Unfinished Business

Alex and Lee first met Ron Gura in Tel Aviv, when they had just launched their business and were finding their footing as founders. Now, years later, the pair welcome his insights on Unfinished Business.

Tali Roth is a powerhouse in the design world — an extraordinary interior designer with an entrepreneurial spirit at heart. Like us, she’s balancing the chaos of raising a family and running a business, embracing the highs and lows that come with both.

When Alex first met Rea Ann Silva, founder of Beautyblender, in her New York office just over a year ago, it was clear she was someone special. What started as a casual meeting quickly grew into a close friendship and a successful partnership—most notably with their collaboration on the Beautyblender x HULKEN, which became an instant bestseller.

Since launching the podcast, the question we get most regularly is: How did we get started? What steps did we take when we were going after our first ventures?

In this episode, we’re focusing on the things that don’t work or haven’t gone our way. Failure is an inevitable part of every founder’s journey — scary as it may be. But as this episode teaches, how we move through those failures can inspire our next success.

It’s already been plenty-times confirmed, but in case you need it again: Manifestation. Really. Works. And this week’s guest has *made* it work for both of us, in business and life, several times over.

When it comes to fundraising, the stakes are high. You're not just selling an idea; you're inviting investors to believe in your vision, your team, and your ability to deliver results. But as serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor Aaron Schwartz shared on our newest episode of Unfinished Business, perhaps the secret to mastering the art of pitching lies in another equally tricky endeavor — dating.

Welcome to Unfinished Business, the podcast where we dig into the whys, hows, and WTFs of building and thriving in business — hosted by longtime founder friends Alex Schinasi and Lee Rotenberg. Every week, we’ll invite industry leaders and fellow entrepreneurs to candidly share their wins, truths, and lessons (and laugh while doing it).

If you look close enough, finding investors can feel oddly familiar to finding a life partner. There’s the thrill of the pitch, the nerves of a first meeting — the ever-so-delicate “will we or won’t we” dance of it all. You’re at once vetting each other, feeling out your competition, and trying to channel your most authentic self.

It’s exhausting and confusing — so consider this guide to pitch clarity. With real-world stories, humor, and a heavy dose of hindsight, we walk through Aaron’s top strategies for securing a successful round — from nailing the first impression to knowing when to walk away. Take notes, pay close attention, then go seal your next deal.

In today’s hyperconnected world, the boundaries between you and your company’s brand are few and far between — gone are the days when founders could remain comfortably behind the scenes while your product did the talking. Now, getting ahead of the game means **getting in front of the lens. But embracing your brand isn’t about showing up flawless — it’s just about showing up.

Welcome to Unfinished Business, the podcast where we dig into the whys, hows, and WTFs of building and thriving in business — hosted by longtime founder friends Alex Schinasi and Lee Rotenberg. Every week, we’ll invite industry leaders and fellow entrepreneurs to candidly share their wins, truths, and lessons (and laugh while doing it).

This week, Patrice Poltzer helps us unpack the art of self-promotion — how to connect with your audience, ease the self-pressure, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Whether you’re building your first company or scaling your next, keep reading for your five-step guide to mastering your personal brand.