Keep Going

Keep Going: How one inventor fought investors to build a better toy

Jens Petter Wilhelmsen, CEO of Ohdoki, a tech company, discusses the challenges and importance of tech. He shares the journey of bringing their product, Handy, to market and the ups and downs they faced along the way. Despite the difficulties, they persevered and successfully raised capital. Wilhelmsen emphasizes the need for persistence and a solid business case when approaching investors. “Persistency and follow the strategy that you set out” have been his watchwords. He also highlights the importance of tech in enabling sexual intimacy and connections, especially for individuals with physical or cognitive limitations. Odoki focuses on building trust and maintaining high-quality products through encryption and security measures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Keep Going: Why this repeat entrepreneur decided to take the plunge again

Alex Back, CEO of Couch.com, had a problem. He sold too many couches.In this episode of Keep Going we talk about what happens when you find sudden and overwhelming success and how hard it is to turn down business.Being an entrepreneur requires sacrifices, said Back, but the passion and drive to create something meaningful can outweigh the challenges.Listen in as he shares the troubles he faced when his previous furniture brand sold too much furniture through a deal with Costco, leading to supply chain issues and customer dissatisfaction. Alex also provides advice for entrepreneurs entering the hard goods market and emphasizes the importance of gathering information and being patient. He discusses the ease of decision-making with experience and the difficulty of maintaining discipline and avoiding fallback options. Lastly, he reflects on the sacrifices and rewards of being an entrepreneur. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Startup Show: This startup is connecting everything in the world

Want to pitch your company on the Startup Show? Email spencer@gritdaily.com or contact me directly.On this episode of Grit Daily Startup Show, host John Biggs was joined by Tim Kravchunovsky, the CEO and founder of Chirp Wireless, who discussed his company’s innovative approach to Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. Chirp Wireless is at the forefront of developing a versatile, unified network that aims to change the way IoT applications integrate into various sectors, from agriculture and automotive to urban development.The core of Chirp’s technology revolves around a unique type of IoT antenna that customers can install anywhere and everywhere. These antennas provide extensive network coverage, both long and short range, ensuring that connected IoT devices maintain a stable connection regardless of their proximity to urban centers or rural locations. This system mimics cellular network connectivity, where a seamless transition between network cells allows for uninterrupted service as users move through different areas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Keep Going: How a successful psychiatrist beat the odds

In this amazing episode, Dr. Neill Epperson discusses the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and creative individuals, including depression, imposter syndrome, and a general sense of inability. She emphasizes the importance of finding one's North Star and aligning one's goals and passions with their chosen path."I just decided that I just was not going to accept failure," she said. The result? She became the Robert Freedman Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine-Anschutz Medical Campus and Executive Director of the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center.Dr. Epperson shares her personal journey of overcoming failure and offers advice on how to navigate setbacks and reevaluate one's path. She also highlights the significance of seeking treatment for depression and the role of different treatments in rewiring the brain. Our conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of personal growth and making a positive impact on society.Our theme music is by Policy AKA Mark Buchwald. (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/policy/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Startup Show: Why being late is sometimes better than being too early

On this episode of Grit Daily Startup Show, I sat down with Vitaly Golomb, the founder of Sofie Labs, who is bringing a fresh perspective to the future of work with his latest venture. Building on his extensive experience in corporate ventures at HP and insights gained from the evolution of chatbots and AI, Golomb has embarked on a mission to redefine customer relationship management (CRM) through the lens of advanced automation technologies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Keep Going: How one small company played David to a lot of Goliaths - and won

Have a great story to tell? Want to be on the show? Email john@biggs.cc with the subject line Keep Going and I’ll schedule you. Thanks!Nic Beique, founder and CEO of Helcim, shares the challenges his company faced in the payments industry and how they overcame them. They initially struggled to find a manufacturing partner and had their hardware supplier acquired by Stripe, leaving them without a source for their card readers. However, they persevered and found a new partner and began to thrive. Beique emphasizes the importance of focusing on underserved businesses, such as healthcare and professional services, and providing them with transparent pricing and excellent customer service. He also highlights the value of honesty and transparency in building customer loyalty.Our theme music is by Policy AKA Mark Buchwald. (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/policy/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Startup Show: This startup is going to ship you anything in an hour... from space

Want to pitch your company on the Startup Show? Email spencer@gritdaily.com or contact me directly.In this episode of Grit Daily Startup Show, host John Biggs delved into the innovative world of space re-entry vehicles with Justin Fiaschetti, the CEO and co-founder of Inversion. Fiaschetti’s company is pioneering the development of space capsules designed to store cargo in low Earth orbit and deliver it anywhere on Earth in under an hour. The aim is to transform the transportation industry by leveraging space technology for rapid, precise deliveries.Inversion’s capsules are equipped with solar panels and communication radios, allowing them to operate autonomously once in orbit. These capsules can be launched using rockets like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and remain in space until they receive coordinates to return to a specified location on Earth.There is an upcoming October mission featuring a subscale vehicle named Ray that will test these capabilities. Primarily, Ray will demonstrate the ability to deorbit and land precisely, proving the feasibility of Inversion’s concept. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Keep Going: How a filmmaker turned his back on Hollywood, embraced psychedelics, and started living life on his own terms

Josh Jupiter, founder of Brooklyn Balance and a psychedelic integration coach, discusses his work and personal journey. He explains that psychedelic integration coaching involves guiding individuals through the process of using psychedelics to bring about personal change and growth. Josh shares his own experience of leaving a successful career in the film industry to pursue a more fulfilling and meaningful life. He emphasizes the importance of living life on one's own terms and not being driven by fear. Josh also provides insights on how to explore and process intense experiences, cultivate self-compassion, and practice gratitude."It's not the medicine that really brings about the change. It's all the work that's done before and after,” he said.Our theme music is by Policy AKA Mark Buchwald. (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/policy/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

The Startup Show: Meet the company mining distant asteroids

On this episode of the Startup Show, host John Biggs spoke with Matthew Gialich, founder and CEO of AstroForge, a company with an ambitious mission: mining asteroids for precious metals. AstroForge aims to completely change the mining industry by tapping into the vast resources of space, specifically targeting platinum group metals that are essential in various electronic devices and renewable energy technologies.Platinum group metals, which include elements like platinum and palladium, are critical for manufacturing electronics and AI chips. However, the supply of these metals on Earth is limited, and the United States has less than 2% of the world’s reserves, concentrated in a single mine in Montana. This scarcity drives up prices and poses significant challenges for future technological advancements.AstroForge’s solution is to mine asteroids, which are believed to be rich in these metals due to ancient asteroid impacts. By targeting near-Earth asteroids, which can be reached and mined within two years, AstroForge aims to significantly increase the supply of platinum group metals while reducing the environmental impact of traditional mining. Gialich emphasized that asteroid mining would produce far less carbon and eliminate water waste and harmful labor practices associated with terrestrial mining. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com

Keep Going: The Power of Authenticity

In this episode, I interview Savannah Peterson, an on-air celebrity and presenter, about the importance of being your true self when trying to achieve success. Savannah shares her personal journey of self-discovery and emphasizes the value of celebrating your uniqueness. "The things that make you different are the things that are going to make you memorable,” she says.She discusses the power of authenticity and vulnerability in connecting with others and building a genuine audience. She also provides advice on overcoming traditional expectations and finding your passion in work. The takeaway? Failure is a natural part of the creative process and that the most important thing is to enjoy the act of creating.Our theme music is by Policy AKA Mark Buchwald. (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/policy/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupstrats.substack.com