Interview begins: 5:22

Debrief: 41:15

Travis Smith is the founder and CEO of Tribevest. 

Tribevest makes it easy to launch an investor entity, pool capital, and experience wealth-building with friends, family, and people you trust.

Tribevest’s all-in-one-platform helps you assemble your tribe, align on your expectations, file your LLC, author your bylaws, open a business bank account, and easily pool capital from your members.

We discuss:

• Early interest in finance 6:51
• Investing as brothers 11:44
• Investing in real estate 12:54
• What is Tribevest 14:54
• Onboarding 20:16
• Difference if Tribevest vs. SPV 22:53
• Growth Strategy 26:32
• Tribevest Vision 29:24
• Subscription model 36:45

Tribevest was founded in 2016 and based in Columbus, Ohio.

Learn more about Tribevest: https://www.tribevest.com/ 

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This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

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Interview begins: 6:33

Debrief: 46:48

Geoff Atkinson is the founder and CEO of Huckabuy.

Huckabuy’s Software improves your search results, drives more organic traffic, and makes your website faster.

Their software creates Google’s Perfect World on your website to queue up the perfect conversation with Search Bots and grow your organic traffic.

Prior to Huckabuy, Geoff was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Analytics at Overstock. At Overstock, he developed expertise in SEO and managed everything from pricing algorithms to content generation, to buying rain jackets in New York City’s garment district. In 2007, he was named on Advertising Age’s “Top 40 Under 40” list.

We discuss:

• Time at Overstock 8:35
• From Ski to SEO 10:55
• Learning SEO 12:36
• SEO past to present changes 15:29
• SEO in the Ecommerce world 18:14
• Huckabuy 26:26
• Huckabuy subscriptions 32:39
• Demographics 34:44
• Measuring success 37:46
• Pricing 40:06
• Bootstrapped 42:48

Huckabuy was founded in 2015 and based in Park City, Utah.

Learn more about Huckabuy: https://passiv.com/ 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

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This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

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Book a classified advertisement and your advertisement will be read in an upcoming episode of the show.

Interview begins: 5:52

Debrief: 34:02

Nick McCullum is the Director of Growth for Passiv.

Passiv turns your brokerage account into a modern portfolio management tool. Passiv allows you to set a target portfolio and get email notifications when your portfolio drifts from that target. Passiv then lets you rebalance with one click!

We discuss:

• What makes finance interesting? 8:29
• What is Passiv? 10:34
• Setting Target Portfolios 13:11
• Brokerage account 16:51
• Balancing Portfolios 19:41
• How does Passiv earn 22:46
• Growth Strategy for a B2C company 26:53
• Pro and Cons in Building the Business in New Brunswick 31:57
• Global Expansion 32:56

Passiv was founded in 2017 and based in New Brunswick, Canada.

Learn more about Passiv: https://passiv.com/ 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

--

This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

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Book a classified advertisement and your advertisement will be read in an upcoming episode of the show.

This week we’re excited to introduce you to the first new show on the upside podcast network: When Pigs Fly.

Hosted by Allie Martin and Patrick Bailey, When Pigs Fly is a podcast that uncovers Cincinnati's rich business history from the 1800s to today.

We talk to companies to learn the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, what it takes to grow a successful business and to simply prost to future innovation.

When Pigs Fly will air every Tuesday beginning February 2 on the upside podcast network.

Subscribe to When Pigs Fly: https://pod.link/1549482801

Learn more: https://whenpigsfly.fm 

Follow When Pigs Fly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhenPigsFlyPod 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

--

This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

Want to share information about your company, or an opportunity with the upside audience?

Book a classified advertisement and your advertisement will be read in an upcoming episode of the show.

Classified ads are priced at $100, and are:

• read by Jay and/or Eric on upside
• linked from the show notes
• linked from this website, upside.fm

Interview begins: 5:01

Debrief: 40:42

Caleb Musser is the founder and CEO of Craftom. 

Craftom is a B2B gifting and shipping platform that makes it easy to send hyper-designed corporate gifts, products and office equipment to anyone, whether they’re working from home, in the office, or somewhere else entirely.

It started with a cigar box and a tough sales job. In 2013, Craftom founder Caleb Musser was searching for a unique way to stand out with business owners while selling printers and copiers door-to-door. So he scrounged up vintage cigar boxes and sent them with personalized notes and gifts to unresponsive business owners.

The reaction was eye-opening. Executives who wouldn’t take his calls before started connecting with Musser and giving him time on their busy calendars. 

The success of this home-spun hack revealed two key insights that are still engrained in Craftom.io’s DNA today: Customization and personalization are everything, and nothing beats quality materials and products. 

By combining cutting-edge design technology with quality products, Craftom has designed and created gifts that sit on the desks of Fortune 500 CEOs, NFL owners and Presidents of the United States. 

Craftom was founded in 2019 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

We discuss:

• Caleb Musser as a Salesman 7:54
• Musser & Co. 12:31
• Craftom 17:48
• The difference of the two companies 19:50
• Craftom being the main venture 20:46
• Advantage of adding technical components to your business 22:19
• How pandemic change business relationships 26:06
• Growth during the pandemic 27:26
• The key to cold outbound calls 29:07
• Why do customers choose Craftom 31:02
• Craftom being completely Bootstrapped 37:49

Learn more about Craftom: https://craftom.com/ 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

--

This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

Want to share information about your company, or an opportunity with the upside audience?

Book a classified advertisement and your advertisement will be read in an upcoming episode of the show.

Classified ads are priced at $100, and are:

• read by Jay and/or Eric on upside
• linked from the show notes
• linked from this website, upside.fm

Interview begins: 6:02

Debrief: 42.:02

Landon Ainge is the Managing Director of Assure Syndicates.

Assure Syndicates is a division of Assure. Assure is the pioneering leader in providing comprehensive structuring and administrative management services (specifically Special Purpose Vehicles) to the private investment ecosystem. 

Assure Syndicates’ mission is to connect the right investors with the right businesses.

Assure Syndicates is a one-of-a-kind hybrid that aligns with fellow investors while advocating for the founder. We provide fundraising guidance to founders, then commit our own capital to the deal.

We discuss:

• Investing vs. Operating 6:48
• Being a great venture capitalist. 7:31
• Special Purpose Vehicles as Investment 9:18
• Assure as a SPV expert 12:03
• Assure Syndicate's Purpose in the Marketplace 15:44
• 3 Skill sets in venture 18:23
• Assure Syndicate and VCs 21:23
• New trend of founder syndicating deals 26:59
• Landon Ainge getting on Assure 30:44
• Guide to build your own Syndicate 39:25

Learn more about Assure Syndicates: https://syndicates.assure.co/ 

Follow Landon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LandonAinge 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

--

This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

Want to share information about your company, or an opportunity with the upside audience?

Book a classified advertisement and your advertisement will be read in an upcoming episode of the show.

Classified ads are priced at $100, and are:

• read by Jay and/or Eric on upside
• linked from the show notes
• linked from this website, upside.fm

Trent and Travis Hedge are brothers from Columbus, OH, who left for Silicon Valley. But since that time, both have continued to visit and advocate for Ohio and other parts of the country.

Travis Hedge is the co-founder of Vouch Insurance (YC S19). Vouch Insurance is an insurance company designed for startups. It was developed by founders for founders and redesigned everything about business insurance from scratch. The company offers a platform that works with clients to manage, mitigate, and avoid risks. Vouch Insurance was founded in 2016 and has its offices in San Francisco and Chicago.

Trent Hedge is the co-founder of Atmos (YC S20). Atmos offers the entire homebuilding process all in one place—from design to move in. Atmos was founded in 2019 with a presence in SF, Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte.

Learn more about Vouch: https://vouch.us 

Follow Travis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_HedgeFund 

Learn more about Atmos: https://buildatmos.com 

Follow Trent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trenthedge 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

---

This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.

They can do the same for you. 

Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.

–

Want to share information about your company, or an opportunity with the upside audience?

Book a classified advertisement and your advertisement will be read in an upcoming episode of the show.

Classified ads are priced at $100, and are:

• read by Jay and/or Eric on upside
• linked from the show notes
• linked from this website, upside.fm

Today is the final episode in our “Rewind” Series.

Rachel Carpenter is the co-founder and CEO of Intrinio.

Intrinio is a financial data company on a mission to power fintech innovation by providing affordable, high-quality data to developers and engineers from fintech companies, large institutions, hedge funds, startups, and universities. 

Their mission is to power the innovators defining the future of finance through modern data technologies. That means automating the data supply chain with advanced infrastructure and machine learning, delivering high-quality data through cutting-edge tools designed for developers and engineers, and getting it all in the hands of people who are challenging the system.

Learn more about Intrinio: https://intrinio.com 

Follow Rachel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rachel_Ann_C 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Today is the fourth episode in our December series called “Rewind.” 

Amanda DoAmaral is the founder and CEO of Fiveable, which is based in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Fiveable is an online streaming and content platform helping high school students study and master their AP exams. Started just two years ago, Fiveable offers live and pre-recorded videos, study guides, as well as community building resources.

After teaching in Oakland for several years with Teach for America, Amanda DoAmaral began Fiveable as a way to help her old students who needed guidance in studying for their AP exams. In only a couple years, Fiveable has grown to include teachers from various types of backgrounds and boasts a 92% pass rate from their students.

Since we chatted in November 2019, Fiveable has raised more than $3.8M in funding.

We discuss:

• TFA training and lack of teaching preparation
• Teaching in Oakland and decision to leave 
• Start of Fiveable 
• Business growth 
• Live streaming vs. pre-recorded videos 
• Teachers/streamers on Fiveable
• SAT/ACT prep 
• Measuring success 
• Dealing with seasonality of APs
• Fiveable’s tiny team 

Learn more about Fiveable: https://fiveable.me/ 

Follow Fiveable on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thinkfiveable 

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Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 

Today is the third episode in our December series called “Rewind.” 

Jeremiah Chapman is the founder and CEO of FreshFry.

We first talked with Jeremiah back in July 2018 in episode 12 of this show. FreshFry, located in Louisville, Kentucky, creates plant-based product that helps food service businesses extend the life of frying oil. 

FreshFry’s “pods” strip water, acids, metals, and other impurities out of cooking oil, slowing breakdown by several days and helping businesses save on costs while improving food taste.

Since we chatted, FreshFry has raised $3.3M in July 2020 from Lightship Capital and the USDA.

Learn more about FreshFry: https://www.freshfry.me/ 

Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds