Founded On Purpose

Yana Welinder, founder and CEO of Kraftful, shares her dynamic journey from law professor at Stanford to a product leader whose company was acquired by Amplitude. In this episode, Yana discusses Kraftful's evolution, the importance of pivoting, and the steps involved in a successful acquisition. She underscores the significance of leveraging user feedback, optimizing fundraising speed as a solo fo...

Khadijah Robinson’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t begin in a startup accelerator — it began in her childhood home, where her parents were intentional about shaping how she saw beauty, possibility, and Black excellence. That foundation led her to build the Nile List as a “therapeutic exercise” during  her full-time legal career, eventually growing it into a platform supporting thousands of Black-o...

What does it look like to build a social app from an Instagram project into a VC-backed global community — and then let it go? In this episode of Founded On Purpose , Kt McBratney talks with Kel Rakowski , artist, strategist, writer, and founder of Lex , the beloved queer social app acquired by 9Count in 2024. Kel opens up about the origins of Lex in vintage lesbian personal ads, the early explosi...

What really happens after your startup gets acquired? In the first episode of season 2's After the Exit series, Kt talks with Amelia Lin , cofounder and former CEO of Honeycomb , the AI-powered family photo platform acquired in 2024, and cofounder of VC Backed Moms , the global community for venture-backed founders navigating motherhood. Amelia shares the real story behind Honeycomb’s journey — fr...

Kesha Stickland's mission is clear: to make healthy food accessible and delicious. After a life-changing health crisis, she turned to mushrooms as a powerful tool for healing—and now she's revolutionizing the meat alternative industry. Discover how her journey from software engineer to food innovator is transforming consumer behavior and building healthier communities. Episode Summary: Kesha Stick...

Jilea Hemmings isn’t just ahead of the curve — she’s defining it. From pioneering meatless meals before the plant-based boom to transforming food access with AI-driven retail, Jilea is proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand. In this episode, she shares how she navigates resistance to change, the importance of asking the right questions, and why laughter is her secret to sustainable ent...

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. Walter Ley breaks down how he forged his own, built his own playbook, and learned to trust his instincts as he celebrates his company, Branch, hitting the 1 million user milestone.  Episode Summary: Walter Ley didn’t follow a prewritten script — he built his own playbook for success with his company, Branch. In this episode, we dive into his journey as a...

What does it take to fully integrate impact into entrepreneurship? Laurie Lane-Zucker has spent decades shaping a new paradigm where business drives measurable social and environmental good. Episode Summary: In this episode of Founded on Purpose , host Kt McBratney sits down with Laurie Lane-Zucker, founder and CEO of Impact Entrepreneur, a pioneering force in the impact economy. Laurie shares his...

What does it take for women entrepreneurs — especially women of color — to break through and thrive? Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, CEO and founder of Wocstar, shares how she backs bold entrepreneurs and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Episode Summary: In this episode of Founded on Purpose , Kt McBratney sits down with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, a trailblazing investor, founder, and ecosystem build...

Ever wondered how to turn life’s challenges into a springboard for innovation? Merav Goldman’s story will inspire you to rethink setbacks and redefine creativity.   Episode Summary In this episode of Founded on Purpose , we sit down with Merav Goldman, founder of the award-winning company All Better Co. Merav shares her entrepreneurial journey, focusing on two powerful themes: how slingshot moment...

Can we change the world by changing how we consume media? Ashwath Narayanan, co-founder and CEO of Social Currant, thinks so. In this episode, he discusses how purpose-led organizations can further their impact by embracing and investing in the rapidly evolving creator and media landscape. Episode Summary Ashwath Narayanan joins host Kt McBratney to talk about his work in the evolving media landsc...

What happens when purpose meets community? In this special live episode of Founded on Purpose , recorded at the vibrant Holiday UnCorporate Party, Paul Armstrong (General Partner at Renew VC) and Madilynn Beck (Founder & CEO of The Better Spot) join host Kt McBratney to explore how helping others shapes careers, communities, and even the future of entrepreneurship. Plus, hear from other inspir...

