The Savvy Founder

Trevor Thoma, CEO, and Co-founder for Rideshine, authentically shares some fantastic advice on product-market-fit; over-coming competition; hiring; market size; listening to the customer; showing up like you belong. On competition – “We treat hurdles like opportunities. If you were running from point A to point B with 100 other people, and there were no hurdles, […]

In this episode, we expand on Episode 42, Neil Shah’s “Surface Area of Luck” – Are some founders just luckier?  We share two different examples of how luck works. The first is the “lucky” pivot. Second, you might already be in a “sea of luck” and just not know it’s there.

In this episode, Neil Shah shares his startup founder journey from apprentice to journeyman and towards master.  Neil shares stories about his first startup, a social enterprise; and then joining a corporate job, only to realize entrepreneurship was his path forward.  He also shares an early mistake – the right major, the wrong school, but really it […]

Another real conversation with a real entrepreneur, Ethan Glass. In this episode, Ethan shares his journey on what it takes to tackle industry and build a great business.  In that journey, Ethan has become nationally recognized serving as the chair for the 40Under40 National Parking Association board. Ethan talks about his early days, just volunteering and […]

In this Episode, Shark Tank Season 13 Episode 11- teaches us something about Focus and Coachability. On Shark, Lori Greiner asked Leila Sham, founder of TA3, would you consider licensing your swimsuit shaping product. The response “I’d never do that”.  With that, the last shark was “out” and Leila didn’t get a deal. I’m sure the […]

Be inspired. Take a listen to some excellent advice from someone who left corporate, as a linear thinker to become a successful blue ocean creative entrepreneur. Justin’s advice: Building is intense, subdue intensity, by breaking things into small steps Focus on one thing at a time Share your aspiration with the world and put it […]

In this episode, we share the three most important tips to shorten your startup journey. No matter if you are seasoned CEO, startup founder, or future leader – these three tips, what we call a mental model, will serve you well. We cover: Mental Models – what are they?  Google-like keyword phrases to help us […]

Silicon Valley Bank reports that there are over 200 startup accelerators in the United States. They each have a different model and value proposition. In this conversation, I sit down with Operate Studio’s founder and president Carey Ransom, to understand their approach to the venture studio model, to get startups thru the J-curve (an initial loss followed by steep rise.). We discuss • How Operate Studio came to be a “company building company.” • The startup founder’s mindset and how with a thousand choices then can stay focused. • The venture capital markets public relations machine and its effect on startup founders. • Pitch decks and how they pretend to have all the answers. • The venture studio model across the country. • Operate Studios investment thesis – “We optimize for lovable founders” – just about anything, consumer, entertainment, B2B, fintech, anything-tech but not healthtech

Silicon Valley Bank reports that there are over 200 startup accelerators in the United States. They each have a different model and value proposition. In this conversation, I sit down with Operate Studio’s founder and president Carey Ransom, to understand their approach to the venture studio model, to get startups thru the J-curve (an initial […]

In this episode of The Savvy Founder, I have a great conversation with Michelle Seiler Tucker, author of “Exit Rich: The 6 P Method to Sell Your Business for Huge Profit.  Founders might think building a great business begins with the idea, but Michelle says to “Exit Rich” begin with the exit in mind.  To have a […]

As the year winds down, and I reflect on all the conversations and brilliant guests. I realized the “founder” attitude is a remarkable mindset. Our world is changing rapidly – socially, economically, technologically. Small businesses that were successful and had a great business model are struggling to keep up with the pace of change. To […]

Worried about communicating well? Worried about presenting your pitch deck? Then listen up. It’s no wonder that this episode is an easy-flowing conversation with communications coach, Rachel Randolph.  We discuss how to become a better communicator. We cover how communications impact everything the founder does from pitching to investors, to communicate to customers. We cover what […]

In this episode, I interview Andrea White-Kjoss from the Long Beach Accelerator. The accelerator is a unique public-private partnership, that in 4-months helps the start-up identify and focus on the 3 most impactful time-bound activities that will move them forward.   They are off to a stellar start with some fantastic results with $5M total funding and […]

What is the most important startup founder skill? Communications In this episode, I talk about the 6 critical Savvy Founder “soft skills” And why I think communications is the most critical. Communications Critical Thinking Leadership Teamwork Flexibility Time Management About the Host: Philip Topham is The Savvy Founder. Philip has an inquisitive mind and a […]

In this episode, I  sit down with Dina Abdul Majeed. Dina is a female entrepreneur, building an international startup in a male-dominated Middle East world.  She shares her inspiring startup journey and many insights.  This episode is fantastic for all entrepreneurs worried about starting the entrepreneurial journey when they don’t know anything about business; and will be particularly […]