Rising Tide Startups

Rising Tide
Rising Tide Startups

Rising Tide Startups is a unique, bi-weekly Business interview podcast, hosting some of today's most exciting early-stage solopreneurs, startups founders and side hustlers. With a great lineup of guests around the world, Rising Tide Startups is an "Apple Podcasts Favorite." Subscribe and listen each episode, as we help "All Boats Rise in a Rising Tide!"

  1. JAN 28

    9.02 – Mohamed “Mo” Ahmed – Boundless Founder Community

    How Failing Forward can become a blueprint for entrepreneurial success! Mohamed "Mo"Ahmed, founder of the Boundless Founder community and author of The Inside Out Entrepreneur, shares his journey from a corporate career at Microsoft and AWS to navigating the unpredictable world of startups. After starting his first company in 2017, Mohamed faced tough challenges—including a failed acquisition—that pushed him to rethink his approach to leadership, resilience, and mindset. In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups Podcast, Mohamed talks about how he handled setbacks, pivoted his business, and managed the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship. He also explains how his passion for helping others led him to build a community that supports technical founders with the tools and guidance they need to succeed. Through his experiences, Mohamed has learned how to turn failures into opportunities to grow and build something meaningful. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this episode offers practical advice on staying resilient, finding your purpose, and making progress even when things get tough. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: The right mindset—resilience, balance, and adaptability—is the most valuable asset for an entrepreneur. A mental conditioning framework can help entrepreneurs understand their journey beyond business metrics, develop mental toughness, and maintain perspective during challenges. Calculating risks and clear thinking under pressure help to prevent mistakes stemming from overconfidence and fear-driven decision-making. Practical tools for resilience allow entrepreneurs to bounce back from setbacks and ensure long-term sustainability. Entrepreneurs must condition loved ones emotionally and financially prepared for challenges. Building and maintaining a strong support system is crucial, including balancing family life with business demands and finding the right mentors for guidance. Entrepreneurship is a balance of chasing success while fearing failure. These opposing forces drive innovation and personal growth. Entrepreneurs need a robust ecosystem—mentors, peers, and supportive families—to sustain them through challenges. Entrepreneurs should ensure their self-worth isn’t entirely tied to their venture’s success to avoid burnout and remain employable. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Mo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedfahmed/ Mohamed F Ahmed: http://mohamedfahmed.com/ X: http://www.twitter.com/MohamedFAhmed   Special Offer for Listeners FREE Rising Tide Exclusive Bundle ($147 value): The Mindset Guide Mental Robustness and Resiliency Workbook Special Chapter: "Recovery Strategies After Setbacks" Available at: www.boundlessfounder.co/risingtide-special 25% discount on Boundless Founder Community membership using code: RISINGTIDE25 Book Reader's Package: Access to monthly group coaching sessions Exclusive entrepreneurial resilience assessment tool Private community access Register at: www.boundlessfounder.co/risingtide-bonus   Closing thought: “Entrepreneurship is about building something bigger than yourself, not just escaping a job or chasing wealth.”   Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.

    1h 13m
  2. JAN 9

    9.01 – Tekla Tskhvediani – Career Mentor – Tekla Toppings

    In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups Podcast, Tekla Tskhvediani shares how she went from Georgia’s corporate hospitality industry to creating a location-independent career in Bali. She talks about what led her to take that leap, the challenges she faced, and how she built a career that gives her both freedom and fulfillment. Tekla explains why the traditional job-hunting approach, like sending out resumes and hoping for the best, doesn’t work anymore. She shares how showcasing your value, thinking outside the box, and aligning your strengths with market needs can open new doors. From her own journey to the lessons she now teaches as a career mentor, Tekla offers advice for anyone looking to create a career on their own terms. If you’ve ever thought about working remotely, switching careers, or just designing a work life that fits you better, this episode is for you. Tekla’s approach is all about flexibility, creativity, and making career choices that align with the life you want. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Offering free value and fostering genuine connections can establish trust and credibility before monetizing your expertise. Confidence in pricing and business growth comes from proven results rather than vague affirmations. Clients benefit more from specific, actionable guidance that reduces decision fatigue than from generic advice. A successful coaching business must balance scalability with maintaining personalized, high-quality support. Traditional job applications are outdated—standing out requires creativity, personal branding, and authenticity. Personal career struggles can become a powerful asset when helping others navigate similar challenges. Sustainable business growth relies on consistent value delivery and authentic relationship-building, rather than aggressive marketing. Overcoming mental barriers and self-imposed limitations is often the biggest step toward career transformation. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Tekla Tskhvediani: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tekla-tskhvediani-24b81a105 Website: https://pillar.io/teklatoppings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teklatoppingstestimonials Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective content creation and lead generation!

    39 min
  3. 12/23/2024

    8.21 – Hailey Brooke Weiss – Power Move Marketing

    In this episode of Rising Tide Startups Podcast, Hailey Brooke Weiss, founder and CEO of Power Move Marketing, shares how her journey from collegiate volleyball captain to marketing agency leader has shaped her approach to business and leadership. With a passion for adaptability and innovation, Hailey has built a remote-first agency that offers tailored, integrated solutions to startups, acting as an in-house marketing partner for businesses. Hailey reveals how her team navigates industry shifts, from leveraging AI to adjusting to new trends and legislation, while balancing creativity and analytics to help clients achieve tangible results. As a leader of a 30+ person remote team, she emphasizes the importance of trust, delegation, and letting creative people be creative, drawing from her athletic background to focus on accountability and leading by example. This episode provides practical advice on leadership, marketing trends, and the mindset needed to grow a successful business. If you're looking to elevate your marketing game and learn from a leader who blends strategy with heart, this conversation with Hailey Brooke Weiss is a must-listen. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Implementing an omni-channel marketing strategy across TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn creates multiple sustainable revenue streams for business growth. Establishing clear project parameters while avoiding micromanagement empowers creative teams to deliver exceptional client results. When addressing challenges, leading with curiosity instead of criticism transforms team dynamics and improves problem-solving efficiency. Converting major household brands through consistent social media content demonstrates how digital presence drives significant business acquisition. Eliminating long-term contracts and maintaining service flexibility helps retain startup clients in rapidly changing market conditions. Focusing on target audience needs rather than industry specialization enables successful client acquisition across diverse business sectors. Building a fully remote team culture based on trust and autonomy creates high employee retention and increased productivity. Leveraging specialist expertise within the team rather than handling everything personally accelerates agency scaling and client satisfaction. Maintaining an authentic social media presence and consistent messaging across platforms strengthens brand credibility and drives organic growth. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Hailey Brooke Weiss: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haileybrookeweiss/ Power Move Marketing: https://powermovemarketing.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileybrooke8 Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2025! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    38 min
  4. 11/29/2024

    8.20 – Jason Schappert – MooLa

    How does a flight instructor turn financial struggles into a groundbreaking fintech? Jason Schappert, founder of Moola, shares his journey from teaching aviation to empowering financial literacy through innovative fintech solutions. From being a college dropout to building a multi-million-dollar online flight school, Jason turned challenges into opportunities and now helps others navigate their own paths to success. In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups podcast, Jason talks about the lessons he learned from running and selling his aviation business, and how he found markets that needed help to create Moola, a platform made to make personal finances easier. He gives useful tips on finding your niche, trying out business ideas, and building a successful business.  Jason has broken down the complex into simple, actionable steps, and empowered countless aspiring entrepreneurs and everyday individuals to reach their goals.  Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Leverage early adopter platforms like YouTube and TikTok to build a loyal audience and validate business concepts. Clean and professional financial record-keeping is crucial for attracting potential investors and acquisition opportunities. Focus on serving an underserved market demographic by understanding their specific challenges and communication styles. Automate savings and financial processes to make complex financial management more accessible and user-friendly. Embrace incremental progress by prioritizing consistent small wins over seeking unrealistic overnight success. Social media is a powerful tool for market research, audience engagement, and viral marketing strategies. Build products that simplify complex topics and make intimidating processes (like investing) more approachable for younger generations. Personal branding and storytelling can be powerful differentiators in crowded market spaces. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Jason Schappert: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschappert/ Moola: https://moo.la/ Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    38 min
  5. 11/15/2024

    8.19 – Bradley Hamner – Blueprint OS

    In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups Podcast, Bradley Hamner, founder of Blueprint OS and host of “Above The Business”, shares how small business owners can scale sustainably by designing systems that drive growth and efficiency, and free up their time. Having experienced firsthand the shift from burnout to balance, Bradley introduces his SCALE framework—Sustainable Revenue, Consistent Growth, Ample Time Away, Leverage, and Efficient Operations—which helps entrepreneurs grow without sacrificing their well-being. Bradley explains how shifting from being the “rainmaker” to the “architect” of your business allows you to create systems that operate independently. He highlights the importance of taking strategic breaks to recharge, arguing that time away can actually fuel long-term growth. Finally, Bradley encourages owners to work “above” their business, dedicating time each week to strategic thinking and long-term planning. His insights empower small business owners to break free from the daily grind and build businesses that thrive independently. Through the SCALE framework, entrepreneurs gain practical strategies to boost revenue, achieve consistent growth, and reclaim their time for strategic focus. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Personal development is key to business growth, helping entrepreneurs scale and launch new ventures successfully. A practical framework for scaling businesses focuses on sustainable growth, leadership, and reaching revenue milestones. Dedicating time away from daily tasks for strategic thinking boosts decision-making and satisfaction. Executive assistants and efficient operating systems allow entrepreneurs to focus on growth instead of daily operations. The Rule of 40 combines growth and profitability percentages to maintain a healthy balance for sustainable business success. Taking time off helps business owners improve their personal well-being and business health. A clear roadmap and community support provide guidance and shared learning for business owners with similar goals. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Bradley Hamner: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyhamner/ BlueprintOS: https://www.blueprintos.com/ Above The Business: https://www.abovethebusiness.co/ Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    35 min
  6. 10/28/2024

    8.18 – Nile Frater – Masse SEO

    Building a niche website is one thing, but turning it into a thriving SEO agency? That’s a whole different game. On this episode of the Rising Tide Startups podcast, Kevin Prewett sits down with Nile Frater, founder of Masse SEO and former owner of NoCode.Tech. Nile shares his journey from creating a no-code tech site to selling it and launching his next big venture in SEO. He dives into the highs and lows of selling a business—navigating buyer interest, tough negotiations, and ultimately sealing the deal. With 8+ years in the no-code space, Nile has tested over 250 platforms and taught businesses of all sizes. He also explores how AI has evolved in content creation, helping writers overcome creative blocks and produce more content faster, though the balance between facts and opinions still poses challenges. Nile doesn’t shy away from discussing the challenges of scaling Masse SEO, revealing key strategies for growth while maintaining quality. Whether you're into SEO, content creation, or curious about the impact of AI, this episode offers plenty of actionable insights. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: AI tools can help writers break through creative blocks and ramp up content production, but they still fall short when it comes to handling subjective content. To scale without losing quality, systemizing your operations is a must, especially when you're handling high volumes of content. Selling a business comes with its own rollercoaster—strategic negotiations and emotional highs that every entrepreneur can learn from. AI is great for handling factual information, but when it comes to producing nuanced, high-quality content, human expertise is still essential. To grow your business and keep clients happy, structured operations and a solid support system are key. Scaling your SEO strategy takes high-volume content publishing and a clear market focus to succeed. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR   Connect with Nile Frater: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nile-frater-b1772370/ Masse SEO: https://www.masse.marketing/ NoCode.Tech: https://www.nocode.tech/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nile Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    33 min
  7. 10/08/2024

    8.17 – Bilal Ararou – Nuelink

    Can a single tool grow into a thriving business with thousands of loyal customers?  In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups podcast, host Kevin Prewett sits down with Bilal Ararou, the visionary founder of Nuelink, to unpack his journey from a freelance web designer to the creator of an innovative social media automation platform. Bilal reveals how Nuelink, originally built to streamline his agency's social media tasks, quickly evolved into a robust tool packed with AI-driven features that simplify everything from scheduling posts to automating podcast updates. What sets Nuelink apart is Bilal's ability to spot a real need in the market. After earlier ventures failed due to lack of demand, he hit the mark this time by solving a problem faced by countless businesses. Nuelink's cutting-edge features, like automated content creation and task automation for podcast updates and Google reviews, have transformed the social media management landscape. Bilal's entrepreneurial roots trace back to his childhood when he sold marbles and rented out his Game Boy. Now, he's on a mission to build Morocco's first unicorn company, proving that world-class innovation can emerge from anywhere. His story is a powerful reminder of how solving real-world problems can lead to groundbreaking success that transcends borders.   Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Using AI-driven automation in social media tools can simplify managing a business’s online presence. Validating market demand through initial experiments and waitlists ensures product development aligns with real user needs, fostering confidence in further investment. Learning from past failures by analyzing the lack of demand can shape more effective approaches to product development and market fit. Implementing a structured hiring process focused on practical skills rather than resumes ensures a capable team that aligns well with organizational needs. Using insights from top business books can improve operations and management strategies, leading to ongoing growth. Engaging with niche communities and forming partnerships can boost product visibility and early user traction. Planning product expansions based on customer feedback drives continuous improvement and long-term industry relevance. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Bilal Ararou: LinkedIn: https://ma.linkedin.com/in/bilalararou Nuelink: https://nuelink.com/ Kreatinc: https://www.kreatinc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bilalararou/ Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective content creation and lead generation!

    33 min
5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Rising Tide Startups is a unique, bi-weekly Business interview podcast, hosting some of today's most exciting early-stage solopreneurs, startups founders and side hustlers. With a great lineup of guests around the world, Rising Tide Startups is an "Apple Podcasts Favorite." Subscribe and listen each episode, as we help "All Boats Rise in a Rising Tide!"

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada