Artin Bogdanov has built three companies, was on the Magento team Adobe acquired, and got into a16z Speedrun, which accepts 0.3% of applicants. From suing Google after his first startup to a Canva acquisition that fell through, he has lived the setbacks behind the advice. He breaks down what actually gets a founder funded, why no one cares about your idea, and the one metric you can't fake.Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we cover:→ Getting Into a16z Speedrun: What it takes to be in the 0.3% that gets accepted.→ Why No One Cares About Your Idea: The first thing a16z drills into founders about what actually matters.→ Team vs Traction: How investors weigh the two, and how to treat fundraising as a probability game.→ Finding a Quiet Channel: Why he hunts for distribution nobody else has noticed yet.→ "I Win or I Learn": The backpropagation mindset he applies to every setback.→ The Metric You Can't Fake: The one number that tells him whether the product is really working.Chapters:00:00 - Intro and the case for adaptability04:48 - From finance in Russia to a Harvard CS degree08:38 - Company one: high-tech optics e-commerce11:38 - How Google ended company one, and the lawsuit17:40 - Automation as an edge, and company two20:32 - "I never lose. I win or I learn."23:40 - Inside Adobe and the Canva deal that collapsed31:00 - Walmart Labs and the forecasting machine33:06 - "Being a founder is a disease in your brain"33:50 - Sun: the personalized AI audio app he loves44:25 - Bloom's 2-sigma and 1-to-1 learning at scale47:10 - Distribution, CAC, and finding a quiet channel53:49 - Hiring for speed and the founder transformation01:00:39 - Building a team and making tough calls01:01:53 - a16z Speedrun and "no one cares about your idea"01:07:14 - Pitch decks and fundraising as probability01:14:22 - What to prioritize and the metric you can't fakeSubscribe to Little Pursuits for raw stories from founders, leaders, and experts: https://www.youtube.com/@littlepursuits?sub_confirmation=1Watch Next: https://youtu.be/5TBvawS1VHg?si=S5SQKXxdNiDdWDmoHost: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Founder Circle, our small-group coaching for seed-stage founders: https://luma.com/littlepursuitsNewsletter, The Inner Game, on the inner game of building and leading: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest: Artin Bogdanov, Founder of SunConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artinbogdanov/#Fundraising #Startups #VentureCapital #a16z #FounderMindset #Entrepreneurship #SeedStage #PitchDeck #StartupAdvice #LittlePursuits

Carolyn, the founder of WildLight, shares her intentional path from high-growth corporate roles at Yelp and ClassPass to building a career that prioritizes authenticity and play. After navigating the pressures of being a first-generation college student and the "double whammy" of major business setbacks, Carolyn chose to redefine success on her own terms. From moving across the country during the pandemic to mastering the "individual contributor" path, she provides a masterclass in designing a professional life that actually fits who you are.Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we explore the reality of career transitions, the myth of the linear path, and why "play" is a non-negotiable for long-term fulfillment. From the strategy behind landing every job through community to the psychological shift required to leave the corporate hustle, we cover:→ The Myth of the Linear Path: Why success doesn't always mean moving "up" the corporate ladder.→ Networking with Authenticity: How Carolyn landed her biggest roles through community rather than cold applications.→ The "Double Whammy" of Rejection: How to recover when your biggest business challenges hit all at once.→ Selling Yourself as a "Product": Carolyn’s framework for communicating your unique value.→ The Power of Play: Why inviting curiosity back into your work is the ultimate antidote to burnout.→ Scaling with Intention: Transitioning from one-on-one coaching to high-impact group cohorts.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: Why Success Isn't Linear08:35 - The Early Hustle: Landing 4 Jobs in 4 Years11:40 - The Networking Strategy: Why Cold Applications Failed17:15 - The IC Path: Why Management Isn't for Everyone21:48 - The Reality for Women of Color in the C-Suite25:54 - The Pivot: Leaving New York for Portland34:00 - The "Product" Formula: How to Sell Your Value40:15 - Scaling Impact: Moving to Group Cohorts57:12 - Resilience: Handling the "Double Whammy" of 202301:09:44 - Future of Work: Inviting Play Back Into Your LifeSubscribe to Little Pursuits for more raw stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Watch Next: https://youtu.be/5TBvawS1VHgHost: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/littlepursuitsNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest: Carolyn, Founder of Wild LightConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynlaimoore/#CareerPivot #RedefiningSuccess #WomenInBusiness #WildLight #LittlePursuits #Entrepreneurship #FounderMindset #CareerCoaching #WorkLifeBalance #PersonalGrowth

