The Room Podcast

Latest Episodes:

S8E8: Ty Haney and Breana Teubner, CEO and COO of TYB, Share about the Future of Commerce by Leveraging Community as a Growth Chanel May 23, 2023

Show notes

In our season 8 finale, we explore the world of TYB, or Try Your Best, a community management platform that directly engages and rewards fans for taking action, founded by CEO Ty Haney, former founder and CEO of Outdoor Voices. Discover how TYB revolutionizes customer engagement, loyalty, and retention through its innovative platform. Explore their groundbreaking approach of using digital membership collectibles to create a sense of ownership and reward customers for their daily actions. Additionally, learn about Ty Haney’s path from being a brand founder with Outdoor Voices to launching TYB to further her mission of connecting brands and fans. Through TYB, Ty and Breana are seamlessly connecting engagement activity to purchase data, empowering businesses with valuable insights for small-scale and enterprise brands alike.

In today's episode, we explore themes such as leveraging communities as growth channels, acquiring long-term customers in e-commerce given the current shifts in data regulation, and scaling effectively with an early-stage board.

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5:42 - Where did Ty and Breana grow up and how did that shape their views of the world?
8:24 - Did Ty always think she would become a founder?
11:52 - How was Breana’s transition from Capitol Hill to founding and building a company?
13:43 - What was the “aha moment” that was the origin of Outdoor Voices?
16:42 - How did Banana Republic respond to other up-and-coming D to C brands?
19:32 - How did Outdoor Voices think about building community?
21:54 - What was the initial concept for Try Your Best?
24:06 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in TYB?
24:45 - What was a moment in founding TYB when things didn’t go to plan?
29:03 - What is TYB’s core product?
33:45 - How does TYB work with skincare and fashion brands such as Topicals?
38:10 - What do Ty and Breana think of the up-and-coming e-commerce tech stack?
41:18 - How do Ty and Breana feel about the concept of a board?
46:22 - What’s next for Ty and Breana in their personal lives?
49:00 - Who is a woman in your life that has had a profound impact on you and your career?

WX Productions

S8E7: Yin Wu's Journey of Empowering Startups with Pulley's Equity Management Solutions [LIVE] May 16, 2023

Show notes

This week, we brought our conversation inside the room to a LIVE audience! Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Yin Wu, the founder of Pulley, a groundbreaking company revolutionizing equity management for startups. Pulley provides innovative equity solutions that empower founders and streamline the complex processes of equity administration, cap table management, and employee equity grants.

In today's riveting episode, we delve into the realm of cap table management, emphasizing the importance of adopting a long-term perspective. We also provide insightful guidance on building your inaugural sales team, challenge the notion of working smarter, not harder, and explore an additional theme of fostering a culture of innovation within your organization.

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6:37 - Where did Yin grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
7:12 - What was the inception of Yin moving out to California?
7:34 - When did Yin start having an interest in becoming a founder?
9:39 - What were some of the learnings from previous companies; Oven Labs and Echo Locker?
11:52 - What company did Yin apply to YC with?
12:54 - What advice would Yin give to founders about when is the right time to pivot?
14:07 - What was the “aha moment” that sparked the start of Pulley?
16:19 - Why cap tables?
17:23 - What is one common mistake that founders often make when dealing with cap tables putting together equity?
19:32 - How does Pulley help founders?
21:36 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Pulley?
22:36 - How was Yin’s experience fundraising during Covid?
23:40 - What advice does Yin have for founders beginning their fundraising journey?
25:32 - What was a moment when building Pulley that things didn’t go as planned?
26:49 - What tips does Yin have for making difficult decisions?
28:50 - What is Yin’s Go-To-Market strategy?
30:21 - How has Pulley thought about products that can scale with larger companies?
31:44 - What advice does Yin have on building an initial team?
34:31 - What advice would Yin give founders about competitive dynamics?
35:55 - How does Yin balance being a mother and a founder?
37:57 - What’s next for Yin and Pulley?
38:49 - Who is a woman in Yin’s life that has had a profound impact on her and her career?

WX Productions

S8E6: How Rahul Vohra's Superhuman Revolution is Transforming Email for Professionals May 09, 2023

Show notes

Join us for an engaging conversation with Rahul Vohra, CEO and founder of Superhuman, the fast, efficient email client that has become a favorite among professionals. With its focus on productivity, Superhuman has revolutionized the way people manage their email, and has achieved a loyal following of users who enjoy its advanced features, such as keyboard shortcuts and the ability to snooze emails for later.

In this episode, we explore the benefits of manual onboarding and how it has helped Superhuman build a loyal user base, Rahul shares insights on how to properly take advantage of the investment "game" and, how to navigate the current state of the seed stage for both founders and investors.

Articles referenced in the Episode:

Founders How to Stop Worrying and Love Being Acquired

How Superhuman Built an Engine to Find Product Market Fit

SuperHuman AI Announcement

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6:20 - Where did Rahul grow up and how did he become introduced to computer science?
8:00 - Did Rahul always think he would become a founder?
8:40 - How did working as a game designer shape Rahul’s approach to building digital products?
9:56 - How many companies has Rahul founded and how were those experiences?
12:39 - How was Rahul’s experience founding Reportive?
16:30 - How are companies looking at productivity tools now versus 12 years ago?
17:48 - What was the “aha moment” that sparked the start of Superhuman?
19:38 - What inspired Rahul to include onboarding with Superhuman’s product?
21:48 - When did Rahul realize that Superhuman had a substantial product market fit?
25:04 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Superhuman?
26:47 - What advice does Rahul have for seed stage and Series A stage founders?
28:39 - What was a moment when things didn’t go as planned during Rahul’s founding journey?
29:45 - How did Rahul react when his acquisition by LinkedIn nearly fell through?
34:07 - How has Superhuman’s Go-To-Market strategy evolved over time?
38:38 - How is selling to teams different than selling to individuals?
40:47 - How is Superhuman thinking about AI?
42:29 - What is Rahul’s perspective on new companies starting in the application space?
44:16 - What’s next for Rahul?
45:37 - Who is a woman in Rahul’s life that has had a profound impact on him and his career?

WX Productions

S8E5: How Postscript and Adam Turner Help E-Commerce Businesses Build Stronger Customer Relationships May 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Turner, the CEO of Postscript, to discuss how his company is transforming the world of e-commerce. From boosting conversion rates to maximizing ROI, Postscript is the ultimate SMS marketing tool that's helping businesses achieve their goals. But don't just take our word for it - Postscript has raised over 106M to date from the likes of YC, Accomplice, Greylock, and more. Join us as Adam shares his experience starting a company with his brother and his insights on the ups and downs of direct-to-consumer marketing.

Themes in this episode include the importance of building strong customer relationships and engaging with customers through personalized messaging, how Postscript is helping businesses maximize their ROI and drive revenue growth, and the future of the direct-to-consumer e-commerce space.

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4:31 - Where did Adam grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
6:02 - Did Adam always think he would become a founder?
7:26 - How did Adam become interested in the commerce enablement space?
11:20 - What did Adam learn from Stack Commerce that he carried with him to Postscript?
15:12 - Why in the late 2010s did SMS start to overtake email as a comms channel?
17:54 - What was the “duct tape version” of the first product for Postscript?
19:27 - How does Adam like running a business with his brother?
21:42 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Postscript?
23:05 - What was a moment in starting Postscript when things didn’t go as planned?
26:01 - How was Postrscript able to earn a million in revenue prior to using any YC money?
29:39 - How has Adam navigated competition and differentiation as his industry becomes more prevalent?
32:19 - Has Adam observed any changes in DDC companies marketing spending habits?
33:40 - Is Postscript considering incorporating AI into its product?
36:50 - What role does Twilio play in Postscript's strategy?
42:14 - What other commerce enablement companies are achieving success?
43:54 - What’s next for Adam?
45:16 - Who is a woman in Adam’s life that has had a profound impact on him and his career?

WX Productions

BONUS: Exploring Coda's Innovative Approach to a Workflow Document with Founder Shishir Mehrotra [From the Archives] Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

This week we are taking it back to one of our favorite episodes where we interview Shishir Mehrotra, founder and CEO of Coda. Coda is a venture-backed workflow tool valued at over $600 million dollars. With Coda, docs are now as powerful as applications. Although Coda was started in 2014, Coda is more relevant now than ever as a key player in 2020’s “future of work.” Coda continues redefining what it means to stay organized, engaged, and effective even in our remote-first culture.

In this episode, we explore Shishir’s path to building one of the world’s most powerful work tools- where the flexibility of a doc is combined with the power of a spreadsheet and application. We’ll explore insights and themes such as prioritizing opportunities that foster personal growth, the benefits of building a company in stealth and, scaling a distributed workforce and culture well. Let’s open the door.

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8:27 - Did Shishir always think he would become a founder?
10:39 - Before the Cloud was standard use, Shishir founded Entrata, a data center management tool. What data did Shishir store and how?
14:28 - What was it like fundraising right out of college?
17:32 - How was Shishir’s experience working at Google and Youtube?
23:15 - How did Shishir’s experience inspire his approach to starting Coda?
29:52 - How has the company culture changed as Coda has scaled?
33:52 - How will the return to work affect Coda and other companies?
38:43 - What is Shishir’s unique philosophy to frame big problems?
44:58 - How does Shishir balance work and family, especially during the pandemic?
46:56 - Who is a woman in Shishir’s life that had a profound impact on his career?

WX Productions

S8E4: Vlad Magdalin and Webflow are Revolutionizing Website Design by Making it Accessible to All Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Looking to discover the story behind one of the most successful website-building platforms in the industry? Tune in to this episode of The Room Podcast, where we sit down with Vlad Magdalin, the founder of Webflow, for an in-depth conversation about his journey from designing websites for clients to building a powerful platform that has revolutionized the way we create websites. To date, Webflow has raised over $335M in funding from the likes of Accel, CapitalG, Draper Associates, and YC.

Join us as we delve into the early days of Webflow and the challenges Vlad faced in bringing his vision to life. We'll explore how Webflow has evolved over the years and the key features that have made it a favorite among designers and developers alike. Vlad also shares his insights on the future of web design and development, including his thoughts on the rise of AI and no-code tools and the importance of accessibility in creating inclusive online experiences.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of timing while building a startup and how ideas sometimes take years to come together, how Webflow established a multi-layered ecosystem for their customers and developers, and what’s ahead in the future of websites.

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5:33 - How did moving to a new country at a young age shape Vlad’s view of the world?
7:59 - How did Vlad’s childhood shape how he operates as a founder?
10:02 - Why did Vlad love digital design and animation in college?
12:22 - How was Vlad’s first startup experience?
16:12 - What was the “aha moment” that sparked the start of Webflow?
20:48 - What encouraged Vlad to focus on Webflow full-time?
26:33 - Who was the first investor to say yes to Vlad and Webflow?
29:32 - Who are the core customers of Webflow and what was the initial go-to-market strategy?
34:48 - How does Vlad see Webflow's position in power and commerce beyond the storefront?
36:56 - How is Webflow thinking about the future of websites and generative AI?
38:53 - Is there a language model or transformer that Webfow is considering partnering with in the
future?
40:03 - How many websites has Webflow helped build?
40:53 - What’s next for Vlad and Webflow?
43:11 - Who is a woman that has had a profound impact on Vlad and his career?

WX Productions

S8E3: Jaclyn Rice Nelson and her Expert Engineers at Tribe AI are Bringing Businesses into the Modern World of AI and Machine Learning Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Join us for another insightful conversation with Jaclyn Rice Nelson, the visionary CEO and founder of Tribe AI. Tribe AI is a firm that provides and connects AI and machine learning-focused engineers to businesses wanting to optimize their operations and make data-driven decisions. Jackie noticed a gap in the market where many specialized AI/ ML engineers were only hired via the occasional ad-hoc consulting gig. However, she knew there were countless companies that desperately needed the help of exactly these experts. She wanted to build a new market for leveraging AI experts. This was the birth of Tribe AI.

Themes in this episode navigating the windy path to identifying a gap in the market, alternative ways to start, fund, and scale a startup, and the future of AI in today’s market, including a discussion on defensibility and IP. Let’s open the door.

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5:45 - Where did Jackie grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
8:07 - Did Jackie ever think she would become a founder?
10:11 - How was Jackie’s experience at Google?
13:45 - What is the origin of Coalition Operators' mission of empowering women investors?
17:47 - How did Jackie meet her cofounder?
21:50 - What was the “aha moment” that sparked the start of Tribe AI?
25:07 - How has the AI landscape been changing and what effect has that had on Tribe AI?
27:59 - How are companies utilizing Tribe AI?
29:16 - What was a moment in founding Tribe AI when things didn’t go as planned?
34:17 - How do Tribe AI and its engineers think about IP and ownership?
37:03 - What are some ideologies that Jackie has heard in regard to privacy in APIs?
40:10 - How is Jackie thinking about the application layer?
43:58 - Who is a woman who has had a profound impact on Jackie and her career?

WX Productions

S8E2: Sampriti Bhattacharyya the CEO and Founder of Navier Is Changing Maritime Transportation through Electrification and Nautical Autonomy Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Sampriti Bhattacharyya the CEO and Founder of Navier. Sampriti shares her incredible journey of founding Navier, and her passion for sustainable and efficient watercraft technology. Discover how Navier's hydrofoiling boats are revolutionizing the boating industry, with advanced technology that delivers unparalleled speed, efficiency, and comfort.

In this episode, Sampriti talks to us about the challenges that she faced in bringing this innovative technology to market, especially as an Indian woman, how Navier is addressing key sustainability concerns in the marine transportation sector, as well what inspired her to start Navier in the first place.

Whether you're a boating enthusiast or just curious about the future of sustainable marine transportation, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

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6:01 - Where did Sampriti grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
7:02 - Did Sampriti always think she would become a founder?
7:53 - What drove Sampriti to move across the world for school?
11:45 - What did Sampriti study while at school?
13:08 - What inspired Sampriti to work on massive problems like nuclear energy?
15:08 - What was the “aha moment” that led to Hydroswarm?
16:49 - What caused Sampriti’s transition from Hyrdoswarm to Navier?
18:20 - What is the mission and core product of Navier?
21:18 - What are Sampriti’s thoughts on the Navier 30?
24:53 - What was the Go-To-Market strategy for Navier and how has it changed over time?
28:08 - Who was the first person to say yes to Navier?
29:23 - What advice does Sampriti have for new and underrepresented founders?
31:09 - When was a moment during the founding of Navier when things didn’t go as planned?
33:41 - Did Navier develop their software in-house and how was AI thought about in the process?
36:05 - Why is now such an important time to be looking at the geopolitics of the ocean?
38:30 - What’s next for Navier?
39:06 - What’s next for Sampriti?
39:53 - Who is a woman that has had a profound impact on Sampriti and her career?

WX Productions

S8E1: Cristóbal Valenzuela Brings Us into the Future of Creative Editing with Runway and their Generative AI-powered Suite Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to The Room Podcast! We start off season 8 by jumping straight into the modern era of audio and video editing with Cristóbal Valenzuela, the CEO and co-founder of Runway. Runway is “everything you need to make anything you want.”

Runway makes the future of editing accessible to everyone by providing over 30 AI Tools to make your editing journey quicker and easier, from ideation all the way through post-production.

Themes in this episode include blending art and business to disrupt an industry, the added pressures of starting a successful business as a first-generation immigrant, and the future of generative AI at the hands of large language models such as Runway’s GEN1 model.

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6:06 - Where did Cris grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?
7:49 - Did Cris always think he would become a founder?
9:11 - What was Cris interested in building?
12:53 - How did Cris meet his cofounders?
15:20 - What was the “aha moment” that sparked the start of Runway?
17:29 - What is the core product of Runway and how is it different than when Runway began?
19:28 - How have early language models played a role in the Runway product suite?
22:08 - How has the Go-To-Market strategy of Runway evolved over time?
24:33 - At what point did Cris reach out to CBS and why?
25:54 - What was a moment during the creation of Runway when things didn’t go as planned?
29:49 - Who was the first person to say yes to Runway?
32:10 - In regards to AI and machine learning, what is the difference between generative and discriminative?
34:02 - What can users look forward to in “Gen-1” of Runway?
38:00 - how does Cris see things evolving between cloud services and edge apps?
39:45 - What advice would Cris give to investors looking in the AI space?
41:37 - How does Runway empower creators of all shapes and sizes?
44:23 - What advice does Cris have for new founders?
45:39 - Who is a woman that has had a profound impact on Cris and his career?

WX Productions

S7E8: Edith Harbaugh on Unlocking Feature Flagging and Feature Management at Scale with LaunchDarkly Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

In the season seven finale, we chat with Edith Harbaugh, CEO and Co-Founder of LaunchDarkly, the feature management platform which allows development teams to innovate faster by gradually releasing new software features to any segment of users on any platform. Edith speaks to the lessons she learned during her earlier career as a software engineer and product leader. She describes the key learnings she had in selling a product she ardently believed in to buyers who didn’t know yet why they needed her platform. Today, Edith has been named on the Forbes Cloud 100 list, Entrepreneur's 100 Women of influence list, and NASDAQ Female Leaders Council.

Themes you expect in this week's episode include; the trade-offs to a development team of building vs buying, the need for feature management across startups and enterprises, and how trust drives your go-to-market strategy with early customers.

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6:04 - Where did Edith grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?
7:19 - Did Edith always think she would become a founder?
8:38 - What did Edith learn when she stayed at her first job through an acquisition?
12:17 - What was the “aha” moment that encouraged Edith to launch LaunchDarkly?
17:59 - How did engineering and product teams manage feature flags before LaunchDarkly?
19:34 - When did Edith know it was time to leave TripIt and focus entirely on LaunchDarkly?
21:02 - How has the LaunchDarkly product evolved since its creation?
23:03 - Who was the first person to say yes to investing in LaunchDarkly?
25:13 - What was a moment in Edith’s journey where things didn’t go as planned?
29:26 - How did Edith earn the trust of the stakeholders she was selling to?
31:25 - Did Edith have to rethink her go-to-market strategy once she realized the trust factor in selling a product like Launch Darkly?
33:36 - What changed behind the scenes once LaunchDarkly hit its stride?
37:22 - How has the competitive landscape evolved since LaunchDarkly’s origin?
40:02 - How does Edith empower her team amidst periods of uncertainty?
41:17 - How has Edith’s experience been on the NASDAQ Female Leaders Council?
43:24 - What's next for LaunchDarkly?
44:24 - Who is a woman that has had a profound impact on Edith’s life and career?

WX Productions

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