Managed Chaos Podcast

Katrina Purcell

Welcome to the Managed Chaos podcast, where host, Katrina Purcell gives you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes you to get to work. You can find Katrina on all of your favorite podcasting apps as well as on Instagram and YouTube, where we are @managedchaospodcast. For additional resources or to continue the conversation, you can find Katrina Purcell on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ https://www.themanagedchaospodcast.com/

  1. 4 HR AGO

    S3 Ep 15 Stop Planning, Start Doing: The Minimum Viable Community

    You don't need a strategy deck. You need to introduce two people. You've been building the perfect plan — the platform, the logo, the content calendar. But what if the only thing standing between you and a real community is just... starting? Katrina sits down with Taylor Harrington, community experience designer and head of community at Dreamers & Doers, to talk about why founders chronically over-plan and under-do, and how the "minimum viable" mindset unlocks momentum faster than any strategy ever will. In this episode, we cover: Who's It For & What's It For: If you can't answer both specifically, you don't have a project yet.The Community Architect: How Taylor built a thriving community from a 23-person WhatsApp group at Groove.The Niche-Down Fear: Why early-stage founders resist specificity and how targeted experimentation actually reveals your ideal customer.The Hell Yes List: Why your first five attendees, members, or customers should already love you. Memorable Quote: "What makes a great community is not, 'Here's your community on a silver platter, enjoy it!' Building a great community means leaving opportunity for people to make it feel like their own." — Taylor Harrington 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Taylor Harrington is a community experience designer, speaker, and the biggest cheerleader for spending more time doing what you love—and making your big dreams happen. She’s the Head of Community at Dreamers & Doers, a highly curated, award-winning community and PR Hype Machine™ that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders. Connect with Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heytayhar/ Work with Taylor: www.taylor-harrington.com Dreamers & Doers: www.dreamersdoers.com 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOS Managed Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US Website: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode.

    14 min
  2. 22 APR

    S3 Ep 14 Obsession, Focus, and the Art of Saying No

    You should fire yourself from doing admin work. Delegate everything else. You're past the solo founder stage, but not quite big enough to hire a full-time CFO or Head of HR. So what do you do? Katrina Purcell sits down with Adam Spector to talk about why operational obsession is the secret weapon of the best founders, and why back office work is silently killing your ability to scale. In this episode, we cover: The #1 investor signal: What Adam looks for in early-stage founders that predicts unicorn potential.Shiny Object Syndrome: Why focus is the operational superpower most founders never develop, and how obsession is the antidote.The AWS Analogy: Why running your own back office in 2025 is like keeping a server in your garage.Fire Yourself: The specific tasks (payroll, onboarding, accounts payable, compliance letters) founders should never touch again and why.Memorable Quote: "Say no to everything that's not directly related to your product. Delegate everything else." — Adam Specter 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST 4x founder, angel investor in 200+ startups (14 unicorns), and Founder & CEO of Chore. Former product/ops leader at Twitter, Symantec, and multiple venture-backed companies. Adam helps founders replace operational chaos with systems that scale. Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamspector2/ Work with Chore: https://www.hirechore.com/ 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOS Managed Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US Website: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode.

    15 min
  3. 15 APR

    S3 Ep 13 Protecting Your Business Legacy

    Investors don't invest in lawsuits. Clean IP increases your valuation. You've built the brand. You've protected the name. Now someone wants to buy the whole thing. Katrina Purcell wraps up this four-part legal foundations series with trademark attorney and founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren Bercuson. Lauren breaks down why IP protection isn't just about playing defense, it's one of the most powerful tools a founder has for building enterprise value, attracting investors, and creating a legacy worth passing on. In this episode, we cover: Due Diligence: What investors look for in your "Data Room" before offering support.Brand Valuation: How a registered trademark opens revenue streams most founders never even considered.Lauren's Origin Story: How Lauren found her mission empowering female founders to "turn business dreams into protected legacies."How to work with Storylock: A breakdown of Lauren's package, bundle pricing, and what a strategic IP partnership actually looks like for a scaling startup.Memorable Quote: "The last thing an investor wants is to give someone money only to learn that the business they've invested in has to totally rebrand because they were unintentionally infringing on somebody else's mark." — Lauren Bercuson 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Lauren Bercuson isn’t just a trademark attorney—she’s a brand protector, storyteller, and advocate for female founders who want to lock in their legacy. As the founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren helps entrepreneurs safeguard the brands they’ve worked so hard to build, ensuring their names, logos, and creative assets are truly theirs. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami and years of experience in trademark law, she blends legal expertise with a warm, strategic, and highly personalized approach—proving that legal protection doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Lauren’s path to entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to create a legal experience that empowers founders rather than overwhelms them. She believes every entrepreneur deserves to build a lasting brand with confidence, knowing their work is secure for whatever growth lies ahead. A former award-winning children’s book reviewer and virtual book club founder, Lauren brings a storyteller’s flair to her legal work, helping businesses craft trademarks that stand out and stand the test of time. Because in Lauren’s world, a brand isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy in the making, and she’s here to make sure yours is protected. Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbercuson/ Website: https://www.storylocklegal.com/ Newsletter: https://storylocklegal.myflodesk.com/storiesbystorylock 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOS Managed Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US Website: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode. Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode of Managed Chaos is for educational and informational purposes only. Although our guest Lauren is an attorney, the content discussed does not constitute legal advice, nor does accessing this podcast create an attorney-client relationship. Listeners should consult with their own legal counsel regarding their specific business needs and before acting on any information provided in this episode.

    15 min
  4. 8 APR

    S3 Ep 12 Contracts, Copycats, & Content

    You built the course, the podcast, and the blog. Now, how do you stop someone from Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V-ing your business? In this episode of Manage Chaos, host Katrina Purcell continues the four-part legal foundations series with trademark attorney and founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren Bercuson. When you hit record, build a course, and design a logo on Canva, how do you know that you own it? Lauren breaks down the IP pitfalls hiding in plain sight for creative entrepreneurs, podcasters, and course creators. In this episode, we cover: Podcast Protection: Why your show name needs a trademark search and application just like any other business.Work for Hire: The contract clause every founder needs when hiring a graphic designer, and what happens if it's missing.Terms of Use: Why a privacy policy is a legal requirement (not optional).Handling Copycats: How to respond strategically when you spot infringement.Memorable Quote: "Read your contracts. If you don't understand particular clauses in a contract that you're signing, you need to ask somebody for help because contracts are important." — Lauren Bercuson 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Lauren Bercuson isn’t just a trademark attorney—she’s a brand protector, storyteller, and advocate for female founders who want to lock in their legacy. As the founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren helps entrepreneurs safeguard the brands they’ve worked so hard to build, ensuring their names, logos, and creative assets are truly theirs. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami and years of experience in trademark law, she blends legal expertise with a warm, strategic, and highly personalized approach—proving that legal protection doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Lauren’s path to entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to create a legal experience that empowers founders rather than overwhelms them. She believes every entrepreneur deserves to build a lasting brand with confidence, knowing their work is secure for whatever growth lies ahead. A former award-winning children’s book reviewer and virtual book club founder, Lauren brings a storyteller’s flair to her legal work, helping businesses craft trademarks that stand out and stand the test of time. Because in Lauren’s world, a brand isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy in the making, and she’s here to make sure yours is protected. Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbercuson/ Website: https://www.storylocklegal.com/ Newsletter: https://storylocklegal.myflodesk.com/storiesbystorylock 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOS Managed Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US Website: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode. Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode of Managed Chaos is for educational and informational purposes only. Although our guest Lauren is an attorney, the content discussed does not constitute legal advice, nor does accessing this podcast create an attorney-client relationship. Listeners should consult with their own legal counsel regarding their specific business needs and before acting on any information provided in this episode.

    14 min
  5. 1 APR

    S3 Ep 11 Unlocking Brand Protection

    Founders use these words interchangeably, but getting them mixed up leaves your assets exposed. In this episode of Managed Chaos, Katrina Purcell continues the four-part legal foundations series with trademark attorney and founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren Bercuson. Lauren delivers the Legal 101 masterclass every founder needs — breaking down exactly which legal vehicle protects which piece of your brand story, and when to actually pull the trigger on filing. In this episode, we cover: Definitions: Trademark, copyright, and patent are not interchangeable.The "Storylock" Method: How Lauren identifies what makes a brand unique and locks it down.When to File: The difference between an intent-to-use application and actual use.The DIY Trap: Why filing your own trademark application can create more problems than it solves.Memorable Quote: "File your trademark application, clear it, file it, get it in — because you want to know that the foundation that you're building on is solid." — Lauren Bercuson 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Lauren Bercuson isn’t just a trademark attorney—she’s a brand protector, storyteller, and advocate for female founders who want to lock in their legacy. As the founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren helps entrepreneurs safeguard the brands they’ve worked so hard to build, ensuring their names, logos, and creative assets are truly theirs. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami and years of experience in trademark law, she blends legal expertise with a warm, strategic, and highly personalized approach—proving that legal protection doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Lauren’s path to entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to create a legal experience that empowers founders rather than overwhelms them. She believes every entrepreneur deserves to build a lasting brand with confidence, knowing their work is secure for whatever growth lies ahead. A former award-winning children’s book reviewer and virtual book club founder, Lauren brings a storyteller’s flair to her legal work, helping businesses craft trademarks that stand out and stand the test of time. Because in Lauren’s world, a brand isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy in the making, and she’s here to make sure yours is protected. Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbercuson/ Website: https://www.storylocklegal.com/ Newsletter: https://storylocklegal.myflodesk.com/storiesbystorylock 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOSManaged Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.ioOutsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode. Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode of Managed Chaos is for educational and informational purposes only. Although our guest Lauren is an attorney, the content discussed does not constitute legal advice, nor does accessing this podcast create an attorney-client relationship. Listeners should consult with their own legal counsel regarding their specific business needs and before acting on any information provided in this episode.

    15 min
  6. 25 MAR

    S3 Ep 10 The Trademark Truth Every Founder Needs

    You bought the domain. GoDaddy said it was available. So you're good, right? Wrong. In this episode of Managed Chaos, host Katrina Purcell kicks off a four-part series on legal foundations for founders with Lauren Bercuson, trademark attorney and founder of Storylock Legal. Lauren breaks down the single most expensive mistake early-stage founders make: building a brand they don't actually own. In this episode, we cover: The Horror Story: Why a "Cease and Desist" letter is the ultimate chaos creator.Clearance Search vs. Google Search: Why searching your name online is not legal due diligence, and what a proper trademark search actually looks at (hint: it's not just spelling).The "Ostrich" Effect: Why early-stage founders hide from lawyers, and how Lauren's flat-fee, relationship-first approach changes that dynamic entirely.Case Study: Why a rebrand five years in costs exponentially more than doing it right from the start.Memorable Quote: "The website and the sexy branding — it's nothing if your name isn't actually free for you to use." — Lauren Bercuson 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Lauren Bercuson isn’t just a trademark attorney—she’s a brand protector, storyteller, and advocate for female founders who want to lock in their legacy. As the founder of Storylock Legal, Lauren helps entrepreneurs safeguard the brands they’ve worked so hard to build, ensuring their names, logos, and creative assets are truly theirs. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami and years of experience in trademark law, she blends legal expertise with a warm, strategic, and highly personalized approach—proving that legal protection doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Lauren’s path to entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to create a legal experience that empowers founders rather than overwhelms them. She believes every entrepreneur deserves to build a lasting brand with confidence, knowing their work is secure for whatever growth lies ahead. A former award-winning children’s book reviewer and virtual book club founder, Lauren brings a storyteller’s flair to her legal work, helping businesses craft trademarks that stand out and stand the test of time. Because in Lauren’s world, a brand isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy in the making, and she’s here to make sure yours is protected. Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbercuson/ Website: https://www.storylocklegal.com/ Newsletter: https://storylocklegal.myflodesk.com/storiesbystorylock 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOS Managed Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US Website: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode. Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode of Managed Chaos is for educational and informational purposes only. Although our guest Lauren is an attorney, the content discussed does not constitute legal advice, nor does accessing this podcast create an attorney-client relationship. Listeners should consult with their own legal counsel regarding their specific business needs and before acting on any information provided in this episode.

    16 min
  7. 18 MAR

    S3 Ep 9 The Investor Lens (Red Flags & Exits)

    Investors don't just diligence your data room; they diligence your body language. If you and your co-founder hate each other, they know. And it kills the deal. In this episode of Managed Chaos, host Katrina Purcell wraps up the four-part series on co-founder relationships with Annie Garofalo, founder of Confidante. Drawing on her experience, Annie shifts the lens to show how VCs evaluate the co-founder relationship as an investable asset—not just a nice-to-have. In this episode, we cover: "Relationship-Forward Investors": What does this mean? Why are VCs paying more attention to founder mental health?The Pitch: What investors spot in pitch meetings that screams "red flag"—and the 30/30/30 rule.The Conscious Uncoupling: If a founder needs to exit, how investors can help guide the separation without destroying equity value.Success Stories: What the best co-founding teams do differently. Memorable Quote: "The co-founder relationship is one of the biggest strengths and one of the biggest risks of a startup company." — Annie Garofalo 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Annie Garofalo (Stanford MBA +MA, Harvard BA) is a leading expert in founder relationships and co-founder conflict, supporting 100+ seed through Series A teams over the past five years. She built research and advisory practice Confidante by fusing entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and relationship therapy, and works with select VC funds and accelerators (including YC, Flourish, Antler) to support founding teams across their portfolios. Connect with Annie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-garofalo/ Confidante: https://www.confidante.info/ Partnership agreement program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7XCS9_gmifomvF0QugMaQj2shgZ1fqs/view Cofounder Mode Cards: https://cofoundermode.io/ Blog / Newsletter on Founding Team Health: https://confidante.substack.com/ Podcast: How I Met My Cofounder: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-met-my-co-founder/id1723885564 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOSManaged Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH US Website: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode.

    16 min
  8. 11 MAR

    S3 Ep 8 The "Growth Gap" (When Roles Change)

    The skills that got you to Seed aren't the skills that get you to Series B. What happens when one founder can scale and the other can't—or doesn't want to? In this episode of Managed Chaos, host Katrina Purcell continues the four-part series on co-founder relationships with Annie Garofalo, founder of Confidante. This is the most painful conversation—the one about growth gaps, shifting roles, and what happens when the company outgrows one of its founders.In this episode, we cover: Why "Co-CEOs" Usually Fail: The only two circumstances Annie has seen it work—and why most teams use it to avoid the hard conversation about who's actually in charge.The Performance Plan for Founders: Why founding teams have performance reviews for employees but not for themselves—and how to create a peer-led feedback mechanism.Letting Go of Legos: How to transition from "doing everything" to "owning a vertical"—and why it gets worse before it gets better.Ego vs. Life: The question every founder needs to answer—do you want your work to fuel your ego or fuel your life?Memorable Quote: "It's not your co-founder's job to manage you, and it's not your job to manage your co-founder. You are doing this to be peers. So create a system that feels peer led." — Annie Garofalo 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Annie Garofalo (Stanford MBA +MA, Harvard BA) is a leading expert in founder relationships and co-founder conflict, supporting 100+ seed through Series A teams over the past five years. She built research and advisory practice Confidante by fusing entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and relationship therapy, and works with select VC funds and accelerators (including YC, Flourish, Antler) to support founding teams across their portfolios. Connect with Annie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-garofalo/ Confidante: https://www.confidante.info/ Partnership agreement program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7XCS9_gmifomvF0QugMaQj2shgZ1fqs/view Cofounder Mode Cards: https://cofoundermode.io/ Blog / Newsletter on Founding Team Health: https://confidante.substack.com/ Podcast: How I Met My Cofounder: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-met-my-co-founder/id1723885564 🚀 ABOUT MANAGED CHAOS Managed Chaos is the podcast for startup founders, COOs, and leaders who are tired of the fluff. We give you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes to get to work. Hosted by Katrina Purcell. 🔗 CONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.themanagedchaospodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managedchaospodcast ✨ Special Offer from Pobl.io Outsourcing your US tech talent should not be hard. With pobl.io you will get high-quality teams on demand and enjoy huge cost savings for your business. Try it now at pobl.io. Mention the amazing Managed Chaos when you email us and get a free market data report. Loved this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss our next episode.

    16 min

About

Welcome to the Managed Chaos podcast, where host, Katrina Purcell gives you the startup business rundown in less time than it takes you to get to work. You can find Katrina on all of your favorite podcasting apps as well as on Instagram and YouTube, where we are @managedchaospodcast. For additional resources or to continue the conversation, you can find Katrina Purcell on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-purcell/ https://www.themanagedchaospodcast.com/