My First Overnight Success

Oct 8

My Coach Has a Coach: Biggest Lessons from Season 1 | Final Episode with Lillian, Tony & Michael

In the Season 1 Finale of My First Overnight Success, hosts Lillian Victoria Ng, Tony Crisp, and Michael Sawitz look back on the season with one big lesson: no matter how far you go, you never stop being a student. Lillian is a leadership coach with a coach. Tony’s coach has a coach. Michael kept meeting with his mentor long after he was told he didn’t need him anymore. Together they share why the best leaders never stop learning, and what’s happening in the TCVN community right now. 🚀 What You’ll Learn: Why every elite performer, and every founder, needs a coachWhy branding ranked #1 and AI ranked #17 on McKinsey’s priority listThe danger of falling in love with your product instead of the problemBuilding a company to run vs. building a company to sellHow to think about pricing, advisors, and the metrics that matterThe defense tech shift creating new opportunities for startups 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techcoastventurenetwork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://sunstonecommunity.org/ Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneMe: https://clone.me/ #Myfirstovernightsuccess #founder #entrepreneurship
Sep 24

From Escaping the Khmer Rouge to Building the American Dream | Vak Sambath

In this episode of My First Overnight Success, Vak Sambath shares the experiences, failures, and lessons that shaped his journey from a family of Cambodian refugees to becoming a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and investor. Vak opens up about his early career, building technology platforms before the cloud era, the opportunities he walked away from, and the failures that taught him some of his biggest lessons. He also shares why mentorship, relationships, and continuous improvement have become central to how he approaches entrepreneurship today. In this episode, Vak shares: • Why failure can be one of the most valuable teachers • How mentorship and the right network can change your trajectory • Why success is something you define for yourself • The importance of getting 1% better every day • How your past experiences can shape what you build next ⏱ Chapters: 01:58 Refugee life during the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge 02:25 The importance of authenticity and rawness in startups 04:49 The immigrant's mindset and early entrepreneurial ventures 10:06 Innovations in internet connectivity and automation in the 2000s 10:33 Frameworks for leadership, feeding, and growth 29:57 Lessons from successes and failures in tech startups 40:06 The importance of mentorship, network, and continuous learning 50:00 Reflections on success, failure, and personal growth 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Vak Sambath LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaksambath/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneMe: https://clone.me/
Aug 14

The Biggest Mistake He Made as a Founder and How He Built Global Success | Michael Bonfils

In this episode, Michael Bonfils, Founder & Global Managing Director of Digital International Group, is a global digital marketing leader with nearly 30 years of experience across 50+ markets, working with major brands worldwide, shares his incredible journey through entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from failures, and insights into building successful tech businesses. His story highlights the importance of integrity, mentorship, and resilience in the face of adversity. 🚀 What You’ll Learn: • Michael’s childhood and early entrepreneurial spirit • The influence of his father’s transportation business • The rise of internet startups in the 90s • How Google and search engines changed the game • Lessons learned from business failures and legal battles ⏱ Chapters: 01:50 Early entrepreneurial mindset and family background 03:46 The influence of his father’s business and mentality 09:55 Michael’s journey into internet and tech startups 20:08 The rise of search engines and Google’s emergence 34:59 Working with Sky Dayton and early internet investments 01:00:12 Reflections on success, failure, and resilience 01:05:02 Advice for first-time founders and the importance of mentorship 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Michael Bonfils LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbonfils/ Email: mbonfils@digitalinternationalgroup.com 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneMe: https://clone.me/
Aug 7

How High School Entrepreneurs Are Building the Future of Connection | HeloTap

In this episode, high school entrepreneurs, Katelyn Suen, Maxwell Huang, and Jacob Lee, discuss their innovative NFC business card called HeloTap, the impact of AI on education, and the importance of soft skills and risk-taking for future success. 🚀 What You’ll Learn: • Creation of HeloTap NFC business card • Impact of AI on education and jobs • Importance of soft skills and networking • Changing educational paradigms in the digital age ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction of young entrepreneurs and their NFC business card 02:01 The role of AI in education and future careers 04:27 Skills learned from FBLA and soft skills importance 10:16 Encouragement for young entrepreneurs to take risks 12:22 Advice for peers and the importance of gratitude 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝟭𝟯: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗮: https://www.instagram.com/its.shoda?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝟯𝟯𝘄𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄: https://www.instagram.com/fr33wrld.show?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: https://www.instagram.com/helotap_/ https://helotap.com/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV https://www.reedsmith.com/ https://clone.me/
Jul 30

From Risk-Spotting Accountant to Startup Builder with Exit Success | Joshua Lee

Joshua Lee, Founder of Ardius (acquired by Gusto), shares his journey from corporate finance to building and exiting startups—and what most founders get wrong about venture capital. In this episode, we break down the real mechanics behind startup success, from understanding how venture funds actually work to knowing when (and how) to pursue an exit. Joshua also dives into the importance of founder psychology, purpose, and long-term thinking in building something meaningful—not just profitable. If you're a founder, investor, or thinking about entering the startup world, this conversation gives you a clear, honest look at what it actually takes to win. 🚀 What You’ll Learn: How startup exits really work (and when they make sense) The fundamentals of venture capital and fund structure Why most founders misunderstand success metrics How to balance risk and opportunity in building startups What investors actually look for in founders The role of passion, purpose, and internal drive ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship 03:13 The Reality of Startup Success 06:02 The Importance of Ecosystem and Support 18:09 Balancing Risk and Opportunity in Investments 21:02 Maximizing Outcomes in Startups 24:54 Defining Success Metrics for Entrepreneurs 30:28 The Driving Force Behind Entrepreneurship 49:03 What Investors Look For in Founders 52:25 Closing Thoughts and Community Blessings 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Joshua Y. Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaylee1/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneMe: https://clone.me/
Jul 23

From “Terrible Games” to Industry Legend: Building a $380M Exit | David Perry

From building “terrible games” as a teenager to leading a $380M exit, David Perry’s journey is the definition of My First Overnight Success™. In this episode, we sit down with legendary game developer, entrepreneur, and AI founder David Perry to unpack the real story behind decades of innovation across gaming, cloud technology, and now next-generation AI video systems. David shares how he broke into the gaming industry with no roadmap, the risks he took early in his career, and the pivotal decisions that led to founding GaiKai—later acquired by Sony for $380M. 🎙️ My First Overnight Success™ Podcast — ⏱️ Chapters 01:55 If life were a game… (The Matrix mindset) 06:41 Learning to code and building “terrible games” 09:03 Getting published at 16 11:25 Leaving school to pursue gaming 13:51 Moving to California and first big break 16:18 Working with major brands (Disney, Sega, Virgin) 20:00 Building iconic games and scaling success 25:00 Founding GaiKai and the future of cloud gaming 30:00 The $380M Sony acquisition 35:00 Lessons on risk, timing, and innovation 40:00 Spotting trends before they happen 45:00 Transition into AI and next-gen video systems 50:00 Advice for founders and builders — 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more episodes. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: David Perry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dperry/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneForce: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clone-force/
Jul 16

White Knuckles to a 124-Location Franchise & Multi-Million Dollar Exit | Michael Sawitz

In this episode of My First Overnight Success, Michael Sawitz, Chief Enthusiasm Officer at FastStart.studio and longtime entrepreneur, shares the untold story behind building and scaling a 124-location franchise, achieving a multi-million-dollar exit, and dedicating his career to mentoring founders. From gripping a counter with "white knuckles" while waiting for his first customer to helping hundreds of startups navigate growth, Michael reveals the highs, the lows, and the lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Key Topics: • Building and scaling a 124-store franchise business • The lessons behind a multi-million-dollar exit • Why founder relationships can make or break a startup • Progress over perfection and building what customers truly need • Creating long-term success through mentorship, systems, and adaptability Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Dreams to Reality 05:38 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape 12:18 Building a Business: The Franchise Model 21:31 Lessons Learned: Trust and Team Dynamics 30:14 Creating Value: The Key to Success 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneForce: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clone-force/
Jul 9

He Went Bankrupt in Albania. Now He's Backed 127 Startups | Grant Van Cleve

In this episode of My First Overnight Success, Grant Van Cleve, a global entrepreneur, angel investor, and ecosystem builder known for catalyzing world class companies worldwide, from early stage investing and venture capital to real estate development and cross border business building across the Balkans, MENA, and Southern California, shares his journey from real estate to startup ecosystems, highlighting the importance of adaptability, metrics, and ecosystem building in entrepreneurship. Key Topics: • Grant Van Cleve's background and journey • The analogy between real estate development and startups • The role of ecosystem building in entrepreneurship • Importance of metrics and data-driven decision making • The impact of AI on startups and venture building • Strategies for angel investing and startup scaling Chapters 00:00 The Journey of an Entrepreneur 02:54 From Real Estate to Global Ventures 11:45 The Role of Angel Investing 15:03 Building a Startup Ecosystem 17:53 The Evolution of a Change Maker 21:08 The First Startup Investment 33:00 The Role of a Venture Studio 35:49 Leadership and Team Dynamics 38:14 Navigating the CEO Experience 43:33 Philosophy of Leadership 46:52 Understanding Metrics in Startups 52:32 The Impact of AI on Startups 59:15 Creative Exit Strategies for Investors 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Grant Van Cleve LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantvc/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ CloneForce: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clone-force/
Jul 3

After Losing a Teammate to Suicide, He Built 17 Exits and a New AI Purpose | Sergey Sundukovskiy

In this episode of My First Overnight Success, we sit down with Sergey Sundukovskiy, Ph.D., Co-Founder, CTO, CMO, and Chief Product Officer at Salesmsg, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a SaaS company from the ground up. Sergey's path started in electrical and mechanical engineering before he immigrated to the United States and reinvented himself as a computer scientist, working his way up from senior developer to the C-suite. With over 25 years in tech, he shares hard-won lessons on product development, early-stage growth, and the mindset it takes to keep building through reinvention after reinvention. Key Topics: • Entrepreneurial journey and resilience • The role of technology and AI in mental health • Building distributed teams and remote work strategies • Lessons from startup exits and company building Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Personal Tragedy 09:56 Learning from Mistakes: The Unfailing Approach 15:06 Understanding Your Market: Beyond Demographics 19:50 The Role of Technology in Mental Health 25:02 The Future of AI in Therapy 32:33 The Importance of Work Ethic and Flexibility 38:51 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Setting Clear Goals 46:27 Influential Figures in Business and Entrepreneurship 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Sergey Sundukovskiy, Ph.D. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssunduko/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/salesmsg/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/ssunduko 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/
Jun 25

Build Like A CEO: 10 Rules For Leading A-Players | Lillian Victoria Ng

In this special solo episode of My First Overnight Success Podcast, host Lillian Victoria Ng, TEDx speaker, author of Own Your Path, and leadership coach to CEOs and Fortune 500 executives, delivers a masterclass on what it truly takes to build a high-performing team and lead like a CEO. Most companies do not fail because of bad product. They fail because of bad leadership. Lillian has seen it firsthand: in boardrooms, in executive coaching sessions, and in her own life as a founder who navigated divorce, startup failure, and the long road back to her strongest self. In this episode she shares the 10 rules that define the CEOs who build empires versus the ones who burn everything down. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:53 Rule 1: Vision Casting 04:18 Rule 2: Be an A Player First 06:41 Rule 3: Get Your Family on Board 09:01 Rule 4: Know What Your Team Actually Wants 11:23 Rule 5: Trust Your Intuition 16:04 Rule 6: Lead with Charisma 18:29 Rule 7: Protect Your Why 20:42 Rule 8: Your Identity Is Your Brand 23:07 Rule 9: Build a Bulletproof Mindset 25:29 Rule 10: Be a Mentor, Not a Crutch Featured host: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 TEDx Speaker | Author of Own Your Path | Leadership Coach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ #Myfirstovernightsuccess #founder #entrepreneurship
Jun 18

He Changed Hip-Hop with N.W.A. Now He’s Funding the Future | OG Arabian Prince

In this episode of My First Overnight Success Podcast, we sit down with OG Arabian Prince, founding member of the legendary group NWA, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist, lifelong technologist, futurist, and venture investor. Long before the tech founder became a popular identity, Arabian Prince was blending music, creativity, and entrepreneurship: from running teen clubs in Compton at 15, to making his first record at 16 with $500 saved, to co-founding NWA with Dr. Dre, Easy E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and C Ren. This is not just a music story. It is a story about curiosity, reinvention, ownership, and what happens when you refuse to stay inside a box. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: OG Arabian Prince 02:00 First Dollar: The Teen Club in Compton 08:00 Making His First Record at 16 with $1,000 18:00 How NWA Was Formed at a Swap Meet 22:00 Why He Left NWA: The Business of Music 26:00 The Star Wars Theory of Entertainment 56:00 What He Looks for When He Invests in Someone 60:00 Do Not Buy a Waterfall Wall 64:00 OC Tech Week and Pitchmasters 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: OG Arabian Prince LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ogarabianprincenwa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ogarabianprince/ Website: https://inov8capital.com/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/
Jun 11

Sold to Google, $1.2B Exit: Scott Bogdan Now Leads the AI Workforce Revolution at CloneForce AI

In this episode of My First Overnight Success Podcast, Scott Bogdan, Co-Founder and COO of CloneForce AI, takes us through nearly three decades of entrepreneurship: from his first venture at age 10, to building DMARC Broadcasting with a deliberate "sell to Google, Yahoo, or Microsoft" strategy, to closing a $1.2 billion acquisition with Google, to now building the future of AI-powered work. In this episode we cover: • How DMARC was purpose-built with a Google exit in mind, down to the color schemes • The inside story of the $1.2 billion Google negotiation (including a memorable dinner and a bottle of wine he'll never forget) • How CloneForce builds AI teammates with identity, memory, and real execution power • What investors want to hear from AI founders right now Chapters: 11:21 Building DMARC Broadcasting with a Google Exit Strategy 13:43 The $1.2 Billion Google Acquisition Story 16:01 Inside Google During Hypergrowth 30:14 Culture in a Hybrid Human-AI Workforce 32:40 Regulation, Governance and Autonomous AI Guardrails 35:01 Advice for Founders Building with Agentic AI 46:11 Final Advice for Early-Stage Founders 51:00 Guest Recommendations for Future Episodes 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 Guest: Scott Bogdan, Co-Founder & COO of CloneForce LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbogdan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clone-force/ Website: https://www.cloneforce.com/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/
Jun 6

He Had a 7-Figure Shark Tank Deal… Then Lost It All. How Victor Macias Built It Back

In this episode of My First Overnight Success Podcast, Victor Macias gets raw about building the world's first keto cookie from scratch, scaling it to 7 figures, landing a deal on ABC's Shark Tank, and then watching it all fall apart. Victor breaks down the financial collapse that followed the show, the 9 months he and his co-founder didn't pay themselves, and the dark period that made him question everything. But this isn't just a failure story. It's a comeback story. Today, Victor is the founder of Santana Snacks, a clean, Latin-inspired snack brand now in 500+ retail stores and growing nationally. He breaks down exactly what went wrong, what he'd do differently, and why losing it all was the best business education money can't buy. Key Topics: · Entrepreneurial impact and purpose · Importance of MVP and iterative testing · Financial metrics: margin and contribution margin · The emotional rollercoaster of startups · Strategic use of Shark Tank for growth Chapters: 00:00 The Journey Begins: Early Struggles and Aspirations 02:29 Entrepreneurial Roots: From Childhood to First Ventures 07:48 Education vs. Street Smarts: Finding Balance 12:43 The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship: Success and Setbacks 20:46 Lessons Learned: Metrics that Matter in Business 29:56 The Shark Tank Experience: Preparation and Strategy 39:35 Building a New Brand: Santana Snacks 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 Guest: Victor Macias LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victormacias/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ #Myfirstovernightsuccess #founder #entrepreneurship
May 29

From Gaming Addiction to AI Revolution: Idean Moslehi Built Forge Cascade After ChatGPT Lied to Him

In this episode, Idean Moslehi, the founder of Frowg Systems, Inc., creator of Forge Cascade, a decentralized knowledge operating system designed to make AI safer and reduce hallucinations, shares his unconventional journey from competitive gaming and a viral Solana meme coin to building infrastructure for the emerging AI agent economy. He explains how concepts like ISNAD lineage tracking, trust flames, knowledge capsules, and the "Ghost Council" work together to verify information and economize knowledge, while reflecting on altruism, education, and empowering underserved communities through technology. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Forge Cascade 02:50 Understanding Knowledge Capsules and Trust Scoring 06:06 The Journey to Creating Forge 09:00 The Ghost Council and AI Integrity 11:52 Tokenization and the AI Agent Economy 15:11 The Impact of Forge on Education 18:01 Empowering Individuals through Technology 21:09 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗮: https://www.instagram.com/its.shoda?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝟯𝟯𝘄𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄: https://www.instagram.com/fr33wrld.show?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 Guest: Idean Moslehi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frowg/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 TCVN Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dw2jm-5j LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone Community Fund: https://lnkd.in/gUxKzCVV Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ #Myfirstovernightsuccess #founder #entrepreneurship
May 21

George Carpenter's Startup Journey: From Turnaround to 4 billion-dollar exits.

In this 4th episode of My First Overnight Success Podcast, George Carpenter, Founder/CEO of multiple biomed startups with an aggregate exit value over $1 billion. Current President of TCA Venture Group OC, shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor, highlighting key lessons on startup turnaround, the impact of AI, and building resilient teams. Discover how experience, curiosity, and strategic thinking can lead to success in the fast-evolving tech landscape. Key topics Startup turnarounds and lessons learnedThe role of AI in industry transformationBuilding resilient teams and leadership challenges Chapters 00:00 Journey of an Entrepreneur 05:47 Lessons from Failure and Resilience 12:00 The Importance of Team and Leadership 24:01 The Future of AI and Human Intelligence 28:30 The Role of AI in the Workplace 32:14 Investing in Founders: The Human Element 33:11 AI as a Core Business Component 37:53 The Investment Process: From Pitch to Partnership 40:44 Characteristics of Successful Founders 46:49 Building a Supportive Entrepreneurial Community 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 Guest: George Carpenter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gcarpenter4/ Website: https://tcaventuregroup.com/orange-county-chapter/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗖𝗩𝗡 Website: https://www.tcvn.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techcoastventurenetwork/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone: https://sunstonecommunity.org/ Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/
May 14

Lillian Victoria Ng: From Startup to Leadership Coach

In this episode, Lillian Victoria Ng, TEDx speaker, author of Own Your Path, founder of Awesomeness Lifestyle, and a leadership coach, shares her journey from startup founder to leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of public speaking, embracing failure, and building high-performing teams. She discusses her upcoming podcast, her insights on leadership, and how to turn setbacks into comebacks. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:24 Lillian's Journey from Startup to Leadership Coach 01:22 Influence of Mentorship and Personal Transformation 02:19 Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking 03:13 Lessons Learned from Public Speaking Experiences 04:13 The Importance of Preparation and Authenticity 05:35 Launching the 'My First Overnight Success' Podcast 07:05 What It Means to Be Human and Share Your Story 08:02 Turning Setbacks into Comebacks 09:00 Closing Remarks and Community Support 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗮: https://www.instagram.com/its.shoda?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝟯𝟯𝘄𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄: https://www.instagram.com/fr33wrld.show?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 & 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗴 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ 𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗽: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘇: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗖𝗩𝗡 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techcoastventurenetwork/ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Sunstone: https://sunstonecommunity.org/ Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ #Myfirstovernightsuccess #founder #entrepreneurship
May 7

