The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

What You’ll Learn in This Episode In this episode, Jake Kassan, co-founder of MVMT Watches, reveals the emotional rollercoaster of building and selling a business for $100M—and what came after. He shares: • How he scaled Movement from a $5,000 credit card to a $100M exit • The loneliness and identity crisis he faced after selling • Why chasing money alone didn’t fulfill him • The creative spark th...

In this episode, Tori Gill shares how she transitioned from being a barber to launching a six-figure sunscreen brand in just three months. She dives into how she identified a gap in the market, built a brand that resonated with parents, and leveraged Instagram and organic marketing to drive rapid sales. Tori also reveals how she balanced starting the business while still working her day job and th...

In this episode, Jess Hatzis shares the journey of how she and her co-founders built Frank Body into a $100M skincare brand with just $10,000. Jess dives deep into the power of brand voice, why traditional beauty marketing was broken, and how Frank Body pioneered influencer-driven marketing before it became mainstream. She also reveals how the brand navigated copycats, expanded into retail, and ev...

In this episode, Dan Martell shares his journey from troubled youth to building and exiting multiple SaaS businesses. Dan reveals the strategies behind his Buy Back Your Time framework, showing entrepreneurs how to scale efficiently without burning out. He also discusses his early business failures, the lessons he learned from selling companies, and why understanding leverage is the key to sustain...

In this episode, Matthew Orlic shares how he built Qure Skincare into a $50M+ brand in just three years. After losing $5M when Dick Smith collapsed overnight, Matthew had to reinvent himself, shifting from wholesale to digital marketing and mastering a multichannel e-commerce approach. He dives into how he applied four key leverage points—product, audience, margin, and operating costs—to scale sus...

In this episode, Rachael Wilde, founder of TBH Skincare, shares how she went from a marketing career in the medical devices industry to creating a leading skincare brand. She talks about discovering patented acne-fighting technology, securing licensing rights, and launching TBH Skincare with her mother as a co-founder. Rachael dives deep into how she leveraged influencer marketing, TikTok virality...

In this episode, Nick Sharma, founder of Sharma Brands, shares his incredible journey from managing celebrity social media accounts as a teenager to becoming one of the most sought-after names in direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing. Nick dives into the strategies that helped him scale brands like Hint Water and Feastables, including the importance of building trust, leveraging content for conversio...

In this episode, Iris Smit, founder of The Quick Flick, shares her inspiring journey of creating a multi-million dollar beauty empire from her dorm room. Iris opens up about her struggles with self-doubt, turning down a Shark Tank deal, and hitting rock bottom before rebuilding her business from the ground up. Learn how Iris leveraged influencer marketing, radical transparency, and community engag...

✅ Want all-access to step-by-step training from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders? Start your Foundr+ $1 trial today → http://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial ✅ Prefer 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application → Already selling and want to scale? https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growt...

In this episode, Mike Smith, founder of Zero Co, shares how a backpacking trip around the world turned into a mission to solve the plastic waste crisis. Mike walks us through the early days of bootstrapping the business with his last $100K, moving back in with his parents, and how he raised over $750K through Australia's most successful Kickstarter campaign. He dives deep into the challenges of su...

In this episode, Cassey Ho, founder of POPFLEX and Blogilates, shares her journey from rock bottom to building two eight-figure brands. Discover how Cassey combined her passion for fitness and design to create unique products that solve real problems. She opens up about overcoming toxic environments, handling copycats, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining authenticity. Listen to how Tay...

In this episode, Caleb Marshall, founder of Tropeaka, opens up about his journey from battling chronic fatigue to building a global health brand. After discovering the life-changing benefits of quality nutrition, Caleb and his co-founder launched Tropeaka to make healthy living accessible and appealing. Caleb shares his insights on scaling a brand with no initial marketing budget, leveraging influ...

In 2014, Erin Deering gifted Triangl swimwear to relatively unknown legacy celebrities Hailey Bieber (Baldwin) and Bella Hadid. Their friend, Kendall Jenner, loved the products and reached out to Erin directly to get Triangl samples. Then Jenner posted on Instagram and tagged Triangl–that’s when everything went mad. But the success of Triangl didn’t come from just celebrity endorsements. It came f...

