Founder Secrets with Taylor and Flaviu

In this episode of Founder Secrets, Zach Getrost shares his unique perspective on education, entrepreneurship, and the outbound email landscape. He discusses his journey from early ventures in robotics to mastering outbound strategies for businesses. The conversation delves into the startup ecosystem in Charlotte, common mistakes founders make in outbound efforts, and the importance of mentorship. Zach also shares insights on scali...

Joe Germanotta (Lady Gaga's father) shares his journey from childhood food memories to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the restaurant and technology sectors. He discusses the evolution of his businesses, including the creation of Wi-Fi services for hotels and the challenges of running a restaurant post-COVID. Joe emphasizes the importance of creating unique dining experiences, supporting emerging artists, and encouraging crea...

In this conversation, Flaviu and Matt discuss their entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges they faced while building and selling their company, the health issues that impacted their work, and the lessons learned about company culture and navigating exits. They also touch on Matt's transition to a new venture in the consumer space and share practical life hacks for organization and productivity.

Chapters

04:31 The Journey o...

Join us as Brandon Dawkins, a former Spotify product manager turned NYC dating coach, shares his unexpected journey from corporate life to founding Beyond Nice, a coaching service revolutionizing love for nice guys. With a CPA background, a passion for community, and a fresh take on dating, Brandon delivers a story brimming with humor, hustle, and heart.

In this episode, Brandon unpacks his pivot from layoffs in December 2023 to lau...

Join us as Alan Lin, a design veteran turned food innovator, shares his wild journey from China’s booming creative scene to launching Liquid Salad, a health food disruptor that hit the market on March 24, 2025. With 12 years of experience design, a knack for turning chaos into opportunity, and a fresh take on greens powder, Allen delivers a story packed with entrepreneurial hustle, cultural flair, and a dash of absurdity.

In this ep...

Join us as Adrianne Nickerson, a healthcare innovator and founder of Oula, shares her inspiring journey from co-founding a cancer support startup to revolutionizing maternity care for women across the U.S. With a data-driven passion and a knack for building community, Adrianne offers a fresh perspective on transforming a broken system into a warm, evidence-based experience,starting with her own life-changing birth story.

In this...

Join us as Joel Duncan, a former Marine and corporate finance professional turned entrepreneur, shares his remarkable transition from a structured career in Michigan to owning Spray Patch Road Repair, a niche pothole repair business. With a blend of military grit, financial acumen, and a leap of faith, Joel offers a gripping tale of self-education, strategic acquisition, and hands-on leadership in a blue-collar world.In this episod...

Join us as Paul Adams, a seasoned entertainment industry veteran with a distinctive British accent, shares his extraordinary journey from a working-class background in northern England to managing global superstars like Duran Duran, Justin Timberlake, Radiohead, and Jay-Z. As a key player in music management and co-owner of Phoenix Rising FC, Paul delivers a compelling narrative of persistence, human connection, and navigating the ...

Join us as Gabby Gabriel, the visionary founder of GAB Inc. and GAB China, shares her incredible journey from teaching English in Shanghai to leading a global marketing empire. With an adventurous spirit and a talent for turning challenges into opportunities, Gabby transformed a spontaneous move to China into a decad of entrepreneurial success. From building one of China’s largest LGBTQ communities to launching GAB China—a powerhou...

Join us as Manik Bhat, the visionary behind Healthify, shares his remarkable journey from medicine to tech entrepreneurship, driven by a mission to improve health outcomes through social services. With a background in philosophy, health care, and a knack for innovation, Manik has made significant strides in integrating technology with social welfare. Healthify is a platform that connects families to essential social services, aimin...

Join us as Addy Malhotra, Co-Founder & CEO of Enhanced Nature, shares his journey from an accidental discovery to revolutionizing agriculture with beneficial fungi. With a background in electrical engineering and a family legacy in manufacturing, Addy has pivoted to create a brand that leverages nature's efficiency for sustainable farming solutions. Enhanced Nature isn't just about agriculture; it's about harnessing...

Join us as Desiree Verdejo, the founder of Hyper Skin, shares her inspiring journey of transforming personal struggles into a skincare revolution. With a background in law and a passion for beauty, Desiree has built a brand focused on addressing skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, particularly for deeper skin tones. Hyper Skin is not just about beauty; it's about inclusivity and empowerment in skincare.

Join us as Laura Epstein, the founder of Pulse Charter Connect, shares her inspiring journey of combining aviation expertise with a mission to save lives. With a background in aerospace engineering and a passion for logistics, Laura is redefining how organ transport operates. Pulse Charter Connect is a healthcare logistics platform that ensures vital organs and surgeons reach their destinations quickly and efficiently, contributing...

Join us as Jeb Banner, the seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of OpenDate, shares how he’s revolutionizing event management by fostering meaningful connections and streamlining operations. With a rich history of entrepreneurial success, Jeb’s latest venture, OpenDate, is redefining how communities plan and manage events with purpose-driven technology.

Join us as Arjun Rai, the visionary entrepreneur behind SelfTact, shares how he’s redefining personal productivity and networking. Drawing from his entrepreneurial success with HelloWoofy and other ventures, Arjun’s latest innovation, SelfTact, empowers professionals with a personal CRM designed to enhance relationship management and streamline follow-ups.

Join us as Cristiana Banila, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Mitra Bio, shares her groundbreaking journey in the biotech and skincare industries. From her academic roots at the University of Oxford to leading innovations in non-invasive skin diagnostics, Cristiana is revolutionizing how we understand and care for our skin. Combining scientific expertise with entrepreneurial grit, she’s creating tools that help people mea...

Join us as Mark DeRosa, Founder of Vantage Point Benefits and Co-Founder of Woodhaven Recovery, shares his inspiring journey from family tragedy to entrepreneurial impact.

Join us as Ian Koons, Co-Founder and CEO of Karoo Health, shares his journey from sports professional to healthcare entrepreneur. Motivated by personal experiences with cardiovascular disease, Ian co-founded Karoo Health to revolutionize cardiac care through value-based models and innovative technology.

Join us as François, Co-Founder and CEO of Zeffy, shares his journey from physics student to mission-driven entrepreneur. Discover how his passion for social impact and frustration with nonprofit inefficiencies led to the creation of Zeffy—a fee-free fundraising platform ensuring nonprofits receive 100% of donations, supported by a voluntary tipping model.