Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak – Details, episodes & analysis

In the first official episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak along with Cohost Chris Meade, welcome Jake Karls. Jake is Co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the better for you chocolate brand that went from a kitchen table idea to a North American sensation. Known for his unapologetic authenticity and refreshingly relatable approach, Jake has been recognized as a rising star in the business world. He made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Food and Beverage, and is currently a finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

Jake shares his journey of embracing his superpower, being himself, to build momentum and scale a brand that is as real as it gets. He opens up about overcoming insecurities, the power of showing up in person, and why building friends, not just customers, has been the cornerstone of Mid-Day Squares' success. From dealing with investor pushback to navigating the pressures of being the face of a rapidly growing company, Jake’s insights are a masterclass in leadership and authenticity.

This episode is packed with actionable advice and real talk. Jake Karls is redefining entrepreneurship with authenticity and showing why embracing who you are might just be the ultimate business strategy. Be sure to rate the podcast and subscribe or follow on your favourite platform so you never miss a new episode, every Wednesday!

Chapters
00:02 - Introduction to the Founder to Founder Podcast
 02:12 - How Jake Carl’s Energy and Confidence Started from Insecurity
 03:23 - Overcoming Fear and Learning to Lean Into Strengths
 05:56 - Finding the Right Role in Business and Letting Go of Ego
 08:15 - The Power of Communication in Entrepreneurship and Partnerships
 10:41 - How Conflict Can Destroy or Strengthen a Business Relationship
 12:39 - The Challenges of Being a Public Figure and Representing a Brand
 15:13 - Staying Authentic While Scaling a Business and Facing Public Scrutiny
 17:25 - The Realities of Traveling Constantly and Maintaining Relationships
 19:53 - The Sacrifices Entrepreneurship Demands and Finding Balance
 24:06 - Why Communication and Therapy Are Key to Business Longevity
 29:26 - Fear of Growing Up, Taking on Responsibility, and Losing Freedom
 33:53 - How Proving People Wrong Became a Driving Force for Success
 38:20 - Building a Personal Brand to Elevate Your Business and Career
 42:03 - The Power of Showing Up and How It Opens Unexpected Doors
 48:13 - How to Separate Your Identity From Your Business for Long-Term Growth
 53:44 - The Role of Momentum in Success and How to Maintain It
 1:01:18 - Identifying Energy Drainers and Protecting Your Time
 1:07:06 - What Jake Would Tell His Younger Self About Life and Success
 1:10:19 - Final Thoughts on Canadian Entrepreneurship and Community

Guest Links:
Instagram @JakeKarls_
Linkedin 

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In the short teaser trailer of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sets the stage for what listeners can expect from this raw and unfiltered podcast. Fuelled by his passion for entrepreneurship, Aaron will be sharing the real stories behind building a business, from the late nights and brutal setbacks, to the game-changing moments that make it all worthwhile. His goal is simple: to bring candid conversations with fellow founders to a bigger stage, diving deep into the grit, growth, and the mindset needed to keep pushing forward when most would quit.

Whether it’s solo episodes exploring Aaron’s own entrepreneurial journey or interviews with visionaries who have carved out their own paths, Founder2Founder promises to deliver the truth about what it takes to build something that truly matters. New episodes drop every Wednesday on all major platforms, so tune in, subscribe and rate this podcast to stay up to date on all the amazing conversations to come!

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Lior Ohayon. Lior is a serial entrepreneur from Toronto, now based in Miami with his family. Finding early success in the internet marketing world, he eventually transitioned into tech and landed on e-commerce. His most recent co-founded business Hush, sold to a publicly traded company for a landmark $48M deal. Now he spends his time helping other startups find their voice and refine their story for a major exit.

Lior Ohayon shares how he went from dropping out of school to building Hush into one of North America's top weighted blanket brands. He breaks down the key decisions that shaped his path, from leveraging SEO to fund his early ventures, taking calculated risks, and scaling a product-based business from the ground up.

He reflects on the turning points that defined his journey, from struggling with seasonality, to launching a record-breaking Kickstarter and ultimately exiting the company. This conversation gets into the mindset and strategies behind real business growth. Be sure to rate the podcast and follow on your favourite platform, so you never miss a new episode every Wednesday!

