Made It with Connor Tomkies

Boris shares his journey from working at Atlassian to founding his own company Atlas Authority, navigating the challenges of being a solo founder, and eventually exiting the business. Dive into their discussion about unsexy business ideas, the importance of shared context in startups, and Boris's candid insights on his entrepreneurial experiences. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and unique perspectives.

Chapters

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:00:30] The Unsexy Business
[00:00:45] From Atlassian to Solo Founder
[00:02:15] Starting the Company
[00:03:28] Business Model and Services
[00:04:30] Platform Risk and Emotional Fatigue
[00:04:51] Remote Work and Team Structure
[00:05:44] In-Person vs. Remote Work
[00:06:15] The Importance of Communication
[00:08:45] Accountability as a Solo Founder
[00:09:00] Birthday Sale Ritual
[00:10:04] Learning from the Sale Process
[00:11:03] Valuation and Exit
[00:12:15] Post-Exit Reflections
[00:13:15] Unsexy Business Ideas
[00:15:30] Spam Scoring for Outbound Emails
[00:18:45] Sexy Goat Bath Product
[00:21:00] Meatbags: A Unique Snack Idea
[00:23:15] Property Tax Appeal Service
[00:25:45] Weird Sports Network
[00:28:30] RC Plane Venues
[00:31:15] Public Library Publisher
[00:36:00] Advocating for Libraries
[00:36:38] Closing Thoughts
[00:37:00] Outro

Boris' Stuff

Website: https://www.nothingeasyaboutthis.com
Boris' X: https://x.com/borisberenberg
Boris' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borisberenberg/

My Stuff

Podcast: www.mysecondmillionpodcast.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

Eric Bahn, co-founder of Hustle Fund, discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and investor. He shares insights on building genuine communities, identifying true "hustlers", and redefining wealth and success. Eric opens up about his family's story, working with his wife and sister, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership. He also discusses Hustle Fund's unique investment approach and their flagship event Camp Hustle which aims to build meaningful connections. This candid conversation touches on finding joy after an exit, building inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems, and growing together in the long-term.

Chapters:

 00:00 - Intro
01:35 - Building Genuine Communities
03:13 - Eric's Vulnerable Journey
04:44 - Eric's Family's Sacrifices
08:15 - Pivotal Life Moments
10:43 - Minivan Enthusiasm & Branding
13:13 - Beat the GMAT
16:00 - 3 Pillars of an Excellent Community
19:32 - Choosing the Right Acquirer
21:58 - Post-Exit World Travel
24:43 - Working with Your Sister
26:47 - Genesis of Hustle Fund
29:25 - Hustle Fund's Secret Weapon
30:29 - Hustle Fund's Investment Approach
32:30 - Hustle Fund's Inclusive Mission
34:44 - The Loneliness of Success
37:07 - Navigating Life After an Exit
39:56 - Camp Hustle
42:05 - Power of Shared Experiences
44:17 - Hustle Fund Community
45:46 - Eric's Ideal Collaborators

Eric's Stuff

Hustle Fund: https://www.hustlefund.vc/
Eric's X: https://x.com/ericbahn
Eric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbahn/

My Stuff

Podcast: www.mysecondmillionpodcast.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

Andrew Warner, founder of Mixergy, returns to the pod to share his insights on the post-exit journey of entrepreneurs. The two discuss the importance of finding meaning and purpose after selling a business, the value of shadowing successful entrepreneurs, and the potential of building a community for post-exit founders. With a focus on personal growth and the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs after an exit, this podcast offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the next chapter of their entrepreneurial journey. Discover the key to staying motivated, connected, and inspired in this thought-provoking conversation.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:11 - Finding the Right Podcast Format
00:06:48 - The Impact of the "My Second Million" Podcast Launch
00:10:57 - Andrew's Outdoor "Anti-Office" Setup
00:14:07 - The Potential of Video-First Podcast Content
00:19:13 - Engaging Post-Exit Founders
00:22:20 - The Anticlimactic Moment of Selling a Business
00:24:28 - Building a Community for Post-Exit Entrepreneurs
00:27:15 - Finding Motivation Beyond Fear After an Exit
00:29:34 - Andrew's Search for Clarity
00:32:17 - The Lost Art of Apprenticeship
00:37:30 - Experience as an EOS Implementer
00:39:39 - Building Relationships
00:41:46 - Conclusion

