Founder Secrets with Taylor and Flaviu

Founder Secrets with Taylor and Flaviu

Join Taylor (@ttrusty) and Flaviu (@FlaviuSim) as they interview inspiring founders, and discuss entrepreneur ideas, news, experiences, struggles and successes. This is Founder Secrets. Watch the episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@foundersecretspod

Episodes

November 13, 2025 33 mins

Join us as Varun Bansal, founder and CEO of eLtru, shares how he left a 15-year career in finance to build a furniture company rooted in precision, transparency, and trust. What started as a personal leap into manufacturing has evolved into a fast-growing business redefining how office and home furniture is designed, produced, and delivered.


In this episode, Varun opens up about what it really takes to transition industries, navigat...

Mark as Played

Join us as Andrei Papancea, Co-Founder and CEO of NLX, shares how his company is redefining conversational AI for the real world. With deep experience building voice and chat applications for global enterprises, Andrei reveals how NLX empowers teams to create AI-driven conversations that are practical, scalable, and grounded in business logic.


In this episode, Andrei opens up about his journey from early NLP experiments to partn...

Mark as Played

Join us as Panos and Antonis, two young founders from Greece, share their bold mission to reinvent online giving through Givelink, a donation platform that transforms every euro or dollar into tangible, trackable impact.


Straight out of university and driven by frustration with Europe’s slow startup mindset, they built a transparent system where donors can see exactly what their money delivers, from hygiene kits to children’s to...

Mark as Played

In this episode of Founder Secrets, Nathaniel Hill - founder of Broadway Plus - shares how he built one of Broadway’s most innovative businesses.

From managing Hamilton in its early days to connecting global audiences with Broadway stars, Nathaniel turned his love of theater into a thriving multi-million-dollar company. He breaks down how Broadway businesses operate, why most shows lose money, and how he reinvented live entertainmen...

Mark as Played

In this candid episode of Founder Secrets, host Taylor sits down with Jennifer Williams, the founder behind the beloved custom pet replica company, Cuddle Clones. Jennifer shares the rollercoaster journey of creating a brand that resonated deeply with pet owners, starting from a rough prototype to generating millions in revenue and a successful sale in 2021.

Learn how the team dealt with manufacturing complex, one-off products in a ...

Mark as Played

Join us on this episode of Founder Secrets as we dive into the incredible journey of Chad Coulter, founder of the rapidly expanding breakfast concept, Biscuit Belly!

Chad shares his story of leaving a career in pharmacy to build a restaurant empire from scratch. Discover the secrets to Biscuit Belly's success, the challenges of franchising, and invaluable advice for any entrepreneur looking to scale. Get ready for a dose of insp...

Mark as Played

In this episode of Founder Secrets, Collin Hart (ERE Healthcare Real Estate) reveals how doctors secretly build wealth through real estate. From hidden investment strategies to why companies like Starbucks rent instead of own, Collin shares the insider knowledge that every entrepreneur and investor needs.

You’ll also hear his productivity hacks, why discipline beats motivation, and how finding your business niche can change everythi...

Mark as Played

In this episode of Founder Secrets, Principal Engineer at Microsoft Jeff Harrington takes us through his career journey — from early coding experiments to building the restaurant-tech startup Cardoona, and eventually returning to the corporate world. Jeff shares candid insights on fundraising challenges, breaking into relationship-heavy industries, and how AI agents are changing the future of software development. Whether you’re a ...

Mark as Played

In this engaging conversation, Arian Radmand shares his experiences with technology, particularly focusing on his journey with IgnitePost and CoachUp. He discusses the evolution of IgnitePost, the importance of handwritten communication in a digital world, and the challenges of funding and profitability. Arian emphasizes the significance of personal connections in business and how IgnitePost differentiates itself in a competitive m...

Mark as Played

Jon Matzner shares his journey from government work to entrepreneurship, discussing the importance of building a global team and the innovative membership model of his company, Sagan. He emphasizes the challenges of scaling small businesses, particularly in the home services sector, and the role of AI and automation in transforming traditional business practices. Matzner also highlights the significance of co-founders, effective co...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Kyle Matthys shares his journey as a young entrepreneur passionate about sustainability and community building. He discusses his work with Triibe.us, a nonprofit supporting youth-led initiatives in climate action, and his role at Turtle.com, a 102-year-old energy company focusing on sustainability. Kyle emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and funding for young nonprofits, while also addressing the c...

Mark as Played
June 13, 2025 38 mins

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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 ...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Ruthie's Table 4

    For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.