Hello Chaos

By Jennifer Sutton

Every day, entrepreneurs all over the world roll out of bed and say: Hello, Chaos. And more often than not, we’re having that conversation in our own heads. It’s time to crack the dialogue wide open. ... more

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How many episodes does Hello Chaos have?

The podcast currently has 197 episodes available.

Hello Chaos episodes:

March 08, 2026Ep. 191 Cody LaHoste
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Alignment Beats More Marketing
Startups don’t stall because they lack tactics. They stall because story, sales, and strategy aren’t pulling in the same direction. Before you layer on more activity, fix the disconnect. Alignment scales. Noise doesn’t.
2️⃣ Your Edge Is Your Advantage
Cody spent years thinking he was too intense, too direct, too much. Then he realized those traits were exactly why he could see what others missed. The thing you’re trying to tone down might be the reason you stand out. Don’t dilute it. Refine it.
3️⃣ Position Yourself Like the Product
You wouldn’t launch a product without clear positioning. Don’t launch yourself that way either. Get specific about who you serve, the problem you solve, and why you’re different. Clarity builds confidence. Confidence drives momentum.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Messy Middle
00:45 Laid Off Twice and Misunderstood
02:15 From Agency Roles to Building BeamPath
04:30 The Real Problem Is Misalignment
06:40 Why Marketing Is Not a Checklist
08:10 Finding Positioning and Evolving the Offer
10:05 Building in Public on LinkedIn
12:30 Founder Community and Imposter Syndrome
15:00 Discovering Neurodivergence at 36
18:20 Turning Intensity Into a Superpower
21:00 The Hardest Part of Solo Entrepreneurship
24:10 Building Systems When You Are the System
27:00 Think of Yourself as the Product
29:40 Inbound Over Cold Calling
31:10 If I Could Have Started Earlier
32:15 One Word for the Journey Evolution
33:45 Vision for the Next Chapter
35:10 Writing, Speaking, and Scaling Impact
36:30 The Power of Self Belief
38:15 Where to Connect
If this conversation resonated, you can find Cody’s links below and follow along as he continues building BeamPath.
Website: https://beampath.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codylahoste/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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37min
March 01, 2026Ep. 190 Caroline McDavid
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Viral Is Fuel Not Strategy
Going viral can open the floodgates, but it’ll also expose every crack in your systems. Caroline’s 14 million views brought massive franchise demand, and it forced her to tighten processes fast. Attention amplifies what already exists. Build your backend as seriously as you build your brand, because growth will test everything.
2️⃣ Protect the Brand at All Costs
Not every opportunity is the right opportunity. Caroline stopped trying to take every franchise call and started qualifying with intention. One wrong partner can damage years of trust. Guard your brand like it’s your most valuable asset, because it is.
3️⃣ Jump First Then Solve
You’ll never have the full map. Caroline had fears about tech, logistics, routes, and scaling, but momentum came from action, not overplanning. Clarity comes from movement. Start before you feel ready, then solve the next problem in front of you.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Messy Middle
00:56 What Is Juiced Fuel
01:49 Fuel Forward Foundation and Disaster Relief
02:28 The Origin Story
04:01 Designing for Scale
05:34 When the Tech Team Disappears
08:30 The Viral Moment
10:17 Handling Haters and Building Trust
12:25 Founder Identity Shift
14:15 The Revenue Breakthrough
16:05 Building Trust in a New Category
18:20 Operational Bottlenecks
20:03 Delegation and Letting Go
26:26 The Franchise Surge
31:20 Expanding Into New Markets
33:01 Marriage and Boundaries
35:19 One Word for the Journey
37:35 Vision for the Next Chapter
39:13 The Advice That Changed Everything
41:39 Where to Connect
Want to follow Caroline’s journey or explore Juiced Fuel in your market?
Connect with her and learn more below.
Website: https://juicedfuel.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-mcdavid-ba502138/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juicedfuel/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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44min
February 22, 2026Ep. 189 Anna Peterson
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Build From Pain, Not Trend
Zenimal didn’t start as a market play. It started with night terrors and panic attacks. When you build from lived experience, your conviction outlasts the hype cycle and the hard seasons. Don’t chase what’s trending. Solve the problem that shaped you and you’ll build something that lasts.
2️⃣ Own Your Files, Own Your Future
Bootstrapping a hardware startup taught a brutal lesson. If you don’t control your engineering files and manufacturing IP, you don’t control your leverage when things shift. Vision is great. Ownership is power. Protect your core assets before you desperately need them.
3️⃣ Radical Honesty Builds Loyalty
Inventory got stuck. Engineering failed. Q4 revenue took a hit. Instead of hiding, she over communicated and owned the mess. Transparency isn’t weakness. It’s trust in action. In chaos, clarity compounds and customers remember who told the truth.
Timestamps
00:13 Meet Anna Peterson and Zenimal
01:00 Night terrors and breathwork as a child
03:23 Parenting fear and rejecting phones at bedtime
05:43 Building Zenimal from personal pain
06:31 The hospital moment that changed the mission
10:07 Bootstrapping a hardware startup
13:37 Launching in the middle of a pandemic
16:05 The myth of glamorous growth
17:00 Engineering fails and a Q4 customs crisis
20:11 Radical honesty in customer communication
26:01 Delegation, bottlenecks, and raising capital
32:00 Hiring builders versus sustainers
40:26 Owning IP and controlling manufacturing
46:38 The real reward of helping kids sleep
49:13 One word to define the journey
50:28 The next product launch and big vision
52:27 Her dad as her lifelong cheerleader
59:30 Best advice for founders in the chaos
Curious about the product, the app launch, or just want to follow along as she scales? Dive in below.
Website: https://zenimals.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakristenpeterson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezenimal/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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1h 5min
February 15, 2026Ep. 188 Haylee Jordan
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Go deep before you go wide
Trying to be everywhere at once spreads founders thin and kills momentum. Haylee’s approach with Fabric was to anchor in Colorado first, learn the market, and earn real traction before expanding. Focus creates signal, not noise, especially in complex and regulated businesses.
2️⃣ You are not disorganized, you are overloaded
Startup chaos is rarely a character flaw. When three people are doing the work of twenty five, things will slip. The fix is not perfection, it is communication, prioritization, and giving yourself the same grace you would give a teammate.
3️⃣ Get out of your own way
Most founders are blocked by mindset, not capability. Haylee’s biggest realization was that no one has the secrets and everyone is figuring it out in real time. Progress comes faster when you stop waiting for permission and start trusting your ability to learn as you go.
Timestamps
00:14 Welcome and meet Haylee Jordan
01:18 From brand studios to entrepreneurship
03:04 Entering the CPG and beverage world
04:17 How Fabric came to life
06:04 Mission, mental health, and giveback
07:37 Navigating THC regulations
08:54 Why Colorado comes first
10:16 Wearing many hats as founders
11:50 From idea to store shelves
14:27 Learning grace in startup chaos
17:55 Founder mindset and self discovery
21:39 Life, fear, and creativity
23:25 Seeing Fabric on the shelf
27:13 What the next year holds
28:56 Getting out of your own way
30:53 Advice that shaped the journey
33:02 Life beyond the business
38:25 Fundraising and growth reality
40:46 Where to connect and learn more
Want to follow Haylee’s journey as Fabric continues to grow and evolve. You can connect with her directly and learn more about Fabric below.
Website: https://drinkfabric.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleejordan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkfabric/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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43min
February 08, 2026Ep. 187 Garrett Peters
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ If it needs you, it will break
A business built entirely on the founder eventually becomes the bottleneck. Garrett learned that real scale starts when you offload the work that drains you and build systems that move without you. If your ecommerce business pauses when you step away, that is your signal to redesign the engine, not push harder.
2️⃣ Protect the brand before the balance sheet
Short-term revenue fixes can quietly damage long-term trust. When Duncan and Stone faced a misprinted product run, the team chose brand protection over fast cash, even when it hurt. Founders who play the long game understand that reputation, not inventory, is the asset that compounds.
3️⃣ Alignment beats hustle every time
Founder burnout often comes from misalignment, not lack of effort. Weekly leadership alignment, clearer roles, and better communication removed pressure Garrett could not grind his way out of. When teams know the goal and their lane, energy shifts from busy work to real momentum.
Timestamps
00:13 Welcome to Hello Chaos
00:58 Starting Duncan and Stone in 2020
02:04 From corporate life to founders
03:27 Finding the product gap
04:13 Staying true to the vision
05:17 The name Duncan and Stone
06:04 Building with spouse and friends
08:16 Creating real boundaries
10:58 Going full time and burning out
12:19 Learning to offload work
14:06 The freedom myth
18:20 Identity and founder pressure
20:18 Coaching changed everything
26:43 Planning and alignment rhythms
30:19 The communication code
31:48 Life outside the business
35:25 Two things he would change
39:19 Pickleball dreams
42:37 The next big win
43:33 The misprint lesson
49:17 One word for the journey
50:35 One word for what’s next
51:51 Grounded founder advice
52:50 Where to find Duncan and Stone
Explore Duncan and Stone or connect with Garrett below.
Website: https://www.duncanandstone.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettlpeters/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duncanandstone/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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55min
