Hello Chaos

Jennifer Sutton
  • 4.4 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Every day, entrepreneurs all over the world roll out of bed and say: Hello, Chaos. And more often than not, we’re having that conversation in our own heads. It’s time to crack the dialogue wide open. Hello Chaos is a weekly podcast dedicated to entrepreneurs and founders, published every Sunday. It is another platform brought to you by OrangeWIP. It is a megaphone and round table created specifically to welcome bright, stubborn, visionary minds to a conversation founders have been craving. Here, founders have permission to vent—or be vulnerable. To bring the wildest ideas. Their greatest obstacles. And find a national sounding board for solutions. Here, we want founders show off—or allow them to speak their truth. To meet challenges head-on. To make hyper-local community connections. And share “aha!” and “oh shit” moments. Welcome to Hello Chaos. Founders, it's time to unmute yourself.

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep. 191 Cody LaHoste

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Alignment Beats More Marketing Startups don’t stall because they lack tactics. They stall because story, sales, and strategy aren’t pulling in the same direction. Before you layer on more activity, fix the disconnect. Alignment scales. Noise doesn’t. 2️⃣ Your Edge Is Your Advantage Cody spent years thinking he was too intense, too direct, too much. Then he realized those traits were exactly why he could see what others missed. The thing you’re trying to tone down might be the reason you stand out. Don’t dilute it. Refine it. 3️⃣ Position Yourself Like the Product You wouldn’t launch a product without clear positioning. Don’t launch yourself that way either. Get specific about who you serve, the problem you solve, and why you’re different. Clarity builds confidence. Confidence drives momentum. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Messy Middle 00:45 Laid Off Twice and Misunderstood 02:15 From Agency Roles to Building BeamPath 04:30 The Real Problem Is Misalignment 06:40 Why Marketing Is Not a Checklist 08:10 Finding Positioning and Evolving the Offer 10:05 Building in Public on LinkedIn 12:30 Founder Community and Imposter Syndrome 15:00 Discovering Neurodivergence at 36 18:20 Turning Intensity Into a Superpower 21:00 The Hardest Part of Solo Entrepreneurship 24:10 Building Systems When You Are the System 27:00 Think of Yourself as the Product 29:40 Inbound Over Cold Calling 31:10 If I Could Have Started Earlier 32:15 One Word for the Journey Evolution 33:45 Vision for the Next Chapter 35:10 Writing, Speaking, and Scaling Impact 36:30 The Power of Self Belief 38:15 Where to Connect If this conversation resonated, you can find Cody’s links below and follow along as he continues building BeamPath. Website: https://beampath.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codylahoste/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    36 min

  2. MAR 1

    Ep. 190 Caroline McDavid

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Viral Is Fuel Not Strategy Going viral can open the floodgates, but it’ll also expose every crack in your systems. Caroline’s 14 million views brought massive franchise demand, and it forced her to tighten processes fast. Attention amplifies what already exists. Build your backend as seriously as you build your brand, because growth will test everything. 2️⃣ Protect the Brand at All Costs Not every opportunity is the right opportunity. Caroline stopped trying to take every franchise call and started qualifying with intention. One wrong partner can damage years of trust. Guard your brand like it’s your most valuable asset, because it is. 3️⃣ Jump First Then Solve You’ll never have the full map. Caroline had fears about tech, logistics, routes, and scaling, but momentum came from action, not overplanning. Clarity comes from movement. Start before you feel ready, then solve the next problem in front of you. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Messy Middle 00:56 What Is Juiced Fuel 01:49 Fuel Forward Foundation and Disaster Relief 02:28 The Origin Story 04:01 Designing for Scale 05:34 When the Tech Team Disappears 08:30 The Viral Moment 10:17 Handling Haters and Building Trust 12:25 Founder Identity Shift 14:15 The Revenue Breakthrough 16:05 Building Trust in a New Category 18:20 Operational Bottlenecks 20:03 Delegation and Letting Go 26:26 The Franchise Surge 31:20 Expanding Into New Markets 33:01 Marriage and Boundaries 35:19 One Word for the Journey 37:35 Vision for the Next Chapter 39:13 The Advice That Changed Everything 41:39 Where to Connect Want to follow Caroline’s journey or explore Juiced Fuel in your market? Connect with her and learn more below. Website: https://juicedfuel.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-mcdavid-ba502138/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juicedfuel/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    43 min

