60 acast.com Built In America https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america en Sam Mahmood Scaling a Business, Business-Minded, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs, Buying a business, Building a business, American business, American dream, Kickstart a Business, Small Businesses, Investment Strategies, Wealth Building, Investment Opportunities Sam Mahmood Starting a business is exciting, but it's anything but straightforward. Having a great idea is just the beginning — what really matters are the decisions you make and the pivots along the way. That’s where Built In America comes in. A podcast that explores the real and raw experiences behind entrepreneurial success, broken down from the very beginning. Hosted by Sam Mahmood, a self-made entrepreneur raised by immigrant parents, who has skillfully raised funds to acquire businesses across America. Sam interviews guests who have built and bought some of the most fascinating and successful companies across the U.S.


It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, thinking of buying a business, or somewhere in the messy middle, Built In America is for those ready to delve into the business of building something big and be inspired by those who have built it, bought it, and made it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Starting a business is exciting, but it's anything but straightforward. Having a great idea is just the beginning — what really matters are the decisions you make and the pivots along the way. That’s where Built In America comes in. A podcast that explores the real and raw experiences behind entrepreneurial success, broken down from the very beginning. Hosted by Sam Mahmood, a self-made entrepreneur raised by immigrant parents, who has skillfully raised funds to acquire businesses across America. Sam interviews guests who have built and bought some of the most fascinating and successful companies across the U.S.


It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, thinking of buying a business, or somewhere in the messy middle, Built In America is for those ready to delve into the business of building something big and be inspired by those who have built it, bought it, and made it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Sam Mahmood michelle@thepeersproject.com 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 built-in-america episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1734477088122-9d3a2783-dfe4-4b93-91a1-5b201a0c09ca.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america Built In America How Brett Rose Built UNCS into a Global Wholesale Powerhouse How Brett Rose Built UNCS into a Global Wholesale Powerhouse Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT 38:01 68dfb2cb043c361f82d3b8ad false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/how-brett-rose-built-uncs-into-a-global-wholesale-powerhouse 68dfb2cb043c361f82d3b8ad 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 how-brett-rose-built-uncs-into-a-global-wholesale-powerhouse full 1 39 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Brett Rose, founder and CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers (UNCS), to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned while scaling one of the nation’s leading wholesale distributors. From navigating market challenges to building a resilient company culture, Brett shares how relationships—not profits—have been the driving force behind his success.


He opens up about the personal health challenges that reshaped his leadership style, the importance of hiring the right talent, and the role of organizations like YPO in fostering growth and perspective. Brett also reflects on the balance between ambition and humility, the hard truths of entrepreneurship, and why philanthropy and giving back are central to his future vision.


Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone seeking inspiration from a story of resilience and authenticity, this episode offers valuable insights into building a business—and a life—with purpose.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Brett Rose, founder and CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers (UNCS), to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned while scaling one of the nation’s leading wholesale distributors. From navigating market challenges to building a resilient company culture, Brett shares how relationships—not profits—have been the driving force behind his success.


He opens up about the personal health challenges that reshaped his leadership style, the importance of hiring the right talent, and the role of organizations like YPO in fostering growth and perspective. Brett also reflects on the balance between ambition and humility, the hard truths of entrepreneurship, and why philanthropy and giving back are central to his future vision.


Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone seeking inspiration from a story of resilience and authenticity, this episode offers valuable insights into building a business—and a life—with purpose.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Business Behind Celebrity Tours: Dreamliner CEO Rich Thomson Breaks It Down The Business Behind Celebrity Tours: Dreamliner CEO Rich Thomson Breaks It Down Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 41:38 68d69c3b136216b12fb8b070 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/business-behind-celebrity-tours-dreamliner-ceo-rich-thomson 68d69c3b136216b12fb8b070 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 business-behind-celebrity-tours-dreamliner-ceo-rich-thomson full 1 38 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Rich Thomson, CEO of Dreamliner, to explore how a transportation startup launched during the height of COVID-19 has grown into a key player in live entertainment logistics. From purchasing his first 12 buses in 2020 to scaling through acquisitions, Rich shares how Dreamliner became the backbone of celebrity tours and live events across the country.


He reflects on the challenges of breaking into an industry built on trust and relationships, from navigating labor and maintenance shortages to reshaping an entire management team to align with his vision. Rich also dives into the importance of company culture, the complexities of music touring, and why diversification into sports and other sectors represents the next stage of growth.


Whether you’re curious about live entertainment, entrepreneurship, or the grit required to scale a company in one of the toughest industries to enter, this episode offers an inside look at building Dreamliner—and the leadership philosophy driving it forward.


Let’s keep building…


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Rich Thomson, CEO of Dreamliner, to explore how a transportation startup launched during the height of COVID-19 has grown into a key player in live entertainment logistics. From purchasing his first 12 buses in 2020 to scaling through acquisitions, Rich shares how Dreamliner became the backbone of celebrity tours and live events across the country.


He reflects on the challenges of breaking into an industry built on trust and relationships, from navigating labor and maintenance shortages to reshaping an entire management team to align with his vision. Rich also dives into the importance of company culture, the complexities of music touring, and why diversification into sports and other sectors represents the next stage of growth.


Whether you’re curious about live entertainment, entrepreneurship, or the grit required to scale a company in one of the toughest industries to enter, this episode offers an inside look at building Dreamliner—and the leadership philosophy driving it forward.


Let’s keep building…


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Lab to Table: Wildtype’s Vision for the Future of Seafood From Lab to Table: Wildtype’s Vision for the Future of Seafood Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:36:35 GMT 41:12 68d142d3203f72ea574e582a false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/from-lab-to-table-wildtypes-vision-for-the-future-of-seafood 68d142d3203f72ea574e582a 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 from-lab-to-table-wildtypes-vision-for-the-future-of-seafood full 1 37 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Justin Kolbeck, co-founder and CEO of Wild Type, to explore how cellular agriculture is reshaping the future of seafood. From cultivated salmon fillets to rethinking America’s reliance on imports, Justin shares how Wild Type is pioneering a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable approach to what ends up on our plates.


He reflects on the challenges of building a science-driven startup, from early experiments to gaining validation through chef tastings, and opens up about navigating the realities of fundraising in a capital-intensive industry. Justin also dives into the balance between product perfection and market readiness, the importance of authenticity with investors, and why dilution can sometimes be the right trade-off for growth.


Whether you’re interested in food tech, sustainability, or the entrepreneurial grit behind bringing revolutionary products to market, this episode offers an inside look at the future of seafood—and the bold vision driving it forward.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Justin Kolbeck, co-founder and CEO of Wild Type, to explore how cellular agriculture is reshaping the future of seafood. From cultivated salmon fillets to rethinking America’s reliance on imports, Justin shares how Wild Type is pioneering a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable approach to what ends up on our plates.


He reflects on the challenges of building a science-driven startup, from early experiments to gaining validation through chef tastings, and opens up about navigating the realities of fundraising in a capital-intensive industry. Justin also dives into the balance between product perfection and market readiness, the importance of authenticity with investors, and why dilution can sometimes be the right trade-off for growth.


Whether you’re interested in food tech, sustainability, or the entrepreneurial grit behind bringing revolutionary products to market, this episode offers an inside look at the future of seafood—and the bold vision driving it forward.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Why Jordan Nathan Launched Caraway to Reinvent the Kitchen Why Jordan Nathan Launched Caraway to Reinvent the Kitchen Mon, 15 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 35:59 68bacb51f8dc6bde384d9ff8 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/why-jordan-nathan-launched-caraway-to-reinvent-the-kitchen 68bacb51f8dc6bde384d9ff8 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 why-jordan-nathan-launched-caraway-to-reinvent-the-kitchen full 1 36 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Jordan Nathan, Founder and CEO of Caraway, to discuss how a personal health scare led him to create one of today’s most trusted cookware brands. Jordan shares how Caraway disrupted the kitchen market with non-toxic, eco-friendly, and beautifully designed products—quickly building a 150,000+ waitlist at launch and scaling into a household name.


He also opens up about the challenges of breaking into a legacy industry, the importance of intentional design, and what it takes to build consumer trust in a crowded market.


Whether you’re a founder, a product designer, or simply passionate about healthier living, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a category-defining brand from the ground up.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Jordan Nathan, Founder and CEO of Caraway, to discuss how a personal health scare led him to create one of today’s most trusted cookware brands. Jordan shares how Caraway disrupted the kitchen market with non-toxic, eco-friendly, and beautifully designed products—quickly building a 150,000+ waitlist at launch and scaling into a household name.


He also opens up about the challenges of breaking into a legacy industry, the importance of intentional design, and what it takes to build consumer trust in a crowded market.


Whether you’re a founder, a product designer, or simply passionate about healthier living, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a category-defining brand from the ground up.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Beachbody to BODi: Carl Daikeler’s Fitness Tech Reinvention From Beachbody to BODi: Carl Daikeler’s Fitness Tech Reinvention Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 38:05 68bac546f8dc6bde384c64dd false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/beachbody-to-bodi-carl-daikelers-fitness-tech-reinvention 68bac546f8dc6bde384c64dd 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 beachbody-to-bodi-carl-daikelers-fitness-tech-reinvention full 1 35 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Carl Daikeler, founder and CEO of Body (formerly Beachbody), to explore what it takes to build a fitness movement that transforms millions of lives. Carl shares the evolution of his company—from the early days of infomercials to launching one of the most successful at-home fitness programs in history, P90X, and reimagining it for a digital world.