February 01, 2026Ep. 186 Matt Olin
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Connection Beats Perfection Every Time
Waiting until something feels perfect costs you momentum. Matt built community and credibility by shipping ideas early, gathering people fast, and letting connection do the heavy lifting. Founders grow faster when they move forward imperfectly instead of hiding behind polish.
2️⃣ Social Capital Is A Real Business Asset
Relationships create leverage long before revenue shows up. Matt treated community building as infrastructure, not a nice to have, and it opened doors money could not. Founders who invest in people early create options they cannot spreadsheet their way into later.
3️⃣ The Runway Never Stops Moving
Whether nonprofit or for profit, the cliff is always there. Matt’s experience shows that sustainability comes from staying proactive, asking bigger, and extending the runway before panic sets in. Founders win by facing the math early and choosing momentum over comfort.
Timestamps
00:14 Welcome to the messy middle and meet Matt Olin
01:46 The accidental nonprofit founder journey
03:55 What creativity really means and who it includes
04:50 Shifting Charlotte from a banking city to a creative city
06:17 Early support from sponsors and civic partners
08:43 Teaching creatives to think like entrepreneurs
09:25 Social capital as the most untapped resource
10:42 From small meetups to 10000 people, convening at scale
11:49 The COVID decision to serve first and grow anyway
13:05 Learning collaboration as a leadership strength
14:24 Co founder discipline and protecting the partnership
20:40 Why creative economies fuel city growth
23:48 The biggest challenge, fundraising and the cliff
25:26 If fear disappeared, going bigger on the ask
26:24 Magic wand changes, staff growth and faster momentum
27:49 Measuring success through funding and national stories
29:33 Best advice, connection not perfection
32:48 Finding inspiration through community and curiosity
33:39 One word for the journey, messy
35:08 Defining the next chapter with joy
39:04 How to support Charlotte Is Creative and give a HUG
Community grows through connection. Here’s where to follow Matt’s work and explore Charlotte Is Creative.
Website: https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattolin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cltiscreative/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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42min
January 25, 2026Ep. 185 David Sauers
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Build from real frustration
The strongest businesses start by solving a problem you actually lived. David did not chase an idea. He fixed something that bothered him deeply. If the problem hits close to home, your solution will be sharper and more durable.
2️⃣ Own what you build
Platforms can vanish and contracts can trap you. Reviews, websites, images, and data should live where you have control. If you do not own it, you are exposed when chaos hits.
3️⃣ Step back to scale
Staying busy can keep you stuck. Real growth comes from working on the business, not just inside it. Systems, boundaries, and support free founders to build something bigger than themselves.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Chaos
00:55 The Inspiration Behind Royal Restrooms
02:51 The Importance of Clean Restrooms at Events
05:18 Designing a Unique Product for a Common Problem
07:55 The Rewards of Entrepreneurship
10:30 Myths of Entrepreneurship
13:21 Personal Sacrifices in Business
15:57 Working with a Spouse in Business
16:51 Challenges and 'Oh Shit' Moments
19:33 Navigating Google Business Challenges
22:29 Ownership and Control of Digital Assets
25:00 Franchising and Expansion Challenges
27:52 Surprises in Business Growth
30:21 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
32:51 Looking Ahead: Growth and Legacy
35:22 Celebrating Wins and Cohesion
37:55 Final Thoughts and Advice
If you want to keep up with David and the work he’s doing at Royal Restrooms, here’s where to connect.
Website: https://royalrestrooms.com/
Personal Website: https://www.davidsauers.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidsauersjr
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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50min
January 18, 2026Ep. 184 Aleksandra Simanovsky
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Your Name Opens Doors. Your Business Earns Trust
Aleksandra learned quickly that past credibility helps start conversations but it does not close them. Founders still have to prove value again and again. Show your work, stay consistent, and let results speak louder than your resume.
2️⃣ Patience Is a Founder Skill You Must Build
Leaving corporate speed behind forces a mindset shift. Without an army or brand name pushing things forward, progress comes from steady follow up and long term thinking. Founders who last learn to move with intention instead of urgency.
3️⃣ Purpose Creates Momentum Money Cannot
What keeps Aleksandra moving is not deals or titles but impact. When founders align their work with real purpose, the right partners show up and growth compounds naturally. Purpose sharpens focus and gives the work staying power when things slow down.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Hello Chaos
01:09 The story behind Adige Advisory
03:52 Life inside institutional finance
