Built For This: Stories of a Maverick

Jenna Bayuk
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Built for This is the podcast that dives deep into the defining moments of entrepreneurs - the ones where they could have quit but instead chose to push forward. Each episode uncovers the raw, emotional stories of grit, perseverance, and resilience that turned struggle into success. Through candid conversations with founders, visionaries, and game-changers, we explore the pivotal challenges that tested them, the lessons they learned, and the mindset shifts that propelled them to new heights. If you’ve ever faced setbacks and wondered if you have what it takes to keep going - this is the podcast that proves you do. Because those who make it aren’t just lucky. They’re built for this.

  1. Sep 30

    The Best Decisions Are Made Before You Have All the Answers with Olivia Liao

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Olivia Liao, Founder and Managing Partner at Epsilon Ventures, to explore career pivots, investing, artificial intelligence, and what it takes to make decisions without complete information. Olivia shares her journey from growing up in Taiwan, studying statistics at Stanford, and building human-in-the-loop AI systems at companies like Uber and Stitch Fix to becoming a venture investor. She explains how her background in statistics shaped the way she thinks about uncertainty, decision-making, and finding conviction when the answers are not obvious. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping industries, what makes great founders stand out, and why articulation, adaptability, and resourcefulness are critical in the current technology landscape. Olivia also discusses building Epsilon Ventures, using AI to improve investment decisions, emerging opportunities in AI infrastructure, healthcare, and why the future may be shaped by technologies that do not yet exist. Key Takeaways: How Olivia’s background in statistics shaped her approach to investing and decision-making.Why building products at Uber and Stitch Fix prepared Olivia for venture capital.How career paths can evolve through unexpected opportunities and experiences.Why investors need to balance intuition with structured frameworks.How great founders translate complex technology into customer value.Why market timing is just as important as having a strong idea.What separates great founders from good founders in deep tech.Why adaptability and resourcefulness are becoming essential founder traits.How AI is creating new opportunities across industries and unlocking new markets.Why AI agent infrastructure could become a critical technology layer.How leaders can identify assumptions, challenge biases, and make better decisions.Why building the thing you wish existed can create new opportunities. Noteworthy Quotes: “Statistics is about making good decisions with incomplete information, finding conviction.” – Olivia Liao“It’s fine to be contrarian, but not a lazy contrarian.” – Olivia Liao“The actual goal is to be clear about what you know and what you don’t, and why you’re moving anyway.” – Olivia Liao“The best ones are able to crystallize and articulate their thinking at each turn.” – Olivia Liao“Build the thing you wish existed.” – Olivia Liao“Nobody’s designed for a specific path from the start. It becomes built for something by just doing the work for long enough.” – Olivia Liao Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Olivia Liao and her journey into venture investing 02:08 - From statistics and AI systems to building billion-dollar businesses 09:39 - Challenging assumptions and learning through career pivots 11:44 - Redefining success and choosing the right path 17:25 - What Olivia looks for when evaluating companies 20:54 - The qualities that separate great founders from good founders 24:37 - Why adaptability and resourcefulness matter in the AI era 27:16 - The future of AI infrastructure and emerging technology opportunities 29:25 - AI’s impact on work, judgement, and human expertise 31:24 - The industries and opportunities AI may transform next 37:38 - Using AI to improve investment decisions and reduce bias 40:45 - AI, education, and the questions we need to ask about the future 43:11 - Advice for founders building in a rapidly changing world 45:52 - Staying grounded through first-principles thinking 49:47 - Lessons learned, founder qualities, and changing beliefs 52:10 - What “Built For This” means to Olivia Liao 53:26 - How to connect with Olivia and Epsilon Ventures Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. FOLLOW OUR GUEST, OLIVIA LIAO ON: Olivia Liao LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-liao-3b847b20 Epsilon Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/epsilon-ventures/home/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    The Best Decisions Are Made Before You Have All the Answers with Olivia Liao

