Designing Successful Startups

Chris Markowski

Bio

Chris Markowski founded Markowski Investments in 1995, which is an SEC Registered Investment Advisory. Chris is a champion for the individual investor and an investor advocate. Chris hosts theWatchdog on Wall Street radio show which airs on about 150 stations (across the Radio America Network). He is a talented and engaging guest that your listeners will love as you explore timely news topics & headlines, financial issues, markets, and more. No one covers the relationship between Washington and Wall Street quite like Chris does! Chris has been a guest on Fox Business, Newsmax, Cheddar, and many mo...

Jyothy Vemu

Bio

Jyothi Vemu is the founder and Managing Director of Futurebytes, a STEM.org-accredited education company in Silicon Valley offering hands-on STEM learning in coding, robotics, AI, and 3D printing for K–8 students. A former engineering professor from India, she launched Futurebytes to close STEM gaps for girls and underserved communities. Under her leadership, it has grown to multiple centers and earned widespread recognition. Jyothi has been featured in multiple magazines and is a 2025 Enterprising Woman of the Year, a Woman Changing the World Award winner in Education, a 2025 AAPI Leadership Award honoree, an...

Zulfiya Forsythe

Bio

It all started with a simple question: “There has to be a better way, right?”

I began my career in accounting, spending countless hours buried in spreadsheets. The inefficiencies were frustrating, and I knew there had to be a smarter way. That curiosity led me to discover automation and data analytics, starting with Visual Basic and SQL. The first time I watched millions of data rows transform in seconds, I was hooked.

That passion pushed me to transition into the world of data, where I deep dived into data...

Jose Berlanga

Jose Miguel Berlanga is the co-founder of Tricon Homes, an industry leader with yearly revenues of $100 million. As CEO, he has structured deals, invested, and negotiated land acquisitions and sales transactions in excess of a billion dollars, while managing the day-to-day operations and building close to 2,000 homes to date. 

A graduate from the university of St. Thomas with multiple degrees in Business Administration, Economics, and Philosophy, Jose’s discipline and methodic approach allows him to create customized strategies to maximize the potential of each project. His passion for business and life has led him...

Summary

The discussion with Anne Claessen centers on the profound intersection of podcasting and entrepreneurship, emphasizing that the establishment of a sustainable cash flow can significantly enhance one's ability to serve an audience effectively. As the CEO of Cash Flow Podcasting, Anne elucidates the importance of consistency in content creation, advocating for a commitment of at least one year to truly gauge a podcast's potential impact. Throughout our conversation, we delve into her journey from podcast coach to CEO, exploring her insights on navigating the challenges of team mergers and marketing efforts. Anne's candid reflections on the...

Shalabh Gupta

Bio

Shalabh Gupta, MD, is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of Unicycive, bringing a mission-driven approach to solving complex problems through innovation. A physician by training, Shalabh has founded three biotech companies and has deep experience navigating both public and private markets. He built Unicycive from the ground up—starting with no funding or assets—and took it public on Nasdaq as the company’s sole full-time employee. Shalabh credits his success to the support of friends, mentors, and the many individuals who have contributed to his journey, directly and indirectly.

Summ...

Roberto Cipriani

Bio

Summary

Roberto Cipriani, the founder of Paper, elucidates the transformative journey of his educational technology company, which aims to democratize access to tutoring across North America. Launched initially as Grade Slam in early 2014, the company evolved through a rebranding in 2020, recognizing the inadequacies of its original name. Cipriani's commitment to providing affordable educational support stems from his own academic experiences and the desire to offer the same support he received to those in need. Throughout this podcast, I delve into the intricacies of navigating product-market fit, the significance of understanding cu...

Bio

Ashlee Lena Turner is the CEO and founder of The Pocket Panty (TPP), a brand that offers small, discreet, individually wrapped panties—tiny enough to fit in a purse, glove compartment, gym bag, or even most back pockets. They’re the perfect solution for a quick and accessible spare pair after an intense workout, a last-minute overnight stay, an unexpected tinkle from laughing too hard at happy hour, or for women who experience occasional incontinence.

Ashlee’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2006 when she opened Sweet Sugar, a candy lounge on Melrose Blvd. in Los Angele...

