The Founder Podcast

In this episode of The Founder Podcast, host Chris Lee interviews Noah Kagan, the founder and CEO of AppSumo. Kagan shares the story of how he built AppSumo from a side project launched in 2010 to a company now doing nine figures in annual revenue. Kagan discusses his early career working at companies like Facebook and what he learned from being fired from both roles. He talks about starting AppSumo as a way to capitalize on opportunities in the Facebook platform and iPhone app markets. Kagan also shares tactics like using elite advisors to accelerate his learning. Listeners will learn about Kagan's philosophy on work, including his belief that everyone should aim to become an entrepreneur. He discusses principles like getting started now rather than worrying about how something will work. Kagan also talks about overcoming the two biggest fears holding most people back - starting and asking. The episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs, including Kagan's view that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary success through consistent application of the right principles. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at Kagan's journey to build AppSumo into a nine-figure business through relentless experimentation and getting outside his comfort zone. Highlights: "Most innovation does not come from experts." "I would argue that everyone wants to be rich and have the ability to be rich." "What do you wanna work on for free? And how do you make that your career." Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction 04:35: Mark Zuckerberg's Leadership 11:23: Time Managment 18:50: Overcoming Fear 24:56: Asking For Sucess 29:24: Consitent Effort 38:12: Your Purpose 48:48: Mindset 55:00: Personal Growth Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this episode of The Founder Podcast, host Chris Lee and his guest, Levi Ringo, sit down to discuss the early days of building Solgen from the ground up. They share colorful stories from the company's origins in Chris's home garage in rural Washington. Listeners get a first-hand look at the challenges of bootstrapping a solar installation business with no outside funding. Chris and Levi reminisce about crazy experiences like taking on an ill-advised tree removal job and facing down a potential $1 million fine in their first year. They also celebrate the divine interventions that helped the fledgling company grow, from recruiting key early employees to securing a pivotal lease. Listeners learn how the founders' relentless vision and grit kept Solgen powered through adversity. Fans of the show will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurial grit in action. Business owners will gain valuable lessons in problem-solving, pivoting and building a successful startup culture from the ground floor. With humor and honesty, Chris and Levi take listeners on the wild ride of the early days that established Solgen as an industry leader in solar energy. Highlights: "Your level of belief is the biggest limiting factor that's keeping you from networking to the top." "I was just miserable. I just gotten out of like a failed sales venture. I was down I was living in my car for like six months at this time trying to figure out what the heck I'm going to do with my life." "I think it's really the power of living in the moment, right? Like, let me just take this thing, one bite at a time, because I'm gonna keep biting, right?" Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction 08:45: Importance Of Culture 16:40: Energy Crisis 26:04: Early Mistakes 36:14: Solar Business Day To Day 41:39: Tree Removal 50:24: Managing Stress 1:10:16: Personal Growth Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

For this weeks episode of The Founder Podcast I join Bridger Rodgers on her show, Bridging The Gap! This episode features an inspiring interview where Chris shares his story of filing for bankruptcy at a young age with $2.2 million in debt, and how he was able to bounce back from that low point. He discusses the lessons he learned around living for external validation versus his own goals. Chris also details how he grew his solar installation company Soldier Energy to $233 million in annual revenue and a $100 million acquisition, becoming one of the fastest growing companies in the US. Listeners will learn Chris's insights on skills like sales, marketing, team building and culture that he attributes to his success. It's an empowering story of perseverance and what it takes to scale a business to nine-figure exits! Highlights: "I stopped caring about what other people thought., it's been a gradual process. It wasn't all at once. But, you know, early in my career, I was doing things to like, look at me, business owner, drive the nice car, have the nice this or that or whatever, create the facade of success rather than being a successful person." "I want to be the highest priced in any industry I ever operating from, there's really only two ways that you can operate an industry either you got to be the cheapest, you got to do a make a sliver of profits across large scale billions and billions of dollars, or you got to be the most expensive otherwise, you're screwing yourself." "As a business owner, you have to understand sales, and I'm not talking retail sales, I'm talking high ticket getting being able to identify pain, create a motion, and close based off of a gap of pain and a solution that you provide." Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction 05:01: Growing Up 10:11: Overcoming Bankruptcy 15:31: Skill Development 20:09: Building Winning Culture 24:16: Leadership 35:51: Partnership 45:08: Mentorship 54:30: Building A Business Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Welcome to another episode of the Founder Podcast with your host, Chris Lee. Today, get ready to be inspired by Amin Shaykho, a trailblazing entrepreneur and software engineer.

