Married to the Startup

Alicia McKenzie
  • 5.0 (13)
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Married to the Startup is a modern podcast where power couple, George and Alicia McKenzie, navigate the thrilling intersection of marriage, family, and entrepreneurship. With over a 15 years of partnership, this CEO and entrepreneurial coach duo share candid insights on building businesses while fostering a strong family unit. 

  1. 6H AGO

    Who the Hell Are We? Marriage, Money, and Building Businesses Together

    Send us a text Episode 57 is a reintroduction — and a reset. With the podcast officially transitioning to video, Alicia and George McKenzie pull back the curtain on who they are, where they’ve been, and why Married to the Startup exists in the first place. From cybersecurity exits and private equity lessons to CrossFit gyms, real estate plays, five kids, and strong opinions about money, AI, and parenting — this episode is part origin story, part marriage dynamics, and part rapid-fire chaos. They talk candidly about: Building companies while staying deeply involved as parentsThe difference between execution and ideasWhy entrepreneurship isn’t for everyoneMoney anxiety, zero-based budgeting, and subscription creepAI, kids, and the future no one feels fully prepared forWhat it really looks like to run multiple businesses under one householdWhy manifestation without execution is just vibesIf you’re navigating marriage, money, business, and big opinions under one roof — this episode sets the tone for what’s coming in 2026. Listen if you like: Founder stories, unbridled conversations about money, marriage dynamics, parenting in a tech-driven world, and slightly unhinged rapid-fire questions. Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    37 min

  2. 12/28/2025

    From Pandemic Darling to a $9 Stock

    Send us a text Peloton went from a $50 billion valuation to fighting for survival. George and Alicia break down how the pandemic darling made critical mistakes: mistaking temporary demand for permanent growth, overinvesting in manufacturing, and failing to adapt when gyms reopened. From PR disasters (remember that Christmas commercial?) to deadly treadmill recalls, this episode reveals what happens when you bet the farm on a wave that was never meant to last. In This Episode: How Peloton exploded from a $400K Kickstarter to a $50B companyThe fatal assumption that pandemic demand would last foreverWhy spending $400M on manufacturing and PreCore backfired spectacularlyThree PR nightmares: the Christmas ad, Mr. Big's death, and the treadmill tragedyThe shift from luxury brand to bargain subscriptions—and why it's nearly impossible to recoverWhat Nordic Track, Schwinn, and Apple Fitness mean for Peloton's future5,000+ jobs lost, $48 billion in market cap evaporatedLessons for founders: Is your growth sustainable or are you riding a wave?The Peloton Checklist for 2025: ✅ Is your growth sustainable or are you riding a wave? ✅ How deep is the moat around your business? ✅ What's your fallback plan if demand drops 50%? ✅ Are you still the right CEO for where your company is headed? Perfect for: Founders navigating rapid growth, entrepreneurs learning from other's mistakes, anyone interested in the intersection of fitness, tech, and startup culture. Mentioned in This Episode: Barry McCarthy (former Spotify & Netflix CFO, Peloton CEO)John Foley (Peloton Founder & former CEO)Precor acquisition"And Just Like That" & the Mr. Big controversyNordic Track, Schwinn, Apple Fitness, Hydrow RowerSupport the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    55 min

  3. 12/21/2025

    What do Fast Walkers and iRobot Have in Common?

    Send us a text Absolutely nothing but check out these hot takes.  What We’re Talking About Fast Walkers & Founder Energy Are you the person always five steps ahead? We unpack what walking speed says about personality, ambition, and why Alicia moves like she’s late for everything while George… does not. The iRobot Collapse Roomba went from a $1.4B category creator to bankruptcy. One great product. Zero evolution. Cheaper competitors won. Amazon almost bought them. A Chinese company will now. Lesson learned. Elon, AI & the End of Work Elon says money will disappear and AI will replace most jobs. We debate how much is genius, how much is noise, and why Tesla’s self-driving went from terrifying to genuinely impressive. The Real AI Problem People are using ChatGPT like a Magic 8-Ball. Companies spend millions on AI tools and almost nothing on learning how to use them. Expensive tech. Bad questions. Predictable outcomes. Key Takeaways • Being first doesn’t matter if you stop innovating • One hit product won’t save your business • AI is powerful, but only if you know how to use it • Stop asking dumb questions and blaming the tech • Also, maybe don’t run a Roomba with an untrained dog Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    49 min

  4. 12/14/2025

    Buying a Nepo Baby's Brand | What are you really getting?

    Send us a text Overview Alicia and George break down Coty's $600M acquisition of Kylie Cosmetics and debate the real value of influencer marketing. Key Points The Deal: Coty paid $600M for 51% at $1.2B valuation (2019)Bought Kylie's name, image, and all future beauty ventures—foreverForbes called her "self-made billionaire," then retracted itReal value: $340M, not $900MWhat We Discuss: Did Coty buy a business or just an influencer?Why the "evergreen deal" was genius for CotyFounder lessons: tax structure, the control illusion, valuation realityIs influencer marketing dying or evolving?Why tracking conversions is brokenGeorge's Hot Take: Influencers are just commercial actors. The platforms make billions while most creators get scraps. Why It Worked: Coty needed Gen Z relevance. They got a replicable model and rights to every beauty product Kylie ever creates. Episode Sponsor: Relive Health - Modern wellness clinic in Gaithersburg Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    37 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    The Rise and Fall of Away

