Ready For Launch: How To Build A Startup

Епізоди

• 059 - From Cavities to Category Creation with Sam Coxe, Founder of Flaus (Oprah’s favourite Electric Flosser) 28.04.2026 1год 5хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses.In this interview, Samantha Coxe shares her journey from law to founding Flaus, the world's first electric flosser. Discover how her perseverance, strategic research, and innovative mindset led to creating a new category in oral care, overcoming challenges, and leveraging opportunities like Shark Tank and Indiegogo.LinksWebsite - https://goflaus.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goflausLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthacoxe/[⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/omsalem/)Key TopicsJourney from law to entrepreneurshipCreating a new product category in oral careStrategic market research and validationLeveraging crowdfunding and TV for growthLessons learned from building a startupChapters00:00 Introduction to Flaus and Its Unique Proposition02:41 Childhood Influences and the Development of Perseverance05:52 The Journey from Law to Entrepreneurship08:52 Realizing the Need for Creativity in Career11:42 The Birth of the Electric Flosser Idea14:53 Market Research and Validation of the Business Idea17:36 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Business Vision20:40 Building a Brand for Diverse Demographics23:28 Strategic Insights and Future Opportunities35:36 Targeting Diverse Audiences in Branding36:42 Navigating the Challenges of Product Development40:59 Learning from Mentors and Industry Leaders44:57 The Journey to Shark Tank: Preparation and Strategy49:15 The Impact of Shark Tank on Business Growth51:03 Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank55:30 The Power of Manifestation in Business01:00:34 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 058 - From FAANGs to Founder, with Zainab Ghadiyali, Founder of Eat Cook Joy and Stackbirds 14.04.2026 1год 20хв

  SummaryWelcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses. This week, Zainab Ghadiyali shares her unconventional journey from growing up in India to becoming a tech entrepreneurin San Francisco. She discusses the hype around AI, her startups in food and AI, and practical lessons on building impactful businesses.LinksWebsiteshttps://www.eatcookjoy.com/https://www.stackbirds.xyz/LinkedIn⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainabg/|Chapters00:00 - AI: Overhyped or Undervalued?02:32 - The Journey of an Entrepreneur05:28 - Childhood Influences and Curiosity08:36 - Navigating Challenges and Risks11:45 - From Health Economics to Tech14:25 - Learning to Code and Breaking into Facebook17:32 - The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People20:22 - Values and Relationships in Personal and Professional Life23:22 - Vulnerability and Connection26:27 - The Entrepreneurial Spirit29:12 - Financial Stability and Taking Risks32:17 - Overcoming Homelessness and Building Resilience35:22 - Finding Balance and Growth38:28 - The Inspiration Behind Eat Cook Joy40:14 - The Challenge of Culinary Entrepreneurship42:51 - From Idea to Pilot: The Journey of a Startup48:46 - Building a Business: Lessons from the Ground Up53:29 - Navigating the Two-Sided Marketplace55:47 - The Birth of StackBirds: A New Venture01:00:45 - AI in Daily Operations: A Founder’s Perspective01:11:58 - The Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur01:18:18 - Starting Your Own Business: Practical Steps
• 057 - Revolutionizing Washing: The Science of Microbiome-Friendly Products - with Eli Halliwell, Founder of Sans Savon & Hairstory 31.03.2026 1год 16хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses.Eli Halliwell shares his entrepreneurial journey from disrupting the haircare industry with innovative, microbiome-friendly products to his past ventures in the automotive space. Discover how he identifies opportunities for innovation, the challenges of changing routines, and the impact of AI on entrepreneurship.LinksWebsite - sanssavon.com & hairstory.comSubstack - Eli Halliwell⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Eli Halliwell's Entrepreneurial Journey08:45 Innovative Approaches to Hair and Body Care19:21 Eli's Unique Background and Early Career27:38 The Evolution of Entrepreneurship in Today's World42:14 Navigating the Haircare Industry48:52 Innovative Business Models in Haircare53:34 Challenges in Changing Consumer Behavior56:10 Transitioning Leadership and New Ventures01:00:08 Creating a New Brand: Sans Savon01:06:35 Customer Acquisition in a Changing Market01:09:41 Evaluating Growth and Future Steps01:14:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 056 - From Shopify to Startup. The 6-Month Plan That Outpaced Expectations, with Michael Kiss, CEO and Co-founder of Symmetry Commerce 17.03.2026 1год 12хв

  SummaryWelcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses.In this conversation, Michael Kiss, CEO and co-founder of Symmetry Commerce, shares his journey from a tech-savvy childhood in Ontario to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the e-commerce space. He discusses his experiences at Shopify, the challenges of starting his own company, and the importance of leadership and company culture.LinksWebsite - https://symmetrycommerce.com/LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/michael-kiss?originalSubdomain=ca⁠Chapters00:0 Introduction to Mike Kiss and Symmetry Commerce05:10 Mike's Upbringing and Early Influences09:43 Education and Career Path to Shopify14:42 Lessons Learned at Shopify19:48 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship24:38 Building Symmetry Commerce29:52 Mindset and Growth as a Business Owner36:29 Vision for Building a Better Shopify38:34 Evolving Service Offerings and Differentiation43:29 Balancing Business Strategy and Execution47:18 Team Collaboration and Problem Solving49:52 The Remote Work Advantage51:58 Reflecting on Initial Business Plans53:39 Navigating Challenges and Growth55:52 Defining Growth Goals and Company Vision59:16 Integrating AI into Business Operations01:01:19 Personal Sacrifices in Entrepreneurship01:05:30 Lessons Learned from Starting Over01:09:56 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 055 - The AI-Driven Side Project That Gained Global Attention, with Adam Hale, Creator of Dry Outside 03.03.2026 57хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses.Adam Hale shares his journey from digital media enthusiast to data analyst and AI innovator, detailing how he built a weather prediction website using AI tools in just hours. Discover insights on AI experimentation, SEO strategies, human connection, and turning side projects into impactful tools.LinksWebsite - https://www.dryoutside.com/LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhale2/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:29 The Evolution of Social Media and Personal Privacy05:01 AI in Data Analysis and Website Development07:27 The Role of AI in Daily Work10:24 Building DryOutside: The Concept and Inspiration12:58 Understanding Weather Conditions for Drying Clothes15:41 The Journey from Idea to Launch18:18 Initial Steps and Learning Process21:14 Feedback and Iteration in Development26:43 Building an SEO-Friendly Website30:06 The Power of Reddit for Promotion31:01 From Idea to Live Website in Hours35:20 The Importance of Human Connection37:34 Tech Stack and Data Sources39:13 Unexpected Traffic Surge from Newsletters42:58 Website Redesign and New Features48:18 Feedback-Driven Improvements and AI Inspiration53:13 Advice for Aspiring Project Builders
• 054 - The Gap Between Design and Reality — and How Omar Salem Built Adora to Fix It 17.02.2026 1год 3хв

  SummaryWelcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses.In this conversation, Omar shares his journey from growing up in Jordan to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Australia. He discusses his experiences at Canva, where he learned valuable lessons about scaling and product growth. Omar reflects on the transition to founding Adora, a company focused on providing visibility into product experiences. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and the challenges of building a startup. Website - https://www.adora.so/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/omsalem/Chapters00:00 Omar's Early Life and Influences01:55 Lessons from Canva: Growth and Product Development13:45 The Transition to Entrepreneurship: Timing and Readiness20:15 Exploring Ideas: Product Growth vs. Education28:21 Understanding Engagement Mechanics29:21 The Birth of Adora33:31 Frustrations with Product Visibility38:28 Building a Solution46:10 Navigating the Development Process51:07 Lessons from Beta Testing55:43 Insights on Founding a Business01:00:47 Advice for Aspiring Founders
• AI Revolution in the Job Market: Launching AI Apply - An AI-Powered Job Search Tool, With Co-Founder Aidan Kramer 27.03.2024 1год 3хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses into the world. This week, Ian Black talks to Aidan Cramer about his business AI Apply, which leverages generative AI to help job seekers find and apply for the best job opportunities. Aidan also shares his experience in building multiple businesses and the importance of finding product-market fit. Aidan shares his philosophy on killing ideas that don't work and focusing on the core offering, as well as his growth targets and the strategies he is using to achieve them, including content creation and influencer marketing. Website https://aiapply.co/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@aidancramer Twitter https://twitter.com/AidanCramer We Discuss What Generative AI is Common Mistakes in Job Applications Experimentation with Different Business Ideas How to Achieve Fast Growth and Profitability New Perspectives on Defining Product Market Fit Listening to Customers and Their Ideas Defining Success and Growth Targets Content Creation and Strategy Choosing the Right Co-founder Sacrifices and Loneliness of Entrepreneurship Motivations and Rewards of Entrepreneurship Advice for Starting a Business ––––––– Host: Ian Black Intro Music: ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life⁠ License code: 9TQ4MEAPMU4WJWZ4
• Overcoming Your Fears By Bootstrapping An Allergy Friendly Protein Bar Business, with Patrick Manning, founder of Alio. 13.03.2024 1год 3хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show about how founders of early-stage companies launched their businesses into the world. This week, Ian Black talks to Patrick Manning, the founder of Alio, an allergy-friendly protein bar company, who shares his journey from medical school to entrepreneurship. He saw a need for a protein bar free from the top nine food allergens and high in protein, and decided to create it himself. He shares his perspective on overcoming doubts and challenges as a founder and the unique lessons he has learned through entrepreneurship. Website https://livealio.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/livealionow Instagram https://www.instagram.com/livealio Chapters Introduction and Background Identifying the Need for Allergy-Friendly Protein Bars Transition from Medical School to Entrepreneurship Finding a Mentor and Overcoming Fear Lessons Learned from Starting a Business Challenges in Recipe Development and Manufacturing Rebranding and Refining the Product Market Response to the Relaunch of Allio Importance of Customer Feedback and Launch Strategy Delegating and Bringing in Experts Building a Team and Seeking External Funding Organic Marketing Strategies Effective Sales Tactics through Engagment with Facebook Groups Sales Channels and Retail Expansion Profitability and Margin Refinement Shelf Life and Expiry Dates Daily Operations and Balancing Work Future Team Expansion Overcoming Doubts and Challenges Advice for Founders and Dealing with Doubt Setting Goals and Managing Friction Product Expansion and New Flavors Challenges in Scaling and Retail Expansion The Power of Creation and Overcoming Challenges Where to Find Alio --- Host: Ian Black Intro Music: https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: 9TQ4MEAPMU4WJWZ4
• The Van Conversion Expert: How to Unlock the Lifestyle You’ve Dreamed of - with Shane Monks O'Byrne, founder of The Van Conversion Dotcom. 28.02.2024 1год 29хв

  Shane Monks O'Byrne teaches people how to build camper vans and live a van life. He shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the philosophy of van life, and the lessons he learned from building his latest startup - https://www.thevanconversion.com. Contents: Introduction and Background Shane's Business: Teaching People to Build Camper Vans The Philosophy of Van Life Shane's Journey into Entrepreneurship Choosing the Right Path as an Entrepreneur Lessons from Investing Applied to Life Balancing Details and Output in Design Finding Fun and Passion in Work Finding Passion and Interests Using Childhood as a Starting Point Questioning False Assumptions and Self-Doubt Exploring Different Interests and Skills Learning New Skills and Trying Something New Learning How to Build a Van Documenting the Van Conversion Process Transitioning from Building Vans to Writing a Book Launching the Book and Building a Sustainable Business Preparing for a Long-Term Bike Journey Handling the Business During Time Away Starting a Business: Choosing the Right Direction
• Launching a non-alcoholic spirit brand in Asia and the USA, with Lorin Winata Founder of Melati Drinks (#50) 25.10.2023 56хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where I, Ian Black, talk to founders of early-stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. I’m talking with Lorin Winata, founder of Melati Drinks, and part of the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2023. Among many things, we discuss: The history of Asian tonic drinks, dating back to 1293 What it means to be a non-alcoholic spirit, in the Better-for-you category Borrowing extraction techniques from the perfume industry to create the most accessible drink The loneliness of moving the business to a new country, new culture, with no network Whittling down 150 classic ingredients from the spice islands of Indonesia, into the two Melati drinks What it’s like to leave the male-dominated world of venture capital in Asia, to become an Asian female founder The challenges you face doing everything for the first time as an entrepreneur, and why it gets easier. And much more... So sit back and enjoy the show! Company website https://melatidrinks.com/ Find Melati near you: https://melatidrinks.com/pages/store-locator
• 049 - Launching and Closing A Daily Brain Care Business, with Brian Davis, Co-founder of Parable. 20.09.2023 1год 23хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where Ian Black talks to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Brian Davis, co-founder founder of Parable. Among many things, we discuss: Why Brain Care is so important for an ageing population The 4 Pillars of Brain Care How to communicate the benefits of a product when customers aren’t problem-aware yet The importance of finding founder-fit The problems with fundraising and launching a business at the same time Deciding to shut down the business The problem with taking advice from Outliers The lack of failure stories on social media Sit back and enjoy the show!
• 048 - Launching A Literary Career: Derek Sivers Reveals His Writing Process For His Forthcoming Book, Useful Not True. 30.08.2023 1год 31хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch. This week I’m talking with Derek Sivers, ex-musician, ex-entrepreneur, TED speaker and four-time book author. Among many things, we discuss: Why New Zealand is the best place in the world to raise a kid How to adapt your values to your current situation The secrets to becoming a great speaker What still terrifies Derek about speaking on stage The best way to write a book The value of self-publishing and retaining your copyrights The importance of doing the opposite of your creative habits What Derek’s latest book is all about How your belief and perspectives change your actions The barbell strategy of living in the extremes Why graveyards are a great place to sleep Useful beliefs about writing. And so much more! So sit back and enjoy the show Website https://sive.rs/
• 047 - Launching a Network of Top Designers and Builders For Startups, with Stephanie Golik, Founder at Huddle 16.08.2023 1год

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where Ian Black talks to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Stephanie Golik Founder at Huddle. Among many things, we discuss: From Design to Founder: Steph’s journey from studying Architecture to becoming co-founder of Huddle The Power of Building: How Steph used app development as a way to kick start her career in design Searching for The One: How moonlighting on different creative projects led to finding the one to go all in on. The Idea Graveyard: Learnings from killing small projects that helped launch Huddle Getting Paid In Equity: What designers and builders should know about getting paid in equity by startups. The Art of Investment: How getting seed funding was a strategic choice in moving quickly and catching the wave of people looking for more work flexibility Being Non-Scalable: The importance of doing non-scalable tasks early on to deliver a great customer experience, and how to relinquish that control later on. Quarterly Planning: How looking ahead helps Huddle stay on track with their vision to make the future of work more flexible. Enjoy the show! Links: Huddle site https://www.huddle.works/ Want to join as a builder? app.huddle.works/builder-invite/itomblack Want to hire a team? app.huddle.works/invite/itomblack Workshops on becoming a founder https://www.dive.club/course/go-from-designer-to-founder
• 046 - Launching a Venture Studio, with Hunter Hammonds, Founder and CEO of Assembly: Building a $100m portfolio of creator-led businesses 02.08.2023 1год

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where I, Ian Black, talk to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Hunter Hammonds, founder of Assembly. We discuss: What Assembly is: a business that builds businesses from scratch Hunter’s career pre-Assembly: from skipping college to 8-figure agencies The challenges of selling a design agency The importance of having your heart in your business 6 key attributes of a strong business operator Leading with a “Burn the ships” mentality A playbook for building a business from nothing Pivoting as a company of companies. How to decide which businesses to invest in 3 components to hiring at speed The value of building an audience Links: If you need the world’s best design team: https://offmenu.design/ If you need the most kick-ass high engagement short form viral videos: https://www.viralcuts.co/ Amazing product demo animation launch videos https://www.keyframe.design/ The coolest youtube agency in the world https://www.heyfriends.studio/ Twitter https://twitter.com/_hunterhammonds
• 045 - PR For Startups: Everything You Wanted To Know About Hiring A PR Firm, with Brigitte Kaps, Founder of Rent a PR 19.07.2023 54хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where Ian Black talks to founders of early-stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Brigitte Kaps CEO & Founder of Rent a PR, a company that offers Public Relations & Communications Advisory on demand. Among many things, we discuss: Brigitte’s finance background before starting her company Seeking out inspiration from Silicon Valley: the mindset difference of the USA The main components of PR: Paid and unpaid media How to create a good PR briefing PR for different stages of a company: Startups to mid-cap Misconceptions about PR Choosing a PR agency: What kind of coverage do you need? The cost of PR: from on demand to retainers Crisis management for businesses And much more! So sit back and enjoy the show LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitte-kaps-6912985/ Company Website https://www.rentapr.ch/ Twitter https://twitter.com/rent_a_pr
• 044 - Launching a New Era of Coffee Convenience, with Zach Frantz, Founder of Wildland Coffee 05.07.2023 53хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch, the show where I, Ian Black, talk to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Zach Frantz, founder of Wildland Coffee, a company that makes coffee in tea bags. Among many things, we discuss: The Inspiration for Wildland Coffee Product Development: From co-packers to packing in-house Business growth: The challenges of finding a scalable sales channel When to quit: How to identify the signal from the noise when evaluating business strategies Sales before Brand: The importance of revenue in the early stages of a business Secrets of success: The power of the ask And so much more! So sit back and enjoy the show. Company website wildlandcoffee.co LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachfrantz/
• 043 - Launching a Revolutionary Dyslexia Screening & Diagnosis Business, with Jamie Wace, CEO and Co-founder of Talamo 21.06.2023 1год 6хв

