

Aaron’s website: aaronfrancis.com

TryHard Studios: https://tryhardstudios.com/

Screencasting: screencasting.com

Texas A & M: https://www.tamu.edu/index.html

Ernst & Young: https://www.ey.co

Severance: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11280740/

Factorio: https://www.factorio.com/

The Joulel: https://www.thejouledallas.com/offers/book-direct

Calvin and Hobbes: https://calvinandhobbes.webflow.io/

Sicario: Day of the Soldado: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052474/

Luddites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite

Pee Pee Tee Pee: https://www.amazon.com/Peepee-Teepee-Sprinkling-WeeWee-Cellophane/dp/B000NM3DFY

Kyle Lacy’s Episode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBdVw-ncyQ

How to Be a Pirate by Isaac Fitzgerald: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-be-a-pirate-isaac-fitzgerald/1130769165

Richard Scarry: https://www.richardscarry.com/

Vuori jogger pants: https://vuoriclothing.com/

Taking Cara Babies: https://takingcarababies.com/meet-cara

Burl Ives Rudolph: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21616734/

The Sandlot: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108037/

Honda Odyssey: https://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey

Car Mom: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCarMom

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For sponsorship inquiries email: [email protected].

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com