He opens up about the psychology of change, why transformation starts with identity, and how having a step-by-step plan is critical to making progress stick. Carl also breaks down the power of marketing in fitness, how Body continuously tests and improves its programs, and the moments that made him realize the real impact of his work.

Whether you're passionate about health, entrepreneurship, or the mindset behind reinvention, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a bold vision—and a whole lot of discipline—can change bodies, businesses, and lives.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Carl Daikeler, founder and CEO of Body (formerly Beachbody), to explore what it takes to build a fitness movement that transforms millions of lives. Carl shares the evolution of his company—from the early days of infomercials to launching one of the most successful at-home fitness programs in history, P90X, and reimagining it for a digital world.


He opens up about the psychology of change, why transformation starts with identity, and how having a step-by-step plan is critical to making progress stick. Carl also breaks down the power of marketing in fitness, how Body continuously tests and improves its programs, and the moments that made him realize the real impact of his work.

Whether you're passionate about health, entrepreneurship, or the mindset behind reinvention, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a bold vision—and a whole lot of discipline—can change bodies, businesses, and lives.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Climate Crisis to Software Solution: Inside Watershed with Co-founder Christian Anderson From Climate Crisis to Software Solution: Inside Watershed with Co-founder Christian Anderson Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT 32:08 68b1d30c993d10acb9c4a2d9 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/climate-software-solution-watershed-christian-anderson 68b1d30c993d10acb9c4a2d9 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 climate-software-solution-watershed-christian-anderson full 1 34 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Christian Anderson, co-founder of Watershed, to discuss building one of the most ambitious climate software companies out there. Christian shares the story behind Watershed’s founding and how a mission to reduce global carbon emissions turned into an enterprise-grade platform serving major companies worldwide.


He dives into the role of software and AI in tackling climate change, the importance of enterprise partnerships, and how data can drive meaningful environmental action. Christian also reflects on lessons from fundraising, scaling impact, and what it takes to help decarbonize the global economy.


Whether you're interested in sustainability, climate innovation, or building mission-driven companies, this episode offers an inside look at the future of climate tech—and the leaders working to shape it.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Christian Anderson, co-founder of Watershed, to discuss building one of the most ambitious climate software companies out there. Christian shares the story behind Watershed’s founding and how a mission to reduce global carbon emissions turned into an enterprise-grade platform serving major companies worldwide.


He dives into the role of software and AI in tackling climate change, the importance of enterprise partnerships, and how data can drive meaningful environmental action. Christian also reflects on lessons from fundraising, scaling impact, and what it takes to help decarbonize the global economy.


Whether you're interested in sustainability, climate innovation, or building mission-driven companies, this episode offers an inside look at the future of climate tech—and the leaders working to shape it.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Future of Workspaces: Industrious President Anna Squires-Levine Breaks It Down The Future of Workspaces: Industrious President Anna Squires-Levine Breaks It Down Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT 37:31 689f24ce290bdec8f9753ec1 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/future-of-workspaces-industrious-president-anna-squires 689f24ce290bdec8f9753ec1 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 future-of-workspaces-industrious-president-anna-squires full 1 33 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Anna Squires-Levine, President of Industrious, to discuss her unconventional path to leading one of the largest co-working companies in the U.S. Anna shares how Industrious scaled by moving away from traditional leases and forming innovative landlord partnerships—creating hospitality-driven workspaces designed for the hybrid era.


She also opens up about leadership, building a culture of belonging, and the company’s commitment to community through nonprofit initiatives.


Whether you're an entrepreneur, real estate operator, or curious about the future of work, this episode offers an inside look at building a workspace brand people are proud to be part of.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Anna Squires-Levine, President of Industrious, to discuss her unconventional path to leading one of the largest co-working companies in the U.S. Anna shares how Industrious scaled by moving away from traditional leases and forming innovative landlord partnerships—creating hospitality-driven workspaces designed for the hybrid era.


She also opens up about leadership, building a culture of belonging, and the company’s commitment to community through nonprofit initiatives.


Whether you're an entrepreneur, real estate operator, or curious about the future of work, this episode offers an inside look at building a workspace brand people are proud to be part of.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Ryan Chen Built Neuro Gum into a Viral Wellness Brand How Ryan Chen Built Neuro Gum into a Viral Wellness Brand Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT 45:21 689f2121290bdec8f973bce2 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/how-ryan-chen-built-neuro-gum-into-a-viral-wellness-brand 689f2121290bdec8f973bce2 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 how-ryan-chen-built-neuro-gum-into-a-viral-wellness-brand full 1 32 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Ryan Chen, co-founder of Neuro Gum, to unpack the journey behind one of the most recognizable energy gum brands in the market. Ryan shares how a college friendship sparked the idea for Neuro Gum, and how the combination of caffeine and L-theanine helped create a functional product that enhances focus and energy.


Ryan dives into the realities of building a consumer brand—navigating legal hurdles, going viral on TikTok and the Joe Rogan podcast, and developing strategic partnerships with figures like Steve Aoki. He also shares lessons on funding, operations, and the power of branding and consumer education.


This conversation is a deep dive into modern entrepreneurship, scaling a wellness product, and building a business that blends innovation with impact.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Ryan Chen, co-founder of Neuro Gum, to unpack the journey behind one of the most recognizable energy gum brands in the market. Ryan shares how a college friendship sparked the idea for Neuro Gum, and how the combination of caffeine and L-theanine helped create a functional product that enhances focus and energy.


Ryan dives into the realities of building a consumer brand—navigating legal hurdles, going viral on TikTok and the Joe Rogan podcast, and developing strategic partnerships with figures like Steve Aoki. He also shares lessons on funding, operations, and the power of branding and consumer education.


This conversation is a deep dive into modern entrepreneurship, scaling a wellness product, and building a business that blends innovation with impact.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Backing Self-Funded Searchers: Inside Grant Hensel’s Investment Strategy Backing Self-Funded Searchers: Inside Grant Hensel’s Investment Strategy Mon, 11 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT 43:51 6894b5c0c952cf5978048893 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/self-funded-searchers-grant-hensels-investment-strategy 6894b5c0c952cf5978048893 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 self-funded-searchers-grant-hensels-investment-strategy full 1 31 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Grant Hensel, Managing Partner at Entrepreneurial Capital and Founder of Nonprofit Megaphone, to explore his journey across a range of ventures—from digital marketing to e-commerce. Grant shares how his passion for entrepreneurship was sparked in his youth and how, over the years, he's launched multiple businesses—some that failed, others acquired, and a few still thriving today.


He dives into the self-funded search model, explains how he and his wife acquired and scaled a business together, and shares the values that guide his investment decisions. The conversation also touches on Sam’s role in Grant’s entrepreneurial evolution, his recipe for founder-investor alignment, and the lasting influence Warren Buffett has had on his philosophy as both a leader and investor.


Whether you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring acquirer, this episode offers a rare inside look at the mindset and strategy behind scaling sustainable, operator-led businesses.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

  • Instagram: @TheSamMahmood
  • Twitter: @TheSamMahmood_
  • LinkedIn: Sam Mahmood


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Grant Hensel, Managing Partner at Entrepreneurial Capital and Founder of Nonprofit Megaphone, to explore his journey across a range of ventures—from digital marketing to e-commerce. Grant shares how his passion for entrepreneurship was sparked in his youth and how, over the years, he's launched multiple businesses—some that failed, others acquired, and a few still thriving today.


He dives into the self-funded search model, explains how he and his wife acquired and scaled a business together, and shares the values that guide his investment decisions. The conversation also touches on Sam’s role in Grant’s entrepreneurial evolution, his recipe for founder-investor alignment, and the lasting influence Warren Buffett has had on his philosophy as both a leader and investor.


Whether you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring acquirer, this episode offers a rare inside look at the mindset and strategy behind scaling sustainable, operator-led businesses.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

  • Instagram: @TheSamMahmood
  • Twitter: @TheSamMahmood_
  • LinkedIn: Sam Mahmood


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Dave Sherwood is Disrupting the $10B Textbook Industry How Dave Sherwood is Disrupting the $10B Textbook Industry Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT 42:20 688cded5fc150bcf7f49d2f4 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/how-dave-sherwood-is-disrupting-the-10b-textbook-industry 688cded5fc150bcf7f49d2f4 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 how-dave-sherwood-is-disrupting-the-10b-textbook-industry full 1 30 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Dave Sherwood, CEO and co-founder of BibliU, to explore how he's transforming education by making textbooks more affordable and accessible. Dave shares the early missteps that led to BibliU’s pivot from a B2C to a B2B model, the complex challenges of breaking into the U.S. market, and how AI is reshaping the future of educational publishing.


Dave opens up about navigating layoffs, maintaining leadership through tough decisions, and balancing growth with profitability in a venture-backed company. He also reflects on the personal evolution required to build a company over a decade—discussing the mindset shifts, leadership coaching, and philosophical reflections that continue to shape his journey.


Join us for a candid look at the business of education, the pressures of scale, and what it takes to lead with clarity and conviction in a rapidly changing world.


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Dave Sherwood, CEO and co-founder of BibliU, to explore how he's transforming education by making textbooks more affordable and accessible. Dave shares the early missteps that led to BibliU’s pivot from a B2C to a B2B model, the complex challenges of breaking into the U.S. market, and how AI is reshaping the future of educational publishing.


