Send us a text

Join us in this inspiring episode of the Maker Manager Money podcast as host Kyle Ariel Knowles interviews David Lindmeir, the founder and CEO of Foretopia. David shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his childhood experiences in his family's candy store to launching his first business, eWatches, and eventually founding Foretopia, an IT services consulting firm specializing in the Oracle NetSuite ERP platform.

KEY LEARNINGS

Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit Early On: David's childhood experience working in his parents' candy store instilled a passion for entrepreneurship. Despite witnessing the business's challenges and exhaustion, he recognized the value of hard work and customer service. This early exposure shaped his future ventures, reminding us that the entrepreneurial spirit can be nurtured from a young age.

The Importance of Scaling with the Right Tools: One of David's pivotal decisions at eWatches was implementing NetSuite as their ERP system, even when it seemed overpowered for their initial needs. This foresight allowed the business to scale effectively and manage inventory seamlessly. David emphasizes that having the right processes and systems in place is crucial for growth, a lesson that resonates with any business looking to expand.

Value-Driven Consulting: With the launch of Foretopia, David aims to provide more than just standard consulting services. He focuses on understanding clients' long-term visions and helping them achieve their goals through tailored solutions. This approach builds trust and empowers clients to think beyond day-to-day operations, fostering innovation and growth within their organizations.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• David's early entrepreneurial influences and experiences working in his family's business.
• His transition from a career in product management to starting eWatches and the challenges he faced along the way.
• Key lessons learned from scaling eWatches to over $7 million in sales and successfully exiting the business.
• Insights into the importance of implementing effective systems and processes for business growth.
• The founding of Foretopia and its mission to help companies achieve their full potential on the NetSuite platform.
• An exciting sneak peek into DubSuite, a new app and services marketplace for NetSuite that David is launching.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

LINKS

• Follow David on LinkedIn
• Foretopia: Oracle NetSuite Alliance Partner
• DubSuite NetSuite Apps & Services
• How to Win & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
• Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
• The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey and Zach Kleiman
• Follow Kyle on LinkedIn

Support the show

Send us a text

In this Maker Manager Money episode, host Kyle Ariel Knowles welcomes Adam Coughlin, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of York IE, an innovative advisory and venture capital firm focused on helping early-stage B2B SaaS companies grow.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Power of Storytelling in Startups: Adam emphasized the importance of storytelling in the startup landscape. A founder's journey begins with selling a vision and an idea. Data points can validate that story as time progresses, but the initial narrative attracts people to your mission. This highlights the need for entrepreneurs to craft compelling narratives that resonate with their audience and stakeholders.

Responsible Fundraising and Pragmatic Growth: In today's evolving market, Adam shared that the approach to fundraising has shifted. Gone are the days of "growth at all costs." Instead, founders should focus on understanding their "why" and ensuring they build a sustainable business. Responsible fundraising means being mindful of the equity you give away and ensuring your growth strategy is grounded in reality. The "Rule of 40" is a great framework to consider, balancing growth and profitability to create a healthy company.

Leveraging AI as a Tool for Success: The conversation also touched on the increasing role of AI in startups. Adam pointed out that AI should be viewed as a powerful tool to help founders do more with less. However, it's crucial to have a strong strategy in place before diving into AI solutions. Founders should focus on understanding their market and crafting a unique value proposition before leveraging AI for marketing and operational efficiencies.

Explore Adam's journey from journalist to tech marketer and entrepreneur. He shares invaluable insights on the startup ecosystem, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges of transitioning from a corporate environment to the founder's seat.

We dive deep into essential topics such as:

• Responsible fundraising and pragmatic growth strategies
• The significance of understanding your "why" as an entrepreneur
• The increasing role of AI in startups and business transformation
• The unique all-in-one approach of York IE that aligns founders, investors, and their teams

Adam's passion for inspiring entrepreneurs shines through as he discusses the value of building strong relationships and creating a supportive startup environment. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking perspectives.

Don't miss this engaging conversation, which encourages you to keep going, start your journey, and embrace the entrepreneurial spirit!

LINKS

• Follow Adam on LinkedIn
• York IE - Advisory and Investment Firm for Technology Companies
• The Third Door: The Mindset of Success by Alex Banayan
• Follow Kyle on LinkedIn

Support the show

Send us a text

Welcome to the Maker Manager Money podcast! In this episode, host Kyle Ariel Knowles sits down with David Hirschfeld, the founder and CEO of Tekyz. With over 35 years of experience in software development, David shares his entrepreneurship journey, including creating the innovative Launch First methodology designed to help software startups achieve product-market fit quickly.

Here are three key takeaways from our conversation that I believe every entrepreneur and aspiring startup founder should consider:

1. Focus on Solving Real Problems: One of David's most powerful insights is the importance of building products that solve real problems you understand deeply. He emphasized that the best startups often emerge from personal experiences and frustrations. By automating tasks or addressing challenges in your own life, you can create solutions that resonate with others facing similar issues. This approach validates your idea and enhances your understanding of the market.
2. The Value of Rapid Revenue Generation: David's Launch First methodology stresses the significance of generating revenue quickly. He pointed out that many startups fail because they invest heavily in product development without validating their market. Instead, he advocates for a lean approach—developing a minimum viable product (MVP) and testing it in the market to gauge interest and demand. This strategy allows entrepreneurs to pivot or refine their offerings based on real feedback, reducing the risk of costly missteps.
3. Embrace AI as a Tool for Innovation: In our discussion, David highlighted how AI transforms the software development landscape. He shared exciting examples of how Tekyz Corp is leveraging AI to enhance project management, streamline processes, and improve customer interactions. As AI continues to evolve, it’s crucial for entrepreneurs to embrace these technologies, not just as a trend but as essential tools that can drive efficiency and creativity in their businesses.

Join us as David discusses:

• The story behind the name "Tekyz" and how it reflects the company's mission.
• The various ways Tekyz generates revenue through contract software development and upcoming SaaS products.
• Insights into the importance of understanding customer problems over just focusing on the product.
• Pivotal moments from David's early career that sparked his entrepreneurial drive.
• The impact of AI on software development and how Tekyz is leveraging it for project management and product design.
• Valuable advice for aspiring software engineers and entrepreneurs navigating the evolving tech landscape.

Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights.

LINKS

• Follow David on LinkedIn
• David's company, Tekyz
• David's new SaaS product, ManageReferrals.com
• Learn more about Launch 1st
• Follow Kyle on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Kyle's Substack

Support the show