When it comes to talking about partnership and business building, it’s hard to think of having this conversation with anyone other than Allan Tear. Not just because this serial entrepreneur turned investor has been a great business partner to me, but because of what he experienced in the years before we started working together. In this episode we talk a little about the everyday challenges of staying united in the face of unrelenting chaos...and what we've learned along the way.

Today, the concept of "mentorship" is canonical to startup culture. But when Raiz Labs founder, now turned super-mentor / investor Greg Raiz, was a first time founder himself, mentorship wasn't taught. It wasn't even a word founders used! So...How far have we really come? What's next for mentorship?

Identity. Archetypes. Rules. As a designer, innovator, and activist, Salina Brown has walked many miles in startup land, often knowing she was "out" even when she was "in." In this episode, we talk about the personal journey...the toll...of not "fitting in" and what changing ideas about entrepreneurs should look, act and be like means for the next generation of founders.

Branded experiences aren't just for the giants anymore. Today, even early stage companies need to deliver "branded experiences" for their customers...often before they themselves even understand what that *really* means. Whether through her work at Gillette, or with other brands both big and small, Stephanie has...well, seen some things. Things that tell us as much about the future, as they do about the past.

As the former editor-in-chief for Inc. Magazine, book author, and now publisher of FIN, where he goes deep on all things Fintech, James Ledbetter has told his fair share of stories about entrepreneurs and their big dreams. In this episode, we riff about the power and perils of archetypes in startup storytelling, and what lies ahead as the master narratives of yesteryear begin to fade away.

In her career as a founder, investor and mentor, Ilana Diamond has (literally) launched hundreds of companies. She’s also a pioneer among an important community of women: female fund managers that are changing the world of investing forever.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence. You Rock!

Clement Cazalot is a startup triple threat: Founder, Mentor, Investor, and equally amazing at all. His ability to hear a pitch, unpack it, and then make it better is unparalleled. His cybersecurity startup, docTrackr was acquired by Intralinks in 2014. That he has a great sense of humor and a warm heart is just icing on this very French Cake.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

Zoë Barry is a serial entrepreneur, mentor and angel investor. Zoë and I are neighboring links on an evolutionary chain, one that shows how the experience of women entrepreneurs is changing (or not changing) over time. I've learned a lot from her...and have waited a long time for this new generation of amazing women to take startup culture by storm!

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

Before becoming VP of Growth at Knox Financial, Matt was employee #33 at Uber. There, he was the first Operations and Logistics Manager for Boston, where he launched and scaled Uber Black, TAXI, SUV, and uberX before leading the Operations & Logistics Analytics and Process sub-teams from 2011 through 2013. When it comes to building capacity as you grow, Matt...knows some things.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.

Harry is Co-Founder of venture development firm, humble ventures, where he accelerates the growth of startups in partnership with large enterprises and investors. A 4x founder he has SEEN THINGS. Whether in venture capital, education, or sports, Harry's career has always centered around inclusion...and if you don't follow him, you are missing out.

Special thanks to our Producer, Rebecca Lawrence.