Married to the Startup

Send us Fan Mail Join Alicia and George as they explore the inspiring story of Bobbi Brown, founder of Jones Road Beauty, who built a billion-dollar brand, sold it, and then reinvented herself in her sixties. We discuss entrepreneurship, branding, strategic decisions, and the importance of authenticity and timing. keywords Bobbi Brown, Jones Road Beauty, entrepreneurship, branding, non-compete, be...

Send us Fan Mail Join Alicia and George as they explore the realities of writing and publishing books, the impact of media and marketing, and the importance of platform and passion in success. They also delve into personal insights on family, relationships, and the influence of social media on perceptions and opportunities. keywords book publishing, marketing, social media, author success, platfor...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the nuances of social media influence, the reality of wealth, the American Dream, and the future of technology and content creation. The hosts share personal stories, insights on financial habits, and predictions about AI and media evolution. keywords social media, wealth, American Dream, AI, content creation, social media influence, financial habits, social...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the evolving landscape of marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI innovations like Swan AI's mirror, and the importance of adaptability in business and life. George and Alicia share insights on how rapid technological changes and market dynamics demand quick pivots and authentic content strategies.  keywords marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI...

Send us Fan Mail Keesha Scott is a co-founder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company with 800 employees and 17 facilities nationwide, a podcast host, and a soon-to-be published author. In this episode, she sits down with Alicia and George to talk about building a business with her husband, parenting through addiction and loss, and why leading with vulnerability is the most powe...

Send us Fan Mail What really happened to the woman behind MacKenzie-Childs? In this episode, Alicia and George go back to finish the story they started in episode 51, because it turns out there was a whole chapter the internet left out. Before private equity entered the picture, there was Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, who bought MacKenzie-Childs out of bankruptcy for $5.5 million on...

Send us Fan Mail What actually happens after the big exit? In this episode, Alicia and George talk about the wealth event no one fully prepares you for and the three tensions that sneak up on almost every founder: identity crisis, lifestyle creep, and the paranoia of losing what you worked so hard to build. From a Chanel bag to a Lamborghini that eventually just sat in the garage, they share their...

Send us Fan Mail Alicia and George call out three myths dominating entrepreneurship culture right now: more AI means more productivity, more money means more happiness, and owning a business beats working for someone else. They get into what actually happens when companies rush to implement tools without knowing what problem they're solving, the hidden costs that pile up when you start stacki...

Send us Fan Mail Stacey Spikes built MoviePass from the ground up, a subscription model that let you see unlimited movies for one monthly fee, only to watch investors hand his company to someone else. Alicia and George break down how slashing the price to $9.99 turned three million subscribers into a $40 million monthly loss, why gaming growth metrics is a trap that even smart founders fall into,...

Send us Fan Mail Robert Wang left his career as a PhD scientist to build the Instant Pot with his wife Tracy after one too many "what's for dinner" moments as two working parents. He breaks down the 18-month development process, how he grew a cult following of millions with zero marketing budget, and why selling direct-to-consumer on Amazon was the move that changed everything. Alic...

Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth Zwillinger left her career as an attorney to co-found Biologica with her husband Joey.  She breaks down the two-year R&D process, how they stress-tested their idea with 1,000 women before building a single product, and why staying direct-to-consumer is the smartest move they've made.  Alicia and George dig into what it really looks like to build a company with y...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie share what they would do if they had to rebuild a company from $0. They explore the importance of skills inventory and the strategies for starting over. The conversation delves into the significance of consulting, market evaluation, and the challenges of content-led businesses. They also touch on the future of SaaS and AI integration, bu...

Send us Fan Mail AI is moving from “chatbot help” to agents that hold real roles—like an executive assistant that triages your inbox, books meetings, and briefs you daily. Alicia and George unpack what this means for startups, why 2026 feels like a tipping point, and what happens when agents get bodies through humanoid robots. What We Talk About The shift from AI as a tool → AI as an employee (rol...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alicia and George McKenzie discuss the impact of technology and social media on education, parenting, and mental health. They explore the challenges of raising children in a digital age, the implications of content creation, and the need for legislation to protect children from the negative effects of social media. The conversation also touches on the evolution of...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Nick Shaw, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, shares his journey from being a personal trainer to building a successful fitness company. He discusses the importance of hard work, the challenges of scaling a business, and the role of competition in driving success. The conversation also touches on the future of fitness technology, particularly the integr...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 60, Alicia and George unpack one of the most romanticized myths in entrepreneurship: being first to market guarantees success. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. They break down why pioneers often build the category… and fast followers build the empires. From founders being emotionally attached to their “first baby” product, to massive corporations absorbing startups, to how se...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of "Married to the Startup," hosts Alicia and George McKenzie delve into the complexities of celebrity brands and their sustainability in the market. They discuss the recent divorce of a well-known couple and how it impacts their brand, highlighting the often performative nature of relationships showcased online. The conversation shifts to the dyn...

Send us Fan Mail What if the problem in most marriages isn’t effort, but assumptions? In this episode, Alicia and George unpack why the idea of a “50/50 marriage” sounds good in theory but often breaks down in real life. Drawing parallels between marriage and running a company, they explore why fairness isn’t the same as effectiveness, and how division of labor, accountability, and outsourcing can...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 57 is a reintroduction — and a reset. With the podcast officially transitioning to video, Alicia and George McKenzie pull back the curtain on who they are, where they’ve been, and why Married to the Startup exists in the first place. From cybersecurity exits and private equity lessons to CrossFit gyms, real estate plays, five kids, and strong opinions about money, AI, and...

Send us Fan Mail Peloton went from a $50 billion valuation to fighting for survival. George and Alicia break down how the pandemic darling made critical mistakes: mistaking temporary demand for permanent growth, overinvesting in manufacturing, and failing to adapt when gyms reopened. From PR disasters (remember that Christmas commercial?) to deadly treadmill recalls, this episode reveals what happ...

Send us Fan Mail Absolutely nothing but check out these hot takes.  What We’re Talking About Fast Walkers & Founder Energy Are you the person always five steps ahead? We unpack what walking speed says about personality, ambition, and why Alicia moves like she’s late for everything while George… does not. The iRobot Collapse Roomba went from a $1.4B category creator to bankruptcy. One great pro...

Send us Fan Mail Overview Alicia and George break down Coty's $600M acquisition of Kylie Cosmetics and debate the real value of influencer marketing. Key Points The Deal: Coty paid $600M for 51% at $1.2B valuation (2019) Bought Kylie's name, image, and all future beauty ventures—forever Forbes called her "self-made billionaire," then retracted it Real value: $340M, not $900M Wh...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Sponsor Relive Health - Modern wellness clinic offering peptides, hormone optimization, and vitamin therapy in Gaithersburg. What We're Discussing The story of Away, the luggage brand that went from $0 to a $1.4B valuation in just four years—and the toxic workplace culture that nearly destroyed it all. Away's Meteoric Rise Founded by two Warby Parker alums (Jen R...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Married to the Startup, Alicia and George pull back the curtain on one of the wildest startup stories in recent history — the fantasy-sports giant that sold for nearly half a billion dollars… and left its founders with zero. They break down:  • How FanDuel raised $450M and still lost ownership control  • Why preferred shares, liquidation stacks, and dilut...

Send us Fan Mail Alicia and George break down the wild true story behind Mackenzie-Childs — the beloved ceramics brand whose founders not only lost their company…but also the rights to their own name. It’s a cautionary tale every founder needs to hear about scaling too fast, taking on debt, and trusting investors to have your best interest at heart. What We Cover The origin story of Victoria &...