Internet Empires with Ish Verduzco
Ish Verduzco interviews the best internet entrepreneurs unpacking how they built their empires (and how you can too).
Episodes
Chris Bakke is a 3x founder whose latest startup, Laskie, was acquired by Elon Musk just 90 days after a viral tweet. He’s worked at the intersection of recruiting, SaaS, and media—and even helped build the X Hiring platform from inside Twitter. In this episode, Chris shares the full unfiltered story of building, selling, and walking away.
You’ll Learn:
- How Chris Bakke shares how one viral tweet led to a DM from Elon Musk and the...
Ish sits down with Car Dealership Guy (CDG) — the anonymous Twitter account turned media mogul of the auto industry. What started as a pseudonymous experiment to blow off steam has evolved into a trusted, fast-scaling content empire serving 50,000+ car dealers and generating millions in sponsorship and service revenue. From bootstrapped marketing stunts to becoming the most trusted voice in auto — this is a masterclass in audience-...
Andrew Yeung is a former Google PM turned event powerhouse who built a $1M+ business by hosting curated IRL experiences. After quitting Google with $0 in income and a visa that required him to earn fast, Andrew went all-in on community-building through tech events, dinners, and conferences.
You’ll learn:
- How Andrew made $400K in just two months post-Google
- The exact playbook that gets sponsors to pay him to host events
- How he runs ...
Zach Yadegari, the founder of Cal AI, a groundbreaking app that simplifies calorie tracking with AI technology. Zach shares his journey from a fitness enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur, discussing how Cal AI allows users to track calories by taking pictures of their food. Discover insights into Zach's entrepreneurial path, the app's rapid growth, and his innovative approach to influencer marketing.
https://www.calai...
Justin Moore is a Sponsorship Coach, author, and the founder of Creator Wizard, a school & community that teaches you how to find & negotiate your dream brand partnerships so that you stop leaving thousands on the table.
In this episode, you'll hear how Justin Moore helps creators land big sponsorships:
- Breaks down his frameworks: ROPE, ARC, and DO Rule
- Explains why psychographic data beats follower count
- Live walkthr...
Brett Dashevsky is a leading voice in the creator economy as the founder of Creator Economy NYC, the industry’s leading network and knowledge hub, connecting thousands of content creators and industry professionals through in-person events and insightful media.
Brett Explains:
- His transition to becoming a full-time creator
- The significance of building a community within the creator economy
- Creator monet...
In this conversation, Andrew Gazdecki shares insights on the B2B SaaS landscape, detailing the steps involved in buying and selling businesses, the importance of due diligence, and common pitfalls to avoid. He discusses valuation multiples for various business types and emphasizes the importance of preparation and flexibility in the selling process. The conversation also explores the impact of no-code tools on product trust and hig...
In this engaging conversation, Eric Zhu shares his unconventional journey from high school to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of taking investor calls in the bathroom, the evolution of his startup Aviado, and the unique marketing strategies that led to his viral fame. Eric also delves into his latest venture, sperm racing, and offers insights on navigating the startup world as a young founder. Throug...
In this conversation, Manny Reyes, founder of Boletin Growth, discusses the significance of newsletters in the digital landscape, emphasizing the importance of owning an audience rather than relying on social media platforms. He shares insights into his process of helping creators grow their newsletters through paid ads, the strategies for effective ad creation, and the importance of simple landing pages. Manny also provides a cost...
In this conversation, Kyle Reidhead shares his journey from a corporate job in Toronto to becoming a successful entrepreneur living in Bali. He discusses the freedom and opportunities of being a digital nomad, the strategic acquisition of the Milk Road newsletter, and the importance of building an audience before launching products. Kyle also delves into the operational changes post-acquisition, the role of AI in automating content...
In this conversation, Jay Yang shares his philosophy on life and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of taking initiative and not waiting for permission. He discusses his new book, which outlines a permissionless approach to creating opportunities and introduces the TAG method for effective outreach. Jay reflects on his journey as a young entrepreneur, the lessons from failures, and the significance of networking and data-...
In this conversation, Ish and Lia Haberman discuss the importance of building relationships and mentorship in career growth, the value of networking, and how creativity often arises from constraints. They explore the evolving creator economy, the transition from employee to creator, and the significance of lifelong learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing landscape.
Where to Find Lia
h5P9epTU...
In this conversation, Molly shares her journey into the world of venture capital and media, detailing her experiences from college to building a successful newsletter and podcast. She discusses the importance of mentorship, the evolution of her career, and how she balances multiple roles while maintaining a unique personality in the investing space.
In this conversation, Ben Rubin, the founder of Meerkat, Houseparty, and Towns, shares his insights on building social apps, the importance of meaningful connections, and the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. He discusses the role of architecture in creating digital spaces, the significance of first experiences in startups, and how to navigate anxiety while fostering a fun and engaging user experience
Where to Find B...
In this conversation, Jason shares his journey as the founder of MemeLord Technologies, a unique software that combines meme creation with marketing strategies. He discusses his transition from ghostwriting to entrepreneurship, the innovative features of his software, and the integration of a SaaS model with an agency approach. Caleb also highlights success stories from clients who have leveraged memes for business growth and share...
Episode Summary
In this conversation, Brett from Designjoy discusses the challenges of success, the impact of AI on design, and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. He shares insights into his daily routine, the process of launching productized services, and the significance of building a distribution machine for business growth. Brett also reflects on his experiences in a recent design competition and his plans, empha...
Episode Summary
In this conversation, Isaac French shares his journey from building Live Oak Lake, a unique micro resort, to creating a creative workspace called The Nook. He discusses the challenges and successes of his entrepreneurial ventures, including the importance of community engagement, direct bookings, and the power of storytelling in content creation. Isaac also reflects on his recent success on Twitter and how he has bui...
Episode Summary
In this conversation, Kevin Espiritu shares his journey of becoming a successful gardening content creator and entrepreneur. He discusses the evolution of his brand, Epic Gardening, the challenges of scaling a business, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experience. Kevin also delves into product development strategies and the importance of community engagement in the gardening space.
Where to Find Kevin
In this conversation, Ish and Ben discuss his podcasting journey, from the initial idea to the challenges of growth and monetization. Ben shares insights into his creative process, the importance of storytelling, and how he navigates the podcasting landscape. They also touch on the role of technology and AI in enhancing the podcasting experience and the strategies for audience engagement and distribution.
Where to Find Ben Wilson
Jack shares his multifaceted career journey from graphic design to freelancing and entrepreneurship. He discusses his early influences, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges faced in the agency world.
Jack emphasizes the need for honest feedback and the lessons learned from tough experiences, ultimately leading him to pursue his path in the creative industry. He discusses the challenges of working in a traditional agency...
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