Business Candy

Ashwin Kothari
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

“Welcome to Business Candy, the podcast that makes business inspiration sweet and digestible for the next generation of entrepreneurs! I'm Ashwin Kothari, and each week, we'll be unwrapping the stories behind successful entrepreneurs—how they turned ideas into empires, overcame challenges, and found the balance between hustle and life. Whether you're a teenager like me with a big dream or a young adult ready to make moves, tune in for tips, advice, and motivation to help you build your path to success. Ready to level up? Let’s dive in!”

  1. Apr 14

    From McKinsey to CEO: Building Financial Futures in Insurance

    In this episode of Business Candy, we sit down with Dhiren Jhaveri, CEO of Kuvare Holdings, to explore one of the most overlooked yet powerful industries in the world—insurance and long-term investing. Dhiren shares his journey from consulting at McKinsey to investment banking at Barclays, and how those experiences shaped his path to leading a major financial company. We dive into how Kuvare works, how money is managed at a massive scale, and why thinking long-term is one of the most important skills in business. We also break down the biggest misconceptions young people have about money, how to make smarter decisions under pressure, and what it really takes to build a career in high-stakes industries. If you want to better understand how money moves, how leaders think, and how to set yourself up for long-term success, this episode is for you. 🎧 Tune in now and start building your business mindset.

  2. Mar 15

    Why Most Companies Mismanage Their Best Customers | Alex Raymond (Founder of Kapta)

    Most businesses focus on getting new customers — but the smartest companies focus on protecting and growing their most important ones. In this episode of Business Candy, I sit down with Alex Raymond, founder of Kapta, a platform built to help companies manage their most valuable customer relationships. Alex shares how his global business background — from Georgetown University to earning an MBA at INSEAD — led him to discover a major gap in how companies manage strategic accounts. Instead of relying on spreadsheets and outdated systems, he built Kapta to help organizations create stronger, more aligned relationships with their most important clients. We talk about the challenges of building a SaaS company, the future of Key Account Management, and the lessons Alex has learned from turning a simple insight into a real business. If you're a young entrepreneur or someone curious about how companies actually grow and keep their biggest customers, this episode is packed with insights. In this episode we cover: How Alex Raymond went from corporate roles to entrepreneurship The problem most companies have with managing key accounts The early challenges of building Kapta Leadership lessons from building a SaaS startup Advice for young entrepreneurs starting their journey

  3. Mar 15

    Running the Invisible Backbone of Global Travel | Hassan El-Houry

    What does it take to run the systems that keep the world moving? Every day, millions of travelers board airplanes without realizing the massive operation happening behind the scenes—from ground handling and cargo logistics to fueling and airport operations. In this episode of Business Candy, Ashwin sits down with Hassan El‑Houry, Executive Chairman of Menzies Aviation, one of the largest aviation services companies in the world. Hassan shares his journey into global aviation leadership, the challenges of scaling operations across dozens of countries, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He also explains how aviation services became the invisible backbone of global travel—and what it really takes to manage a 24/7 industry where precision, safety, and teamwork are everything. Ashwin and Hassan also dive into leadership, the future of aviation, and the mindset young entrepreneurs need if they want to build companies that operate on a global scale. If you’ve ever wondered how the aviation industry really works—or what it takes to lead a company operating in airports around the world—this episode is packed with insights. In this episode you’ll learn: How global aviation services actually work behind the scenes The leadership principles needed to manage teams across cultures and countries How the aviation industry is evolving after COVID What young entrepreneurs should focus on if they want to build global businesses

  4. Mar 15

    Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs | Stan Hickory (CU Boulder New Venture Challenge)

    In this episode of Business Candy, Ashwin Kothari sits down with Stan Hickory, Director of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative and the New Venture Challenge at University of Colorado Boulder. Stan isn’t just an educator — he’s a multi-time entrepreneur who has built companies himself and now helps hundreds of student founders turn their ideas into real businesses. In this conversation, we break down: How Stan went from entrepreneur to building one of the most impactful student startup programs in the country What separates great founders from everyone else Why failure is a crucial part of the entrepreneurial journey How young people can start building businesses before they feel ready If you're a student, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone with an idea you want to turn into reality, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

  5. Feb 6

    “Building a Business by Slowing Down — The Liberty Puzzles Story”

    In a world obsessed with speed, screens, and shortcuts, Jeff Eldridge built a successful business by doing the opposite. Jeff is the co-founder of Liberty Puzzles, a Boulder-based company known for its handcrafted wooden jigsaw puzzles that emphasize quality, creativity, and connection. What started as an old-school idea turned into a globally loved brand by betting on craftsmanship in a modern, fast-paced world. In this episode, Jeff shares his personal journey into entrepreneurship, the early challenges of building Liberty Puzzles, and the pivotal moments that helped transform a creative passion into a lasting business. We dive into how Liberty Puzzles balances tradition with modern technology, what it really takes to scale without losing your values, and why patience can be a competitive advantage. This conversation is packed with lessons for young entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone curious about building something meaningful — without cutting corners. 🍬 Business Candy is all about making business stories sweet, simple, and inspiring for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

  6. 12/22/2025

    Robin Thurston

    In this episode of Business Candy, Ashwin sits down with Robin Thurston, a former pro cyclist who went on to build MapMyFitness, sell it to Under Armour for $150 million, and later become the CEO of Outside—the company behind Outside Magazine, Backpacker, Pinkbike, Yoga Journal, and more. Robin shares how he went from racing bikes and working in finance to spotting a massive opportunity in digital fitness tracking before it was cool. He breaks down the exact moment the idea for MapMyFitness clicked, how he convinced early investors that people would actually use an app to track their workouts, and the first big sign that his startup was really taking off. You’ll hear: How a passion for sports and data turned into a global fitness platform What it actually feels like to go through a $150M acquisition Why Robin decided to bring so many outdoor and wellness brands together under Outside How he balances technology with real-world adventure and storytelling What keeps him motivated on tough days His best advice for young entrepreneurs who want to turn their passions into a real business If you’re a teen or young adult who loves sports, the outdoors, or building things, this episode is packed with real talk, big lessons, and the kind of behind-the-scenes founder story you won’t hear in a textbook.

  7. 07/29/2025

    Chris Peterson

    In this episode of Business Candy, I sit down with Chris Petersen — Co-Founder and CEO of RADICL, and previously the Co-Founder and CTO of LogRhythm — to uncover the story behind one of cybersecurity’s most passionate innovators. Chris shares how he went from building enterprise-level protection systems to launching RADICL, a startup focused on giving small and mid-sized businesses the cybersecurity tools they desperately need. We dive into the personal moments that led to RADICL’s founding, the challenges of launching a new company in a competitive space, and how Chris is using automation and AI to level the playing field. He also shares leadership advice, his vision for the future of digital security, and what keeps him going as a founder. Whether you're a young entrepreneur, a tech lover, or just curious about how startups tackle big problems — this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

  8. 07/16/2025

    Ash Heather

    In this episode of Business Candy, I sit down with Ash Heather, co-founder of Epic Water Filters, to uncover how a former finance professional became a clean water warrior. After witnessing plastic pollution firsthand in Asia, Ash launched Epic from his basement in Boulder with one mission: to eliminate single-use plastic and provide safer, cleaner drinking water for all. We talk about his “aha” moment, early struggles, breakthrough wins, and what makes Epic’s filters stand out in a crowded market. Ash also shares how sustainability isn’t just part of his product — it’s at the heart of his company. If you're a young entrepreneur passionate about making a real-world impact, this one’s for you.

See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

About

“Welcome to Business Candy, the podcast that makes business inspiration sweet and digestible for the next generation of entrepreneurs! I'm Ashwin Kothari, and each week, we'll be unwrapping the stories behind successful entrepreneurs—how they turned ideas into empires, overcame challenges, and found the balance between hustle and life. Whether you're a teenager like me with a big dream or a young adult ready to make moves, tune in for tips, advice, and motivation to help you build your path to success. Ready to level up? Let’s dive in!”

Information

  • Creator
    Ashwin Kothari
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ashwin Kothari
  • Show Website
    Business Candy