We're diving back into another episode from the Foundr Archives to revisit my interview with Mitch Harper, founder of BigCommerce - as well as a long-time mentor and coach of mine who has been driving force behind Foundr’s success.  In this episode, Mitch Harper takes us behind the scenes of his incredible entrepreneurial journey. From building software at the age of 12 to co-founding one of the w...

Kendra Scott started her self-titled billion-dollar jewelry business out of failure. Her first business failed after 5 years, and she started selling handmade jewelry door-to-door as a side hustle. Now, Kendra Scott Jewelry is a billion-dollar business with 100 retail locations across the US. But success didn't come quickly. Through personal struggles, recessions, and rejections, Scott built a fas...

In 2024, we had our most raw, insightful and relevant conversations with founders to date. To cap off the year, we've compiled their most impactful lessons, stories, and business advice into a final episode for 2024. In this exclusive episode, you'll gain valuable insights from: Eric pulls back the curtain on his wild partnership with Kanye West, from creative genius to unpredictable challenges at...

In this episode, Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking, reveals how she built a media company that inspires millions to think differently about wealth. Codie shares her journey from journalist to investment executive and now entrepreneur, owning over 25 cash-flowing businesses. She dives into the strategies behind her acquisitions, the importance of owning "boring businesses," and how she...

By now, the story is legend. When Drew Houston boarded a bus from Boston to New York and discovered that he had—yet again—forgotten to bring his thumb drive, he was frustrated. So frustrated that he sat down and began writing the first lines of code of what would eventually become Dropbox. After over a decade of changing the way files are stored, synced, and shared, Houston is changing the way peo...

Join us as we dive into the world of craft gin with Matt Jones, co-founder of Four Pillars Gin. Matt shares the origins of the brand, born from a passion for storytelling and a commitment to craft. Discover how Four Pillars has grown from a small distillery in the Yarra Valley to a globally recognized name in spirits. Learn about the early challenges, the decision to focus solely on gin, and the s...

In just nine years, Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic built their smile care brand into a category disruptor on track to earn over a billion in annual revenue by next year. Mirkovic and Tomic don’t want shortcuts, so they’ve remained bootstrapped since they started Hismile at ages 19 and 20. Hismile’s teeth-whitening kit has become an internet sensation, making the brand a favorite among influencers and...

In this episode, Alicia Scott, founder of Range Beauty, shares her journey from fashion professional to beauty entrepreneur. Alicia reveals how her own skin struggles led to the creation of a brand focused on inclusivity and clean beauty. Discover how Alicia bootstrapped her business with just $150, overcame challenges like a cease-and-desist, and navigated pivotal moments such as appearing on Sha...

In this episode, Carl Daikeler, founder of Bodi, shares his journey from creating fitness infomercials to building a brand synonymous with home workouts. Carl reveals his path to success, from collaborating with fitness experts like Tony Horton to launching iconic programs like P90X and Insanity. He discusses the power of understanding consumer psychology, evolving with the digital age, and foster...

In this episode, Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, takes us through his journey from a collegiate athlete struggling with overtraining to building one of the most advanced wearable brands in the world. Will shares how he identified gaps in health monitoring, developed early prototypes of WHOOP, and secured partnerships with sports icons like LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo. Listen to Nathan...

In this episode, Ruslan Kogan, founder and CEO of Kogan.com, dives into his journey from selling electronics out of his parents’ garage to building one of Australia’s most successful e-commerce brands. Ruslan shares key insights on identifying market gaps, the importance of customer focus, and how he scaled Kogan.com by challenging traditional retail norms. He also discusses the power of data-driv...

In this episode, Adam Schwab, founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, shares his entrepreneurial journey from humble beginnings to creating one of the leading travel brands in the world. Adam reflects on the strategic decisions that helped him scale the business, including early challenges, pivotal business shifts, and successful acquisitions. He provides insights into how he built Luxury Escapes into...