Andrew's Stuff

Andrew's Site: https://mixergy.com/
Andrew's X: https://x.com/AndrewWarner?s=20
Andrew's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Asking-Questions-High-Impact-Interviews/dp/1737676540

My Stuff

Podcast: www.mysecondmillionpodcast.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

In this episode, serial entrepreneur Dan Reich shares his remarkable journey of building and exiting multiple companies across various industries. From his early ventures in high school to co-founding Spinback, which was acquired by Buddy Media and later Salesforce, Dan's experiences highlight valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, partnerships, and the importance of pursuing passion projects. He also discusses his current approach to building companies and investing through his informal venture studio, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of the entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Chapters:

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:01:10] The Spinback Story
[00:04:22] Early Entrepreneurial Ventures
[00:09:46] Lessons from a Failed Partnership
[00:11:05] Pursuing New Opportunities
[00:16:31] The Birth of Tula Skincare
[00:18:38] Dan's Involvement in Various Companies
[00:22:21] Criteria for Pushing a Project Live
[00:25:03] Thoughts on the Current SaaS Market
[00:31:12] Simplicity in Building Companies
[00:32:07] Balancing the Roles of Operator and Investor
[00:35:18] Entrepreneurship as a Video Game
[00:38:01] The Importance of Employee Equity
[00:41:20] Dan's Immature Business Ideas
[00:43:25] Conclusion and Where to Find Dan Reich

Dan's Stuff:
Website: https://danreich.com/
X: https://x.com/DanReich
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danreich/

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

In this candid interview, Noah Abelson, founder of ShareRoot, shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting up in a garage to taking his company public. He discusses the challenges of pivoting, fundraising, and navigating co-founder relationships, as well as the emotional toll of life after a successful exit. Noah also shares his passion for making a positive impact and his personal mission to help others heal strained family relationships. Filled with valuable insights and lessons learned, this episode is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to find purpose and drive change in their post-startup life.

00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:21 - Noah's Founder Journey and Impact
00:04:30 - Pivoting and Tough Team Conversations
00:07:55 - Leadership During Challenging Times
00:11:39 - Navigating a Co-Founder Partnership Split
00:14:53 - Identifying a Niche in Privacy
00:19:47 - Fundraising: Taking on Another Job
00:22:30 - Life After Exit: Challenges Faced
00:25:48 - Helping Post-Exit Founders Find Purpose
00:29:29 - Noah's Personal Mission: Family Relationships
00:35:38 - Importance of Community
00:37:47 - Wrap-up

Noah's Stuff:
Website: https://foundersjourney.io/
X: https://x.com/NoahAbelson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahabelson/

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

Alex Lieberman, co-founder of Morning Brew and host of the Founders Journal podcast, takes us on a whirlwind journey through his post-exit adventures. From getting a full-body MRI to launching a quirky backyard game, Alex candidly shares the highs and lows of life after a successful startup. He delves into Morning Brew's evolving content strategy, the future of marketing, and the challenges of finding product-market fit with his new venture, StoryArb. Filled with relatable stories and valuable insights, this conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs at any stage looking to stay innovative and adaptable in an ever-changing business landscape.

00:00:00 - Intro
00:09:13 - Alex's Failed Plunger Game
00:11:58 - Humanizing Brands
00:14:52 - Expectations on public-facing CEOs
00:17:06 - Hiring young, agile marketing talent
00:21:12 - Zero to one: Alex's creative drive
00:24:28 - StoryArb
00:26:39 - Lessons learned from StoryArb
00:30:18 - Morning Brew's evolving content strategy
00:32:00 - Creator Economy
00:40:10 - Challenges in the content market
00:42:40 - Early-stage startups as challenging customers
00:43:20 - Four points of value for CEOs
00:44:00 - Outsourcing: From odd to essential
00:45:22 - Wrap-up

Alex's Stuff

Website: https://foundersjournalpod.morningbrew.com/

X: https://x.com/businessbarista

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lieberman/

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com

Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/

X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

Jason Kirby shares hard-earned wisdom with Connor, from exiting his company to Walmart, after a failed acquisition by Samsung. Jason explains key lessons for founders in the acquisition process, like getting your own legal counsel and maintaining multiple options. He also details his new venture Thunder, an investment bank aiming to provide founders with the M&A and fundraising guidance he wished he had.