Amin is the mastermind behind Kadama, an educational platform that soared to immense popularity with millions of users and a staggering social media following. His achievements have landed him a coveted spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and he's also a TED speaker. With tech expertise honed at Apple, where he contributed to projects like iMessage, Amin raised a remarkable $1.7 million seed round for Kadama.

In this episode, Chris welcomes Amin Shaykho to the show. Amin, at just 25 years old, is a bit different from other founders featured on the podcast. His tech platform, Kadama, connects students and tutors to get homework help. Chris dives into Amin's journey, discussing his background, experiences at Apple, and the evolution of Kadama through three distinct phases.

Amin shares the challenges of the initial phase, where Kadama aimed to be an affordable platform connecting users with various services. The startup faced a chicken-and-egg problem, leading them to pivot and focus solely on tutoring. Just as they were gaining traction in the in-person tutoring space, the pandemic hit, prompting a second pivot. Kadama adapted to the virtual environment and quickly became the most downloaded Gen Z tutoring app in 2020.

With millions of users, Kadama is not only an educational platform but also a social media powerhouse, boasting the second-highest follower count in the education category, just behind Duolingo. Amin emphasizes the flexibility of Kadama for both students and tutors, allowing them to connect whenever needed and setting their own rates.

Chris delves into Amin's background, including his time at Apple and the significant impact he made with the development of a feature in iMessage. Amin's entrepreneurial spirit shines as he reflects on the differences between corporate life and the thrill of being a startup founder.

Tune in to discover Amin's remarkable journey from a young entrepreneur with a vision to the founder of a groundbreaking education platform with global impact. Don't miss this episode filled with insights, lessons, and the entrepreneurial roller coaster experienced by Amin on the Founder Podcast..

Highlights:

"He is a very young founder, and he's got a really cool technology platform that he is building with Kadama. And 25 years old. Yeah. Man. So my listeners know, when I was 25 years old, like I was in the middle of my first startup, and about a year away from bankruptcy has, you know, it's always a physical roller coaster, to be honest, that's what I call it."

"I'm always intrigued by young entrepreneurs. Because, you know, really, the rule in entrepreneurship is, is a lot of time a lot of effort over a long period of time usually leads to results.

His achievements have landed him a coveted spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and he's also a TED speaker. Amin raised a remarkable $1.7 million seed round for Kadama, which achieved a number to peak ranking in the app stores' education category, amassing over 2.5 million followers and 1 billion views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram."

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction

04:15: Apple Experience

13:31: Tutoring Platform

17:10: Bootstrapping A Tech Company

25:38: Leadership

28:43: Future Plans Language Learning

33:50: What is Education?

40:44: Content For The Masses

46:35: Finding Solutions Vs. Who Has The Solutions

Live Links:

🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration

https://www.founderacceleration.com

🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind

https://www.thefoundermastermind.com

⛳️ Golf with Chris

https://www.golfwithchris.com

🎤 Watch my latest Podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this episode of the Founder Podcast, host Chris Lee interviews his longtime business partner and friend Daryl Kelly. Chris and Daryl share stories from their early days working together in pest control sales and the challenges that led them to start their first business venture together - a coupon book fundraiser. Daryl discusses growing up in a large family on a farm and the values of hard work and family that were instilled in him. Chris and Daryl also reminisce about memorable experiences over their 19 years working together, from competitions in wheelbarrows to daring dares to drink hot sauces. Join us for a fun look back at the friendship and entrepreneurial journey that started it all! Highlights: "Grew up fourth of eight kids. So grew up in a big family in the middle." "I think my dad and mom have always been principle based. You know, this is what we do. This is who we are, this is why we do it." - Daryl on lessons learned from his parents. "We won that contest. The wheelbarrow on a wheelbarrow haul baby, like obviously we had dinner and we've met before that but that was like the first like memory of like, really like doing something together." Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction 01:47: Childhood Memories 07:02: Growing Up 15:45: Family & Business 24:41: Coupon Book 33:16: Mentorship's 39:43: Policies & Politics 45:38: Conspiracies 54:33: Overcoming Struggles Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

This episode of the Founder Podcast features host Chris Lee interviewing serial entrepreneur Ian Prukner. Ian shares his background growing up in Michigan and his journey starting in network marketing after facing financial difficulties.