Dave opens up about navigating layoffs, maintaining leadership through tough decisions, and balancing growth with profitability in a venture-backed company. He also reflects on the personal evolution required to build a company over a decade—discussing the mindset shifts, leadership coaching, and philosophical reflections that continue to shape his journey.


Join us for a candid look at the business of education, the pressures of scale, and what it takes to lead with clarity and conviction in a rapidly changing world.


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Blake Hall Built ID.me After Serving as an Army Ranger How Blake Hall Built ID.me After Serving as an Army Ranger Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT 38:40 68752dbaf8babe38ae625dbc false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/how-blake-hall-built-idme-after-serving-as-an-army-ranger 68752dbaf8babe38ae625dbc 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 how-blake-hall-built-idme-after-serving-as-an-army-ranger full 1 29 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Blake Hall, co-founder and CEO of ID.me, to explore his remarkable journey from Army Ranger to tech entrepreneur. Blake shares how his experience in military service shaped his approach to leadership and ultimately inspired the creation of ID.me, a digital identity platform now used by tens of millions of Americans.


Blake opens up about the sacrifices required to build something meaningful, the importance of integrity in leadership, and what it means to navigate criticism while staying true to your mission. He also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for trusted identity verification and reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind for his children.


Join us for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose in building a company that’s changing the way we prove who we are.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Blake Hall, co-founder and CEO of ID.me, to explore his remarkable journey from Army Ranger to tech entrepreneur. Blake shares how his experience in military service shaped his approach to leadership and ultimately inspired the creation of ID.me, a digital identity platform now used by tens of millions of Americans.


Blake opens up about the sacrifices required to build something meaningful, the importance of integrity in leadership, and what it means to navigate criticism while staying true to your mission. He also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for trusted identity verification and reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind for his children.


Join us for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose in building a company that’s changing the way we prove who we are.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Frustration to Innovation: Kevin Lavelle and Charlie Hill on Launching Harbor From Frustration to Innovation: Kevin Lavelle and Charlie Hill on Launching Harbor Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT 47:17 68752aa0f8babe38ae611221 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/frustration-innovation-kevin-lavelle-charlie-hill-harbor 68752aa0f8babe38ae611221 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 frustration-innovation-kevin-lavelle-charlie-hill-harbor full 1 28 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Kevin Lavelle and Charlie Hill, co-founders of Harbor, a company reimagining baby monitoring for the modern parent. Kevin and Charlie share how their own experiences as fathers inspired them to build a smarter, safer solution for families—one that blends traditional baby monitoring with cutting-edge technology and remote patient monitoring capabilities.


They discuss the early challenges of hardware development, navigating the venture capital landscape, and how differentiation in a crowded market has been key to Harbor’s growth. The conversation also explores controversial marketing strategies, lessons from customer feedback, and the mental resilience required to lead a startup through uncertainty and high expectations.


Join us for a powerful conversation about parenthood, product innovation, and the relentless pursuit of building something that truly makes families’ lives better.


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Instagram: @TheSamMahmood

Twitter: @TheSamMahmood_

LinkedIn: Sam Mahmood


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Kevin Lavelle and Charlie Hill, co-founders of Harbor, a company reimagining baby monitoring for the modern parent. Kevin and Charlie share how their own experiences as fathers inspired them to build a smarter, safer solution for families—one that blends traditional baby monitoring with cutting-edge technology and remote patient monitoring capabilities.


They discuss the early challenges of hardware development, navigating the venture capital landscape, and how differentiation in a crowded market has been key to Harbor’s growth. The conversation also explores controversial marketing strategies, lessons from customer feedback, and the mental resilience required to lead a startup through uncertainty and high expectations.


Join us for a powerful conversation about parenthood, product innovation, and the relentless pursuit of building something that truly makes families’ lives better.


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Instagram: @TheSamMahmood

Twitter: @TheSamMahmood_

LinkedIn: Sam Mahmood


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Prenuvo Story: Andrew Lacy’s Vision for Preventive Health The Prenuvo Story: Andrew Lacy’s Vision for Preventive Health Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:50:42 GMT 40:57 686ff676610560d3ef04d608 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/the-prenuvo-story-andrew-lacy-vision-for-preventive-health 686ff676610560d3ef04d608 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 the-prenuvo-story-andrew-lacy-vision-for-preventive-health full 1 27 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Andrew Lacy, founder and CEO of Prenuvo, to explore his journey from practicing law in Australia to building a groundbreaking health tech company in Silicon Valley. Andrew shares how Prenuvo is reshaping the future of preventive healthcare through whole-body MRI scans and why the current model of reactive “sick care” is due for disruption.


He discusses the challenges of raising capital for transformative ideas, the importance of building a strong team culture, and how resilience and wellness play crucial roles in entrepreneurship. Andrew also reflects on what it means to be an entrepreneur in a high-pressure ecosystem and the impact of staying mission-driven in the face of uncertainty. 


Join us for a candid conversation about healthcare innovation, building a business with purpose, and what it takes to lead a company that’s putting health back into the hands of consumers.


Built in America listeners go to Prenuvo.com/BIA to get $300 off a scan at a Prenuvo near you.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Andrew Lacy, founder and CEO of Prenuvo, to explore his journey from practicing law in Australia to building a groundbreaking health tech company in Silicon Valley. Andrew shares how Prenuvo is reshaping the future of preventive healthcare through whole-body MRI scans and why the current model of reactive “sick care” is due for disruption.


He discusses the challenges of raising capital for transformative ideas, the importance of building a strong team culture, and how resilience and wellness play crucial roles in entrepreneurship. Andrew also reflects on what it means to be an entrepreneur in a high-pressure ecosystem and the impact of staying mission-driven in the face of uncertainty. 


Join us for a candid conversation about healthcare innovation, building a business with purpose, and what it takes to lead a company that’s putting health back into the hands of consumers.


Built in America listeners go to Prenuvo.com/BIA to get $300 off a scan at a Prenuvo near you.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Prototype to Pet Care Giant: Whisker’s Reinventing the Litter Box w/ President Jacob Zuppke From Prototype to Pet Care Giant: Whisker’s Reinventing the Litter Box w/ President Jacob Zuppke Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT 45:18 6867ae39fda411af711b04d7 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/pet-care-giant-whiskers-reinventing-litter-box-jacob-zuppke 6867ae39fda411af711b04d7 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 pet-care-giant-whiskers-reinventing-litter-box-jacob-zuppke full 1 26 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Jacob Zuppke, CEO of Whisker, the company behind the Litter-Robot—a self-cleaning litter box that’s redefining modern pet care. Jacob walks us through the early days of product innovation, the complexities of launching hardware, and how Whisker carved out a leading role in a competitive and fast-growing industry.


Jacob shares how influencer marketing, video storytelling, and a strong understanding of the consumer problem were key to Whisker’s growth. He also offers insight into navigating supply chain hurdles, adapting marketing strategies across platforms, and building a customer experience that drives loyalty and word-of-mouth.


Tune in for a candid look at building a consumer product brand, leading with vision and empathy, and what it takes to scale innovation while staying grounded in purpose.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Jacob Zuppke, CEO of Whisker, the company behind the Litter-Robot—a self-cleaning litter box that’s redefining modern pet care. Jacob walks us through the early days of product innovation, the complexities of launching hardware, and how Whisker carved out a leading role in a competitive and fast-growing industry.


Jacob shares how influencer marketing, video storytelling, and a strong understanding of the consumer problem were key to Whisker’s growth. He also offers insight into navigating supply chain hurdles, adapting marketing strategies across platforms, and building a customer experience that drives loyalty and word-of-mouth.


Tune in for a candid look at building a consumer product brand, leading with vision and empathy, and what it takes to scale innovation while staying grounded in purpose.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Inside Point Wild: Neil Feather on Acquisitions, Growth & the Cybersecurity Frontier]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 42:31 685d38b847311de1b6e68c7d false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/inside-point-wild-neil-feather-on-acquisitions-growth-the-cy 685d38b847311de1b6e68c7d 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 inside-point-wild-neil-feather-on-acquisitions-growth-the-cy full 1 25 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Neil Feather, president of Point Wild, to unpack his journey in building a cybersecurity company focused on protecting everyday consumers. Neil reflects on the evolution of cybersecurity, the realities of business growth through both acquisitions and organic strategy, and how to build a company with strong values at its core.


He shares insights into team building, navigating work-life balance, and the lessons he’s learned through multiple ventures. From defining company culture to understanding the true role of education in entrepreneurship, Neil offers practical takeaways for aspiring founders and seasoned operators alike.


Join us for an honest conversation on leadership, risk-taking, and what it takes to succeed in the fast-changing world of cybersecurity.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA=

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Neil Feather, president of Point Wild, to unpack his journey in building a cybersecurity company focused on protecting everyday consumers. Neil reflects on the evolution of cybersecurity, the realities of business growth through both acquisitions and organic strategy, and how to build a company with strong values at its core.


He shares insights into team building, navigating work-life balance, and the lessons he’s learned through multiple ventures. From defining company culture to understanding the true role of education in entrepreneurship, Neil offers practical takeaways for aspiring founders and seasoned operators alike.