Sarah Romanko, an investor at Geek Ventures, shares her unconventional path into the world of venture capital. After being told she "couldn't do it" as early as high school and lacking the typical Ivy League or wealthy background, Sarah leaned into her "underestimated" status to break into one of the most exclusive industries in the world. From winning business competitions out of spite to building a career based on genuine relationships rather than status, Sarah provides a masterclass in resilience and strategic networking.Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we explore the "inside game" of venture capital, the power of being the underdog, and why community is the ultimate resource for any founder or aspiring investor. From the psychological shift of owning your title to the reality of being a woman in VC, we cover:→ The "Underestimated" Advantage: How being doubted became Sarah’s greatest competitive edge.→ Breaking the Pedigree Myth: How to break into VC without an Ivy League degree or existing wealth.→ Relationships over Resources: Why Sarah prioritizes community and genuine connection over traditional tools.→ The "Psychological Flip": The moment Sarah stopped asking for permission and started owning her title.→ The Reality of VC: Navigating the industry as a woman and the importance of finding your tribe.→ Building Out Loud: Why putting yourself out there is the fastest way to attract opportunities.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: The "You Can't Do This" Motivation02:15 - Early Hustle: Winning Business Competitions in High School05:40 - The Pedigree Trap: Navigating VC Without the Ivy League Label09:10 - Turning "No" Into Fuel: Overcoming Early Career Rejection13:25 - The Power of Community: Finding Your Tribe in an Exclusive Industry17:50 - Strategic Networking: How Relationships Replaced Traditional Resources22:10 - The "Psychological Flip": Finally Owning the Investor Title27:45 - Breaking Barriers: Being a Woman in Venture Capital33:20 - Investor Secrets: What VCs Are Really Looking For39:15 - Advice for Builders: Why Resilience is Your Most Valuable Asset45:00 - The Future of Venture: Why Diversity of Thought is the Next Big TrendSubscribe to Little Pursuits for more raw stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Watch Next: https://youtu.be/zZ9SD5lH19YHost: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/littlepursuitsNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest: Sarah Romanko, Investor at New North VenturesConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahromanko/Website: https://geek.vc/#VentureCapital #FounderMindset #LittlePursuits #WomenInBusiness #Resilience #Networking #StartupLife #InvestorSecrets #CareerPivot #UnderdogStory

Antonio, CEO and Founder of Aware, shares his transition from a 20-year career in telecommunications and a PhD in Electrical Engineering to building a neurotech startup that monitors brain health. After experiencing the physical and mental toll of a global corporate role and finding clarity during a 10-day silent meditation retreat, Antonio set out to create a wearable that helps people stay anchored in their own well-being.

Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!

In this episode, we explore the power of resilience developed through a PhD, the lessons learned from working with the inventor of the cell phone, and the critical importance of customer interviews in hardware design. From the "nightmare" of silent meditation to winning the health category at TechCrunch Disrupt, we cover:

→ The Resilience Factor: How publishing 20 papers in 3 years of a PhD prepared Antonio for the startup grind.

→ Corporate to Founder Pivot: The leadership shifts required when moving from global R&D at Rakuten to leading a solo-founder startup.

→ The 10-Day Mind Boot Camp: Why the hardest thing Antonio ever did led to the creation of Aware.

→ Customer-Driven Design: How interviewing Oura Ring users completely flipped the form factor of their brain-tracking wearable.

→ Financial Levers: Why a financial model is actually a "digital twin" that reduces founder anxiety.

