Hello Chaos

Hello Chaos

By Jennifer SuttonSociety & CultureBusinessEntrepreneurshipPersonal JournalsMarketing
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Hello Chaos episodes

  • Ep. 193 Haley Hoover - From Mom Frustration To Product Startup

    Key Takeaways:

    1️⃣ Start With The Problem Not The Product

    Great products usually start with frustration. Haley Hoover did not set out to build a startup. She simply wanted to fix a daily problem she faced as a mom. Founders who build around real pain points create solutions people instantly understand and want.

    2️⃣ Product Businesses Cost More Than You Think

    Launching a physical product startup is not a cheap experiment. Manufacturing, design, and inventory add up quickly. Founders who succeed understand early that building a real product takes capital, patience, and persistence.

    3️⃣ Learn Faster Than Your Mistakes

    Every founder runs into setbacks, especially when bringing a new product to market. Haley learned that mistakes are part of the process. The founders who win are the ones who adapt quickly and keep moving forward.

    Timestamps

    00:00 Hello Chaos podcast introduction for founders

    00:40 Haley Hoover founder of Winnie and Lu home products
    00:52 The parenting frustration that sparked a product idea
    02:18 Turning a notebook sketch into a product startup
    04:30 Learning how to launch a physical product startup
    06:58 Finding manufacturers and early product development mistakes
    08:02 Advice for founders working with manufacturers
    11:45 What entrepreneurship taught about motherhood and leadership
    13:22 The challenge of delegating as a growing founder
    16:45 The moment the first product launch sold out
    17:39 The real cost of building a consumer product startup
    20:12 Habits that help founders manage the chaos
    26:38 The support system behind a founder journey
    29:12 Why growth happens outside your comfort zone
    33:15 Building a product brand in a crowded market
    35:00 The vision for Winnie and Lu becoming a household name
    36:15 Founder advice about learning from mistakes
    43:05 Hello Chaos closing and founder resources

    If Haley’s story resonated with you, you can follow her journey and learn more about Winnie and Lu using the links below.

    Website: https://www.winnieandlu.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-hoover-b408b811/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winnie.and.lu.home/

    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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    45 min
  • Ep. 192 Shanise Pearce - Turning Adversity Into a Mission

    Key Takeaways:

    1️⃣ Your hardest moment can reveal your real mission

    The thing that disrupts your life can also redirect it. Shanise’s cancer diagnosis forced her to rethink everything and ultimately led her to build The Advocate’s Table. Founders often discover their true work in moments they never planned for. Pay attention to the problems that feel personal. That is often where the most meaningful businesses begin.

    2️⃣ The first no is rarely the final answer

    Systems push back. Gatekeepers say no. That does not mean the door is closed. Shanise fought insurance denials and kept pushing until she got the treatment she needed. Founders face the same reality every day. Persistence is often the difference between stalled ideas and real progress.

    3️⃣ Purpose driven work still needs a price

    Mission based founders often struggle to charge for their work. The impact feels bigger than the money. But sustainability matters. If your expertise creates real value, it deserves to be priced accordingly so the mission can grow and last.

    Timestamps

    00:00 Hello Chaos podcast introduction for founders

    00:38 Shanise Pearce founder of The Advocate’s Table
    00:52 First entrepreneurial venture building a catering business
    01:41 Triple negative breast cancer survivor story
    03:00 Genetic testing and discovering cancer risk early
    05:04 Preventative healthcare that caught cancer early
    07:20 Turning a cancer diagnosis into patient advocacy work
    09:17 Teaching patients how to advocate for their healthcare
    12:25 The communication gaps inside the healthcare system
    13:18 From entrepreneur to healthcare advocacy founder
    14:30 Fighting insurance and healthcare system barriers
    15:33 What cancer taught about resilience and leadership
    16:08 The reward of helping patients advocate for themselves
    18:00 Building a mission driven advocacy organization
    19:09 Monetizing advocacy and purpose driven work
    21:30 Balancing corporate life and entrepreneurship
    24:14 When founders know it is time to go all in
    25:56 How patient advocacy could transform healthcare
    28:00 Supporting someone during chemotherapy treatment
    29:31 Founder stress and mental health routines
    30:45 Building a national healthcare advocacy movement
    31:28 Founder advice about purpose and risk
    32:29 A cancer survivor founder redefining life trajectory
    34:00 Improving cancer survival rates in underserved communities
    35:20 How to support The Advocate’s Table advocacy work
    36:05 Hello Chaos closing and founder resources

    Want to connect with Shanise or support The Advocate’s Table. Use the links below.

    Website: https://theadvocatestable.org/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanisepearce/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanisepearce/

    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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    37 min
  • Ep. 191 Cody LaHoste - Misalignment Is Why Startups Stall

    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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    37 min
  • Ep. 190 Caroline McDavid - Turning 14 Million Views Into a Fuel Franchise

    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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    44 min
  • Ep. 189 Anna Peterson - When Your Pain Becomes the Product

    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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    1 hr 5 min
  • Ep. 188 Haylee Jordan - The Reality of Building in Regulated Chaos

    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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    43 min
  • Ep. 187 Garrett Peters - When the Founder Becomes the Bottleneck

    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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    55 min
  • Ep. 186 Matt Olin - Why Community Outperforms Capital For Founders

    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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    42 min
  • Ep. 185 David Sauers - Turning a Sh*t Experience Into a Scalable Business

    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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    50 min
  • Ep. 184 Aleksandra Simanovsky - Trust Does Not Transfer After Corporate

    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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    37 min

About Hello Chaos

From the publisher's feed

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.