Chapters:
03:07 The Decision to Drop Out of School
06:02 First Steps into Entrepreneurship
08:55 Transitioning to Software and SEO
11:54 The Birth of Hush and Partnership Dynamics
14:54 Navigating Challenges and Scaling the Business
17:54 The Kickstarter Success Story
21:07 Building Trust and Collaboration
23:56 Celebrating Small Wins and Validation
26:50 Overcoming Seasonal Challenges
30:06 The Power of Belief and Support
32:59 Lessons Learned from Partnership
38:12 The Power of Problem Solving
39:46 Goal Setting: A Catalyst for Success
42:52 The Importance of Hard Work and Team Dynamics
45:15 Learning Through Experience: The Journey of Entrepreneurship
48:46 The Role of Preparation in Business Success
51:48 Navigating Growth and Change During COVID-19
54:34 The Importance of Values in Business
01:01:16 Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lior-ohayon

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Anne Mahlum. Anne is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and speaker known for building impactful businesses. She founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit helping individuals experiencing homelessness, and [solidcore], one of the nation’s fastest-growing fitness brands. Under her leadership, [solidcore] expanded to 120+ locations and raised $210M. After successfully exiting in 2023, Anne now invests, advises, and speaks on leadership, risk-taking, and living boldly. 

In this conversation, Anne shares how she bet on herself, overcame self-doubt, and made bold decisions to scale her business rapidly. She breaks down key lessons in leadership, risk-taking, and negotiating high-stakes deals while navigating challenges like lawsuits and the pandemic. Her story is a masterclass in resilience and strategic thinking, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to build and exit a successful company. 

Continue to subscribe and share this podcast with someone you might think could benefit from it! We appreciate your support! 

Chapters:
02:10 - Anne’s Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Back on My Feet
06:30 - Transitioning from Nonprofit to Launching [solidcore] with $175K
10:45 - Scaling [solidcore] Rapidly and the Subway Expansion Strategy
15:20 - The Art of Negotiation: How Anne Secured Favourable Lease Terms
20:50 - Breaking Away from Supplier Dependencies and Legal Battles
25:26 - Leading Through Crisis: How Anne Navigated [solidcore] Through The Pandemic
30:43 - Transitioning Out of the CEO Role and Preparing for Exit
35:16 - Selling [solidcore] for Nine Figures and Lessons in Wealth Management
41:32 - Strategic Decisions That Scaled [solidcore] to Over 120 Locations
46:27 - Why Entrepreneurs Need to Deeply Understand Their Numbers
51:47 - The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
56:55 - Life After Exit: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Business
1:03:46 - Shutting Down Ambition and Embracing a New Chapter
1:08:06 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy as a Female Founder
1:15:26 - The Truth About Relationships, Success, and Finding the Right Partner
1:28:08 - The Power of Momentum and How to Create It in Business and Life
1:35:17 - Anne’s Advice to Her Younger Self: Stay Curious and Keep Doing

Guest Links:
Website: annemahlum.com
Instagram @AnneMahlum
Tiktok @AnneMahlum_
Linkedin

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Jay Conohan. Jay Conohan is the founder of The Loud Cup Company, a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and proud father of three. With a relentless drive to figure things out, he’s built his career on resilience, hard lessons, and a willingness to bet on himself. From launching the Bath n Play, to juggling multiple ventures while holding a day job, Jay has faced failures head-on and turned them into stepping stones. He believes in fairness, brutal honesty, and proving people wrong when they count him out. With no degree but an unstoppable mindset, he’s built a life around innovation, family, and pushing limits—both in business and beyond.

Jay dives into the critical moments that shaped his path, from making tough financial decisions to refining operations and leadership. He breaks down the mindset shifts that helped him scale and the lessons he learned along the way. This conversation is packed with real insights on what it takes to grow a business against the odds. Don’t miss this deep dive into the mindset and strategies behind real entrepreneurial success.

Be sure to rate the podcast and subscribe or follow on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode, every Wednesday!

Chapters:
03:07 Early Entrepreneurial Experiences and Lessons Learned
05:51 The Impact of COVID on Business Ventures
08:59 The Birth of the Bath and Play Product
11:53 Networking and the Founders Club Experience
15:02 The Role of Support Systems in Entrepreneurship
17:59 Navigating Success and Self-Discovery
21:01 Finding Purpose Beyond Business
23:49 The Importance of Relationships in Business
27:09 Facing Fears and Embracing Growth
29:33 The Innovative Cup: A Unique 3D Printing Experience
31:10 Building Connections: The Power of Networking
32:43 Kickstarter Journey: From Concept to Launch
34:10 Trusting the Process: Lessons in Entrepreneurship
38:40 Scaling Up: The Transition from Kickstarter to E-commerce
41:13 Achieving Rapid Growth: From Zero to Seven Figures
44:43 Navigating Success: Balancing Business and Personal Life
54:42 Reflections on Opportunity Cost
57:53 Strategic Partnerships and Growth Potential
01:01:35 The Power of Networking and Self-Awareness
01:03:40 Lessons from Business Setbacks
01:10:41 Turning Challenges into Opportunities
01:19:11 Finding Purpose After Success
01:26:28 Messages to My Younger Self

Guest Links:
Loud Cup Company: www.loudcup.com @theloudcup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conohan/

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Gary Lipovetsky. Gary Lipovetsky is a digital entrepreneur, strategist, and creator with a track record of building and scaling online businesses. As the co-architect of Valeria Inc., he helped transform Valeria’s audience into a thriving global media company. Before that, he founded a top 100 global website with 200 million monthly sessions at its peak, built multiple successful social platforms, and raised $32 million in venture capital for an eCommerce startup within its first year. Now, Gary also mentors hundreds of creators through Creator Method, an academy helping them master monetization, community growth and even personal development through content creation. As the host of RISE podcast, he uncovers the strategies of top entrepreneurs and industry leaders. With 30 years in digital media, he continues to guide brands and creators in building lasting, impactful communities, resulting in the achievement of their business goals. 

He talks about the early days of hustle,  knocking on doors, cold calling local businesses, and hand-delivering coupon deals before DealFind ever became a household name. Gary opens up about the scaling phase and what he learned from building a company at lightning speed. He shares why launching a personal YouTube channel was never part of the original plan, how he built it to over a million subscribers, and what the platform taught him about branding and storytelling. Now in his next chapter with Free, he reflects on how his priorities have evolved, what he’s building towards, and why success today looks very different than it used to. This episode is a candid look at growth, reinvention, and staying grounded through it all.

Be sure to rate the podcast and subscribe or follow on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode, every Wednesday!

Chapters: 
01:35 Motivations Behind Success
02:12 Early Life and Challenges
04:30 Taking Control of One's Future
06:01 First Steps into Entrepreneurship
14:06 Defining Entrepreneurial Identity
16:01 Partnerships and New Ventures
22:36 The Impact of Content Creation
30:52 The Dynamics of Relationships and Support
33:22 The Power of Quick Implementation
37:49 The School of Execution: Learning by Doing
40:04 Community vs. Audience: The Shift in Content Creation
46:03 The Importance of Focus in Content Creation
57:54 The Birth of Creator Method: Community and Purpose
01:08:55 Empowering Others: The Mission Behind Creator Method
01:10:28 The Power of Collaboration Among Creators
01:12:30 Shifting Perspectives: From Competition to Community
01:13:00 Debunking the Algorithm Myth
01:20:00 Redefining Masculinity: Supporting Your Partner's Growth
01:30:32 Embracing Mortality: Living with Intention
01:39:10 Choosing Gratitude: A Perspective Shift

Guest Links:
Valeria Inc https://www.valeriainc.com
Creator Method https://creatormethod.com
Instagram @GaryLipovetsky https://www.instagram.com/GaryLipovetsky 
Youtube @Gary.Lipovetsky https://www.youtube.com/@Gary.Lipovetsky

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Adam Klasner. Adam Mordechai Klasner is a widely respected personal growth facilitator, committed to empowering individuals and nurturing meaningful relationships. He masterfully integrates diverse modalities and techniques, including Breathwork, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Family Constellations, and Imago facilitation, to guide his clients on transformative journeys. Adam's approach centers on a holistic comprehension of his clients' inner worlds and their connections with others. By harmoniously merging these aspects, he skillfully helps clients achieve profound self-awareness, heal past wounds, enhance communication, and foster profound harmony in their relationships. 

In addition to his professional endeavours, Adam leads a fulfilling personal life. Happily married and the proud parent of ten children, he appreciates the significance of balancing personal and professional pursuits, while infusing joy into both. 

Adam shares how facing himself 12 years ago began a life-altering shift, leading him to help men reconnect with their authentic selves. The conversation dives into the concept of “checking in”, a practice of emotional awareness, and how that self-awareness can transform how we lead, live, and relate to others. With a blend of vulnerability, spiritual insight, and grounded leadership, Adam offers tools for founders to identify emotional triggers, address inner wounds, and lead from a place of truth rather than fear.

If you enjoyed the episode please subscribe and share this podcast with someone you think could benefit from it!