Alessandro Grampa

Bio

I’m a serial impact entrepreneur on a mission to bridge ancient wisdom and modern science for peak performance. Founder of Wholegrain Wisdom—and with 11+ years in the startup world—I blend mindful living (I’m a Buddhist and digital nomad) with practical scientific biohacking protocols. I’m dedicating my life to helping people thrive and I do this by sharing the wisdom I learnt myself on the trenches.

Intro

In our engaging discourse, we delve into the profound insights of Alessandro Grampa, a distinguished serial entrepreneur who embodies t...

Zara Hajihashemi

Bio

Zara spent six years at Apple as a tech lead and AI scientist, driving innovation and delivering impactful projects. Inspired by her personal experiences and driven by her passion for women’s health, she founded Cybele Health an AI-powered platform designed to help women proactively manage their health and well-being.

Intro

Zara Hajihashemi's journey from Iran to the United States is emblematic of resilience and innovation, and serves as the focal point of our discourse. In this episode, we delve into her profound commitment to transforming women's healthcare th...

Bio

Krenar Komoni is an entrepreneur that has developed breakthrough ideas in transportation, logistics, wireless electronics, and data analytics for nearly a decade. As an innovator and market leader, he has successfully developed and led cross-functional teams while enhancing business performance in sales, finance, supply chain logistics, distribution, and manufacturing. Most recently, Krenar founded the global supply chain visibility company, Tive, headquartered in Boston, that provides a cloud-based platform and IoT sensors to capture critical real-time ground-truth data of shipments throughout the globe. Krenar embodies the leadership, management, and vision necessary to deliver market innovation, drive growth...

Bio

Sarah Porter, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of MedDefend, a healthtech startup dedicated to reducing diagnostic timelines for chronic and autoimmune conditions through AI-powered care navigation and clinical insights. With nearly a decade of experience building early stage startups in a sales and go to market capacity, she pivoted to launching her own company after experiencing a five year misdiagnosis. Backed by Techstars and JP Morgan Chase, MedDefend is transforming patient care by leveraging AI to provide faster, more accurate diagnoses. Sarah is passionate about bridging gaps in healthcare and technology, improving patient outcomes, and...

Summary

Håkan Andersson, a noteworthy Swedish entrepreneur, embarks on a compelling narrative that delineates his evolution from spearheading the initiative to ban smoking on airplanes to revitalizing his logistics consulting firm from the precipice of insolvency. His innovative methodologies, which starkly contrast conventional consulting paradigms, emphasize transparency over mystique, thus empowering clients to seek his services rather than the opposite. Throughout our discourse, Håkan shares invaluable insights gleaned from navigating the tumultuous waters of the business landscape, including the existential challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the pivotal strategies employed to ensure sustainability and gr...

Bio

Born and raised in Eugene/Springfield, Oregon swimming in rivers, playing teenage mutant ninja turtles role playing games, playing music, having fun. Attribute much of my success to high school teachers who cared about the students at Springfield High. First job was at Figaro's Take And Bake Pizza, then VP of family construction company at 21, then worked his way into the engineering world helping design MEP systems for institutions like universities, VA, hospitals etc. From 2015-2023 helped as VP, Chief Strategy Officer, Interim CEO and President to take Arcimoto from a napkin sketch to a billion...

Summary

The primary focus of our discussion with Ken revolves around the mission of Bioforge, which seeks to revolutionize the manufacturing processes of precision biological medicines, particularly cell and gene therapies. Ken articulates the vision of making these groundbreaking treatments more affordable and accessible, addressing the unsustainable costs that currently range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per treatment. Throughout our conversation, we explore the intricate dynamics of innovation and the translational journey from scientific discovery to practical applications that can significantly enhance people's lives. Ken shares his insights on the pivotal role of leadership...

Bio

Sarah Porter, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of MedDefend, a healthtech startup dedicated to reducing diagnostic timelines for chronic and autoimmune conditions through AI-powered care navigation and clinical insights. With nearly a decade of experience building early stage startups in a sales and go to market capacity, she pivoted to launching her own company after experiencing a five year misdiagnosis. Backed by Techstars and JP Morgan Chase, MedDefend is transforming patient care by leveraging AI to provide faster, more accurate diagnoses. Sarah is passionate about bridging gaps in healthcare and technology, improving patient outcomes, and...

Bio

Forward thinking founders and visionary leaders turn to Jeffrey Van Dyk when they’re Innovating the Invisible™—pioneering transformative work that activates new markets, reshapes industries, and inspires change. Jeffrey possesses a rare genius for turning bold ideas into messaging and marketing that forges new markets and sparks deep connections with ideal buyers.

An international speaker and mentor, Jeffrey’s career highlights include collaborating with global leaders in Colombia, Israel, and at Microsoft, where he designed speaker training systems, working directly with luminaries like Bill Gates, Marc Benioff and Peter Jennings. Jeffrey bridges the gap betw...

Summary

The conversation with Sam Morris elucidates the profound journey of adaptation and resilience that arises in the face of life-altering challenges. Following a catastrophic spinal cord injury that rendered him paraplegic, Sam shares his experience of navigating the complex interplay between acceptance and the instinct to fight against perceived limitations. He emphasizes that true strength lies not in battling one's circumstances, but in embracing them, a revelation that transformed his understanding of identity and capability. Sam's insights extend into his professional realm, where he now channels his experiences into coaching others through his Zen Warrior Training...

Summary

Gwen Hannema shares his insights on the challenges and triumphs of launching medtech startups, highlighting the critical importance of having a solid shareholder agreement to avoid potential pitfalls. With a multilingual background and a personal connection to the medical field through family experiences with back pain, Gwen emphasizes the value of grit and perseverance in the face of adversity. He discusses his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, revealing the lessons learned from previous startup failures and how they shaped his current venture, Orthosens. Gwen's innovative approach integrates implantable sensors into existing medical devices, aiming to revolutionize...

Summary

Roger Espasa, the esteemed founder and CEO of Semi Dynamics, engaged in a profound discourse on the intricacies of innovation within the realm of high-performance computing and machine learning. Central to our conversation was the notion that the journey of entrepreneurship is fraught with challenges, yet it is the persistent pursuit of completion and excellence that defines success. Espasa articulated his personal motivations for founding Semi Dynamics, stemming from experiences in larger corporations where pivotal projects were often abandoned, leaving him with a profound sense of frustration. He emphasized the significance of perseverance and the relentless...

Bio

David Urbanic has been fortunate to ride waves of tech innovation from developer tools and database systems to avatars and AI. He has worked in the trenches and the C-Suite and helped grow 10 startups, 4 of which he co-founded – the latest focused on conversational, symbolic, and transactional AI. Along the way he built the first customer service team at Netflix, launched some of the earliest VR/AR authoring tools, wrote imaging systems licensed to NASA and the Smithsonian, sold software in over 100 countries, and contributed to frameworks for AI ethics, governance, and policy. He is now CEO of...

Bio

Analisa Goodin is the Founder and CEO of Catch+Release, a venture-backed startup building a marketplace to support brands in building authentic, award-winning marketing campaigns, using content from anywhere on the web, while ensuring creators are compensated for their work. She is passionate about improv and the creator economy.

Intro

Analisa Gooden, founder and CEO of Catch and Release, discusses her innovative approach to licensing content from the internet, addressing the complexities of intellectual property in the digital age. Her company aims to create a seamless licensing layer that connects content creators...

Bio

Vivjan Myrto is the Founder and Managing Partner at Hyperplane where he focuses on early-stage investments in software and full-stack companies, leading the firm's investments in Dover Microsystems, Soft Robotics, Modulate, Tive, Butlr, and others. Vivjan bootstrapped his first software company from his college dorm room and co-founded two additional companies before starting Hyperplane in 2015. He is an active member of the Boston entrepreneurial ecosystem and serves as the director of various non-profit organizations.

Intro

Vivjan Myrto, founder and managing partner at Hyperplane, shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in Albania...

Bio

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and innovator with over two decades of experience in the media, entertainment, and consumer technology spaces. He’s exited several early stage startups including Sling Media and Dijit, as well as held leadership positions at companies such as CBS and WarnerMedia. 

Intro

Join Jothy Rosenberg as he speaks with Jeremy Toeman, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and innovator, about the challenges and opportunities in video marketing today. Jeremy highlights a striking statistic: 70% of businesses are not utilizing video marketing, which underscores a significant gap in the ind...

Intro

Charlotte Sika, founder and CEO of iamcultured.co, joins Jothy Rosenberg to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the importance of cultural awareness through curated experiences. Charlotte believes that anyone can achieve their goals if they are open to learning, willing to face failure, and ready to get back up again. She shares her unique perspective on courage as a habit, emphasizing that it grows stronger with each challenge faced. Originally from Nigeria, Charlotte’s diverse background and experiences have shaped her approach to business, allowing her to navigate complexities with confidence. Throughout their conversation, Charlotte reveals th...

Lior Arussy

Lior Arussy is one of the world’s leading authorities on customer experience, transformation and change, and founder of transformation firm Strativity Group. Arussy helped some of the world’s leading brands write their next chapter in their story through transformative process.  Arussy’s clients include Mercedes-Benz, Delta Airlines, Royal Caribbean Cruises, BMW, Cadillac, Novo Nordisk, MasterCard, The Met, Thomson Reuters, HSBC, E.ON, FedEx, SAP, and Johnson & Johnson, among others,

Recipient of several awards, Arussy is the author of ten books including Dare To Author! and Next is Now: 5 Steps for Embracing Change...

Gihan Amarasiriwardena, co-founder of Ministry of Supply, discusses the innovative approach his company takes towards performance clothing designed for the modern professional. With a background in engineering and a passion for outdoor activities, Gihan emphasizes the importance of materials innovation and versatility in clothing. He shares insights into the challenges faced by start-ups, particularly in the volatile post-pandemic market, and how they have adapted their supply chain to meet changing consumer demands. The conversation delves into Gihan's unique product testing methods, including his experiences biking across the country while wearing their apparel. Ultimately, Gihan envisions Ministry of Supply becoming...

Nico Torteli

Nico Torteli, a former Olympic swimmer and successful fintech entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from the competitive swimming world to the realm of startups. After a notable athletic career, which included breaking records and competing in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Nico transitioned into finance, co-founding multiple fintech companies in Brazil. His passion for sports and technology culminated in the creation of Sportidia, a social media platform designed to foster community and encourage physical activity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Throughout the conversation, Nico emphasizes the resilience and grit required both in sports and entrepreneurship, illustrating how...

Demi Oloyede

Demi Oloyede is a Veteran, dynamic entrepreneur and the founder of Limpiar, a cutting-edge cleaning service provider leveraging technology and sustainability to redefine industry standards. With a background in IT management and product development, Demi’s journey began as a first-generation immigrant who worked in cleaning services while putting herself through college. Her experiences and insights have fueled her mission to address challenges in the cleaning industry by building accessible, eco-conscious solutions. Demi is passionate about using entrepreneurship to create meaningful social impact, particularly in underserved communities, and has led Limpiar to become a trusted par...

Summary

Bennett Maxwell, a multifaceted entrepreneur and the founder of Dirty Dough Cookies, shares his inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and innovating in the competitive cookie market. He discusses the unexpected lawsuit from Crumble, a billion-dollar company, which initially seemed like a setback but ultimately became a catalyst for his brand's growth. With a focus on joy and fulfillment, Bennett emphasizes the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, especially after realizing that monetary success does not equate to happiness. He reflects on his experiences growing up in a large family and how that instilled a sense of...

Natalyn "Natty" Lewis

Natalyn O. Lewis, or Natty as everyone knows her, is a wife and mother of 4 beautiful children. As a former NCAA Division 1 athlete, she learned quickly the power of the mind on human achievement and has taken her drive and passion for sports and brought it into coaching and the business world. Natty has 25 years of business and entrepreneurial background. She's studied human behavior for years - why people start, but don't finish... what makes a high achieving person successful. What is the difference between someone that seems to have it all together and...

Intro

Jonathan Lowenhar, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO advisor, shares his insights on the journey of founders transitioning into effective CEOs. With nearly 30 years of experience, he has successfully navigated various roles in startups and large companies, ultimately leading him to create Enjoy the Work, a firm dedicated to helping founders develop their leadership skills. Throughout the conversation, Jonathan emphasizes the unique challenges faced by startup CEOs, particularly the lack of formal training and the overwhelming pressure to succeed. He reflects on his own path, highlighting the importance of grit and resilience, shaped significantly by the influences...

Bio

Alicia Cramer is a renowned mindset expert, an author, coach, consultant, and a serial entrepreneur. Having worked with hundreds of private clients for well over a decade - from startups to owners of multi-million-dollar companies, Alicia has an intimate understanding of the mindset pitfalls that affect entrepreneurs. Her clients include successful business professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs who are driven to take their personal and professional success to the next level. 

Summary

Imposter syndrome is a significant barrier for many startup founders, often preventing them from stepping into leadership roles, such as CEO. I...

Andrea Stefani, co-founder of OnCoSwab, is revolutionizing lung cancer detection through innovative, non-invasive testing methods. With lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer death globally, Andrea's work aims to simplify and enhance early diagnosis, echoing the success factors of COVID testing. Her journey began at a young age, fueled by a vision to impact global health, and she has already made significant strides as a recognized scientist in Europe. Throughout the conversation, Andrea shares her experiences as a female entrepreneur in STEM, the challenges she faced, and her commitment to inspiring the next generation of women in science...

Bio

Svetlana Kazantseva is a US-based entrepreneur and the founder of Strawberry Health, a women’s health startup empowering women to make proactive and data-driven health decisions.

A mother of 2 and the founder of 2 FemTech companies, she lived and worked in diverse locations such as Siberia, New Delhi, London, and California, and brings a unique global perspective to her work.

Svetlana is passionate about supporting women, she has established a thriving community of FemTech leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, she supports immigrant women facing language barriers through community initiatives.

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Bio

Julia Rivard Dexter is an impact tech entrepreneur, one of Canada’s top 50 Women in STEM she has been recognized as a leader in Global Growth and Innovation. Julia is CEO of Shoelace Learning, recognized in the top 20 innovative EdTEch platforms globally. Shoelace delivers learning through video games kids love and reaches over 6 million users in over 100 countries. She is an Olympian (2000) and mother of 4. 

Outside of Shoelace, she has been an associate for Creative Destruction Lab Atlantic and on the Prime Minister’s Economic Round Table for the Digital Industries. She is also a mem...

Bio

Caity Craver has spent nearly 30 years empowering nonprofit organizations through innovative software solutions that blend art, analytics, and artificial intelligence. Her career has been dedicated to amplifying the impact of nonprofits by centralizing marketing success and simplifying the fundraising process.

As the founder of DonorTrends, a pioneering analytics company, Caity revolutionized how organizations target donors with precision. Now, with the launch of the Impact Hub, she is bringing together decades of expertise into one comprehensive platform. The Impact Hub integrates marketing campaign management, creative and asset management, analytics, and success showcasing, all tailored exclusively...

Kelly Bruno Bio

Kelly Bruno is a Board certified physician in anesthesiology and pain medicine, currently practicing at Yale University. She's also an avid athlete, competing in abled body and para sports since she was 14 years old, in everything from track and field to ultramarathons and Ironmans. Currently she's chasing a record in the marathon. Combining her interest in medicine and sports, she previously co-founded a training company called Complete Human Performance and is now pivoting to longevity and performance medicine.

Intro

Kelly, a woman who was born without a complete leg, shares...

Summary

Saul Orbach discusses his background and his experiences living in different places, including New Jersey, Manhattan, Queens, and Israel. He shares how he ended up working in Silicon Valley and Maryland before returning to Israel. Jothy Rosenberg and Saul Orbach then discuss their time at Angle Technologies, a British company that focused on investing in super early-stage technologies in universities and labs. They talk about the challenges of working with tech transfer officers and researchers, as well as the potential of the investment model. They also discuss the technology behind creating indistinguishable digital doubles for movies...

Summary

Ray Bradbery, a former IT professional and entrepreneur, shares his journey from working in the IT department of a major bank to starting his own consulting practice and later owning a cafe and restaurant. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customers, doing thorough research before starting a business, and having the grit to overcome challenges. Ray also discusses the lessons he learned from his time at Borland, including the power of saying yes and the importance of product management. He shares stories of successful entrepreneurs he has worked with and highlights the need for optimism and...