→ Winning at TechCrunch: The perks of the Battlefield 200 and the impact of the best pitch award.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: A Meditation Nightmare and the Idea for Aware

01:20 - Early Inspiration: Building Houses with a Grandfather

04:15 - The PhD Journey: Resilience, Determination, and 20 Published Papers

08:35 - First Startup Lessons: Working with Marty Cooper, Inventor of the Cellphone

10:50 - Customer Focus: Why Techstars Changed Antonio’s Perspective on Interviews

12:50 - Transitioning to Corporate: Leading Global R&D at Rakuten

17:15 - The Burnout Wakeup Call: Losing 40 Pounds Through Data and Accountability

24:30 - Silent Meditation: Surviving a 10-Day "Prison Cell" for the Mind

31:00 - Stress Management for Founders: Tracking Brain Waves and Staying in the Zone

39:00 - Engineering a Discreet Wearable: The Ear Patch and the Future of Brain Health

46:15 - Leveraging Accelerators: Funding, Mentorship, and Financial Digital Twins

54:30 - Winning TechCrunch Battlefield: PR, Exposure, and Advice for BuildersSubscribe to Little Pursuits for more raw stories from founders, leaders, and experts!

Watch Next: https://youtu.be/TWcuitXHRjU

Host: Dar Patel, Founder of Little Pursuits

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/

Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/littlepursuits

Newsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/

Guest: Antonio, Founder of Aware

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonioforenza/Website: https://www.aware.ai/

#FounderMindset #Neurotech #MentalHealth #StartupStories #Meditation #LittlePursuits #TechCrunch #Biohacking #HardwareStartup #Resilience

Meg McWilliams, Founder of Mixies, shares her nonlinear journey from studying Art History to founding an AI-driven networking startup in San Francisco. In an industry that often demands "permission," Meg discusses the raw reality of being rejected by her dream employers and how that frustration sparked her to build her own platform. Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we explore the "Founder Mindset" of creating your own opportunities, the visceral power of immersive storytelling in VR, and how to scale a team without losing the core mission. From the emotional reality of closing a first company to navigating the high-stakes timing of the gaming industry, we cover:→ The Spite Catalyst: Why being rejected by Sundance led Meg to start her own international film festival from scratch. → The "Rocket Trajectory" Fall: The gritty reality of building an all-star gaming team only to face a macro-industry bloodbath. → Building Without Permission: Why waiting for an invitation to your career is the ultimate barrier to success. → The Future of Networking: How Mixies is using AI to turn "cold" events into high-ROI matchmaking experiences. → Hiring for Mission: Why finding "true believers" is the make-or-break factor for early-stage startups.Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: From Sundance Rejection to Founding a Film Festival 10:00 - Immersive Storytelling: The Visceral Power of VR and Journalism 13:30 - The Transition to Gaming: Building Social Worlds with High Impact 18:30 - Cold Outreach Mastery: How to Land All-Star Co-Founders via LinkedIn 26:08 - The "Blood Bath": Dealing with Industry Downturns and Closing a Company 37:10 - The Birth of Mixies: Solving the Problem of "Terrible" Event Networking 43:30 - B2B Strategy: Why Focusing on High-ROI Summits is the Ultimate Growth Wedge 58:10 - Outro: Meg’s Advice for Non-Technical Founders Building in AISubscribe to Little Pursuits for more raw stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Watch Next:    • I Stopped Collecting Resume Logos. Here’s ...  Host: Dar Patel, Founder of Little Pursuits Connect:   / darpatel   Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/littlepursuits Newsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest: Meg McWilliams, Founder of Mixies Connect Meg:   / meg-mcwilliams-b1669976  Website: https://mixies.ai/

#FounderMindset #Entrepreneurship #StartupStories #CareerPivot #AI #LittlePursuits #Sundance #Networking #WomenInTech #FounderGrief

Chandrika Maheswari, co-founder of Quivly AI, shares her journey from management consulting and product marketing at Google to building AI-driven solutions for the future of B2B SaaS. In an industry of "checklists" and corporate hierarchies, Chandrika discusses the raw reality of moving halfway across the world and leaving stable roles to define success on her own terms.

Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!

In this episode, we explore the transition from corporate leader to entrepreneur, the importance of high agency and curiosity in hiring, and how to scale an AI workforce without losing the human element.

From the emotional reality of winding down a first startup to navigating a shifting market, we cover:

→ The Leap of Faith: Why waiting for a sign or a "ready" checklist is the ultimate barrier to starting.

→ The Google Era: Why overcoming self-doubt in a high-growth environment sparked the leap into entrepreneurship.

