The Founder's Journey

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Channel • 2 Shows

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Weekly
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated Daily

11/12/2024

The High Cost of Control: Anxiety and The Founder’s Fallacy | TFJP 84

In this first episode of our three-part series, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners delves into a personal and impactful journey through "The Founders Fallacy." Greg explores the hidden struggles many founders face—specifically the lingering need for control, anxiety, and constant pressure, even after reaching what many would call "success."As a founder, if you’ve felt like everything relies on you, or you've struggled to let go, this video is for you. Greg shares his own story of selling his company right before the COVID-19 pandemic, the unexpected pressures he encountered, and how he wrestled with the need for control that permeated his life. This candid insight into the founder experience will resonate with entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction to "The Founders Fallacy"0:51 – Challenges After Success2:05 – Personal Story: Selling the Company in 20205:01 – The Impact of Control on Health and Relationships7:36 – Advice for Founders: Recognizing and Letting Go---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Free Resource: Download our white paper on scaling sustainable businesses: Understanding the Behavioral DNA of Successful Founders Connect with Enduring Ventures for more insights on scaling and long-term business success: https://emep.io/----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Key Takeaways:The cycle of control and anxiety many founders experienceThe mental health toll of constant action and responsibilityPractical tips on letting go, delegation, and building founder communitiesIf you're a founder, an entrepreneur, or just starting your journey, watch this to understand the psychological and emotional challenges that come with building a business—and how to find freedom from constant control. #Entrepreneurship #FoundersFallacy #MentalHealthForFounders #StartupChallenges #FounderLife

11/12/2024

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9 min
08/26/2024

I stepped OFF the hamster wheel – Jasper Polak | TFJ E65

📌 Subscribe to The Founder’s Journey Newsletter to receive exclusive content👉https://bit.ly/3S6hqMi Discover how a life-changing decision in 2018 led Jasper Polak to leave a conventional career and embrace the startup life. In this episode of the Founders Journey podcast, Jasper shares his incredible story of transitioning from corporate management to becoming a fractional COO in the outdoor industry. Learn how his passion for skiing and a commitment to a lifestyle-driven startup mindset guided his journey, from the mountains of Switzerland to the heart of Norway. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply seeking inspiration, this episode provides invaluable insights into startup building, funding, and navigating the highs and lows of startup life. Dive into the mindset needed to turn passion into a thriving business while balancing work and personal life. Join our Startup Club community and explore the roadmap to creating a startup from scratch, even when facing potential startup failure. Welcome to the startup zone, where ideas meet execution. Join us as we explore the crucial elements of startup marketing, building scale, and the importance of vertical focus in achieving long-term success. This episode isn't just a startup lecture; it's a comprehensive guide to the realities of startup life, filled with insights from one of the best in the business.

08/26/2024

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54 min
12/04/2024

Red Flags in Startup Due Diligence: What Angel Investors Should Watch Out For | TFJP 91

Welcome to the Founders Journey podcast! In this episode, Greg Moran of Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners breaks down the essentials of startup due diligence. Whether you're an angel investor or exploring the world of venture capital, this guide will help you identify red flags and make informed investment decisions.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Key Topics Covered::key: Importance of due diligence in startup investing:female-technologist: Evaluating founders' qualities and potential:chart_with_upwards_trend: Understanding product-market fit and customer retention:moneybag: Financial projections and CAC-to-LTV ratio analysis:earth_africa: Assessing market size and competition------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamp Chapters:0:00 - Welcome to the Founders JourneyIntroduction to the podcast and its purpose.0:10 - The Importance of Due DiligenceOverview of why due diligence is critical in angel investing.0:30 - How to Conduct Due DiligenceSteps and strategies to identify red flags during the process.0:53 - The Startup Investment LandscapeStatistics on success rates and the potential for high returns.1:18 - Evaluating Startup FoundersKey traits of resilient, humble, and accountable founders.2:20 - Product-Market FitWhy it matters and metrics to assess it effectively.3:55 - Financial Projections and AssumptionsAnalyzing the realism behind financial forecasts.5:03 - Customer Acquisition Cost vs. Lifetime ValueUnderstanding critical metrics for sustainable growth.6:27 - Market and Competition AnalysisAssessing market size, competition, and differentiation.10:18 - Recap: Key Areas of Due DiligenceSummary of the five essential areas and the disciplined approach needed.10:40 - Call to ActionEncouragement to engage with the content, subscribe, and connect for more insights.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Free Resource: Download our white paper on scaling sustainable businesses: Understanding the Behavioral DNA of Successful Founders Connect with Enduring Ventures for more insights on scaling and long-term business success: https://emep.io/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------:loudspeaker: Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips and strategies for successful startup investing! Hit the :bell: to get notified of our latest content.Have questions or insights? Drop them in the comments below, and let’s chat!#StartupInvesting #AngelInvesting #DueDiligence #VentureCapital #FoundersJourney

12/04/2024

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11 min
05/06/2022

The Founder's Journey Ep.8 | Dave Kline, Founder of MGMT Accelerator & SkillScouter

Dave Kline teaches leaders how to build great teams & level up their career. His own founder’s journey started in the purchasing and creation of two businesses: MGMT Accelerator (cohort based management training) & SkillScouter. Prior Dave held senior executive positions at Bridgewater, Moody's Analytics, PwC. Dave is also a highly followed writer on Twitter, discussing management and leadership. We dig deep in this episode, discussing: How Dave got his first job when an alumni of his alma mater passed out on his coach Biggest lessons from buying your first business Why you need to miss a few business opportunities to be ready when the real one shows up How personal audience building is a driver of business growth Building a “Serendipity Acceleration Engine” Transitioning from a solopreneur into a scalable business The power of a daily writing habit Community building vs. Networking Approaching management skills as a new craft and not a destination Building management skills in early stage founders How remote work escalates every bad management habit and how to solve them Being intentional in your management approach How the corporate on-site will be the new offsite Follow Dave on Twitter @dklineii

05/06/2022

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48 min
04/29/2022

The Founder's Journey Ep.7 | Martin Babinec, Author of More Good Jobs

Martin Babinec has seen the highs and lows of the founder’s journey like few others. He is the Founder of TriNet which he founded and took public on the NYSE. During this remarkable run, he navigated several near death experiences with the business. Today, Martin is an investor, author and founder of a non-partisan political party just to name a few. He is the author of More Good Jobs, the founder of Upstate Venture Connect and Upventures Capital and the creator of Unite NY which seeks to change the way politics work in NYS. In this edition, we discuss: - Overcoming business near death experiences as a founder - Why a startup should always be ready for institutional due diligence - How macro-economics can accelerate or hinder a company - The importance of community building in all that we do Follow Martin on his blog at Babinec.com.

04/29/2022

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50 min
09/29/2024

The Founder’s Edge: Mental Models for Better Decision Making | TFJP 74

As a startup founder, making quick and strategic decisions is key to success. In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran shares 3 powerful mental models to help you cut through the noise and lead your business with confidence. Learn how to apply these mental frameworks—opportunity cost, inversion, and the 80/20 rule—to make better, faster decisions and drive growth in your startup. Key Takeaways: Opportunity Cost: How to prioritize and understand what you’re sacrificing with every decision.Inversion: A backward-thinking approach to avoid failure and mitigate risks.80/20 Rule: How to focus on the 20% of actions that lead to 80% of results. Want more insights on leadership, decision-making, and scaling your startup? Subscribe to the Founders Journey Podcast for more episodes on startup growth and business strategy.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 – Intro: Why Mental Models Are Crucial for Founders00:32 – Mental Model #1: Opportunity Cost01:23 – Mental Model #2: Inversion03:00 – Mental Model #3: 80/20 Rule05:30 – Wrap-up: How These Models Help You Make Better Decisions #MentalModels #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #DecisionMaking #LeadershipTips #VCAdvice #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupLeadership

09/29/2024

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6 min
10/16/2024

What is Creative Resilience? How Founders Turn Challenges Into Opportunities (Guide) | TFJP 79

How do successful founders thrive under intense pressure? In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran, co-founder of Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, reveals the concept of creative resilience—an essential trait for entrepreneurs who want to turn challenges into opportunities. Greg shares powerful stories from founders like Brian Chesky of Airbnb and Walter Randall of Lounge Studios, illustrating how they innovated under pressure to build successful businesses. Discover practical steps to develop creative resilience in your own business and transform setbacks into growth opportunities. What you’ll learn: - The meaning and importance of creative resilience for founders- Real-life examples of founders turning obstacles into opportunities- Practical strategies to develop creative resilience and innovate under pressure- How to view setbacks as learning opportunities, not failures Download the White Paper:Explore more about the behavioral DNA of successful founders with our free white paper: Understanding the Behavioral DNA of Successful Founders Connect with Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners:Find more resources and insights on our website: https://emep.io/ - 00:00 – Introduction: Creative Resilience for Founders- 00:35 – What Is Creative Resilience?- 01:21 – How Successful Founders Innovate Under Pressure- 02:30 – Example: Brian Chesky and the Birth of Airbnb- 03:18 – Example: Walter Randall and Lounge Studios- 04:15 – Developing Creative Resilience in Your Business- 05:46 – Download the White Paper- 06:00 – Conclusion: Subscribe and Share Your Stories Subscribe for more insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and startup growth, and hit the notification bell to stay updated! #CreativeResilience #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipTips #BusinessGrowth #VCAdvice #FoundersJourney #Innovation #Resilience #FounderMindset #BusinessStrategy #Adaptability #StartupLife #GrowthMindset #StartupStories #OvercomingChallenges #LeadershipSkills #FounderTips #BusinessAdvice #ProblemSolving #InnovationInBusiness #Startups #EntrepreneurAdvice #SmallBusinessSuccess

10/16/2024

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6 min
10/02/2024

Why Most Founders Fail Early-And How to Avoid Their Mistakes | TFJP 75

Why do so many startups fail in the early stages? In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran breaks down 4 critical mistakes that early-stage founders often make and more importantly, how to avoid them. Drawing from his experience as a multi-exit founder and venture capitalist, Greg highlights the importance of focus, listening to customer feedback, scaling at the right time, and managing cash flow effectively. Whether you're launching your first startup or looking to scale, these tips will help you build a solid foundation for success. What you'll learn: Why focusing on one product or market can make or break your startupHow ignoring customer feedback can lead to failureThe risks of scaling too early without product-market fitThe dangers of poor cash management and how to avoid them --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 – Intro: Why Startups Fail00:36 – Mistake #1: Lack of Focus01:28 – Mistake #2: Ignoring Customer Feedback02:35 – Mistake #3: Scaling Too Soon03:30 – Mistake #4: Poor Cash Management04:57 – Conclusion: How to Avoid Failure and Build Success #StartupMistakes #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #StartupSuccess #VCAdvice #LeadershipTips

10/02/2024

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5 min
10/28/2024

The Secret to Building an Everlasting Business: Insights from Enduring Ventures | TFJP 81

Why is buying businesses with bad culture a costly mistake? In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran sits down with CV Kosinski of Enduring Ventures to explore one of the biggest lessons learned in acquiring and scaling businesses: the importance of company culture. Discover why having a healthy culture is crucial for long-term success and how to identify the right businesses to buy. CV shares valuable insights on transitioning from running a business to owning one, building systems and teams, and avoiding common pitfalls in acquisitions. Learn how to position yourself for long-term growth by focusing on culture and sustainability. Key Takeaways:- Why bad culture can undermine even the most profitable businesses- How to transition from day-to-day operations to true ownership- The role of systems and strong teams in sustainable growth----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 – Introduction: The Dangers of Bad Culture in Businesses00:26 – The Biggest Mistake in Buying Businesses01:21 – Transitioning from Running a Business to Owning One02:08 – Building Systems and Teams for Long-Term Success03:50 – Case Study: The Story of Upcounsel’s Acquisition05:30 – Lessons from Acquiring 20 Businesses07:10 – How to Identify Healthy Cultures Before Buying a Business08:45 – Conclusion: Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Free Resource: Download our white paper on scaling sustainable businesses: Understanding the Behavioral DNA of Successful Founders Connect with Enduring Ventures for more insights on scaling and long-term business success: https://emep.io/---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe for more insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building long-lasting businesses! Hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes. #BusinessCulture #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipTips #BusinessGrowth #ScalingBusiness #FoundersJourney #VCAdvice #BusinessStrategy

10/28/2024

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42 min
11/27/2024

Diversifying Your Portfolio: Why Angels Should Invest Across Sectors And Stages | TFJP 89

Welcome to The Founders Journey Podcast, where we deliver inspiration and education for Founders by Founders.In this episode, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners dives deep into one of the most effective strategies for managing risk in startup investing: diversification. Whether you're a seasoned angel investor or new to this asset class, you'll learn: - Why over 75% of venture-backed startups fail and how to protect your investments.- How to diversify across sectors, stages, and geographies to balance risk and maximize returns.- The importance of founder selection and the unique traits successful founders share.- Insights into the Adaptive Innovator Founder Assessment Model developed by Evergreen Mountain.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0:00 - IntroductionWelcome to The Founders Journey Podcast: Inspiration and education for Founders by Founders.0:10 - Overview of Startup Investing RisksGreg Moran introduces the topic of diversification as a key strategy for managing risks in startup investing.0:29 - Importance of DiversificationExplanation of why startup investments carry unique risks and the role of diversification in mitigating them.1:12 - How Angel Investors Should DiversifyDiscussion on diversification across sectors, stages, and geographies to balance risks and maximize returns.2:10 - High Failure Rates in StartupsInsights into research showing that over 75% of venture-backed startups fail and how diversification helps manage this.2:34 - Sector DiversificationExamples of how investing in industries with unique growth cycles, like SaaS and healthcare tech, can create a safety net.3:48 - Stage DiversificationExploring the risk-return profiles of early, mid, and late-stage investments to stabilize portfolio returns.4:32 - Geographic DiversificationThe importance of investing globally, including regions like Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe, for better risk distribution.6:01 - Founder Selection for Risk ManagementIntroduction to Evergreen Mountain’s proprietary founder assessment model and the four key traits of successful founders.7:40 - Conclusion & Call to ActionSummarizing the benefits of diversification and founder selection. Encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and download the free whitepaper for more insights.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Free Resource: Download our white paper on scaling sustainable businesses: Understanding the Behavioral DNA of Successful Founders Connect with Enduring Ventures for more insights on scaling and long-term business success: https://emep.io/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------💡 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates on new content!#StartupInvesting #AngelInvesting #Diversification #FoundersJourney #InvestSmart #WealthBuilding #VentureCapital

11/27/2024

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9 min

Embark on 'The Founder's Journey,' your roadmap to entrepreneurial success, tailored for startup founders and leaders. Explore practical advice on business growth and personal development in our daily 'Founder's Journey Daily Spark' and dive deeper into weekly insights on 'The Founder's Journey Podcast.' Accelerate your startup's profitability and joy by subscribing today – never miss an episode of the guidance and inspiration that will transform your entrepreneurial path.

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The Founder's Journey

Top Shows

The High Cost of Control: Anxiety and The Founder’s Fallacy | TFJP 84

I stepped OFF the hamster wheel – Jasper Polak | TFJ E65

Red Flags in Startup Due Diligence: What Angel Investors Should Watch Out For | TFJP 91

The Founder's Journey Ep.8 | Dave Kline, Founder of MGMT Accelerator & SkillScouter

The Founder's Journey Ep.7 | Martin Babinec, Author of More Good Jobs

The Founder’s Edge: Mental Models for Better Decision Making | TFJP 74

What is Creative Resilience? How Founders Turn Challenges Into Opportunities (Guide) | TFJP 79

Why Most Founders Fail Early-And How to Avoid Their Mistakes | TFJP 75

The Secret to Building an Everlasting Business: Insights from Enduring Ventures | TFJP 81

Diversifying Your Portfolio: Why Angels Should Invest Across Sectors And Stages | TFJP 89

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