  2. Sep 16

    Everything We Know About Success Is Backwards with William Allen

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with William Allen, Founder & General Partner at Subrosa Ventures, to explore how military service, entrepreneurship, and lived experience shaped his approach to leadership and venture capital. William shares his journey from growing up in a family with a deep tradition of service to joining the Marine Corps, working in government, and eventually entering Silicon Valley. He explains how moving into “open space” helped him turn an unconventional background into an advantage and why founders should develop expertise and scar tissue before chasing traditional career paths. The conversation explores investment discipline, asymmetric information, founder grit, business partnerships, and why the best opportunities are not always the most obvious ones. William also discusses overlooked opportunities between commercial technology and government, the potential of AI security, learning from failed investments, and why great investors need to understand their own “strike zone.” Key Takeaways: How William’s family history and military service shaped his leadership philosophy.Why unconventional experiences can become a competitive advantage.How moving into “open space” helped William break into venture capital.Why lived experience and scar tissue matter when evaluating founders.How discipline and asymmetric information influence investment decisions.Why investors should avoid chasing deals simply because they are popular.What William learned about choosing and building strong business partnerships.Why overlooked government problems can create major commercial opportunities.Why AI security is an emerging area William finds compelling.How Warren Buffett and Ted Williams inspired William’s investment “strike zone” philosophy.Why understanding failure can be more valuable than studying success.What it really means to discover what you are “built for.” Noteworthy Quotes: “Have the courage to go into open space and trust that it will work out.” – William Allen“Luck mixed with the hard work and discipline is what makes something successful.” – William Allen“Founders who have lived the problem is the consistent trait that I look for above all else.” – William Allen“You want to build a kind of reputation where somebody’s seeking to bring you on because they know you can perform.” – William Allen“You don’t really know what you’re built for until you’ve had the experience and you’ve taken some losses.” – William Allen Key Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to William Allen and Subrosa Ventures 00:02:50 - How 9/11 and a family tradition of service shaped William 00:12:26 - Military service, patriotism, and accepting responsibility 00:20:43 - Transitioning from military and government service 00:27:55 - Why unconventional career paths create valuable experience 00:30:27 - Moving into “open space” and breaking into venture capital 00:39:37 - Investment discipline and asymmetric information 00:46:30 - Building Subrosa and choosing the right partners 00:50:00 - Finding overlooked opportunities in government technology 00:58:15 - What William looks for in founders and investments 01:04:31 - Why AI security represents a major opportunity 01:11:30 - Learning from failures instead of only celebrating wins 01:21:02 - The best career advice William has received 01:28:08 - What “Built For This” means to William 01:30:05 - How to connect with William and Subrosa Ventures Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. FOLLOW OUR GUEST, WILLIAM ALLEN ON: William Allen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedbartlet Subrosa Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subrosa-vc/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    Everything We Know About Success Is Backwards with William Allen

