Explore every episode of the podcast Worthy for Thirty: Where stories of leaders doing good while doing well are told!

What if giving back wasn't something your business did as an afterthought, but was an important piece of how you became successful?

Kyle Gordon, Co-Founder & CEO of Dillas Quesadillas, https://dillas.com/, joins me on Worthy for Thirty to unpack how a mission-driven entrepreneur can build community impact directly into the DNA of a growing company. Sounds familiar? Hello, Mission Craft Cocktails!

Well before Dillas became an 11.5 (listen to learn the why) location fast-casual restaurant brand Kyle had an idea: take the simplicity and scalability he saw emerging in fast casual restaurants and build an entire concept around the quesadilla.

But he didn't jump straight from concept to founder.

Kyle spent seven years at Raising Cane's learning the ropes: restaurant operations, leadership, culture, and scalability, including lessons from founder Todd Graves.

This type of patience still shapes Kyle's approach to the business today.

We talk about why Dillas considers itself a people-first company, why Kyle believes food quality and culture are non-negotiable, and why he refuses to grow faster than the talent and infrastructure supporting the business.

Then we get into the heart of this show's premise: Can doing good actually help a company do well?

For Dillas, giving back isn't an afterthought or a check written at the end of the year. Kyle shares the story of volunteering with Minnie's Food Pantry before opening his first restaurant, and spending $200 on two fundraising candles when he estimates the fledgling company had only about $1,000 left in its operating account.

That decision became an inflection pointl: generosity would be part of the culture from day one.

Today, Dillas' purpose is to “build community through Primo Quesadilla Meals.” Kyle explains how community involvement, charitable giving and cause marketing can create a virtuous cycle: as sales grow, giving grows; that investment strengthens the community; and stronger community relationships can help the business grow again.

We also delve into:

• Why aspiring founders should get experience in an industry before trying to disrupt it 
• The lessons Kyle learned working inside Raising Cane's growth story 
• Why Dillas chooses people over maximizing short-term profit 
• How to scale a restaurant franchise without diluting its culture 
• Why systems and consistency matter as much as the original idea 
• How Dillas evaluates potential franchise partners 
• Why community involvement can become a competitive advantage 
• The difference between authentic giving back and performative cause marketing 
• Why entrepreneurs don't need money to start making an impact 
• Kyle's advice to founders: Give time. Show up. Find a yes.” 
• Why mentorship, patience and a long-term mindset still matter even after you've built a successful company

Kyle's story is a case study in mission-driven entrepreneurship, restaurant franchising, founder leadership, giving back, cause marketing and purpose-driven business and in what can happen when community impact isn't bolted onto a business model, but built into it.

Because doing good while doing well doesn't have to be a tradeoff.

Sometimes, each can make the other stronger.

Follow Worthy for Thirty for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and nonprofit leaders building businesses where success serves others.

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When did staying informed become a full-time job filled with frustration and outrage?

We live in time with access to more information than at any point in history, yet separating news from commentary, facts from opinion, and signal from noise has arguably never been harder.

On this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Kira Shishkin, founder and CEO of informed.now, https://informed.now a minimalist news platform created upon a radically simple idea: provide people with most salient facts they need to know, then let them make up their own minds.

Kira’s relationship with information is deeply personal. As a teenager, he survived a devastating car accident that resulted in years of memory challenges. That experience forced him to think differently about attention, learning and what information is actually worth remembering.

Years later, after living across Ukraine, Israel and the United States, Kira began questioning another problem: we don't have an information shortage; we have information overload or obesity.

That realization turned into informed.now. https://informed.now

Instead of an endless feed, informed.now delivers a concise daily news briefing via text. No ads. No clickbait. No outrage loops. And whenever possible, it points readers back to primary sources so they can see where the information originated.

Kira and I dug into the business model behind that philosophy, and why it matters.

We explore how the internet's shift toward ad-supported news changed the incentives of media companies; why Kira believes making the advertiser the customer fundamentally changed the relationship between news organizations and their readers; and what happens when a company intentionally chooses to make the reader, not their attention, the customer.

We also discuss:

• Why attention may be one of our most valuable resources

• The difference between news and news commentary

• How clickbait and rage bait became features of the attention economy

• Why media literacy increasingly means finding and reading primary sources

• How informed.now determines which stories are significant enough to make its daily briefing

• Why Kira is intentionally building a product designed to take up less of your time

• The decline of local journalism and the challenge of staying informed about our own communities

• Why informed.now refuses advertising and instead aligns its business model directly with its readers

• The opportunity to bring news minimalism into businesses and teams

What struck me most about this conversation is that Kira isn't trying to build another product competing for our attention.

He's trying to build one that gives our attention back.

And that feels especially relevant to the premise behind Worthy for Thirty: can you build a sustainable business where the mission isn't bolted onto the company, but embedded directly into the company's operation?

For informed.now, protecting the reader's attention isn't separate from the business model.

It is the business model.

If you've ever opened your phone intending to check one headline and emerged 30 minutes later feeling more anxious, but not necessarily more informed, this conversation is worth(y) (of) your attention.

🎙️ Worthy for Thirty is hosted by Eric Tash and features conversations with founders, executives and changemakers building businesses that prove doing good and doing well don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Follow Worthy for Thirty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts.

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What if the measure of a great technology product wasn’t how long it kept you engaged, but how it helped you derive value from using it?

On this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sit down with Austin and Brennan, co-founders of Sleke, a technology company rethinking the smartphone around a radically different goal: to give people the means they need without the doomscrolling, addictive apps, and attention traps we’ve come to accept as part of contemporary life.

The concept began with a problem they experienced first hand. While living abroad, Austin and Brennan relied on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, but quickly realized the frustration caused by the constant pull of their phones. They wanted the connection and convenience of a smartphone without being tethered to it.

When they couldn’t find an alternative to their smartphones, they decided to build the phone they've envisioned.

Sleke sits between the traditional smartphone and the increasingly popular “dumb phone.” Built around its Odyssey operating system, Sleke focuses on what Austin calls the “five M’s”: messaging, money, maps, music, and life management. The company's philosophy is straightforward: technology's primary objective is to help you accomplish a task and then get out of the way.

We discuss how Austin and Brennan went from college friends to bootstrapped founders, why they started by interviewing hundreds of potential users, and what they’ve learned from roughly 1,000 users around the world. We also explore why they chose refurbished Google Pixel devices, how they decide which apps belong on Sleke and why some people need more than app blockers or screen-time limits (I use Brick) to change their relationship with technology.
But the bigger conversation goes beyond phones.

Brennan explains why screen time itself may be too blunt a metric. Reading, learning a language, or using a health app might increase the number of minutes spent looking at a screen while still creating something valuable. That raises a more interesting question: Is the technology consuming our attention, or helping us use our attention intentionally?

We also get into privacy, product design, and Sleke’s decision to collect remarkably little user data. Rather than building around maximum engagement, the team is exploring how mobile technology can become more efficient, intentional, and privacy-conscious.

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about what happens after we put the phone down.

Austin and Brennan aren’t anti-technology maximalists. They believe technology can be used for real-world connection, helping people find communities, make plans, accomplish tasks, and spend more time living offline. As Austin states, the question becomes less about whether technology is inherently good or bad and more about the reason behind how we use it.

In this conversation:

• Why smartphones feel so difficult to put down
• The difference between a smartphone, dumb phone and minimalist phone
• Digital minimalism without giving up modern conveniences
• The “five M’s” Sleke believes a phone actually needs
• Building an operating system around intentional technology
• Screen time, social media and digital wellbeing
• Why not all screen time is created equal
• Designing technology around privacy instead of engagement
• Bootstrapping a hardware and software startup
• Why Sleke chose a one-time purchase instead of another subscription
• Using technology to create more real-world human connection
• What the future of healthier mobile technology could look like

For anyone who has ever picked up their phone to do one thing, and then realized, 30 minutes later wondering where the time went., this conversation asks an increasingly important question:

What if better technology isn’t technology we use more, but technology that helps us live fully and present? It can be not mutually exclusive.

Find this episode on your favorite podcast listening platform

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What skills are necessary to stay competitive and employable when AI, automation, layoffs, and a rapidly changing economy are rewriting the rules of work?

On this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sit down with Nicholas Wyman and Dr. Deborah Williamson, co-founders of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America (IWSI America), to discuss the future of work, and why preparing for it may have less to do with predicting what is around the corner and more to do with understanding the skills you already have.

Nicholas and Deborah have spent their careers helping employers build stronger talent pipelines while connecting job seekers with apprenticeships, skills development, mentorship, and meaningful employment. Their point of view is especially resonant right now: entry-level opportunities are changing or being wiped out, experienced workers are being displaced, and AI is forcing people at nearly every stage of their careers to reconsider where they fit.

But this conversation isn't about fearing AI.

It's about becoming more adaptable because of it.

We break down why Nicholas and Deborah prefer the term “employability skills” over “soft skills,” and how qualities like reliability, resilience, communication, curiosity and the ability to work with others can become genuine career advantages.

We also talk about one of the ideas that resonated most with me: sometimes the best way to figure out where you're going is to connect the dots looking backward.

What have you already done? What did those experiences teach you? Which skills have you developed without realizing they could transfer to an entirely different career?

Deborah calls it “backwards design” taking inventory of your past experiences rather than simply looking at a job description and trying to force yourself into it.

Nicholas also makes the case for apprenticeships as an increasingly relevant alternative, or complement, to traditional education: a way to earn, learn, and develop practical skills on and off the job. His own career began through apprenticeship before eventually taking him from professional kitchens to workforce development.

We get into:

• How AI is reshaping jobs without eliminating the importance of human skills
• Why recent graduates need to get out from behind the screen and build real relationships
• How apprenticeships can create alternative pathways into growing careers
• Why transferable skills are often hiding in plain sight
• What employers are actually looking for from entry-level talent
• Why mentorship matters after someone gets hired—not just before
• How IWSI helps bridge the gap between what employers need and what workers bring to the table
• Why job retention can be a more meaningful measure of success than simply getting someone hired
• How lifelong learning can help us remain adaptable at any age

And Nicholas leaves us with perhaps the simplest advice of the entire conversation:

**“Do it now.”**

Make the call. Take the course. Follow up on the application. Meet someone for coffee. Learn something new. Get yourself into circulation.

Deborah's advice underscores it perfectly: understand what you've already accomplished and stop selling your experience short.

The future of work may be unpredictable and perhaps a bit scary. But our ability to remain curious, adaptable, useful, and human is still very much within our control.

This is Worthy for Thirty.

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One pill or substance can kill. And for parents, waiting until there’s a problem may already be too late.

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I spoke with Leah Shepherd, Executive Director of Victoria’s Voice Foundation, for a candid conversation about fentanyl, drug and alcohol prevention, naloxone (Narcan), teen substance use, and what parents can do now to help protect their children.

A tough but worthwhile listen as the new school year gets underway.

Victoria’s Voice was born from unimaginable loss. In 2015, David and Jackie Siegel lost their daughter, Victoria, to a drug overdose. What followed was a mission to help prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy through education, advocacy, overdose prevention, and greater access to naloxone.

Leah explains how that mission has evolved into a national effort focused on reaching parents and young people before substance use becomes a crisis.

For parents, one message comes through clearly: **have the conversation early.**

Eric and Leah discuss why parents need to move beyond simply asking, “How was your day?” and start asking more specific questions about what their children are experiencing anywhere. From being in school, with friends, on their phones, and especially across social media.

They also explore the growing danger of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and the reality that young people may encounter drugs through platforms they already use. Leah explains why prevention education, parental involvement, and direct conversations about drugs can be critical tools for keeping kids safe.

The conversation also goes inside Victoria’s Voice Foundation itself: how Leah transitioned from the for-profit world into nonprofit leadership, why she believes nonprofits must be operated like businesses, how the organization measures impact, and why collaboration between nonprofits can extend the reach of prevention programs.

Leah also discusses Victoria’s diary, which the Siegel family published as a cautionary resource for other parents, along with the warning signs and conversations they wish they had recognized sooner.

In this episode:

• Why David and Jackie Siegel founded Victoria’s Voice after losing their daughter Victoria
• What parents should know about fentanyl and counterfeit pills
• Why naloxone/Narcan awareness remains an important part of overdose prevention
• How parents can recognize potential warning signs of teen drug or alcohol use
• Why talking openly about substance use can help break the stigma surrounding addiction
• The role social media can play in exposing young people to drugs
• Why Leah encourages parents to ask their children direct, specific questions
• How Victoria’s Voice approaches drug prevention education in schools
• How nonprofits collaborate to reach children from elementary school through high school
• Why approximately 70% of Victoria’s Voice funding comes from individual donors
• How nonprofit organizations can measure impact beyond dollars raised
• Why Leah believes prevention works and conversation is one of its most important tools

This is a difficult conversation, but a necessary one.

Whether you’re a parent of a young child, teenager, or college student, or simply want to better understand fentanyl, opioid overdose prevention, naloxone, substance use, and addiction, this episode offers a practical perspective on why education needs to begin before a family is facing a crisis.

Worthy for Thirty features conversations with founders, executives, and nonprofit leaders working to build organizations where purpose and performance can coexist.

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Chef Ed Porter is a multi-hyphenate professional: he's a chef, musician, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and host of the Taste Music Hear Food Podcast. In this conversation on Worthy for Thirty, Ed shares how food, music, culture, and creativity became the foundation of his life’s work.

Raised in the Bronx and mentored early in his culinary journey by chefs including Marcus Samuelsson and Patrick Clark, Ed reflects on discovering food as an art form, pursuing culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America, and building a career that has taken him from fine dining and restaurant consulting to private chef work, television, film, and podcasting.

Ed discusses his appearances on Guy’s Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions, and Netflix’s Pressure Cooker and how those experiences helped him finally unite the two sides of his creative identity: chef and musician. He shares the origin of de zéro, his 12-song album and 12-course tasting experience, where each dish and song work together to tell one intentional story.

The conversation also explores representation in the culinary industry, mentorship, entrepreneurship, creative leadership, and Ed’s belief that food and music are universal languages that can bring people across cultures together. He also discusses and teases The Food That Fuels, his short film and developing docuseries about the food system of California’s San Joaquin Valley, the relationship among farmers, chefs, students, and consumers, and the future of sustainable agriculture.

Plus, Ed shares what drives his curiosity, why he calls himself an “executive intern,” the importance of asking better questions, and his advice for artists, entrepreneurs, and creators who want to turn knowledge into action.

Both Ed and I have 2027 SXSW panels submitted. Please take a moment to vote! Voting ends on Sunday August 23rd. My panel: https://bit.ly/WFTSXSW2027 and Ed's: https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting-sxsw/page/community-voting/session/1785019416595001UPhb

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What happens when the life that looks successful from the outside is quietly falling apart on the inside?

Jason Senzon, co-founder of Wyndcrofte Coffee, joined me on the podcast to share the deeply human story behind a mission-driven coffee company created through recovery, mental health, service, and the belief that the most important conversations often start over a cup of coffee.

Nearly nine years sober, Jason reflects on the late-night moment he told his wife, “I need help,” and how treatment, community, and a commitment to honest self-examination changed his life as a husband, father, entrepreneur, and person in recovery.

He and his co-founder met in sobriety and created Wyndcrofte Coffee to turn experience into impact. The company is a for-profit coffee brand that supports nonprofit partners expanding access to mental-health and recovery treatment, while creating an invitation for more open, vulnerable conversations in workplaces, homes, and communities.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why asking for help is an act of courage, not weakness

The connection between addiction, anxiety, mental health, and isolation

How families can make emotional honesty part of everyday life

Why coffee is the perfect medium for connection and conversation

Building a mission-driven company with charity partnerships in its DNA

The entrepreneurial realities of launching a coffee company in a crowded market

What founders can learn from recovery: service, community, humility, and taking the next right action

Why doing good without expecting something in return can change the way you lead and live

Jason also shares how Wyndcrofte Coffee is growing through B2B partnerships, why quality and price still matter alongside mission, and his work raising funds through the New York City Marathon to help people access treatment. He's running to support Release Recovery Foundation -- click here to donate and support: https://donations.nyrr.org/donations/new?fundraiser=fe14e05478260f9c6a43

If you’re building something meaningful, or perhaps navigating recovery, supporting someone you love, or simply trying to have more honest conversations, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to carry everything alone.

Wyndcrofte Coffee’s mission: vulnerable conversations often start over a cup of coffee.

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What happens when markets stop being driven only by fundamentals and start being shaped by retail investors, social media, AI, and real-time narrative? In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Katie Perry, CMO of Zerohash and author of 'Ticker Shock,' (available on Amazon) for a sharp, insightful conversation about the future of money, communication, and capital markets. Katie unpacks why investor relations, marketing, and leadership can no longer live in silos, and why companies now need to think like media brands if they want to earn trust, attention, and long-term support. From meme stocks and retail investor culture to stablecoins, tokenization, and the rise of digital asset infrastructure, this episode explores the forces reshaping how money moves and how companies tell their stories. Katie also shares the origin story behind Ticker Shock — how a middle-of-the-night idea turned into a full-length book, why she thinks the old playbook for public company communication is breaking down, and what founders, executives, and communicators need to understand about the new investor landscape. If you care about fintech, crypto, investor relations, startup storytelling, or how brands build credibility in a noisy world, this episode is packed with perspective. You’ll hear me and Katie talk about: Why retail investors have outsized influence on narrative. How companies should think differently about marketing and IR. Why stablecoins and crypto infrastructure are becoming the hidden rails of modern finance. What founders and CEOs can learn from the most compelling public-facing leaders. How emotion, visibility, and timing now affect markets in real time. Thanks to social media, the barriers to entry are at an all-time low but separating signal from noise is ever more complicated This is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, marketers, and anyone trying to understand where finance, technology, and storytelling collide next. Listen now to hear why Ticker Shock is more than a book title; it’s a sign of where the market is headed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if your voice could reveal something meaningful about your body, your energy, and your readiness to perform? In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Alex Fredericks, Co-Founder of ToneWell, an AI wellness platform that transforms a 30-second voice note into personalized insights. But ToneWell is only the latest chapter in a career shaped by music, consumer goods, brand building, and a relentless instinct for problem-solving. Alex shares how dyslexia led him to music, how touring taught him to adapt and execute, and why each seemingly unrelated chapter of his career became part of a larger mosaic. From managing bands and working in skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance to launching a company at the intersection of voice, AI, and wellness, Alex opens up about reinvention, resilience, and betting on yourself before you have a label for it. This conversation explores: The surprising connection between voice and wellness. How Alex’s background in music and consumer goods shaped his founder journey. Why entrepreneurship is often about pattern recognition, pivoting, and execution. The story behind building ToneWell and the future of more human-centered health technology. If you’re interested in startups, AI, wellness innovation, founder stories, or career reinvention, this episode offers a thought-provoking exploration at how unconventional paths can lead to compelling new ventures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For years, sobriety has been viewed as a subtraction.

No drinks. No substances. No fun, supposedly. No social life, supposedly.

MJ Gottlieb is building the opposite story.

On the Worthy for Thirty podcast, the Loosid co-founder laid out a vision that is part recovery, part product strategy, and part cultural correction: sobriety is not the thing that shrinks your life; it’s the thing that makes a fuller life not just possible but attainable.

What started as his own reckoning became a company built around one clear thesis: people struggling with addiction, loneliness, and mental health need more than advice. They need community, tools, and a place to belong.

That’s what makes Loosid matter and stand out.

It’s not just a sobriety app. It’s a place where people in recovery, or simply choosing a different way to live, can find connection, accountability, dating, and support without having to navigate it all alone.

In other words: it is a startup with a moral center and a real business model.

For founders and operators, the lesson is clear. MJ and his co-founder didn’t scale a message. They scaled a solution. They looked at the treatment world, saw how limited the reach could be, and built a platform that could help far more people at once. That belief, to evolve from one-off impact to repeatable infrastructure, is what separates a compelling founder story from a serious company.

For everyone else, the takeaway is simpler and more pressing.

If you’re sober, sober-curious, in recovery, or quietly struggling, Loosid is built around the idea that you do not need to be ashamed of needing support. You do not need to wait until your life falls apart to look for help. You do not need to navigate shame, loneliness, or relapse risk in isolation.

MJ said it succinctly: “service keeps you sober”. That concept pervades through everything he described, from community support to sober dating to the mental health resources embedded in the platform. The mission is not just to help people stay sober. It is to help them rebuild.

And that’s why this conversation lands.

Loosid is not chasing a trend. It is responding to a much larger shift: people are looking for healthier ways to connect, regulate, and live. Sober spaces, non-alcoholic beverages, breathwork, meditation, and digital recovery support are not fringe anymore; they are becoming part of the mainstream vocabulary of wellness. MJ and his co-founder are simply building one of the clearest brands in that category.

The most important thing he said may be the simplest: “We don’t care why you’re here; we just care that you’re here”.

That is not just a good tagline.

It’s a worldview.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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In this episode of the Worthy for Thirty podcast, I sit down with Sing for Hope co-founders Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, access, public health, and what it really means to build something that endures the test of time. From their origin story in the aftermath of 9/11 to the growth of Sing for Hope’s public pianos, school programs, hospital partnerships, and global arts initiatives, Monica and Camille make a powerful case for why the arts belong not just on stages, but in the everyday places where people live, heal, and connect.

This conversation is about more than music. It’s about arts education, community impact, nonprofit leadership, and the idea that creativity can serve as infrastructure for healthier, more connected communities.

“Creativity isn’t something we consume. It’s infrastructure for healthier communities, stronger connections, and greater human dignity.”

Why this conversation matters

Monica and Camille trace the roots of Sing for Hope back to a moment of crisis, when they began singing for first responders in the days after 9/11. What began as a response to grief became a 25-year mission to bring the power of the arts into public spaces, hospitals, schools, elder care facilities, and communities that are too often left out of cultural life.

We’re drawn to music, all of us as artists, because we’re drawn to light and truth.” - Camille Zamora

That framing matters because it shifts the conversation from “art as enrichment” to “art as necessity.” As they explain in the episode, the arts support health, dignity, connection, and well-being, and they should be treated that way.

What we talk about

In our conversation, Monica and Camille open up about:

* How they met at Juilliard and developed a friendship that grew into a mission-driven partnership.

* The early experiences that shaped their belief in the power of music and community service.

* Why Sing for Hope was born out of crisis, and how that origin still informs the organization today.

* How the Sing for Hope Pianos became one of the country’s most recognizable public art projects.

* Why they believe the arts are a social determinant of health.

* What it takes to build sustainable nonprofit programs that are both beautiful and operationally effective.

* How they think about access, creativity, and the role of artists in public life.

A few standout moments

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is their reflection on how access to the arts shapes a person’s sense of possibility. Monica shares how music was present in her childhood through church, elder care performances, and community events, while Camille talks about how her family’s musical culture and public school music education influenced her path.

Another standout thread is that their effusiveness around the concept of creativity doesn’t have to be reserved for professionals. They referenced doodling, singing in the driveway, trying something new, and permitting ourselves to make art without judgment (work through the cringe!).

For founders and changemakers

If you’re building a nonprofit, a community initiative, or a mission-driven brand, this episode offers more than inspiration. It offers a framework.

Monica and Camille talk candidly about fundraising, scaling, partnerships, and the challenge of keeping a mission intact while building systems that can grow over time, all while remaining mindful of the reason they started 25 years ago. They also share how they think about long-term impact, from public art installations to arts curriculum development and healthcare partnerships. For anyone interested in social impact, arts entrepreneurship, or nonprofit storytelling, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

You can listen to this full episode on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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Some founders build a business. Others build a system that keeps getting better long after the startup euphoria fades. Rob Tod, founder of Allagash Brewing Company, belongs in the second category: a leader who turned craftsmanship, discipline, and purpose into a company that has spent three decades proving that sustainability, employee culture, and profitability do not have to compete.

Ahem, doing good while doing well.

I sat down with Rob for a wide-ranging conversation about how Allagash grew from a fledgling brewery built with used equipment into one of the most respected and admired breweries in America. What ensues is not just a story about beer, but a case study in endurance, operational excellence, and values that are actually embedded in the business. The foundation that has allowed Allagash to stand the test of time and competition!

Why this conversation matters

Rob’s origin story is unusually relatable: he graduated from Middlebury with a geology degree, spent time working construction and restaurant jobs, stumbled into brewing, and quickly realized he had found a craft (no pun intended) that combined science, mechanics, creativity, and hard work. He did not begin with a polished master plan; he began with curiosity, grit, and a willingness to build something from the ground up. Perhaps intangibles that successful founders need to tap into when moving from abstract to reality.

Connect the dots!

That origin matters because it helps explain why Allagash never became a company built around trends. Rob describes choosing a Belgian-style wheat beer at a time when very few people even knew what that meant, then spending the first decade hearing, in effect, that the beer was cloudy, strange, and unlikely to sell. The lesson is timeless: if you want to create something durable, the goal is not to be instantly obvious; it is to be worth discovering. Or said even more simply, make something that you like and that you would use or consume. Then decide if it should be shared with the world.

The Allagash model

The transcript makes one thing clear: Allagash is not simply a brewery; it is an operating philosophy. Rob repeatedly returns to the idea of doing the work well, improving the process, and treating the team as the engine of the company rather than a backdrop to it. He talks about investing in raw materials, quality control, equipment, logistics, and culture as interconnected parts of the same system.

That philosophy shows up in Allagash’s latest Benefit Corporation (B-Corp) Report, which breaks down how the company’s sustainability work touches nearly every part of the operation. The report highlights carbon capture that reduces emissions by more than 18,000 pounds annually, a de-aerated water system that saves ingredients and labor, and partnerships that repurpose millions of pounds of spent grain and yeast each year.

The numbers are striking, but the deeper story is that Allagash treats sustainability as an operational discipline rather than a branding exercise. The company says it diverted 98% of brewery waste from landfill, maintained water use at 3.4 gallons per gallon of beer, and redesigned logistics to reduce shipping miles and eliminate unnecessary plastic.

Leadership lessons

What makes Rob’s journey compelling is that he sounds like a founder who has stayed close to the work. He talks about walking the floor, keeping his door open, spending time with employees across departments, and remembering that credibility comes from participation, not posture. That is one reason his leadership feels sincere rather than performative. Being of service to your employees and community is certainly not a tactic. No job is too big or too small for him to lend a hand.

“The best companies aren’t built by finding one breakthrough. They’re built by getting a little better every year for decades.” - Rob Tod

He also makes a strong case for patience. In the early years, Allagash nearly failed, a bank pulled the loan, and the company spent a decade grinding through uncertainty before the market caught up. His response was not to chase the next trend, but to keep refining the product, the process, and the team until the business could stand on its own.

That mindset is especially relevant now, when many founders are tempted to optimize for speed, novelty, or algorithmic attention (e.g., trends). Rob’s case study suggests a different benchmark: build something distinctive enough that it still matters when the market changes around you.

Culture as strategy

One of the most resonant parts of the episode is his discussion of culture. Allagash’s purpose is to “brew with integrity and build community.” It appears in employee benefits, volunteerism, internal innovation, and the company’s habit of giving people across roles a voice in product development and business improvement.

“We’re never resting on our laurels here. We’re always trying to improve.” - Rob Tod

That approach matters because Allagash is not using culture as a soft concept; it is using culture as a strategic advantage. The company’s report notes that employee engagement surveys help guide internal priorities, and the brewery has been named one of Maine’s Best Places to Work multiple times.

He also describes long-term rituals like five-year Belgium trips for employees, which create cross-functional bonding and reinforce the company’s identity. Those are the kinds of details that make a business feel alive, memorable, and human, and they are exactly what separate a transactional company from an enduring one.

What you will leave with from listening

This episode is for founders, operators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone trying to build an organization that lasts. It offers a practical reminder that mission is not what you say; it is what you repeatedly design, measure, reward, and protect.

If you listen closely, you will hear a blueprint for building trust: start with authenticity, stay close to the work, help improve and deepen everyone’s responsibility, and never confuse growth with momentum. Rob Tod’s Allagash story is a rare confluence of humility (his self-awareness is off the charts), precision, and persistence. The kind of story that can change how people think about leadership, not just beer.

We can cheers to that!

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What Happens When Access Becomes a Strategy?

Some conversations make you think differently about a topic you thought you already understood. This episode did that for me.

I sat down with Diego Mariscal, founder of 2Gether-International and returning guest, now co-host, Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams and Gamut Management, for a conversation that started with disability inclusion but quickly morphed into something much bigger: how mission-driven founders build, lead, and scale when they stop treating access as an add-on.

That idea feels especially relevant right now. In May 2026, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities ages 16 and older was 23.9%, compared with 67.6% for people without disabilities, and the unemployment rate was 9.1% versus 3.8%. Those numbers are not just statistics. They’re a reminder that too much talent is still being left out of the room.

And that’s exactly why this conversation matters.

Diego shares the personal story behind 2Gether-International and how being born with cerebral palsy shaped his perspective on resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurship. What stands out is not just the journey itself, but the reframing: the idea that disability can create a kind of leadership muscle that businesses desperately need. Tenacity. Problem-solving. Creative adjustment. The ability to keep moving when the system wasn’t designed with you in mind.

“We set out to create an accelerator that specifically looked at supporting entrepreneurs and allowing us to be successful, not in spite of our disabilities, but in many ways because of our disabilities.” - Diego Mariscal

Mindy brings that same clarity from a different angle. Her story begins with her son Oliver - who has muscular dystrophy - inspired her to push the fashion industry toward something more inclusive and more functional. That effort ultimately helped lead to the first mainstream adaptive clothing line at Tommy Hilfiger and later to her starting Gamut Management, where the work is about helping brands build with people with disabilities, not simply market to them.

What I loved most about this conversation was how practical it became. Diego talked about building accommodation into the budget from the start. Mindy talked about inviting disabled people into product development before something goes to market. Both of them kept coming back to the same core idea: inclusion works best when it is built into the DNA of a company, not added on later as a fix.

That message should resonate with every founder and operator, whether you’re building a startup, managing a team, or trying to make your product more useful to more people. The lesson is simple, but not easy: if you design for the margins, you often end up building something better for the mainstream too.

That manifests everywhere in this episode: in the stories, in the examples, in the way Diego and Mindy challenge the assumptions baked into how businesses think about access. It’s a conversation about entrepreneurship, yes. But it’s also about dignity, systems, and what it really means to build something that lasts.

“When accessibility moves from accommodation to innovation, it doesn’t just change lives, it changes businesses, industries, and what’s possible for everyone.” - Diego Mariscal

If you care about leadership, innovation, accessibility, or mission-driven business, this one is worth your time.

A few things you’ll hear us talk about:

* Why disability inclusion is a business advantage, not a charitable endeavor.

* How founders can embed access into their operating model from day one.

* What adaptive design teaches us about building for more people.

* Why the future of entrepreneurship should include more disabled founders, more disabled consumers, and more disabled voices shaping the table.

This episode is for the builders who want to do more than just grow. It’s for the people who want to build in a way that actually reflects the world they live in.

And maybe that’s the bigger takeaway here: the future doesn’t need more companies that simply fit the old model better. It needs companies willing enough (hello, Ryan Berman) to redesign the model itself.

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“Most entrepreneurs don’t burn out because they’re lazy. They burn out because they keep building businesses that demand more of them than they were ever designed to give.” — Jen Aly

In this conversation on the Worthy for Thirty podcast, thanks to Boardy.Ai, I got to sit down with coach, TEDx speaker, and entrepreneur Jen Aly to unpack what happens when success stops feeling sustainable and what it looks like to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.

Jen’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and honest self-awareness. She opens up about moving through burnout, bankruptcy, rebuilding her career, and eventually creating a business model rooted in freedom and flow. For entrepreneurs who feel exhausted, overcommitted, or unsure how to keep going without sacrificing themselves, this episode offers both perspective and a practical path forward. It helps that Jen has ‘walked in the shoes’ of some of her founder clients and can see what they’re experiencing by stepping into their shoes.

One of the most valuable themes in the episode is Jen’s refusal to romanticize hustle culture. As she says, people may assume that a coach is someone who is chasing “a quazillion dollars,” but her work is actually centered on the opposite: creating time freedom, defining prosperity personally, and helping clients build businesses that feel aligned with who they are now. That perspective makes this conversation especially relevant for founders who are successful on paper but drained in reality.

Jen also shares how her nomadic lifestyle has changed the way she thinks about business and energy. Living in new places has forced her to create stronger structure, accountability, and community, even while prioritizing flexibility and freedom. That tension between possibility and the need for sustainable rhythm is something many entrepreneurs will recognize immediately.

The episode dives into how Jen works with clients. She explains that many of the people she supports are experienced entrepreneurs in their forties and fifties who want to redesign their businesses around their current lives, not their old identities (Hello, James Clear & Atomic Habits!). Whether it’s an acupuncturist who wants more leverage and less time in the office, or an astrologer who wants to shift from one-off sessions to a more sustainable, long-term offering, Jen helps clients rethink both their business model and their relationship to their capacity.

This is where her Freedom and Flow framework comes in. Jen walks through her five-step process: clarifying vision, reverse engineering an aligned life and business, leveraging genius and simplifying for flow, creating systems and rhythms for sustainable momentum, and expanding confidence through accountability and support. It’s a thoughtful, practical structure rooted in reality that works for entrepreneurs who want more than motivation; they want a real reset.

The conversation also touches on burnout symptoms that are easy to miss. Jen points to dread, resentment, loss of impact, and physical depletion as signs that something is off. She describes burnout not just as being tired, but as a disconnect between the work someone is doing and the life they actually want to live — we all yearn for a life of fulfillment. That distinction is powerful for creators and founders who may be ignoring the early signs because the business is still growing.

We also dove into the role of identity in transformation. Drawing from James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, the conversation underscores that lasting change often starts when someone stops identifying as “burnt out” and starts seeing themselves as a thriving, creative business owner with autonomy and direction. That shift in identity is often what makes the difference between temporary change and long-term reinvention.

Another memorable part of the episode is when we discussed AI and its impact on founders and their businesses! Jen shares how she, personally, uses tools like Claude as a thinking partner, especially for writing and ideation, while still emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human connection, experience, and coaching. Ai doesn’t exude empathy or compassion or basic human understanding. For entrepreneurs navigating the fast-changing landscape of work, this section adds a timely layer to the conversation.

By the end of this episode, one thing is apparent: this is not just a talk about burnout. It’s a conversation about designing a business and a life - in alignment - that can actually be sustained. For the burnt-out entrepreneur who wants more freedom, more clarity, and more alignment, Jen offers a clear reminder that success does not have to come at the detriment of your wellbeing.

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Stanton ‘Stan’ Ross, CEO of Kustom Entertainment, joined me on the podcast to share how a lifetime around music, events, and customer experience shaped the way he leads today.

A quick FYI: Kustom Entertainment is a live event production and ticketing company focused on delivering memorable fan experiences through concerts, festivals, and transparent ticketing. It also owns and operates Country Stampede and strives to make the full event experience clear, fair, and high-value for fans and artists alike.

What stands out most is his belief that trust is built through clarity, consistency, and an eagerness to listen, whether that means being frank about ticket fees or making sure fans get above-and-beyond value from any festival or concert they pay to attend.

For leaders in any industry, Stan’s perspective is a practical reminder that transparency is not just a brand value; it is a business strategy. His approach to ticketing, event production, and audience feedback shows how companies can strengthen loyalty by making the customer experience simpler, fairer, and more respectful.

Legacy Meets Leadership

Stan’s story begins with legacy. We talked about his father, Bud Ross, whose innovations in guitar amplifiers and pedals helped shape music history and taught Stan the importance of quality, reliability, and humility. That foundation still influences how Stan thinks about business today: build something people can trust, and then keep improving it.

He also shared how being raised around music and creative people gave him an early appreciation for passion and craftsmanship. His dad built amps and pedals for Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead, John Fogerty, and more! That background helps explain why he sees business not just as operations and revenue, but as a way to create meaningful experiences for artists, fans, and partners.

Why Transparency Wins

One of the clearest themes in the conversation was Stan’s frustration with hidden ticket fees and his decision to build Kustom Entertainment’s own ticketing systems that show the full price upfront. He explained that consumers are already comparing multiple platforms, so the company that is most honest and simplest to use often wins their trust. That is a valuable lesson for any leader: if customers feel surprised at checkout, the relationship is already damaged. When it comes to both a frictionless fan and artist experience, vertically integrating the value chain wins.

Put another way, transparency reduces friction. When people know the full cost and understand what they are getting, they are less likely to feel manipulated and more likely to return. In a marketplace where trust is fragile, that kind of clarity becomes a competitive advantage.

Listening to Fans and Fixing Problems

Stan offered a concrete example of how listening to feedback can improve a business quickly. After acquiring Country Stampede, one of the biggest complaints was food variety, so the team responded by bringing in a wide mix of food trucks to broaden the festival experience. That is a simple but powerful model for any founder or operator: identify the real complaint, pinpoint what you can control, and make a visible change.

“We want not only the artists to really enjoy playing there so that they want to come back, but we’d like the fans to feel like they got more than what they paid for.” - Stan Ross

He also described how the team follows up with attendees after events to ask for suggestions, ratings, and artist requests for future lineups. That kind of feedback loop turns audience feedback into a management tool instead of a marketing afterthought. The message is straightforward: if your customers are telling you what is broken, treat that input like operational intelligence.

Lessons for all Leaders

There were several actionable ideas in Stan’s comments that leaders can apply beyond entertainment. He explained that his team tries to make events feel worth more than the price of admission, which translates well to any business focused on retention and loyalty. He also stressed the importance of being present, solving problems in real time, and staying close to the work instead of hiding behind titles.

As I like to say, Coach John Wooden, who coached UCLA basketball in the 60s and 70s and won multiple championships, was known to ‘sweep the floors’ after practice. No job was beneath him. Stan uses a similar mindset, which all leaders should heed: humility and being human win at the end of the day. The ability to acknowledge and address faults while understanding where the consumer is coming from is an advantage vs. the competition.

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What do sun damage, surf sessions, and a stubborn founder’s instinct have to do with building a beloved skincare brand? A lot, actually.

In this episode, I had a chance to speak with Sam Stewart, co-founder of Mad Hippie (Dana, his wife, is his co-founder), to unpack how a personal problem while living in Nicaragua turned into a purpose-driven beauty brand with staying power.

Sam’s story is a great reminder that meaningful businesses are rarely built in a straight line. My mind immediately went to the childhood parable ‘tortoise vs. the hare.’

Mad Hippie began with late nights, a chemist friend, dozens of product iterations, a scrappy SEO strategy, and a willingness to listen when the market said, “not yet.”

Use promo code WorthyforThirty at checkout for 15% off your order

From Surfboards to Skincare

Sam and his wife were living in Nicaragua, surfing often, and noticing the toll all that sun was taking on their skin. Instead of shrugging it off, they got curious. They started exploring ingredients that could help protect skin from oxidative stress, testing ideas, and eventually building the first versions of what would become Mad Hippie.

What’s interesting is how real the origin story feels. This wasn’t a big-VC-backed launch or a polished brand concept dreamed up in a boardroom. It was a real problem, a real lifestyle, and a real attempt to build something they could believe in.

‘Purpose-driven businesses don't start with a pitch deck. They start with a problem you've lived with long enough that solving it becomes personal.’ - Serial Entreprenuer, Michael Lazerow

The Long Game

One of the clearest themes in the conversation is that building a durable company takes patience, humility, and repetition. Sam discussed the 50+ iterations of early products, learning that surfers weren’t the best core audience, and then pivoting toward a larger natural skincare market.

That willingness to adapt mattered. So did the discipline to keep going when a Whole Foods buyer told him no one in Boston would buy a product called ‘Mad Hippie.’ Instead of taking that as a final no, Sam treated it as feedback, kept refining, and eventually entered the Whole Foods region by region before scaling nationally. Persistence is key, especially when you’re driving value.

Building With Intent

A big part of Mad Hippie’s appeal is that the brand’s values weren’t added later as marketing polish or a facade. They were built into the brand’s DNA from the beginning (sounds similar to Mission Craft Cocktails, for instance). Sam explains how the company has donated a dollar from every web sale to conservation, used recyclable and sustainably sourced packaging, and built recycling programs that make it easier for customers to do the right thing.

That intentionality also shows up inside the business. Mad Hippie invests in employee benefits, values respectful communication, and hires with cultural fit in mind. Sam is clear that building a good company means treating people well: customers, team members, and the planet included.

“We try to pay well, you know, every employee gets a 401k with a 4% match. We have a gold level insurance plan that every employee is working 30 plus hours, which is really everyone can join. We pay 85% of that ourselves.” - Sam Stewart, Co-Founder, Mad Hippie

Lessons For Founders

* Start with a real problem, not a trend. Mad Hippie came from Sam and his wife noticing sun damage in their own lives, then building around that need. Get curious!

* Expect your first idea to be wrong. The brand began by targeting surfers, then pivoted when that audience didn’t respond the way they hoped.

* Iterate until the market gives you a signal. Sam described making about 50 versions before landing on products and packaging that resonated.

* Let scrappiness be an advantage. Early SEO helped Mad Hippie attract tens of thousands of site visitors a month without a huge budget.

* Don’t confuse a ‘no’ with a final answer; treat it as a ‘not yet.’ A Whole Foods buyer initially dismissed the name, but Sam and the brand kept improving and eventually scaled through the chain.

* Build a company you can be proud of. From packaging to donations to hiring, Sam kept returning to the question: Does this feel good, useful, and aligned?

* Hire people who are not the same as you. Sam emphasized the value of putting together a team with diverse strengths, not just people who think like the founder.

* Keep learning longer than feels necessary. Sam credited books, podcasts, and relationships with other entrepreneurs for helping him grow over time.

Why It Resonates Now

This conversation lands because it speaks to a moment so many founders are in right now: overloaded channels, shifting consumer behavior, AI search, TikTok Shop, influencer fatigue, and the pressure to grow fast. Sam’s and what I imagine the company’s perspective are refreshingly grounded. He and his team are not chasing shiny-object tactics; they’re focused on authority, consistency, long-term partnerships, and staying useful to the customer.

That makes this episode especially valuable for entrepreneurs who are trying to build something meaningful without burning out or losing the plot. It’s a reminder that the best brands usually aren’t the loudest ones; they’re the ones that remain consistent and stay true to their values even as they scale!

‘Til next time.

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Before this conversation, Elisa Camahort Page had already helped shape an important chapter in digital media by co-founding BlogHer, one of the earliest and most influential platforms built to center women’s voices online.

In this Worthy for Thirty podcast episode, that foundation becomes the basis for a larger conversation about what it really takes to build something meaningful: not just a company, but a community; not just momentum, but trust; not just growth, but staying aligned with your values as the stakes rise. Elisa speaks with the clarity of someone who has lived through the messy middle of entrepreneurship and come out with a sharper sense of what matters most.

“Our mission was to create opportunities for community, education, exposure, and economic empowerment for women who blogged.” - Elisa Camahort Page

What makes this conversation especially valuable is that it doesn’t stay in the abstract. Elisa is clear about the choices founders face when mission and monetization collide, and she offers a first-hand point of view molded by years of building, scaling, and evolving in public. For aspiring entrepreneurs, that means a rare chance to hear how ideas become reality when they are combined with discipline, patience, and a desire to start before everything is perfect. For the seasoned entrepreneur, it’s a reminder that experience does not completely remove uncertainty; rather, it simply teaches you how to make better decisions inside it.

A major throughline of Elisa’s experience is the importance of optional thinking: not getting trapped by one path, one identity, or one definition of success. Elisa’s reflections on community-building, capital, authenticity, and AI point toward a more flexible model of leadership, one that values adaptation without losing purpose. She makes a compelling case that entrepreneurship is not only about scale but also about judgment: who you work with, what you protect, and how you decide what “enough” looks like.

Key takeaways

* Build for the people you serve, not for abstract scale or something ephemeralImplication: The strongest businesses grow from a clear understanding of what your audience actually needs, not just wants.How to implement: Spend time listening before growing or expanding; talk to customers regularly, identify recurring pain points, and let their real-world problems shape your roadmap.

* Treat mission as an operating system, not a slogan.Implication: Values should be a guide for daily decisions, not just marketing language or a tacticHow to implement: Use your mission to evaluate partnerships, hires, pricing, and product choices, and ask whether each move strengthens or dilutes your core purpose.

* Don’t confuse funding with success.Implication: Capital is a tool, not a trophy.How to implement: Define milestone-based funding needs, explore alternatives to venture money, and raise only when the capital clearly advances a specific next step.

* Protect authenticity by setting boundaries.Implication: Being real does not mean sharing everything.How to implement: Decide in advance what you will and won’t disclose, create clear personal and brand boundaries, and stay consistent in how you show up across channels.

* Stay flexible about what success looks like.Implication: Entrepreneurship is a moving target, and your strategy should evolve with it.How to implement: Revisit your goals quarterly, assess whether your current model still fits your life and business, and be willing to change course when the facts change.

* Use AI as leverage, not replacement.Implication: New tools can expand your capacity without replacing your judgment.How to implement: Use AI to brainstorm, prototype, research, and draft faster, then apply human judgment to decide what is useful, ethical, and worth pursuing.

For newer founders, the takeaway is to build with intention and stay close to the people you serve. For experienced founders, the reminder is to keep questioning whether your current model still matches your values, your market, and your life. Elisa’s story ultimately suggests that the most durable businesses are built by people who know how to hold both ambition and integrity at the same time.

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How do nonprofits raise more without adding more strain to already stretched teams?

What a great way to extend last night’s celebration of an incredible nonprofit with a slew of Broadway stars; a new epsiode with a founder who’s doing exceptional work in the space!

On this episode of the Worthy for Thirty podcast, I sat down with Bobby Gibson, Co-founder of LuxGive, to unpack a model that is helping nonprofits turn luxury travel into a smarter fundraising engine. Bobby breaks down how LuxGive works as a no-risk, high-touch partner: nonprofits set a reserve price, keep everything above it, and only pay LuxGive through that reserve price if the experience sells.

A win-win for everyone!

“We think of ourselves as far more than just [some] sort of a fundraising platform or a travel business. Increasingly thinking of ourselves as an infrastructure layer.” - Bobby Gibson

What makes this conversation especially relevant for nonprofit leaders is that Bobby is not offering a generic fundraising pitch; rather, he is describing an infrastructure layer designed to make auctions streamlined and intuitive, more professional (hello, concierge service), and more effective. Bobby details how LuxGive helps nonprofits with curation, marketing collateral, a nonprofit portal, concierge-level service, and a consultative process that matches the right experience to the right audience. He also described one of the biggest epiphanies for partners: a single LuxGive destination experience can be sold multiple times, allowing nonprofits to monetize a broader slice of their audience than they could with a one-off donated item.

Think in experiences, not specific weeks.

The data is supportive.

The broader nonprofit landscape makes this approach timely. A 2025 NonProfit PRO report found that 77% of nonprofit professionals reported consistent or increased auction revenue, and 90% expected that trend to continue, signaling that auctions remain a durable fundraising channel worth optimizing. At the same time, donor-engagement research continues to show that trust, clear impact, and compelling experiences matter; Yale researchers found that framing a nonprofit as a source of solutions (like a consumer experience, making it frictionless) significantly increased intent to donate, and that trust-building, data-driven communication, and emotional connection all strengthen engagement.

LuxGive sits right at that overlap, helping nonprofits showcase an experience that feels premium to donors while generating meaningful revenue for mission-driven work. Psst, past non-profit guests, you’ll be hearing from me.

For nonprofit leaders, the takeaway is straightforward: this episode is worth your time if you want to rethink auctions as more than an annual event and see them as a strategic tool for revenue, donor excitement, and relationship-building. Or better yet, you’ve been reluctant to try auctions because you may think it doesn’t fit in your model. Bobby and team would like to tell you differently.

Bobby and his co-founders’ perspective is especially invaluable because they’re steeped in hospitality; having started and sold Travel Keys to Accor, which then turned into onefinestay before they turned their sights on the nonprofit world.

Any nonprofit leader I’ve spoken to has said raising money is #1 on their priority list. If your team is looking for new ways to raise more while creating better donor experiences and reducing operational friction, this conversation will give you a fresh lens on what’s possible.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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Peter Tuchman — aka the Einstein of Wall Street — has spent more than four decades inside the noise, adrenaline, and emotional whiplash of Wall Street, and this episode captures why that matters now more than ever. In a market shaped by algorithms, viral headlines, AI, prediction markets, and nonstop volatility, Peter offers something increasingly rare: a human take on what actually moves prices, confidence, and behavior.

Fun fact: Peter is the longest-tenured active trader and one of the most photographed traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Also to the creators reading this: take the risk. Reach out. Send the cold email. I met Peter at a SXSW panel

This conversation is not just about trading. It is about how people make decisions under pressure, how fortunes are built and lost, why markets punish emotion, and why discipline still wins when the world is moving faster than common sense. Peter’s story runs from his New York City roots and family resilience to the NYSE floor, where he learned that opportunity rewards those who keep showing up.

If you are a founder, investor, creator, or simply someone trying to make better decisions in a noisy world, this episode is worth your time because Peter connects market mechanics with life mechanics. He makes the case that investing is not a get-rich-quick fantasy; it is a long-game discipline, a probability game, and a way to build a legacy instead of buying more stuff.

Peter is not looking backward. Through Wall Street Global Trading Academy, he and his partner, David Green, are training retail traders, both new and seasoned, with structure, mentorship, and risk awareness instead of hype. That matters because the barrier to entry into equities trading is lower than ever, but the barrier to staying in the game is still high.

What makes this episode especially resonant is Peter’s larger perspective: he sees the market as a living organism shaped by war, oil, AI, social media, institutional behavior, retail enthusiasm, and the psychology of fear and greed. He also sees the upside in all of it, especially for younger people willing to learn, adapt, and treat the market like a vocation rather than a casino.

I encourage you to listen to this episode, which will leave you thinking differently about money, attention, risk, resilience, and what it takes to create value in a world that rewards both speed and substance. It is a conversation with practical takeaways, but it is also a reminder that behind every chart is a human story, and behind every winning strategy is a mindset.

“Wall Street is not a get-rich-quick scheme.”

What this means now

The implications extend beyond trading. Peter’s perspective suggests that the winners are the people who can identify signal in noise, control downside, and avoid turning a temporary edge into a permanent loss. In today’s business landscape, that translates to clearer decision-making, faster adaptation, and stronger risk discipline when markets, customers, or platforms suddenly shift.

He also makes a strong case that accessibility changes the game, but not everyone who enters survives it. That reflects what we see in business: lower barriers to entry create more competition, but the people who last are the ones who learn the rules, manage cash flow, and keep their heads when everyone else is chasing the next shiny thing.

Steps to consider

* Treat every major decision like a trade: define the upside, downside, and exit before you start.

* Build a habit of taking profits or locking in wins earlier instead of waiting for perfection.

* Stop confusing motion with progress; not every market move, business trend, or opportunity deserves your capital or attention.

* Invest in what you understand and observe in daily life, whether that is consumer behavior, software adoption, or brands people already use.

* Separate excitement from conviction. If your thesis cannot survive volatility, it is probably just a mood.

* Keep building skills that compound over time: judgment, patience, pattern recognition, and emotional control.

* Use setbacks as data, not identity. Peter’s message is that resilience is not optional; it is the price of entry.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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Removing Pain

When a child goes to sleep on a floor, a couch, or a pile of clothes, something far deeper than comfort is missing. It is hard to overstate what a bed means: safety, dignity, rest, routine, and the quiet belief that home is a place that holds you.

That is the heart of my conversation with Luke Mickelson, Founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the nonprofit that began with one simple act of service and grew into a national movement serving children in more than 350 chapters across the U.S. and beyond. What started as a local response to a child in need became a model for how purpose, community, and operational clarity can scale in ways that change lives.

Luke’s story is compelling because it is grounded in something many leaders understand naturally: once you see a problem and truly feel it, you are no longer free to dismiss it. In the episode, he describes discovering that children in his own town were sleeping on floors, on pallets, and on makeshift bedding, and how that realization turned a garage project into a mission with lasting impact. That same pattern shows up in other community responses, like One House at a Time’s Beds for Kids program in Philadelphia, which has provided beds and bedding to more than 15,000 children and youth since 1998.

The need is bigger than most people realize. Sleep in Heavenly Peace says roughly 2-3% of American children are without beds, a figure that becomes even more sobering when paired with the broader reality that millions of children live in poverty and that sleep deprivation is already widespread among young people. The CDC has reported that more than three-quarters of high school students were not getting enough sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students sleeping less than seven hours were more likely to report poor mental health and difficulty doing schoolwork. In other words, bedlessness is not just isolated to housing, it affects education, physical health, and, invariably, a child’s future.

“Big moments result from tiny moments in action, right?” - Luke Mickelson

Luke also offers something especially valuable for founders, owners, and operators: a practical operating philosophy. He illustrates how the mission becomes stronger when it is made tangible, repeatable, and local. Sleep in Heavenly Peace did not try to solve everything at once; it built a chapter model, empowered communities to own the work, and turned volunteer energy into a scalable system. That is a lesson that applies just as much to for-profit leadership as it does to nonprofit work.

What This Teaches Leaders

Luke’s approach points to short but clear takeaways that leaders can apply right now:

* Make the problem visible. Luke did not build a brand around theory; he built it around a real child, a real need, and a real community response.

* Turn service into an operating system. Sleep in Heavenly Peace grew because it created a chapter model that allowed others to participate without centralizing every decision. Therefore, equipping people to solve the problem in their own towns, not just admire the problem from afar

* Let the mission do the marketing. When people understand the impact, they want to help, and the mission becomes the message.

* Use emotional clarity to drive practical action. The strongest movements do not begin with complexity; they begin with a problem people obsess about.

For nonprofit leaders, that means designing an organization that is easy to join, easy to fund, and easy to trust. For for-profit leaders, it is a reminder that people rally behind businesses that stand for something concrete and human. Luke’s story provides evidence that a company or cause becomes more powerful when it moves from abstraction to clear action.

Why It Matters

A bed may seem simple, but for a child, it can change the entire rhythm of life. Safe sleep supports emotional regulation, physical health, and learning readiness, while chronic sleep loss has been linked to behavior challenges, mental health strain, and difficulty in school. When a child finally gets a bed, they are not just receiving furniture; they are receiving a place to rest, recover, and grow.

“If you want true joy in this life, you got to stop thinking about yourself, and see how you can help someone else.” - Luke Mickelson

There is also a sobering operational truth in Luke’s work: the demand is still enormous. Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s own reporting has highlighted a significant waiting list and a need that far outpaces current capacity, which is why the chapter model matters so much. This is what scalable compassion (empathy + action) looks like: not just feeling the need, but building infrastructure that helps more people respond to it.

How To Apply It

If Luke’s episode leaves a mark, the next step is action. Here are a few ways to put the insights into practice:

* Audit your own mission for hidden pain points. Ask what need you are solving that people may not fully see yet.

* Create a simple entry point for participation. Whether it is volunteering, donating, or partnering, make it easy to take the first step.

* Build a local activation model. Local leaders often move faster and care more deeply because they are closest to the problem.

* Pair the story with data. The emotional pull becomes stronger when it is reinforced by credible third-party evidence.

* Treat generosity like an operating principle, not a campaign. Luke’s model shows that sustainable impact comes from consistency, not one-off events.

* If you lead a team, use service as culture-building. Shared work toward a meaningful goal can deepen loyalty, purpose, and trust.

Luke Mickelson’s story is a reminder that some of the most important work in the world begins quietly, in a garage, with a question most people overlook. And sometimes, changing a child’s night changes their entire future.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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The Big Idea

What if the future of social connection isn’t about what’s in your glass, but how it makes you feel?

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with J.W. Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, to unpack a deceptively simple idea: the most powerful businesses don’t just solve a problem, they reimagine a behavior.

Use code THIRTY10 at checkout for $10 off orders of $50 or more

Curious Elixirs isn’t just a non-alcoholic beverage company. It’s a cultural intervention steeped in presence, intentionality, and the belief that rituals matter more than substances.

For founders, operators, creators, and marketers, this conversation is a masterclass in building something that doesn’t just compete but reframes the category entirely.

“We’re 11 years into a 40-year mission to transform how we drink socially.” - JW Wiseman

The Throughline: Build for How People Want to Feel

J.W.’s journey didn’t start with a market gap. It started with a personal inflection point: after a night of 20 drinks and no hangover, something felt off, not physically, but existentially.

That moment sparked a question that would define the business:

“What if drinking could feel just as meaningful, without the alcohol?”

That question became the foundation of Curious Elixirs, and it reveals the deeper throughline of this episode:

The best brands don’t just deliver a product. They design a feeling.

Curious isn’t selling beverages. It’s selling:

* Presence over numbness

* Ritual over routine

* Inclusion over exclusion — hello, thriving community

And that shift, from product to feeling, is where the opportunity lives for any builder.

What Makes Curious Elixirs Different

J.W. didn’t set out to replicate alcohol. He rejected that premise entirely.

Instead, Curious Elixirs is built on three core principles:

1. Stack, Don’t SubtractThey don’t remove alcohol from existing drinks. They build from the ground up using botanicals, adaptogens, and flavor layering.

2. Occasion-Based DesignEach drink maps to a moment:

* A Negroni alternative for aperitivo hour

* A “beer” for post-workout refresh

* A red wine for unwinding

3. Flavor + FunctionEvery product is designed not just to taste good, but to do something:

* Calm focus

* Relaxation

* Social ease

This is a blueprint for modern CPG: utility meets experience.

Then vs. Now: Category Creation in Real Time

In 2015, the non-alcoholic category was essentially:

* Soda

* Water

* Juice

No menus. No rituals. No identity.

Today, it’s a movement.

But as J.W. points out, we’re still early:

“Maybe we’re 10% of the way there.”

That’s the opportunity—and the challenge.

Lessons for Founders, Operators, and Creators

1. Start With Personal Truth, Not Market Trends

The best ideas don’t come from spreadsheets. They come from lived experience. Jeff Boyd, Co-Founder, MTE, created the original formula out of his need to find a natural energy supplement without the negative effects of caffeine or stimulants.

J.W. didn’t ask:

* “Is there a market for this?”

He asked:

* “Why doesn’t this exist for me?”

That’s a more powerful starting point.

2. Design for the Occasion, Not the Category

People don’t buy products. They buy moments. Remember Eliza Blank, Founder, The Sill, who realized that ‘plants make people happy?’

Ask:

* Where does this show up in someone’s life?

* What replaces the habit you’re disrupting?

Curious wins because it understands the ritual of drinking, not just the act.

3. Build Culture, Not Just Distribution

From 100-city cocktail parties to community-driven events, Curious invests in belonging. Mark your calendar: May 13th is the Great Curious Cocktail Party.

Because in the end:

People don’t just want better products. They want places to belong.

4. Iterate Relentlessly (and Publicly)

J.W. openly admits the latest batch isn’t perfect.

That’s not a weakness, it’s a strategy.

* Listen deeply

* Adjust or iterate quickly

* Improve continuously

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

5. Ask Better Questions

For early-stage founders, J.W. offers a simple framework:

* What flavors do you love?

* What feels underserved?

* What already exists, and can it be better?

Curiosity isn’t branding. It’s operating discipline.

6. Community Is the Moat

Products can be copied. Community cannot.

Whether it’s:

* A sober bar

* A dinner party

* A shared experience

The real value is in the people, not the product.

“The community focus is what people are most thirsty for… you build it one customer at a time, one bar stool at a time.” - JW Wiseman

The Bigger Shift: From Consumption to Consciousness

This episode taps into something larger than beverages.

It’s about a generational shift:

* From excess → intention

* From escape → presence

* From isolation → connection

And that shift is opening entirely new categories.

Actionable Takeaways

If you’re building something, or contemplating, start here:

1. Run the “Feeling Test”What does your product make people feel, and is that clear?

2. Map the RitualWhere does your product live in someone’s day or life?

3. Build With Your Early CommunityYour first 100 customers are your co-creators.

4. Start With SubtractionWhat can your audience remove from their life—and what replaces it?

5. Stay Curious, Not CertainThe best founders aren’t the ones with answers.They’re the ones asking better questions.

Closing Thought

Curious Elixirs isn’t trying to eliminate alcohol.

It’s offering something more interesting:

a choice.

And in that choice lies a powerful idea for any builder:

You don’t have to fight the old system.You can create something people would rather choose.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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Impact in your own backyard

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Sapreet Saluja, Executive Director of New York Cares, to discuss what it really takes to turn compassion into action at scale.

New York Cares is the largest volunteer organization in New York City, and Sapreet leads efforts to connect everyday New Yorkers with urgent community needs across the city, from winter coats and meals to tutoring, tax prep, senior support, and more. What made me think most was not just the size of the impact, but the operating system behind it: a thoughtful, human, and highly organized approach to service that any founder or operator can learn from.

Sapreet’s background spans the private sector, civil rights, education, youth leadership, and community service, and that mix gives her a uniquely useful lens on leadership. We talked about how purpose is not something that belongs only in the nonprofit world. It can show up inside a startup, a brand, a team, or a business model, if you build it intentionally. That idea reminded me of the kind of leadership we’ve seen from entrepreneurs like Yvon Chouinard at Patagonia or Whitney Wolfe Herd at Bumble: leaders who’ve demonstrated that mission and business performance are not mutually exclusive paths. The best organizations, whether for-profit or nonprofit, make it easy for people to participate in something bigger than themselves.

Sapreet also broke down how New York Cares creates meaningful volunteer experiences by removing friction, designing for accessibility, and making sure there is a true fit between the need and the person showing up to help. As a quick reference, Sapreet and her team work with over 400 nonprofits, schools, and city agencies that support these vital causes! That part especially resonated with me because it applies far beyond volunteerism. The same principle is true when building a company, a podcast, or a team: if you want people to engage, you need to make it simple, clear, and emotionally rewarding to do so. In other words, impact is not just about having good intentions; it’s about building the infrastructure that helps those intentions move.

We also discussed what impact measurement really means. It’s easy to count inputs, but much harder to understand outcomes. That’s true in business, too. Are you just tracking activity, or are you actually changing someone’s life, work, or day-to-day reality? Sapreet’s perspective was a compelling reminder that meaningful leadership requires both heart and rigor. If you want to do good while doing well, you have to measure what matters, listen closely to the people you serve, and stay open to learning from the private sector without losing your values.

For me, one of the biggest takeaways was this: people are hungry to feel connected, useful, and part of something larger than themselves. Especially in a world with increased automation, and Ai becomes louder and louder by each passing minute.

That is true in New York City, and it is true in business. Whether you’re building a company, launching a project, or simply trying to be more intentional with your time, you can take a page from New York Cares by making service easier to access, more human, and more joyful. Start small, remove friction, invite others in, and keep asking whether your work is really creating the kind of impact you want to be known for. Or better yet, the world around you is reflective of your values.

“I’m someone who’s on a quest to build the world I want to live in.” - Sapreet Saluja

🔑 Takeaways

* Make your mission easy to understand and easy to join.

* Measure outcomes, not just activity.

* Build for belonging, not just conversion.

* Look for ways your daily work can create real human connections.

* Borrow the best systems from business without losing the heart of your mission.

Daily Application

If you want to apply what Sapreet shared, start with one simple question: What is one way I can make it easier for someone to participate, contribute, or feel seen today? That could mean simplifying a process at work, checking in on someone outside your usual circle, volunteering a few hours, or making your own product or service more accessible. The point is not to do everything, it’s to build or create systems that make an impact on your everyday life.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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This conversation with Kaleido Life Co-Founder Craig Du Bruyn isn’t really about life insurance; it’s about rethinking where value lives in our lives.

For decades, financial products have trained us to think in straight lines: save now, access later. Protection today, payout tomorrow. But Craig and his co-founder are challenging something deeper. Why is so much of our financial value locked in the future when real life is happening right now?

The origin of Kaleido Life comes from a deeply human moment, a sudden loss that exposed just how transactional and delayed traditional life insurance can feel. That spark led to a bigger question: what if the same system designed to protect your family after you’re gone could actually support you while you’re here?

And that’s where this episode becomes bigger than life insurance.

The Real Insight: Value Isn’t the Problem, Access Is

Craig reframes the entire category with a simple but powerful idea: most people’s wealth isn’t behind them, it’s ahead of them.

Traditional finance looks backward:

* Credit scores

* Income history

* Assets already accumulated

But Kaleido Life is asking: what if we underwrote people based on their future earning potential, not just their past?

That shift, from backward-looking to forward-looking, isn’t just relevant to insurance. It’s already reshaping multiple industries:

* Education → Income share agreements (betting on future earnings instead of upfront tuition)

* Creator economy → Platforms advancing cash based on projected revenue

* Housing → Shared equity models replacing traditional mortgages

* Fintech → Companies like Affirm are redefining how consumers access purchasing power

Kaleido Life is applying that same logic to one of the oldest, most untouched categories in finance.

“Ninety percent of most people’s wealth still lies ahead of them, not behind them.” - Craig Du Bruyn

A Familiar Pattern: New Models Feel Obvious… After They Work

Craig’s comparison to Uber is more than a metaphor; it’s a blueprint.

At first:

* “Why would I get into a stranger’s car?”

* “Why would I trust an app with my transportation?”

Now:

* It’s second nature.

The pattern is consistent across disruptive businesses:

* Skepticism

* Early adopters

* Evangelists

* Normalization

Craig’s insight is that education often follows experience, not the other way around.

In other words: don’t wait for people to understand—give them something worth experiencing.

Practical Takeaways for Business Leaders

If you’re building, scaling, or trying to disrupt a legacy space or category, this episode is filled with applicable lessons:

1. Find trapped valueEvery industry has it: capital, data, time, or access that’s sitting idle.Your opportunity is to unlock it.

👉 Ask yourself: Where is value being underutilized in my industry?

2. Reframe the category, don’t just improve itKaleido Life isn’t making life insurance “better,” they’re reframing what it’s for.

👉 Instead of optimizing features, ask: What is this product actually meant to do, and is that still true?

3. Build for a different entry pointTraditional insurers target people looking for life insurance.Kaleido Life targets people who need liquidity.

👉 Growth often comes from changing who you’re speaking to, not just what you’re offering.

4. Design for evangelism, not just adoptionCraig isn’t chasing millions of users on day one; he wants thousands who tell others.

This mirrors ideas popularized by author Seth Godin: small groups of believers can move markets.

👉 Ask: Would someone tell a friend about this tomorrow? If not, why?

5. Don’t over-index on skepticsEvery breakthrough sounds wrong at first:

* Cars replacing horses

* Streaming replacing cable

* Remote work replacing offices

👉 If your idea makes everyone comfortable, it’s probably not that new.

The Deeper Shift: From Protection to Possibility

What makes this conversation compelling isn’t just the product; it’s the philosophy.

Traditional life insurance is about protection against worst-case scenarios.

Kaleido Life is betting on something different:

* Funding a wedding

* Paying down debt

* Taking a dream trip

* Starting a new chapter

It moves the narrative from “What happens if I die?” to “What becomes possible while I’m alive?”

Why This Matters Now

We’re in a moment where people expect more flexibility from everything:

* Work is flexible

* Money is flexible

* Ownership is flexible

Financial products that don’t evolve toward access + optionality risk becoming irrelevant.

Kaleido Life could be an early signal of where that shift is heading.

Final Thought

The most interesting companies don’t just build new products; they challenge assumptions or long-held beliefs we didn’t even realize we had.

This episode is a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunity isn’t creating something new…

…it’s unlocking new utility.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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What if the thing fueling your ambition is also quietly draining it?

That’s the quandary that sits at the center of the conversation I had with Jeff Boyd, Co-Founder, MTE (More than Energy). He is someone who has lived on both sides of the equation.

Before co-founding MTE, he helped scale a logistics company across 100+ countries, saying “yes” to opportunity before knowing how it would work. It’s the kind of scrappy, figure-it-out-as-you-go mindset you see in companies like Airbnb in its early days, say yes, then figure it out afterwards. That line of thinking worked. The company grew, thrived, and ultimately exited.

