This week we catch up with Taylor Jacobs live on Twitter Spaces! Taylor shares her journey of being acquired, running two companies at once, and what's next for Dabble and VoiceStar. Take a listen!
Reach out to Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorjacobs3/
Find out more about Dabble: https://www.dabblewithme.com/
Find out more about VoiceStar: https://starbar.ai/
Reach out to Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
An Axon Collective Podcast: https://axoncollective.com/
#foundersforge
This week we talk to Lisa Calder of Craving Space live on Twitter Spaces! Craving Space was born from Lisa's experience in high-end interior design and took shape into a product that is easy, modular, and obtainable to the masses. Lisa talks about how to build a trusted team, learning the engineering process, and some tips on getting started as a solo founder. Take a listen!
Reach out to Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-calder/
Find Craving Space online: https://craving-space.com/
Reach out to Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
An Axon Collective Podcast: https://axoncollective.com/
#foundersforge
This week we talk to Max Thalheimer of Fynd live on twitter spaces! Fynd is a state-of-the-art aggregation app for fun. Connecting restaurants and bars to people, adding value for both sides. It's a great listen about pivoting and finding product market fit. Take a listen.
Reach out to Max: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-thalheimer/
Find Fynd: getfynd.app
Reach out to Phill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-reed-a7743096/
Reach out to Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
An Axon Collective Podcast: https://axoncollective.com/
This week we talk to Jason Centeno, CEO of Trashmitter live on Twitter Spaces! Jason is hoping to solve the last-mile problem of trash with an “Uber-like” driver network with a crypto token incentive. Take a listen!
Reach out to Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncenteno/
Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedadnextdoor_/
Learn more about Trashmitter: https://trashmitter.com/
Reach out to Phill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-reed-a7743096/
Reach out to Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
An Axon Collective Podcast: https://axoncollective.com/
Welcome to Founder's Forge Raw by Axon Collective!
Every week we'll talk to a founder or thought leader live on Twitter Spaces! Join us Thursday's 5:00pm EST @founders_forge
In this episode, we introduce RAW and Phil Reed who will be hosting alongside Owen Goode and Marcus Smith.
This Podcast is a production of Axon Collective, LLC: axoncollective.com
Hosted by:
Marcus Smith: linkedin.com/in/marcusthesmith/
Owen Goode: linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
Phil Reed: linkedin.com/in/philip-reed-a7743096/
Interested in coming on the show? Reach out to us by email, or on Twitter!
#foundersforge
Today Owen talk's to Hunter Baker, co-founder of Leanr - a sales messaging automation tool for small businesses. Owen and Hunter talk about what its like to found a business while your still in college, the need for a tool like this, some of the difficulties of founding a business in a developing tech hub like Houston, and how Hunter found and partnered with his co-founder! Check it out!
Check out Leanr at https://www.tryleanr.com/
Find Hunter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterwbaker/
Hunter's recommended resource: https://www.mfmpod.com/
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter and Instagram!
#foundersforge
We're re-releasing a nearly year-old episode where Marcus interviews Mari Ramirez, one of Austin's most prolific CPAs and founder of multiple small businesses in Central Texas. Learn how she got her start in accounting, why most CPAs only do taxes and neglect bookkeeping, and how being an accountant actually just means you're a therapist. And just how important is math anyway?
Check out Open Bookkeeping, and download their free budget tool.
Find Mari on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricpa/
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter and Instagram!
#foundersforge
This week, Marcus talks to Weston Woodward. Weston is a producer, connector, and community builder based in Austin, TX. They dive head-first into what it means to be a connector and ecosystem builder and just how helpful they can be to founders. They also unpack what the heck an entrepreneurial ecosystem even is and how it’s changed in recent history.
Get in touch with Weston:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/westonwoodward/
Find out more about Iron Light Labs:
https://ironlightlabs.org/
Reach Out to Us:
Marcus Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusthesmith/
Axon Collective: https://axoncollective.com
#foundersforge
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter and Instagram!
#foundersforge
This week, Owen and Marcus have the incredible privilege of chatting with Brian McCullough, founder, author, and host of one of our favorite podcasts Techmeme Ride Home. We talk about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur, how there’s almost a stigma there, how the entire industry is in a shift, what it means to be a nerd and why it matters, and Brian shares his insight on whether or not now is a good time to start working on your own business, (spoiler alert: it is). Brian is one of the most knowledgeable people in the tech industry and his insights are vital to understanding the era we’re in and how we got here.
Get in touch with Brian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmcc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianmcc
Find out more about what Brian has going on:
The Techmeme Ride Home Podcast
How the Internet Happened: From Netscape to the iPhone
The Ride Home Fund
Brian's Book Recommendation:
The Prize by Daniel Yergin
Reach Out to Us:
Marcus Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusthesmith/
Owen Goode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
Axon Collective: https://axoncollective.com
#foundersforge
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter and Instagram!
This week, Marcus talks to Jonny Price, VP of Fundraising at Wefunder, a regulation crowdfunding platform built to allow non-accredited and accredited investors alike to easily and seamlessly invest in startups and their founders. Marcus and Jonny get into what regulation crowdfunding actually is, why Wefunder is attempting to transition away from that terminology, what makes your startup a good (or poor) fit for this kind of capital raising, and why they believe this is the future of the industry.
Get in touch with Jonny:
Jonny Price: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyprice/
Find out more about Wefunder:
https://wefunder.com
https://communityround.com
Learn more about angel investing:
https://wefunder.com/school
Learn more about raising on the platform:
https://wefunder.com/raise
Reach Out to Us:
Marcus Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusthesmith/
Axon Collective: https://axoncollective.com
#foundersforge
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter and Instagram!
We're back with the second part honoring some amazing female founders in our network. In this episode, Owen, Kristin, and Mercedes dive a little more into Kristin’s story and learn how and why education, activism, and encouragement are all so vital for women and other minority founders. They also get into some fascinating data surrounding remote work and how and why it affects demographics differently. And finally, they cover some crucial tips on how to start closing the equity gap in your own business and how keeping these factors in mind can help you succeed. Don't miss it!
Get in Touch with Kristin and Mercedes:
Kristin Bonds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-bonds-b2956120/
Mercedes Ballard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-ballard-6a854456/
Find Out More About Heristic.co:
https://heristic.co/
Reach Out to Us:
Owen Goode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
Axon Collective: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axon-collective/
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week, in honor of Women's History Month, Owen sits down with Kristin Bonds and Mercedes Ballard of Heristic. We touch on what makes women uniquely qualified, prepared, and empowered to thrive in the start-up world.... the advantages of leaning into your perspective when it comes to growing your business.... and finally how to find and get involved in like-minded communities and the critical role they play in founder success. Next week, in part 2, we’ll dive a little more into Kristin’s story and learn how and why education, activism, and encouragement is so vital for women and other minority founders. You won’t want to miss that episode or this one.
Get in Touch with Kristin and Mercedes:
Kristin Bonds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-bonds-b2956120/
Mercedes Ballard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-ballard-6a854456/
Find Out More About Heristic.co:
https://heristic.co/
Reach Out to Us:
Owen Goode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
Axon Collective: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axon-collective/
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen join's guest host Phill Reed in talking with Blake and Brandon Shirk, founders of SOVA Micro Room and Social Hotel. The Shirk twins are hoping to bring the hospitality and efficiency they experienced from their travels abroad to the US market. From tips on pitching and getting funded to finding design inspiration, you wont want to miss this special episode.
Get in Touch with Blake and Brandon:
Blake Shirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-shirk-96425378/
Brandon Shirk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-shirk-73a77359/
Find Out More About SOVA Hospitality:
https://sovahotels.com/
Reach Out to Us:
Owen Goode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
Phill Reed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-reed-a7743096/
Axon Collective: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axon-collective/
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus wrap up season 3 with Taylor Jacobs, founder of Dabble. Dabble offers exclusive memberships for complimentary food & drink items as well as access to events in the best spots all over Dallas. Some great learnings about being a solo founder, and being willing to pivot and experiment. Take a listen!
Emerald Labs: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emeraldlabspk/
Chris Gillan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgillan/
Capital Factory: https://www.capitalfactory.com/
Bigger Pockets Podcast: https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcast
The Female Founder Collective: https://www.femalefoundercollective.com/
Reach Out to Taylor and Dabble:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorjacobs3/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_taylorjacobs/
On the Web: https://www.dabblewithme.com/
Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dabble-dallas/id1586353151
Reach Out to Us:
Owen Goode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendavidgoode/
Marcus Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusthesmith/
Axon Collective: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axon-collective/
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus sit down with Alison Gorman, founder of TruFaves. TruFaves is attempting to be a private, closed-circle version of something like Yelp where friend groups can share things they recommend. We got to chat with Ali about the woes of becoming a software founder without a technical background, pivoting from being a registered nurse, to reporter, to startup founder, and partnering with an accelerator.
Intellectual Property with Steve Pearson
Cila Labs
The Lean Startup
The Startup J Curve
How I Built This
Philly Startup Leaders
1 Million Cups
Connect with Alison:
https://trufaves.com
info@getmyfaves.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aligorman/
https://www.instagram.com/aligorman/
Want to come on the show?
Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus sit down with FlexDesk CEO and Co-Founder Clark Jacobs. FlexDesk provides companies with a central tool to distribute access to on-demand workspaces, set spend and space access policies, uncover valuable engagement data, and reduce the burden of admins managing it all. This is the second time we've talked to Clark, and is a great example on the importance and learnings of pivots and market research.
Check out the last time we talked to Clark here: Episode 6
Get in touch with Clark: Clark on LinkedIn
Find FlexDesk online: FlexDesk.com
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus sit down with self-labled ‘dadtrepreneur’ Carl Starkey, co-founder of AWSM Sauce Co. Carl and his co-founder have sky-rocketed to startup success over the course of just a few months with their zero-waste sauce concept. This is a great episode full of advice and fascinating stories of how they went from coaches to founders in a matter of months.
Find Carl on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carlstarkey
Find AWSM Sauce online: awsmsauce.co
Shortcut Your Startup: goodreads.com
Come on the Show!
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus talk to Alicia Hawley, founder of Donally and subsequently Any Help Appreciated. She's a life long entrepreneur and deeply committed to helping her community. It's a great listen!
Find Alicia on linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-murray-hawley-b240284/
Learn more about AHA: https://www.anyhelpappreciated.com/
Come on the Show!
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus have Peter Yeargin of Sage back on the show almost a year later to talk about his company's pivot and to have a deep dive conversation on the world of SEO. This episode is chock-full of useful information surrounding search engine optimization, pivots, funding, and more, you won't want to miss it!
Where to find Sage: thesageboard.com
Where to find Sage SEO: sageseo.co
Venture capital firms mentioned on the show:
NFX
Greylock
Come on the Show!
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!
This week Owen and Marcus sit down with Steve Pearson. Not only is Steve a founder himself, he’s also an intellectual property expert who’s been in the field for decades. In this episode, we get deep into the concepts and nuances of patents, trade marks, service marks, and more. When should you apply for a patent? What kind? What about those little symbols after slogans or logos, what do those mean? Steve and the guys get into all that and more!
Where to find Steve:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevenlpearson
The Pearson Strategy Group, LLC: pearsonstrategy.com
Come on the Show!
Want to come on the show? Fill out a questionnaire, and learn more on our Medium page, or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and of course on Axon Pages. We hope to see you enter the forge soon!