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"My sales grew 3000%. A month later, my business was shut down." This is the unbelievable founder story of Yuri Cataldo. His multi-million dollar bottled water company, Indigo H2O, was forced to close at its peak of success after a "Cease and Desist" letter from a state agency destroyed it overnight. They believed his startup was a "large international conglomerate" trying to avoid taxes simply because his publicity was so successful. This is a cautionary tale about how government regulation and bad luck can wipe out a thriving business in the blink of an eye. Check out the company: https://yuricataldo.com
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
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â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
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🕒 CHAPTERS
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00:00 - "My Business Was Shut Down" - The Full Story
07:22 - The Idea: Bottling Water From My Parents' Land
18:17 - Launching with the First $1000 in Sales
26:08 - Winning "Best Water in the World" & Getting Into the Oscars
34:45 - The 3000% Sales Spike & The Cease and Desist Letter
39:49 - The #1 Lesson From a Multi-Million Dollar Failure
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What is the truth about venture capital? For most founders, it's that you shouldn't even try to get it. This conversation with Silicon Valley veteran Greg Zen explains why 95% of startups shouldn't bother chasing VC funding, reminding founders that less than 5% of companies actually receive it. This is a must-watch for any entrepreneur debating whether to bootstrap or raise money. We discuss the reality of startup accelerators like Y Combinator, the importance of finding your "founder-fit" before choosing a funding path, and the lessons learned from the dot-com bubble burst that are still relevant today.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
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â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
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00:00 - The Brutal Truth About Venture Capital
13:13 - Pre-Internet: How Deals Were Made Without VCs
28:04 - How the Dot-Com Burst Changed Startup Funding
31:50 - Are Startup Accelerators (Like Y Combinator) Worth It?
39:40 - Why 95% of Startups Will Never Get VC Funding
42:51 - Finding Your "Founder-Fit" vs. Chasing Unicorns
47:40 - Greg's #1 Piece of Advice for Founders
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Discover the business automation "secret weapon" that 7-figure companies use to beat competitors. In this interview, technology expert and Managing Director of Ten Square Miles Frank Oelschlager explains why automation is essential for survival and growth. This conversation is a practical guide for founders on how to get started with automation, from simple email autoresponders to complex CI/CD pipelines for software companies. Frank also shares a shocking story of a multi-million dollar client who was running their entire system on code they didn't even own, highlighting the risks of not having automated, documented systems.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
---------------------------
00:00 - The Automation "Secret Weapon" Explained
02:57 - The #1 Sign Your Business is Already Obsolete
07:50 - The Simplest Automation You Can Set Up Today
13:28 - Intermediate Automation: Building Your CI/CD Pipeline
27:15 - Case Study: Digitizing a Major Media Company
31:29 - The Million-Dollar Mistake That Nearly Destroyed My Client
38:13 - Frank's #1 Rule for Sustainable Growth
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"My burnout caused temporary blindness." This is a founder's warning from mindset coach KC Rossi, who shares her terrifying story of experiencing physical burnout symptoms so severe she would lose her eyesight at work. This conversation is a crucial guide on how to prevent burnout and recover from adrenal fatigue. We break down the exact self-care for entrepreneurs that KC uses, including meditation, manifestation journaling, and setting powerful boundaries. This is a must-watch for any founder who feels like they're on the edge of burning out.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
---------------------------
0:00 - A Founder's Warning: My Burnout Story
01:55 - The Day I Went Blind at Work From Stress
07:38 - My 5-Step Routine to Recover From Burnout
14:30 - How to Set Boundaries (And Actually Keep Them)
17:46 - A "Stillness Practice" for Overwhelmed Entrepreneurs
27:34 - KC's #1 Rule to Prevent Burnout
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This conversation with Gresham Harkless, Jr. reveals how one CEO uses 3 daily hacks to run over 10 brands. These powerful CEO hacks improve your entrepreneur productivity and avoid burnout. (Hacks start at 16:01). We also dive deep into crucial topics for founders like how to delegate effectively. Discover the daily habits that help Gresham run over 10 brands, including using a gratitude journal, meditation for focus, and a unique creativity technique. This is a masterclass in mindset and strategy for any CEO who feels like a bottleneck in their own business.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
