Foundr Magazine Podcast | Learn From Successful Founders & Proven Entrepreneurs, The Ultimate Startup Podcast For Business

Phoebe Gates went from failed prototypes in her Stanford dorm room to building one of the fastest growing fashion-tech startups in the world. In this interview, the co-founder of AI shopping app Phia shares how she and her co-founder Sophia Kianni scaled from 200 early users to half a million downloads, raised $9M from investors like Kleiner Perkins, Kris Jenner, and Sara Blakely, and turned their vision into a personal AI shopping assistant trusted by a new generation of consumers. From building in public and hacking growth with feedback loops to pitching high-profile investors and navigating privilege, Phoebe breaks down the exact strategies that fueled her rapid rise as a young founder. What you’ll learn from this interview: • How Phoebe went from 50+ failed ideas to finding product-market fit in fashion-tech • The grassroots tactics she used to get her first 200 users • Why feedback loops and “pizza nights” became their biggest growth hack • How she pitched and secured investors like Kleiner

Most founders think they need a completely original idea to succeed. The truth? Great businesses are often built by borrowing brilliance — and putting your own spin on what already works. In this episode, I break down the concept of “good artists copy, great artists steal,” and show you how to apply it in your business. From how I grew Foundr’s Instagram to how I built and exited my ecommerce brand, Healthie, this approach has helped me create traction faster without reinventing the wheel. Here’s what you’ll take away: • Why borrowing proven strategies beats starting from scratch • Real examples of how top brands like Canva, Airbnb, and Dollar Shave Club modeled what worked • How to ethically “steal” ideas, put your own twist on them, and win in your market If you’re stuck thinking you need the next revolutionary idea, this episode will free you to focus on what matters most: finding what already works, making it better, and making it your own. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d

David Heath and Randy Goldberg turned Bombas from a scrappy Indiegogo campaign into the most successful Shark Tank investment of all time—now valued at $3.4 billion. In this interview, the Bombas co-founders share how a simple insight about homelessness sparked a mission-driven sock company, how they bootstrapped their way to product-market fit, and the strategies that allowed them to scale profitably in one of the most competitive eras of eCommerce. From bootstrapping and fundraising to Shark Tank, celebrity endorsements, and building a brand people love, this episode is a masterclass in combining profit with purpose. What you’ll learn from this interview: • How Bombas grew from a $140K Indiegogo campaign to a $3.4B business • The one-for-one donation model and why it worked when others doubted it • Bootstrapping tactics that fueled growth before raising outside capital • The Shark Tank experience and why it was a turning point for the brand • How Bombas navigated rising customer acquisition cos

When you’re just starting out, the fastest way to grow isn’t automation, ads, or scaling systems — it’s doing things that don’t scale. In this episode, I share why the most successful founders — from billion-dollar startups to small ecommerce brands — all begin by leaning into the unscalable. From replying personally to every email, to sending hundreds of Instagram DMs, to handwriting thank-you cards for early customers, these strategies create the kind of emotional connection that big brands can’t compete with. Here’s what you’ll take away: • Why doing things that don’t scale is your biggest advantage as a small brand • Real examples of how I and other founders used this to grow early traction • Specific tactics you can start today to build stronger customer relationships If you’re an early-stage founder, this episode will show you exactly how to build momentum, create raving fans, and uncover what truly works — long before you scale. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your f

Brian Littlefield is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Jocko Fuel—one of the fastest-growing supplement brands in America. But his story didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with a life-changing health wake-up call. In this episode, Brian shares how he went from overweight and directionless to building a trusted supplement empire backed by Navy SEAL legend Jocko Willink. You'll hear how they launched Jocko Fuel with a single product, the risky decision to tie the brand to Jocko’s name, and the surprising reason their customer base is so fanatically loyal. What you’ll learn: • Why they anchored the brand to Jocko’s reputation • How Brian built products customers actually stick with • Why quality and transparency are their greatest weapons • The scrappy early days of launching without big resources • Lessons from martial arts that shaped his leadership style • The real reason Jocko Fuel stands out in a saturated space If you want a blueprint for building a brand based on trust, commu

Most ecommerce founders think the only way to grow is to get more traffic — but often, the fastest way to increase sales is by making more from the traffic you already have. In this episode, I share a proven “second sale” strategy you can use to increase your conversion rate, average order value (AOV), and customer lifetime value (CLV) without spending a single extra dollar on ads. This is the exact approach Amazon uses to generate billions in extra revenue — and it works just as well for smaller brands. Here’s what you’ll take away: • How to identify if you have a conversion problem vs. a traffic problem • The post-purchase upsell strategy that can boost your revenue by 10–50% • Tools and tactics to increase AOV and CLV with zero additional ad spend If you’re looking to grow your store without increasing your traffic budget, this episode will give you a simple, repeatable strategy to unlock more revenue from the customers you already have. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d l

Julie Wainwright, founder of The RealReal, reveals how she built a billion-dollar resale marketplace that transformed luxury fashion. In this exclusive Foundr Podcast interview, Julie shares how she scaled The RealReal to over $1B in revenue, reached 38 million members, and took the company public on the Nasdaq. From her early lessons at Pets.com to reinventing resale as “cool” and breaking into the luxury market, Julie unpacks the strategies, risks, and mindset shifts that fuelled her success. Whether you’re building an eCommerce brand, launching a marketplace, or navigating setbacks as a founder, this interview delivers invaluable lessons on execution, resilience, and scaling big ideas. What you’ll learn from this interview: • How Julie identified an opportunity Amazon couldn’t replicate and turned it into The RealReal • The strategies she used to seed supply and build a two-sided marketplace • Why values-driven hiring and culture were critical to scaling past $1B in revenue • Lessons from shutting dow

Every business has one major constraint holding it back from the next stage of growth — and solving it is the fastest way to scale. In this episode, I share the exact formula I use to identify the biggest problem in my business, find the right person who’s already solved it, and get the solution faster than years of trial and error. This is the same approach I’ve seen countless successful founders use to break through roadblocks and grow with speed. Here’s what you’ll take away: • How to identify the single biggest constraint holding your business back • The fastest way to find and learn from people who have already solved your problem • Why paying for expertise can save you months — or even years — of wasted time If you’re stuck or plateauing, this episode will give you a clear, actionable way to diagnose the issue and solve it faster than you thought possible — so you can get back to growing your business. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me direc

Kian Golzari is one of the world’s leading experts in sourcing and product manufacturing—developing over 2,500 products and visiting 500+ factories. In this episode, he shares how to go from idea to product without getting burned by bad suppliers or poor-quality manufacturing. Whether you're working with Alibaba or building a custom product from scratch—this is your playbook. What you’ll learn: • How to vet suppliers and avoid common sourcing mistakes • His exact 3-step product development system • How to approach factories like a pro (even if it’s your first product) • Why negotiation is more about positioning than price • What he’s learned from working with the NBA, UN & billion-dollar brands • His best tips for working with Chinese manufacturers in 2025 and beyond If you’re creating a physical product or want to improve your margins—this episode will save you time, money, and a ton of headaches. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply f

After 12 years building Foundr, I finally committed to something I should have done a decade ago — posting online every single day for 90 days straight to grow my personal brand. In this episode, I share what that commitment taught me about building trust, deepening connections with my audience, and why your personal brand is one of the most powerful assets you can create as a founder. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, these lessons will help you turn consistent posting into real business growth. Here’s what you’ll take away: • Why consistency beats strategy when it comes to content • How your personal brand can directly drive sales and opportunities • Why creating content gives you clarity on your message and audience If you’ve been hesitating to put yourself out there, this episode will give you the push — and the exact approach — to start posting, build authority, and unlock growth in your business. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me di

In this episode of the Foundr Podcast, Nathan Chan sits down with Camille Moore — widely known as the internet’s favorite creative director and the strategist behind some of today’s most iconic brand transformations. Camille has built a reputation for taking founders from forgettable to unforgettable, crafting brand strategies that don’t just look good but actually drive trust, conversions, and sales. In this branding masterclass, she reveals the difference between a good brand and a great brand, the non-negotiables for eCommerce founders in today’s noisy digital space, and why being a founder-led brand is no longer optional. Whether you’re struggling to stand out online or want to create a brand that scales, Camille’s insights are both inspiring and deeply tactical. What you’ll learn: • How to define a brand as a unified “symphony” of touchpoints • The difference between a brand, a good brand, and a great brand — and how to level up • Why founder-led brands build stronger trust and loyalty in t

After interviewing over 100 billionaires and ultra-successful entrepreneurs, I’ve spotted three lessons that come up every single time — no matter the industry, background, or business model. In this episode, I break down exactly what I’ve learned from these conversations so you can model the same habits, mindsets, and strategies that separate the world’s top founders from everyone else. Here’s what you’ll take away: • Why surrounding yourself with the right people will make or break your success • How resilience lets top entrepreneurs push through when most give up • Why the fastest growth comes from learning directly from those ahead of you If you apply even one of these lessons, you’ll put yourself on the same trajectory as some of the most successful entrepreneurs alive today — and start making decisions like the billionaires I’ve had the privilege to learn from. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I read every reply. Hope y

Alicia Yoon is the founder of Peach & Lily—the pioneering brand that brought Korean skincare to the U.S. before “K-Beauty” was a buzzword. In this episode, she shares how her personal skin struggles turned into a lifelong mission, how she went from finance to esthetician school, and why she took the slow, principled path to build a category-defining brand. What you’ll learn: • How Peach & Lily built trust in a crowded industry • Why Alicia avoided shortcuts, even when growth was slow • The viral moment that changed everything—and how they prepared for it • Her approach to formulation, transparency, and community • Lessons from burnout and building with integrity • Why "glass skin" wasn’t a trend—it was education If you want to build a product people love and trust for years—not months—this episode is for you. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already selling a

Four months into starting Foundr, I landed an interview with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson — without connections, without experience, and while building my very first business from scratch. In this episode, I break down the exact networking and outreach strategy I used to connect with one of the world’s most famous founders, plus how you can apply it to land meetings, partnerships, or interviews with anyone in your industry — even if you’re starting from zero. Here’s what you’ll take away: • The “serve first, ask later” networking strategy every entrepreneur should know • How to identify and connect with gatekeepers to reach high-profile people • Creative ways to create value so industry leaders want to give you their time If you’ve been holding back from reaching out to someone you think is “too big,” this episode will give you the exact steps and confidence to make it happen. This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I

In this episode, Toni Ko, founder of NYX Cosmetics, shares how she built one of the fastest-growing cosmetics brands in the world—scaling from a $250,000 investment to a $500M exit to L’Oréal. She reveals: • How she turned 18 SKUs into millions of units sold in year one • The simple packaging strategy that disrupted the beauty industry • Why she avoided debt and scaled profitably without VC pressure • Her raw take on selling her “baby” and facing post-exit depression • The lessons from a failed second business—and why it was her best teacher • Her blueprint for launching multiple influencer-led brands under Bespoke Beauty Brands If you want to learn what it really takes to build, scale, and exit a product brand—this is a must-listen. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already selling and want to scale? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want all-access to step-by-step trai

I almost walked away from Foundr. Not because the business wasn’t working—but because I wasn’t. In this episode, I’m sharing the truth about burnout. After seven years of building nonstop, I hit a wall—mentally, emotionally, and physically. What followed was one of the hardest seasons of my entrepreneurial journey. But it also forced me to change everything: how I work, how I lead, and how I show up in my life. Here’s what you’ll take away: • The real signs of burnout I ignored for too long • The boundaries and routines that brought me back • How to grow your business without sacrificing your health This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I read every reply. Hope you enjoy it. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already selling and want to scale? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want all-access to step-b

Brittany Stewart turned toothbrushes into a breakout DTC success story—co-founding one of America’s fastest-growing eCommerce brands: Burst Oral Care. In this episode, she shares how Burst launched at dental conventions, scaled through hygienist word-of-mouth, and partnered with A-list influencers like Khloé & Kim Kardashian—all while keeping product quality and customer obsession at the center of their brand. What you’ll learn: • Why they skipped traditional launch playbooks and scaled through hygienists • The two growth levers that made Burst explode • How Brittany navigated inventory stress, funding rounds & 75-day lead times • Her philosophy on hiring, culture, and leadership • Why they chose the more expensive delivery option—and how it paid off • How they gave back with campaigns that also drove profit If you’re building a physical product brand and want to do it the smart, scrappy way—this is a masterclass in operational excellence and brand building. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-

I got sued just a few months into starting Foundr—and it nearly crushed everything I was building. In this short episode, I’m sharing the full story behind how I was forced to change the name of my business, the legal mistakes I made, and the surprising reasons it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. If you’re launching a brand or picking a name right now, this lesson could save you years of pain. Here’s what you’ll take away: • The #1 mistake I made when choosing the original name for Foundr • How to know if your brand name could get you in trouble • The simple steps to protect your brand before it’s too late This is a brand new solo series I’m testing, and I’d love your feedback. Email me directly at nathan@foundr.com — I read every reply. Hope you enjoy it. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already selling and want to scale? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click he

In this episode, Ty Haney, founder of Outdoor Voices, shares how she turned her public downfall into the blueprint for an even bigger comeback—building multiple new brands and redefining how community drives growth. She reveals: • How she built Outdoor Voices into a $100M cult brand by age 30 • Why the DTC playbook failed—and what she’s doing differently now • The four-part community-building formula that makes customers 4x more valuable • Her biggest mistakes as a first-time CEO—and how she’s fixing them with Joggy and TYB • Why owning your story and controlling your cap table is non-negotiable • The future of founder-led content, brand building, and consumer trust If you’re building a product brand, fighting for comeback, or want a masterclass in turning failure into fuel—don’t miss this one. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already selling and want to scale? ⁠⁠

In this episode, Andrew Lacy, founder of Prenuvo, shares how he went from two startup exits to building one of the fastest-growing health tech companies in the world—revolutionizing preventative healthcare with full-body MRI scans. He reveals: • Why most healthcare systems are reactive and backwards—and how Prenuvo flips it • How Prenuvo scaled from one small Canadian clinic to global recognition • Why he struggled to raise funding (even with traction!)—and what changed • How Kim Kardashian and other celebrities discovered Prenuvo organically • The scrappy marketing strategies that created viral word of mouth • Lessons from multiple exits, failed startups, and why timing matters more than talent • Why saving lives—not vanity metrics—is his #1 business KPI If you want a masterclass in building a mission-led brand from scratch—this is an absolute must-listen. Connect With Nathan Chan Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Andrew Lacy Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠C