Join Connor Tomkies in this exciting episode of the Made It Podcast as he chats with Darrell Lerner, the man behind All Paws and Snap Interactive. Discover how Darrell transitioned from revolutionizing online dating to creating a successful platform connecting dogs with their forever homes. Listen as Darrell shares the unconventional journey of founding Snap Interactive, leveraging Facebook's app platform, and the unexpected challenges of taking a company public. Learn how his passion for pets led to the inception of All Paws and his unique approach to matchmaking for dogs. Darrell also delves into the thrilling rollercoaster of scaling a startup, raising millions, and the intense due diligence of selling a company. This episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, the pet industry, and the evolving world of social media influencers. Don't miss out on Darrell's fascinating stories and valuable lessons!
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Chapters:
[00:00:00] Welcome and Introduction
[00:00:27] Focus on Dogs
[00:00:45] Connecting with Dog Genetics
[00:01:05] Starting All Paws
[00:01:34] Creating a Pet Matchmaking Service
[00:02:22] From Snap Interactive to All Paws
[00:03:00] The Concept of Tinder for Pets
[00:04:02] Leaning into Online Dating Experience
[00:04:45] Filtering for the Perfect Pet
[00:05:24] Early Success of Snap Interactive
[00:06:00] The Premise of Snap Interactive
[00:07:55] Viral Growth on Facebook
[00:09:15] Unexpected Publicity Boost
[00:10:55] Stock Market Surge
[00:12:30] Raising Capital and Scaling
[00:13:57] Challenges of Being Public
[00:15:00] Insider Trading Restrictions
[00:16:00] Navigating Public Perception
[00:17:00] Leaving Snap Interactive
[00:18:17] Due Diligence Challenges
[00:20:33] Transitioning After the Sale
[00:22:11] Taking Time Off
[00:25:15] Adjusting to Life Post-Sale
[00:26:15] Exploring the Influencer Economy
[00:28:15] Monetizing Influence
[00:30:15] Building Brands with Influencers
[00:31:45] Lessons Learned and Next Steps
[00:34:45] Where to Find Darrell Lerner
Darrell's Stuff:
Website: https://www.darrelllerner.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrelllerner/
X: https://x.com/DarrellLerner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlerner2112/
My Stuff:
Podcast: https://www.madeitpod.com/
Website: https://www.connortomkies.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ConnorTomkies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connortomkies/
