Beginnings & Beyond

Aleksi Lehtola
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Discover the personal stories behind successful startup founders as they share the pivotal moments that led them to entrepreneurship. In each episode, founders dive into their unique paths, challenges, and the decisions that shaped their ventures. From their initial ideas to the highs and lows of startup life, you’ll hear firsthand how they turned visions into reality. Get inspired by their lessons learned and insights on what’s next in their journeys.

Episodes

  1. 05/09/2025

    Episode 9: AI Isn’t Magic—It’s a Tool. Here’s How to Actually understand and use it with Miguel del Monte

    Aleksi Lehtola and Miguel Del Monte (CTO at SSO Agency) break down what AI really is—and how business leaders can actually use it to scale. From LLMs to real-world marketing and automation workflows, this is a deep (but clear) conversation on how to apply GenAI to sales, strategy, content, and beyond. They also explore why general AI is still far off, what “tokens” mean, and why the smartest move you can make is just starting, great laughts included. 🎙️ Powered by SSO Agency

    28 min

  2. 03/26/2025

    Episode 8: Building Businesses, Not Just Startups — with Guillermo Espínola

    In this episode of Beginnings and Beyond, I sit down with my longtime friend and mentor Guillermo Espínola, a true parallel entrepreneur, code-lover, and deep thinker on how tech and business collide (and sometimes crash). We cover: The hard truth about building service companies vs. productsWhy dependability beats accountability—especially in Latin AmericaThe “train vs. boat” metaphor for teams & employee exits (this is gold!)Startup funding myths, VC realities, and what founders really trade when chasing the moneyHis vision of creating small, sustainable tech units instead of chasing unicorns If you’re a founder, tech builder, or just someone trying to figure out what the hell you’re doing—this episode hits home. Smart, raw, and hilarious as always with Guillermo.

    43 min

  3. 12/11/2024

    🎙️ Episode 7: Balancing Accountability and Freedom with Jukka Koskenkanto

    In this informal yet insightful episode of Beginnings and Beyond, I catch up with my friend and mentor, Jukka Koskenkanto, to dive into his entrepreneurial journey and learnings on how to build success and SURVIVE in the modern business world with people and AI. We cover a lot of ground, from Jukka’s early days providing PA systems to scaling Cloudriven and merger, where he mastered the art of balancing accountability and freedom in entrepreneurship. Along the way, we explore the evolving role of gamification and AI in the workplace, the changing value of knowledge in the AI era, and the profound impact AI has on critical industries like medicine and aviation. Jukka also shares timeless advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of problem definition, careful listening, and being selective about the challenges you tackle. If you’re curious about how to harness AI, navigate the dynamics of business partnerships, or simply want to hear from someone who’s been through it all, this episode is for you with guaranteed calming Professor Koskenkanto style.

    27 min

  4. 11/29/2024

    🎙️ Episode 6: Building Bridges in Tech with Alex Santana

    In this episode of Beginnings and Beyond, I talk with Alex Santana, an inspiring entrepreneur and community builder, about his journey from starting his first company at 17 in Bogotá, Colombia, to leading startup and VC programs at Amazon Web Services in Mexico City. Alex dives into the importance of long-term thinking for startups and VCs, emphasizing genuine relationships over transactional networking and the power of a diverse portfolio. We also discuss his incredible work launching Mexico Tech Week, a movement that has grown from 8 events to over 200, transforming the Mexican tech scene into a vibrant, connected community. Key takeaways include: ✅ Why startups should think beyond short-term wins ✅ How to build meaningful networking capital before you need it ✅ The value of sales and negotiation skills in any career ✅ Plans to make Mexico Tech Week bigger and more inclusive Whether you’re a startup founder, investor, or just curious about the tech ecosystem in Latin America, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. 🎧 Tune in now to hear Alex’s story and his vision for the future of tech in Mexico!

    27 min

  5. 11/22/2024

    Episode 5: The Control Tower of Product Marketing: Insights from Nitin Kartik

    In this exciting Episode 5 we sit down with Nitin Karthik, one of the world’s top 50 product marketers, to explore his incredible journey from India and Tanzania to becoming a powerhouse in the tech world. Nitin opens up about his transition from software engineering to product marketing, which he brilliantly compares to an “aircraft control tower” guiding business strategy and success. This conversation dives deep into practical strategies for thriving in high-pressure environments, building credibility through transparency, and the unmatched power of networking and mentorship in big tech. Nitin shares his mantra, “Slow is fast, fast is slow,” and reveals why grit and stepping outside your comfort zone are the ultimate keys to career growth. He also offers actionable advice on overcoming rejection and seeking help when needed. Whether you’re looking to boost your product marketing game or need a dose of career inspiration, this episode is packed with value for you.

    25 min
  6. Episode 4: Mikael Hugg Unlocking AI’s Potential: Why Your Imagination (Not the Tech) Sets the Limits

    11/06/2024

    Episode 4: Mikael Hugg Unlocking AI’s Potential: Why Your Imagination (Not the Tech) Sets the Limits

    In this second episode with Founder Mikael Hugg, we explore the power and pitfalls of AI, creativity, and mindset shifts that have shaped his entrepreneurial path. From his early days experimenting with ChatGPT 2, Mikael discusses why AI is only as good as the user’s imagination and what it takes to unlock its true potential. “It’s like a hard-working assistant, not a genius—so if you don’t know how to lead it, you’ll never get quality results,” he says. Through stories of multimillion-dollar successes and some missed opportunities, Mikael unpacks why AI and people share a common thread: both need the right environment to thrive. He talks about companies from Y Combinator harnessing AI for revolutionary growth, the disruptive power AI has on traditional “robotic” office tasks, and the choice we all have—resist it, or embrace it and move forward. This episode isn’t just about tech; it’s about mindset. Mikael shares how his shift from blaming the world to saying “yes” to life led him to success. Whether you’re navigating AI in your work, wrestling with life’s frustrations, or fantasizing about your “island exit,” Mikael’s candid insights offer a fresh perspective on thriving through change. Tune in for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation that challenges you to think of AI not as a crutch, but as a creative partner.

    24 min
  7. Episode 3: Sink or Swim: Mikael Hugg on Embracing Failure, Burnout, and the True Grit of Entrepreneurship

    11/06/2024

    Episode 3: Sink or Swim: Mikael Hugg on Embracing Failure, Burnout, and the True Grit of Entrepreneurship

    In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Mikael Hugg, a founder who knows the highs, lows, and everything in between. Mikael shares his raw insights on building a company from scratch—from the hopeful beginnings and tough early years to experiencing failures, burnouts, and eventually finding success. With over 15 years as an entrepreneur, Mikael speaks about the grit it takes to stay in the game, even when everything is crumbling. He recounts his pivotal decision to commit fully to the entrepreneurial path, the resilience built through a bankruptcy experience, and why he believes founders need to cross their own limits to understand true success. Mikael’s story is both sobering and inspiring: he talks about the importance of embracing failure, losing the safety net, and learning to “swim” against the current. He also shares his unique perspective on celebrating the small wins, finding growth in unlikely places, and why he’d still be doing this even if he didn’t make a cent. This is an unfiltered look at what it means to be an entrepreneur, with valuable lessons on perseverance, passion, and finding joy in the journey. Tune in if you’re ready for an honest, humorous, and motivational conversation that proves you don’t have to be fearless—you just have to take the leap.

    32 min
  8. Episode 1: I'm Aleksi your host and Founder at B&B podcast, introduction special!

    11/02/2024

    Episode 1: I'm Aleksi your host and Founder at B&B podcast, introduction special!

    Beginnings And Beyond Podcast is from Founders to Founders. Telling the Stories of Beginnings and sharing learnings on how to get to Beyond. I'm Aleksi, your Host and a Founder and this is my origin story and stories from the Journey of 10 companies.

    14 min
  9. Episode 2: Miguel Del Monte, The Co-founders journey that led to the creation of SmartAlly.io AI Startup.

    10/17/2024

    Episode 2: Miguel Del Monte, The Co-founders journey that led to the creation of SmartAlly.io AI Startup.

    Two tech founders heads down working on their daily grind, crossed their paths but still continued to hone their skills even if they did not know it at the time, under preparation for something even greater. The passion was born out of a common frustration—that nobody seemed able to handle customer conversations with the same care and love they believed in—certainly not at scale. One more time, fate brought them back together. This is the story of how two visionaries found purpose, built a scalable solution, and is now making the enduring impact in the time of AI revolution. This is the story told by founders, investors, and innovators who understand the relentless pursuit of something real. And here we are.

    11 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Discover the personal stories behind successful startup founders as they share the pivotal moments that led them to entrepreneurship. In each episode, founders dive into their unique paths, challenges, and the decisions that shaped their ventures. From their initial ideas to the highs and lows of startup life, you’ll hear firsthand how they turned visions into reality. Get inspired by their lessons learned and insights on what’s next in their journeys.

Information

  • Creator
    Aleksi Lehtola
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Aleksi Lehtola
  • Show Website
    Beginnings & Beyond