What are the challenges of hypergrowth – and how do you get after it? Vinicius Neris, co-founder of InEvent, has learned a lot from navigating rapid business growth over the past year. 🗣 Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn 💙 Visit foundersfocus.com to learn and connect with other founders. ✈️ This episode is brought to you by Upside …

How do you define, measure, and build a high-performing company culture? Andrew Freedman, Managing Partner at SHIFT, breaks down what it means to scale a thriving business from day 1. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/3k1sYPh 💡 Read key takeaways: https://bit.ly/3iCluCJ 🗣 Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn 💙 …

Are you driving performance and impact through digital marketing? Vivek Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Movable Ink, shares how you increase your ROI from your marketing efforts. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/3Cy1OaU 💡 Key Insights: https://bit.ly/3AngQOU 🗣 Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn 💙 Visit founder…

Having a tricky time nailing your founder story? What can you do to engage your audience? How do you know the best channels and ways to share your story? Lyn Graft is passionate about helping people, specifically founders, learn how to use storytelling to grow their business. Lyn Graft is the founder of Storytelling for Entrepreneurs and he's picke…

Circumstances change all the time. People change. Markets change. Opportunities show up at your front door. How can you make sure you're open to new opportunities – while not changing direction constantly? Nate Smith, founder and CEO of Lever, shares how authentic conversations are key to team alignment. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: h…

How can you use account based marketing to acquire and retain your target audience? In this /Founders Focus episode, Kris Rudeegraap, co-founder & CEO of Sendoso, shares how you can design and refine your ABM strategy. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/3rFySc6 🗣 Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn 💙 Visit foun…

Go-to-Market is one of the most underappreciated parts of building a business. In this /Founders Focus episode, You Mon Tsang, founder and CEO of ChurnZero, shares his experience bringing four companies to market. Get a crash course on how you should be thinking about your go-to-market strategy. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bi…

How can you build your product in a way that drives behavior change? In order for people to adopt your product, you need to make the path to behavior change easier. Forest Key, founder and CEO of Voodle, is working on the fourth product software company he’s launched – and he’s learned a whole lot along the way. In this /Founders Focus episode, For…

We all have limited resources – even if you’re Apple or Google. So how do you approach innovation and create new products or services when you have those constraints? Davyeon Ross, co-founder of ShotTracker, has a great framework for innovating on a budget. Davyeon also partners with RGA on Coalition Venture Studio, which aims to democratize access…

If you're building your own product or running a business of any kind, you should be taking advantage of cloud services and tools. Patrick Quinn, co-founder and CEO of Webapper, has tons of advice after 20 years of helping companies scale agile teams in the cloud. Hear what lessons Patrick has learned after 20 years in the business. 🎬 Rather watch?…

Jeff Cherry, founder of Conscious Venture Lab, is invested in supporting early stage founders on their entrepreneurial journeys. From expectation management to stakeholder theory, Jeff has lessons to share that are relevant to founders at every stage. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/3xmROyf 💡 Key takeaways: https://bit.ly/…

Two-sided marketplaces are found across industries and have common pitfalls. In this episode, Matt Cooper, CEO of Skillshare, shares advice for how entrepreneurs can leverage two-sided marketplaces and the gig economy. Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/3622032 💡 Key takeaways: https://bit.ly/3qFvj5h Have feedback? Connect with…

Most businesses struggle to get a handle of their data and metrics. Lack of alignment and process across teams can be a company's downfall. How can you avoid common pitfalls? Roman Stanek, Founder and CEO of GoodData, shares how to effectively leverage data in order to scale your product. Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/35H4…

Some founders are natural improvisors who are able to handle changes on the fly. Every founder needs to get good at improvisation. It’s a core skill we draw on again and again. Find out how to get great at improv with Gary Ware, Founder of Breakthrough Play. 🎬 Rather watch? Catch the video recording: https://bit.ly/35hvMAu 💡 Key takeaways: https://…

How does a founder's health and performance impact their business? David DiPaola, Founder & CEO of Sensibly, shares how entrepreneurs can think differently about their approach to health and wellness – while navigating the chaos of being a founder. David is offering free 20 minute coaching sessions for /Founders Focus podcast listeners. No sales pi…

It’s never too soon to create a board. How do you think about composition, compensation and expectations? Co-host Jocelyn Mangan, Founder and CEO of Him For Her, joined Scott to talk about how founders can create an effective board of directors. From early stage through funding rounds, the role of a board can be shaped to be a major asset. Have fee…

Everything you experience in the physical world has a digital wrapper around it. The collision between the digital and physical world is rapidly increasing. Scott and Tom Matzzie explored what a big opportunity it is for entrepreneurs because digital software has made it easier to solve physical world challenges. Tom is an expert on climate change …

Shaina Zafar, co-founder and CMO of JUV Consulting, has built a business around being an expert in everything Gen Z. Each generation has its own values and expectations, and COVID is continuing to shape how Gen Z thinks and interacts as employees and customers. Watch the full session: https://bit.ly/3dMBwrn Key takeaways: https://bit.ly/3fObbJd Hav…

Necessity is the mother of invention and 2020 created lots of opportunity. Scott and Rocket Lawyer founder and CEO Charley Moore talk about how we can invent our way out of things. We will recognize how important technology was when we start to look at this in the rearview mirror. Find out how to embrace the constraints and solve problems. 🎬 Watch …

As you grow your company, how do you bring other people in and not lose what you believe makes you special? Our co-host Jeff Grant has an interesting story about how he ended up a founder after going to prison. He’s now minister to white collar criminals through Progressive Prison Ministries, and he's figuring out how to scale. Watch the full sessi…

Founders in small cities have struggled with the lack of access to talent and ongoing funding. The pandemic has changed these obstacles - it’s actually created solutions. How has the pandemic shifted the landscape for businesses in non-major markets? Techstars General Manager Lesa Mitchell joined Scott to talk about the changes she's seen over the …

The hospitality industry was rocked at the onset of the pandemic, and those businesses that have survived have had to make difficult decisions. We connected with Jeff David, President of The Fitler Club & Founder of Jeff David Hospitality, to hear how he's adapted his business and supported his team. We also dig into his predictions for the future …

Build meaningful relationships that can power your business even when you think you have nothing. Chris Schembra, author of "Gratitude and Pasta: The Secret Sauce for Human Connection" and Founder and Chief Question Asker at 7:47, joined Scott to talk about developing impactful relationships. Chris knows it’s difficult bringing people together to c…

Change is accelerating and you need to design your organization to monitor change and adapt. We spoke with Taylor Foxman, founder and CEO of The Industry Collective, about the pace of change and the importance of being aware of change and being flexible. Taylor is also Vice President of Communications and Experiences for Parallel, leading cannabis …

Job candidate attitudes have changed through the pandemic. Maria Christopoulos Katris, founder & CEO of Built In, shares what’s shifted, how to address their needs and what’s likely to happen as we recover. As Co-Founder & CEO of Built In, the most powerful network of online communities for people who live and work in technology, Maria is leading a…

How can you keep up with shifting customer expectations? You have to meet your customers where they are. Brett Schulman, CEO and Co-Founder of CAVA, has been able to adapt to accelerated trends by putting his customers and team first. (0:43) Pre-COVID trends have been accelerated and amplified (2:21) Transformational changes that have occurred over…

What do you need to know? What does it take to succeed? Ask for help - don’t see it as a weakness. You need support to succeed. Lenzy Ruffin, Video Communication Strategist for Park Road Studios, joined Scott as co-host to talk about how entrepreneurs can set themselves up for success before going full-time with their side hustle. Watch the full se…

How do you keep your company relevant as demographic shifts are accelerated by technology changes? How do you keep your product and communications updated? Jack McCullough, Founder and President of the CFO Leadership Council, joined Scott Case to discuss how to stay relevant and current while not alienating your customer base. Jack leads the CFO Le…

Business owners who took a forgivable loan this year can’t wait to have the balance wiped out, but are hitting a wall when it comes to forgiveness. Rumors of simplified forms. Confusion over tax implications. Unresponsive lenders. New stimulus. Overwhelming documentation. Fuzzy deadlines… The list goes on. PPP expert and Upside Financial Senior Adv…

Startup capital is biased but the system isn’t going to change any time soon. What strategies can woman and people of color use to get the resources they need to succeed? Karen Cahn, the founder and CEO of IFundWomen, joins Scott to share her insights on what works to get the financing you need. Karen is an expert on all things entrepreneurship and…

As founders, it’s easy to spin your wheels on questions that feel impossible to answer. Scott Case hosted a live Ask Me Anything session to answer all sorts of burning questions. We tackled what was top of mind for our /Founders Focus audience. Want a fresh perspective on an issue that your peers are grappling with? As usual, Scott shared his unfil…

Everyone and every company has a brand - think of it as what people say about you when you are not in the room. Brands evolve - sometimes over time, sometimes forced and sometimes by accident. Rohit Bhargava has been evolving his Non-Obvious brand and will share his strategy along with examples of playbooks you can use to be more intentional about …

To be a successful founder, you need a set of relationships to support you on your journey. Without a supportive community, founders find it almost impossible to overcome the challenges in every business. Serial entrepreneur, investor, professor and researcher Melissa Bradley co-hosts /Founders Focus with Scott. Melissa and her co-founders built Ur…

Many first time founders set out to raise capital - whether from friends and family or angel investors and seed stage VCS - unprepared. Allie Burns from Village Capital shares the keys to getting yourself and your business investor ready. As CEO of Village Capital, Allie is responsible for overseeing her team of “rabble rousers” who are dedicated t…

Objectives and Key Results and CFRs (conversation, feedback, recognition) are part of a goal setting system that John Doerr adapted from Intel that high performing organizations use to exceed expectations and thrive. Lisa Shufro, Chief Storyteller at WhatMatters.com will share insights about how founders at any stage can use these tools to drive th…

Over the past year our world has changed drastically. As companies and their employees emerge from the pandemic, what changes will be permanent and how will the workforce adapt. TravelBank CEO Duke Chung joins Scott to talk about the trends he sees continuing and how business leaders can prepare for the new normal. Duke founded TravelBank to make e…

What is conscious capitalism and how can founders be a part of the movement to elevate humanity through business? Aimy Steadman is a founder and Chief Get Sh*t Done Officer at Future/Proof and a founding board member and board president of Naturally Austin, a community organization whose mission is to foster sustainable and responsible practices, s…

If you want to get an outsized win, you’ve got to take a look from a different perspective. How do you get inputs that can help you decide to decide better? Christian Duffus, Founder and CEO of Fonbnk, joins Scott as co-host on this episode of Founders Focus talking about examining your business with diverse thinking and taking advantage of the une…

In this bonus /Founders Focus episode, PPP expert Hannah Smolinski explains how minority business owners can apply and maximize PPP funds by the March 31, 2021 deadline. According to The New York Times, only 12% of Black and Latinx business owners got the PPP assistance they asked for. With the new $284 billion round of PPP funding, we want to offe…

Founders are constantly communicating to prospects, employees, customers, and investors. Learn about the common mistakes and how to overcome them with Jon Ellenthal, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Upside Business Travel. Jon has started and run multiple companies over the past three decades and is described by Scott as a "communications e…

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of a wide range of things. The restaurant industry has had to work quickly to keep up with necessary changes. Justin Rosenberg, CEO and Founder of fast-casual restaurant honeygrow, joined Scott to talk through how he's been leading his team through an avalanche of change. Creating opportunities for his team…

How do CEOs go about making decisions for their companies? On this Founders Focus co-host Banks Benitez, Co-Founder and CEO of special impact accelerator Uncharted, joins Scott to discuss strategies for decision making as a leader. Uncharted is a social impact accelerator that builds coordinated movements of people to tackle problems from all angle…

In this /Founders Focus bonus episode, Scott Case is joined by travel industry pro Dave Hilfman to talk about the future of leadership and business travel. As the interim CEO at the Global Business Travel Association, GBTA, he finds himself leading an industry whalloped by the pandemic through an unprecedented period. Listen to hear how today's lea…

All businesses work to engage employees, prospects and clients. What are the best strategies and how do you measure engagement? Learn from Dave’s experience of what works and what doesn’t in this session of Founders Focus. Dave Will is the Co-Founder and CEO of PropFuel, a cloud-based SAAS software platform that is designed to capture the voice of …

Lisa Wise, CEO at Nest DC and Flock DC, is invested in thinking about how we can challenge certain stereotypes that have plagued the real estate industry for decades. Scott and Lisa talk about the difference between not being racist and being an actively anti-racist business. Lisa Wise's work has always been cause-driven, entrepreneurial, and commu…

The journey from being an employee into a leadership role and entrepreneurship can be draining. Founders often lose focus on the importance of oxygen, hydration, sleep and hobbies outside of business. Scott and creative entrepreneur Marcus Whitney talk about well being and performance as well as the next level of maturity of the Internet and busine…

YearOne co-founders Sam Ajayi and Stephen Ajayi join Scott on Founders Focus to discuss being accepted into an accelerator and the journey through the experience. Learn how they started with a core problem and solution and how those morphed into the business YearOne is today. YearOne helps individuals coming out of code schools land incredible jobs…

The emotions of fear and shame often surface for people as they address their finances. Shannon McLay, the founder of the Financial Gym, joins Scott on Founders Focus to discuss her journey and tips she has for founders and would-be founders as they build their businesses. The Financial Gym is a fitness-inspired, personal financial services company…

OjaExpress is a same day ethnic grocery delivery platform that aims to bring people and culture together through food. Founders Fola Dada and Boyede Sobitan join us on Founders Focus. Representation matters. Culture matters. Fola and Boyede created a company that reflects the values of the communities they aim to serve; a company built by immigrant…

Justin Rosenberg is the founder and CEO of the fast casual restaurant honeygrow. Find out how the recent past prepared Justin and honeygrow for the challenges of the pandemic that have caused many businesses to fail. honeygrow brings people together over quality, wholesome + simple foods. For honeygrow, it’s about eating honestly + spending time do…