Founders In LA
Ethan Cole, PhD
Welcome to "Founders In LA," a captivating podcast series hosted by Ethan Cole, PhD, where innovation meets inspiration in the bustling heart of Los Angeles. Each episode dives deep into the stories of the city’s most pioneering entrepreneurs, providing listeners with exclusive insights into their journeys, challenges, and victories. Ethan Cole brings a unique perspective to the table, blending academic rigor with real-world business acumen to explore the many facets of entrepreneurship and startup culture in the City of Angels. From tech innovators to creative disruptors, "Founders In LA" offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build and sustain a successful business in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned executive, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial landscape, this podcast promises to engage, educate, and inspire. Join us as we uncover the stories of determination, innovation, and success that define LA’s business scene.
Episodes
Mastering Your Cap Table with Joshua Lee of Ardius
In this episode of "Founders in LA," host Ethan Cole discusses with Joshua Lee, the CEO of Ardius, the critical aspects of managing cap tables and optimizing tax credits for startups. Lee shares his journey from a seasoned CPA to a startup founder, emphasizing the need for understanding and leveraging tax codes and deductions effectively. Ardius, born out of necessity within his venture studio, uses algorithms to identify unclaimed tax credits and deductions, potentially saving companies significant amounts in taxes. Lee highlights the importance of having a robust understanding of one's cap table, ensuring founders and early employees understand their equity stakes and the implications of dilution.
From Basement Cold Calls to Beverage Bosses: The Tequio Story
In an enlightening session with Ethan Cole on "Founders in LA," guests Louis Pascal Walsh and Flick Moradian share their transition from mundane careers to pioneering the canned cocktail space with Tequio, a brand that stands out for its high-quality, additive-free tequila. Starting with experiments in fermented coconut water, they pivoted to tequila after realizing its market potential, particularly within health-conscious consumers. The narrative is packed with gritty details of their bootstrap journey—from relentless cold calling and impromptu meetings in Mexico to secure tequila suppliers, to their strategies of persistence and ingenuity in branding and distribution. They provide an authentic glimpse into the life of start-up founders, underpinned by a strong belief in their product and innovative approach to overcoming industry barriers.
Transforming Podcast Discoverability with Lucas Dickey and Deepcast.fm
In an engaging discussion with Ethan Cole on the "Founders in LA" podcast, Lucas Dickey, CEO and co-founder of Deepcast.fm, delves into the complexities and innovations of podcast discoverability. Deepcast.fm leverages AI to enhance the way listeners connect with podcast content, moving beyond traditional methods like RSS feeds. Lucas describes the platform as a tool that not only aids in discovering new podcasts but also helps listeners navigate to specific content that aligns with their interests, solving the "analysis paralysis" many face with abundant choices. The conversation also touches on the global growth of podcast listening, the technological underpinnings of podcast platforms, and future trends in the industry.
Crafting Community Over Cuisine with Zack Oliver and Founder's Table
In this episode of "Founders in LA," host Ethan Cole interviews Zack Oliver, who has initiated an innovative community-building project called Founder's Table. Oliver, who recently relocated to LA, shares his journey of establishing intimate dinner gatherings for local entrepreneurs. These dinners serve not just as social events but as a platform for founders to share knowledge, resources, and support, creating a communal atmosphere often missing in the entrepreneurial landscape. The discussion highlights the organic growth of Founder's Table, its impact on the participants, and Oliver's vision for its future. The episode encapsulates the essence of community over cuisine, where food becomes a medium for trust-building and networking among like-minded individuals.
From Concept to Combat: Scaling New Heights in AR Gaming with Jadu
Ethan Cole hosts Jack Gerard and Jake Sally from Jadu on the "Founders in LA" podcast. They discuss Jadu's journey in the AR gaming industry, emphasizing their mobile fighting game that blends real-world environments with digital interactions. The game features avatar-based combat within the player's immediate surroundings, using the phone's camera to integrate gameplay into the real world. The discussion delves into technical challenges, the evolution of their AR technology, and how they balance game design with the constraints of mobile devices. They also cover Jadu's company culture, their iterative design process, and strategic decisions that have shaped the game's development.
Feedback-Fueled Innovation: Prodhub.ai's Strategic Leap in Product Management
In this podcast episode, Ethan Cole hosts Sumit Rana, CEO of Prodhub.ai, to discuss the evolution of their product management tool. Initially created to automate mundane tasks for product managers, Prodhub.ai has evolved to incorporate strategic elements such as product discovery, strategy, and an opportunity dashboard based on customer feedback. This tool helps product managers not just execute tasks but also strategically plan and validate their decisions using AI-driven insights. Sumit emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in refining and expanding their service offerings, highlighting a shift from tactical to strategic product management support.