  3. FEB 22

    Ep. 189 Anna Peterson

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Build From Pain, Not Trend Zenimal didn’t start as a market play. It started with night terrors and panic attacks. When you build from lived experience, your conviction outlasts the hype cycle and the hard seasons. Don’t chase what’s trending. Solve the problem that shaped you and you’ll build something that lasts. 2️⃣ Own Your Files, Own Your Future Bootstrapping a hardware startup taught a brutal lesson. If you don’t control your engineering files and manufacturing IP, you don’t control your leverage when things shift. Vision is great. Ownership is power. Protect your core assets before you desperately need them. 3️⃣ Radical Honesty Builds Loyalty Inventory got stuck. Engineering failed. Q4 revenue took a hit. Instead of hiding, she over communicated and owned the mess. Transparency isn’t weakness. It’s trust in action. In chaos, clarity compounds and customers remember who told the truth. Timestamps 00:13 Meet Anna Peterson and Zenimal 01:00 Night terrors and breathwork as a child 03:23 Parenting fear and rejecting phones at bedtime 05:43 Building Zenimal from personal pain 06:31 The hospital moment that changed the mission 10:07 Bootstrapping a hardware startup 13:37 Launching in the middle of a pandemic 16:05 The myth of glamorous growth 17:00 Engineering fails and a Q4 customs crisis 20:11 Radical honesty in customer communication 26:01 Delegation, bottlenecks, and raising capital 32:00 Hiring builders versus sustainers 40:26 Owning IP and controlling manufacturing 46:38 The real reward of helping kids sleep 49:13 One word to define the journey 50:28 The next product launch and big vision 52:27 Her dad as her lifelong cheerleader 59:30 Best advice for founders in the chaos Curious about the product, the app launch, or just want to follow along as she scales? Dive in below. Website: https://zenimals.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakristenpeterson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezenimal/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    1h 5m

  4. FEB 15

    Ep. 188 Haylee Jordan

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Go deep before you go wide Trying to be everywhere at once spreads founders thin and kills momentum. Haylee’s approach with Fabric was to anchor in Colorado first, learn the market, and earn real traction before expanding. Focus creates signal, not noise, especially in complex and regulated businesses. 2️⃣ You are not disorganized, you are overloaded Startup chaos is rarely a character flaw. When three people are doing the work of twenty five, things will slip. The fix is not perfection, it is communication, prioritization, and giving yourself the same grace you would give a teammate. 3️⃣ Get out of your own way Most founders are blocked by mindset, not capability. Haylee’s biggest realization was that no one has the secrets and everyone is figuring it out in real time. Progress comes faster when you stop waiting for permission and start trusting your ability to learn as you go. Timestamps 00:14 Welcome and meet Haylee Jordan 01:18 From brand studios to entrepreneurship 03:04 Entering the CPG and beverage world 04:17 How Fabric came to life 06:04 Mission, mental health, and giveback 07:37 Navigating THC regulations 08:54 Why Colorado comes first 10:16 Wearing many hats as founders 11:50 From idea to store shelves 14:27 Learning grace in startup chaos 17:55 Founder mindset and self discovery 21:39 Life, fear, and creativity 23:25 Seeing Fabric on the shelf 27:13 What the next year holds 28:56 Getting out of your own way 30:53 Advice that shaped the journey 33:02 Life beyond the business 38:25 Fundraising and growth reality 40:46 Where to connect and learn more Want to follow Haylee’s journey as Fabric continues to grow and evolve. You can connect with her directly and learn more about Fabric below. Website: https://drinkfabric.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleejordan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkfabric/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    43 min