Join us for an honest conversation on leadership, risk-taking, and what it takes to succeed in the fast-changing world of cybersecurity.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA=

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Shadi Bakour Built Path to Eliminate 600M+ Plastic Bottles How Shadi Bakour Built Path to Eliminate 600M+ Plastic Bottles Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:56:58 GMT 48:38 68540aa66800be9634084783 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/how-shadi-bakour-built-path-eliminate-600m-plastic-bottles 68540aa66800be9634084783 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 how-shadi-bakour-built-path-eliminate-600m-plastic-bottles full 1 24 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Shadi Bakour, co-founder and CEO of Path, to discuss his mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles through a sleek, reusable alternative. Shadi shares the origin story of Path, the inspiration behind its counterintuitive business model, and how early traction helped validate a bold idea in a competitive space. 


Shadi dives into the complexities of manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven consumer product. He also emphasizes the role of advisors, storytelling in fundraising, and why simplicity and persistence are key ingredients to building lasting impact. 


Join us for a compelling conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what it really takes to build a brand that blends profit with purpose.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Shadi Bakour, co-founder and CEO of Path, to discuss his mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles through a sleek, reusable alternative. Shadi shares the origin story of Path, the inspiration behind its counterintuitive business model, and how early traction helped validate a bold idea in a competitive space. 


Shadi dives into the complexities of manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven consumer product. He also emphasizes the role of advisors, storytelling in fundraising, and why simplicity and persistence are key ingredients to building lasting impact. 


Join us for a compelling conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what it really takes to build a brand that blends profit with purpose.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Vijay Ravindran Built Floreo: A Breakthrough VR Platform for Neurodiverse Learners How Vijay Ravindran Built Floreo: A Breakthrough VR Platform for Neurodiverse Learners Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 48:01 684c330cb903c43b04d77e70 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/vijay-ravindran-floreo-vr-platform-neurodiverse-learners 684c330cb903c43b04d77e70 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 vijay-ravindran-floreo-vr-platform-neurodiverse-learners full 1 23 In this episode, Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, shares how his background in tech and entrepreneurship led him to develop a virtual reality platform that’s transforming how we support neurodiverse learners. Floreo is an FDA-designated breakthrough device designed for individuals of any age and ability, operating at the cutting edge of healthcare, education, and immersive technology. 


Vijay discusses the unique challenges of building in a highly regulated space—from navigating FDA approval to scaling within a dual-market system that serves both clinical and educational settings. He also dives into the importance of team building, empathy in product design, and understanding the full patient and caregiver journey to create tools with real-world impact. 


Whether you're interested in neurodiversity, digital therapeutics, or the future of VR in medicine and learning, this conversation offers valuable insight into what it takes to build purpose-driven innovation that truly moves the needle.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode, Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, shares how his background in tech and entrepreneurship led him to develop a virtual reality platform that’s transforming how we support neurodiverse learners. Floreo is an FDA-designated breakthrough device designed for individuals of any age and ability, operating at the cutting edge of healthcare, education, and immersive technology. 


Vijay discusses the unique challenges of building in a highly regulated space—from navigating FDA approval to scaling within a dual-market system that serves both clinical and educational settings. He also dives into the importance of team building, empathy in product design, and understanding the full patient and caregiver journey to create tools with real-world impact. 


Whether you're interested in neurodiversity, digital therapeutics, or the future of VR in medicine and learning, this conversation offers valuable insight into what it takes to build purpose-driven innovation that truly moves the needle.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[From Middle School Friends to Fintech Founders: Kelly Littlepage & Stephen Johnson of OneChronos]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 34:06 6842b0e4c4b70577af7a2fad false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/fintech-kelly-littlepage-stephen-johnson-one-chronos 6842b0e4c4b70577af7a2fad 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 fintech-kelly-littlepage-stephen-johnson-one-chronos full 1 22 In this episode, Sam Mahmood interviews Kelly Littlepage and Stephen Johnson, co-founders of OneChronos, a trading platform built to reduce inefficiencies in capital markets. From childhood friends to fintech founders, they share how their shared curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo shaped their entrepreneurial journey.


They dive into the challenges of building a platform for institutional traders, the influence of Y Combinator, and the importance of maintaining strong investor relationships. Kelly and Stephen also discuss the value of sustainable growth, how hiring too fast can derail a company, and why focusing on long-term impact matters more than rapid scaling.


The conversation also touches on work-life balance, the power of complementary co-founder dynamics, and the importance of staying passionate in high-stakes industries. For anyone interested in startups, trading, or building something that lasts—this episode is a must-listen.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode, Sam Mahmood interviews Kelly Littlepage and Stephen Johnson, co-founders of OneChronos, a trading platform built to reduce inefficiencies in capital markets. From childhood friends to fintech founders, they share how their shared curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo shaped their entrepreneurial journey.


They dive into the challenges of building a platform for institutional traders, the influence of Y Combinator, and the importance of maintaining strong investor relationships. Kelly and Stephen also discuss the value of sustainable growth, how hiring too fast can derail a company, and why focusing on long-term impact matters more than rapid scaling.


The conversation also touches on work-life balance, the power of complementary co-founder dynamics, and the importance of staying passionate in high-stakes industries. For anyone interested in startups, trading, or building something that lasts—this episode is a must-listen.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[From Princeton Review to Noodle: John Katzman’s Blueprint for Education & Startup Success]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT 48:13 6839af75964166a365208e70 true https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/from-princeton-review-to-noodle-john-katzman 6839af75964166a365208e70 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 from-princeton-review-to-noodle-john-katzman full 1 21 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Katzman, renowned education entrepreneur and CEO of Noodle. Katzman shares his journey from founding Princeton Review to building Noodle, a platform reimagining the future of higher education. He unpacks what it takes to scale companies, the importance of risk-taking, and why solving real problems—not chasing trends—is the key to meaningful entrepreneurship.


John dives into the lessons he's learned across decades of building businesses, including how to evaluate startup ideas, manage capital partners, and build teams with low ego and high trust. He also explores the evolving role of technology in education, the need for lifelong learning, and what it really takes to lead with clarity and conviction.


Join us for a thoughtful conversation on innovation, leadership, and reshaping the way we learn and grow.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Katzman, renowned education entrepreneur and CEO of Noodle. Katzman shares his journey from founding Princeton Review to building Noodle, a platform reimagining the future of higher education. He unpacks what it takes to scale companies, the importance of risk-taking, and why solving real problems—not chasing trends—is the key to meaningful entrepreneurship.


John dives into the lessons he's learned across decades of building businesses, including how to evaluate startup ideas, manage capital partners, and build teams with low ego and high trust. He also explores the evolving role of technology in education, the need for lifelong learning, and what it really takes to lead with clarity and conviction.


Join us for a thoughtful conversation on innovation, leadership, and reshaping the way we learn and grow.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Web Designer to Tech CEO: Krystle Mobayeni’s BentoBox Journey From Web Designer to Tech CEO: Krystle Mobayeni’s BentoBox Journey Mon, 26 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT 46:15 6830972be57506ea97f26ace false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/web-designer-to-tech-ceo-krystle-mobayenis-bentobox-journey 6830972be57506ea97f26ace 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 web-designer-to-tech-ceo-krystle-mobayenis-bentobox-journey full 1 20 In this episode, Sam Mahmood sits down with Krystle Mobayeni, Co-Founder and CEO of BentoBox, to talk about her journey from web designer to tech entrepreneur. Krystle shares how a deep understanding of restaurant frustrations led to building BentoBox—a platform that empowers restaurants to control their digital presence beyond Yelp and OpenTable. They dive into the transition from agency work to product development, what it really takes to scale a business, and why capital partners must align with a founder's vision.


Krystle opens up about the power of storytelling in business, the importance of co-founder dynamics, and how a culture rooted in gratitude can build more resilient teams. She also touches on the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the role of happiness and self-awareness in leadership, and how physical spaces can fuel creativity and connection.


Whether you're building a startup, managing a team, or just curious about the intersection of tech and hospitality, this conversation is packed with wisdom on resilience, growth, and creating meaningful value.


Plus, be sure to check out Clover Hospitality by BentoBox, their newest launch built hand-in-hand with top restaurants to streamline their online services, in-house dining, and everything in between.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode, Sam Mahmood sits down with Krystle Mobayeni, Co-Founder and CEO of BentoBox, to talk about her journey from web designer to tech entrepreneur. Krystle shares how a deep understanding of restaurant frustrations led to building BentoBox—a platform that empowers restaurants to control their digital presence beyond Yelp and OpenTable. They dive into the transition from agency work to product development, what it really takes to scale a business, and why capital partners must align with a founder's vision.


Krystle opens up about the power of storytelling in business, the importance of co-founder dynamics, and how a culture rooted in gratitude can build more resilient teams. She also touches on the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the role of happiness and self-awareness in leadership, and how physical spaces can fuel creativity and connection.


Whether you're building a startup, managing a team, or just curious about the intersection of tech and hospitality, this conversation is packed with wisdom on resilience, growth, and creating meaningful value.


Plus, be sure to check out Clover Hospitality by BentoBox, their newest launch built hand-in-hand with top restaurants to streamline their online services, in-house dining, and everything in between.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Popmenu Playbook: Brendan Sweeney’s Journey to Revolutionizing Restaurant Menus The Popmenu Playbook: Brendan Sweeney’s Journey to Revolutionizing Restaurant Menus Mon, 19 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT 50:17 6827573de8a66fad6df0d349 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/popmenu-playbook-brendan-sweeney-revolutionizing-menus 6827573de8a66fad6df0d349 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 popmenu-playbook-brendan-sweeney-revolutionizing-menus full 1 19 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Brendan Sweeney, founder and CEO of Popmenu, to explore how a simple frustration with static PDF menus led to a transformative platform for the restaurant industry. Brendan discusses the journey of turning menus into dynamic, interactive experiences that enhance customer engagement and drive business growth.


