The Founder's Journey Podcast

Welcome to Founders Collective, where we bring you the most inspiring stories from trailblazing Founders. Most founders struggle with loneliness and decision-making. But what if you had a personal board of advisors just like a company? In this episode, we dive deep into how top entrepreneurs structure their lives using coaches, mentors, and consultants to make smarter, faster decisions. 00:00 - Th...

Welcome to Founders Collective, where we bring you the most inspiring stories from trailblazing Founders. Imagine signing a $750K investment deal, celebrating with your team… only for the money to never arrive. This is the true story of how we almost lost everything during the holiday season when an investor completely vanished. 00:00 – The Scariest Day as a Founder 00:21 – How I Perform Under Pre...

Welcome to Founders Collective, where we bring you the most inspiring stories from trailblazing Founders. Hiring the right people is one of the toughest challenges founders face. But what happens when you make the wrong hire? In this episode, we dive deep into the biggest hiring mistakes founders make and the emotional and business consequences of keeping the wrong person on board for too long. We...

Welcome to Founders Collective, where we bring you the most inspiring stories from trailblazing Founders. Unlock the Secret to Demand Generation Success. Are you launching a business and unsure whether to focus on branding or demand generation? In this episode, we break down why demand generation should come first, how to test market responses, and why early-stage businesses need a strong foundati...

Welcome to Founders Collective, where we bring you the most inspiring stories from trailblazing Founders. In this episode of Founders Collective, we explore The Hard Truth About Doing It Alone as a Founder and the essential qualities that make great leaders stand out: empathy, self-awareness, and resilience. Join us for an honest discussion about overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating the challe...

Don't make these studio building mistakes! Learn from the Founder’s Journey, avoid challenges, and persevere to reach your vision. Welcome to Founders Collective, where we bring you the most inspiring stories from trailblazing Founders. In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of the founder of Lounge Studios—a story of unmatched perseverance, sacrifice, and vision. Starting in New York City...

Discover how a young entrepreneur’s technical expertise and perseverance landed the FBI as his very first major client. From writing software articles in niche magazines to presenting at conferences, this founder shares the pivotal moment that shaped his company’s future. Learn how navigating early challenges, including disorganization and tight deadlines, led to a successful project and ultimatel...

What happens when a single mistake costs you $4 million? This is the story of Overcoming Financial Disasters, and the power of a supportive partnership. In this emotional episode of The Founders Journey Podcast, a founder shares how a $4 million mistake nearly derailed his life and career, and how his wife’s unwavering support helped him rebuild. Learn how resilience, sacrifice, and alignment in v...

What happens when life gives you the gift of second chances? Chris Kaplan shares his powerful story of resilience, transformation, and the power of real connections. In this moving episode of The Founders Journey Podcast, Chris Kaplan opens up about his journey from addiction and incarceration to sobriety and success. Through mentorship, Ironman training, and the power of connection, Chris shares...

Discover the lessons Kris learned through hyperfocus for founders, resilience, and committing to 90 days of challenge. In this episode of The Founders Journey Podcast, Kris shares his story of building Criston Cole, balancing family, sobriety, and entrepreneurship. Learn how 90-day commitments, prioritization, and resilience can transform your life and business. From Ironman training to AA meeting...

Angel investing is so much more than writing a check. The best investors mentor, connect, and empower startups to thrive. Learn how you can add real value beyond capital. Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners shares the top ways angel investors can make a lasting impact on early-stage startups. From providing mentorship and opening key connections to talent acquisition and strategic g...

How do you value a startup? Valuing startups is both an art and a science, especially for early-stage companies. In this episode of The Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners breaks down the most effective methods for assessing startup value. From Comparable Company Analysis (CCA) to the Berkus Method, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), and Venture Capital Method, Gr...

Welcome to the Founders Journey podcast! In this episode, Greg Moran of Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners breaks down the essentials of startup due diligence. Whether you're an angel investor or exploring the world of venture capital, this guide will help you identify red flags and make informed investment decisions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Is ‘Fail Fast’ the worst advice for startups? In this episode of The Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran, Peter Dean, and Scot Chisholm (founder of Classy) dive deep into the myths surrounding popular startup advice like “fail fast” and “find a bigger market.” Scott shares hard-earned lessons from Classy’s journey, including the importance of aligning with the right investors, avoiding premature...

Welcome to The Founders Journey Podcast, where we deliver inspiration and education for Founders by Founders. In this episode, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners dives deep into one of the most effective strategies for managing risk in startup investing: diversification. Whether you're a seasoned angel investor or new to this asset class, you'll learn: -  Why over 75% of venture-ba...

Breaking Free from Founder Burnout | Practical Strategies for Success Struggling to balance your life as a founder? You're not alone.  In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners shares his personal story and actionable steps to overcome the Founder’s Fallacy, reduce anxiety, and build a sustainable, fulfilling life. ✨ What You’ll Learn: - H...

What does it take to transition from founder-led leadership to a second CEO? In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Peter Dean speaks with Matt Sharrers, author of The Second CEO, about the challenges and strategies for navigating leadership transitions. From cultural evolution to rebuilding leadership teams, Matt shares actionable insights for founders, investors, and second CEOs lookin...

Want to succeed in angel investing? In this episode of the Founders Journey podcast, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners shares the essential metrics and strategies every angel investor needs to know. Learn how to evaluate startups through key indicators like traction, customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), and runway. But it’s not just about the numbers—Greg explain...

What happens when your identity as a founder becomes your entire life? In part two of our three-part series on The Founders Fallacy, Greg Moran explores the deep connection between a founder’s identity and their need for control. After exiting his business, Greg shares how he faced emptiness, anxiety, and challenges in personal relationships—all tied to losing his "founder" identity. This candid d...

In this first episode of our three-part series, Greg Moran from Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners delves into a personal and impactful journey through "The Founders Fallacy." Greg explores the hidden struggles many founders face—specifically the lingering need for control, anxiety, and constant pressure, even after reaching what many would call "success." As a founder, if you’ve felt like everyth...

Welcome to the Founders Journey Podcast! In this episode, Greg Moran, co-founder of Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, dives into "Strategic Accountability"—a fundamental trait that sets successful founders apart. Through powerful examples, Greg shows how accountability drives trust, builds transparency, and strengthens team cohesion. Join us as we explore how leaders like Elon Musk and Tony Hsie...

Want to master risk-taking like Jeff Bezos? In this quick tip, Greg Moran explains how successful leaders like Bezos and Reid Hoffman balance bold moves with smart choices. Learn how to make calculated decisions that drive growth without risking everything. What You’ll Learn: - The concept of balanced risk-taking - How Reid Hoffman strategically launched LinkedIn in a specific niche - Jeff Bezos'...

Why is buying businesses with bad culture a costly mistake? In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran sits down with CV Kosinski of Enduring Ventures to explore one of the biggest lessons learned in acquiring and scaling businesses: the importance of company culture. Discover why having a healthy culture is crucial for long-term success and how to identify the right businesses to...

How can humble assertiveness transform your leadership style and drive your startup's success? In this episode of the Founders Journey Podcast, Greg Moran, co-founder of Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, breaks down how this unique leadership trait combining confidence with humility empowers founders to make decisive, impactful choices while fostering collaboration within their teams. Explore re...