  Welcome to Ready For Launch. I’m your host Ian Black. Every episode, I talk to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Jamie Wace, CEO & co-founder of Talamo, a company dedicated to democratising access to dyslexia diagnosis. Among many things, we discuss: Why 80% of children aren’t diagnosed with dyslexia. How Jamie overcame the challenges of having dyslexia. The prevailing narratives around neurodiversity. How working at design agencies set Jamie up for success as a founder. How Talamo pivoted over time. How to run qualitative customer research for your startup. The reality of running a startup as a side hustle - its challenges, and its benefits. Coping with imposter syndrome, and dealing with uncertainty. Planning for a future in an uncertain market. And so much more… So sit back and enjoy the show! Podcast Talamo Thoughts Website https://www.talamo.co.uk/ --- This website is sponsored by The Obsidian Design Lab.
• 042 - How to Launch a Home Electrification Startup, with Jesse Vaughan, Co-founder of Kopperfield 07.06.2023 59хв

  Welcome to another episode of Ready For Launch. I’m your host Ian Black. Every episode, I talk to founders of early stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Jesse Vaughan, Co-founder and President at Kopperfield. Among many things, we discuss: How we can make an impact on climate change through our home Growing up an in a family of entrepreneurs The importance of accounting in business Finding the right problem to solve as a founder Letting go of your own ideas Maintaining a healthy state of mind to make better decisions Being vulnerable with your team Go-to-market strategies for a two-sided marketplace So sit back and enjoy the show! Website https://www.kopperfield.com/ Careers https://careers.kopperfield.com/ Contact Jesse jesse@kopperfield.com
• 041 - How To Launch a Content-native E-commerce Platform, with Rishabh Jain - Co-Founder & CEO at FERMAT 24.05.2023 56хв

  Welcome to another episode of Ready For Launch. I’m your host Ian Black. Every episode, I talk to founders of early-stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Rishabh Jain - Co-Founder & CEO at FERMAT Among many things, we discuss: The impact of cookie-less browsing on Ecommerce brands How to learn to be a leader Tactics for getting the most out of your career The power of saying No The importance of placing big bets in business, to create non-linear changes How to come up with ideas that will create non-linear impact Deciding when to abandon a business idea Advice for fundraising a startup And so much more! Sit back and enjoy the show. Rishabh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishabhmjain/ Rishabh on Twitter https://twitter.com/rishabhmjain Fermat Website https://www.fermatcommerce.com/
• 040 - Launching A Survey Solution Business for E-commerce with Matt Bahr, CEO at Fairing 12.04.2023 57хв

  Welcome to another episode of Ready For Launch. I’m your host Ian Black. Every episode, I talk to founders of early-stage companies about how they launched their business into the world. This week I’m talking with Matt Bahr, CEO at Fairing. Among many things, we discuss: The importance of the voice of the customer as a data source How brands use surveys to improve their products Finding product market fit through failure The shift in mindset required to go from running a bootstrapped company to a venture backed company. Choosing a cofounder Renaming the brand Why you should dogfood your own products So sit back and enjoy the show Links: Company Site https://fairing.co/ Matt LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbahr/ Matt Twitter https://twitter.com/mattrbahr Blog Post on databases https://fairing.co/blog/postgres-database-shopify-data-developer-not-required