He delves into the challenges of technology adoption in restaurants, the importance of building trust with restaurant owners, and strategies for successful capital raising. Brendan also shares insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, objective decision-making, and maintaining work-life balance.


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the evolution of restaurant technology.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA=

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Brendan Sweeney, founder and CEO of Popmenu, to explore how a simple frustration with static PDF menus led to a transformative platform for the restaurant industry. Brendan discusses the journey of turning menus into dynamic, interactive experiences that enhance customer engagement and drive business growth.


He delves into the challenges of technology adoption in restaurants, the importance of building trust with restaurant owners, and strategies for successful capital raising. Brendan also shares insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, objective decision-making, and maintaining work-life balance.


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the evolution of restaurant technology.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA=

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Bennett Maxwell on Building Dirty Dough: Lawsuits, Franchising, and Growth Bennett Maxwell on Building Dirty Dough: Lawsuits, Franchising, and Growth Mon, 12 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT 45:14 681e2f8e27cd622638019631 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/bennett-maxwell-on-building-dirty-dough-lawsuits-franchising 681e2f8e27cd622638019631 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 bennett-maxwell-on-building-dirty-dough-lawsuits-franchising full 1 18 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Brendan Sweeney, founder and CEO of Popmenu, to explore how a simple frustration with static PDF menus led to a transformative platform for the restaurant industry. Brendan discusses the journey of turning menus into dynamic, interactive experiences that enhance customer engagement and drive business growth.


He delves into the challenges of technology adoption in restaurants, the importance of building trust with restaurant owners, and strategies for successful capital raising. Brendan also shares insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, objective decision-making, and maintaining work-life balance.


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the evolution of restaurant technology.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Brendan Sweeney, founder and CEO of Popmenu, to explore how a simple frustration with static PDF menus led to a transformative platform for the restaurant industry. Brendan discusses the journey of turning menus into dynamic, interactive experiences that enhance customer engagement and drive business growth.


He delves into the challenges of technology adoption in restaurants, the importance of building trust with restaurant owners, and strategies for successful capital raising. Brendan also shares insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, objective decision-making, and maintaining work-life balance.


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the evolution of restaurant technology.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Martin Blencowe Talks Cameo, Purpose, and Building Emotional Connections Martin Blencowe Talks Cameo, Purpose, and Building Emotional Connections Mon, 05 May 2025 12:00:00 GMT 46:19 681496509704d99f84eecba1 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/martin-blencowe-cameo-purpose-building-emotional-connections 681496509704d99f84eecba1 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 martin-blencowe-cameo-purpose-building-emotional-connections full 1 17 Show Description:

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood is joined by Martin Blencowe, co-founder of Cameo, to discuss his journey from a small town in England to building a platform that connects fans with celebrities through personalized video messages. Martin shares how a heartfelt video from an NFL client sparked the idea for Cameo, leading to a marketplace that delivers joy and emotional impact to users worldwide. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of building strong relationships with talent, and the strategies behind scaling a business in the creator economy.​ 


Martin emphasizes the significance of purpose, emotional intelligence, and personal growth in achieving success. He reflects on lessons learned from failures, the role of fear as a motivator, and the balance between financial gain and personal fulfillment. Martin also offers advice to aspiring creators on finding their passion, navigating competition, and building authentic personal brands.​ 


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of creating a purpose-driven platform that resonates with both celebrities and fans alike.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Show Description:

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood is joined by Martin Blencowe, co-founder of Cameo, to discuss his journey from a small town in England to building a platform that connects fans with celebrities through personalized video messages. Martin shares how a heartfelt video from an NFL client sparked the idea for Cameo, leading to a marketplace that delivers joy and emotional impact to users worldwide. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of building strong relationships with talent, and the strategies behind scaling a business in the creator economy.​ 


Martin emphasizes the significance of purpose, emotional intelligence, and personal growth in achieving success. He reflects on lessons learned from failures, the role of fear as a motivator, and the balance between financial gain and personal fulfillment. Martin also offers advice to aspiring creators on finding their passion, navigating competition, and building authentic personal brands.​ 


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of creating a purpose-driven platform that resonates with both celebrities and fans alike.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Mastering the CEO Role: Insights on Hiring, Decision-Making, and Brand Building Mastering the CEO Role: Insights on Hiring, Decision-Making, and Brand Building Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT 39:26 680b8360e9c0b05abfb3762e false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/mastering-the-ceo-role-built-in-america 680b8360e9c0b05abfb3762e 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 mastering-the-ceo-role-built-in-america full 1 16 In this special episode, we’re pulling together some of the most powerful insights shared by the brilliant minds who’ve joined us so far — founders, CEOs, and operators who’ve built, scaled, and sometimes stumbled their way through the wild ride of leadership. 


From navigating founder identity to mastering strategic hiring, each guest has opened up with honesty and clarity about what it really takes to grow a business — not just the wins, but the mindset shifts and lessons learned along the way.


If you’ve been with us from the start, this is a great refresher. If you’re new here, it’s the perfect place to jump in.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this special episode, we’re pulling together some of the most powerful insights shared by the brilliant minds who’ve joined us so far — founders, CEOs, and operators who’ve built, scaled, and sometimes stumbled their way through the wild ride of leadership. 


From navigating founder identity to mastering strategic hiring, each guest has opened up with honesty and clarity about what it really takes to grow a business — not just the wins, but the mindset shifts and lessons learned along the way.


If you’ve been with us from the start, this is a great refresher. If you’re new here, it’s the perfect place to jump in.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[From Lacrosse to Launching Kane: John Gagliardi's Entrepreneurial Journey]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT 48:45 68025fbf6aefdc1cfc020f20 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/from-lacrosse-to-launching-shoe-brand-kane-john-gagliardis 68025fbf6aefdc1cfc020f20 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 from-lacrosse-to-launching-shoe-brand-kane-john-gagliardis full 1 15 ​In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Gagliardi, founder and CEO of Kane Footwear, to explore his journey from professional lacrosse player to pioneering a sustainable recovery shoe brand. John shares how his experiences in sports and the footwear industry inspired the creation of Kane, focusing on performance, sustainability, and innovation.​ 


John discusses the challenges of product design, the importance of sustainability, and strategies for building a successful brand. He emphasizes the significance of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey and balancing profit with purpose. He also reflects on lessons learned from past experiences and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about following their passions while being pragmatic about their career choices.​ 


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of building a brand that prioritizes both performance and sustainability.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> ​In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Gagliardi, founder and CEO of Kane Footwear, to explore his journey from professional lacrosse player to pioneering a sustainable recovery shoe brand. John shares how his experiences in sports and the footwear industry inspired the creation of Kane, focusing on performance, sustainability, and innovation.​ 


John discusses the challenges of product design, the importance of sustainability, and strategies for building a successful brand. He emphasizes the significance of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey and balancing profit with purpose. He also reflects on lessons learned from past experiences and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about following their passions while being pragmatic about their career choices.​ 


Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of building a brand that prioritizes both performance and sustainability.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Immigrant to Global Change-maker: Diego Saez Gil on Building Trust with Pachama From Immigrant to Global Change-maker: Diego Saez Gil on Building Trust with Pachama Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT 43:07 67f95105d5ed0d5b9dd10f71 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/diego-saez-gil-building-trust-with-pachama 67f95105d5ed0d5b9dd10f71 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 diego-saez-gil-building-trust-with-pachama full 1 14 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Diego Saez Gil, co-founder and CEO of Pachama, to explore how his journey from the Andes to Silicon Valley shaped his mission to combat climate change through innovation. Pachama uses technology to bring transparency and trust to the carbon credits market, helping companies offset emissions while supporting forest conservation. 


Diego shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial path—from launching his first startups during the 2008 financial crisis to facing the challenges of raising capital as an immigrant founder. He offers insights on the importance of surrounding yourself with passionate people, building a culture rooted in purpose, and viewing entrepreneurship as a path to service. He also opens up about how meditation, nature, and perspective have influenced his leadership style and personal growth. 


Join us for a thoughtful conversation on climate tech, startup resilience, and creating a company that values both impact and culture.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Diego Saez Gil, co-founder and CEO of Pachama, to explore how his journey from the Andes to Silicon Valley shaped his mission to combat climate change through innovation. Pachama uses technology to bring transparency and trust to the carbon credits market, helping companies offset emissions while supporting forest conservation. 


Diego shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial path—from launching his first startups during the 2008 financial crisis to facing the challenges of raising capital as an immigrant founder. He offers insights on the importance of surrounding yourself with passionate people, building a culture rooted in purpose, and viewing entrepreneurship as a path to service. He also opens up about how meditation, nature, and perspective have influenced his leadership style and personal growth. 


Join us for a thoughtful conversation on climate tech, startup resilience, and creating a company that values both impact and culture.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Thrive Market: Building a Purpose-Driven E-Commerce Platform with Co-Founder & CTO Sasha Siddhartha]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:00:00 GMT 40:24 67efde2af185b2a87f977a9c false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/thrive-market-a-purpose-driven-e-commerce-sasha-siddharta 67efde2af185b2a87f977a9c 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 thrive-market-a-purpose-driven-e-commerce-sasha-siddharta full 1 13 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sasha Siddhartha, co-founder and CTO of Thrive Market, to explore how his passion and drive for entrepreneurship helped him build a thriving e-commerce platform. Thrive Market’s mission is to make organic, sustainable groceries accessible and affordable through a unique membership model. 


Sasha shares the story of building the company, from navigating the challenges of fundraising to leveraging influencers as investors for authentic brand growth. Sasha dives into the importance of operational efficiency, customer personalization, and staying mission-driven while scaling a direct-to-consumer business. He reflects on early mistakes in customer acquisition, the lessons learned in balancing growth with long-term value, and the competitive landscape of e-commerce. With a clear vision for the future, Sasha also shares his thoughts on global expansion, leadership, and what it takes to build a purpose-driven brand in a rapidly evolving market. 


Join us for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of aligning business success with positive impact.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sasha Siddhartha, co-founder and CTO of Thrive Market, to explore how his passion and drive for entrepreneurship helped him build a thriving e-commerce platform. Thrive Market’s mission is to make organic, sustainable groceries accessible and affordable through a unique membership model. 


Sasha shares the story of building the company, from navigating the challenges of fundraising to leveraging influencers as investors for authentic brand growth. Sasha dives into the importance of operational efficiency, customer personalization, and staying mission-driven while scaling a direct-to-consumer business. He reflects on early mistakes in customer acquisition, the lessons learned in balancing growth with long-term value, and the competitive landscape of e-commerce. With a clear vision for the future, Sasha also shares his thoughts on global expansion, leadership, and what it takes to build a purpose-driven brand in a rapidly evolving market. 


Join us for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of aligning business success with positive impact.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Pain Points, Profit, and Purpose: Dennis Mortensen’s Startup Secrets with LaunchBrightly Pain Points, Profit, and Purpose: Dennis Mortensen’s Startup Secrets with LaunchBrightly Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT 35:44 67e68cc759009cabb29e8879 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/pain-points-profit-purpose-dennis-mortensens-startup-secret 67e68cc759009cabb29e8879 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 pain-points-profit-purpose-dennis-mortensens-startup-secret full 1 12 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Dennis Mortensen, CEO of LaunchBrightly, to discuss the art of entrepreneurship. Dennis shares how identifying pain points—not just passion—fuels great business ideas and why he keeps a ‘list of hate’ to track inefficiencies worth solving.


Dennis dives into the challenges of startup culture, emphasizing the need for founders to cultivate a company built on care, authenticity, and shared commitment. With insights on raising capital, integrating family into entrepreneurship, and hiring for resilience, Dennis offers a candid look at the mindset required to scale a startup. 


Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation, and the power of solving problems that truly matter.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Dennis Mortensen, CEO of LaunchBrightly, to discuss the art of entrepreneurship. Dennis shares how identifying pain points—not just passion—fuels great business ideas and why he keeps a ‘list of hate’ to track inefficiencies worth solving.


Dennis dives into the challenges of startup culture, emphasizing the need for founders to cultivate a company built on care, authenticity, and shared commitment. With insights on raising capital, integrating family into entrepreneurship, and hiring for resilience, Dennis offers a candid look at the mindset required to scale a startup. 


Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation, and the power of solving problems that truly matter.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Military Engineering to Sports Tech: The FluidLogic Story with CEO, Sara Blackmer From Military Engineering to Sports Tech: The FluidLogic Story with CEO, Sara Blackmer Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT 42:05 67e0fedb639ec2394a60f988 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/fluilogic-story-with-ceo-sara-blackmer 67e0fedb639ec2394a60f988 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 fluilogic-story-with-ceo-sara-blackmer full 1 11 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sara Blackmer, CEO of FluidLogic, to discuss how she’s revolutionizing hydration technology for athletes. Drawing from her military engineering background, Sara shares her journey into entrepreneurship and the science behind FluidLogic’s innovative hydration system. 


Sara dives into the challenges of developing cutting-edge technology, scaling a business, and creating a new category in the sports performance industry. She also highlights the importance of perseverance, leadership, and fostering a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity. Beyond the tech, this conversation dives into leadership, perseverance, and the importance of fostering a company culture that embraces failure as a stepping stone to success. Sara also reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her military career, why character matters more than skills when building a team, and how staying mission-driven fuels long-term innovation.


Join us for an insightful conversation on innovation, endurance, and the future of hydration in high-intensity sports.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sara Blackmer, CEO of FluidLogic, to discuss how she’s revolutionizing hydration technology for athletes. Drawing from her military engineering background, Sara shares her journey into entrepreneurship and the science behind FluidLogic’s innovative hydration system. 


Sara dives into the challenges of developing cutting-edge technology, scaling a business, and creating a new category in the sports performance industry. She also highlights the importance of perseverance, leadership, and fostering a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity. Beyond the tech, this conversation dives into leadership, perseverance, and the importance of fostering a company culture that embraces failure as a stepping stone to success. Sara also reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her military career, why character matters more than skills when building a team, and how staying mission-driven fuels long-term innovation.


Join us for an insightful conversation on innovation, endurance, and the future of hydration in high-intensity sports.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Reimagining Retail: Bradley Nardick’s Journey with The Bazaar Inc Reimagining Retail: Bradley Nardick’s Journey with The Bazaar Inc Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT 47:42 67d40ad6685d5d7844b27ca3 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/reimagining-retail-bradley-nardicks-journey-with-the-bazaar- 67d40ad6685d5d7844b27ca3 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 reimagining-retail-bradley-nardicks-journey-with-the-bazaar- full 1 10 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Bradley Nardick, CEO of Bazaar, to explore the evolution of a family-owned business founded by his grandfather after World War II. From navigating the complexities of succession and family dynamics to leading a bold digital transformation, Bradley shares how he’s modernizing the company while honoring its rich legacy. 


Bradley discusses the challenges of transitioning from retail to a digital-first model, the intricacies of supply chain management, and the importance of hiring the right leaders to drive growth. He reveals the lessons learned from past hiring mistakes and emphasizes the role of company culture in sustaining long-term success. With a focus on digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences, Bradley outlines his vision for the future of Bazaar. 


Join us for a compelling conversation on leadership, innovation, and the unique journey of scaling a family business in the digital age.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Bradley Nardick, CEO of Bazaar, to explore the evolution of a family-owned business founded by his grandfather after World War II. From navigating the complexities of succession and family dynamics to leading a bold digital transformation, Bradley shares how he’s modernizing the company while honoring its rich legacy. 


Bradley discusses the challenges of transitioning from retail to a digital-first model, the intricacies of supply chain management, and the importance of hiring the right leaders to drive growth. He reveals the lessons learned from past hiring mistakes and emphasizes the role of company culture in sustaining long-term success. With a focus on digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences, Bradley outlines his vision for the future of Bazaar. 


Join us for a compelling conversation on leadership, innovation, and the unique journey of scaling a family business in the digital age.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Brewing an Award-Winning Business: How Steve Schwartz Built Art of Tea from Scratch Brewing an Award-Winning Business: How Steve Schwartz Built Art of Tea from Scratch Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT 37:47 67cab8a9ffae9c0f4e4c7be7 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/how-steve-schwartz-built-art-of-tea-from-scratch 67cab8a9ffae9c0f4e4c7be7 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 how-steve-schwartz-built-art-of-tea-from-scratch full 1 9 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Steve Schwartz, Founder & CEO of Art of Tea, to uncover how he turned a deep passion for tea into a globally recognized brand. From hand-selecting the finest tea leaves across the globe to crafting blends enjoyed in top restaurants and luxury hotels like Wolfgang Puck and Caesars Palace, Steve shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a premium tea empire.


Steve discusses the entrepreneurial drive that fueled his journey, the art and science of blending high-quality teas, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining authenticity. He explains why great tea isn’t just about taste—it’s about experience, storytelling, and creating a lasting impact. Fueled by his unwavering belief in his vision, Steve–with the help of his wife–self-funded Art of Tea—relying on personal credit cards to turn his passion into a thriving business, proving that quality and vision drive long-term success.


Join us for an insightful conversation on brand-building, product excellence, and the business of tea, as Steve shares his lessons on leadership, sourcing, and the power of creating a product that consumers love and recognize.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


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]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Steve Schwartz, Founder & CEO of Art of Tea, to uncover how he turned a deep passion for tea into a globally recognized brand. From hand-selecting the finest tea leaves across the globe to crafting blends enjoyed in top restaurants and luxury hotels like Wolfgang Puck and Caesars Palace, Steve shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a premium tea empire.


Steve discusses the entrepreneurial drive that fueled his journey, the art and science of blending high-quality teas, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining authenticity. He explains why great tea isn’t just about taste—it’s about experience, storytelling, and creating a lasting impact. Fueled by his unwavering belief in his vision, Steve–with the help of his wife–self-funded Art of Tea—relying on personal credit cards to turn his passion into a thriving business, proving that quality and vision drive long-term success.