→ Ask vs. Guess Culture: How a simple framework for getting out of your own way turned "self-rejection" into a 10-year career advantage.

→ Scaling with AI: How they are building AI agents for post-sales teams to help companies grow without linearly scaling headcount.

→ Hiring for High Agency: Why work trials and genuine curiosity are the secret to building a resilient early-stage team.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: Breaking the Checklist Mentality and Taking the Plunge

10:00 - The Google Era: Overcoming Self-Doubt in Product Marketing

13:30 - Ask vs. Guess Culture: A Framework for Getting Out of Your Own Way

18:30 - The Permission Paradox: Why You Don't Need Approval to Move Fast

26:08 - The First Startup: Solving Financial Struggles for Immigrants

37:10 - The Pivot and the Wind-Down: Navigating Market Headwinds in 2023

43:30 - Finding the Right Co-Founder Through "Dating" Frameworks

46:56 - Defining Quivly AI: Building AI Agents for Post-Sales Revenue Growth

58:10 - Hiring for High Agency: Why Curiosity Outperforms Traditional Interviews

Subscribe to Little Pursuits for more stories from founders, leaders, and experts!

Host: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/littlepursuitsNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/

Guest: Chandrika Maheswari, Co-Founder of Quivly AI

Connect Chandrika: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandrikamaheswari/

Website: https://www.quivly.ai/#entrepreneurship

#AI #fintech #leadership #founders #productmarketing #startup #littlepursuits

Anyi Sun and Andrea Nguyen, co-founders of Koi Studios, share their journey from corporate fatigue to building a human-centered design studio. In an industry where "UX design" and "product strategy" are often buzzwords, Anyi and Andrea discuss the raw reality of leaving stable roles to define success on their own terms.Hit follow to join our community of builders!In this episode, we explore the transition from in-house designer to business owner, the importance of finding the right co-founder, and how to scale a creative agency without losing your soul. From the "quarterly wrap" reflection process to navigating a saturated market, we cover:→ The Corporate Exit: Why performance reviews and rigid structures led to a "fatigue" that sparked the leap into entrepreneurship.→ Finding the "Click": How Anyi and Andrea pivoted from law, medicine, and economics to discover their passion for human-centered design.→ The Co-Founder Dynamic: Why a dinner conversation over deconstructed ramen turned a shared aspiration into a 2.5-year partnership.→ Strategic Growth: How they moved from scrappy cold DMs to a long-term inbound marketing strategy built on transparency and value.→ Future of Design: The role of AI as a "co-pilot" in product building and why the human element is more critical than ever.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: The Illusion of Corporate Security and the Leap to Freedom01:34 - Early Interests: Navigating the Pressure of Traditional Career Paths05:40 - The Psychological Switch: Giving Yourself "Permission" to Be a Creative08:50 - The Lucky Break: How a Marketing Internship Led to a UX Career13:10 - Learning the Mechanics: Startup Scrappiness vs. Corporate Operations15:20 - The Ramen Dinner: Finding the Courage to Start Together19:50 - The Financial Reality: Adjusting to Life Without a Corporate Safety Net25:10 - Evolving Sales: Moving from Outbound Spam to Inbound Relationships35:10 - The In-House Advantage: How Their Past Roles Became Their Biggest Differentiator38:30 - The Quarterly Wrap: A Founder’s Guide to Reflection and Alignment54:10 - Scaling Beyond the Founders: Building a Team and Exploring Products55:12 - AI and the Future: Designing for Humans in an Automated World01:00:25 - Outro: The Future Vision for Koi StudiosFollow to Little Pursuits for more stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Host: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/84tq1a6cNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guests: Anyi Sun & Andrea Nguyen, Co-Founders of Koi StudiosConnect Anyi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyisun/Connect Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreanguyen10/Website: https://www.koistudios.co/#entrepreneurship #podcast #uxdesign #productstrategy #leadership #founders

Dani Tan shares how her path through corporate leadership, achieving 11 promotions in 11 years, eventually led her to building her own coaching business. What does it actually take to shed a corporate identity and turn years of expertise into a successful business?Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we dig into the reality of career navigation, strategic visibility, and the transition from VP to founder. From the "squeaky wheel" philosophy to finding service-market signal in coaching, we cover:→ The Early Days: How Dani’s interest in psychology and communications formed the foundation for her career.→ Navigating Corporate: Why working hard isn’t enough and how to build the "web" of relationships needed for growth.→ The Identity Shift: The raw reality of transitioning from a VP-level title to the messy experimentation of a first-time founder.→ Redefining Success: Why achievement is often a "made-up" structure and how to define success on your own terms.→ Founder Mindset: Overcoming the vulnerability of visibility and the importance of self-coaching and somatic work.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: The Illusion of Security and Messy Experimentation01:13 - Early Interests: Psychology, Teaching, and Finding the "Root"07:10 - Moving to New York: Networking into the Fashion Industry14:35 - The "Squeaky Wheel" Strategy: 4 Promotions in 6 Years25:20 - Reaching the VP Level: Negotiations and High-Stakes Buy-In31:15 - The Identity Crisis: Feeling Like a Phony Despite the Title35:10 - Pivoting to Coaching: Finding Passion in First-Gen Mentorship50:40 - The First Client: How One LinkedIn Update Changed Everything01:03:00 - Final Advice: Taking the Step Closer to What You’ve Been Sitting OnSubscribe to Little Pursuits for more stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Watch Next: https://youtu.be/YXTLisl0EDQHost: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/84tq1a6cNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest: Dani Tan, Leadership & Career CoachConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danitan/Website: https://www.danitan.com/#entrepreneurship #podcast #career #leadership #founders

Celine Lightfoot shares how her path through technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship eventually led her to building Beni. What does it actually take to turn a mission-driven idea into a real startup people want to use?Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we dig into the reality of startup building, early traction, and founder decision-making. From testing ideas manually to finding product-market signal, we cover:→ The Early Days: How Celine’s interests in tech, sustainability, and entrepreneurship started to come together.→ Building the First MVP: Why the first version of a product doesn’t need to be polished to be useful.→ Fundraising Lessons: What early investors are really looking for in founders and startup opportunities.→ Distribution and Growth: Why reducing time to value matters and how Beni evolved its product strategy.→ Founder Mindset: Hiring, feedback, coaching, and the inner work of building a company.Chapters:00:00 - Intro: Celine’s Journey into Tech and Entrepreneurship05:17 - Sustainability, Startups, and Early Interests10:17 - Building the Technical Tool Belt22:43 - Why She Started Beni30:56 - Testing the MVP and Finding Early Signal40:14 - What Investors Look for in Early-Stage Startups53:57 - Distribution, Growth, and Time to Value01:05:07 - Hiring, Culture, and Scaling the Team01:16:32 - Founder Mindset, Coaching, and Inner Growth01:21:52 - Connecting the Dots Across a Nonlinear CareerSubscribe to @littlepursuits for more stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Watch Next: https://youtu.be/Fhycrbiz5v0Host: Dar Patel, Founder of Little PursuitsConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/84tq1a6cNewsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guest: Celine LightfootConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celinemol/Website: https://www.joinbeni.com/#entrepreneurship #podcast #founders #startups

Haris Butt shares his journey from early roles at Notion and Square to VP of Product at ClickUp. What does it actually take to scale products used by millions of people? Hit subscribe to join our community of builders!In this episode, we dig into the reality of technical leadership and product strategy. From startup growth to executive decision-making, we cover:→ The Early Days: Scaling product at Notion and Square. → VP of Product: Navigating rapid growth at ClickUp. → Technical Leadership: How to build and manage world-class teams. → The Product Framework: Identifying high-impact problems to solve.Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Scaling Notion, Square, and ClickUp 08:20 - Lessons from the Early Days of Notion 15:45 - Building Product Culture at Square 28:30 - The Transition to VP of Product at ClickUp 42:10 - Founder Mindset: Decisions that Drive GrowthSubscribe for more stories from founders, leaders, and experts!Watch Next: https://youtu.be/bRyxC1xlmHEHost: Dar Patel, Founder of Little Pursuits Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darpatel/ Join Our Founder Circle: https://luma.com/84tq1a6c Newsletter: https://littlepursuits.substack.com/Guests: Haris Butt, Former VP of Product, ClickUp Connect: https://x.com/probablyharis?lang=en Website: https://haris.computer/home#entrepreneurship #podcast #founders