But here’s the twist: success didn’t feel like success.

Behind the scenes, Jeff was running on fumes powered by stress, caffeine, and the cultural belief that burnout is just the cost of ambition.

And that realization became the basis for something entirely different, where obsession became a business.

From “Say Yes” to “Something’s Off”

In his first company, Jeff helped build a global operation by refusing to say no. A call from North Carolina? Yes. A shipment to France? Yes. Cape Verde? Sure—then figure out where it is.

That relentless bias toward action is something you’ll recognize in companies like Amazon, which obsess over the customer and then build the infrastructure to support them.

But while the business scaled, something else quietly broke: his energy.

Not the hustle. Not the drive. The foundation underneath it.

“From the outside, I looked like I was in my prime. Internally, I was just fried.” - Jeff Boyd, Co-Founder, MTE

It’s a familiar story for high performers. You win externally while losing internally—and you don’t even notice until you stop.

The Real Problem: Not Lack of Energy, But How We Get It

What Jeff discovered wasn’t just personal; it was systemic.

We’ve built an entire culture around stimulation over sustainability.

Coffee → energy drink → afternoon crash → repeat.

It’s a loop. A flywheel. And not the good kind.

Think about how Starbucks became a global staple, not just by selling coffee, but by embedding itself into daily ritual. Now layer in modern hustle culture, and suddenly energy isn’t optional; it’s survival.

But Jeff saw the gap:What if energy didn’t have to come with a crash?

Building MTE: A Product That Starts With “No”

Where most brands begin with price points and margins, Jeff started somewhere else entirely:

“I just wanted to build the perfect product for myself.”

That meant saying no a lot.

* No caffeine

* No sugar

* No artificial sweeteners

* No cutting corners on ingredients (even expensive ones like saffron)

This is where the story starts to mirror brands like Patagonia, build with conviction first, optimize later. The product becomes the marketing.

And it worked.

Instead of chasing trends, MTE built something fundamentally different:

* Energy without spikes

* Focus without jitters

* Recovery is built into the experience

Not a quick fix, rather a system upgrade.

The Founder Advantage: Not Knowing the Rules

One of the most powerful threads in this conversation is Jeff’s “outsider advantage.” Sound familiar? Marcin and Amit from Mission Craft Cocktails also had the same epiphany and stance.

He didn’t come from the supplement industry. He didn’t know the “right” way to do things.

Which meant he didn’t inherit the same limitations.

It’s the same pattern we saw with Warby Parker disrupting eyewear or Dollar Shave Club rethinking grooming—fresh eyes create better questions.

And better questions lead to better products.

While others asked:

“How do we make this cheaper?”

Jeff thought:

“I didn’t start with price. I just wanted to build the perfect product for myself, and then we’d figure the rest out.”

That shift changes everything.

The Lesson Most Founders Miss

There’s a moment in the conversation that deeply resonates:

Jeff and his team did extensive research. Thousands of surveys.

Customers said:

“If it works, I don’t care how it tastes.”

Reality?They absolutely cared.

It’s a classic founder lesson, one that companies like Netflix learned early when user behavior contradicted stated preferences.

People don’t always tell you the truth. Their actions do.

Instead of resisting that insight, Jeff leaned into it.Made the product taste great.Turned a weakness into a strength.

That’s the difference between a product people try—and one they stick with.

Redefining Energy (and Success)

Zoom out, and this isn’t just a story about supplements.

It’s about identity.

Who are you when you’re not running on stress?

What happens when your baseline isn’t burnout, but balance?

Jeff’s vision for MTE isn’t to win shelf space.It’s to reshape how we think about energy altogether.

Not:

“How do I get through the day?”

But:

“How do I feel good while doing it?”

That’s a much bigger game.

So…Where Do You Start?

If you’re building something, or even just trying to rebuild your own energy, Jeff’s philosophy is surprisingly simple:

1. Stop Borrowing From Tomorrow

If your current system creates crashes, it’s not sustainable.Whether it’s your business model or your daily routine—fix the foundation first.

2. Build (or Choose) for How You Want to Feel

Not just output, but experience.Energy, focus, clarity, and recovery should work symbiotically, not against each other.

3. Start, Then Learn Fast

You don’t need a perfect plan. You need momentum.Clarity comes from action, not overthinking.

At its core, this episode is a reminder:

You can scale a business.You can win the game.

But if you’re not careful, you might build it on a system that can’t sustain you or isn’t authentic to you or aligned with your core fundamental values.

Jeff Boyd chose to rebuild that system, from the inside out.

And that might be the most valuable kind of entrepreneurship there is.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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What does it really mean to lead, especially when you’re handed something iconic?

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like catching up with a wise friend who’s lived a few lifetimes and learned and gained from each one.

Elizabeth’s story doesn’t begin in the C-suite. It started when she was a 13-year-old leaving home to follow her classical piano dream, chasing excellence with everything she had, until she made a realization that changed everything. Hearing peers who surpassed her technically, she made a decision that many high-achievers struggle to make:

She let go.

But instead of walking away from music, she moved closer to its impact, shifting from performer to champion of artists. That pivot led her to a decades-long career at IMG Artists and later Universal Music Group, where she helped shape the careers of world-class talent.

And yet, her most meaningful chapter may have started when she thought she was done.

From Achievement to Alignment

Four days into “retirement,” living in Florida, Elizabeth got a call about leading SPAC. Her initial reaction? Hard no.

But something nudged her to visit.

And that’s where the story changes.

She describes arriving in Saratoga Springs and feeling something click: a natural sense of belonging. Not ambition. Not a strategy. Something deeper.

That moment echoes a similar theme we’ve seen in leaders like Howard Schultz returning to Starbucks or Satya Nadella reshaping Microsoft, the shift from scaling success to stewarding purpose.

“Let your ambition ride, but find the thing that anchors you, so you’re not just chasing what’s in front of you, but listening to what’s in your heart.” - Elizabeth Sobol

For Elizabeth, SPAC wasn’t just a role. It was a return to nature, to community, to service.

Leadership as Service (Not Just Results)

One of the most striking throughlines in this conversation is how Elizabeth defines leadership:

Service first. Results second.

That wasn’t always the case. Early in her career, the language of business was about performance, metrics, and outcomes. Words like “gratitude” and “compassion” weren’t part of the vocabulary.

“Service is the word. It’s the lens through which I now understand everything I’ve done—and everything I try to do.” - Elizabeth Sobol

Today, they’re foundational.

And it shows up in the smallest details.

She shares a moment when a guest approached her on the SPAC grounds and said every single employee she encountered from the box office to ushers exuded kindness.

That’s not training. That’s culture.

It’s reminiscent of what Danny Meyer built at Union Square Hospitality Group: the idea that if you take care of your people, they take care of everyone else.

At SPAC, kindness isn’t a tactic. It’s the product.

Reinvention Is a Skill

Elizabeth calls herself “restless” in the best way.

Over 35 years at IMG, she continuously reinvented her role, expanding beyond classical music into broader cultural programming. She didn’t wait for permission; she followed curiosity.

That instinct, to evolve from within, is something we’re seeing across sectors today.

Think about Reed Hastings shifting Netflix from DVDs to streaming to content creation. Or nonprofit leaders rethinking delivery models post-pandemic.

The takeaway?

Longevity isn’t about staying put, it’s about staying in motion.

Access Is the Mission

If leadership is service, then access is the strategy.

Under Elizabeth’s leadership, SPAC has expanded from serving 5,000 students to over 60,000 annually. That includes:

* Free tickets for veterans and underserved communities

* Partnerships with over 100 local organizations

* Programs for individuals with disabilities

* Taking the arts into communities, not just asking communities to come to them

* In partnership with Skidmore College, SPAC creates immersive, intergenerational arts experiences like pairing students with older adults in community-based dance programs to combat isolation, foster connection, and measure the deeper social impact of the arts

This isn’t just programming, it’s equity in action.

And it aligns with a broader movement across institutions, from The Metropolitan Museum of Art expanding free access initiatives to leaders like Darren Walker pushing for cultural institutions to become more inclusive and community-centered.

Elizabeth puts it simply: “Those stages belong to everyone.”

The Business Case for Human Connection

In a world increasingly driven by automation and AI, SPAC is doubling down on something analog:

Human connection.

(Side bar: my personal thesis is we’ll see the automation pendulum swing back to more human connection — watch the micro!)

Elizabeth points to emerging research showing that engagement with the arts activates empathy and compassion. In other words, experiences like concerts, dance, and storytelling don’t just entertain—they heal.

That idea is gaining traction across industries. Companies are investing in experiences, not just products. Communities are prioritizing spaces that bring people together.

SPAC sits at a unique intersection of nature, art, and community, all designed to create moments of awe.

And in Elizabeth’s words, what could be more important than that?

“You have to be willing to jump into the deep end before the water drains out.” - Elizabeth Sobol

Building for the Next Chapter

Looking ahead, Elizabeth is focused on transforming SPAC into a fully year-round institution, anchored by a newly renovated 500-seat theater and expanded programming across culinary, literary, and healing arts.

It’s a reminder that even legacy institutions can and must evolve. Just like us as individuals.

Because stewardship isn’t about preserving the past.

It’s about making it relevant for the future.

Final Thought

There’s a moment in the conversation where Elizabeth reflects on luck vs. hard work. Her answer?

It’s both, but luck favors those willing to jump before they have all the answers.

For mission-driven leaders, that might be the takeaway:

Follow the pull. Do the work. Stay open to reinvention. And build something that serves more than just yourself.

Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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She left rural Australia for this….

On this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Amy Bett, co-founder and CEO of Melo, a non-alcoholic sparkling kava brand helping people unwind without the hangover, sugar crash, or regret.

What struck me most wasn’t just the product.

It was the posture.

Amy moved to Los Angeles without her family for a year to get Melo off the ground. She also recently slept in her Tesla for 15 days to personally demo product across three states when Melo launched into Sprouts Farmers Market, knowing she landed on the bottom shelf, and went store by store to make sure the product actually made it onto the floor.

These are just a couple of incredible examples of her determination and focus.

This isn’t a story about glamour.

It’s about grit.

The Insight: Replace, Don’t Remove

Amy didn’t set out to build a beverage empire.

She was a mom of three in her 30s who realized alcohol was slowing her down. She didn’t want to quit drinking entirely; she just wanted something that could “take the edge off” without ruining the next day.

That insight is powerful and very present.

We’re living in the era of:

* The rise of non-alcoholic spirits

* Functional beverages going mainstream

* Younger consumers redefining “social drinking”

* Retailers carving out space for better-for-you alternatives; functional beverages

Think about the explosion of brands like Athletic Brewing Company or the creator-led retail dominance of Feastables. They didn’t shame old categories. They created alternatives that felt culturally relevant.

Amy’s takeaway?

If you’re asking someone to give something up, you better offer something better.

That’s not just true for beverages.It’s true for any startup disrupting an incumbent.

Actionable Lessons for Founders

1. Stop Over-Strategizing. Start Shipping.

Amy admitted they got stuck in strategy early; tagline debates, positioning tweaks, endless refinements.

Her biggest hindsight lesson?

It’s all a hypothesis until the customer speaks.

Action step:

* Launch sooner than you’re comfortable.

* Talk to 100 real people.

* Adapt fast.

* Repeat.

You can’t A/B test your way to conviction in a vacuum. If you’re not embarrassed by your first version, then you launched too late.

2. Go Big Earlier (If You Believe in the Product)

Most emerging CPG brands grind through independents first.

Amy would do it differently.

She’d go straight for major retail because scale unlocks:

* Purchase order financing

* Credibility

* Better data

* Faster feedback loops

The risk? You'd better be confident in your product.

This mirrors what we’ve seen from brands that bet early on national chains instead of slow regional rollouts. Big swings create big data.

If your product converts when sampled, consider pitching higher up the food chain (no pun intended) sooner than you think you’re “ready.”

3. Demo Like Your Life Depends On It

Amy’s Tesla road trip wasn’t scrappy theater.

It was data acquisition.

She:

* She sometimes introduced herself as the founder.

* Watched real reactions.

* Listened to objections.

* Observed what flavors moved fastest.

* Verified repeat purchase behavior.

Via DTC, she’d even call abandoned cart customers directly.

That’s founder-level obsession.

In a world obsessed with paid ads and CAC dashboards, she went analog — do the unscalable things well.

Ask yourself:

* When was the last time I personally watched someone use my product?

* Do I know why someone didn’t buy?

* Have I asked what stopped them?

Your most valuable growth lever may not be another paid ads campaign; it may be one uncomfortable conversation with a consumer.

4. Product > Marketing (But Shelf Placement Matters)

Amy said it plainly:

Marketing can spark trial. Only product earns repeat.

This echoes what we’ve seen across contemporary brands: the ones that stick don’t just win on branding. They win by making a great product.

But here’s the nuance she highlighted:

Placement plays a huge part in brick-and-mortar retail.

Launching on the bottom shelf isn’t a death sentence but it demands hustle.

Think about the MrBeast story of walking into Walmart stores to make sure Feastables were actually on shelves.

Distribution isn’t the finish line.It’s the starting gun.

Action for founders:

* Visit your stores.

* Meet managers.

* Check inventory.

* Don’t assume execution.

Retail is a living organism. Stay close to it.

5. Obsession Is Required. Loneliness Is Real.

When I asked Amy what she wishes people would ask her, she didn’t say:

“How did you scale?”“What’s your revenue?”“What’s your next retailer?”

She said:

“I wish people would really ask how I’m doing.”

Founding is disorienting.

You can be winning in business and feel like you’re failing at home. You can land retail and still lie awake at night questioning everything.

“Usually if you're doing really well in business and you're pushing really hard in that area, it feels like you're failing in other areas.” - Amy Bett

We talk a lot about resilience.

We don’t talk enough about emotional cost.

If you’re a founder:

* Build your circle intentionally.

* Find people who understand the weight.

* Don’t confuse momentum with mental stability.

And if you’re supporting a founder?

Ask the second-level question.Not “How’s business?”But “How are you, really?”

The Bigger Conversation

We’re watching consumer behavior shift in real time.

Alcohol consumption trends are changing. Functional beverages are rising. Retailers are more open to innovation. Distribution models are evolving.

But none of it matters without:

* Courage to launch

* Speed to adapt

* Willingness to be embarrassed

* Relentless customer proximity

Amy didn’t just build a drink.

She built proximity.

And proximity compounds.

If you’re a current or aspiring entrepreneur, here’s your challenge:

* Identify the tension in your own life.

* Build the replacement, not just the disruption.

* When your product is in the market, talk to 25 customers per month (at least).

* Ask what’s stopping them from buying.

* Move faster than feels comfortable.

The mountain gets built one can and one conversation at a time.

And sometimes… one night in a Tesla at a time.

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In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I had the fortune of speaking with Janine Shea, Co-Founder and COO of Primi Foods, and what unfolds is far more than a conversation about pasta.

It’s a masterclass in how founders move markets.

Primi is redefining convenience with Italian-made pasta cups that are non-GMO, preservative-free, under 300 calories, and ready in minutes. But as Janine makes clear, this isn’t about “instant food.” It’s about modernizing a legacy category without compromising values.

And that distinction changes everything.

The Real Innovation: A Point of View

One of the biggest unlocks from this conversation is Janine’s perspective on innovation:

“Don’t lead with features. Lead with a point of view.” - Janine Shea

Too many founders try to educate customers with specs, attributes, and bullet points. But transformation doesn’t happen through explanation; it happens through reframing. (Sounds familiar to my conversation with Eliza Blank, Co-Founder, The Sill. ‘Plants Make People Happy.’)

Janine shares how early on, Primi could have leaned into the word “instant.” It would have been easier. Familiar. Search-friendly.

Instead, they rejected it. Not them and what they’re building.

Why? Because “instant” belongs to yesterday’s category, associated with low quality and compromise. By refusing that label, they forced a new mental model: traditional pasta, redesigned for modern life.

It’s the same playbook used by companies like:

* Liquid Death — who didn’t sell “water in a can,” but reframed single-use plastic as absurd.

* Apple — who didn’t just improve MP3 players, but made CDs feel obsolete.

* Salesforce — who didn’t sell software features, but made on-premise servers look antiquated.

“As a founder, your main goal is to bring people from the old way of doing things into the new way of doing things. One of the ways you do that is by making the old way of doing things frankly look ridiculous.”

The Psychology of Category Change

Primi operates in a $600B convenience food ecosystem. Pasta alone is a $9B category that’s largely unchanged for decades.

Ready-to-eat meals are growing. Traditional boxed pasta is stagnant.

That gap is where opportunity lives.

Janine breaks down the tension every founder faces:

* Honor the past.

* Build for the future.

* Don’t alienate the customer.

* But don’t stay trapped in legacy thinking.

Her insight is incisive: your job as a founder is to usher people into a new world. That requires courage, especially when entrenched incumbents dominate shelf space and mindshare.

This is classic innovator’s dilemma territory. Incumbents optimize. Founders reimagine.

Values Aren’t Marketing. They’re Operational.

Primi’s non-negotiables: non-GMO, no artificial preservatives, ingredient sourcing from Italy, continuous improvement aren’t branding decisions. They’re operational ones.

Janine details how even replacing sunflower oil with coconut oil (without increasing cost of goods) was an easy call. If there’s a better way, do it.

This hits upon a broader shift in modern entrepreneurship:Consumers are educated. Social media has accelerated ingredient literacy. Distrust in legacy brands is rising. Transparency isn’t optional anymore; it’s expected.

For founders and change-makers, the takeaway is clear:

You can’t bolt values onto a product. They must be embedded in the supply chain, sourcing, and decision-making. It must permeate every facet of your business!

Happiness, Autonomy, and Leadership

Perhaps the most unexpected thread in the episode is Janine’s study of human happiness during COVID.

Quick factoid: Janine is also a certified meditation teacher, which quietly shapes how she leads, builds, and handles the pressure of early‑stage entrepreneurship.

Her conclusion?

People are happier when they are doing good, when their actions positively affect others.

That philosophy shapes how she leads:

* Giving team members autonomy.

* Avoiding micromanagement.

* Distinguishing clearly between her skillset and her co-founder’s.

It’s a reminder that culture is strategy.

When founders understand their strengths and hire or partner accordingly, they create momentum instead of friction.

Three Big Lessons for Builders

If you’re an entrepreneur or operator listening to this episode, here are three concepts to come back to:

1. Make the old way feel obsolete.If customers can comfortably return to legacy behavior, you haven’t gone far enough.

2. Lead with perspective, not product specs.Features support the story. They don’t drive it.

3. Operationalize your values.Modern consumers reward integrity — and they can smell shortcuts.

This conversation with Janine Shea isn’t about pasta.

It’s about how founders reframe categories, earn trust in skeptical markets, and build businesses that uplift rather than exploit.

If you’re building the “new way” in your industry, this episode will challenge you and sharpen you.

Listen in, and ask yourself:

What old assumption in your category or industry needs to be made obsolete?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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What happens when data meets nostalgia and storytelling becomes a growth lever?

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Tom Leigh, the UK-born brand builder and fundraiser turned food entrepreneur behind Tommy Popcorn, a gourmet popcorn brand designed to give popcorn its long-overdue “craft moment.”

Tommy Popcorn isn’t built around health badges, macros, or functional claims. Instead, it’s built around bold nostalgic flavors, cinematic storytelling, and data-driven market insight tethered to a mysterious fictional character named Tommy, a popcorn-obsessed Brooklyn filmmaker from the 1950s who funded his film career through a side hustle selling popcorn.

Tom walks through how his experience in data-led marketing helped him uncover unmet demand in the U.S. snack market (whiskey-flavored and pizza-flavored popcorn), how he and his co-founders resisted the urge to rush to market, and why they chose to obsess over taste, quality, and narrative from day one.

The conversation crosses flavor development, brand world-building, fundraising realities in CPG, and why Tommy Popcorn purposely sits in the white space between indulgence and health-washed snacks. Along the way, Tom shares how experiential activations, consumer feedback, and community-driven storytelling are shaping not just the brand but its future roadmap.

This episode is a masterclass in how modern brands can use data to uncover opportunity, storytelling to build emotional connection to consumers, and discipline to scale without diluting the core values of the brand.

Real-World Business Case Studies Embedded in the Episode

* Data → Demand Creation (Amazon Search Insights)Tommy Popcorn originated from analyzing high-intent search data for flavors consumers wanted but couldn’t find, substantiating that discovery doesn’t have to start with intuition alone.

* Experiential Marketing Over Shelf PlacementThe ‘Berry Hot’ flavor activation (password-protected popcorn giveaways tied to Tommy’s backstory) shows how brands can “take over spaces” instead of competing passively on shelves.

* Brand as IP, Not Just PackagingBy not having Tommy’s face on the packaging, the brand invited consumers to co-create the character, flipping storytelling on its head. Turning it into a feedback loop rather than a fixed narrative.

* Fundraising Discipline in Early-Stage CPGTom’s anecdotes on advising other founders and restructuring raises to avoid losing control provide a candid look at capital strategy before seed and Series A. It’s part of his ‘give back’ ethos.

5 Actionable Takeaways for Founders & Operators

1. Let Data Tell You Where to Play Not Just What to Build

Tommy Popcorn didn’t start with “we want a popcorn brand.” It started with search intent, unmet demand, and whitespace analysis.Action: Before building, validate who is searching, what’s missing, and how saturated the category really is.

2. Don’t Rush to Market, Win on Taste First

The team spent months testing flavors, including hundreds (if not thousands) of taste tests, before launch.Action: If your product doesn’t over-deliver on the core experience, no amount of branding will save it.

3. Storytelling Works Best When Consumers Help Write It

By leaving Tommy intentionally undefined, the brand encourages customers to project their own ideas, creating emotional ownership.Action: Design brand narratives that are open-ended, not over-explained.

4. Choose a Strategic Middle Ground in Crowded Categories

Tommy Popcorn avoids both extremes: ultra-indulgent junk snacks and hyper-functional “better-for-you” products.Action: Look for the ignored middle where consumer demand exists, but brand leadership doesn’t.

5. Guard Your Non-Negotiables as You Scale

From in-house production to values-aligned investors, Tom is clear about what won’t change even at 100 million bags sold.Action: Define your non-negotiables early, before growth pressures force reactive decisions.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation isn’t just about popcorn. It’s about how modern brands are built where data sparks ideas, storytelling creates loyalty, and discipline sustains growth.

If you’re building in CPG, consumer tech, or any crowded category, this episode offers a blueprint for turning insight into impact without losing your soul or north star along the way.

🎧 Listen in, take notes, and then ask yourself: where is the white space you’re not seeing yet?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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2026 begins in earnest, and many of us are thinking about goals, resolutions, and the kind of impact we’re focused on making, not just personally, but through our work, our businesses, and our communities.

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Eliza Blank, CEO of The Farmlink Project and founder of The Sill, for a grounded and timely conversation about what it really means to commit to impact in the new year. Rather than chasing shiny new efforts, Eliza offers a powerful counterpoint: real impact comes from resilience, focus, and the ability to deliver consistently, when people need you most.

Remember my conversation with Rachel Doyle at Glamour Gals? Service to others is key!

As organizations face economic uncertainty, shifting donor priorities, and growing demand, this conversation feels especially relevant for anyone setting intentions for the year ahead.

Eliza shares how Farmlink is approaching 2026 with clarity and discipline, doubling down on its core mission of delivering fresh, healthy produce to food banks through the charitable food network. There are 40 million Americans, Eliza mentioned, who are food insecure. They don’t know where or when their next meal will come.

In 2025 alone, Farmlink helped distribute 150 million pounds of surplus produce to food banks across the US, serving as a reliable safety net for communities.

The Farmlink Project is a nonprofit that connects farmers with communities facing food insecurity by rescuing fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste. They move surplus food from farms to food banks and meal programs, getting nutritious food to people who need it most

What stands out most is Eliza’s emphasis on operational reliability as a form of impact. Growth matters, but only when it’s sustainable, scalable, and built on trust. This episode challenges listeners to rethink what success looks like in the year ahead and how personal and organizational goals can translate into measurable good.

5 Actionable Takeaways to Shape Your 2026 Impact

1. Make “being dependable” part of your mission

Farmlink’s focus mirrors organizations like Feeding America, where consistency and infrastructure matter as much as expansion. Eliza is a hired gun who knows how to build scalable operational systems from her time as the day-to-day CEO at The Sill.Action: Identify where your work, whether a business or nonprofit, needs stronger systems to deliver reliably before it grows bigger.

2. Optimize before you expand

Instead of reinventing the wheel, Farmlink refined what already worked and scaled it thoughtfully. This echoes companies like Patagonia, which deepened its environmental impact by strengthening supply chains before launching new initiatives.Action: Audit your core offering. What’s already working and how could you make it more efficient, strategic, or sustainable?

3. Set goals that can be counted, not just admired

The Farmlink Project’s north star of getting to “150 million pounds of fresh produce delivered” is also a measurable outcome, not a vague aspiration.Action: Translate your 2026 goals into a number, metric, or milestone that people can latch on to. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage or share it.

4. Build partnerships that increase scale and sustainability

Farmlink’s success is rooted in collaboration across farmers, nonprofits, and logistics partners similar to models used by organizations like World Central Kitchen.Action: Look beyond solo wins. Collaborations amplify impact!

5. Treat resilience as a long-term advantage

Eliza frames resilience not as a reaction to crisis, but as a strategic choice.Action: Ask yourself: If demand doubled tomorrow, would we break or rise to the moment?

Why This Conversation Is Worth(y) to Share!

If your New Year’s resolutions include making your work more intentional and impact-focused or aligning success with service, this episode provides a rare mix of inspiration and execution. It’s a reminder that impact doesn’t always come from doing something new. Sometimes, it comes from doing the right thing better, longer, and together.

If this conversation resonated, share it with someone who’s building, leading, or rethinking with intention in 2026.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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Cheers and welcome to 2026!

As we head into a new year, there’s a familiar pressure to optimize everything: bigger goals, grandiose ambition, lofty promises, and perhaps faster execution. This conversation with my dear friend, Jeff Ragovin, is a clear reminder that the work that lasts for posterity doesn’t start with perfection. It begins with people.

Jeff—founder, builder, storyteller, and the creative force behind his new show, Bounty Uncharted—joined me for a wide-ranging conversation about building in public, letting go of ego, and creating experiences that live far beyond the moment.

It’s vulnerability and self-awareness on steroids from one of the best in the business. From launching a show on the open ocean to cultivating community around a dinner table, Jeff’s work sits at the intersection of ambition and humanity. Or as we say on the show, doing good while doing well.

Bounty Uncharted is a cinematic storytelling series where fishing, food, and human connection collide. It celebrates the people, our cherished waterways, and the shared moments that bring community to life.

This episode feels like the right way to kick off 2026: humble yet hungry, curious, and deeply intentional.

5 Takeaways to Carry Forward

1. Start Before You’re Ready

What we talked about:Jeff didn’t wait to become an expert filmmaker before launching Bounty Uncharted. He learned on the fly by doing, whether on the water, in the edit room, or in real-time with his guests.

Why it matters:Many founders stall because they’re chasing readiness. In reality, readiness is earned through motion.

‘If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late.’ — Reid Hoffman

Real-world parallel:Airbnb’s first listings were far from polished. The founders learned what mattered by shipping early and iterating fast, way before they became the ubiquitous brand we know.

How to implement:

* Identify the minimum viable product (MVP) of the idea you’ve been sitting on

* Commit to one imperfect launch in Q1

* Treat feedback as fuel, not failure

2. Build Around People, Not Just Outcomes

What we talked about:Whether it’s Jeff’s closed-door dinner series (10-15 people max), The Digital Fork, or a day at sea, Jeff designs experiences where the human connection is the value, not an afterthought.

Why it matters:Community compounds. Transactions don’t.

Real-world parallel:Patagonia didn’t build loyalty by chasing growth alone; they built it by standing for something (protecting the environment) and inviting customers into a shared mission.

How to implement:

* Ask: Where do people naturally gather around my work?

* Invest in one intimate, high-touch experience (dinner, roundtable, small event)

* Optimize for depth over reach

3. Let Go of Ego, Keep the Vision

What we talked about:Jeff’s original idea for Bounty Uncharted evolved as the right stories showed up. Instead of forcing the concept, he let it breathe.

Why it matters:Rigidity kills resonance. Flexibility strengthens it.

Real-world parallel:Slack started as an internal tool for a gaming company. The founders paid attention when the tool, not the game, became the thing people loved.

How to implement:

* Revisit your original vision and ask what’s changed

* Listen closely to what’s working unexpectedly

* Be willing to pivot without abandoning your core values

4. Treat Creative Work Like a Business and a Business Like a Craft

What we talked about:Producing a show on the ocean requires systems, teams, and contingency planning, but also trust, intuition, and taste.

Why it matters:Sustainable creativity needs structure. Scalable businesses need soul.

Real-world parallel:Nike’s success lives at the intersection of operational excellence and cultural storytelling; one doesn’t exist without the other.

How to implement:

* Identify where you’re an A-player vs. where you need outside help

* Build repeatable systems for the unsexy parts

* Protect space for creativity, even as you scale

5. Create Experiences People Will Never Forget

What we talked about:First tuna catches. Shared meals. Unexpected moments. These aren’t “content,” they’re core memories.

Why it matters:People don’t remember metrics. They remember how you made them feel.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

Real-world parallel:Apple Stores became cultural landmarks not because of square footage, but because of how people felt inside them.

How to implement:

* Look for moments of “firsts” in your work (first customer win, first launch, first event)

* Slow those moments down

* Document or label them not just for marketing, but for meaning and understanding. How can you use those moments to clue you into the continued evolution of your work?

A Thought to Carry Into 2026

We’re all building something: companies, communities, creative work, relationships. The question isn’t how big it gets. It’s how deeply it’s felt; depth vs. breadth. Feelings are the connective tissue that binds people together.

As Jeff reminded us, time accelerates. The only real leverage we have is intention: who we invite in and spend time with, what we pay attention to, and whether we choose to start, right now, without asking.

Here’s to a year of building boldly, leading generously, and creating work that stands the test of time.

🎣 Watch & FollowSubscribe to Bounty Uncharted on YouTube and experience storytelling at the intersection of food, ocean, and humanity.

📲 Stay ConnectedFollow Worthy for Thirty on Instagram for episode clips, reflections, and conversations that explore purpose-driven work.

🎧 Listen & ShareFind Worthy for Thirty on all major podcast platforms, and if this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s building something new this year.

🥂Here’s to 2026 🥂 and the work worth doing.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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A pre-Christmas / 2026 read and listen. Some inspiration to keep you thinking as we head into the new year.

In this episode of the Worthy for Thirty podcast, I sat down with Blake Niemann, the founder of Levels Protein. From humble beginnings in his Jersey City, NJ apartment in 2016 to becoming a trusted name in the supplement industry, Blake shares his insights on building a brand that prioritizes transparency and the consumer experience.

Discover how his commitment to purpose over shortcuts has led to success and learn actionable strategies for your entrepreneurial journey.

Quick bio on Levels Protein:

* Founded in 2016, Levels Nutrition, LLC (“Levels”) built its name on one thing: whey protein done right. No artificial sweeteners. No fake flavors. No fillers. Just clean, high-quality ingredients you can trust. That same standard carries through everything we make—from our best-selling whey to collagen, casein, and plant-based proteins.

* Levels has a multi-channel presence across Amazon, our direct-to-consumer website, and brick-and-mortar retailers including, but not limited to, Walmart, Target, and Costco.com.

✍️ down these key takeaways:

1. Transparency Builds Trust — and Trust Is the Real Moat

Blake’s perspective:From its founding, Levels was built on the notion that consumers are smarter than brands give them credit for. Blake didn’t just remove artificial ingredients, he removed anything that felt or sounded artificial. Ingredient names, packaging cues, and even regulatory choices (like using a Nutrition Facts Panel instead of a Supplement Facts Panel) were all intentional signals of honesty.

For Blake, transparency isn’t marketing it’s operational discipline. When you’re clear about what’s in the product, what it does, and what it doesn’t do, you reduce friction everywhere: customer service, reviews, returns, and long-term trust.

Relevant brand case: PatagoniaPatagonia didn’t win loyalty by saying they’re sustainable—they won it by showing receipts: supply chain disclosures, environmental tradeoffs, and even encouraging customers not to buy new gear. That radical honesty built trust that competitors can’t copy overnight.

How to implement:

* Audit your product or service for “hidden friction” or vague claims. If you can’t clearly explain it to a customer, it’s a liability.

* Replace marketing language with factual language. Blake avoided flashy performance claims and stuck to what was scientifically and legally defensible.

* Transparency compounds: fewer complaints, fewer returns, and stronger word-of-mouth over time.

2. Consumer Experience Is the Product

Blake’s perspective:Blake views experience as everything surrounding the product, not just what’s inside the canister. From the way the seal peels off the lid cleanly, to how quickly customer service responds, to even how an email sounds, Levels is “in the weeds” of consumer feedback.

The clean-peel induction seal is a perfect example. No one was loudly asking for it, but Blake and his team knew the frustration of paper residue, messy lids, and downstream complaints. Fixing a small annoyance preemptively removed an entire slew of issues before customers had a chance to complain.

Brand case: AppleApple’s obsession with experience isn’t about specs, it’s about removing friction you didn’t even know existed. Packaging, setup, in-store help, and ecosystem design all reinforce trust and ease.

How to implement:

* Put your consumer ‘hat’ on. Walk through your product like a first-time customer. Where do they pause, get annoyed, or feel confused?

* Fix “quiet frustrations,” not just loud complaints. Blake didn’t wait for outrage, he prevented it.

* Treat customer service as a profit-protector, not cost center. Fast, human responses are remembered and reviewed.

“You don’t win by obsessing over competitors—you win by obsessing over the customer. Everything we do starts with asking how the consumer will feel.” - Blake Niemann

3. Entrepreneurship Is a Long-Term Commitment

Blake’s perspective:Blake is upfront: building a real business takes a long time. The myth of overnight success is not just wrong, it’s harmful. Levels grew brick by brick, fueled by frugality, patience, and founder accountability; no outside capital. Because it was Blake’s money on the line, every decision was intentional.

He embraces suffering as part of the deal, not as a badge of honor, but as the cost of building something durable.

Brand case: AmazonAmazon took years to become profitable, prioritizing infrastructure, customer trust, and long-term scale over short-term optics. That patience is now its biggest advantage.

How to implement:

* Plan your business as a 10-year project, not a 10-month sprint.

* Build for survivability before optimization. Blake focused first on supply chain, operations, and unit economics, not hype.

* Ignore curated social media timelines showing the perceived glitz and glamour of entrepreneurship. Keep your head down. If it feels slow, you’re probably doing it right.

4. Innovation Must Serve Real Consumer Needs

Blake’s perspective:Blake resisted chasing trends, whether it was exotic flavors, flashy ingredients, or the latest supplement fad. Instead, he focused on what consumers actually wanted: clean whey, great taste, and a fair price.

Innovation at Levels isn’t about novelty it’s about relevance. If consumers didn’t care about bag-in-a-box packaging or fruit-and-vegetable flavors, Blake cut them, no matter how “differentiated” they seemed on paper.

Brand case: TeslaTesla didn’t win by adding gimmicks it won by solving real pain points: performance, charging infrastructure, and user experience, all aligned with consumer demand.

How to implement:

* Kill ideas that excite you but aren’t want the consumer actually wants. Again, put yourself in your consumers’ shoes.

* Use minimum-viable-product (MVP) thinking: launch small, learn fast, and adjust based on real behavior not internal opinions. As an old boss once said ‘spend a little, earn a little, learn a lot!’

* Innovation should simplify life for the customer, not complicate it. Innovation should never add friction to the CX.

5. Iterate Relentlessly, but Only on Meaningful Signals

Blake’s perspective:Blake doesn’t chase every piece of feedback, but he pays close attention to patterns. One-off opinions don’t drive change; consistent signals do. That mindset allowed Levels to refine pricing, packaging, flavors, and even communication tone without losing focus.

Iteration, for Blake, is humility and self-awareness in action: saying when something doesn’t work and fixing it quickly.

Brand case: NetflixNetflix continuously adapts: content, UI, recommendations based on viewer behavior, not executive taste. Data-driven iteration keeps them relevant.

How to implement:

* Separate noise from signal. Look for repeat feedback across channels.

* Build fast feedback loops (reviews, customer service tickets, trial formats).

* Treat iteration as ongoing, not episodic. Blake still refines Levels years after launch.

The Big Idea for the Audience

Blake’s playbook isn’t flashy, but it’s long-lasting:

* Be frank.

* Obsess over the consumer, not competitors.

* Commit for the long haul.

* Innovate only where it matters.

* Improve constantly, leave your ego at the door.

That’s how you build a brand people trust and keep coming back to. Transparency.

Join the Worthy for Thirty community as we dive into these themes and more, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in any industry. Tune in to hear Blake’s story and gain inspiration for your own business endeavors.

If you enjoyed this write up, hit the ‘share’ button below.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Frankie Scanlon, founder of Gustus Vitae, a small-batch, mission-driven gourmet seasoning brand that started at a local farmers market and has grown into a community-loved staple. Frankie’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a fancy launch, deep funding, or a flashy brand strategy to build something real. You need relentless curiosity, customer proximity, and a set of core values that guide your decisions.

Need gift ideas? I highly recommend buying Gustus Vitae seasonings for Christmas or Hanukkah. They have the perfect gift sets!

This conversation is filled with lessons for founders at every stage, especially those navigating the complex transition between the energy of a scrappy startup and sustainable growth.

💡 Big Lessons & Key Takeaways

1. Get Uncomfortably Close to Your Customers

When Frankie talked about how Gustus Vitae was created by being face-to-face with customers at farmers’ markets, it echoed a truth every founder learns. You can’t innovate from inside an office.

This isn’t new, but most founders still avoid the inconvenient truth. Look at:

* Airbnb, whose breakthrough came from founders literally staying in hosts’ homes.

* Figma, which built early versions by watching designers struggle in real time.

Practical takeaway:Spend 30 minutes this week listening without defending. Ask your customers:“If you could change one thing about our product or service, what would it be?”

And don’t correct them. Just record.

2. Innovation Happens When Teams Feel Ownership

Frankie empowers his team to experiment; new blends, new packaging ideas, new messaging. That “open kitchen” approach is why their products feel fresh and alive.

Compare this to:

* Netflix, which famously encourages radical candor and decentralized decision-making.

* Duolingo, where small autonomous squads launch experiments constantly.

When people feel trusted, they stop waiting for permission and start building. Hire for talent and get out of the way!

Practical takeaway:Give one team member a “run with it” project this week—something small, but fully theirs.

3. Purpose Isn’t a Tagline. It’s an Operating System

Gustus Vitae is deeply connected to the community they serve in East LA: local creators, farmers’ markets, and food insecurity initiatives. Purpose isn’t a layer; it’s integral to the business model.

Think of:

* Patagonia, where environmental activism drives product and policy.

* Bomba’s One-for-One, which turned giving into a scalable business engine.

Customers can feel the difference between purposeful storytelling and actual purpose.

Practical takeaway:Identify a cause that intersects naturally with your business and commit to one measurable action over the next 90 days.

4. Hire for Attitude and Aptitude, Not Résumés

Frankie said it plainly: You can train skill; you can’t teach hunger, curiosity, or heart.

Founders often default to formal credentials when what they really need is:

* Someone who takes ownership like an owner.

* Someone who asks “why” more than “what.”

* Someone who wants to build, not just perform tasks.

Companies that embrace this—like Tesla, Stripe, and Notion—often outperform competitors overloaded with pedigree but lacking initiative.

Practical takeaway:In your next interview, ask:“Tell me about a time you taught yourself something difficult.”Their answer will reveal everything.

5. Optimism Is a Business Strategy

Frankie calls it “irrational optimism.”The ability to believe in your future despite the daily setbacks is what keeps momentum alive.

Calling Kass & Mike!

Founders who scaled big, whether it’s Ben Chestnut at Mailchimp, Tristan Walker, or Sara Blakely they talk about holding onto unreasonable faith long before outcomes were guaranteed.

Optimism doesn’t ignore reality; it propels you through it.

Practical takeaway:Write down the biggest challenge you’re facing. Then list three possibilities, not solutions, just possibilities.Reopening possibility is often the first step toward progress. As Luminary’s Founder, Cate Luzio famously poses, ‘What is the worst that can happen?’

🔥 Final Thought

Frankie’s journey is a reflection of most early-stage founders: start small, listen deeply, experiment often, empower your people, and stay grounded in your community.

You don’t need perfection.You need humility, curiosity, and a willingness to keep walking.

If you’re building something mission-driven—or want to—this episode is your reminder that purpose and performance don’t compete. They compound together.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Right before Thanksgiving, when we catch up with friends and families, sharing our gratitude for everything we have and experience…

In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Rachel Doyle, Founder and CEO of Glamour Gals, a nonprofit that’s been changing lives for nearly 25 years. What started as Rachel’s way of honoring her late grandmother has grown into a national movement that connects teens with seniors through beauty makeovers and conversation.

What makes this conversation special is how real it is. It’s not just the startup story of a long-standing nonprofit; it’s about leadership, reinvention, community, and how kindness becomes a strategic advantage. It’s the kind of talk you have with a friend who reminds you that doing good doesn’t have to be complicated, and growth doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your values. Doing good can coexist with doing well!

Rachel breaks down how she built Glamour Gals from a single idea into an intergenerational network with national and global reach, powered by teen volunteers and strengthened through corporate partnerships. Oh did I mention breakthrough storytelling?

And throughout the episode, she gives a masterclass in leading with empathy and operational excellence, a combo we need more of in a world that often celebrates either heart or hustle, but not both.

Why This Episode Hits Different Right Now

If you’ve been paying attention to the world of business lately whether it’s how companies responded post-COVID, the rise of employee-engagement burnout, or the pressure on brands to “do good” in a way that’s actually real, you’ll hear echoes of those conversations throughout this episode.

* Loneliness is at an all-time high, both among aging adults and among younger workers. Glamour Gals is a reminder that connection is still one of our most powerful tools.

* Companies are looking for ways to engage employees in meaningful service, not box-checking volunteer hours. Glamour Gals’ turnkey programs are a blueprint for what real engagement looks like.

* As tech continues to automate everything, leaders are realizing the biggest differentiator is human connection; Gary Vaynerchuk says he’s ‘long’ human connection in an impending tidal wave of automation. Glamour Gals has been leaning into that since day one.

* And in a time when many brands struggle with authentic storytelling, Rachel shows exactly how storytelling built her movement—and continues to fuel its growth. I met Rachel through SixDegrees.org’s Stacy Huston. GlamourGal is one of the non-profits that won a spot in their ‘Purpose, Produced’ campaign.

This episode is a reminder that doing meaningful work isn’t about the perfect plan. It’s about consistent action, community, and the courage to start. Create the parachute on the way down or build the plane — either way, you’re going to find a way to land.

‘What’s the worst that can happen?’

Top Takeaways

1. Kindness is scalable when you design for it.

Glamour Gals succeeds because it gives teens a clear, structured way to make an impact. Kindness becomes repeatable when there’s a plan.

2. Intergenerational connection solves real problems.

Loneliness is an epidemic among seniors, employees, founders, everyone. Glamour Gals’ approach is a model for how simple rituals can create deep connection for everyone.

3. Corporate partnerships aren’t just about funding they’re about culture.

Companies want meaningful employee engagement, and nonprofits need sustainable support. The best partnerships treat service as a culture builder, not a photo op. There are human resource metrics to back it up, too!

4. Technology doesn’t replace humanity, it enables it.

From COVID pivots to scaling chapters, Glamour Gals used tech to deepen connection, not dilute it. It’s a reminder to build tech around human needs, not instead of them.

5. Leadership is a series of calculated risks.

Rachel’s story shows that great leaders don’t wait for perfect conditions—they move, adapt, and build community as they go.

Action Steps for the Listener

Whether you’re a founder, employee, parent, or someone trying to make your corner of the world a little better, here are ways to take this episode from inspiration to action:

1. Do one small thing to reduce loneliness this week.

Call an older relative. Visit someone in care. Text a friend you haven’t checked in on. It counts.

2. If you’re part of a company, pitch a service program.

Use Glamour Gals as an example: turnkey, structured, high-impact. Propose a pilot program or volunteer day that actually builds connection. Rachel has a tons of ancedotes from Glamour Gal alumni who are making a difference at Fortune 1000 companies TODAY!

3. Audit your culture for connection gaps.

Ask yourself: Where is my team or community feeling isolated? Then create one ritual—weekly check-ins, peer mentors, shared stories—to strengthen bonds.

4. Use technology to free up time for human moments.

Look for one task you can automate or streamline so you can use that energy toward relationships, creativity, or service.

5. Send one bold email.

A partnership ask. A mentor request. A “here’s what I’m building, can you help?” moment. Rachel built a movement by sending that email again and again. Again ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’

Why This Episode Matters

At its core, this conversation is a reminder of something we all need:People need people. Community is a strategy. And kindness is not soft—it’s powerful.

In a business world obsessed with scale, efficiency, and metrics, Rachel reminds us that connection is still the highest-leverage play—for nonprofits, companies, and individuals alike.

This episode is for anyone trying to build something with purpose. Anyone trying to make their team feel more human. And anyone who just needs a reminder that the things we do with heart and passion are the things that are set up to last.

If you found value in this conversation, share the episode with someone you think would love it—or someone who might need a reminder that small acts really do create big change.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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🎙️ Purpose-Driven Profits: The ANDI Brand’s Blueprint for Doing Good While Doing Well

🚀 Introduction

Welcome back to the Worthy for Thirty podcast. If this is your first time here, welcome! I am your host, Eric Tash.

We talk a lot about scaling, funding, and product-market fit, but what about the core “why” that truly sustains a business through the inevitable challenges? Today, we’re diving deep into the story of a brand that defines doing good while doing well: The ANDI Brand, founded by Andrea Weinberg.

The ANDI Brand isn’t just about beautifully designed, functional bags; it’s a masterclass in purposeful iteration and building a company on the bedrock of human connection and sustainability.

Andrea’s journey, spanning over a decade, offers concrete lessons on how to stop chasing fleeting trends and instead, focus on creating products that truly serve a purpose and last. If you’re wrestling with balancing your mission with your bottom line, this episode is your blueprint.

I. The Birth of a Purpose: Chasing Adventure, Not Immediate ROI

* The Problem/Opportunity: Andrea didn’t start with a spreadsheet; she started with a desire to create a genuinely purposeful product. Her goal was to design for adventure and functionality. Versatility meets fashionable, meets durability. (Say that 3x fast).

* Actionable Insight for Founders: A key piece of advice from her mentors was not to expect immediate financial success. This reframed her journey from a sprint to a marathon of exploration.

* Case Study Connection: This echoes the early days of Patagonia. Founder Yvon Chouinard initially focused on making the absolute best climbing gear, driven by a passion for the environment, allowing purpose and quality to lead the way before aggressive scaling.

* The First Hurdle (Actionable Challenge): Finding a manufacturing partner who would collaborate on a novel vision, like her initial waterproof handbag, required persistence. Andrea’s takeaway: Don’t be afraid to knock on 100 doors; you only need one to open.

II. The Discipline of Purposeful Iteration: Quality as the Core Mission

* The ANDI Brand Example: The signature tote bag went through 68 iterations over 10 years. This is the non-glamorous, high-discipline work that underpins “doing well.”

* Actionable Insight: Prototype to Learn, Not to Launch. Since Andrea didn’t know design, she used tactile experimentation (e.g., duct tape prototypes) to immediately translate her functional vision into a tangible object. This allowed her to get physical feedback from potential users and manufacturers long before committing to a final design. For non-designer founders, your prototype is your most essential research tool.

* The Founder’s Advantage: A lack of formal training often comes with a lack of preconceived suggestions. Andrea was free to approach factories with a unique, user-driven concept rather than being held back by traditional industry practices or design dogma. Your “outsider” perspective can be a powerful source of innovation if you validate it relentlessly through iteration. Reminds me of my conversation with Marcin & Amit at Mission Craft Cocktails :).

* The Tension Point: Andrea’s belief is crucial: Mission matters, but quality is the core. If your product doesn’t meet a need effectively, the mission is irrelevant to the customer.

* Case Study Connection: Think of Tesla’s early focus. Their mission is sustainability, but the reason people buy the cars is because they are high-performance, quality vehicles. Quality validates the mission. Founders, never let your mission be an excuse for a mediocre product.

III. Human Connection: Your Most Valuable Business Asset

* The Counterintuitive Insight: Andrea emphasizes overcoming the fear of reaching out. Meaningful collaborations and opportunities often come from unexpected places—from a cold email to a chance encounter.

* Real-World Example: Andrea’s year of “van life” reinforced the profound insights and enriching relationships that come from engaging with strangers. This translates directly into market research and authentic brand building.

* Actionable Tip: Schedule “Reach Out” time. Make a list of three people you admire (mentors, potential partners, customers) and send them a brief, thoughtful email or LinkedIn message this week.

* Case Study Connection: This aligns with the “Community First” models of brands like Lululemon (building a brand through yoga instructors and ambassadors) or Airtable (growing by empowering individual users and developers to evangelize the product). Your network is your advisory board and your early market.

IV. The Sustainability Pivot: From Afterthought to Cornerstone

* The Evolution: Sustainability was not her primary focus at the start. It became a non-negotiable commitment as she recognized the environmental impacts of consumerism.

* The Mission Alignment: The philosophy of “doing more with less” became central. This translates into products designed for longevity and versatility, fighting fast fashion/disposable culture.

* The Deeper Dive: Her commitment deepened through collaborations with scientists and a focus on textile waste and upcycling. Sustainability is now a source of innovation, not just a cost center.

* Case Study Connection: Look at Allbirds. They didn’t just use one sustainable material; they made sustainable innovation their core differentiator (wool, eucalyptus, sugarcane) to disrupt a massive industry. How can your mission drive radical innovation in your product?

V. Navigating Uncertainty: The COVID Re-evaluation

* The Challenge: Like many founders, Andrea faced significant shifts like consignment deals, supply chain shocks, and the pandemic. She had to pivot quickly without losing sight of the business and its objective of producing a great, long-lasting product that can be used for multiple occasions.

* The Actionable Response: The period of uncertainty forced her to step back and re-focus on the brand’s core mission and the evolving needs of her customers. This wasn’t a time for panic; it was a time for strategic recalibration.

* Key Takeaway: Adversity doesn’t define your mission; it tests it. If your purpose is genuine, it provides the North Star needed to pivot successfully.

🎯 Conclusion & Key Takeaways

The journey of Andrea Weinberg and the ANDI Brand offers compelling and actionable lessons for every founder: The path to doing good is the path to doing well, but it demands discipline, connection, and a relentless focus on quality.

Here are the Three Core Action Items to implement this week:

* Embrace Iteration: Don’t chase perfection; embrace continuous improvement. What is the “duct tape prototype” you can build today?

* Activate Your Network: Reach out to someone you admire or a potential collaborator. Human connections are your cheapest and most valuable growth hack.

* Validate Your Mission with Quality: Ensure your product’s performance is so exceptional that your mission becomes the bonus.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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How to Build a Purpose-Driven Brand That Disappears Off the Shelf

In a crowded market full of fleeting trends and artificial flavors, how do you build a product that commands premium quality, which correlates with deep, immediate customer loyalty?

Meet Amit and Marcin, the founders of Mission Craft Cocktails. They aren’t career bartenders or spirits industry veterans; they are simply two friends who saw a massive quality gap in the $1.8 billion Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktail category. Their solution wasn’t just to make a better product—it was to build a better business model, making social impact a core financial pillar of their company.

In this powerful episode on the Worthy for Thirty podcast we dive deep with the Mission Craft Cocktails founders to uncover the non-negotiable business strategies that scaled their award-winning, quality-first, and mission-driven brand. This isn’t just a story about cocktails; it’s a masterclass in market disruption and building a sustainable give-back model. Make this clear and concise

The founders ‘why’ is more impactful than the ‘how.’ Marcin and Amit’s upbringing and being immigrants to the U.S. made this mission even more intrinsic to the brand.

1. The ‘5% Revenue’ Strategy: Turning Purpose into a Non-Negotiable COGS

Most companies that donate use a percentage of profit—a figure that fluctuates and can be easily zeroed out in lean times. Mission Craft Cocktails flipped the script by dedicating 5% of all top-line revenue to local food banks.

* The How: By baking the 5% donation into their pricing and financial model from day one, they treated “impact” as a fixed, non-negotiable Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). This provided immediate transparency and confidence to their supply chain, partners, and customers.

* 🔑 Takeaway: Do not treat your social mission as a marketing budget or a variable expense. Integrate your purpose into your financial structure. This approach drastically increases the trust currency of your brand, as customers know their purchase guarantees a tangible result (e.g., they provided over 26,000 meals in 2023 and have now exceeded over 600K meals donated in partnership with Feeding America. 🤯

* Relatable Example: Similar to Patagonia dedicating 1% of its sales to environmental causes, making the commitment public and fixed creates an unparalleled competitive moat based on ethics.

2. The Outsider Advantage: Using Maniacal Focus to Disrupt Quality

Amit and Marcin are self-proclaimed “outsiders” to the spirits world. Instead of learning industry shortcuts, they focused relentlessly on solving the consumer pain point: poor quality in RTD cocktails.

* The How: They benchmarked their products not against other bottled drinks, but against the gold standard of high-end bar cocktails. This required two years of R&D to perfect using only locally-sourced California ingredients and authentic spirits (like Tequila from Jalisco, Mexico), refusing to use artificial stabilizers or flavors.

* 🔑 Takeaway: When entering a competitive, entrenched market, don’t just innovate on price or packaging—innovate on core quality that competitors have neglected due to legacy processes or institutional inertia. An outsider’s perspective often sees the simplest, yet most critical, area for improvement.

* Relatable Example: Think of Warby Parker (optical industry) or Dollar Shave Club (razor industry). They weren’t constrained by established distribution or manufacturing methods, allowing them to deliver superior value and convenience where incumbents were comfortable.

3. Proceduralizing Authenticity for Scale

The challenge of any artisanal product is maintaining integrity when scaling from a small kitchen batch to large-volume bottling. Mission Craft Cocktails had to ensure the complex flavor profile of a cocktail like the Mai Tai remained perfect in a 5,000-liter vat.

* The How: They invested significant time in reverse-engineering their complex recipes into repeatable, industrial processes that strictly preserved the integrity of the fresh ingredients (like lime juice and locally-sourced orange liqueur). This required intense vendor vetting and a deep understanding of preservation science.

* 🔑 Takeaway: Successful scaling is predicated on turning art into science. For executives, this means proceduralizing your core differentiator (be it service, quality, or speed) so that it survives the transition to mass market. Authenticity must be defined by process, not just intent.

* Relatable Example: The entire history of Starbucks is a lesson in scaling an artisanal “third place” coffee experience globally while attempting to maintain procedural quality standards for the perfect espresso shot.

4. Leveraging Third-Party Validation to De-Risk Partnership

When entering a market without existing brand recognition, external validation—like winning major industry awards—is crucial for accelerating trust among retailers and distributors.

* The How: Marcin & Amit secured prestigious Double Gold awards for multiple products (Margarita, Mai Tai, Old Fashioned) early in Mission Craft Cocktail’s launch phase. They then use this objective critical acclaim, combined with their strong give-back mission, to secure immediate deals with major national retailers (like Total Wine & More).

* 🔑 Takeaway: For a disruptive product, awards and endorsements are not just for marketing; they are essential due diligence tools for your partners. Invest in seeking high-status validation to drastically reduce the perceived risk of stocking or distributing your novel product.

* Relatable Example: The early success of YETI coolers was driven less by direct-to-consumer marketing and more by winning endorsements from professional fishermen and outdoor guides, lending instant, credible authority to a premium-priced product.

5. The Dual-Customer Focus: Serving the Consumer and the Community

A purpose-driven business successfully recognizes and markets to two distinct “customers”: the individual consumer making the purchase and the community benefiting from the purchase.

* The How: Mission Craft Cocktails’ marketing effectively speaks to both needs: convenience and quality for the drinker, and direct social impact (meals funded) for the socially-conscious shopper. This dual narrative completely changes a discretionary, transactional purchase into a values-based, repeatable act of giving.

* 🔑 Takeaway: Design your product experience and marketing to explicitly communicate the impact metric (meals funded, trees planted, etc.) rather than just the donation percentage. This engages the customer as a collaborator in the mission, drastically improving retention and word-of-mouth growth.

* Relatable Example: Bombas socks, with their “one pair purchased = one pair donated” model, built an enormous brand around the dual satisfaction of receiving a high-quality product while actively addressing homelessness.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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For most of us, leaving a 20-year career as a senior leader in global banking with stops at renowned institutions like JP Morgan and HSBC sounds like an overwhelming, terrifying risk.

But for Cate Luzio, the founder and CEO of Luminary, it was simply the next logical step. Luminary is a gender-inclusive community and platform that has grown from a single 25,000 sq ft physical space in New York into a global network with members in over 30 countries.

In a frank interview on the Worthy for Thirty podcast, Cate shared the vital mindset shifts, non-negotiable business principles, and leadership strategies that allowed her to make the leap and build a thriving, impactful business.

If you’re standing on the precipice of leaving your stable job to pursue your big idea, or if you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow your impact, these takeaways from Cate are indispensable.

1. The Power of the Mentor’s Challenge: “Why Not Me?”

Cate’s pivot didn’t start with a burning entrepreneurial vision; it started with a powerful conversation. A mentor challenged her to define what she wanted to do next after nearly two decades in finance. This moment of reflection shattered the myth that an entrepreneur must always be born, not made.

The mentor’s advice served as a blueprint for minimizing risk and reframing the unknown:

* “What’s the worst that can happen?” (You can always go back.)

* “You always have your reputation, relationships, and resume to lean back on.” (Your past experience is your safety net.)

* “You’re going to learn a hell of a lot in the process.” (The experience is the ultimate reward.)

Cate realized that if she could build or rebuild businesses inside massive corporations (which she did at JP Morgan and HSBC) aka being an ‘intraprenuer’, she could certainly build her own. Entrepreneurship, in this context, is simply taking an intrapreneurial spirit and applying it to your own company.

“I think I kind of approach so much of my life professionally, what’s the worst that can happen? I’m going to take the jump, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ve learned a lot in the process.” - Cate Luzio

2. Your Business Plan is Your North Star

Many founders get obsessed with a product idea but fail to do the foundational work. For Cate, a sound, strategic business plan is non-negotiable. She stresses that if you want to build a sustainable, scalable, and profitable business, you must lock down these fundamentals:

Salient & Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Founders

* Focus on the Market You’re Capturing, Not the Total Size: Don’t just brag about a “$10 billion market.” Detail the specific customer segment you are going after, the problem you are solving, and the revenue you can realistically attract.

* Master Your Financials from Day One: Your financials are your key to success. You must have a fundamental understanding of when you will break even and become profitable. If you need to raise capital, know exactly how you will deploy those funds. Hint: watch ‘Shark Tank’ to know what I mean.

* Conduct a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats): This one-page exercise is crucial. It forces you to look at the potential headwinds and tailwinds of your business, ensuring you have a realistic perspective before you launch.

* Identify Your Competitors (They Exist): Do not assume you have no competitors. If you have the best product or service, you will quickly have copycats. Be aware of your landscape and plan for “co-opetition.”

3. The Path to Scale: Leadership by Delegation and Debate

You can’t scale an enterprise by being everywhere at once. Cate’s key to scaling herself from a single founder to a leader impacting thousands was a focused approach to team building and innovation.

* Make Your A’s A+s, and Delegate the C’s: Cate’s “superpower” is her memory and sales ability. She focuses on her strengths (sales, people leadership, B2B enterprise) and strategically hires team members to handle areas where she not as great, such as digital marketing or operations.

* Challenge Your Team to Challenge You: The founder should not be the sole source of ideas and innovation. Cate has created an environment where team members know they are encouraged to debate decisions and push back. Luminary Live, the company’s successful on-the-road experience, was an idea that came directly from her team.

* Prioritize Impact as a Daily Win (The Small W’s): While financials matter, the headline success for Luminary is impact—the number of lives touched and businesses served. Success isn’t just a massive revenue swing; it’s the smaller, cumulative wins:

* A great meeting leading to an enterprise client renewal.

* Connecting one member to their future co-founder.

* Providing community to someone navigating a major career change.

4. Building the Future: Luminary’s Roadmap

Cate’s mission is to keep creating space at the table for everyone. This includes a forward-looking roadmap that leverages strategic partnerships to amplify impact:

* Fellowship Programs: The recent launch of a fellowship program with Marshalls, offering grants and full Luminary membership with no strings attached, shows a commitment to directly funding and supporting entrepreneurs.

* New Areas of Impact: A partnership with Under Armour aims to prepare collegiate athletes for their professional lives, underscoring the value of athletic skills (teamwork, leadership, resilience) in the workforce.

5. Creating Space: The Golden Rule of Community Building

Luminary’s core mission goes beyond a physical office or digital content; it’s about solving a universal human discomfort: the feeling of not belonging. Cate shared a profound insight that many people, especially in new environments, worry there isn’t “room at the table” for them. Luminary’s success is built on intentionally eliminating that barrier through a culture of radical inclusion.

* Eliminate Application Barriers for Self-Selection: Luminary is open to all genders and requires no application to join. This approach is based on the philosophy that true community should be self-selected and welcomes those who are actively seeking connection, reinforcing the “what’s the worst that can happen?” mindset. A community that aligns to Cate and her team’s vision and core, fundamental values.

* Make Inclusion Your Core Tagline: The company’s original tagline, “Come sit at our table,” directly addressed the fear of exclusion. Your mission statement should clearly communicate that your business is a safe, welcoming place, setting the expectation for how members should treat each other (the Golden Rule).

* Empower Your Employees as Community Equals: Treat your team members and your paying members as equals. When employees feel fulfilled, challenged, and supported, they naturally mirror that supportive culture back to the community, strengthening the foundation of the entire ecosystem.

Cate Luzio’s story is a reminder that entrepreneurship is an act of execution, not just ideation. It’s about tying and using your professional experiences to make your vision a reality, getting ruthlessly candid about your business plan, and assembling a team that pushes you to be better.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’ve all heard the stats: women receive a disproportionately small slice of venture capital funding. Despite continuously proving their acumen and driving innovation, female founders often hit a wall when it comes to securing the capital and resources needed to scale. Enter Fierce Foundry, a groundbreaking FemTech venture studio on a mission to change the narrative.

In a recent episode of the Worthy for Thirty Podcast, I sat down with Fierce Foundry’s co-founders, Melissa Wallace and Katie Schuele. Their conversation uncovered not just a compelling business model, but a movement committed to giving the means to female entrepreneurs and solving critical health gaps for women globally.

(And this was the 2nd attempt to record. 1st time was marred by technical difficulties.)

If you’re an aspiring founder, an investor looking for impact, or simply passionate about the future of women’s health and entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways & Actionable Insights from my conversation with Melissa & Katie:

* The Power of the Venture Studio Model for De-Risking Innovation:

* Fierce Foundry isn’t just an investor; it’s a co-founder. They operate as a venture studio, meaning they ideate, build, and launch companies alongside founders from “idea to exit.” This hands-on approach provides deep operational support, significantly de-risking early-stage ventures.

* Actionable for Founders: If you’re struggling to find the right co-founder or need more than just capital, explore venture studio models in your industry. These partners bring expertise, network, and infrastructure, allowing you to focus on your core innovation. Think of it like a highly specialized accelerator combined with a co-founder.

* Contemporary Reference: Companies like Idealab (a classic venture studio) or newer models like Atomic (which has launched multiple successful tech companies) demonstrate the power of this build-and-scale approach, reducing the typical startup failure rate by embedding expertise from day one.

* Addressing the “Warm Intro” Disadvantage:

* Melissa and Katie highlighted how traditional VC often relies on warm introductions, which disproportionately disadvantages female and underrepresented founders who may not have access to existing networks. Fierce Foundry actively breaks down these barriers.

* Actionable for Founders: Don’t wait for the “warm intro.” Be proactive. Attend industry events (virtual and in-person), engage on LinkedIn, and genuinely connect with people who can offer advice or open doors. Your network is built, not found. Fierce Foundry offers regular bootcamps and co-working events specifically to foster these connections—seek out similar opportunities.

* Contemporary Reference: The rise of platforms like Built In or even niche Slack communities for founders shows that “cold outreach” done strategically can be incredibly effective when combined with genuine value and clear communication.

* “Zero to One” – The Unsexy but Critical Work of Building:

* The co-founders stressed the immense effort required to get a company from “zero to one”—the foundational work before scaling. This involves everything from market validation and regulatory navigation to team building and initial product development.

* Actionable for Founders: Embrace the grind. Don’t skip foundational steps. Test your assumptions rigorously, talk to potential customers constantly, and be prepared for iterative learning. As Eric Ries preaches in “The Lean Startup,” validated learning is paramount.

* Contemporary Reference: Even massively successful companies like Airbnb famously went door-to-door to photograph listings in their early days, proving that successful “zero to one” isn’t always glamorous, but it’s essential. Do the unscalable well!

* Defining and Dominating a Niche (FemTech):

* Fierce Foundry’s laser focus on FemTech allows them to build deep expertise, identify overlooked opportunities, and leverage a powerful network specific to women’s health.

* Actionable for Founders: Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, identify your specific niche. Who are you serving? What unique problem are you solving? Deep expertise in a smaller market can lead to outsized returns and clearer competitive advantages.

* Contemporary Reference: Look at the explosion of “vertical SaaS” (Software as a Service) companies—like Toast for restaurants or Veeva for life sciences—which proves that specializing in a specific industry’s pain points can lead to billion-dollar valuations.

* “No, Not a VC!” – The Strategic Capital Advantage:

* Melissa and Katie clarify that Fierce Foundry is not a traditional VC firm. While they do invest, their model is about providing strategic capital and operational support. They seek investors who understand this long-term, hands-on approach.

* Actionable for Investors: Consider models beyond traditional venture capital. Venture studios offer a different risk/reward profile, often with a more active role and a focus on building robust companies from the ground up, rather than simply writing checks. This can be particularly appealing for family offices or impact investors.

* Contemporary Reference: The growth of “smart money” investors who bring more than just capital (e.g., industry expertise, strategic partnerships, operational guidance) reflects a broader trend of valuing comprehensive support over just financial injection.

* Reversing Medical Data Bias

* The Statistic: Women spend an average of 25% more of their lives in poor health or with a disability compared to men, which translates to a potential loss of $1 trillion in global GDP annually by 2040 (as cited by McKinsey and the World Economic Forum, and reflected in Fierce Foundry’s mission). This disparity is largely due to historical exclusion from research and gender bias in medicine.

* The Fierce Foundry Example: Fierce Foundry is tackling this by building companies like Dove, which is developing an AI-driven tool to provide better, more personalized early diagnostics for diseases, particularly focusing on conditions like dementia, which affects women at a significantly higher rate than men.

* Building a Network and Asking for Help:

* A recurring theme was the importance of outreach and asking for assistance. “If you ask for help, people will help you.”

* Actionable for Everyone: Don’t be afraid to reach out! Whether you’re a founder seeking advice, an investor looking for deals, or just trying to expand your professional circle, genuine curiosity and a clear “ask” can open many doors.

* Contemporary Reference: LinkedIn isn’t just for job searching; it’s a powerful tool for professional networking. Personalize your messages, demonstrate you’ve done your homework, and clearly state why you’re reaching out. The worst they can say is no. Or why not try Boardy.Ai?!

The Future is Female (and Fierce)

The work Fierce Foundry is doing is not just about financial returns; it’s about social impact and rebalancing a historically imbalanced ecosystem. By building and scaling solutions for women’s health, they are addressing critical needs and proving that investing in female founders isn’t just good for women—it’s good for business, and it’s good for the world.

This episode is available on all podcast listening platforms!

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I sat down with Stacy Huston, the Executive Director of SixDegrees.org, and it was one of those talks that completely re-shapes how you think about business, purpose, and impact. Stacy and the Six Degrees team have already found it, and they’re showing everyone how to make it happen.

A New Model for Corporate Social Responsibility

Stacy talked about how the non-profit world is moving beyond the traditional "check-in-the-box" approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and into something much more powerful: a model of "hyper-local philanthropy." It’s not just about donating a lump sum to a national charity. It's about empowering businesses to make a real, tangible impact in their own communities. The ‘pie’ of money is not getting bigger year over year — more non-profits are being launched while the donation dollars stay stagnant or declining.

How can you break through the noise?

Think of it like this:

* Beyond the "Big Brand" Mentality: Instead of a company like Starbucks simply donating to a large, global foundation, Stacy and her team work with brands to create tailored, local initiatives. Imagine a Starbucks store in a specific neighborhood partnering directly with a local youth center, not just financially, but by having employees volunteer, host events, and become part of the community fabric.

* The Power of Storytelling: A key part of SixDegrees.org's strategy is helping non-profits tell their stories. This isn't just fluffy marketing; it's about making the impact visible and emotional and breaking through the media algorithms. Businesses like Bell Bank have partnered with Six Degrees to create content that highlights the good their CSR efforts are doing on the ground. This not only inspires other businesses, but it also creates a strong, authentic brand story that resonates with customers far more than a generic ad campaign.

* Advertising Week and the Power of Purpose: Stacey highlighted the work SixDegrees.org is doing with Advertising Week on a new initiative called "Purpose, Produced." It’s a groundbreaking program where they've paired a group of deserving non-profits with some of the world's top advertising agencies to create full-scale, pro-bono marketing campaigns. The goal is to give these small organizations the kind of high-level brand exposure that's typically reserved for major corporations.

* Amplifying Grassroots Causes: Sixdegrees.org focuses its efforts on small, community-based non-profits, specifically those with less than $3 million in revenue. Their mission is to empower these organizations that are often overlooked by larger funders and to help them scale their impact by giving them a powerful platform. Their focus is on four key areas: youth empowerment, justice and equality, sustainable environments, and emergent issues.

* Purpose as a Product: Stacy mentioned how businesses are starting to realize that their core product or service can be a tool for good. This is similar to what we're seeing from companies like Patagonia, where environmental leadership is built into the business model itself, or TOMS, which birthed the "buy one, give one" model. SixDegrees.org helps companies find that unique way their business can be a force for positive change. Again, doing good WHILE doing well :).

The Six Degrees Origin Story

If you're wondering where the name comes from, it's all thanks to Hollywood icon Kevin Bacon. He founded SixDegrees.org in 2007 on the principle that everyone is in need of human connection and that we can all be "celebrities for our own causes." The idea, of course, plays on the popular "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game. Kevin reframed the game and turned it into a powerful, global movement for good. He's still actively involved as the organization's chair, using his unique platform and celebrity to champion the work of grassroots non-profits.

This episode was a total wake-up call. It's not about being a giant corporation to make an impact; it's about being strategic, authentic, and connected to your local community. I left the episode feeling so motivated to think differently about how my own work can contribute. You should definitely check it out and see what you think.

To learn more about their mission and programs, visit SixDegrees.org

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School is back! And if you love being a student then you’ll love this episode!

For any entrepreneur or investor, the story of O2 Hydration is a masterclass in building a brand with both purpose and a powerful market strategy.

In a recent interview I had with co-founder Dave Colina, he shared the unfiltered journey from a side project born of personal necessity to a thriving CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) brand. His story is a powerful reminder that a strong "why" and a deep connection with your community can be one of the most valuable assets a company can have.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs and Investors

* The Power of a "Why": O2 Hydration was founded on a personal need for a healthier alternative to sugary sports drinks. This authentic origin story created a mission-driven brand from day one, which resonated deeply with a specific audience—the CrossFit community. The lesson here is that a business built on a genuine need or passion is often more resilient and relatable than one built on a trend.

* Community is Your Moat: While many brands focus on product differentiation, O2 Hydration found its true competitive advantage in its community. By adopting a "channel-first" marketing strategy, the brand's early growth was fueled by partnerships with local gyms. This allowed them to build a loyal customer base and drive online sales through a powerful word-of-mouth network, proving that a dedicated community can be a more effective barrier to entry than any single product feature.

* Values Are Your North Star: Dave shared that O2 Hydration's core principles—honesty, humility, and hustle—are more than just buzzwords; they are printed on every can and guide major business decisions. This commitment to values was most apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when they launched the "Stay for May" campaign, offering gift cards to gym members who kept their memberships active. This act of "doing good" not only helped their community but also led to a significant boost in online sales, demonstrating that a commitment to positive social impact can be a powerful business driver.

* The Path to Retail is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: A common mistake for early-stage CPG brands is entering the retail market too soon. Dave advises that a brand should aim for strong brand awareness and at least $10 million in revenue before making this leap. His experience highlights the importance of mastering product marketing, positioning, and packaging before scaling to a wider audience, ensuring that your brand is ready to compete on a larger stage.

* Positioning is the Real Differentiator: While O2 Hydration’s initial product was differentiated by its oxygen-infusion technology, the company found more success by leaning into its clean, low-sugar, and great-tasting qualities. Dave emphasizes that a brand's moat is often created through marketing and positioning, not just the product itself. The ability to tell a compelling story and position your product correctly is what truly sets you apart in a crowded market. We live in a fragmented world — how will you break through?

* Learn and Adapt Quickly: The entrepreneurial journey is full of unknowns. Dave's advice to new entrepreneurs is to learn as fast as possible, seek out mentors, and surround yourself with a peer network. He co-founded CPG FastTrack, an online community that helps early-stage entrepreneurs get qualified advice and build their networks. This reinforces the idea that an agile mindset and a willingness to learn are crucial for navigating the challenges of building a successful business. It also reinforces the ethos of ‘doing good while doing well.’

The full episode is available on your favorite podcast listening platform.

Let me know what insight, tip, or advice Dave shared resonated with you.

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Are you a founder navigating the choppy waters of startup growth or a senior executive at the helm of a well-established company?

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to lead with courage and clarity is more critical than ever. WeGotThis.org’s Founder (show friend and supporter) Elissa Kalver and I recently sat down with Ryan Berman (part of my ‘Worthy for Thirty is in LA’ series), founder of Courageous, a consultancy that helps Fortune 500 companies unlock their "courageous quotient," to extract vital lessons for leaders like you.

Check out and pre-order Ryan’s upcoming book, Headamentals.

This episode is a must-listen primer for anyone looking to build resilient teams, foster genuine connections, and drive meaningful impact.

Found below, I’m breaking out what I believe are salient takeaways from our conversation, complete with contemporary examples and concrete action steps to help you lead more courageously:

1. Cultivate a Shared Purpose Beyond Profit

In an era where employees, especially the younger generation, seek more than just a paycheck, a clear, shared organizational purpose is your North Star. As Ryan emphasizes, this purpose unites your team and fuels their passion.

* Contemporary Example: Patagonia's unwavering commitment to environmental activism isn't just a marketing ploy; it pervades its business model and resonates profoundly with its customer base and employees, making it a purpose-driven powerhouse.

* Action Step: Beyond your mission statement, clearly articulate the "why" behind your organization's existence. In your next all-hands meeting or ELT meeting, dedicate time to discuss how each team's work contributes to this larger purpose, making it tangible and personal for everyone.

2. Build Transparent Teams that Embrace "Tough Love"

Courageous leadership demands clear and honest communication, even when it's uncomfortable. Creating an environment where constructive feedback is not only accepted but encouraged is vital for growth and problem-solving.

* Contemporary Example: Netflix's culture of "radical candor" is a well-known example. While sometimes intense, this direct feedback loop is designed to accelerate individual and organizational learning, ensuring issues are addressed swiftly and effectively.

* Action Step: Implement a "feedback Friday" or a dedicated "courageous conversations" slot in your weekly leadership meetings. Encourage leaders to share one piece of constructive feedback they've received and one they've given, modeling the behavior for their teams. And make sure the feedback is shared throughout the company.

3. Strategically Invest Your "Courage Currency"

You can't be courageous all the time, nor should you try. Ryan advises identifying a few critical moments where leaning into discomfort and making a bold decision will yield the most significant impact.

* Contemporary Example: When Satya Nadella took the helm at Microsoft, he made the courageous decision to pivot away from a "Windows-first" mentality to a "cloud-first, mobile-first" strategy, alienating some traditionalists but ultimately revitalizing the company's growth. This was a strategic investment of courage in a key moment.

* Action Step: Identify one major strategic decision or challenge your organization faces this quarter. As a leadership team, pinpoint where a courageous, unconventional approach might break through stagnation, then allocate your focus and resources to that specific "courageous moment."

4. Lead with Authenticity to Avoid Transactional Relationships

In a world increasingly fatigued by corporate speak, genuine leadership stands out. If employees don't trust their leaders, the relationship quickly reduces to a purely transactional exchange, stifling innovation and loyalty.

* Contemporary Example: Many admired tech leaders, like HubSpot's co-founders, are known for their transparent communication, often sharing personal struggles and learnings, which fosters a deep sense of trust and loyalty among their employees.

* Action Step: Share a personal learning or challenge you've recently overcome in a team communication or leadership meeting. Demonstrate vulnerability and authenticity, inviting others to connect with you on a human level rather than just a professional one. EQ > IQ!

5. Embrace Continuous Adaptability and Evolution

The only constant in business is change. Leaders must act as "detectives," constantly examining and re-examining strategies, remaining flexible, and adapting swiftly to new information and market shifts.

* Contemporary Example: Companies like Amazon exemplify continuous adaptation, constantly experimenting with new services and technologies (from e-commerce to cloud computing, and now AI) and quickly pivoting away from what doesn't work, maintaining their market leadership.

* Action Step: Dedicate 15 minutes weekly to scan industry trends or disruptors outside your immediate niche. Challenge your team to identify one potential future shift that could impact your business and brainstorm proactive steps, fostering a mindset of continuous vigilance and adaptation. Set up Google Alerts, or use Perplexity.Ai for deep research

This is just a glimpse into the profound insights Ryan Berman shares in the full episode. To truly grasp the nuances of courageous leadership and equip yourself with the tools to inspire and innovate, I highly recommend listening to the complete conversation wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Listen to the full episode here

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In a highly thought-provoking and insightful episode, Gloria Hwang, founder and CEO of Thousand, a company revolutionizing urban mobility with stylish helmets, lights, and bags, shares her inspiring journey from non-profit work to building a successful for-profit venture with a powerful mission. For entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and C-suite professionals, her story offers salient takeaways on purpose-driven business, community building, and strategic growth.

It was great to record in person with show guest and supporter, Elissa Kalver, Founder, WeGotThis.org. The first non-profit gift registry for cancer patients, thrivers, and their loved ones. (Check out their new revamped website)

Thank you, Boardy.Ai for the connection to Gloria!

🔑 Takeaways with Action Steps:

* Anchor Your Business in a Deeply Personal Mission: Gloria’s motivation for founding Thousand stemmed from a tragic personal loss, driving her to create a product that encourages safety through style. This deeply personal connection to her mission – to save a thousand lives – resonates with customers and fuels the brand's authenticity.

* Action Step: Reflect on the core problem your business solves. Is there a personal story or a profound impact you aspire to make that can serve as the bedrock of your brand's purpose? Consider how companies like Patagonia (environmental activism woven into their outdoor gear) or Warby Parker (providing affordable, stylish eyewear while addressing vision care globally) have successfully integrated a strong mission into their business model.

* Validate Your Product and Build Community Through Crowdfunding: Gloria successfully launched Thousand through a Kickstarter campaign, raising nearly a quarter-million dollars. This not only provided crucial early funding but also validated the market need and fostered a passionate community around the brand before mass production.

* Action Step: For new ventures or product launches, explore crowdfunding platforms to gauge market interest, secure initial capital, and cultivate a loyal customer base. This approach can potentially de-risk your idea and provide invaluable early feedback, similar to how many innovative tech gadgets and indie games gain traction and funding on platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo.

* Prioritize Customer Connection and Understanding: She emphasizes the importance of staying connected with customers to understand their evolving needs. Thousand’s focus on the "everyday rider" rather than just hardcore cyclists demonstrates a clear understanding of their target audience and their desire for practical yet stylish solutions.

* Action Step: Implement mechanisms for continuous customer feedback, whether through surveys, social media engagement, or direct outreach. Regularly analyze customer data to refine your product offerings and marketing strategies. Brands like Netflix (constantly analyzing viewing habits to recommend content) and Spotify (personalizing music experiences) excel at leveraging customer data to enhance their offerings.

* Even Lyft’s CEO is a Lyft driver every 6 weeks to understand the experience and to stay connected to both drivers and riders!

* Embrace Your Strengths and Delegate Effectively: As a founder, Gloria highlights the necessity of recognizing one's core competencies and strategically delegating tasks that fall outside of those strengths. Make your A’s, A+ and delegate the B’s to someone who can make them A+’s. This allows for focused effort on high-impact areas and empowers team members.

* Action Step: Conduct a personal skills audit to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Build a team that complements your abilities and trust them with decision-making power in their areas of expertise. Think about how Apple's success is often attributed to Steve Jobs' vision, but also to his ability to delegate engineering and design to highly skilled teams.

* Cultivate a Lean, Empowered, and Growth-Oriented Team: Her approach to team building focuses on efficiency, talent retention, and providing opportunities for growth and decision-making. This fosters a strong, motivated, and agile workforce.

* Action Step: Design a company culture that prioritizes autonomy, professional development, and clear pathways for advancement. Empower your team members to take ownership of their work and contribute to strategic decisions. Companies like Google and Zappos are renowned for their employee-centric cultures that encourage innovation and growth.

Gloria Hwang’s journey with Thousand is a powerful testament to the impact of combining a heartfelt mission with strategic business acumen. By leading with intentionality, this begets authenticity, leveraging community, and building strong teams. Founders can not only create successful companies but also drive meaningful change.

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In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of profit alone.

But what if your business could also change lives for the better? My next conversation features a compelling conversation with Derek Ting, CEO and founder of TextNow, a company that embodies the true spirit of mission-driven entrepreneurship.

Derek's journey began with a simple frustration: the high cost of phone services while in college. From that personal pain point, he built TextNow with an audacious mission: to democratize communication, making essential phone services like texting and calling accessible and free for everyone. This isn't just about convenience; it's about profound social impact. Imagine the difference free phone service makes for someone seeking a job, connecting with family, or navigating life's challenges without the burden of monthly bills. TextNow's innovative, ad-supported model proves that a powerful social mission and a viable business can go hand-in-hand.

This type of impact has created millions of customers from the US and Canada.

For founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and mission-driven business leaders, this episode is a masterclass in building with purpose. Derek shares invaluable insights on:

* The Power of a Clear Mission: How TextNow's unwavering commitment to democratizing communication has guided their growth and innovation.

* Lean Startup in Action: Learn how TextNow prioritizes user feedback and iterative development to solve real problems for millions.

* Cultivating Autonomy: Discover TextNow's unique company culture, built on trust and empowering employees to make impactful decisions.

* Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Derek openly discusses the significant challenges and near-failures TextNow faced, including a cash crunch and even an accidental customer database wipe [21:39], offering crucial lessons on resilience and perseverance.

* The Future of Free: TextNow's ambitious vision to provide completely free data plans, making phone service as ubiquitous and free as email [08:57].

This conversation is more than just a business story; it's a testament to how passion, purpose, and persistence can create a powerful, profitable enterprise that genuinely impacts the world.

Don't miss the full episode to dive deeper into Derek's journey, learn from his triumphs and challenges, and gain actionable insights for building your own mission-driven brand.

This episode can be found and listened from your preferred podcast listening platform.

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Hello Everyone -

I’m releasing an episode with an incredible founder as we head into the long July 4th weekend. This is an episode that is intended to get our inspirational and strategic juices flowing as we celebrate the country’s independence whether by ourselves or with friends.

Meet FX Rouxel, the visionary CEO and founder of Gardyn. If you've ever dreamt of fresh, nutrient-packed veggies grown right in your living room, or if you're a founder looking for a serious dose of inspiration, you're in the right place.

This episode felt like sitting down with two old friends, chatting about everything from personal frustrations to building a tech company that's genuinely changing lives.

🔑 Takeaways with Application ⬇️

1. Solve a Real Problem (Even if it's Your Own!)

You know how a minor annoyance can spark a massive idea? (Reminds me of my conversation with Dan Reich). That's exactly how Gardyn started. FX, an athlete, was frustrated by the dwindling nutritional value of store-bought produce. He realized that the long journey from farm to plate was costing us vital nutrients. This personal pain point led him to wonder: "Could AI bring fresh, super-nutritious food right to our homes?"

🔑 Takeaway, Founders: Don't chase trends. Look for genuine frustrations – in your own life, your friends' lives, or society at large. The most impactful startups often spring from deeply personal, relatable problems. If you're solving something you truly care about, that passion will fuel your journey. Travis at Uber was frustrated with hailing yellow cabs, Steve at Apple was frustrated with PC computing, Jason at Seamless hated calling restaurants to place food orders. The list goes on and on….

2. Innovation Doesn't Mean Reinventing the Wheel, But Making it Smarter

Gardyn isn't just about growing plants; it's about growing them smarter. They've harnessed AI, smart lights, and a closed-loop water system to make indoor gardening incredibly easy and sustainable. Over 120 varieties, 95% less water, zero pesticides, and food that's 50% more nutritious than store-bought? That's not just cool tech; it's a game-changer.

🔑 Takeaway, Founders & Investors: Look for businesses that take existing concepts (like gardening) and inject them with intelligent, efficient technology. It's not always about creating something entirely new, but about making something much, much better. Investors, pay attention to how companies are leveraging tech and Ai to drive efficiency and deliver tangible, superior results.

3. The Power of a Clear Roadmap & Continuous Evolution

FX walked us through Gardyn's thoughtful four-part product roadmap: devices (from Home to the new compact Studio), accessories, constantly expanding plant varieties, and a robust AI/digital strategy. What's inspiring is their commitment to releasing new plant varieties almost monthly and constantly optimizing their AI. This isn't a "build it and forget it" company; it's a living, breathing ecosystem of innovation.

🔑 Takeaway, Founders: A clear product roadmap isn't just a fancy slide for investors; it's your North Star. It helps you prioritize, stay focused, and communicate your vision. And remember, the journey is about continuous improvement. Listen to your users, iterate, and never stop refining.

4. Impact Beyond Profit: Community & Well-being

While Gardyn is clearly a successful B2C venture, it was incredibly heartwarming to hear about their forays into commercial applications. They're developing a K-12 curriculum for schools, and even seeing their system integrated into mental health and PTSD clinics. Imagine the impact of fresh, homegrown food on a child's learning or someone's recovery journey.

🔑 Takeaway, Founders & Investors: Impact-driven businesses are not just a trend; they're the future. Think about how your product or service can extend beyond direct consumers to create broader community value. Investors, look for companies that have a strong "why" beyond just the bottom line – these often build more resilient and loyal customer bases.

5. The Entrepreneurial Grind: Boldness, Reality, and Early Feedback

FX’s personal journey was incredibly candid. He shared a pivotal moment where his wife challenged him to prove the concept, leading to the first 20 prototypes. He also emphasized the critical importance of early market feedback. He openly admitted that Gardyn's first generation wasn't perfect, but those early adopters were invaluable in shaping the robust Gen 4 system.

🔑 Takeaway, Founders: Be bold in your vision, but stay grounded in reality. Test your assumptions early and often. Don't be afraid to put out an imperfect product (an MVP!) to gather real-world feedback. That feedback, as FX highlighted, is pure gold. It's the difference between a good idea and a truly great, market-validated product. And always, always have a supportive team and family around you – they're your bedrock through the inevitable ups and downs.

This episode with FX was a true masterclass in entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and building a business with purpose. Whether you're just starting your founder journey, scaling your venture, or looking for the next big thing to invest in, Gardyn's story offers a wealth of inspiration.

Go check out Gardyn and start growing your own fresh produce! And if you haven't already, watch the full episode of "Worthy for Thirty" here – it's definitely worth your time or find it on all podcast listening platforms!

What were your biggest takeaways from this episode?

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Hello Everyone!

Super excited for this episode drop.

I highly suggest listening and digging in to discover actionable strategies for anxiety relief and powerful insights on transforming personal challenges into community support. You'll learn how to harness your own experiences for positive impact and find genuine connection in the process.

—

Guests:

Elissa Kalver was invited back to share significant updates on We Got This, including a revamped website, vital resources, and her new book, offering a unique perspective on thriving with cancer.

I wanted to invite Marina Khidekel so she could introduce the community to Hugimals World, an innovative company providing weighted plushies that offer tangible anxiety and stress relief for all ages, normalizing comfort in a powerful and impactful way!

The Power of a Hug, Literally (and Metaphorically!)

* 🔑 takeaway: Marina shared how her company, Hugimals World, creates weighted plushies that literally "hug you back," releasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin. She was even surprised by the wide range of people seeking comfort – from anxious kids to college students and seniors. Hello, kidult trend.

* Implication: We often underestimate the physical and emotional need for comfort and connection, especially in a world that can feel increasingly isolated. Especially coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic where we feel more isolated and alone. Simple, concrete tools can have a profound impact on our well-being.

* Application for You: Ever feel overwhelmed or just... off? Instead of just pushing through, try incorporating intentional comfort into your day. Maybe it’s snuggling with a pet, a weighted blanket, or even just taking a moment to give yourself a big, comforting hug. Consider what simple acts of comfort you can offer to others too – a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, or just a listening ear. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound.

Turning Personal Challenges into Powerful Support Systems

* 🔑 takeaway: Elissa, founder of WeGotThis.org, shared how her own journey with cancer led her to create a robust resource directory, "thriver lists," and a new book – all designed to help others navigate their cancer journeys with more comfort and dignity. She emphasized prioritizing living and finding joy, even amidst challenges.

* Implication: Our greatest struggles can often become our greatest strengths, propelling us to help others in profound ways. There's immense power in shared experience and a community that understands.

* Application for You: Think about a challenge you've faced – big or small. How did you get through it? What did you learn? Could your experience or your insights be helpful to someone else going through something similar? Maybe it's not starting a non-profit, but perhaps it's sharing your story with a friend, offering advice, or even just creating a simple list of resources that helped you. Your past experiences hold valuable wisdom that others can benefit from.

Normalizing Our Needs: It's Okay to Seek Comfort

* 🔑 takeaway: Marina initially thought Hugimals would primarily be for kids, but quickly realized that over half her customers were adults seeking comfort for their own anxiety. She spoke about people thanking her for "normalizing" weighted plushies as tools for adult comfort.

* Implication: There's still a stigma around admitting we need comfort or support, especially as adults. But acknowledging our needs and seeking out what helps us is a sign of strength, not weakness.

* Application for You: Be honest with yourself about what truly brings you comfort and peace, without judgment. If a cozy blanket, a favorite stuffed animal from childhood, or even just a quiet moment with a cup of tea helps you de-stress, lean into it! Don't let peer pressure or perceived norms dictate what "adult" self-care looks like. Your well-being matters, and whatever helps you feel grounded and calm is valid.

Your Past Paves the Way for Your Future (Even if You Don't See it Yet!)

* 🔑 takeaway: Both Elissa and Marina reflected on their diverse career paths – Elissa from financial services, Marina from journalism – and how seemingly unrelated past experiences unexpectedly became instrumental in building their current, passion-driven businesses. Connecting the dots

* Implication: Every step you take, every job you hold, every skill you learn, is building your unique toolkit. Even when you can't see the direct connection, those experiences are shaping you for what's next.

* Application for You: Feeling stuck or unsure of your next move? Instead of focusing on what you don't have, take a moment to list all the skills, experiences, and connections you do have, even from seemingly disparate parts of your life. You might be surprised at how your "unrelated" past experiences can be exactly what you need to unlock your future potential. Don't discard any part of your journey – it's all part of your masterpiece in progress!

Collaboration Over Competition: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

* 🔑 takeaway: I wanted to bring Elissa and Marina together on the show to demonstrate the power of collaboration, encouraging both women to continue their important work and highlighting how their efforts can amplify and be complementary.

* Implication: In a world that often teaches us to compete, remembering that true strength often lies in supporting one another can lead to greater collective success and impact.

* Application for You: Look around your own life, whether it's in your workplace, your community, or among your friends. Where can you offer support or collaborate instead of seeing someone as a competitor? A simple offer to help, a word of encouragement, or connecting two people who could benefit from knowing each other can create ripple effects of positive change. Let's lift each other up!

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In the world of startups and philanthropy, few stories resonate as powerfully as that of entreprenuers, investors and philanthropists, Kass and Mike Lazerow. Their journey, marked by both the intense highs of building successful companies, Golf.com and Buddy Media and their profound commitment to a cause like Cycle for Survival, offers invaluable insights into resilience, mission-driven work, and the realities of the entrepreneurial path.

Relationships are vital to success. I worked with them 15 years ago at Buddy Media and have remained in touch. What was amazing was seeing and meeting other folks in their orbit at their book launch party this past Monday. Some of those people they’ve known for the majority of their lives! In this episode, I invited past show guest Bradley Tusk as my co-host. Bradley is the founder and CEO of Tusk Ventures where he works with startups that have regulatory challenges like Lemonade, FanDuel, Uber, Ro among others. Bradley is the host of ‘Firewall’ a weekly podcast where he discusses the intersection of business, politics and regulation.

Takeaways & Their Impact 🚀

The Lazerows' experiences highlight several critical lessons for anyone navigating the professional landscape:

* Mission Drives Impact: Cycle for Survival's remarkable growth from a grassroots effort into a national movement, raising over $400 million for rare cancer research, underscores the immense power of a strong, personal mission. This demonstrates that aligning your work with a meaningful cause can unlock unparalleled dedication and results [01:05], [01:43]. The implication is clear: when individuals and organizations are deeply invested in a purpose, they can achieve extraordinary things.

* Culture is King: Buddy Media's enduring success, even post-acquisition, was rooted in its emphasis on transparency and celebrating achievements. This fostered deep employee loyalty [11:26], [11:37], [11:41], [12:18]. The application for readers is to prioritize intentional culture building within their own teams, fostering environments where people feel valued and connected.

* Navigating Bureaucracy: The Lazerows candidly discuss the challenges of working within large, often bureaucratic institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering. This highlights the need for agility and innovative strategies, even in established settings [04:33], [07:43]. For those in large organizations, this means finding ways to champion change and maintain momentum despite institutional inertia.

* Entrepreneurship is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Their anecdotes about fundraising hurdles, near-death experiences, and the constant "shoveling $h!t" perfectly encapsulate the arduous yet ultimately purposeful nature of entrepreneurship [18:18], [21:27]. This offers a realistic perspective for aspiring founders: it's tough, but the rewards of building something meaningful are immense.

* Co-founder Alignment is Crucial: The Lazerows, as a married co-founding team, emphasize the vital importance of shared work ethics, a clear mission, and complementary skills among co-founders [23:52], [24:04]. This is a key application for anyone considering a partnership: ensure your foundational values and working styles are in sync to avoid pitfalls like micromanagement.

* Resilience is Cultivated: Kass's story of overcoming a significant career setback and bouncing back with fierce determination demonstrates that resilience isn't just innate; it's developed through a competitive spirit and an unwavering refusal to quit [17:36], [17:49], [18:05]. This takeaway offers hope and actionable strategies for readers to cultivate their own resilience in the face of adversity.

* Focus is Paramount for Startups: Mike stresses the critical need for startups, with their limited resources, to maintain sharp focus and avoid being sidetracked by too many initiatives [29:57], [30:06]. The application here is clear: prioritize ruthlessly to maximize impact with the resources you have.

* Perspective Shifts Everything: Mike's personal experience with a life-threatening situation dramatically altered his perspective on life and business, diminishing the significance of previous worries [33:03], [33:18]. This profound takeaway reminds us to maintain perspective, especially when facing challenges, and to recognize what truly matters.

Why You Should Read "Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story" 📖

The Lazerows' book, "Shoveling $h!t," promises an authentic and inspiring account of their journey. Here’s why it should be on your reading list:

* Real and Raw Entrepreneurial Insights: Expect an unfiltered look at the realities of building a business—the struggles, the triumphs, and the messy bits that are often left out of polished success stories.

"And really what the book is about is there's no worse way to spend your day than being an entrepreneur. You show up, s**t hits the fan. You never know what's going to go wrong." - Mike Lazerow

* Actionable Advice on Grit and Resilience: Drawing from their personal battles, the book likely offers practical strategies for developing the mental fortitude essential for entrepreneurial success.

* Lessons on Partnership and Co-founding: Their unique dynamic as a married co-founding team provides invaluable insights into navigating the complexities and rewards of mixing business with a life partnership.

* Inspiration to Do Good While Doing Well: Their involvement with Cycle for Survival showcases a powerful model for creating a successful business that also makes a tangible positive impact on the world.

* Humorous and Engaging Storytelling: Given their candid and conversational style, the book is sure to be an entertaining and relatable read, filled with humor and compelling anecdotes.

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In a recent episode of the Worthy for Thirty podcast, I sat down with Sir Darren Jacklin, a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, investor corporate trainer, and philanthropist - take a look at Darren and his team’s bold initative to build schools around the world through the LYNK Foundation. What unfolded was a powerful conversation about overcoming adversity, the paramount importance of integrity, and how to truly build meaningful relationships and successful ventures.

Thank you Boardy.Ai for the connection! Let me know if you want to be connected to Boardy.

Sir Darren's story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of self-awareness. From childhood trauma and misdiagnosed learning disabilities to homelessness and financial bankruptcy, his journey is far from typical. Yet, these experiences forged in him a unique mental toughness and a profound understanding of what it takes to succeed and serve others.

"I commit to my commitments even when it's hard even when I don't feel like it even when I'm tired even when I'm jet-legged whatever it is I commit to my commitments and the key thing is is it's about honoring my word so that my word today has power." - Sir Darren Jacklin

Takeaways and Considerations for Founders and Operators

1. Adversity as a Catalyst for Growth: Sir Darren openly shares his challenging past, including failing grade one, being labeled "the dumbest kid in school," and experiencing homelessness [03:53]. He emphasizes that he's "grateful for [his] childhood trauma because [he] wouldn't be at where [he's] at today" [03:58]. This highlights that our greatest struggles can become our greatest strengths, teaching us invaluable lessons that formal education often cannot.

* Implication: Do not shy away from challenges. View them as opportunities for learning and personal development.

* Application: Reflect on past adversities and identify the "street smarts" or unique skills you gained from them. How can you leverage these experiences in your current endeavors?

2. The Power of Your Word: A pivotal turning point for Sir Darren at age 38 was recognizing that his "words had no power" [07:58] due to a lack of integrity, lying, and exaggeration. He made a conscious decision to commit to his commitments, even when difficult [10:09], and now lives by the principle that his "word today has power" [10:27].

* Implication: Your integrity is your most valuable asset. Consistency in action builds trust and credibility.

* Application: Implement "micro commitments" [23:16] in your interactions. If you make a promise, no matter how small, follow through. Schedule commitments in your calendar and proactively communicate if a delay occurs.

3. Vulnerability as Strength: Sir Darren now practices transparency and vulnerability, even when it's uncomfortable [14:12]. He shared an instance where he admitted to not knowing how to complete a task in front of a team [14:37], demonstrating that it's okay to ask for help and it showcases a genuine desire to learn.

* Implication: True strength isn't about knowing everything, but about the courage to admit what you don't know and seek support.

* Application: In professional settings, replace "I know" with "I don't know" or "I don't understand" when appropriate [16:07]. This fosters a learning environment and builds stronger relationships.

4. Strategic Relationship Building Through "Hiking Tests": Forget coffee meetings. Sir Darren's preferred method for vetting potential partners, investments and clients is taking them hiking [21:26]. This unconventional approach allows him to observe "behavior never lies" [40:54], revealing how people handle discomfort, prepare, and follow through on micro commitments [27:27]. This "integrity test" [41:26] has led to millions of dollars in deals [23:34].

* Implication: Observe how people show up in challenging situations. Their actions speak louder than words.

* Application: When considering significant collaborations, create low-stakes "tests" that reveal character, reliability, and commitment. This could be a small task with a clear deadline or an activity that pushes them slightly outside their comfort zone.

5. The Accessibility of Success: Sir Darren notes a common trait among highly successful individuals: "the more successful you are, the more accessible you are" [39:04]. This is because they work on their businesses, not in them, delegating daily operations to integrators [39:21]. This allows them to respond quickly and focus on high-level strategy.

* Implication: True success often comes with increased responsiveness and a focus on strategic oversight, rather than getting bogged down in minutiae.

* Application: Evaluate where you spend your time. Are you working in your business (day-to-day tasks) or on your business (strategy, vision, growth)? Look for opportunities to delegate and focus on high-impact activities.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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From Moving Mishaps to Marketplace Magic: The AirTasker Story

Ever been stuck trying to move a couch, assemble furniture, or tackle a random task and wished you had a superhero on speed dial? That's exactly how, Co-Founder & CEO, Tim Fung felt back in 2011, and it sparked an idea that would become AirTasker – a platform connecting people who need help with those ready to roll up their sleeves and get things done tasks.

In this episode, I chat with Tim about the journey of building AirTasker, and it's packed with insights for anyone dreaming of creating their own marketplace, betting on themselves, brand building or just fascinated by the gig economy.

Key Takeaways for the Hustlers and Dreamers:

* Patience is a Virtue (Especially in Marketplaces): Building a platform that connects supply and demand takes time. You need enough "taskers" and enough "customers" to create a thriving ecosystem. [03:20], [03:31]

* Be Uniquely You: AirTasker isn't trying to be the "Uber" of everything. They're all about community, letting anyone be a customer or a tasker. [06:43], [07:32], [07:44] They're also "infinitely horizontal," meaning you can find help for almost anything legal.

* Humans > Robots (Sometimes): While AI has its place (more on that later), AirTasker emphasizes the value of human skills and craftsmanship. [14:30], [14:40] People want to connect with people.

* AI as Your Co-Pilot: AirTasker uses AI to help people describe their tasks better, leading to clearer instructions for taskers. [21:43], [21:49] Think of it as AI helping humans communicate more effectively. Clarifying the need and the task :).

* Brand Love is Real: Building a strong brand creates lasting relationships. It's not just about getting clicks; it's about being top-of-mind when someone needs a hand. AirTasker is synonymous with getting things done. [30:28], [31:02], [32:12]

* Loyalty Pays (Literally): AirTasker realized that rewarding repeat business with lower fees keeps users coming back. [26:34], [26:51] It's like a "thank you" for sticking around.

So, What's in it for You?

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a side-hustler, or just someone who occasionally needs a helping hand, AirTasker's story offers some compelling takeaways:

* For the Entrepreneur: Don't be afraid to think outside the box and build a platform that reflects your values. What makes you different?

* For the Side-Hustler: Your skills are valuable! AirTasker shows that people are willing to pay for quality and reliability, not just the lowest price. Monetize your downtime. [16:48], [17:27]

* For Everyone: There's a certain magic in connecting with someone who can solve a problem for you. It's about community, convenience, and getting things done.

Want the Full Story?

This is just a taste of the conversation between me and Tim. To dive deeper into the world of AirTasker, hear more about their F1 partnership, and discover the surprising tasks people are requesting around the world (negative juju removal, anyone?), tune into the full episode on your favorite podcast platform!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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A message from our sponsor:

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They are making a concerted effort to do good while doing well!

In my most recent episode of the Worthy for Thirty podcast, I sat down with Jamie Hess, a podcast host, TV personality, fitness influencer, and former publicist, to share her incredible journey and insights on building a personal brand and cultivating gratitude. Jamie's story is one of resilience, transformation, and empowerment, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to define their identity, overcome challenges, and create a life of purpose and impact.

Thanks to the power of relationships — I heard about Jamie through WeGotThis.org Founder, Elissa Kalver

From Addiction to Inspiration

Jamie openly shares her past struggles with addiction, describing it as her "gift of desperation" that ultimately led her to recovery and a profound transformation. Through recovery, she discovered the power of wellness, mindset, and gratitude, which became the cornerstones of her personal philosophy and brand.

“Those who have been to the darkest places see the light that much brighter.” - Jamie Hess

Jamie's journey highlights that true gratitude isn't just about listing things you're thankful for; it's a practice that can transform your life. She trademarked the term "Gratitudeology" to emphasize the study and practice of gratitude as a way of life. It’s also the name of her podcast.

“Gratitude is the heartbeat of happiness.” - Jamie Hess

Building a Powerful Personal Brand

Jamie is a strong advocate for personal branding, believing that everyone is a personal brand, regardless of their profession. She emphasizes that your personal brand is defined by your missions, values, and how you present yourself to the world.

“Every day you wake up, you decide what are you putting forward to the world?” - Jamie Hess

For those who aspire to build a personal brand and work with other brands, Jamie offers practical advice and coaching through her program, Brand Ninja. She stresses the importance of authenticity, creating value, and building mutually beneficial partnerships.

“If you look at it all and you kind of take it one click out and it's and you're truly geeking out on the brand partnership and you're asking yourself like, ‘How can I use this partnership to make people's lives better?’” - Jamie Hess

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Your Potential

Jamie believes that imposter syndrome is a common challenge, but it can be overcome by recognizing your strengths, seeking guidance, and having a mindset of "figureoutability". She encourages listeners to silence their inner critic and embrace their ability to learn and grow.

“My toxic trait is I...pretty much believe I could do anything.” - Jamie Hess

Key Learning and how you can implement Jamie’s advice:

* Gratitude is a Practice: Don't just list what you're grateful for; actively cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your daily life.

* Actionable step: Jamie learned in recovery to take accountability, live with intention, and practice gratitude daily. This can be applied by incorporating a daily gratitude reflection into your routine, focusing on your integrity, and taking responsibility for your actions.

* Embrace Your Personal Brand: Recognize that you are a personal brand and define your missions, values, and how you want to present yourself to the world.

* Actionable step: Jamie coaches women to define who they are, especially after experiencing life changes that cause them to lose their identity. This can be applied by taking time for self-reflection to reconnect with your core values, passions, and aspirations, and then aligning your actions with them.

* Turn Obstacles into Opportunities: Reframe your perspective to see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.

* Actionable step: Jamie's experience with addiction became a catalyst for her transformation and success. This can be applied by reframing your challenges and looking for the hidden opportunities and lessons within them. Find the silver lining!

* Don't Let Fear Hold You Back: Overcome imposter syndrome by believing in your ability to figure things out and taking action despite your fears.

* Actionable step: Jamie's "figureoutable" mindset empowers her to take on new challenges and learn along the way. This can be applied by adopting a growth mindset, embracing challenges as learning opportunities, and taking small steps forward even when you feel uncertain. Build the parachute on the way down!

* Invest in Yourself and Seek Support: Don't hesitate to invest in coaching or seek support to help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

* Actionable Anecdote: Jamie emphasizes the value of coaching and mentorship, she has a coach too. This can be applied by seeking out mentors or coaches who can provide guidance, support, and accountability as you work towards your goals.

Embrace Your Worth and Create Your Miracle

Jamie Hess's story is a powerful reminder that everyone has the potential to overcome challenges, define their identity, and create a life of purpose and impact. By practicing gratitude, embracing your personal brand, and believing in yourself, you can unlock your true worth and achieve your dreams.

“Don't quit one second before the miracle happens.” - Jamie Hess

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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A message from our sponsor:

If you're looking for a stress-free way to buy or lease your next car, look no further! The Car Guys let you skip the dealership hassle and shop online or over the phone, with delivery right to your door. They offer a wide selection of new vehicles and can save you time, money, and effort. Plus, their personalized service makes the whole process a breeze. I’m on my 4th car with their CEO, Edwin and his team.

Ditch the dealership and head to wearethecarguys.com today! Use my referral code to get the best price on your next vehicle!

They are making a concerted effort to do good while doing well!

Episode Overview: In this inspiring episode of Worthy for Thirty, I welcome Nicole Portwood, a marketing leader and creative visionary whose career spans iconic brands like Tito’s, PepsiCo, and Live Nation. Nicole shares her unconventional career journey, the power of manifesting aspirations, and how a culture of creativity and humanity drives real business success.

Key Takeaways:

* Manifesting Success Starts with Clarity and Community

* Nicole emphasizes that true success begins with believing in your vision and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who can help bring it to life.

* She shares how simply talking about her aspirations—like serving on a nonprofit board—opened doors she never expected, proving that putting energy into the world brings opportunities back.

* The Courage to Pivot and Follow Passion

* Nicole’s journey began in theater and philosophy, aiming for Broadway, only to realize that it wasn’t fulfilling. She pivoted into marketing, discovering the magic of blending creativity with business.

* Her leap from acting to building marketing powerhouses showcases the importance of adaptability and staying open to unexpected opportunities.

* Leadership Rooted in Humanity and Creativity

* One of Nicole’s strongest beliefs is in being "ruthlessly human"—bringing authenticity, curiosity, and kindness into leadership.

* She highlights how fostering creativity within organizations, from startups to corporate giants like PepsiCo, leads to innovation and competitive advantage.

* Her "What If Days" at PepsiCo encouraged cross-functional teams to bring bold ideas forward, resulting in groundbreaking initiatives like the largest e-sports nonprofit partnership in the company's history.

* Breaking the Box: Rethinking Job Descriptions

* Nicole challenges the traditional hiring model, advocating for hiring based on potential, creativity, and problem-solving rather than rigid job descriptions.

* She shares how at Tito’s, hiring outside of the traditional spirits industry led to disruptive and successful marketing campaigns, including the widely successful Vodka for Dog People initiative.

* Embracing Failure and Experimentation

* True innovation comes from taking risks. Nicole encourages leaders to allow teams to experiment, learn from failures, and embrace new ways of thinking.

* "If you can prove an idea will work before you do it, then it’s probably already been done," she says, advocating for bold moves in business.

* Writing the Future: A Book on Leadership

* Nicole is currently working on a book focused on bringing love, joy, and humanity back into leadership, proving that heart-driven leadership delivers powerful business results.

* She aims to provide actionable steps for leaders at all levels to create cultures of openness, creativity, and purpose.

"The things that come back to you are often the things that serve you best. If you have to force something, it may not be the right path." - Nicole Portwood

Final Thoughts: Nicole’s journey is a testament to the power of belief, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who elevate you, and the courage to take unconventional paths. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone navigating career transitions, her insights will inspire you to dream big, act boldly, and lead with humanity.

Connect with Nicole:

* LinkedIn: Nicole Portwood

* Email: nicole.portwood@gmail.com

Subscribe & Stay Inspired: Don’t forget to subscribe to Worthy for Thirty for more conversations that empower you to create meaningful impact in your career and community.

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Introducing the show’s new sponsor: The Car Guys.

If you're looking for a stress-free way to buy or lease your next car, look no further! The Car Guys let you skip the dealership hassle and shop online or over the phone, with delivery right to your door. They offer a wide selection of new vehicles and can save you time, money, and effort. Plus, their personalized service makes the whole process a breeze. I’m on my 4th car with their CEO, Edwin and his team.

Ditch the dealership and head to wearethecarguys.com today! Use my referral code to get the best price on your next vehicle!

They are making a concerted effort to do good while doing well!

They have 4.9/5 stars on Google!

Ever wondered how everyday people can become angel investors and create positive change?

Join me on the Worthy for Thirty podcast as I sit down with Marcia Dawood, angel investor, author, and podcast host. We'll explore the world of angel investing, uncovering its potential for making a real difference. Discover how you can get involved, support exciting startups, and help shape a better future. You’ll want to lean in and learn more!

Demystifying Angel Investing

Marcia breaks down the concept of angel investing, explaining how it provides an opportunity for individuals to use their own money to invest in early-stage companies, fostering innovation and driving social impact.

Marcia's Journey: From Corporate America to Angel Investing

Marcia shares her personal journey, transitioning from a career in corporate America to becoming an angel investor.

The Power of Investing in Underrepresented Groups

Marcia highlights the importance of investing in women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups, emphasizing the need for greater accessibility and education in angel investing.

Equity Crowdfunding: Democratizing Angel Investing

Marcia discusses the rise of equity crowdfunding, which allows individuals to invest as little as $50 in startups, providing a more accessible entry point into angel investing.

Investing in Funds: Diversifying Your Portfolio

Marcia advocates for investing in funds as a way to diversify your angel investing portfolio, providing exposure to a wider range of companies with a single investment.

Impact Investing: Aligning Values with Returns

Marcia challenges the misconception that impact investing and financial returns are mutually exclusive, emphasizing the potential for both.

The Future of Angel Investing

Marcia shares her predictions for the future of angel investing, envisioning a more democratized and accessible landscape where anyone can participate in the private markets.

Key Takeaways

* Angel investing is an accessible way to support innovation and drive positive change.

* Investing in underrepresented groups is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.

* Equity crowdfunding has democratized angel investing, making it more accessible to a wider range of individuals.

* Investing in funds provides diversification and reduces risk in angel investing.

* Impact investing and financial returns can go hand-in-hand.

* The future of angel investing is bright, with a more democratized and accessible landscape on the horizon.

* Read Marcia’s book: Do Good While Doing Well: Invest for Change, Reap Financial Rewards, and Increase Your Happiness

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com

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