In this episode, we dive into the dynamic world of the beverage industry with Jayla Siciliano, a Shark Tank alum and entrepreneur. Jayla shares her journey from corporate life to launching Bon Affair, a pioneering wine spritzer brand. Discover the challenges she faced in educating the market about a new product category and the successes that followed, including securing investment from Mark Cuban. Jayla's story is a testament to resilience and innovation in an ever-evolving industry. Tune in to learn about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and the lessons that can be applied to any business venture.
If still haven't read our book, Startup Mindsets, there's still time. Order used copies from Amazon and save some dinero.
Stephan Schenk is the designer-turned-entrepreneur behind Stapelstein, the German startup that is redefining children’s play through vibrant, ultra-light “stacking stones” made from 100 % recyclable EPP. Inspired by a childhood spent in a family of educators, Stephan set out to get kids moving in the classroom; what began as a dynamic chair concept in 2016 quickly evolved into an open-ended play system that lets children (and adults) build, balance, sort, and imagine without limits.
Learn more at stapelstein.comToday Stapelstein is a purpose-driven company headquartered near Stuttgart, employing 29 people and posting €40 million in annual turnover. Stephan has hard-wired social and environmental responsibility into the firm through a steward-ownership model, German-made carbon-neutral production, and a commitment to designing products that outlast trends and generations.Under his leadership, the brand’s rainbow-hued elements have earned a string of accolades, including Good Housekeeping’s Best Toy Award 2024 and multiple design honors for their minimalist aesthetic and durability. Stephan’s work has been featured at SXSW 2025, where he spoke on marrying playful design with positive societal impact.
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Alan Bautista is a good friend since high school. His career story is quite inspiring for those who feel stuck at dead end jobs maybe in the restaurant industry.
We also delve into politics, family life, and shoot the shit in this unfiltered conversation.
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What's up Startup Mindsets Nation! We've been out on the book tour in the Philippines but are BACK and better than EVER
If you've bought a copy of Startup Mindsets already, you don't know how much that means to me, thank you 🙏
If you'd like to order a copy, find it on Amazon.
Today's guest is Darren Cooke, the Chief Innovation/Entrepreneurship Officer at UC Berkeley. I was honored to have Darren on the podcast.
Time Stamps
(8:00) What does a CIO do? Coordinates resources
(15:00) Working for biotech companies
(25:00) How does Berkeley select which startups to work with
(36:00) Publishing a book
(37:25) Opinion on students pursuing entrepreneurial careers
(43:00) Experience at Columbia Law School
(45:00) Darren's Big Career Break
(47:00) What was your first job
(48:42) Book recs
Caroline Winnett is the Executive Director at Berkeley SkyDeck, a world leading startup accelerator.
We discuss
About their fund _ _ _ _
The Berkeley SkyDeck Fund is the investment partner for UC Berkeley’s SkyDeck Accelerator Program. The Fund invests $200K into each startup that goes through SkyDeck, and can participate in later stage investment rounds with Berkeley founders. One of the most active seed investors in the Bay Area, the Fund has made over 130 investments in 3 years!
In a first-of-its-kind, public-private partnership, the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund shares one-half of fund profits with UC Berkeley. This unique partnership helps support UC Berkeley education and creates a source of funding for UC Berkeley’s public education mission.
The Berkeley SkyDeck Fund is run by Chon Tang, Managing Partner, and Brian Bordley, Partner. It is funded by organizations such as Sequoia Capital, Sierra Ventures, and Canvas Ventures, as well as other VC firms, individuals, and large corporations.
Learn more about Berkeley Skydeck: https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/our_team
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He's debated Bill O'Reilly, our guest,Isaac Saul, started a politics newsletter called Tangle. It aims to make sense of the noise in politics by delivering straightforward journalism.
We learn about Isaac's interesting path to entrepreneurship in that it took 7 final interview job rejections to say, "Screw this, I'm starting a company."
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Alex Londo and Mike Liu join the podcast to discuss their startup's partnership and collaboration.
In this conversation, Mike breaks down how FreeFuse is transforming customer engagement and training with interactive media, bringing a whole new level of personalization and impact to digital experiences. 🌐 Imagine being able to create paths and journeys within a single video—content that feels like it was made just for you!
But it doesn’t stop there. FreeFuse is also diving into automation with custom GPTs, helping teams streamline workflows and connect more effectively with their audiences. 📈
Check out the episode for insights into how interactive media can unlock new possibilities for businesses of any size. It’s a must-listen for founders, marketers, and anyone passionate about rethinking customer engagement!
🎧 Listen to the episode here: Startup Mindsets Podcast on Spotify📖 Dive deeper: FreeFuse x Startup Mindsets Partnership
#StartupMindsets #FreeFuse #InteractiveMedia #CustomerJourney #Automation #Podcast
Jane Mosbacher Morris stops by the podcast to share how her book and company go hand in hand in creating ethical supply chains for retail. Clients include Coca Cola, Visa, and Bloomingdales.
Jane Mosbacher Morris is the founder and CEO of To The Market, a turnkey solution for ethical manufacturing, connecting brands and retailers to a syndicated network of sustainable, story-rich suppliers. Jane started To The Market with a vision to democratize access to the global supply chain and provide makers around the world with the economic empowerment that comes from safe, dignified, fairly paid work. Our conversation covers Jane’s background in foreign relations, how To The Market is giving underrepresented entrepreneurs access to global supply chains, and the importance of sustainability and resilience in supply chains.
PROMOS: Join PICKS and get a $100 deposit match when you make your first deposit using my promo code: RF-DANFROMSF https://sleeper.com/picks/register?c=give_get&o_t=picks&p=any&p_c=RF-DANFROMSF
Use CODE: DANGONZALES121 on Hoteltonight for $50 off your first stay!
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Today’s guest is Torrey Smith, an eclectic entrepreneur and CEO of Endiatx, the pillbot startup.
Watch the Pillbot in action on TedX: https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_luebke_vivek_kumbhari_how_you_could_see_inside_your_body_with_a_micro_robot?subtitle=en
My book, Startup Mindsets, is coming out on Jan. 26, 2025 reserve a copy with your email address here: https://www.startupmindsets.com/book
Your support over the years has meant a lot to me! We have eclipsed 8.1K streams on all podcast platforms this month.
Submit questions for future guests or ask me something: https://www.startupmindsets.com/contact
Our merch store will be back up soon: startupmindsets.com/shop
Getting an investment after 3 years of email updates
4:24 Living with artists
7:00 building friendships all around the world
9:37 Endiatx name meaning
10:10 Swallowing robots
Clinical Trials in New Zealand, used in a real clinic
13:25 Handling negative feedback, keeping optimism in the face of rejection.
33:20 Cool dialogue about venture and Silicon Valley
36:30 90 clinics and 10 dreamers walk into a room
39:28 The nail that sticks out will get hammered down.
44:00 The least fundable startup company
47:00 Having nothing to lose, what you’re risking by not launching the company
49:00 I innovate for the roof over my wife’s head, when I hustle I hustle for their sake, for the patients we can treat with this technology.
Who are you fighting for? Why are you? Is your hustle pure? Are you trying to save lives?
52:00 Let’s go build some dreams! Slide Decks, Spreadsheets and Robots for the body.
Hello Startup Mindsets fam, happy October! Today's episode features Alan Bautista, a friend from high school who's had a successful career pivoting from working at restaurants to landing a meaningful career in
Recently, Alan was ranked Top 25 on SDRleader.com
This episode's especially valuable to those looking for a career change, software sales stories, and inspiration to overcome adversity.
Connect with Alan on the LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalan4/
Join our free community of entrepreneurs, hustlers, and the like on Freefuse with the explorer tier.
Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple, it really helps us reach more people like you!
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Grab some merch: https://www.startupmindsets.com/shop
Dan travels to Redwood City to interview Martin in person about The Bonfire Moment, his work as a Principal of Organizational Management at Google, why startups fail, handling feedback and more on this episode.
Grab your copy at https://www.bonfiremoment.com and find unique insights from pioneers of Google’s Startup Accelerator on why building teams is harder than building tech—and a proven way to develop a tight team that’s ready for the intense challenges of startup life.
Follow Martin on the LinkedIn 👇https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjosegonzalez
Rep your #StartupMindset with merch: https://www.startupmindsets.com/shop
Shoutout to our LinkedIn post sponsor, Arcane. We trust Arcane to to turn user insights into impactful LinkedIn posts by automating industry and audience research, copywriting, and more with their AI Toolkit - all whilst maintaining my authentic Tone of Voice!
https://tryarcane.club/startupmindsets
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Time stamps
4:20 Merch at startupmindsets.com/shop
4:40 Shoutout to Freefuse and Mike Liu
5:00 Shoutout to Arcane for sponsoring a post: try arcane
(5:40) Convo w/Martin Starts
(6:00) How do you reduce yourself to a label
(7:10) What lead into the book
(15:00) Writing a book takes years
(16:10) Collaborating w/Earl to write the book
(18:10) Getting on USA Today bestseller, selling 5k copies
(19:52) Thinking about the people problems on the team
(21:00) Study out of Harvard showing top reasons for failure:
Not assembling complimentary skill sets
(21:43) People issues are what crumble the startup from within
(23:17) Friends and family are the most unstable partnerships, people who are acquaintances and more stable are people who were previously coworkers
Friends and fam are the most expensive, damage is more severe.
(25:00) Winning the short game, get the product out.
(29:00) First time moving to New York
33:40 meeting high profile successful people, underestimating good luck and s
What were the circumstances that gave them the psychological and mental capacities to meet that success (35:00)
(46:10) What do we find meaningful?
(47:50) What kind of pains can I alleviate in the world? Making organizations suck the life out of us less is a battle cry.
(48:30) Handling feedback for the book
(49:39) Dig for feedback
(50:51) Very indirect Filipino communication culture
(51:50) Working jobs that you hate and dealing with bad bosses
(55:00) Dealing with other coworkers and adjusting
(56:34) Assimilating to American life in NYC
(59:05) Filipinos are the Mexicans of Asia?
Raising a family in Philippines vs USA
Being an immigrant hardens you
(1:01:00) show effortlessness while hustling and the US culture behind it.
Eric Colbert the founder/ceo of @vouchvault2321 joins the pod to share his story creating the company, 🏄♂️ surfing, and being an entrepreneur. Start vouching today on the app: https://www.vouchvault.com Startup Mindsets launched our merch collection! Rep your startup mindset: https://www.startupmindsets.com/shop Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC0U3wic27w Check out our book set to publish early next year: https://www.penguin.sg/book/startup-mindsets Join the newsletter: https://www.startupmindsets.com/contact Book us to speak at your next event: https://www.startupmindsets.com/speaking
This a trailer for the podcast with the infamous question, "What is your startup mindset?"
Making passive revenue or income is a major key in scaling any business. You don't want to have to be always selling when you can leverage machines/technology to do work for you.
Our book: https://www.penguin.sg/book/startup-mindsets will be published November 2024. Join our Newsletter to be entered to win free copy!
Follow us on Social
IG: @dan.podcasts or @startupmindsetspod
Kenny Eliason shares funny career and life stories and what led him to start his company, Record.
Learn more about The Client App That Legal Teams Love at https://www.recordclient.com
Collaborate with us as a brand partner: https://www.passionfroot.me/startup-mindsets
Our debut book, Startup Mindsets, is set to be published this November. Read all about it https://www.penguin.sg/book/startup-mindsets
Dr. Jonathan Baktari is the founder of E7 Health, U.S. Drug Test Centers, and eNational Testing. He was formerly the Medical Director of The Valley Health Systems, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Culinary Health Fund. He also served as clinical faculty for several medical schools, including the University of Nevada and Touro University.
We landed a book deal with Penguin Random House SEA and I spoke a bit about my debut book this November.
Enter your email for a chance at a free copy of Startup Mindsets: A Blueprint to Thrive in an Innovation Driven and Globally Connected World. Enter Email Here: https://www.startupmindsets.com/contact
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SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSOR: SHRED SAFE LLC is a Dallas Fort Worth based shredding company for businesses with paper shredding needs.
VISIT: https://www.shredsafe.org OR DIAL 469-265-8142 FOR MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about Jonathan and his businesses below
https://www.baktarimd.com
https://www.enationaltesting.com
I had the time of my life traveling to Miami and Houston. Here are my thoughts on the beauty of getting out of your hometown by enriching your mindset and energy.
We landed a book deal with Penguin Random House SEA and I spoke a bit about my debut book this November.
Enter your email for a chance at a free copy of Startup Mindsets: A Blueprint to Thrive in an Innovation Driven and Globally Connected World. Enter Email Here: https://www.startupmindsets.com/contact
Sponsors: -------------------------------------------------------------- SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSOR: SHRED SAFE LLC is a Dallas Fort Worth based shredding company for businesses with paper shredding needs.
VISIT: https://www.shredsafe.org OR DIAL 469-265-8142 FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julia Enthoven is the Founder & CEO @ Kapwing, the startup that provides a new, collaborative platform for creating images, videos, and GIFs. Highlights: 📝 GROWING UP IN DALLAS AND MOVING TO STANFORD & SAN FRANCISCO 📝BEING MENTORED BY CAROL DWECK 📝 INNOVATE ON DISTRIBUTION PROCESS 📝 LEAVING GOOGLE TO START KAPWING 📝 HOW KAPWING CREATES CONTENT IN LESS TIME 📝 SEEING THEIR WATERMARK ON PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S SPEECH VIDEO
📝 The startup environment in 2019 vs 2024 and why it's harder to raise money 📝Why content creators should keep creating, best restaurant in SF Give Kapwing a try for your next video edit: kapwing.com -------------------------------------------------------------- SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSOR: SHRED SAFE LLC is a Dallas Fort Worth based shredding company for those with paper shredding needs. VISIT: https://www.shredsafe.org OR DIAL 469-265-8142 FOR MORE INFORMATION OUR BOOK: STARTUP MINDSETS: A BLUEPRINT TO THRIVE IN AN INNOVATION DRIVEN AND GLOBALLY CONNECTED WORLD is set to publish this year with Penguin Random House. To stay in the loop: subscribe to our email list: https://www.startupmindsets.com/contact
What up Startup Mindsets fans! I just had to come on here and spill my 2 cents about what it's actually like running a business and its affect on your personal finances.
Last year as a side hustle we made about 2.5K from the podcast which is something to celebrate as an entrepreneur. A lot of people will judge you for starting a company but only you know how fulfilling and rewarding it truly is.
Your business has costs and so do you! What are you willing to pay to grow? AKA what are you willing to sacrifice in exchange for what you want? Is there an asymmetrical ROI?
How sustainable will it be? How much cash runway do you have?
https://www.startupmindsets.com
https://youtube.com/@startupmindsets
Thank you for listening be sure to subscribe!
Dan catches up with one of the first startup founders he met while working as an analyst at VU Venture partners.
Circuit is an all-electric, on-demand, local shuttle service. Download the app & Ride Circuit. https://www.ridecircuit.com
Connect with Alex on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/espositoalexander
Interested in sponsoring this podcast via strategic ad placement? Give us a holler: https://www.startupmindsets.com/contact
Time Stamps
2:45 What is Circuit? On demand shuttle service focused on small trips
10:00 Selling advertisers
19:00 Operating and scaling a mobility operation,
20:00 Moving 150K passengers a month
21:25: Thoughts on autonomous cars
27:00 When was your first Uber ride?
34:10: Getting first customer and starting the company
35:10 testing out an idea for a company and keeping desk jobs until it made sense financially to leave
Taking out 3 car notes to start the business
38:00 Closing first advertiser for 10K
44:00 Differences of working as an employee of a company vs being a founder
Get in touch with Startup Mindsets/Dan. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners on our Substack email list.
Website: https://www.startupmindsets.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan.podcasts
