Builders & Doers

Horizon Search
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Builders & Doers is where founders, operators, and investors get practical about building. Each episode unpacks one decision that mattered, the options on the table, and the evidence behind the choice. Clear lessons you can use to launch stronger, lead smarter, and stay ahead. A Horizon Search production. Get The Searchlight newsletter: https://www.thesearchlight.com/subscribe

  1. FEB 2

    Moneyball Venture, Real Outcomes: A 90% Startup Survival Rate - Adam Coughlin | 43

    In this conversation, Adam Coughlin (Co-founder of York IE) breaks down why the “soft” stuff (storytelling, empathy, presence, and clear communication) is quickly becoming the hard advantage in company-building. We unpack how a journalism mindset helps founders translate complexity, why being present is the emerging superpower in the AI era, and York IE’s pragmatic model that pairs investing with an execution layer that takes real work off founders’ plates. Discover 🟣 Why modern communication fails, and the simple “get in their shoes” fix that makes it land 🟣 The 3 value levers behind almost every product or service: save time, reduce risk, make money 🟣 How to build culture across a global team, and why remote work debates are really about outcomes 🟣 Why founders burn out trying to do 10 things at once, and how to prioritize without regret 🟣 York IE’s operator-first approach: investing plus execution support that removes bottlenecks 🟣 The “singles, not grand slams” strategy for building optionality and manufacturing liquidity 🟣 What a 90% startup survival rate actually means, and the practical choices behind it Connect with Adam https://york.ie https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcoughlin/ The Searchlight is a weekly briefing on leadership, venture, and building in the age of AI. Every Friday. https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Journalism to entrepreneurship, and the “storytelling” skill that transfers everywhere 02:28 - Intentional communication and why you lose control once you hit send 04:40 - Gatekeepers vs personal brands, and why the individual is the new institution 08:35 - Conviction, iteration, and making the best decision with imperfect data 09:33 - Building culture across a global team and remote work as outcomes, not process 13:14 - The 3 value levers and the fundamentals humans share across cultures 23:37 - Phones, AI, parenting, and “presence” as the differentiator 27:20 - What investors really bet on, people and markets 31:15 - York IE’s advisory model: taking execution off founders’ plates 32:23 - Singles vs home runs, and manufacturing liquidity 35:24 - Founding York IE, co-founder trust, and decision-making 37:35 - 90% survival rate and pragmatic fundraising strategy 40:23 - One book every founder should read 41:12 - Where to follow Adam

    42 min

  2. FEB 1

    When to Split the Difference and When It’ll Kill the Deal - Derrick Chevalier | 42

    In this conversation, Derrick Chevalier (author of “Evolve or Be Slaughtered”) breaks down what “evolved negotiation” really means and why most popular rules break the moment reality gets messy. We unpack when splitting the difference is smart, why negotiating “issues” is a trap, and how to reframe price, cost, and value so you stop haggling numbers and start shaping outcomes. Along the way, Derrick shares real stories from the field, including how he negotiated a cabin purchase from $65K to $30K by shifting attention from price to liability and certainty. Discover 🟢 Why “never split the difference” is incomplete and how to decide when splitting works 🟢 The cook vs baker model and when strict rules create a negotiation “brick” 🟢 Why BATNA can be a false safety net when you do not know what’s on the other side’s sheet 🟢 The three-part lens that changes everything: price as numbers, cost as liability, value as benefit over liability 🟢 How to lower resistance without lowering price by surfacing hidden liabilities 🟢 How to flip power dynamics by making the other party want to guide you Connect with Derrick https://h-c.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-chevalier-6323272/ The Searchlight is a weekly briefing on leadership, venture, and building in the age of AI. Every Friday. https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps 01:09 - Why rigid negotiation rules backfire 03:50 - Cook vs baker and when rules help or hurt 06:44 - BATNA and what’s missing from your plan 08:11 - Measuring outcomes by the data you did not have walking in 10:24 - The “tree” story and finding the real issue 13:55 - Cabin deal case study: from $65K to $30K 18:30 - Redefining price, cost, and value 23:06 - Becky’s sales story and ethical leverage 32:56 - “Evolve or Be Slaughtered” and the Van Gogh analogy 40:55 - SNUF framework and universal principles 46:47 - Coaching, value, and why most pricing conversations fail 58:26 - Where to follow Derrick

    1 hr

  3. JAN 26

    The “Switzerland Structure” for Exits - Nunzio Presta | 41

    In this conversation, Nunzio Presta (Founder of BuyAndSellABusiness.com, Rothwell Capital, and Pallet Connect) breaks down the micro-M&A world and the truth behind “entrepreneurship through acquisition”. We unpack why the sub-$5M enterprise value market is heating up, how to choose the right business using his “personal niche” framework, and the three pillars that make a small business genuinely sellable long before you ever think about exiting. Discover 🟢 Why the micro market (under $5M EV) is exploding and how average deal sizes shifted over time 🟢 The 3 tailwinds driving ETA right now: operators, immigrants/foreign investors, and baby boomer exits 🟢 The “personal niche” test for choosing a business you can actually run (passion, skillset, monetization) 🟢 The “Switzerland Structure” and why buyers pay a premium for self-sufficient operations Connect with Nunziohttps://rothwellcapital.com/https://palletconnect.com/X: @NunzioPresta The Searchlight is a weekly briefing on leadership, venture, and building in the age of AI. Every Friday.https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:35 - The origin story of BuyAndSellABusiness.com 03:06 - Why the micro-M&A market was ignored 04:14 - The 3 tailwinds driving ETA right now 05:13 - What “micro market” means (under $5M EV) 06:05 - The “personal niche” framework for choosing the right business 06:35 - Village Wealth acquisition and why it made sense 08:12 - The biggest misconception about buying a business 11:10 - Finding upside “under the hood” 14:01 - Independent thinking and founder conviction 18:38 - What makes a small business truly sellable 19:44 - The 3 pillars of sellability 20:51 - The “Switzerland Structure” and removing single points of failure 23:30 - COVID story: saving a legacy pizzeria 37:46 - Pallet Connect: modernizing an overlooked industry 42:45 - Where to follow Nunzio #TheBDPodcast sition #BuyingaBusiness #MicroMAndSearchFund #MergersAndAcquisitions #ETA

    43 min

  4. JAN 23

    The CFO Is the New Chief Data Officer - Salvatore Tirabassi | 40

    In this conversation, Salvatore Tirabassi (Managing Director of CFO Pro+Analytics) breaks down the modern CFO role as something far bigger than accounting. He explains why great finance leaders act as the “chief data officer” for the business, how to build a true single source of truth, and what happens when teams walk into meetings with dueling numbers. We also dig into real-world examples like inventory costing in QuickBooks, tariffs and margin distortion, investor due diligence, and how founders can avoid expensive mistakes by tightening their systems, reporting, and narrative early. Discover 🟢 Why the CFO is increasingly the head of data (and what “single source of truth” actually means) 🟢 How small finance setup decisions quietly create bad pricing, bad strategy, and chaos in fundraising Connect with Salvatore https://cfoproanalytics.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirabassi/ The Searchlight is a weekly briefing on leadership, venture, and building in the age of AI. Every Friday.https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps 00:00 - The CFO as “Chief Data Officer” 01:15 - Why Sal started CFO Pro+Analytics 02:33 - Building a single source of truth through finance 07:48 - “The taxman shows up” and why founders get blindsided 09:18 - Pitfalls of scattered data across teams 09:39 - The CAC argument that happens in every company 12:04 - QuickBooks inventory traps and margin distortions 12:34 - Tariffs, average cost accounting, and bad pricing decisions 14:25 - A deal that tested him and what he learned 20:30 - Scaling a CFO services firm without losing quality 23:25 - Rory Sutherland’s “doorman” story and the power of intangibles 34:01 - What real due diligence looks like (and why it’s painful late) 36:01 - The “finance story” you must align on before fundraising 38:47 - The #1 finance mistake he’d fix everywhere 42:31 - Bringing global experience into executive finance work 49:53 - Execution intelligence vs pedigree 51:51 - Where to learn more (and tools/calculators on the site) #TheBDPodcast #CFO #Finance #StartupFinance #FractionalCFO #DataAnalytics

    54 min

  5. JAN 23

    Uncovering the Threads of Humanity - Fredrik Haren | 39

    In this engaging conversation, Fredrik Haren, a creativity explorer, shares his insights from traveling to over 70 countries, including his experiences in Bhutan and the unique perspectives on creativity he encountered. He discusses the importance of curiosity, the common threads that unite humanity, and the role of technology and AI in shaping our future. Haren emphasizes the need for balance between inspiration and creation, and how understanding different cultures can enhance our creative processes. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of identity in a globalized world and the challenges we face in addressing societal issues. Discover 🟣 There are more similarities between professions than geographical locations 🟣 Sweden's creative success stems from a blend of confidence and doubt Connect with Fredrik https://www.fredrikharen.com/ Pre-order on Amazon The World of Creativity: A Journey Across 37 Countries to Discover the Secrets of Creative Minds https://a.co/d/ahSaVqx The Searchlight is a weekly briefing on leadership, venture, and building in the age of AI. Every Friday. https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps 00:00 - The Role of Mistakes in Creativity 02:02 - Cultural Connections and Human Similarities 05:07 - The Journey of a Creativity Explorer 07:53 - Reflections on Sweden and Global Mindset 11:01 - The Balance of Confidence and Humility in Creativity 14:03 - Sweden's Unique Approach to Creativity 17:33 - Viking Wisdom: Learning from Others 18:44 - The Myth of Creativity: A Personal Journey 21:36 - The Idea Book: Engaging with Creativity 22:39 - Curiosity: The Key to Creativity 27:31 - Ideas Island: A Haven for Creatives 32:59 - Global Identity: Beyond Borders 35:30 - AI and Creativity: A New Frontier 40:29 - The Balance of Comfort and Challenge 47:50 - Inspiration vs. Creation: Finding Balance #TheBDPodcast #humanconnection #culturalidentity

    52 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    Captain Your Career in the Age of AI - Dora Boussias | 38

    From cultivating tobacco in rural Greece to becoming an award-winning data & AI executive and global keynote speaker, Dora Boussias has spent 30 years proving that you can be the captain of your own ship. In this conversation, she shares how she navigated immigration at 17, built a business-minded tech career at companies like GE and Stryker, and now helps data & AI leaders (especially women in tech) design careers with clarity, confidence, and purpose. We explore human-centered leadership, why digital transformation is really about people and culture, and how to future-proof your career in the era of AI. Connect with Dora 🟢 https://doraboussias.com/ 🟢 https://www.linkedin.com/in/doraboussias/ 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps 00:00 – Immigrant roots & early grit 03:40 – Finding her path into IT & data 07:30 – Burnout, reset & creating CLEAR MAP 11:55 – Bringing generative AI into career programs 16:40 – Skill gaps, mindset gaps & mid-career traps 21:30 – Data storytelling and influencing executives 26:10 – Human-centered leadership in a changing tech landscape 31:20 – How mid-career pros can regain agency 34:40 – What AI is good at (and terrible at) 40:40 – AI as a magnifying mirror of culture & values 44:45 – Advice for people worried about being replaced & where to find Dora

    47 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    Don't Buy a Business Until You Learn These Truths - Rafa Caldas & Zach Krumholz | 37

    They had the perfect resumes. The elite MBAs from Columbia Business School. The foolproof plan to skip the startup grind and buy an existing, successful company. They thought it would be easier. They were wrong. This is the untold story of what happens after you launch a search fund. It’s a journey through brutal ups and downs, deals that can die in a thousand different ways, and the realization that you’re jumping on a train moving 200 miles per hour without being the original operator. In this episode, former Goldman Sachs investment banker Zach Krumholz and ex-Bain engineer Rafa Caldas get honest about their acquisition journey. Discover: 🟣 The single biggest misconception that lures people into buying a business 🟣 An ex-Goldman banker's three levers to dramatically increase your company's valuation 🟣 The seller red flag that makes them walk away from a deal instantly 🟣 How to take over an existing team in the first 100 days without destroying company culture Connect with Rafa and Zach:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaell-caldas/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-krumholz-20421959/ https://www.premierworlddiscovery.com/ https://www.afcvacations.com/[ rcaldas@longhpartners.com zkrumholz@longhpartners.com Connect with your PERFECT coach at coachfinder.ai 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:22 – The Brutal Reality We Never Expected 02:10 – The #1 Thing Most Buyers Miss 03:12 – The Myth: Why Buying a Business is Harder Than Building One 07:39 – Forging an Unbreakable CEO Partnership 10:54 – Ex-Goldman Banker’s Tip to Instantly Increase Your Company’s Value 13:46 – The Seller Motivation That Makes Us Walk Away Instantly 15:23 – The Corporate Habit Most Startups Hate (But Secretly Need) 16:42 – How to Take Over a Company Without Destroying It 20:03 – The Framework for Making Tough Calls in an Uncertain Economy 21:44 – We Changed Role, Industry & City All at Once (How We Survived) 23:54 – Rapid Fire: Deal Breakers, Bad Advice & Big Predictions 25:31 – This Trend Will Dominate M&A (And How to Prepare NOW) 28:48 – Our Real Legacy Beyond Financial Returns 30:05 – The “Magical Experience” of Running Our Dream Company 32:44 – From Columbia MBA to Co-CEOs: Did We See This Coming? 35:31 – A Warning to MBA Students: Don’t Waste This Opportunity

    38 min

  8. 09/25/2025

    From Google to Spotify to Venture Studio: Kal Amin on Building with Integrity | 36

    What do Spotify, Google, and AI venture studios have in common? Kal Amin has been at the center of all three, shaping global operations and building companies that balance growth with integrity. From Spotify’s shift to mobile-first, to Google’s early “focus on the user” mantra, to leading Sounder.ai and now 1848 Ventures, Kal shares candid lessons on scaling, fundraising, and staying true to mission while navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Discover: 🟢 Why Spotify’s success hinged on going mobile-first 🟢 The cultural DNA differences between Google’s Silicon Valley roots and Spotify’s Scandinavian design ethos 🟢 The hidden value of “outsider insights” and non-traditional backgrounds in tech 🟢 Why founders should prioritize progress over perfection (and make decisions fast) 🟢 How to think about monetization earlier than most startups do 🟢 What it really takes to scale teams and culture across continents 🟢 Why conviction and resilience separate the founders who “go the distance” Connect with Kal: ✦ https://1848ventures.com ✦ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalamin/ 🔗 Discover the ideas, tools, and ventures shaping tomorrow’s leaders: https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe/ Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro0:20 – Spotify’s Early Lessons: From Piracy to Mobile-First 2:00 – Google vs. Spotify: Different DNAs, Same Obsession with the User 5:20 – Outsider Insights: From History Degree to Tech & Venture 9:05 – Lessons from Sounder.ai: Progress over Perfection 11:00 – Fundraising Reality: Why Rejection is the Norm 13:00 – Owning a Restaurant and Running a Venture Studio 14:00 – 1848 Ventures’ Focus on SMBs and AI-Native Solutions 16:00 – Portfolio Companies: Travel Tech, Construction Tech, and Acquisitions 18:00 – The Hard Realities of Acquiring a Business 20:00 – The Silver Tsunami: Aging Owners and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition 22:00 – Frameworks for Validation and Monetization Readiness 24:00 – Why Founders Need to Think About Monetization Earlier 25:00 – Balancing Ads and User Experience at Spotify & Flipboard 27:00 – Designing a Better Content Ecosystem 28:00 – What Separates Founders Who Go the Distance 30:00 – Culture at Scale: Swedish Team vs. American Team 32:00 – Early Stage Conviction: Finding Green Lights Others Miss 34:00 – Unlearning Corporate Habits to Survive Zero to One 36:00 – What Kal Would Tell His 25-Year-Old Self at Google 38:00 – The Value of Coaching and Advisors for Founders 42:00 – Why Great CEOs Don’t Go It Alone 44:00 – The Next 25 Years: AI’s Compounding Effect 46:00 – A Future of AI-Enabled Homes, Health, and Work 47:00 – Where to Find Kal

    55 min
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About

Builders & Doers is where founders, operators, and investors get practical about building. Each episode unpacks one decision that mattered, the options on the table, and the evidence behind the choice. Clear lessons you can use to launch stronger, lead smarter, and stay ahead. A Horizon Search production. Get The Searchlight newsletter: https://www.thesearchlight.com/subscribe

Information

  • Creator
    Horizon Search
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Horizon Search
  • Show Website
    Builders & Doers