---------------------------
00:00 - Meet the CEO Running 10+ Media Brands
02:10 - The Mindset of a "Born Entrepreneur"
11:00 - The Secret to Delegating Effectively (E-Myth)
16:01 - CEO Hack #1: The 365 Gratitude Journal Habit
18:04 - CEO Hack #2: Meditation for Founder Focus (Insight Timer)
22:18 - CEO Hack #3: Using a Coloring Book for Business Breakthroughs
25:16 - Finding Your "Blue Ocean Strategy" to Beat Competitors
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when your dream turns into a legal nightmare? This is the unbelievable story of a Shark Tank reject sued for $10,000,000. Lori Cheek's appearance on the show became a nightmare, and this video reveals how her patent didn't protect her from the brutal Shark Tank lawsuit that followed. We discuss her experience being rejected by all five sharks, the legal battle that followed, and the incredible entrepreneur resilience required to keep fighting. This is a must-watch for any founder who wants to understand startup legal issues and the real-world limits of patent protection.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
---------------------------
00:00 - The Pitch That Led to a $10M Lawsuit
01:40 - "You're Delusional": My Brutal Shark Tank Rejection
07:41 - The Biggest Mistake I Made Before the Show
17:33 - Why My Patent Didn't Protect Me From Lawsuits
24:59 - Bouncing Back After a Public Failure
29:00 - Lori's #1 Advice for Entrepreneurs
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How does an entrepreneur navigate geopolitical risks for business in 2025? This conversation with global risk expert Cenk Sidar is a crucial briefing on the major global shifts affecting your company. We provide a global risk analysis on everything from US China relations to the pros and cons of investing in Europe and doing business in Turkey. This isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a practical guide for founders to understand how international affairs will impact their bottom line and how the principle of "everything is connected" can be a strategic framework for success.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
---------------------------
00:00 - The #1 Global Risk Facing Your Business Right Now
02:57 - Pre-Election Jitters: How to Prepare Your Company
07:37 - US vs. China: A Founder's Survival Guide
13:28 - Is America Still the Best Place to Build a Business?
17:18 - Europe & Turkey: A Geopolitical Risk Analysis for Investors
36:03 - The "Everything is Connected" Framework for Entrepreneurs
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Discover the outsider's advantage and learn how to spot business opportunities no one else sees. This conversation explores the psychology of not fitting in and how you can turn that feeling into your greatest strength as an entrepreneur. In this deep dive with Mony Gueorguiev, an immigrant entrepreneur who built multiple successful companies, we break down how his multicultural background taught him how to sell better and gave him a unique entrepreneur mindset.
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📚 NETWORK BEFORE YOU NEED IT (6 LESSONS THAT MADE SEAN $15M)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
â–¶ Get my eBook free - https://welivetobuild.com/network
-----------------------------------
📈 WORK WITH ME
-----------------------------------
â–¶ Buy 300 Lessons From 300 Founders: https://welivetobuild.com/300-lessons-ebook
â–¶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://welivetobuild.com/book-a-call
â–¶ Startup Fundraising: https://welivetobuild.com/fundraising
â–¶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/sponsorship
---------------------------------------------
👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN
---------------------------------------------
â–¶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot
â–¶ Inquiries: [email protected]
---------------------------
🕒 CHAPTERS
---------------------------
00:00 - The Painful Psychology of Not Fitting In
02:15 - Turning Your "Weakness" Into a Business Superpower
07:25 - The Multi-Lingual Advantage in Sales
12:18 - Spotting Opportunities No One Else Can See
19:25 - My First Big Break as an "Outsider"
25:16 - The Mindset You Need to Succeed as an Immigrant Founder
Leave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/reviewHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the publisher's feed
We Live to Build is the interview series for founders who are serious about building something that lasts.
Hosted by serial entrepreneur and angel investor Sean Weisbrot, the show…
Every episode goes deep on networking, AI, fundraising, and the harsh realities of scaling a company.
Subscribe to upgrade how you build.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.