06:59 Discovering private lending
08:14 Neighborhood impact through capital
10:25 Creating the first rated deal
12:08 The gap Adige Advisory fills
13:40 The myth of instant traction
16:38 Building trust beyond a corporate name
21:34 Using data and technology to scale
25:55 Learning patience as a founder
27:25 Finding community and support
31:32 The power of consistent follow up
32:47 Purpose and the next chapter
If you want to connect with Aleksandra or follow the work she is doing, you can find her here.
Website: https://adigeadvisory.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-simanovsky-3ab9bb1/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adige-advisory/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
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37min
January 11, 2026Ep. 183 Lael AnnMarie
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Build Values In, Not Later
Bootstrapping a product based startup forces clarity fast. When values like ethical sourcing and sustainability are baked in from day one, they guide manufacturing decisions, wholesale sales strategy, and who you say no to. The right constraints protect your energy and your brand as you scale.
2️⃣ Stop Chasing Yes and Get to No
Selling into hospitality sales and big corporations is not about one decision maker. It is about navigating red tape, vendor approvals, and slow timelines without burning out. Design your conversations to reach a clear no faster so you can focus on real opportunities that actually move revenue.
3️⃣ Let the Process Work on You
Building a sustainable luxury product will surface every fear you have around worthiness, money, and success. Resilience is not forcing outcomes but surrendering to the long game while staying consistent. When you trust the process, confidence follows and momentum compounds.
Timestamps
00:14 Meet Lael AnnMarie and Hello Chaos
01:22 The paper straw problem that sparked EcoLux Goods
02:28 Designing a luxury reusable product
04:30 Manufacturing chaos and early prototypes
06:48 Ethical sourcing and recycled materials
08:24 Losing a business during COVID
11:34 Shifting from DTC to wholesale
13:21 The reality of selling to big corporations
17:29 Stop chasing yes and get to no faster
22:24 Surrendering to the founder process
26:33 Worthiness healing and impact driven business
32:15 Resilience and defining the next chapter
Want to keep up with Lael and what she’s building next? Here’s where to connect.
Website: https://ecoluxgoods.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laelbarry/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecoluxgoods/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lael.ecolux/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
Connect With Us:
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38min
January 04, 2026Ep. 182 Mido Said
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Peace creates freedom before profit does
Chasing more revenue without strong systems leads straight to founder burnout. When peace comes first, clarity improves and the business stops running you. Time freedom is a sign the foundation is working.
2️⃣ Plug profit leaks before scaling
Most small businesses do not need more leads. They need fewer leaks. Weekly audits, knowing your numbers, and cutting wasted effort create more freedom than chasing another growth tactic.
3️⃣ Growth means doing less yourself
If your task list keeps growing, burnout is close behind. Delegation, fractional support, and firm boundaries help founders stop being the bottleneck and start leading the business.
Timestamps
00:14 - Welcome and who is Mido Said
00:59 - The first business, selling candy as a kid
02:44 - Early entrepreneurship and restaurants
03:46 - The 2010 car wreck and recovery
07:09 - Rebuilding and learning how businesses run without the owner
09:02 - The trap of more and losing freedom
10:02 - Peace is the new profit
12:24 - Building resources for business owners, free community support
14:19 - The real founder need, time not more revenue
15:16 - Jennifer on tactics vs strategy, and agency red flags
20:49 - What peace looks like day to day, time with family
23:38 - Business Owner Venting Machine community
25:11 - The most common vent, burnout
26:11 - Delegation and shrinking the founder task list
27:15 - Fractional support vs full time hires
32:03 - Cost per lead, acquisition cost, and knowing your numbers
35:15 - Coachability and being ready for help
37:34 - One year vision, spreading peace over profit
39:17 - Boundaries, scheduling, and avoiding rabbit holes
42:45 - Journaling prompts and the brain dump method
47:26 - Calendar blocking for focus
50:14 - Advice, do not let the business run you
51:06 - Money cycle and weekly audits
51:33 - Four square priority filter
52:24 - One word for the journey, oh my god
53:26 - Next chapter, peace and freedom
53:39 - Where to connect with Mido
For founders who want more clarity, better systems, and a little more peace in their business, here’s where to find Mido.
Website: https://www.midosaid.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mido-said/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themidosaid/
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.
Connect With Us:
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...more
56min

FAQs about Hello Chaos:

How many episodes does Hello Chaos have?

The podcast currently has 197 episodes available.