The two discuss the rise of eSports in schools, navigating the stresses of being an acquisition target while running a company, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right advisors.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes insights on entrepreneurship and life after an exit. Check out the links to connect with Jason and access Thunder's free investor matching tool for founders.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introducing Jason Kirby
00:02:30 - What Thunder Offers to Founders
00:04:55 - The Challenges of Raising Capital
00:07:56 - Building Thunder
00:13:13 - Bringing eSports to Schools
00:22:49 - The Rollercoaster of Selling Liquid Sky
00:29:12 - Picking Up the Pieces
00:32:07 - Maintaining Optionality
00:34:53 - Hard Lessons Learned from M&A
00:41:57 - The Rise of Solo GP
00:45:32 - Wrapping Up

Jason Kirby's Stuff

Website: https://web.thunder.vc/

X: https://x.com/JasonKirby

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com

Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/

X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

In this episode, we sit down with Luke Bonney, co-founder of Redox, a healthcare tech company that raised $95 million. Join us as Luke shares his journey from med school dropout to successful entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of building a startup, the importance of strong co-founder relationships, and the future of healthcare technology. Tune in for valuable insights and lessons learned from a founder who's been in the trenches.

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:07 - The Power of a Big, Bold Purpose
00:07:08 - Building a Distributed Company at Redox
00:10:04 - Challenges of Handling Healthcare Data
00:11:16 - Stepping Down as CEO
00:15:07 - Adapting to Different Phases of Life
00:18:12 - Maintaining Strong Co-Founder Relationships
00:22:13 - Post-Exit Lifestyle
00:24:22 - Leadership Principles
00:29:17 - Working On the Company
00:34:43 - AI in Healthcare
00:36:01 - Start-Ups Changing Landscape
00:37:12 - Better Support Systems

Luke's Stuff:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-bonney-he-him-965a135/

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com

Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/

X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

From celebrity crashes to influencer insights, lessons from a marketing pioneer. Join Connor Tomkies as he sits down with Gil Eyal, a serial entrepreneur who's seen it all in the world of influencer marketing. Discover the ups and downs of Gil's journey, from working with A-listers like Lil Wayne and Leonardo DiCaprio to navigating the ever-changing landscape of social media.

Packed with valuable insights on leveraging celebrity partnerships, adapting to data restrictions, and the future of influencer marketing, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to make their mark in the digital world.

[00:00:00] - Gil Eyal's Celebrity Crash Course
[00:04:19] - Pivoting from Mobli to Hypr
[00:06:55] - The Social Network Data Goldmine
[00:09:05] - Cambridge Analytica: The Turning Point
[00:11:13] - The Acquisition Roller Coaster
[00:13:40] - Structuring Celebrity Equity Deals
[00:18:25] - The Power of the Number Two Position
[00:22:13] - The Jake Paul Effect: Influencer Boxing
[00:24:29] - The Micro-Influencer Debate
[00:28:48] - Soho House: Exclusivity vs. Scalability
[00:32:31] - The Rise of Community-Focused Real Estate
[00:37:17] - Finding Opportunities in Underutilized Assets
[00:43:47] - The Game-Changing Potential of Medical Weight Loss
[00:47:46] - Wrap-up and Contact Info

Gil's Stuff:

https://stardustventures.us/
[email protected]

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/

Entrepreneur Shane Neman shares his incredible journey from founding Junebug, a nightclub software and events company, to building EZ Texting, a pioneering mass texting platform. Discover how Shane spotted opportunities, pivoted when necessary, and bootstrapped his way to success. He also shares insights into his current ventures, including an investment in humanoid robotics and the acquisition of the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:00 - Junebug's Origins
00:04:05 - Launching Junebug
00:07:20 - Hosting Events
00:10:30 - Junebug's Success
00:12:51 - The Texting Opportunity
00:16:07 - Transitioning to EZ Texting
00:19:50 - EZ Texting's Acquisition
00:23:05 - Starting Neman Ventures
00:25:10 - Investing in AI Robotics
00:27:40 - Acquiring the Santa Monica Pier
00:29:15 - Conclusion

Shane Neman Stuff:

Website: https://www.shaneneman.com/
X: https://twitter.com/shaneneman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneneman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneneman/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shaneneman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NemanVentures/

My Stuff

Podcast: MadeItPod.com
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/