Failure to Launch

Mike Pritchett
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Monthly

Failure to Launch, where we chat to successful founders, confront the fears and doubts that keep us grounded and get some tips and tricks on what it takes to start… and most importantly to keep going. Mike Pritchett, an Aussie entrepreneur that’s built a global video tech company among half a dozen other business has made all the mistakes, which is why he's passionate about getting the right answers for you. Chatting to successful entrepreneurs around the world that are still in the trenches, you hear from successful founders that are still building their empire and can offer current advice.

Episodes

  1. Jul 31

    Quinn Favret - College Dropout to $250m Founder

    Most people are told to pick a safe plan and stick to it. Quinn Favret’s story proves your biggest breakthrough comes when you’re willing to burn the safety net—dropping out of college at 19 to chase a $250 million AI empire. His journey isn’t just about risking it all; it’s about learning fast, pivoting fearlessly, and turning setbacks into stepping stones.From building a restaurant demand forecast tool during his first year at Michigan to micro-acquiring and pivoting through COVID—Quinn shares how each failure sharpened his edge. Discover how he navigated the terrifying moments of scaling, how he made tough calls to let go of clients and products that no longer aligned with his mission, and how resilience became his secret weapon. We break down: The mindset shift needed to see failures as opportunities rather than setbacksThe art of rapid iteration—building five, ten, even fifty products to find the one that sticksHow to leverage lessons from past startups to fast-track success with new ventures like BuzzTrailThe importance of team dynamics, including his strategic choice to be COO, not CEO, with a co-founder he trusts deeplyThe role of relentless work ethic and belief in your own ability to brute-force your way into success If you’re sitting on the sidelines, overwhelmed by fear of failure or analysis paralysis, this episode is your game-changer. Quinn’s story shows that every moment of near-failure buried a lesson that propelled him forward—and it can do the same for you. Whether you’re in early startup days or dreaming of your next big move, this episode offers proven strategies to accelerate your growth, embrace risk, and turn setbacks into comebacks.Join us if you’re ready to redefine failure and unlock the true potential of your entrepreneurial journey. The path to building something meaningful is a wild ride—and Quinn Favre’s experience proves it’s worth every step.Guest credibility:Quinn Favret is the co-founder of Tavis, a Sequoia-backed AI company valued at $250 million. A Y Combinator alum, Forbes 30 Under 30, and fearless builder, he’s here to share how embracing failure fueled his rise.Why this works:This compelling narrative starts with a provocative hook about risking everything, appealing directly to aspiring entrepreneurs and founders. It then teases real, actionable insights—pivoting, resilience, team dynamics—that promise transformation. The emotional angles of fear, perseverance, and relentless learning make it irresistible to those hungry for growth, making them eager to hit play and hear how they too can turn setbacks into success.

  2. Jul 9

    Samir Samjic - Sustained Success

    I know Samir Smajic personally, and he's a great guy, so this one was always going to be less “polished founder interview” and more two operators comparing scars. And there are plenty of scars. Samir has spent 10+ years building GetAccept from Sweden into one of Europe’s most successful SaaS companies. YC. $30m+ raised. Tens of millions in ARR. Nearly 200 people. And, more impressively, he helped create an entire category: digital sales rooms. Not “joined a hot category”. Actually pushed for the category to exist. What I loved most about this conversation wasn’t just the growth story. It was the honesty around what it really takes: You need co-founders who complement you, not clones who argue over the same wheel. You need to go all in. Four hours at night does not beat someone working sixteen hours with their hair on fire. You need belief. Not fake American “we’re changing humanity” theatre, but real conviction that what you’re building matters. And you need to enjoy some of the madness, because if you’re not having at least a bit of fun, you won’t last ten years. We also got into AI, sales rooms, lazy salespeople, founder energy, elevator pitch disasters, mountain biking injuries, and why sending generic AI slop after a sales call is not a strategy. Brilliant chat with a proper category builder. Take a listen now on Spotify!

  3. Jun 16

    DC Cahalane - Building Tech Ecosystems

    An Aussie and an Irishman walk into a startup hub… and end up unpacking the real reasons startups fail. In this episode of Failure to Launch, Mike sits down with DC Cahalane, Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, startup operator, investor, ecosystem builder, and soon-to-be author of We’re Doing This Wrong: How to Build Entrepreneurial Ecosystems That Actually Work. DC has spent decades inside the startup machine across Ireland, the UK, Europe and beyond — building companies, backing founders, shaping policy, and seeing first-hand what separates momentum from stall-out. Together, Mike and DC dig into the messy reality of entrepreneurship: why raising money is when the hard work really starts, how AI has removed many of the old excuses for founders, why “vibe coding” a product is not the same as building a business, and why startups need to use AI to ask harder questions — not just get comforting answers. They also cover the difference between technology, product and business, why revenue quality matters more than ever to investors, how ecosystems really get built, and why enterprise sales is less “big B2B” and more “selling from Cork to Mars”. A sharp, funny and deeply practical conversation for founders, investors and anyone trying to build something that actually works.

  4. May 25

    Kevin Jurovich - NFL to Founder!

    Most entrepreneurs face a desert period—long and uncertain. Kevin Jurovich’s journey from NFL to Silicon Valley shows how persistence and curiosity can turn challenges into breakthroughs. Discover how he navigated pro sports and startup chaos, using relentless effort and iteration as his differentiators. Learn about mindset shifts, the power of listening, and the importance of genuine passion. Kevin’s insights will inspire you to keep moving forward, proving that resilience and passion are your greatest assets. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to scale and aspiring founders. Hit play—your next breakthrough may just be a decision away.

    Kevin Jurovich - NFL to Founder!

  5. Apr 24

    Zeev Farbman - CEO & Co-Founder of Lightricks - What it takes to build a billion dollar company!

    Most wildly successful apps don’t happen by following a perfect plan—they’re born from chaos, experimentation, and a relentless focus on what truly matters. Zeev Fabman, CEO of the $1.8 billion valued Lighttricks, shares the unfiltered journey behind building apps like Facetune, Videoleap, and Photoleap—products born from curiosity, iterative testing, and seizing chance moments. This episode reveals why so many startups fail while a few survive—highlighting core strategies like staying passionately focused, riding the waves of technological change, and trusting your gut over endless analysis. You'll discover: how Zeev and his team used academic expertise and performance marketing to bootstrap their way to millions, and why early prototypes often reveal what users really want (or don’t). We break down the importance of focusing on the few activities that generate the most value, and how luck, timing, and knowing when to pivot played pivotal roles in their success. Zeev’s insights challenge the myth of meticulous planning—highlighting that sometimes, the fastest way to find your market’s sweet spot is simply to start sprinting in any promising direction.We also explore the real reason many apps fade away in today’s crowded market—what separates the survivors from the rest. Zeev emphasizes riding technological waves like AI and mobile, and shares how a background in academia gave his team an edge in delivering high-performance, user-loved tools amid fierce competition. Plus, get his candid advice on balancing focus with opportunity, and why building a passion-driven product is the ultimate secret to longevity. Perfect for entrepreneurs, product founders, and anyone navigating the chaos of startup life, this episode will reshape how you view failure, luck, and the art of building high-impact products from scratch. If you’re ready to disrupt your thinking and learn from a tech titan who’s done it—hit play now.

  6. 03/11/2025

    Stephanie Melodia - Entrepreneurship, Adaptability, and Getting Out of Your Own Way

    How much of success is really in your control? In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Melodia to challenge some of the biggest myths in entrepreneurship. We dive into: Why ignorance might actually be an advantage when starting something new The power of strong opinions, loosely held—and why stubborn founders rarely succeed How to get out of your own way and stop letting fear and overthinking hold you back From market shifts to unexpected networking moments, we break down the uncomfortable truth that external factors often play a bigger role in success than most founders want to admit. If you’re in the trenches building something—or thinking about starting—this episode is a must-listen.

  7. 01/30/2025

    John Malecki – Turning Passion Into Purpose and Millions of Views

    This week, Mike Pritchett sits down with woodworker-turned-YouTube-sensation John Malecki, who’s amassed 1.5M+ subscribers and 180M views by building incredible projects—and even bigger dreams. From professional football to professional content creation, John shares his no-BS approach to making videos, scaling a business, and why loving the process is key to success. Whether you're struggling to get off the couch or looking to level up your creative hustle, this episode is packed with actionable insights on content strategy, audience building, and staying relentless in pursuit of your goals. Hit play and get inspired to launch!

  8. 08/07/2024

    Chris Savage - Founder of Wistia on what it takes to build an incredible company from the ground up.

    Join me, Mike Pritchett, as I chat with Chris Savage, the visionary founder of Wistia, in this exciting episode of our podcast. 🚀 We explore the evolution of video technology, from the era of corporate DVDs to today's cutting-edge platforms. Discover the story behind Wistia's success and how innovation has driven both of our journeys in reshaping video content for businesses. We'll dive into the complexities of timing in tech and why it's so challenging to stay ahead of the curve. We also tackle the hurdles of pushing innovation in large corporations often stuck in outdated practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the dynamic world of tech entrepreneurship, the power of innovation, and the importance of embracing change. Tune in and get inspired to push boundaries and drive progress!

  9. 07/19/2024

    Luke Hale - Mark Rober's Head of Production on how to build a small army of Raging Fans!

    Luke Hale is a master at creating content, I've worked with him for many years and he is now the Head of Production for Mark Rober (54.9 million YouTube subscribers) So he knows a thing or two about creating content that works. This is a fun, casual chat between two old friends. Enjoy!

  10. 06/27/2024

    Bazz Deans - From life threatening accidents to launching new Ventures

    This episode was a lot of fun to record, Bazz is a Kiwi living in London and a dear friend of mine, anyone that comes into contact with Bazz can feel his energy from a mile away! Enjoy!

  11. 06/13/2024

    Jamie Shanks on the hard realities and Grit it takes to build a business!

    Jamie Shanks is the Founder of multiple companies, in this episode he shares with us what it truly takes to start and grow a company.

  12. 05/28/2024

    Practical SaaS tips with Sujan Patel

    As the title suggests, this episode is jam packed with practical real world tips for starting, scaling or even buying SaaS businesses. Sujan Patel dives right into the successes and failure he's had in building multiple successful SaaS businesses. From near death experiences to drag races, we cover it all!

    Practical SaaS tips with Sujan Patel
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Failure to Launch, where we chat to successful founders, confront the fears and doubts that keep us grounded and get some tips and tricks on what it takes to start… and most importantly to keep going. Mike Pritchett, an Aussie entrepreneur that’s built a global video tech company among half a dozen other business has made all the mistakes, which is why he's passionate about getting the right answers for you. Chatting to successful entrepreneurs around the world that are still in the trenches, you hear from successful founders that are still building their empire and can offer current advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Pritchett
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mike Pritchett
  • Show Website
    Failure to Launch