  3. Sep 2

    The Chess Mindset That Builds Confidence and Clarity with Ashley Lynn Priore

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Ashley Lynn Priore, entrepreneur, speaker, chess advocate, and Founder, President & CEO at Queens Gambit also, Founder & CEO at Queenside Ventures, to explore how chess can become a powerful framework for leadership, strategy, and personal growth. Ashley shares her journey from learning chess as a young child in a competitive family environment to building organisations that use chess to empower youth, women, athletes, executives, and leaders. She explains how the game became more than competition, becoming a tool for critical thinking, resilience, confidence, and decision-making. The conversation explores the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated spaces, why confidence and exposure matter, and how chess can help people navigate uncertainty, pressure, and complex decisions. Ashley also discusses bringing chess into professional sports, working with NFL teams, helping leaders think strategically, and her mission to teach one million women how to play chess through Project D4. Key Takeaways: How Ashley discovered chess at a young age and turned it into a lifelong mission.Why chess develops critical thinking, focus, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.The challenges women face entering male-dominated spaces like competitive chess.How early exposure and representation can influence confidence and career paths.Why chess is a powerful framework for entrepreneurs and leaders.How Ashley built Queen’s Gambit to empower youth through chess education.The transition from nonprofit work into entrepreneurship and leadership consulting.How chess training helps athletes improve strategy, patience, and mental performance.Why leaders often struggle with decision-making, creativity, and taking action.How slowing down and analysing choices can lead to better outcomes.Why women should build stronger communities and support systems in leadership.How chess can become more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Noteworthy Quotes: “Chess is not only a beautiful game visually, but you can also learn so much because it is a visual game.” – Ashley Lynn Priore“Not making a decision is making a decision.” – Ashley Lynn Priore“Chess is a blueprint for your life. It can help you think differently and make better decisions.” – Ashley Lynn Priore“You don’t have to become the most amazing chess player. It’s about learning how to think, make decisions, and be strategic.” – Ashley Lynn Priore“If you have the data and you can craft it into a story, the impact will be huge.” – Ashley Lynn Priore“Built for this means that all of your experiences have come together and you are moving forward on your own terms.” – Ashley Lynn Priore Key Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Ashley Lynn Priore and chess as a leadership tool 00:02:31 - Discovering chess through family and early experiences 00:03:27 - Growing up in competitive chess environments 00:05:03 - The challenges women face in chess competitions 00:08:00 - Representation, confidence, and creating space for women 00:11:25 - Why early exposure shapes future opportunities 00:14:42 - Challenging assumptions around women and chess 00:17:11 - How chess develops leadership and critical thinking skills 00:20:05 - Turning chess education into a mission and business 00:23:13 - Entrepreneurship lessons from building Queen’s Gambit 00:25:41 - Building credibility as a young female entrepreneur 00:30:48 - Expanding chess into leadership through Queenside Ventures 00:33:13 - Bringing chess strategy into professional sports 00:38:05 - Teaching athletes decision-making through chess 00:42:28 - Creating chess programmes for teams and executives 00:45:43 - Leadership challenges solved through strategic thinking 00:49:15 - How chess teaches patience and better decisions 00:55:46 - Using mistakes as learning opportunities 00:59:36 - Helping women overcome barriers to learning chess 01:07:49 - How to connect with Ashley Lynn Priore Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. FOLLOW OUR GUEST, ASHLEY LYNN PRIORE ON: Ashley Lynn Priore LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-lynn-priore/ Queens Gambit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/queensgambitpittsburgh/ Queens Gambit Website: https://qgchess.org/ Queenside Ventures Website: https://queensideventures.com/ Queenside Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/queenside-ventures-llc/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    The Chess Mindset That Builds Confidence and Clarity with Ashley Lynn Priore

  4. Aug 19

    The Moment You Take Responsibility, Your Life Changes with Michelle Connell, CFA

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk sits down with Michelle Connell, CFA, Owner/President of Portia Capital Management, LLC, and Adjunct Professor for Naveen Jindal School of Management at The University of Texas at Dallas to discuss the connection between wealth, leadership, and creating meaningful impact through investing. Michelle shares her journey from growing up with financial hardship to building a career in institutional finance, private equity, and wealth management. The conversation explores the challenges women face in finance, the importance of financial education, and why understanding risk is essential for building long-term wealth. Michelle also discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, writing her upcoming book, and how investments can create impact beyond financial returns. Key Takeaways: How Michelle’s early experiences with financial hardship shaped her relationship with money and investing.Why financial education and investment conversations are still missing for many women and underserved communities.The journey from institutional finance to building an independent wealth management firm.Why protecting downside risk and understanding investments matter more than simply following market trends.The challenges women face in investment management and financial decision-making.How Michelle’s leadership style evolved through listening, asking better questions, and understanding client concerns. Noteworthy Quotes: “Money meant that you were not going to have that struggle, that you were going to have choices over your destiny.” – Michelle Connell, CFA“I would rather have less and do more with it.” – Michelle Connell, CFA“Trust your gut. If it’s off, it’s off.” – Michelle Connell, CFA“Money can be boring to people, but it’s going to give you the freedom and the control over your life.” – Michelle Connell, CFA“When you see what the money does, that’s when you go, this is kind of cool. I like this.” – Michelle Connell, CFA“Built for this means grit and empathy.” – Michelle Connell, CFA“Your money is your money, so ask questions from the beginning and throughout your relationship.” – Michelle Connell, CFA Key Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Michelle Connell, CFA and her approach to wealth 00:02:13 - Michelle’s early life and path into finance 00:05:37 - Building experience in banking and institutional investing 00:08:12 - Challenges of being a woman in finance 00:10:13 - The decision to build Portia Capital Management 00:13:00 - Finding the opportunity that launched her firm 00:14:30 - Creating an investment approach focused on protecting clients 00:17:30 - Building a business through persistence and resilience 00:21:20 - Women, risk, and confidence in investing 00:24:26 - Common misconceptions about investing 00:27:11 - Choosing the right financial advisor 00:31:00 - Developing a stronger leadership approach 00:33:00 - Helping clients navigate uncertainty and market changes 00:37:49 - Understanding investor mindset and risk tolerance 00:39:35 - Writing The Wall Street Cowgirl and sharing her story 00:43:03 - The challenges of becoming an author 00:45:37 - Recognising achievements and celebrating progress 00:49:42 - The future of wealth management and women in finance 00:52:43 - Why people need to understand their finances 00:57:33 - Using wealth to create meaningful impact 00:58:21 - Rapid-fire questions on leadership and personal growth 01:02:12 - Connecting with Michelle Connell, CFA Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. FOLLOW OUR GUEST, MICHELLE CONNELL, CFA, ON: Michelle Connell, CFA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepconnell/The University of Texas at Dallas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-texas-at-dallas/Portia Capital Management, LLC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/portiacapitalmanagement/Portia Capital Management Website: https://www.portia-capital-management.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK, ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    The Moment You Take Responsibility, Your Life Changes with Michelle Connell, CFA