  5. FEB 8

    Ep. 187 Garrett Peters

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ If it needs you, it will break A business built entirely on the founder eventually becomes the bottleneck. Garrett learned that real scale starts when you offload the work that drains you and build systems that move without you. If your ecommerce business pauses when you step away, that is your signal to redesign the engine, not push harder. 2️⃣ Protect the brand before the balance sheet Short-term revenue fixes can quietly damage long-term trust. When Duncan and Stone faced a misprinted product run, the team chose brand protection over fast cash, even when it hurt. Founders who play the long game understand that reputation, not inventory, is the asset that compounds. 3️⃣ Alignment beats hustle every time Founder burnout often comes from misalignment, not lack of effort. Weekly leadership alignment, clearer roles, and better communication removed pressure Garrett could not grind his way out of. When teams know the goal and their lane, energy shifts from busy work to real momentum. Timestamps 00:13 Welcome to Hello Chaos 00:58 Starting Duncan and Stone in 2020 02:04 From corporate life to founders 03:27 Finding the product gap 04:13 Staying true to the vision 05:17 The name Duncan and Stone 06:04 Building with spouse and friends 08:16 Creating real boundaries 10:58 Going full time and burning out 12:19 Learning to offload work 14:06 The freedom myth 18:20 Identity and founder pressure 20:18 Coaching changed everything 26:43 Planning and alignment rhythms 30:19 The communication code 31:48 Life outside the business 35:25 Two things he would change 39:19 Pickleball dreams 42:37 The next big win 43:33 The misprint lesson 49:17 One word for the journey 50:35 One word for what’s next 51:51 Grounded founder advice 52:50 Where to find Duncan and Stone Explore Duncan and Stone or connect with Garrett below. Website: https://www.duncanandstone.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettlpeters/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duncanandstone/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    55 min

  6. FEB 1

    Ep. 186 Matt Olin

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Connection Beats Perfection Every Time Waiting until something feels perfect costs you momentum. Matt built community and credibility by shipping ideas early, gathering people fast, and letting connection do the heavy lifting. Founders grow faster when they move forward imperfectly instead of hiding behind polish. 2️⃣ Social Capital Is A Real Business Asset Relationships create leverage long before revenue shows up. Matt treated community building as infrastructure, not a nice to have, and it opened doors money could not. Founders who invest in people early create options they cannot spreadsheet their way into later. 3️⃣ The Runway Never Stops Moving Whether nonprofit or for profit, the cliff is always there. Matt’s experience shows that sustainability comes from staying proactive, asking bigger, and extending the runway before panic sets in. Founders win by facing the math early and choosing momentum over comfort. Timestamps 00:14 Welcome to the messy middle and meet Matt Olin 01:46 The accidental nonprofit founder journey 03:55 What creativity really means and who it includes 04:50 Shifting Charlotte from a banking city to a creative city 06:17 Early support from sponsors and civic partners 08:43 Teaching creatives to think like entrepreneurs 09:25 Social capital as the most untapped resource 10:42 From small meetups to 10000 people, convening at scale 11:49 The COVID decision to serve first and grow anyway 13:05 Learning collaboration as a leadership strength 14:24 Co founder discipline and protecting the partnership 20:40 Why creative economies fuel city growth 23:48 The biggest challenge, fundraising and the cliff 25:26 If fear disappeared, going bigger on the ask 26:24 Magic wand changes, staff growth and faster momentum 27:49 Measuring success through funding and national stories 29:33 Best advice, connection not perfection 32:48 Finding inspiration through community and curiosity 33:39 One word for the journey, messy 35:08 Defining the next chapter with joy 39:04 How to support Charlotte Is Creative and give a HUG Community grows through connection. Here’s where to follow Matt’s work and explore Charlotte Is Creative. Website: https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattolin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cltiscreative/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    41 min

  7. JAN 25

    Ep. 185 David Sauers

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Build from real frustration The strongest businesses start by solving a problem you actually lived. David did not chase an idea. He fixed something that bothered him deeply. If the problem hits close to home, your solution will be sharper and more durable. 2️⃣ Own what you build Platforms can vanish and contracts can trap you. Reviews, websites, images, and data should live where you have control. If you do not own it, you are exposed when chaos hits. 3️⃣ Step back to scale Staying busy can keep you stuck. Real growth comes from working on the business, not just inside it. Systems, boundaries, and support free founders to build something bigger than themselves. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Chaos 00:55 The Inspiration Behind Royal Restrooms 02:51 The Importance of Clean Restrooms at Events 05:18 Designing a Unique Product for a Common Problem 07:55 The Rewards of Entrepreneurship 10:30 Myths of Entrepreneurship 13:21 Personal Sacrifices in Business 15:57 Working with a Spouse in Business 16:51 Challenges and 'Oh Shit' Moments 19:33 Navigating Google Business Challenges 22:29 Ownership and Control of Digital Assets 25:00 Franchising and Expansion Challenges 27:52 Surprises in Business Growth 30:21 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs 32:51 Looking Ahead: Growth and Legacy 35:22 Celebrating Wins and Cohesion 37:55 Final Thoughts and Advice If you want to keep up with David and the work he’s doing at Royal Restrooms, here’s where to connect. Website: https://royalrestrooms.com/ Personal Website: https://www.davidsauers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidsauersjr Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    49 min

  8. JAN 18

    Ep. 184 Aleksandra Simanovsky

    Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Your Name Opens Doors. Your Business Earns Trust Aleksandra learned quickly that past credibility helps start conversations but it does not close them. Founders still have to prove value again and again. Show your work, stay consistent, and let results speak louder than your resume. 2️⃣ Patience Is a Founder Skill You Must Build Leaving corporate speed behind forces a mindset shift. Without an army or brand name pushing things forward, progress comes from steady follow up and long term thinking. Founders who last learn to move with intention instead of urgency. 3️⃣ Purpose Creates Momentum Money Cannot What keeps Aleksandra moving is not deals or titles but impact. When founders align their work with real purpose, the right partners show up and growth compounds naturally. Purpose sharpens focus and gives the work staying power when things slow down. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Hello Chaos 01:09 The story behind Adige Advisory 03:52 Life inside institutional finance 06:59 Discovering private lending 08:14 Neighborhood impact through capital 10:25 Creating the first rated deal 12:08 The gap Adige Advisory fills 13:40 The myth of instant traction 16:38 Building trust beyond a corporate name 21:34 Using data and technology to scale 25:55 Learning patience as a founder 27:25 Finding community and support 31:32 The power of consistent follow up 32:47 Purpose and the next chapter If you want to connect with Aleksandra or follow the work she is doing, you can find her here. Website: https://adigeadvisory.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-simanovsky-3ab9bb1/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adige-advisory/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content. Connect With Us: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Every day, entrepreneurs all over the world roll out of bed and say: Hello, Chaos. And more often than not, we’re having that conversation in our own heads. It’s time to crack the dialogue wide open. Hello Chaos is a weekly podcast dedicated to entrepreneurs and founders, published every Sunday. It is another platform brought to you by OrangeWIP. It is a megaphone and round table created specifically to welcome bright, stubborn, visionary minds to a conversation founders have been craving. Here, founders have permission to vent—or be vulnerable. To bring the wildest ideas. Their greatest obstacles. And find a national sounding board for solutions. Here, we want founders show off—or allow them to speak their truth. To meet challenges head-on. To make hyper-local community connections. And share “aha!” and “oh shit” moments. Welcome to Hello Chaos. Founders, it's time to unmute yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Sutton
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    197
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Orange Wip
  • Show Website
    Hello Chaos