In this episode, Maggi shares the journey behind Sumly, from its early prototype to its official launch after a year of development. During pilot testing, users saw an average savings of $2,350, a clear signal that the product was solving a real and painful problem. From meeting her co-founder at Columbia to building a product focused on putting money back in users’ pockets, Maggi offers an honest look at what it takes to build a financial tool for solopreneurs - and shares practical tips on home office deductions.

Kartik’s journey checks all the classic tech-founder boxes -MIT dropout, YC alum - but the real story begins when he walks away from his first product. After realizing their hedge-fund modeling tool wasn’t sticking, he made a sharp pivot into a far more chaotic world: medical billing.

With insights from his physician father and dozens of billers, Kartik quickly saw how broken and costly the system really is. Instead of trying to replace billers, he’s building AI tools that amplify them - helping practices capture more revenue while reducing the administrative drag that burns out doctors.

In this episode, we dive into his early drive, the YC experience, what convinced him to pivot, how Quill Bills’ modular products actually work in the field, and his vision for a billing platform designed to fix one of healthcare’s messiest workflows.

Dana’s path to founding Selformer Pilates is far from traditional. After nearly 20 years as a music photographer - constantly traveling and carrying heavy gear - she turned to Pilates to repair her body, eventually discovering a new calling. With no business background, she built Selformer by embracing her “misfit” identity and trusting her creative instincts.

Based in the fitness-saturated neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Selformer stands out not by competing, but by being intentionally different.

This episode is full of unconventional reflections, raw honesty, and a refreshingly nontraditional take on entrepreneurship in the wellness world.

Dana’s path to founding Selformer Pilates is far from traditional. After nearly 20 years as a music photographer—constantly traveling and carrying heavy gear—she turned to Pilates to repair her body, eventually discovering a new calling. With no business background, she built Selformer by embracing her “misfit” identity and trusting her creative instincts.

Based in the fitness-saturated neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Selformer stands out not by competing, but by being intentionally different.

This episode is full of unconventional reflections, raw honesty, and a refreshingly nontraditional take on entrepreneurship in the wellness world.

Launching a startup is often about timing - and Gu’s journey with Adzviser is a perfect example. As he was building the first version of the product, ChatGPT launched, creating a sudden surge of interest in AI tools. The timing was serendipitous: Adzviser quickly became one of the first tools recommended by OpenAI, giving it an early edge in the market.

But timing alone doesn’t build a business. Gu has stayed obsessively focused on delivering real value, talking to users, and iterating fast. In this episode, he reflects on the role of a growth mindset, the discipline required to bootstrap a SaaS business, and what it takes to scale in an ever-changing AI landscape.

Alvina, founder of SHUMINGYU, didn’t come from a traditional fashion background. A humanities student who later worked at Christie’s, she draws inspiration from a wide range of artistic genres and notices the subtle nuances in Chinese culture. From classical poetry to watercolor paintings, Alvina shares how Chinese art informs her clean, contemporary silhouettes, and how she creates clothing that quietly weaves culture into everyday life.

In this episode, Kiki, co-founder of Sourmilk, breaks down how she built a sold-out yogurt brand in record time. In just 10 months, Sourmilk landed on shelves at two NYC grocery stores, sitting right next to industry giants like Chobani. Was it luck, relentless hustle, or the right partnership at the right time?

Kiki shares how social media became her most powerful growth engine, what she’s learned from building a company with her best friend, and the strategic steps (from corporate catering to neighborhood drop-offs) that shaped Sourmilk’s go-to-market playbook.

Chef Cipollone knows what it takes to earn a Michelin star -and more importantly, to keep one. In this episode, he shares how years in top kitchens shaped his approach to leadership, creativity, and building a team that lasts. We talk about the mentors who pushed him, the lessons behind Francie’s success, and how his new project, Allegretto, brings together design, energy, and heart in a whole new way.

Chef Cipollone knows what it takes to earn a Michelin star — and more importantly, to keep one. In this episode, he shares how years in top kitchens shaped his approach to leadership, creativity, and building a team that lasts. We talk about the mentors who pushed him, the lessons behind Francie’s success, and how his new project, Allegretto, brings together design, energy, and heart in a whole new way.

Logan started out as a Paulie Gee’s fan - now he’s behind the counter running his own location in Gowanus. In this episode, he shares how a love for great pizza turned into a full-time pursuit, what he learned opening a restaurant in New York City, and why consistency, community, and craft matter more than ever in the food business.

Chapters

01:05 The Journey into Pizza Making

04:39 Training and Learning the Craft

07:23 Experimentation and Creativity in Pizza

08:07 Expanding to Gowanus: The decision Process

10:44 Working with Family: The Brother Dynamic

11:21 Challenges in Opening a New Location

14:26 Navigating Competition in the Pizza Industry

18:21 Understanding Cost Structures in Restaurants

20:21 Trends in the Pizza Industry

22:07 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Favorites