What does it take to build a supportive community for women and nonbinary people in male-dominant fields? In this episode, Old Girls Club founder Mallory Contois and host Kt McBratney delve into the unexpected parallels between relationships and business success. Mallory shares her take of the roles of support networks, partners, and friendships in achieving professional goals. Can who you choose...

How can we drive systemic change in the apparel industry while building a sustainable, community-driven brand? Marianna Sachse, founder of Jackalo, shares her journey of designing clothes that stand the test of time. Episode Summary   In this episode, Marianna Sachse, founder of Jackalo, dives into the world of sustainable fashion, focusing on durability and responsible production. A lifelong envi...

What if peak performance isn’t about doing more but being more? Jason Cavnar unpacks how founders can harness mental health practices to drive innovation, foster resilience, and redefine what it means to lead sustainably in high-pressure environments. Episode Summary In this candid and deeply personal conversation, Jason Cavnar, executive director of the Founder Mental Health Pledge, discusses how...

How can we find genuine connection in the noise of the digital age? Kay Rodriguez, CEO of Outerly, shares how she's using outdoor experiences and a beginner's mindset to foster belonging at scale and counter the loneliness epidemic. Episode Summary: What does it mean to create true belonging in an increasingly disconnected world? Kay Rodriguez, CEO of Outerly, joins us to discuss her mission is to...

How can media be a vehicle for change in our noisy, fragmented world? Julian Walker, CEO of PushBlack, joins host Kt McBratney to discuss building a platform that reaches millions in the Black community with powerful stories, history, and a call to action. Hear about his journey, challenges, and insights into impact entrepreneurship as he shares what it takes to build and grow a purpose-driven med...

How can agency reshape creativity and entrepreneurship? Emily Best discusses how taking control of your story and vision is essential for thriving as a creator, building a company, and sparking lasting change in your community. Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, Kt McBratney talks with Emily Best, founder and CEO of Film Forward and Seed&Spark, a platform empowering creators with the...

How do you mix centuries-old garments with modern business strategies? Fashion Conservatory’s Melinda Villareal takes us inside the vintage fashion world as she discusses her journey from passionate vintage clothing seller to building a growing retail platform that marries history with the future of fashion. Episode Summary: In this episode, Melinda Villareal (CEO of Fashion Conservatory) dives de...

How do we build a better world by building software that adapts to us instead of the other way around? Founder and CEO of BetterCEO Mina Raver shares how her journey from a 10-year-old entrepreneur selling origami to a tech founder is rooted in challenging conventions and embracing innovation. Tune in to learn how cognitive differences and tinkering drive her work and leadership to  break down soc...

What does it take to be driven by purpose while tackling some of society’s most complex challenges? In this episode, Devin Thorpe, impact investor, author, and host of Superpowers for Good, shares how persistence, optimism, and a strong belief in collective action have shaped his career and mindset. Devin’s reflections will inspire you to embrace hard challenges and see your own potential to creat...

There are 950,000 hair salons in the U.S., bringing in $68B annually, yet the average salon owner is leaving $150,000 a year on the table. Enter Chrystal L. Graves, the founder and CEO of Liquid, the decision engine helping salon owners increase profits and thrive.  In this episode, Chrystal talks with host Kt McBratney about the driving forces behind her entrepreneurial journey. She shares her in...

Sometimes pushing the limits means climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and sometimes it means making the fertility journey more proactive and inclusive. Today's guest can attest to both. Kt sits down with Jessica Bell van der Wal, co-founder and CEO of Frame Fertility , to talk about her purpose-driven path to help people navigate family planning with confidence and care. She shares her insights on as pro...

Ever feel like your career doesn’t fit neatly into a traditional box? Same. In this episode, we chat with Milly Tamati, founder of Generalist World, who’s made it her mission to support people like us—those who zigzag through careers, passions, and projects. Milly gets real about the ups and downs of building a path that doesn’t follow the rulebook and shares how she’s helping fellow generalists f...

How do you sift through the noise of advice, embrace the messiness of life, and find success on your terms? Startup and venture capital veteran Anastasia Simon shares her framework for evaluating advice, how she’s redefining success in her life and, perhaps most importantly, her stance on Drake vs. Kendrick.  Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive deep with Anastasia Simon, a force in the ventu...