Chapters:
01:30 Who Is Adam Klasner?
02:40 The Internal Crisis That Changed Everything
05:03 The Workshop That Triggered a Life Transformation
06:35 Why Most Men Say “I’m Good” And What They're Missing
08:32 Aaron’s First Workshop Experience in Montreal
11:06 How a Check-In Transformed a Meeting
13:19 What Is a Check-In? A Tool for Real Vulnerability
17:00 Why We Hide Behind Masks in Business and Life
20:13 How Childhood Stories Shape Leadership Patterns
23:08 Authenticity vs. Connection: The Tension We All Face
25:33 Why Every Founder Must Balance Both to Lead
26:50 Practical Daily Tools to Access Your Inner World
30:06 Triggers Are Clues: How to Work with Emotional Discomfort
32:43 Journaling, Breathwork, and Self-Inquiry: Building a Practice
36:41 Aaron’s Real-Time Trigger: A Business Partner Conflict
49:27 Discovering the Root Need Beneath the Reaction
53:04 Why Real Growth Requires Revisiting the Past
58:40 Aaron’s “I’m Not That Good” Belief and Where It Began
01:04:01 The Power of Acknowledging What Is
01:05:59 Where to Start: Journaling and Awareness 
01:10:25 Gratitude for the Past: Why Everything Happens for a Reason
01:14:12 What Spiritual Practice Taught Adam About Leadership
01:19:56 The Moment Adam’s Father Told Him “You Can Do Anything”
01:30:08 Message To Younger Self

Guest Links:
www.iamanochi.com
@findinganochi

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with serial entrepreneur David Segal, best known for building DAVIDsTEA into a $200M brand and now serving as President of Highbeam. David shares the full arc of his entrepreneurial journey, starting with the humble beginnings of DAVIDsTEA, through the grind of expansion and the thrill of going public, to the surprising emotional lows that followed a major exit. With refreshing honesty, he opens up about his feelings after selling the company, how he found renewed purpose, and the process of reshaping his identity beyond his business.

David and Aaron explore the hidden cost of scaling quickly, the emotional whiplash of sudden wealth, and the importance of defining success beyond financial freedom. The conversation is packed with invaluable takeaways for founders at every stage, from negotiating working capital terms that change your bottom line, to the mindset shifts required when stepping into a new venture. Whether you’re in the trenches or on the other side of a win, David’s story is a powerful reminder that the work never really ends, it just evolves. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Chapters:
 01:10 – Starting DAVIDsTEA: The Idea Nobody Was Doing
 04:32 – Early Failures and Lessons in Persistence
 07:27 – From 4 Stores to 30: What Changed?
 08:45 – Building for Scale: The Highs and Pitfalls
 11:55 – Expansion Mistakes in the U.S. Market
 14:33 – Handing Over the CEO Role: Ego and Learning
 16:02 – The Power of Process (Without Bureaucracy)
 20:23 – Leaving DAVIDsTEA and Losing Identity
 22:15 – From Rock Bottom to Highbeam: A New Beginning
 25:50 – Life-Changing Money Doesn’t Mean Life-Changing Fulfillment
 28:15 – What Founders Need to Know About Life After the Exit
 31:00 – Starting Mad Radish and Firebelly: Lessons in Patience
 34:50 – David Now vs. Then: Maturity in Decision Making
 38:52 – Sleep On It: Slowing Down to Make Better Decisions
 40:09 – Working Capital Masterclass: The Deal That Can Save Millions
 44:03 – Lifestyle Business or Unicorn? How to Decide
 46:41 – Operating for Cash Flow vs. Chasing the Exit
 48:57 – The Power of Compounding and Long-Term Operating
 50:33 – Managing Post-Exit Wealth: Keep It Simple
 54:56 – David on Legacy and Still Being “Just Getting Started”
 58:20 – The Power of Environment and a Supportive Partner
 1:01:25 – Entrepreneurship is a Personal Journey
 1:03:39 – Advice to 19-Year-Old David: Put in the Work, Keep Showing Up
 1:06:19 – Meditation, a “Digital Sabbath”, and Mental Resilience as a Founder
 1:11:07 – Final Reflections: Inputs Over Outcomes

Guest Links:
Website: https://www.highbeam.co/
LinkedIn: David Segal
Instagram: @tea_maverick
X: @tea_maverick

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Josh Goldstein. Josh was a high-level college baseball player and MBA student when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear on reality TV changed everything. After the tragic and very public loss of his sister on national television, Josh turned unimaginable grief into powerful growth. Now, just a few years later, he’s built a seven-figure online fitness business empowering thousands of women, launched a supplement brand rooted in positivity, and created a personal brand focused on mindset, transformation, and authenticity.

This episode dives deep into what it means to find clarity through pain, the strategy behind monetizing real impact, and how trusting your gut can outwork any perfect plan. Josh opens up about going all-in on business, his unique approach to brand building, and the deeper mission driving every decision. Whether you're dealing with pressure, looking to turn a setback into a launchpad, or want to build with real intention, this conversation delivers. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Chapters
02:07 – Growing Up Around Sports and Early Lessons in Discipline
09:08 – Self-Confidence Through Sports, COVID’s Impact, and Falling in Love with Sales
12:30 – Saying Yes to Love Island
17:07 – Tragedy: Losing His Sister During Filming
20:22 – Returning Home and Navigating Grief
25:10 – Starting a Business With Meaning and Honouring Her Legacy
27:17 – Serving Women in Fitness and Emotional Connection to the Mission
30:45 – The “Other 23 Hours” Philosophy in Fitness
33:28 – Josh’s Fitness Program Structure and Growth
35:46 – Personal Transformation and What He’s Still Working On
41:26 – Public Figure Pressures and Dating After Reality TV
48:05 – Business Future: Exit, Scale, or Legacy
49:20 – Starting the Supplement Company Reevyv
51:25 – Impact on Family Dynamics and Healing Through Growth
56:22 – Motivation to Repay His Parents’ Sacrifices
58:12 – Journaling, Morning Routine, and Structure
1:04:21 – Mindset as the Foundation of Transformation
1:06:13 – Avoiding Hard Conversations and Their Cost
1:11:15 – The ROI of Investing in Yourself
1:14:32 – Advice to Younger Josh: Don’t Let Others Define You
1:16:27 – Environment, Loneliness, and Finding Your Circle
1:22:38 – Final Message: Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

Guest Links:
Instagram: @_josh.goldy_ @jgoldy_fit @reevyv_strips
Website: https://reevyv.com
https://www.joshgoldyfitness.com/quiz-l

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Dominic Purpura. Dominic Purpura is the founder and owner of MELA, a rapidly growing watermelon water company. After acquiring the business in 2021 following a successful cryptocurrency investment, he completely rebranded it, transforming a $25,000 monthly operation into one approaching $1 million monthly with national 7-Eleven distribution on the horizon. Influenced by his entrepreneurial father and uncle, Purpura implements a structured goal-setting system across five categories: health, wealth, wisdom, happiness, and travel. He's known for his equity-sharing leadership approach, treating employees as partners. His mission is to establish watermelon water as a major beverage category, with plans to scale MELA until, in his words "it stops being fun."

Dominic shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to achieving a major exit, breaking down the real process behind rebranding and scaling MELA. He talks about discovering MELA while building experience in the CPG industry, using cryptocurrency profits to acquire the brand, and scaling the company to an eight-figure exit. From growing up questioning traditional paths, to implementing equity-sharing leadership, to navigating life after a major acquisition, Dominic brings tactical lessons around resilience, strategic thinking, building a brand true to your values and learning to trust your gut. 

Chapters:
00:43 – Introduction, Early Exposure to Entrepreneurship and Family Influence
02:05 – Growing Up Questioning Normality
03:56 – Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made?
04:33 – Learning From Father Figures and Environment
06:16 – Early Businesses, Crypto, and Falling in Love With the CPG Business Model
10:03 – Building a Beef Jerky Brand and Learning Systems
12:47 – Finding MELA and the Initial Spark
18:52 – Building Wealth Through Cardano and Crypto Strategy
22:22 – Timing the Crypto Exit and Creating Opportunity
24:08 – Acquiring MELA ,Rebranding, Restructuring, and Relaunching
29:23 – Early Wins and Rapid Product-Market Fit
30:45 – Brick-by-Brick Growth: Selling Store by Store
32:13 – Yearly Growth and the Journey From 300K to Millions
35:32 – Why MELA Worked for the Mass Market
38:15 – Building a Brand for the 99%, Not the 1%
43:29 – Losing His Father and Going All-In on Entrepreneurship
46:25 – Turning Pain Into Focus, Drive, and Daily Discipline
48:27 – Staying Focused Through Grief and Hardship
50:00 – Selling MELA and Sharing the Exit With the Team
52:31 – Navigating Identity Shifts Post-Exit
53:12 – Why Slowing Down After Success Matters
58:24 – Honouring the Journey: Reflection and Growth
1:06:12 – Building a Community: The Vision Behind Founders Club
1:14:29 – Giving First, Protecting Energy, and Scaling Smart
1:18:45 – Advice to 23-Year-Old Dominic: Trust the Journey
1:26:10 – Finding Meaning in Pain and Why It Matters

Guest Links:
Website: https://melawater.com
IG @dompurpura

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

Founder2Founder:
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast