The Stormy Stories Show

Angela Robertson

Building a company isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes a little stormy. On The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with CEOs, founders, and tech leaders to talk about the moments you don’t usually hear about. The tough decisions, the unexpected pivots, the pressure of leadership, and the lessons that only come from navigating real storms in business. These are honest conversations about building, scaling, and leading through uncertainty in the world of technology and innovation.

Episodes

  1. Adrian Moise - Founder & CEO, Aequilibrium Software Inc.

    1d ago

    Adrian Moise - Founder & CEO, Aequilibrium Software Inc.

    What does it take to build a company that thrives through uncertainty, rapid technological change, and market disruption? On this episode of The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with Adrian Moise, Founder and CEO of Aequilibrium, to explore what separates organizations that successfully innovate from those that get left behind. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in technology, Adrian shares lessons learned scaling Aequilibrium, navigating the challenges of COVID, and leading teams through major strategic pivots. Together, they discuss the principles of Lean Startup, the importance of experimentation, and why adaptability has become a critical leadership skill in the age of AI. Adrian also shares how Aequilibrium evolved from helping startups launch new products to delivering transformative solutions for highly regulated industries such as financial services and healthcare. Along the way, he reveals why vision, alignment, and purpose remain essential, no matter how quickly the world changes. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why speed without direction can create chaos  How leaders can innovate without overwhelming their teams  The importance of making focused strategic bets  Lessons learned from navigating major business storms  Why AI and emerging technologies require a new leadership mindset Whether you're a founder, CEO, or leader navigating uncertainty, this conversation offers practical insights on building resilient, future-ready organizations.

    25 min
  2. Igor Debatur - CEO & Co-Founder, Outmap

    Jun 30

    Igor Debatur - CEO & Co-Founder, Outmap

    What does it take to build a world-class product in one of the most competitive markets imaginable? In this episode of The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with Igor Debatur, CEO and Co-Founder of Outmap, to explore the journey from scaling and exiting a successful software company to building the next generation of outdoor navigation technology. Igor shares why he returned to the founder seat after helping build and scale Uploadcare, how a message sent to a stranger on Reddit led him to Outmap, and why deep user empathy has been at the center of every company he's built. Together, they discuss the realities of bootstrapping a fast-growing company, building in highly technical markets, attracting world-class talent, and navigating the inevitable storms founders face along the way. They also explore the importance of outdoor adventure as a leadership tool, why walking meetings may be one of the most underrated productivity hacks, and how technology is creating unprecedented opportunities for the next generation of founders. Whether you're building a startup, leading a team, or simply looking for inspiration to take your next bold step, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Igor chose to bootstrap Outmap instead of raising capitalHow a single Reddit message led to a co-founder partnershipThe hidden complexity behind building professional-grade mapping technologyWhy understanding your users is a founder's greatest advantageHow outdoor adventure helps leaders stay clear-headed during difficult seasonsWhy there has never been a better time to start building something new

    20 min
  3. Kundan Joshi – Founder & CEO, TheAppLabb & AI Labb

    Jun 23

    Kundan Joshi – Founder & CEO, TheAppLabb & AI Labb

    What does it take to stay ahead when technology changes faster than ever before? In this episode of The Stormy Stories Show with Angela Robertson, Angela sits down with Kundan Joshi, Founder & CEO of TheAppLabb and AI Labb, to discuss the lessons he's learned building more than 750 apps, leading through major technology shifts, and helping organizations navigate the AI revolution. Kundan shares why founders often make the mistake of chasing technology instead of solving real problems, how his company evolved from an app development firm into an AI transformation partner, and why the most successful leaders view disruption as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. They explore practical approaches to AI adoption, leading teams through uncertainty, creating cultures built on growth and learning, and the critical role community plays in helping entrepreneurs weather challenges and scale faster. Whether you're a founder, CEO, or business leader trying to make sense of AI, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on how to embrace change without losing sight of what matters most. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why AI should be treated as a business transformation tool, not a technology experiment  • How to lead teams through major pivots and periods of uncertainty  • The importance of clarity, communication, and culture during change  • Why community and peer learning are essential for entrepreneurial growth  • How to turn storms into opportunities for innovation and long-term success

    30 min
  4. Steven Findlay – CEO, Noratek Solutions Inc.

    Jun 2

    Steven Findlay – CEO, Noratek Solutions Inc.

    In this episode of The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with Steven Findlay, CEO of Noratek Solutions and founder of CityReporter, to discuss the realities of building and selling a company without outside funding. What started as a municipal inspection software solution grew into a North American business over more than 15 years. Steven shares the journey of bootstrapping CityReporter from the ground up, navigating multiple technology shifts, and ultimately leading a competitive acquisition process that resulted in the successful sale of the company. From managing due diligence, handling competing offers, and negotiating without an M&A advisor, to building the leadership team that made the transaction possible, Steven provides an honest look at what it really takes to prepare a business for exit. This conversation is packed with practical lessons on entrepreneurship, negotiation, resilience, and why the strongest companies are built long before they're sold. Topics discussed: • Building a software company without outside capital • The realities of bootstrapping for over a decade • Preparing a company for acquisition • Negotiating with multiple buyers • The role of relationships during an M&A process • Building a leadership team that can operate without the founder • Lessons learned from a successful exit If you're a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur considering your next chapter, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

    18 min

About

Building a company isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes a little stormy. On The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with CEOs, founders, and tech leaders to talk about the moments you don’t usually hear about. The tough decisions, the unexpected pivots, the pressure of leadership, and the lessons that only come from navigating real storms in business. These are honest conversations about building, scaling, and leading through uncertainty in the world of technology and innovation.