Join us for an insightful conversation on brand-building, product excellence, and the business of tea, as Steve shares his lessons on leadership, sourcing, and the power of creating a product that consumers love and recognize.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

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]]> Building a Sustainable Future with Dandelion – Kathy Hannun’s Mission in Geothermal Energy Building a Sustainable Future with Dandelion – Kathy Hannun’s Mission in Geothermal Energy Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT 43:46 67b321cdbce64a0601885782 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/building-a-sustainable-future-with-dandelion-kathy-hannun 67b321cdbce64a0601885782 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 building-a-sustainable-future-with-dandelion-kathy-hannun full 1 8 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Kathy Hannun, founder and President of Dandelion, a pioneering geothermal heating and cooling company. Kathy shares her remarkable journey from Google X to launching Dandelion, a company dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making geothermal energy accessible for homes and businesses.


Kathy discusses the challenges she faced building a startup in the clean energy sector, her approach to raising capital, and how she aligned Dandelion's mission with its revenue model. She also delves into the importance of mentorship, the value of building a strong team, and the strategies that fueled Dandelion’s growth. Kathy’s insights on the future of geothermal energy and its potential to revolutionize the market offer a compelling look at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation.


Join us for a fascinating conversation on the future of clean energy, the power of mentorship, and the strategies behind building a mission-driven business that’s changing the way we think about sustainable solutions.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


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]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Kathy Hannun, founder and President of Dandelion, a pioneering geothermal heating and cooling company. Kathy shares her remarkable journey from Google X to launching Dandelion, a company dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making geothermal energy accessible for homes and businesses.


Kathy discusses the challenges she faced building a startup in the clean energy sector, her approach to raising capital, and how she aligned Dandelion's mission with its revenue model. She also delves into the importance of mentorship, the value of building a strong team, and the strategies that fueled Dandelion’s growth. Kathy’s insights on the future of geothermal energy and its potential to revolutionize the market offer a compelling look at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation.


Join us for a fascinating conversation on the future of clean energy, the power of mentorship, and the strategies behind building a mission-driven business that’s changing the way we think about sustainable solutions.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 

Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our producers: The Peers Project

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]]> <![CDATA[Startup Success and Scaling Innovation: Nanxi Liu's Journey with Blaze.tech to Transform Small Business Solutions]]> Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT 54:09 6799113b01388342ba52a187 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/startup-success-and-scaling-innovation-nanxi-liu-blaze-tech 6799113b01388342ba52a187 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 startup-success-and-scaling-innovation-nanxi-liu-blaze-tech full 1 7 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood chats with Nanxi Liu, the powerhouse co-founder of Blaze.tech, a company changing the game for small businesses by making app creation simple and accessible. From managing multimillion-dollar companies like CarParts.com to founding Blaze.tech, Nanxi’s entrepreneurial journey showcases her ability to turn bold ideas into impactful businesses.


Nanxi shares how she built Blaze.tech from the ground up, the lessons she’s learned from leading in the tech industry, and her secrets to raising capital and building a dream team. She dives into her strategies for creating products that customers love, the importance of staying adaptable as a leader, and why integrity is key to long-term success.


Join us for a compelling discussion on entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and the practical strategies behind building and scaling successful businesses.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood chats with Nanxi Liu, the powerhouse co-founder of Blaze.tech, a company changing the game for small businesses by making app creation simple and accessible. From managing multimillion-dollar companies like CarParts.com to founding Blaze.tech, Nanxi’s entrepreneurial journey showcases her ability to turn bold ideas into impactful businesses.


Nanxi shares how she built Blaze.tech from the ground up, the lessons she’s learned from leading in the tech industry, and her secrets to raising capital and building a dream team. She dives into her strategies for creating products that customers love, the importance of staying adaptable as a leader, and why integrity is key to long-term success.


Join us for a compelling discussion on entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and the practical strategies behind building and scaling successful businesses.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Austin Long: Scaling Youtooz into a Leading Internet Collectibles Brand Austin Long: Scaling Youtooz into a Leading Internet Collectibles Brand Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT 49:08 67653b18a977962b2ea65c64 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/austin-long-youtooz-leading-internet-collectibles-brand 67653b18a977962b2ea65c64 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 austin-long-youtooz-leading-internet-collectibles-brand full 1 6 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Austin Long, the visionary co-founder behind Youtooz, a collectibles brand that has captivated the online creator community. Austin shares how his background in talent management for YouTube and Twitch creators helped him recognize a gap in the market for unique, creator-inspired collectibles. Since Youtooz's launch in 2019, Austin and his team have worked to make Youtooz a beloved direct-to-consumer brand, creating iconic figures that resonate with internet culture and fans worldwide.


Throughout the conversation, Austin reveals insights into Youtooz’s rapid rise, from overcoming manufacturing hurdles to developing a distinct direct-to-consumer strategy centered on community engagement and organic growth. He explains how Youtooz has set itself apart by prioritizing creator partnerships and a trial-and-error approach to product development. This episode dives deep into the challenges and rewards of building a niche brand, the role of content in fostering loyal communities, and Youtooz’s future in expanding responsibly while staying true to its roots in innovation and ethics.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Austin Long, the visionary co-founder behind Youtooz, a collectibles brand that has captivated the online creator community. Austin shares how his background in talent management for YouTube and Twitch creators helped him recognize a gap in the market for unique, creator-inspired collectibles. Since Youtooz's launch in 2019, Austin and his team have worked to make Youtooz a beloved direct-to-consumer brand, creating iconic figures that resonate with internet culture and fans worldwide.


Throughout the conversation, Austin reveals insights into Youtooz’s rapid rise, from overcoming manufacturing hurdles to developing a distinct direct-to-consumer strategy centered on community engagement and organic growth. He explains how Youtooz has set itself apart by prioritizing creator partnerships and a trial-and-error approach to product development. This episode dives deep into the challenges and rewards of building a niche brand, the role of content in fostering loyal communities, and Youtooz’s future in expanding responsibly while staying true to its roots in innovation and ethics.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

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]]> Jeremy Yamaguchi: Building the Nation’s Largest Pool Cleaning Roll-Up with Cabana Jeremy Yamaguchi: Building the Nation’s Largest Pool Cleaning Roll-Up with Cabana Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT 1:04:48 676540a7621cdde43a176144 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/jeremy-yamaguchi-largest-pool-cleaning-roll-up-cabana 676540a7621cdde43a176144 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 jeremy-yamaguchi-largest-pool-cleaning-roll-up-cabana full 1 5 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood welcomes Jeremy Yamaguchi, an entrepreneurial powerhouse who has carved a niche by transforming home service industries—part of a trillion-dollar market—through innovation. From founding a digital agency to creating Goldenshine and Lawn Love—both pioneering home service brands with successful exits—Jeremy’s career is defined by a rare combination of vision and operational rigor. Now, with his latest venture, Cabana, Jeremy is tackling the pool cleaning industry, aiming to consolidate and modernize a traditionally fragmented market.


Jeremy discusses the evolution of his career, sharing how his multicultural upbringing and self-taught skills shaped his entrepreneurial path. He dives into the challenges of creating national brands in low-tech sectors, offering insights on strategic acquisitions, the power of genuine relationships, and his vision to make Cabana the "Orkin of pools." With a focus on continuous improvement and long-term growth, Jeremy’s journey exemplifies resilience and strategic thinking in scaling businesses from the ground up. 


This episode provides invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned founders, and anyone interested in how one can reshape traditional industries.


Discover how Cabana is modernizing the pool cleaning industry—check it out at cabanapools.com.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood welcomes Jeremy Yamaguchi, an entrepreneurial powerhouse who has carved a niche by transforming home service industries—part of a trillion-dollar market—through innovation. From founding a digital agency to creating Goldenshine and Lawn Love—both pioneering home service brands with successful exits—Jeremy’s career is defined by a rare combination of vision and operational rigor. Now, with his latest venture, Cabana, Jeremy is tackling the pool cleaning industry, aiming to consolidate and modernize a traditionally fragmented market.


Jeremy discusses the evolution of his career, sharing how his multicultural upbringing and self-taught skills shaped his entrepreneurial path. He dives into the challenges of creating national brands in low-tech sectors, offering insights on strategic acquisitions, the power of genuine relationships, and his vision to make Cabana the "Orkin of pools." With a focus on continuous improvement and long-term growth, Jeremy’s journey exemplifies resilience and strategic thinking in scaling businesses from the ground up. 


This episode provides invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned founders, and anyone interested in how one can reshape traditional industries.


Discover how Cabana is modernizing the pool cleaning industry—check it out at cabanapools.com.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Transforming Private Education: Linda Garmolgomut’s Vision for Global Education Transforming Private Education: Linda Garmolgomut’s Vision for Global Education Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT 44:35 6798a73e95eb27b8a406a084 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/transforming-private-education-linda-garmolgomut 6798a73e95eb27b8a406a084 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 transforming-private-education-linda-garmolgomut full 1 4 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Linda Garmolgomut, CEO of Ambassador Education Group (AEG), a trailblazer in Thailand’s private education sector. From her roots in Thailand to her formative years in the United States, Linda shares her journey of co-founding and expanding a network of international and bilingual schools that prioritize diverse curriculums and innovative learning experiences. Under her leadership, AEG has forged partnerships with global organizations like TED-Ed and National Geographic, setting a new benchmark for private education in the region. 


Linda offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of running a family business, scaling operations with private equity, and fostering a holistic educational philosophy that supports students’ varied interests—from STEM to hospitality and culinary arts. She also discusses the importance of cultural sensitivity and diversity in international education, creating inclusive environments that prepare students for a globalized future. 


Join us for an inspiring conversation on the transformative power of education, entrepreneurial leadership, and the vision required to create lasting impact in a rapidly evolving world.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Linda Garmolgomut, CEO of Ambassador Education Group (AEG), a trailblazer in Thailand’s private education sector. From her roots in Thailand to her formative years in the United States, Linda shares her journey of co-founding and expanding a network of international and bilingual schools that prioritize diverse curriculums and innovative learning experiences. Under her leadership, AEG has forged partnerships with global organizations like TED-Ed and National Geographic, setting a new benchmark for private education in the region. 


Linda offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of running a family business, scaling operations with private equity, and fostering a holistic educational philosophy that supports students’ varied interests—from STEM to hospitality and culinary arts. She also discusses the importance of cultural sensitivity and diversity in international education, creating inclusive environments that prepare students for a globalized future. 


Join us for an inspiring conversation on the transformative power of education, entrepreneurial leadership, and the vision required to create lasting impact in a rapidly evolving world.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Revolutionizing Urban Mobility: How Lime’s Scooters Are Shaping Sustainable Cities – Andrew Savage Revolutionizing Urban Mobility: How Lime’s Scooters Are Shaping Sustainable Cities – Andrew Savage Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:00:34 GMT 38:44 6765395c25a0b820a231ef4c false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/revolutionizing-urban-mobility-lime-scooters 6765395c25a0b820a231ef4c 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 revolutionizing-urban-mobility-lime-scooters full 1 3 In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Andrew Savage, a founding member of Lime, the trailblazing scooter and electric bicycle company reshaping urban transportation. Lime’s success reflects on its innovative solutions for urban mobility, and Andrew’s unique blend of environmental policy and strategic partnerships has been key to Lime’s growth into over 280 markets worldwide.


Throughout their discussion, Andrew shares the vision behind Lime’s inception and the strategies used to transform the “last mile” of urban travel. The conversation covers Lime’s collaborative approach with city governments—offering a contrast to more adversarial models like those of Uber and Airbnb—and Lime’s adaptability during the pandemic, a period that allowed the company to focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.


Join us for an engaging discussion on innovation, urban mobility, and the importance of building lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships in the fast-evolving landscape of electronic transportation.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Andrew Savage, a founding member of Lime, the trailblazing scooter and electric bicycle company reshaping urban transportation. Lime’s success reflects on its innovative solutions for urban mobility, and Andrew’s unique blend of environmental policy and strategic partnerships has been key to Lime’s growth into over 280 markets worldwide.


Throughout their discussion, Andrew shares the vision behind Lime’s inception and the strategies used to transform the “last mile” of urban travel. The conversation covers Lime’s collaborative approach with city governments—offering a contrast to more adversarial models like those of Uber and Airbnb—and Lime’s adaptability during the pandemic, a period that allowed the company to focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.


Join us for an engaging discussion on innovation, urban mobility, and the importance of building lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships in the fast-evolving landscape of electronic transportation.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> From Shark Tank Rejection to Success: Ryan Duey’s Building the Largest Cold Plunge Company From Shark Tank Rejection to Success: Ryan Duey’s Building the Largest Cold Plunge Company Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:00:51 GMT 56:02 67653832621cdde43a14af98 true https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/shark-tank-rejection-to-success-ryan-duey 67653832621cdde43a14af98 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 shark-tank-rejection-to-success-ryan-duey full 1 2 In this episode of Built in America, Sam sits down with Ryan Duey, co-founder of Plunge, the iconic cold plunge and health startup transforming the wellness industry. Since its inception, Plunge has become a transformative force in the wellness industry, offering accessible and innovative solutions for cold exposure therapy. With a background in health and wellness, Ryan had previously owned float tank centers, but it was during the pandemic that he and his co-founder, Mike Garrett, launched Plunge—a venture that quickly captured the attention of many, including a memorable appearance on Shark Tank.


Throughout the conversation, Ryan reflects on the early challenges of scaling Plunge, from navigating manufacturing hurdles to building a brand from the ground up. He shares insights on how influencer partnerships with the likes of Andrew Huberman and Aubrey Marcus helped catapult the brand, and how Plunge continues to innovate with upcoming products in heat therapy and preventative health. Ryan also emphasizes the importance of community-building through events and customer engagement, which have been pivotal in maintaining Plunge’s rapid growth.


Join us for an insightful discussion on entrepreneurship, the future of wellness technology, and how Plunge is shaping the landscape of cold therapy.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of Built in America, Sam sits down with Ryan Duey, co-founder of Plunge, the iconic cold plunge and health startup transforming the wellness industry. Since its inception, Plunge has become a transformative force in the wellness industry, offering accessible and innovative solutions for cold exposure therapy. With a background in health and wellness, Ryan had previously owned float tank centers, but it was during the pandemic that he and his co-founder, Mike Garrett, launched Plunge—a venture that quickly captured the attention of many, including a memorable appearance on Shark Tank.


Throughout the conversation, Ryan reflects on the early challenges of scaling Plunge, from navigating manufacturing hurdles to building a brand from the ground up. He shares insights on how influencer partnerships with the likes of Andrew Huberman and Aubrey Marcus helped catapult the brand, and how Plunge continues to innovate with upcoming products in heat therapy and preventative health. Ryan also emphasizes the importance of community-building through events and customer engagement, which have been pivotal in maintaining Plunge’s rapid growth.


Join us for an insightful discussion on entrepreneurship, the future of wellness technology, and how Plunge is shaping the landscape of cold therapy.


Let’s keep building… 

Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Erik Huberman: How He Built Hawke Media into a 9 Figure Marketing Powerhouse Erik Huberman: How He Built Hawke Media into a 9 Figure Marketing Powerhouse Mon, 13 Jan 2025 13:00:52 GMT 1:02:44 676502d1b49c6255e8282af1 true https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/erik-huberman-how-he-built-hawke-media-marketing-powerhouse 676502d1b49c6255e8282af1 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 erik-huberman-how-he-built-hawke-media-marketing-powerhouse full 1 1 In the first episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood is joined by Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media. Since founding Hawk Media in 2014, Erik has revolutionized the marketing industry by offering top-tier marketing solutions to businesses of all sizes. His agency has collaborated with renowned brands such as Red Bull, Verizon, Crocs, and Barstool Sports. Beyond his agency work, Erik is an accomplished investor, best-selling author, and host of the Hawk Talk podcast.


Throughout the discussion, Erik elaborates on the challenges and triumphs of scaling one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies in the U.S. He shares how being the son of a CEO shaped his comfort with authority, allowing him to view himself as just another employee rather than an intimidating figure. He gives his insight on starting a business, stressing the importance of asking, “Does anyone need this?” and focusing on real problems.


The conversation also delves into the value of a strong team culture and the critical difference between working on versus in a business. Join us to discover Erik's unique perspective on leadership and what it truly means to work effectively in today’s marketing landscape.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In the first episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood is joined by Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media. Since founding Hawk Media in 2014, Erik has revolutionized the marketing industry by offering top-tier marketing solutions to businesses of all sizes. His agency has collaborated with renowned brands such as Red Bull, Verizon, Crocs, and Barstool Sports. Beyond his agency work, Erik is an accomplished investor, best-selling author, and host of the Hawk Talk podcast.


Throughout the discussion, Erik elaborates on the challenges and triumphs of scaling one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies in the U.S. He shares how being the son of a CEO shaped his comfort with authority, allowing him to view himself as just another employee rather than an intimidating figure. He gives his insight on starting a business, stressing the importance of asking, “Does anyone need this?” and focusing on real problems.


The conversation also delves into the value of a strong team culture and the critical difference between working on versus in a business. Join us to discover Erik's unique perspective on leadership and what it truly means to work effectively in today’s marketing landscape.


Let’s keep building… 


Follow Sam Mahmood: 


Join the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.co


Follow our Producers: The Peers Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trailer Trailer Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:00:51 GMT 1:07 6764ec850033250918cc5a07 false https://shows.acast.com/built-in-america/episodes/trailer 6764ec850033250918cc5a07 676205b4ad863497419a88e8 trailer trailer 1 Starting a business is exciting, but it's anything but straightforward. Having a great idea is just the beginning — what really matters are the decisions you make and the pivots along the way. That’s where Built In America comes in. A podcast that explores the real and raw experiences behind entrepreneurial success, broken down from the very beginning. Hosted by Sam Mahmood, a self-made entrepreneur raised by immigrant parents, who has skillfully raised funds to acquire businesses across America. Sam interviews guests who have built and bought some of the most fascinating and successful companies across the U.S.


It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, thinking of buying a business, or somewhere in the messy middle, Built In America is for those ready to delve into the business of building something big and be inspired by those who have built it, bought it, and made it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Starting a business is exciting, but it's anything but straightforward. Having a great idea is just the beginning — what really matters are the decisions you make and the pivots along the way. That’s where Built In America comes in. A podcast that explores the real and raw experiences behind entrepreneurial success, broken down from the very beginning. Hosted by Sam Mahmood, a self-made entrepreneur raised by immigrant parents, who has skillfully raised funds to acquire businesses across America. Sam interviews guests who have built and bought some of the most fascinating and successful companies across the U.S.


It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, thinking of buying a business, or somewhere in the messy middle, Built In America is for those ready to delve into the business of building something big and be inspired by those who have built it, bought it, and made it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>