  5. Aug 5

    The Future of Hiring and Leadership in the AI Era with Andrea Tjoeng-Davy

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Andrea Tjoeng-Davey, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Scout Talent and Official Member at Forbes Human Resources Council, a leading talent solutions platform. Scout Talent helps organizations attract, hire, and retain the right people through innovative technology and services. Andrea shares her journey of taking over a family business and evolving it into a tech-driven company, navigating challenges in recruitment, and emphasizing the human side of hiring in a world increasingly influenced by AI and automation. This conversation dives deep into leadership, growth, and the future of recruitment. Key Takeaways: Andrea’s early exposure to entrepreneurship through her family’s retail business in Papua New GuineaHow Andrea transitioned from a young, naive worker to the CEO of a tech-driven recruitment companyThe importance of mentorship and finding the right mentors to help you grow as a leaderInsights into building a company and navigating the complexities of balancing personal responsibility with business growthHow recruitment has evolved from a transactional process to a strategic function within organizationsThe impact of AI and automation in recruitment and the ongoing need for human judgment in decision-makingThe importance of authentic candidate experiences and how AI is shaping the recruitment process Noteworthy Quotes: "The best businesses come from solving your own problems." – Andrea Tjoeng-Davey"I had to unlearn being a perfectionist and people-pleaser to lead with clarity and trust." – Andrea Tjoeng-Davey"Recruitment is about understanding people. AI can help, but human judgment will always be needed." – Andrea Tjoeng-Davey"When you build something real, people can see how much you care. It's about leading from the front." – Andrea Tjoeng-Davey"You don't need to like everyone you work with, but you do need to build energy and head in the same direction." – Andrea Tjoeng-Davey"Employer brand is not about how pretty your careers page looks. It's about the experience your people have and how they project that to the world." – Andrea Tjoeng-Davey Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Andrea Tjoeng-Davey and Scout Talent 01:28 - Andrea’s early exposure to business through her family’s retail business in Papua New Guinea 09:47 - Navigating the challenges of family dynamics in business leadership 16:08 - Growing the business during the pandemic and the pressures that came with it 24:50 - The role of AI in transforming recruitment and the balance with human judgment 32:09 - The importance of candidate experience and its impact on recruitment success 37:52 - Reflections on the lessons learned from a period of growth and tough decisions 52:26 - Future predictions for the workforce and the role of AI Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. FOLLOW OUR GUEST, ANDREA TJOENG-DAVEY: Andrea Tjoeng-Davey LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/andreatjoengdaveyScout Talent Website: https://scouttalent.com/Scout Talent LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scouttalent/Scout Talent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scouttalentgroup/Forbes Human Resources Council LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forbeshrcouncil/ FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    The Future of Hiring and Leadership in the AI Era with Andrea Tjoeng-Davy

  6. Jul 22

    What It Really Takes for Founders to Build Ecosystems and Scale Companies With Didem Altop

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Didem Altop, General Partner at Treeo VC, Strategic Advisor at EKOS.AI & Co-Founder & Audit Board Member at YenidenBiz, and a leader in innovation, venture building, and ecosystem development. Didem has spent her career at the intersection of startups, corporates, and institutions, helping to design and scale innovation systems. Her expertise lies in creating environments where entrepreneurs, capital, and ideas can thrive together. Didem shares her journey, from her background in economic development to founding and scaling entrepreneurship ecosystems globally. The conversation delves into the importance of building ecosystems that bring together the right stakeholders to create sustainable innovation. She also reflects on how ecosystems can grow and thrive, why many innovation efforts fall short, and how to truly scale ideas in today’s rapidly changing world. Key Takeaways: Didem Altop’s journey from digital transformation consulting to building global entrepreneurship ecosystemsWhy ecosystems are critical for scaling innovation and fostering sustainable growthThe role of entrepreneurship in driving economic development and societal changeHow Didem’s background as a dual culture citizen shaped her approach to connecting people from diverse backgroundsThe importance of building the right support systems, including mentorship and collaboration between startups and corporatesThe future of innovation ecosystems and the opportunities and challenges they present, especially in the context of AI Noteworthy Quotes: "Ecosystems are much like nature. If you build the right environment, everything becomes easier and more productive." – Didem Altop"You’re not just managing a product and employees; you’re managing an ecosystem." – Didem Altop"Innovation is about bringing people together, aligning motivations, and fostering collaboration." – Didem Altop"The most successful leaders are those who bring together a team of experts and listen to what they need." – Didem Altop"The future of entrepreneurship is about continuously learning and adapting." – Didem Altop"We’re built to work together, to make progress, and to improve lives." – Didem Altop Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Didem Altop and her work in innovation 01:46 - Didem’s background in economic development and entrepreneurship 04:12 - Transition from consulting to entrepreneurship 06:16 - The importance of ecosystems in scaling innovation 08:03 - How Didem’s bicultural experience influenced her approach 10:37 - The role of angel investing and mentorship 12:42 - Misconceptions about networking in innovation ecosystems 14:45 - Challenges of collaborating between corporates and startups 15:39 - How pilot projects bridge gaps between corporations and startups 18:08 - Defining a “safe space” in innovation 22:31 - The importance of timing and market readiness in scaling innovation 32:06 - The role of customer discovery in the early stages of a startup 42:52 - The future of ecosystems and AI's impact on industries 53:32 - Final thoughts - What Built for this means to Didem FOLLOW OUR GUEST, DIDEM ALTOP ON: Didem Altop LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/didem-altop-174ab/YenidenBiz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yeniden-biz/EKOS.AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ekosai/Treeo VC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treeo-vc/Treeo VC Website: https://www.treeo.vc/EKOS.AI Website: https://ekos.ai/YenidenBiz Website: https://www.yenidenbiz.org.tr/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    What It Really Takes for Founders to Build Ecosystems and Scale Companies With Didem Altop

  7. Jul 8

    The Infrastructure Matters More Than Product in Consumer Businesses With Sumeet Shah

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Sumeet Shah, Founder & Managing Partner at VHS Ventures, Advisor at FirstLook and Founder & Chief Deck Therapist at Deck Therapy: An Official Side Project. Sumeet has spent his career in consumer products and the infrastructure that powers them. As an investor and operator, he works at the intersection of supply chains, product development, distribution, and scaling businesses. Sumeet discusses his journey from biomedical engineering to the world of venture capital and consumer products, emphasizing the often-overlooked role of infrastructure in scaling successful consumer brands. This conversation covers Sumeet’s experiences navigating the complexities of consumer behavior, the evolution of infrastructure within the sector, and why businesses often fail when their foundational systems are ignored. He also shares his perspective on the rising tide of infrastructure-focused ventures and the future of consumer products. Key Takeaways: Sumeet Shah’s journey from biomedical engineering to building consumer product companies and investing in infrastructureThe evolving role of infrastructure in the success of consumer brandsWhy infrastructure, supply chains, and distribution systems are critical to sustainable growth in consumer productsThe impact of consumer behavior and brand loyalty on a company’s long-term successHow generative AI and technology are changing the landscape of commerce and business operationsInsights on how infrastructure can democratize opportunities for smaller consumer brands Noteworthy Quotes: "Infrastructure is the most overlooked, yet the most critical part of any successful business." – Sumeet Shah"You can’t just be passionate; you also need experience and a strategic approach to building a sustainable business." – Sumeet Shah"Consumer businesses are more about people than products. You need the right team in the trenches with you for the long haul." – Sumeet Shah"Successful brands are always evolving and adapting to the changing needs of their customers." – Sumeet Shah"You don’t need to be in New York or LA to build a great consumer brand—this is an ecosystem that supports all kinds of growth." – Sumeet Shah"True innovation in consumer products isn’t just about having a cool idea, it’s about solving real problems and making it sustainable." – Sumeet Shah Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Sumeet Shah and his background in consumer products and infrastructure 01:53 - From biomedical engineering to consumer products 06:17 - Transition to venture capital and Brand Foundry 07:40 - Building consumer brands and driving customer loyalty 11:19 - Evaluating startups: people, product, and pipeline 15:46 - Brand perception versus operational reality 23:29 - Infrastructure, supply chains, and distribution in consumer businesses 26:56 - Infrastructure companies and the impact of generative AI 34:24 - Omnichannel commerce and the digital shift 41:14 - The future of physical and digital commerce 48:29 - Leadership, team building, and the mindset of successful builders 59:46 - Final thoughts - what built for this means to Sumeet Shah FOLLOW OUR GUEST, SUMEET SHAH ON: Sumeet Shah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeethshah/VHS Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vhs-vc/ FirstLook 🤑LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstlook-venture-co/ VHS Ventures Website: https://www.vhs.vc/ FirstLook 🤑 Website: https://firstlook.pk/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    The Infrastructure Matters More Than Product in Consumer Businesses With Sumeet Shah

  8. Jun 24

    Your Ideas Finally Click for Others Using Visual Storytelling with Phil Lashley

    In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk is joined by Phil Lashley, he serves as a Visual Storyteller, Art Director & Motion Graphic Designer at Phil Lashley Motion Design. Phil specializes in helping thought leaders translate complex ideas into visual models that resonate and inspire action. Phil’s journey began in Barbados, where he initially pursued a career in IT, but his curiosity and passion for creativity led him to the world of design. His story is one of transformation, moving from Hollywood’s fast-paced design industry to helping innovators and founders communicate their ideas through powerful visual frameworks. In this conversation, Phil and Jenna explore the importance of visual storytelling, how frameworks can clarify complex ideas, and why visuals can create emotional connections faster than words alone. Key Takeaways: Phil Lashley’s journey from IT to design, and how he found his true passion in visual storytellingHow visual frameworks can simplify complex ideas and make them accessibleThe significance of storytelling in business and the power of creating relatable conceptsWhy leaders should embrace vulnerability and creativity to build meaningful connections with their audienceThe future of visual storytelling in a world increasingly driven by digital and AI tools Noteworthy Quotes: "Creativity is not reserved for a few people. It’s for everybody." – Phil Lashley"You are not the hero; you're the guide." – Phil Lashley"Visuals and stories are unrefutable. Even in the age of AI, they resonate more than anything else." – Phil Lashley"The secret to impactful visuals is not about making it perfect, it’s about making it real." – Phil Lashley"When leaders start guiding their audience with a clear map, trust and connection grow." – Phil Lashley"We’re all creative. It’s just about how you approach the problem." – Phil Lashley Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Phil Lashley and his journey from Barbados to Hollywood 03:14 - How growing up in Barbados and a lack of toys sparked Phil’s creativity 05:25 - The shift from IT to design and Phil’s accidental discovery of his true path 08:17 - Phil’s Hollywood experience and the challenges of the fast-paced design world 16:08 - The pivot from Hollywood to visual storytelling for thought leaders 25:19 - The importance of visual frameworks in simplifying ideas and connecting with audiences 39:28 - How imperfection in visuals can create stronger emotional connections 44:37 - Advice for leaders on simplifying complex ideas for their audience 50:14 - Rapid Fire: The future of creative communication and visual storytelling in a digital age FOLLOW OUR GUEST, PHIL LASHLEY ON: Phil Lashley Website: https://www.phillashley.com/ Phil Lashley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillashley/ FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/Email: info@kinshipkollective.com FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/X: https://x.com/JBayukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consultFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult

    Your Ideas Finally Click for Others Using Visual Storytelling with Phil Lashley
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Built for This is the podcast that dives deep into the defining moments of entrepreneurs - the ones where they could have quit but instead chose to push forward. Each episode uncovers the raw, emotional stories of grit, perseverance, and resilience that turned struggle into success. Through candid conversations with founders, visionaries, and game-changers, we explore the pivotal challenges that tested them, the lessons they learned, and the mindset shifts that propelled them to new heights. If you’ve ever faced setbacks and wondered if you have what it takes to keep going - this is the podcast that proves you do. Because those who make it aren’t just lucky. They’re built for this.

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