The Founder

Kendrick Nguyen is the Co-Founder & CEO of Republic.
During the episode, we break down:

• The origin story for building Republic and what makes it different from other crowdfunding platforms
• How the team thinks about building products for the next wave of Millennial and Gen Z investors 
• The Republic platform product mix including access to private companies, crypto projects, real estate deals, video games and more
• Republic’s autopilot project which acts as a pseudo robo-advisor for private deals on their platform
• The biggest trends in the investment space and how VCs, solo capitalists and micro-investors will all have a seat at the table in the future
• Republic’s process for analyzing deals and how they decide which companies are allowed to raise on their platform
• The power of crypto and how it enables the democratization of investing across the world
• The token economy and how Republic’s note token will drive their business in the future
• Lessons learned working as an understudy of Naval Ravikant
• And much more

Tune in to hear Kendrick’s incredible story!
And remember, at the end of the episode, we asked Kendrick to brainstorm other business ideas that he would chase if Republic was gone tomorrow. Our brainstorm covered happiness and building an Equinox type of fitness for improving mental health.
Watch this episode on YouTube here.
Republic – republic.co

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• Follow Republic on Twitter / Instagram
• Kendrick’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

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Kevin Lee is the Co-Founder of Immi.
During the episode, we break down:

• Immi’s origin story
• Launching the #1 community for product managers (Product Manager HQ) and top 3 keys to community building
• The massive market opportunity for healthy ramen and other “better for you” Asian American food
• Using a data driven approach to unlock the core product attributes of Immi (low carb, high protein, plant based)
• Biggest food & beverage trends for the next 5 years
• “Sleepy” food categories (other than ramen) that are ripe for disruption
• Kevin’s angel investing criteria and getting into deals like Sweetgreen, The Hustle and SpaceX
• The common trait that gives entrepreneurs their edge
• And much more

Tune in to hear Kevins’s incredible story!
And remember, at the end of the episode, we asked Kevin to brainstorm other business ideas that he would chase if Immi were gone tomorrow. Our brainstorm highlighted creating a “better for you” conglomerate that owns multiple food brands across different categories.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.
Immi - immieats.com

• Follow Kevin on Twitter / Instagram
• Follow Immi on Instagram
• Kevin’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Lucie Fink is a lifestyle influencer and Founder of Lucie Fink Media.
During the episode, we break down:

• Her journey to go from neuroscience major to lifestyle influencer
• Her experience working as the lead on-camera talent for Refinery29
• How to think about leaving your corporate job and starting on your own
• Going beneath the hood and breaking down the most important revenue streams for a content creator
• The struggles in life as an influencer
• How to build a content team that supports brand deals with companies like Adobe, TikTok and more
• The top 5 most important lessons for a content creator
• The playbook for starting out as a content creator today
• And more!

Tune in to hear Lucie’s incredible story!
And remember, at the end of the episode, we asked Lucie to brainstorm other businesses that she wished existed. Our brainstorm highlighted next-generation products/services that would make life easier for content creators.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.
Lucie Fink Media – luciefink.com

• Follow Lucie on Instagram / Youtube 
• Lucie’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor are the Co-Founders of Mad Rabbit.
What started as a side project during their senior year at Miami University, turned into a DTC juggernaut that’s taking over the tattoo industry. Mad Rabbit does $4M/year in sales and recently inked a deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank.
During the episode, we break down the playbook to starting a company in college, the power of building community and go behind the curtain of what it’s really like to film an episode of Shark Tank.
Tune in to hear Oliver and Selom’s incredible story!
If you have tattoos and are interested in the best tattoo aftercare products on the planet, get 20% off by using code Kallaway at checkout.
And remember, at the end of the episode, we ask Oliver and Selom to brainstorm other business ideas that they’d explore if Mad Rabbit was gone tomorrow. Our brainstorm included a better model for virtual customer service and building a platform to crowdsource answers from your community  

Watch this episode on YouTube here.
Mad Rabbit – madrabbittattoo.com

• Follow Mad Rabbit on Instagram
• Follow Oliver and Selom on Instagram
• Oliver’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Robbie Bent is the Co-Founder & CEO of Inward.
Inward is a next generation mental health company, combining physical spaces (ice baths + saunas) and the largest library of breathwork content in the world. Prior to Inward, Robbie spent 4 years working on growth at the Ethereum Foundation, a $300 billion cryptocurrency. He also runs a Clubhouse Show on Psychedelic Medicines and loves resilience challenges. You can learn more about him here and follow him on twitter @robbiebent1.
Tune in to hear Robbie’s incredible story!
And remember, at the end of the episode, we ask Robbie to brainstorm other business ideas that he’d explore if Inward was gone tomorrow. Our brainstorm included solving for loneliness through community, commune living and regenerative farming.
Get 25% off your Inward membership today by using KALLAWAY25 at checkout.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.
Inward – inwardbreathwork.com

• Follow Inward on Instagram // Twitter
• Follow Robbie Bent on Twitter
• Robbie’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Don't have time to listen to the full episode? Read the 5-minute version here

Anne Mahlum is the Founder & CEO of solidcore.
solidcore is an intense, full body workout that combines pilates and strength training. With over 70 corporate-owned studios nationwide, it's one of the biggest winners in the boutique fitness industry. And for good reason! Their workouts live up to their name as they generate a core burn unlike any other.
Tune in to hear Anne’s incredible story!
And remember, at the end of the episode, we ask Anne to brainstorm other business ideas that she’d explore if  solidcore was gone tomorrow. Our brainstorm included the future of beauty and social justice reform.

Watch this episode on YouTube here
solidcore– solidcore.co

• Follow solidcore on Instagram // Twitter
• Follow Anne Mahlum on Instagram
• Anne’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Don't have time to listen to the full episode? Read the 5-minute version here.

David Roger is the Co-Founder & CEO of Felix Gray.
Felix Gray is the pioneer of mainstream blue light blocking glasses and a dominant player in the digital wellness category. Their lenses are 15x more effective than competitors and 9/10 customers report a significant improvement in digital eye strain when wearing the product consistently.
In the digital age, many of us are glued to screens 24/7. One of the best gifts you can give yourself is a pair of blue light blocking glasses to protect your eyes and minimize headaches, dizziness and fatigue throughout the day.
Get 10% off Felix Gray glasses with code Kallaway.
Tune in to hear David’s story!
And remember, at the end of the episode, we ask David to brainstorm other business ideas that he’d explore if Felix Gray was gone tomorrow. Our brainstorm included future of work/living solutions and infrastructure to help influencers create and grow their own brands.

Watch this episode on YouTube – here.
Felix Gray – shopfelixgray.com

• Follow Felix Gray on Instagram // Twitter
• Follow David Roger on Twitter // Instagram
• David’s content and learning recommendations 

The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Don't have time to listen to the full episode? Read the 5-minute version here.

Jeremy Cai is the Founder & CEO of Italic.
Italic is positioned to disrupt the traditional retail value chain by giving consumers access to high-end products at cost. That means you only pay what it costs the manufacturer to make and deliver it to you – no markups for branding or retail middlemen. Imagine getting access to products from Burberry, Prada, Alexander Wang, Tumi and All Clad for 80% off the traditional retail price! [Italic has officially entered the chat]
How do they do it? Italic built relationships with the same manufacturers that make the raw goods for your favorite luxury brands. Instead of pushing manufacturers to drive prices down, Italic realigns incentives by paying manufacturers more and passing the traditional brand mark-up margin onto customers as savings. Instead of making a large profit on each item, Italic charges an annual membership fee of $120 for members to access all of their products. It's the members only shopping club you've always dreamed of.
And because Italic’s founder Jeremy is a friend, he’s offering 30% off your first year of the membership to join the club. Visit italic.com/founder to take advantage of the offer!
Tune in to hear Jeremy’s story!

Watch this episode on YouTube – here
Italic – italic.com

• Follow Italic on Instagram // Twitter
• Follow Jeremy Cai on Twitter // Instagram
• Jeremy’s content and learning recommendations 

 
The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Don't have time to listen to the full episode? Read the 5-minute version here 

Leo Wang is the Co-Founder & CEO of Buffy.
Buffy is a breath of fresh air in the home goods space, optimizing their products for two things – comfort and sustainability. After iterating and testing various comforter concepts for months, Leo and Co-Founder Shoaib launched with a promise to use earth-friendly fabrics and manufacturing methods to redefine the definition of soft. Today their product suite includes comforters, pillows, bedding and sheets made from eucalyptus, hemp and recycled polyester.
Tune in to hear Leo’s story!
EPISODE TOPICS 

•  Sections
  • (11:54) – The Origin Story
  • (14:57) – The Build
  • (49:57) – The Brainstorm
  • (55:43) – The Founder
• Topics
  • (2:23) Leo’s background 
  • (7:45) Speech writing for the UK House of Lords
  • (11:54) Assessing the market opportunity
  • (14:57) Buffy’s core values
  • (17:47) The importance of sustainability at Buffy
  • (22:39) Building a culture of innovation
  • (26:50) Product roadmap
  • (29:53) What hasn’t worked in growing Buffy
  • (33:44) Hiring
  • (38:47) Startup Manifesto
  • (49:57) Brainstorm – home goods products designed to deliver comfort while traveling and furniture as fashion
  • (55:43) Advice to younger self
  • (58:54) Leo’s wellness stack
  • (1:01:53) Emerging trends

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

Buffy – buffy.co

• Follow Buffy on Instagram
• Leo’s content and learning recommendations 

 The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Don't have time to listen to the full episode? Read the 5-minute version here.

Alex Lieberman is the Co-Founder & CEO of Morning Brew.
Alex is a first time entrepreneur and started Morning Brew during his undergrad days at University of Michigan in 2015.
Morning Brew is a media company focused on delivering business and tech news to 3M+ subscribers. Alex and Co-Founder Austin grew Morning Brew into a household name on the back of their free daily business email. The team supercharged subscriber growth by building robust ambassador and referral programs and launching several other content products including Emerging Tech Brew, Marketing Brew, Retail Brew, Sidekick and their hit podcast, Business Casual. In October of 2020, Morning Brew sold a majority stake to Business Insider for a reported $75M.
Tune in to hear Alex’s story!
EPISODE TOPICS 

• Sections  
  • (2:29) – The Origin Story  
  • (6:04) – The Build
  • (47:35) – The Founder
  • (52:24) – The Brainstorm
•  Topics
  • (2:29) Alex’s background
  • (6:04) Growth playbook
  • (8:18) Hub and spoke growth model
  • (11:28) Ambassador and referral Programs
  • (20:42) “We’ve got something” moment
  • (23:39) What hasn’t worked
  • (26:49) Hiring
  • (34:27) Selling to Business Insider
  • (41:06) Alex’s Startup Manifesto
  • (47:35) Starting from scratch building an audience today
  • (52:24) The Brainstorm – Business education and mental health via emotional sherpa

Watch this episode on YouTube here

Morning Brew – morningbrew.com

• Follow Morning Brew on Twitter // Instagram
• Follow Alex on Twitter // Instagram
• Alex's content and learning recommendations 

 The Founder - www.thefounderpod.com 

• Follow The Founder (@founderpodcast) on Twitter // Instagram // Newsletter

Don't have time to listen to the full episode? Read the 5-minute version here