Ready For Launch: How To Build A Startup Ian Black

Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses into the world.

This week, Ian Black talks to Aidan Cramer about his business AI Apply, which leverages generative AI to help job seekers find and apply for the best job opportunities. Aidan also shares his experience in building multiple businesses and the importance of finding product-market fit. Aidan shares his philosophy on killing ideas that don't work and focusing on the core offering, as well as his growth targets and the strategies he is using to achieve them, including content creation and influencer marketing.

Website

https://aiapply.co/

Tiktok

https://www.tiktok.com/@aidancramer

Twitter

https://twitter.com/AidanCramer

We Discuss

What Generative AI is

Common Mistakes in Job Applications

Experimentation with Different Business Ideas

How to Achieve Fast Growth and Profitability

New Perspectives on Defining Product Market Fit

Listening to Customers and Their Ideas

Defining Success and Growth Targets

Content Creation and Strategy

Choosing the Right Co-founder

Sacrifices and Loneliness of Entrepreneurship

Motivations and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

Advice for Starting a Business

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Host: Ian Black

Intro Music:

⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life⁠
License code: 9TQ4MEAPMU4WJWZ4

Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses into the world.

This week, Ian Black talks to Patrick Manning, the founder of Alio, an allergy-friendly protein bar company, who shares his journey from medical school to entrepreneurship. He saw a need for a protein bar free from the top nine food allergens and high in protein, and decided to create it himself. He shares his perspective on overcoming doubts and challenges as a founder and the unique lessons he has learned through entrepreneurship.



Website

https://livealio.com/



Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/livealionow



Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/livealio



Chapters

Introduction and Background

Identifying the Need for Allergy-Friendly Protein Bars

Transition from Medical School to Entrepreneurship

Finding a Mentor and Overcoming Fear

Lessons Learned from Starting a Business

Challenges in Recipe Development and Manufacturing

Rebranding and Refining the Product

Market Response to the Relaunch of Allio

Importance of Customer Feedback and Launch Strategy

Delegating and Bringing in Experts

Building a Team and Seeking External Funding

Organic Marketing Strategies

Effective Sales Tactics through Engagment with Facebook Groups

Sales Channels and Retail Expansion

Profitability and Margin Refinement

Shelf Life and Expiry Dates

Daily Operations and Balancing Work

Future Team Expansion

Overcoming Doubts and Challenges

Advice for Founders and Dealing with Doubt

Setting Goals and Managing Friction

Product Expansion and New Flavors

Challenges in Scaling and Retail Expansion

The Power of Creation and Overcoming Challenges

Where to Find Alio







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Host: Ian Black

Intro Music:

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life
License code: 9TQ4MEAPMU4WJWZ4

Shane Monks O'Byrne teaches people how to build camper vans and live a van life. He shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the philosophy of van life, and the lessons he learned from building his latest startup - https://www.thevanconversion.com.

Contents:


Introduction and Background
Shane's Business: Teaching People to Build Camper Vans
The Philosophy of Van Life
Shane's Journey into Entrepreneurship
Choosing the Right Path as an Entrepreneur
Lessons from Investing Applied to Life
Balancing Details and Output in Design
Finding Fun and Passion in Work
Finding Passion and Interests
Using Childhood as a Starting Point
Questioning False Assumptions and Self-Doubt
Exploring Different Interests and Skills
Learning New Skills and Trying Something New
Learning How to Build a Van
Documenting the Van Conversion Process
Transitioning from Building Vans to Writing a Book
Launching the Book and Building a Sustainable Business
Preparing for a Long-Term Bike Journey
Handling the Business During Time Away
Starting a Business: Choosing the Right Direction

Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where I, Ian Black, talk to founders of early-stage companies about how they launched their business into the world.

I’m talking with Lorin Winata, founder of Melati Drinks, and part of the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2023.

Among many things, we discuss:


The history of Asian tonic drinks, dating back to 1293
What it means to be a non-alcoholic spirit, in the Better-for-you category
Borrowing extraction techniques from the perfume industry to create the most accessible drink
The loneliness of moving the business to a new country, new culture, with no network
Whittling down 150 classic ingredients from the spice islands of Indonesia, into the two Melati drinks
What it’s like to leave the male-dominated world of venture capital in Asia, to become an Asian female founder
The challenges you face doing everything for the first time as an entrepreneur, and why it gets easier.
And much more...

So sit back and enjoy the show!

Company website

https://melatidrinks.com/

Find Melati near you:

https://melatidrinks.com/pages/store-locator

Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where Ian Black talks to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world.

This week I’m talking with Brian Davis, co-founder founder of Parable.

Among many things, we discuss:


Why Brain Care is so important for an ageing population
The 4 Pillars of Brain Care
How to communicate the benefits of a product when customers aren’t problem-aware yet
The importance of finding founder-fit
The problems with fundraising and launching a business at the same time
Deciding to shut down the business
The problem with taking advice from Outliers
The lack of failure stories on social media

Sit back and enjoy the show!

Welcome to Ready For Launch. This week I’m talking with Derek Sivers, ex-musician, ex-entrepreneur, TED speaker and four-time book author.

Among many things, we discuss:


Why New Zealand is the best place in the world to raise a kid
How to adapt your values to your current situation
The secrets to becoming a great speaker
What still terrifies Derek about speaking on stage
The best way to write a book
The value of self-publishing and retaining your copyrights
The importance of doing the opposite of your creative habits
What Derek’s latest book is all about
How your belief and perspectives change your actions
The barbell strategy of living in the extremes
Why graveyards are a great place to sleep
Useful beliefs about writing.

And so much more! So sit back and enjoy the show

Website

https://sive.rs/