He discusses scaling his business to 48 locations and selling it for millions. Ian provides insights on principles of success like winning fully across faith, family, fitness, finance and future self. He describes tough times like losing business overnight and how he overcame challenges through discipline and commitment.

Ian offers a masterclass on recruiting through identifying pain points and making people feel special. Listeners will learn lessons on building a business through principles, mentoring others and more.

Highlights:

"My philosophy is ran by this faith, family, fitness, finance, future self, these are the five things, Chris that like, in my opinion, if we get them wrong, that is irreparable, irreparable damage."

"You can be disciplined, or somebody can discipline you, but there is no escaping the discipline, just like there's no escaping the pain, you can pick your pain, pick it now or pick it later. But you're gonna have to pick it."

"Recruit people away from where they are not to what you're doing. So another word for that is expose the nightmare and sell the dream."

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction

04:28: Quick Vs Long Term Success

09:20: Investing In Personal Growth

19:04: Short Vs Long Term Consequences

28:21: Leadership

31:23: Unethical Practices

40:44: Real Estate During Covid

50:19: Recruiting

Live Links:

🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration

https://www.founderacceleration.com

🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind

https://www.thefoundermastermind.com

⛳️ Golf with Chris

https://www.golfwithchris.com

🎤 Watch my latest Podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Join host Chris Lee on another exciting episode of The Founder Podcast, where he sits down with the renowned Dr. Chau Ong, a real estate guru with a unique approach to achieving financial freedom. Dr. Chau, formerly a pharmacist turned entrepreneur, has made a mark in the world of real estate by teaching thousands of individuals how to scale to a multiple six-figure income without massive upfront investments. In this episode, Dr. Chau shares his journey from immigrant beginnings, sleeping on a single mattress in a challenging neighborhood, to becoming a successful entrepreneur. With an MBA and a background in pharmacy, Dr. Chau decided to break free from the corporate grind and dive into the world of entrepreneurship. He reveals how he built an impressive Airbnb portfolio, garnering attention from industry giants like Tony Robbins and Grant Cardone. Chris, a seasoned real estate investor himself, explores the practicalities of Dr. Chau's methods and challenges him on the accessibility of such strategies for individuals with limited resources. Dr. Chau shares insights on mindset transformation and resourcefulness, emphasizing that anyone can overcome financial constraints with the right mindset and connections. Listeners get a glimpse into Dr. Chau's Financial Freedom Formula, where he breaks down the steps to achieving financial freedom through his unique approach. The conversation takes a turn towards mindset and personal development, with Dr. Chau revealing his commitment to continuous learning from industry elites like Tony Robbins and Richard Branson. Tune in to this episode of The Founder Podcast for an inspiring conversation that goes beyond real estate strategies, offering valuable insights into mindset, resourcefulness, and the pursuit of financial freedom. Learn how Dr. Chau's unconventional approach can empower everyday individuals to break free from the rat race and live life on their terms. Highlights: "It's not about me. It's about you. It's about leaving a legacy and helping people achieve their legacy." "Cash flow is king, cash flow is freedom." "The question to ask in business is not what kind of business do and the question to ask is, who is the ideal clients I want to serve?" Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction Dr. Chau BnB 01:34: Financial Freedom 07:35: Real Estate Investing 12:33: Overcoming Financial Obstacles 17:43: Personal Development 22:54: Investing in Yourself 27:39: Spirituality & Growth Live Links: Live Links: 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this vibrant episode of the Founder Podcast, we dive into the enthralling world of hiring all-stars! Get ready to discover how to attract top-tier talent to your organization and build a winning team. We kick off by exploring a fundamental truth: the essence of successful recruiting is salesmanship. If your sales game needs a boost, now's the time to level up! Read that book, tune into a sales podcast, or seek training from the world's leading sales experts. Then, we explore the topic of unraveling personalities using the DISC assessment. Don't miss this chance to gain invaluable insights into assembling a dream team for your business! Highlights: "You have to master the skill of influence. If you can't, you need to have a partner or somebody in your organization who can." "You don't have to be that personality to be a successful entrepreneur, you just have to balance yourself out." "If you are unwilling to stand up against me, I just believe that your opinion isn't that strong. And so I give people permission to fight against me, to conflict against me." Timestamps: (0:00) DISC Assessments in Hiring (3:56) Business Personality Types (7:04) Applying Personality Types (11:08) Personality Strengths/Weaknesses (14:29) Talent Recruitment Strategies Live Links:

For more information:www.thefounderdisc.com & www.thefounderdisc.com/employee

🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Get ready for a thrilling ride in this episode of the Founder Podcast, featuring the charismatic Jayson Waller, founder of Power Home Solar, known as Pink Energy. Jayson's entrepreneurial journey is a captivating tale of scaling a business to billion-dollar heights and facing sudden, steep challenges. In this candid conversation, he shares the rollercoaster of emotions and decisions involved in leading a high-stakes business.

This episode is a treasure trove of raw, honest insights, delving into the complexities of entrepreneurship, the impact of public perception, and the resilience required to navigate through tough times. It's a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the real stories behind business headlines – whether you're just starting out or have been in the game for years.

So, tune in as we explore Jayson's remarkable story, filled with valuable lessons, humor, and genuine reflections. His openness and hard-earned wisdom are not only inspiring but also a reminder of the relentless spirit of entrepreneurship. Let's embark on this journey of learning, inspiration, and a bit of laughter with Jayson Waller!

Highlights:

“I have an 80 20 rule... The bottom 20% are on a pit plan. If they can't get off the pit plan next month, they're fired.”

“Somebody else's opinion of you says more about them than it does about you.”

“It's okay to have your name on a business, but then you outgrow that.”

Timestamps:

0:00 - Building a billion-dollar business and its downfall. 2:50 - Company closure and product liability. 5:38 - Dealing with negative publicity and death threats. 8:31 - Building a successful company and dealing with criticism. 11:35 - Business struggles and recovery after losing $400 million. 14:24 - Business regrets and net worth reset. 18:03 - Entrepreneurship, reality TV, and personal life. 25:07 - The human side of reality TV and dealing with criticism. 29:11 - Overcoming haters and finding success. 32:27 - Entrepreneurship, business, and impact. 36:16 - Business name changes and marketing strategies. 40:16 - Overcoming failure and starting a comeback story. 43:26 - Aliens, mentors, and business success.

Live Links:

🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration

https://www.founderacceleration.com

🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind

https://www.thefoundermastermind.com

⛳️ Golf with Chris

https://www.golfwithchris.com

🎤 Watch my latest Podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

On this weeks enlightening episode of The Founder Podcast, I join the ConsistencyWins Podcast.

Listeners gain a deeper understanding of diminishing consumerism in business. I share invaluable insights, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a business that not only thrives sustainably but remains consistently productive. A must-listen for those aspiring to build a resilient business model immune to the shifts of consumer trends.

The conversation delves into the genesis of Solgen, my revolutionary vertically integrated solar company. We discuss the challenges we encountered in navigating the heavily regulated solar sector, underscoring the pivotal roles of a robust team and effective standard operating procedures in overcoming hurdles.

This episode transcends a mere interview; it serves as a masterclass in business and sustainability. Don't miss the opportunity to glean wisdom from my time on the ConsistencyWins Podcast.

Highlights:

“I utilize the law of management, which says no one person can manage more than five to eight people.”

“Once it becomes impossible to grow, then now it's time to hire and time to delegate.”

“So important in running a business that you have to own the truth and be willing to work with what is true.”

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction on ConsistencyWins Podcast

02:58: Overcoming Limited Beliefs

08:57: Importance Of Culture

14:45: Risk Taking

17:09: Entrepreneurship

28:08: Prioritizing Focus

35:47: DISC Assessment

40:41: 5-Year Growth Chart

50:59: Business Growth

Live Links:

🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration

https://www.founderacceleration.com

🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind

https://www.thefoundermastermind.com

⛳️ Golf with Chris

https://www.golfwithchris.com

🎤 Watch my latest Podcast

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast