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The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan — Business
The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

Hear the stories, learn the proven methods, and accelerate your growth and future through entrepreneurship. Welcome to The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan.

About the show:

For over a decade, The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan has been a leading entrepreneurship podcast for open-book conversations with, by, and for founders. Whether you’re starting, building, or dreaming about your business, The Foundr Podcast is where you can access experienced founders who’ve been in your shoes to learn their proven methods, lessons from failure, and inspirational stories.

Past guests include Emma Grede, Mark Cuban, Neil Patel, Kendra Scott, Alex Hormozi, Trinny Woodall, Tim Ferriss, Sophia Amoruso, Simon Sinek, Tony Robbins, Amy Porterfield, Ed Mylett, Michelle Zatlyn, Reid Hoffman, Scooter Braun, Dany Garcia, Marc Lore, Ariana Huffington, Pat Flynn, Lewis Howes, Jordan Harbinger, and many more.

About the host:

Nathan Chan is the CEO of Foundr and the creator of The Foundr Podcast. Chan literally started from knowing nothing. He was just an average guy working in a 9-5 job he utterly hated. He knew nothing about entrepreneurship, nothing about startups, nothing about marketing, and nothing about online or how to build a business. In the past decade, Chan’s built Foundr into a global leader in entrepreneurial education, helping tens of thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses.

Need help with your business?

Visit foundr.com/foundrplustrial to join a global community of entrepreneurs, gain access to proven strategies, and fast-track your business growth confidently.

Copyright: © All Rights Reserved 2020 Foundr Media PTY LTD

Latest Episodes:

311: How InCountry’s Peter Yared Turns Ideas Into Companies That Sell For Millions Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

Peter Yared has a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur. Not only has he built and sold six different B2B enterprise companies (making more than $500 million in exits), but he’s also lived through three different recessions and managed to stay afloat through them all.

In this conversation with our CEO Nathan Chan, Yared dives deep into the world of software businesses and takes us through his process of coming up with an idea, turning it into a company, and successfully selling it. He also explains the most important lessons from the three previous recessions he’s lived through, as well as what he’s learned during the current pandemic.

Whether you’re an engineer who wants to step into the world of entrepreneurship or a business owner who is struggling with the impact of Covid-19, this episode is jam-packed with helpful knowledge!

If there’s any other type of content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

How Yared initially fell in love with programming
Yared’s journey to building and selling six B2B enterprise companies
Why software businesses usually end up being bought out
An overview of Yared’s most successful exits
How Yared decides when to turn an idea into an actual company (and why he prefers to call them “projects”)
The importance of being part of trends
Why Yared’s last five projects started off self-funded
Yared’s best advice for engineers
The idea of push vs. pull selling
Why Yared doesn’t believe the superior product always wins
How to use an engineering perspective to successfully go to market
How Yared managed the impact of Covid-19 for his global company
Yared’s best advice based on his experience with multiple recessions, and how the current pandemic compares

310: How To Convert Your Passion Into A Profitable Online Course, With Teachable’s Ankur Nagpal Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

What does it take to create, market, and sell a profitable online course?

This question is likely on the minds of many people⁠, especially now that the pandemic is pushing people to turn to online courses as a way to level up their skill sets. Ankur Nagpal has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this topic, from running his startup Teachable for the past six years to growing his online course platform to host 50,000 creators and reaching over 30 million people since its launch.

Nagpal shares insights on everything from how to create a full-time income from an online course to best practices to follow as a beginner course creator. He also predicts what the future of the online course industry looks like.

If there’s any other type of content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

How Nagpal got started with Teachable, the startup that converts passions into online courses
The three factors that are contributing to the growth of the online course market
How the pandemic has impacted Teachable
What it takes to create a full-time income from an online course business
The importance of an NPS, and how it distinguishes the top 1% of courses
Nagpal’s best practices for online course creation, especially for first-timers
Strategies to drive more sales
How to overcome limiting self beliefs
Nagpal’s best advice when it comes to niches, tools, and list building
A look into the future of the online course industry
What Teachable’s recent acquisition means for the future of the business

309: Mighty Networks Founder is Fueling the Passion Economy by Creating Opportunities for Online Course Creators Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

Gina Bianchini has always loved working with creators. That’s why she co-founded Ning, an online platform for people and organizations to create custom social networks, with Marc Andreessen in 2005. Even after leaving Ning, she couldn’t stay away from the world of creators for long so she launched Mighty Networks in 2017.

Since then, the team at Mighty Networks has been obsessed with serving “creators with a purpose.” The platform powers brands and businesses that bring people together via online courses, paid memberships, events, content, and community.

In this podcast episode, Bianchini explains why she’s so passionate about providing more opportunities for creators. She also shares her best recommendations when it comes to creating successful online courses and communities, and how her team at Mighty Networks approaches these goals within their own platform.

If there’s any other type of content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

Why Bianchini has always loved working with creators
A brief history of Bianchini’s first company, Ning, and why she left in 2010
The three pillars that inspired the idea for Mighty Networks
Why Bianchini believes in the power of small communities
The reason why creators want to get away from Facebook Groups, and why it’s beneficial to encourage this migration
The story of why Bianchini launched her own online course, and why it’s the best thing she’s ever done
What makes a successful course
The most important things to know about community building in 2020

308: How Henrik Werdelin Built a 9-Figure Subscription Box Business for Dogs Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

Henrik Werdelin has never been about chasing money, power, or fame. Instead, his focus has always been on creating cool things with people he enjoys being around. That’s exactly how BarkBox, now one of many subsidiaries under BARK, came to be.

Despite Werdelin’s non-material approach to BARK, the dog subscription box company has exploded in popularity since its launch in 2012. Today, it boasts hundreds of thousands of subscribers and it is a nine-figure business.

In our conversation, Werdelin shares the most important learnings he’s collected as an entrepreneur—from finding the right funding option for your business to maintaining the right headspace during challenging times. Werdelin also gives us a glimpse into BARK’s incredible company culture and how he managed to build a quirky, kind, and smart team of people to pave the path for the organization. As a bonus, we also get a sneak peek into Werdelin’s book, “The Acorn Method” to understand how companies can grow in an ever-changing environment.

If there’s any other type of content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

Why Werdelin and his co-founders decided to start creating cool stuff for dogs in 2012
The funny story of how Werdelin met one of his co-founders in a heart-shaped bed on a cruise ship
What the pet industry was like when BarkBox first entered the market
Werdelin’s advice on finding the right funding option for your business
How BARK has dealt with the pandemic, and why the pet industry is recession proof
The importance of staying in a good headspace during tough times
How Werdelin and his co-founders approach leadership and decision-making
Why BARK is an inside-out brand, and what that means
A sneak peek into Werdelin’s new book, “The Acorn Method” and the advice it shares on how companies can continue growing during uncertain times
Werdelin’s best advice for entrepreneurs who are struggling during the pandemic

307: Basecamp’s David Heinemeier Hansson On What A Productive Workplace Should Look Like Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

As we start thinking about re-opening our businesses and offices after Covid-19, many people are wondering what the new “normal” will look like.

While co-founder of Basecamp David Heinemeier Hansson doesn’t know for sure what the outcome will be, he certainly has an idea of what the new world of work should look like. As one of the biggest advocates of remote work, Hansson is hopeful that more and more companies will see the benefits of allowing employees to choose how and where they want to work.

But his vision for work doesn’t stop there. Hansson is also passionate about creating an environment where employees can protect at least a few hours of their day to accomplish deep work. This means no daily stand ups, no open calendars, and no unnecessary distractions that take away from your ability to get s*** done—an approach that’s imbued in Basecamp’s own culture.

If you’re fascinated by the topics of remote work and productivity, you don’t want to miss out on this conversation with Hansson.

If there’s any other content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

The email from Hansson to Jason Fried that eventually led to the birth of Basecamp
Why it’s difficult to tell what the new “normal” for work will be after Covid-19
A look at the most common misconceptions about remote work, and how the pandemic has proven them to be false
Why Hansson believes we need to focus less on the number of hours we work and more on the quality of those hours
The reason why Basecamp isn’t renewing the lease for its Chicago office
Why Hansson doesn’t believe in daily stand ups and open calendars
How to maximize deep work
Why Basecamp’s approach to work is less about productivity, and more about human health and happiness
A sneak peek into Hansson’s upcoming project, HEY
Why the phrase ASAP is overused
What Hansson’s schedule looks like on most days

306: From Myspace To Jam City: Chris DeWolfe Breaks Down His 25 Years Of Experience As An Entrepreneur May 26, 2020

Show notes

Chris DeWolfe excels at creating massive user bases—a skill he has demonstrated with two companies you’ll likely recognize: Myspace and Jam City.

After DeWolfe launched the biggest social network of its time in 2003, it was only a matter of months before Myspace completely took off and attracted millions of users around the world. Only two years after the start of his company, DeWolfe sold the platform for $580 million. But he wasn’t done yet.

When DeWolfe asked himself ‘what’s next?’ he found himself drawn to the world of gaming. Not only was it easy to scale, but he also believed the current trends pointed toward an explosion in gaming. He wasn’t wrong. Today, Jam City is known for famous mobile games like Cookie Jam and Pop! and Panda, and it’s still going strong to keep up with the growing demand of casual gamers.

In this interview, DeWolfe discusses the hyper growth of his companies, how to stay focused when running such a behemoth of a company, and what it takes to build massive user bases.

If there’s any other content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

How DeWolfe built the largest website in the world and the biggest social network of its time, Myspace
The trends in pop culture and technology that led to the launch of Myspace in 2003
A look into the rapid growth and eventual sale of Myspace in 2005 for $580 million
How Myspace created a roadmap for companies like Spotify and YouTube
The top three lessons DeWolfe learned from his journey with Myspace
How DeWolfe figured out his next step into the world of mobile gaming
Why Jam City targets an underserved audience for gamers
The acquisition of Mindjolt
How to be a great storyteller and create amazing games
What’s exciting for DeWolfe in the future of the mobile gaming business
What it takes to build large user bases
Why DeWolfe recommends taking measured risks in the pursuit of innovation
A sneak peek into Jam City’s latest upcoming mobile game

305: Dropbox’s Drew Houston on Continuous Learning, Decision Making, and Fixing the Way We Work May 19, 2020

Show notes

By now, the story is legend. When Drew Houston boarded a bus from Boston to New York and discovered that he had—yet again—forgotten to bring his thumb drive, he was frustrated. So frustrated that he sat down and began writing the first lines of code of what would eventually become Dropbox.

After over a decade of changing the way files are stored, synced, and shared, Houston is changing the way people work, once again. This time, to solve a problem that likely plagues every single knowledge worker today: our fragmented, overcomplicated workspaces.

In this episode, you’ll learn more about Houston’s journey—from ideation to launch—with Dropbox Spaces, as well as the most important lessons he’s collected while building a multibillion-dollar company with over 500 million users.

Key Takeaways

The relatable experience that inspired Houston to come up with the idea for Dropbox
Why Houston doesn’t believe there’s any “magic” involved in building a multibillion-dollar company
The importance of decision making and learning continuously on the job
How a conversation with a SpaceX engineer sparked the vision behind Dropbox Spaces
Houston’s advice on “harvesting” versus “planting” when it comes to your business
Why Houston is such a huge believer in intentionally designing your environment—at work and with your personal relationships

304: Alex Osterwalder On Why Products, Technology, And Price Aren’t Enough To Keep Your Company Competitive May 19, 2020

Show notes

Alex Osterwalder is primarily known for developing the Business Model Canvas, a template that helps startups develop and document new or existing business models.

In this interview, Osterwalder shares his best insights into the world of business models—ideas that are especially applicable now as entrepreneurs try to launch businesses during Covid-19. He explains why products, technology, and price alone aren’t enough to keep your company competitive. Osterwalder also breaks down the innovative models that Apple, Netflix, and Nintendo have used to become industry leaders (and why even these behemoths aren’t safe from disruption).

We also get a sneak peek into Osterwalder’s latest book called “The Invincible Company.” Not only does it contain an entire library of business models for companies of all sizes, but it also provides guidance on how startups can continuously reinvent themselves to stay ahead of the curve.

If there’s any other content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Key Takeaways

How Osterwalder came to study business models in graduate school
Insight into Osterwalder’s latest book, “The Invincible Company”
Why companies can’t compete on products, technology, and price alone (and why your business model can provide the ultimate competitive edge)
The scalability of business models
Why companies need to transcend industry boundaries
The reason why Osterwalder urges entrepreneurs to test before they build
How Apple, Netflix, and Nintendo are prime case studies of innovative business models in action—but why even they’re not safe from disruption
Osterwalder’s stance on the “magic bullet” when it comes to business models (hint: there isn’t one)

303: Ballsy’s Adam Hendle Talks Community Engagement, Customer Acquisition, And Leaning Into The Pandemic May 12, 2020

Show notes

Adam Hendle’s company, Ballsy, is eye-catching and humorous, which are some of the most defining characteristics of the brand.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t take his business seriously. On the contrary, Hendle is obsessed with producing the highest quality products and finding creative ways to take his company to the next level. This is exactly how he brought in over $10 million in sales in just two years. And now, during the Covid-19 pandemic, he is still finding opportunities to grow.

In this podcast episode, Hendle discusses his unique approach to everything from community engagement to customer acquisition. He also opens up about his most challenging moments in business and explains how he finds opportunities in unexpected times and places (such as during a pandemic). This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

If there’s any other type of content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com.

Want some training on ecommerce? Check out our free masterclasses:

FREE Masterclass: Start a Profitable Online Store (In 12 Weeks or Less)

FREE Masterclass: Discover the “5 Core Drivers” Behind Today’s Fastest-Growing 7-Figure Stores

Key Takeaways

What’s changed with Ballsy since the last time we talked to Hendle
An overview of Ballsy’s growth from a sales, marketing, and team perspective
How Covid-19 gave Hendle’s brand an opportunity for growth
The approach Hendle took to lean into customer demand for subscriptions and stocking up on products
How Ballsy stays engaged with its community in fun and creative ways
A deep dive into one of Ballsy’s most unique customer acquisition channels: podcast advertisements
Why it’s important to test your assumptions
Insight into some of the biggest business obstacles Hendle has had to face
Why Hendle has Ballsy’s influencers on a monthly retainer
The reason why product quality is paramount to the Ballsy brand

302: Serial Ecommerce Entrepreneur Rory Boyle On How He Survived (And Thrived) During The Pandemic May 11, 2020

Show notes

All three of Rory Boyle’s ecommerce businesses were negatively impacted by Covid-19.

But thanks to his strategic—and insanely fast—pivot, two of his companies are now making double the revenue they were before and one (which historically made most of its money through conferences) is still pulling in around 50% of what it used to make.

How did Boyle recover so quickly from the pandemic? In this interview, we were lucky enough to get a detailed analysis around his thought process and strategic decisions. Boyle takes us through how he shifted his sales and marketing tactics (which still includes getting on the phone) and explains how he’s using this time as an opportunity to give back to his community and customers. He also shares tons of tips around scaling sales efforts, the art of cadence emails, and other tactics you can use to grow your revenue.

If there’s any other type of content you’d like to see that would be valuable to you during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out at support@foundr.com to let us know.

If you need want some training on ecommerce, check out our Free Masterclasses:

Learn How You Can Start a Profitable Online Store (In 12 Weeks or Less)Discover the “5 Core Drivers” Behind Today’s Fastest-Growing 7-Figure Stores

Key Takeaways

The origin stories of Hampers With Bite, Promotions Warehouse, and Snacks With Bite
What Boyle means when he says to “control the controllables”
How COVID-19 impacted all 3 of Boyle’s businesses—and how he pivoted all of them at breakneck speed
The approach Boyle is taking to sales and marketing during the pandemic (and why his team is still hopping on the phone to talk to customers)
Why Boyle believes every ecommerce entrepreneur needs to be thinking about the next step instead of focusing on current performance
How Boyle is giving back to his community and customers
How he’s planning around stocking challenges, especially for the upcoming holidays
A super deep dive into Boyle’s best sales tactics and strategies
Why Boyle would encourage entrepreneurs to launch their business in today’s climate

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