Seed to Harvest

Paige Finn Doherty

🎙️ Seed to Harvest | Stories from Technical StorytellersWelcome to Seed to Harvest, the podcast by Behind Genius Ventures.We talk to early-stage founders, operators, and investors—people building with code and conviction. Each episode is a chapter in their story: from the messy beginnings to the quiet pivots, from planting ideas to growing companies that matter.Expect: 🌱 Honest conversations on the earliest chapters of company-building🧠 Tactical insights from technical minds with narrative soul✨ Reflections on resilience, rituals, and reinventing what’s possibleThis podcast is for the builders who think in frameworks and metaphors. The ones who whiteboard in wild places. The ones writing their own mythologies—one commit, pitch, or poem at a time.From spark to story.From seed to harvest. 🌾

  1. 14 DE MAI.

    James Evans’ Lessons Learned Building a >$50M YC-Backed Business & Selling it to a Public Company | Ep 95

    Send us a text In this episode, James Evans, co-founder of Command AI (acq by Amplitude), shares his entrepreneurial journey- from childhood ambitions to launching a startup in college and scaling it through YC. He talks about turning a side project into a venture-backed company, navigating the startup grind, and eventually getting acquired by Amplitude. James breaks down the realities of startup life, including hiring, sales vs. product-led growth, and the psychological weight of being a founder. He also walks through the acquisition process, post-acquisition integration, and how he’s continuing to grow in a new role. This episode is packed with candid insight into early-stage building, decision-making, and what comes after the “win.” 00:00 Starting a Company: The Myth vs. Reality  00:08 Interview with James Evans: Early Life and Entrepreneurial Aspirations  01:41 College Days: The Birth of Command AI  02:50 From Side Project to Startup  04:31 Entering Private Equity After Graduation  05:34 The YC Experience and Why Speed Matters  13:26 Marketing and Growth: What Actually Works  16:32 Conserving Innovation and Picking the Right Bets  16:54 Remote Work as a Strategic Choice  17:48 Marketing: From Popups to Planes  19:17 Avoiding Overthinking and Moving Fast  20:30 Angel Investing and Operating Insights  22:38 Hiring, Firing, and Early Team Building  26:02 The Amplitude Acquisition: How It Happened  30:14 After the Exit: Integration and Personal Growth Connect with Paige 🌱💜 Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/ Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/ Twitter | https://x.com/paigefinnn Links 🔗 James Evans – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbevans/ 🔗 CommandBar – https://www.commandbar.com/ 🔗 Y Combinator – https://www.ycombinator.com/ 🔗 Amplitude – https://amplitude.com/ Support the show

    35min
  2. 10 DE ABR.

    NJOY's Journey: From $1B Val to Bankruptcy to $2.75 Billion Dollar Exit | What It Takes Ep 1

    Send us a text In this special series of 'What It Takes,' Paige and analyst Chinwuba interview founders who have sold their companies for more than $1B. Our first episode features Mark Weiss and Jeff Weiss, the founders of NJOY, a billion-dollar e-cigarette company. They dive into the entrepreneurial journey, starting from their upbringing in a family of lawyers and athletes to the unique inception of NJOY after discovering electronic cigarettes through a mentor.  Mark explains the challenges NJOY faced, including the legal battles with the FDA, which they successfully overcame, allowing them to pioneer in the e-cigarette market. Jeff shares insights into the company's significant pivots, financial struggles, and eventual recovery post-bankruptcy.  They also discuss substantial investments from prominent figures like Peter Thiel and Sean Parker, navigating regulatory hurdles, and NJOY's eventual acquisition by Altria.  The episode highlights lessons learned, the importance of adaptability, and reflects on the rewarding yet turbulent journey of building a groundbreaking company. Connect with Paige and Chinwuba 🌱💜 Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/ Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinwubaezesike/ 00:00 Introduction to the Series and Guests 00:32 Growing Up in a Big Family 02:36 The Birth of NJOY 06:08 Early Challenges and Breakthroughs 12:50 Legal Battles with the FDA 20:48 Financing and Growth 23:16 The Rise of NJOY 24:13 Challenges Leading to Bankruptcy 25:23 The Pivot to Flavors and Nicotine Salts 27:08 The Bankruptcy and Downsizing 28:09 The Struggle with Investors and Market Share 30:42 Emotional and Strategic Reflections 33:15 Reemergence and Fresh Start 39:24 Acquisition by Altria 42:54 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts Support the show

    51min
  3. 26 DE FEV.

    The Business of Broadway: Behind the Scenes with Tony Award Winner Sue Gilad | Ep 92

    Send us a text In this episode of 'Seed to Harvest,' hosted by Paige Finn Doherty, delve into the intricate world of Broadway with five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, Sue Gilad. Sue shares her journey from a childhood love of theater to becoming a major Broadway producer. She offers a detailed look at the production process, including the roles behind-the-scenes, financing, and the impact of COVID-19 on the Broadway industry. Highlights include the making of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical,' insights into fundraising and producing, and the excitement of winning a Tony Award. Tune in to learn about the business side of bringing Broadway magic to life and the similarities between venture capital and Broadway production. Connect with Paige 🌱💜 Behind Genius Ventures blog | https://www.behindgeniusventures.com/ Personal Blog | https://paigefinndoherty.com/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/paigefinnn 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 00:53 Sue Gilad's Early Love for Theater 02:35 Behind the Scenes of Broadway Productions 04:18 The Business Side of Broadway 08:21 The Journey of Moulin Rouge! The Musical 13:20 Impact of COVID-19 on Broadway 16:31 Role and Responsibilities of a Broadway Producer 19:31 Producing Shows in the UK vs. Broadway 21:00 The Unpredictability of Producing Shows 21:22 Discovering New Productions 22:18 Fundraising for Theatre 22:52 The Risks and Rewards of Investing in Theatre 26:13 The Thrill of Winning a Tony 30:32 Industry Jargon and Favorite Tools 34:40 Navigating Age and Success in the Industry 39:17 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Moulin Rouge! The Musical https://moulinrougemusical.com The Outsiders Musical (including upcoming tour dates) https://outsidersmusical.com Broadway.com (for general show info, tickets, and news) https://www.broadway.com TKTS Discount Tickets (for half-price Broadway tickets) https://www.tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf BroadwaySF (for touring Broadway productions in SF) https://www.broadwaysf.com Support the show

    41min
  4. 5 DE FEV.

    Tackling Mold Toxicity with MoldCo CEO Ariana Thacker | Ep 91

    Send us a text From Mold Toxicity to Million Dollar Startup: Ariana Thacker's Inspiring Journey with MoldCo In this episode of 'Seed to Harvest,' host Paige Finn Doherty welcomes back Ariana Thacker of MoldCo. They discuss Ariana's journey from discovering toxic mold in her home while running Conscience VC to founding MoldCo, a healthcare platform tackling mold toxicity. Ariana shares her personal health struggles, the deep research into mold-related toxicity, her innovative healthcare solutions, and raising a $3 million pre-seed round. They also delve into the misconceptions about mold, the process of treating mold toxicity, and the importance of having a resilient and value-driven approach in building a startup. A call to action for those who might be affected by Mold Toxicity: MoldCo is now available in Texas and Florida, with a planned nationwide rollout by the end of the year. If you or someone you know is affected by Mold Toxicity, Ariana recommends signing up on MoldCo's waitlist at moldco.com and ordering a $99 MoldCo Standard lab Panel to get clarity on your symptoms.  https://access.moldco.com/labs 00:00 Welcome Back to Seed to Harvest 00:36 Ariana's Mold Journey Begins 01:22 Discovering the Mold Problem 06:14 Meeting the Messiah of Mold 08:21 Launching MoldCo 13:42 Understanding Mold Illness 16:44 The Science Behind Mold Illness 20:50 The Role of AI in Mold Research 25:42 Personal Values and Company Culture 36:36 Reflections and Future Plans Support the show

    40min

Classificações e avaliações

5
de 5
9 avaliações

Sobre

🎙️ Seed to Harvest | Stories from Technical StorytellersWelcome to Seed to Harvest, the podcast by Behind Genius Ventures.We talk to early-stage founders, operators, and investors—people building with code and conviction. Each episode is a chapter in their story: from the messy beginnings to the quiet pivots, from planting ideas to growing companies that matter.Expect: 🌱 Honest conversations on the earliest chapters of company-building🧠 Tactical insights from technical minds with narrative soul✨ Reflections on resilience, rituals, and reinventing what’s possibleThis podcast is for the builders who think in frameworks and metaphors. The ones who whiteboard in wild places. The ones writing their own mythologies—one commit, pitch, or poem at a time.From spark to story.From seed to harvest. 🌾