    Send us a text Episode Sponsor Relive Health - Modern wellness clinic offering peptides, hormone optimization, and vitamin therapy in Gaithersburg. What We're Discussing The story of Away, the luggage brand that went from $0 to a $1.4B valuation in just four years—and the toxic workplace culture that nearly destroyed it all. Away's Meteoric Rise Founded by two Warby Parker alums (Jen Rubio & Steph Corey) after a broken suitcase at the airportRaised $150K friends & family roundLaunched with a genius pre-order strategy: sold coffee table books with suitcase gift cards to 40+ travel influencersGenerated $450K in pre-orders before shipping a single bagHit $12M in Year 1, became profitable by Year 2, reached $150M by Year 3 The Cracks Begin to Show 2017: FAA bans built-in lithium batteries (their key differentiator)Toxic workplace exposed: CEO Steph Corey created a culture of intimidation and constant surveillance via SlackEmployees required to use Slack for ALL work communication (she was married to Slack's creator)Public berating in town halls, unrealistic expectations, fired employees who complained in "private" channelsCorey resigned in 2019 after explosive Verge article, then un-resigned, then finally left in 2020 Lessons for Founders Beware massive valuations: $1.4B valuation created unsustainable growth pressureCulture matters from Day 1: Toxic leadership destroys even rocket shipsKnow when to step aside: The skills that get you to $1M ≠ skills needed at $150MHumble leadership wins: Best executives admit what they don't know and bring in helpPublic praise, private criticism: Never berate employees publicly Personal Takes George shares why he prefers mid-size companies over huge enterprises, and we discuss the "girl boss" hustle culture that may have contributed to Away's toxic environment. Like what you heard? Subscribe and leave us a review! Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    53 min

  6. 11/30/2025

    The $465M Exit Where the Founders Got Nothing

    Send us a text In this week’s episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George pull back the curtain on one of the wildest startup stories in recent history — the fantasy-sports giant that sold for nearly half a billion dollars… and left its founders with zero. They break down:  • How FanDuel raised $450M and still lost ownership control  • Why preferred shares, liquidation stacks, and dilution can quietly erase a founder’s upside  • The crucial difference between building a lifestyle business vs. building to sell  • Why founders must always model their exit — long before there’s a deal on the table • The rookie mistakes that make founders give away equity they’ll never get back This is a real-life MBA case study on what happens when speed, capital, and competition collide — and why understanding your cap table is a survival skill. Whether you're raising money, scaling, or just dreaming up your next big idea, this episode is your reminder:  📌 Protect the founder. Protect the equity. Protect the outcome. Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    30 min

  7. 11/23/2025

    When Scaling Goes Wrong | The MacKenzie Child's Story

    Send us a text Alicia and George break down the wild true story behind Mackenzie-Childs — the beloved ceramics brand whose founders not only lost their company…but also the rights to their own name. It’s a cautionary tale every founder needs to hear about scaling too fast, taking on debt, and trusting investors to have your best interest at heart. What We Cover The origin story of Victoria & Richard Mackenzie-ChildsHow rapid expansion and heavy debt led to disasterWhat happens when private equity takes overHow the founders lost their naming rightsThe emotional fallout of watching someone else run the brand you builtKey founder lessons around scaling, contracts, and protecting your IPKey Takeaways Scale slowly and strategicallyNegotiate from worst-case, not best-caseYour name is an asset — guard itPrivate equity is a transaction, not a partnershipWrite your non-negotiables before you ever see an offerListen + Subscribe If you enjoy the episode, please like, rate, and subscribe — it helps the show grow. Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    32 min

  8. 11/17/2025

    The Retake: Hitting 50 Episodes and WTF is Vibe Coding

    Send us a text In this milestone 50th episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George McKenzie reflect on their podcast journey — from chewed cables to choppy audio — and celebrate how far they’ve come. Sponsored by Relive Health Gaithersburg, the duo dives into midlife motivation, hormone health, and the rise of personalized wellness, sharing candid experiences with peptides, functional medicine, and navigating health in their late 30s and 40s. The conversation naturally expands into the evolving intersection of wellness and entrepreneurship: Midlife Energy + Founders in Their 40s: Why starting a company in midlife hits differently — and what it takes to stay optimized physically and mentally.Biohacking and Longevity: Peptides, hormone balance, and how testing (not guessing) changed their health and family wellness routines.AI and Vibe Coding: Alicia and George unpack how AI tools are changing how we build — from vibe-based coding to becoming modern-day “prompt engineers.”The Art of Real Conversation: From networking to authenticity, Alicia reflects on why small talk matters more than scripted AI prep.Private Equity & Founders: George breaks down what really happens when founders clash with private equity — and why not every growth path is worth taking.To mark episode 50, they’re hosting a wellness giveaway featuring their favorite products. Tune in, leave a review, and join the Married to the Startup community as Alicia and George gear up for the next 50. Keywords: Married to the Startup, Alicia McKenzie, George McKenzie, Relive Health, peptides, biohacking, perimenopause, hormone health, AI, entrepreneurship, private equity, midlife wellness, functional medicine, podcast milestone, giveaway Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

    40 min
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About

Married to the Startup is a modern podcast where power couple, George and Alicia McKenzie, navigate the thrilling intersection of marriage, family, and entrepreneurship. With over a 15 years of partnership, this CEO and entrepreneurial coach duo share candid insights on building businesses while fostering a strong family unit. 

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia McKenzie
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Married to the Startup
  • Show Website
    Married to the Startup