Steve Kost on The Speed of AI: Insights from CloneForce’s CRO with Tony Crisp

This episode is a fireside chat recorded live at Survivor 13, featuring Steve Kost, CRO of CloneForce AI, interviewed by fireside host, Tony Crisp, TCVN President, where we unpack the fast-moving world of AI, exploring the rapid evolution of agentic AI, strategies for market differentiation, and the future of AI workforce transformation. We dive into: The rapid rise of agentic AIHow companies can actually differentiate in a crowded AI marketWhat the AI workforce transformation really looks like (beyond the hype) Chapters 00:00 The Acceleration of AI in Business 03:09 Attracting Top Talent in AI Companies 06:05 Navigating the AI Market Noise 09:12 Identifying Ideal Customers for Agentic AI 12:00 Overcoming Objections in AI Adoption 14:49 The Future of AI and Workforce Dynamics 18:11 Advice for Founders in the AI Space Special thanks for or guest: CloneForce: https://www.cloneforce.com/ Steve Kost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkostsalesmarketingleader/ Special thanks to our sponsors: Sunstone: https://sunstonecommunity.org/ Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/ Presented by Tech Coast Venture Network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techcoastventurenetwork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcvn Hosts: Lillian Victoria Ng: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ & LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianvictoriaspeaks/ Tony Crisp: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tonycrisp/ & LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrisp/ Michael Sawitz: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sawitzmichael/ & LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsawitz/
Apr 30

Wing Lam: Building Wahoo’s Fish Taco at the Intersection of Surf, Food, and Culture

In this episode of My First Overnight Success, we sit down with Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco, to uncover the real story behind one of Southern California’s most iconic lifestyle brands. From immigrant family grit and restaurant roots to surf culture, rapid expansion, franchise lessons, pandemic survival, and community-driven reinvention, Wing shares what it truly takes to build something that lasts. This conversation is a powerful masterclass in resilience, leadership, brand-building, and the mindset required to keep going when everything you’ve built is on the line. Show note: 0:00 – From Surf Culture to Wahoo’s Fish Taco 8:30 – Building a Brand Before Social Media 19:45 – The Real Cost of Scaling 34:00 – Surviving the Pandemic Through Service 49:30 – Leadership, Legacy, and the Power of Being a Connector Special thanks to our sponsors: CloneForce Sunstone Reed Smith Presented by Tech Coast Venture Network Instagram & LinkedIn: @tcvn Hosts: Lillian Victoria Ng — @lillianvictoriaspeaks Instagram & LinkedIn: @LillianVictoriaSpeaks Tony Crisp — Instagram & LinkedIn: @TonyCrisp Michael Sawitz — LinkedIn: @MichaelSawitz
Apr 21

Welcome to My First Overnight Success

Welcome to My First Overnight Success, presented by TCVN. In this introduction episode, Lillian Victoria Ng shares what this show is all about: uncovering the truth behind success. Not the highlight reel — the hard lessons, pivots, failures, grit, and breakthroughs that shape every real journey. You’ll also meet co-hosts Tony Crisp and Michael Sawitz as we kick off a series designed for founders, builders, and anyone ready to turn vision into reality.

My First Overnight Success

My Coach Has a Coach: Biggest Lessons from Season 1 | Final Episode with Lillian, Tony & Michael

From Escaping the Khmer Rouge to Building the American Dream | Vak Sambath

The Biggest Mistake He Made as a Founder and How He Built Global Success | Michael Bonfils

How High School Entrepreneurs Are Building the Future of Connection | HeloTap

From Risk-Spotting Accountant to Startup Builder with Exit Success | Joshua Lee

From “Terrible Games” to Industry Legend: Building a $380M Exit | David Perry

White Knuckles to a 124-Location Franchise & Multi-Million Dollar Exit | Michael Sawitz

He Went Bankrupt in Albania. Now He's Backed 127 Startups | Grant Van Cleve

After Losing a Teammate to Suicide, He Built 17 Exits and a New AI Purpose | Sergey Sundukovskiy

Build Like A CEO: 10 Rules For Leading A-Players | Lillian Victoria Ng

He Changed Hip-Hop with N.W.A. Now He’s Funding the Future | OG Arabian Prince

Sold to Google, $1.2B Exit: Scott Bogdan Now Leads the AI Workforce Revolution at CloneForce AI

He Had a 7-Figure Shark Tank Deal… Then Lost It All. How Victor Macias Built It Back

From Gaming Addiction to AI Revolution: Idean Moslehi Built Forge Cascade After ChatGPT Lied to Him

George Carpenter's Startup Journey: From Turnaround to 4 billion-dollar exits.

Lillian Victoria Ng: From Startup to Leadership Coach

Steve Kost on The Speed of AI: Insights from CloneForce’s CRO with Tony Crisp

Wing Lam: Building Wahoo’s Fish Taco at the Intersection of Surf, Food, and Culture

Welcome to My First Overnight Success