In this conversation, Flaviu and Matt discuss their entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges they faced while building and selling their company, the health issues that impacted their work, and the lessons learned about company culture and navigating exits. They also touch on Matt's transition to a new venture in the consumer space and share practical life hacks for organization and productivity.

Chapters

04:31 The Journey of Building a Company

08:36 Health Challenges and Their Impact

13:04 Lessons Learned from Startup Experiences

17:24 Navigating Success and Market Timing

25:58 Validating Business Ideas Through Customer Engagement

27:41 The Challenges of Customer Feedback and Market Research

30:41 Navigating Funding and Accelerator Programs

33:05 Lessons Learned from Exiting a Startup

34:55 Transitioning from B2B to B2C: A New Venture

42:45 Life Hacks and Personal Insights

Join us as Brandon Dawkins, a former Spotify product manager turned NYC dating coach, shares his unexpected journey from corporate life to founding Beyond Nice, a coaching service revolutionizing love for nice guys. With a CPA background, a passion for community, and a fresh take on dating, Brandon delivers a story brimming with humor, hustle, and heart.

In this episode, Brandon unpacks his pivot from layoffs in December 2023 to launching Beyond Nice, helping singles dodge the friend zone and find confidence. He spills on quirky first dates—like Taylor’s cargo-shorts fiasco turned taco triumph—and his own path from shy athlete to dating guru. Whether you’re into love hacks, career shifts, or entrepreneurial grit, Brandon’s tale offers raw insights and big laughs.

🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FROM SPOTIFY TO BEYOND NICE

Brandon Dawkins traces his leap from product management at Spotify to founding Beyond Nice, a dating coaching service born after a life-changing layoff in December 2023.

DATING MEETS CREATIVITY

Learn how Brandon’s “spin the wheel” happy hour hack—picking random Upper West Side spots like Jake’s Dilemma—turns dates into fun, pressure-free adventures.

FIRST DATE FLASHBACKS

Discover Taylor’s sweaty, keto-confused first date with his now-wife, Brandon’s raincoat-to-romance meet-cute, and a wild $8K first-date flop in a tasty icebreaker.

CORPORATE TO COACH INSANITY

Brandon reveals his post-layoff soul-searching—traveling New Zealand to Korea—showing the grit that fuels his mission to help nice guys shine.

AI-POWERED BIZ HACK

Taylor shares Replit, an AI tool that built a competitor-tracking form in an hour, proving tech’s role in his entrepreneurial toolkit.

GUIDANCE FOR LOVE SEEKERS

Brandon advises clients to warm up like athletes—think music or goofy smiles—to switch from work mode to date mode and own their vibe.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Learn More About Beyond Nice: beyond-nice.com

Connect with Brandon Dawkins on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandon-dawkins

Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @foundersecretspod

TikTok: @foundersecrets

Twitter: @founder_secrets

LinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

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Spotify: tinyurl.com/4wjb26v8

⚡ SPONSORED BY DASH

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Join us as Alan Lin, a design veteran turned food innovator, shares his wild journey from China’s booming creative scene to launching Liquid Salad, a health food disruptor that hit the market on March 24, 2025. With 12 years of experience design, a knack for turning chaos into opportunity, and a fresh take on greens powder, Allen delivers a story packed with entrepreneurial hustle, cultural flair, and a dash of absurdity.

In this episode, Alan unravels his path from studying abroad in Beijing to thriving in China’s “champagne and cocaine” era, only to pivot into founding Liquid Salad—a daily fruit-and-veggie boost that’s as stylish as it is smart. He spills on designing a standout pouch, surviving a 2008 encyclopedia sales gig, and rethinking healthy eating. Whether you’re into startups, food innovation, or epic reinvention tales, Alan’s adventure offers raw insights and unexpected laughs.

🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FROM CHINA TO LIQUID SALAD

Alan Lin traces his leap from 12 years in China’s design world—think Apple Store vibes— to launching Liquid Salad, a prebiotic-packed alternative to greens powder, on March 24,

2025.

DESIGN MEETS FOOD

Learn how Alan’s experience designing holistic brand experiences (Lincoln showrooms!) shaped Liquid Salad’s stunning pouch, aiming to inspire healthy eating through art, not just nutrition.

SALAD SECRETS UNPACKED

Discover Alan’s perfect salad (chicken, romaine, salsa), Flaviu’s Sweetgreen pick, and Taylor’s Goop Caesar obsession in a tasty icebreaker that sets the tone.

ENCYCLOPEDIA SALES INSANITY

Alan reveals his 2008 door-to-door grind—begging for basements, living off peanut butter—showing the sales grit that fuels his founder mindset.

AI-POWERED CALORIE HACK

Alan shares his go-to app, CalAI, an AI calorie tracker that nails macros from a photo, proving tech’s role in his entrepreneurial toolkit.

GUIDANCE FOR FOOD FOUNDERS

Alan advises aspiring innovators to blend creativity with utility, test how people use your product, and lean into what inspires—fashion, not just food.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Learn More About Liquid Salad: drinkliquidplus.com

Connect with Alan Lin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alanlin98

Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @foundersecretspod

TikTok: @foundersecrets

Twitter: @founder_secrets

LinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyer

Spotify: tinyurl.com/4wjb26v8

⚡ SPONSORED BY DASH

Simplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing

your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com

🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.

Join us as Adrianne Nickerson, a healthcare innovator and founder of Oula, shares her inspiring journey from co-founding a cancer support startup to revolutionizing maternity care for women across the U.S. With a data-driven passion and a knack for building community, Adrianne offers a fresh perspective on transforming a broken system into a warm, evidence-based experience,starting with her own life-changing birth story.

In this episode, Adrianne dives into creating Oula, a maternity care company blending midwifery and obstetrics, now expanding from New York to Connecticut. She reveals how patient feedback scrapped birth centers for hospital partnerships, why systemic barriers hold back better care, and how she’s raised $50 million to scale a profitable model. Whether you’re a healthcare enthusiast, entrepreneur, or parent-to-be, Adrianne’s story blends grit, insight, and a mission to rewrite the maternity narrative.

🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FROM CANCER SUPPORT TO MATERNITY REVOLUTION

Adrianne Nickerson traces her path from co-founding RobinCare for cancer patients to launching Oula, inspired by the transformative power of quarterback providers in life-

altering health journeys.

BIRTH AS A BEAUTIFUL BALLET

Hear Adrianne recount her son Logan’s birth at Oula,a seamless, evidence-based experience with doulas, hydrotherapy, and skin-to-skin care,proving maternity can be joyful, not just scary.

REBUILDING CARE FROM THE GROUND UP

Discover how lessons from RobinCare led Adrianne to make Oula the provider, not just a wraparound, integrating midwifery and obstetrics to tackle maternity holistically.

PIVOTING WITH PATIENT VOICES

Adrianne explains scrapping birth centers after patients preferred Oula’s hospital-based hybrid model,balancing safety with a human touch,shaping a scalable business.

UNWINDING A PHYSICIAN-CENTRIC SYSTEM

Learn why the U.S. lags in midwifery care (10% vs. Europe’s 80%), rooted in historical racism and training gaps, and how Oula’s partnerships with Mount Sinai and Stamford Health fight back.

FUNDRAISING THROUGH UNCERTAINTY

Adrianne shares raising $50 million across tough markets,April 2020 and late 2024,proving positive unit economics and a solid business model trump trendy tech hype.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Learn More About Oula: oulahealth.com

Connect with Adrianne Nickerson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adriannenickerson/

Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @foundersecretspod

TikTok: @foundersecrets

Twitter: @founder_secrets

LinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyer

Spotify: tinyurl.com/4wjb26v8

⚡ SPONSORED BY DASH

Simplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com

🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.

Join us as Joel Duncan, a former Marine and corporate finance professional turned entrepreneur, shares his remarkable transition from a structured career in Michigan to owning Spray Patch Road Repair, a niche pothole repair business. With a blend of military grit, financial acumen, and a leap of faith, Joel offers a gripping tale of self-education, strategic acquisition, and hands-on leadership in a blue-collar world.In this episode, Joel unpacks his path from enlisting in the Marine Corps at 18 to climbing the corporate ladder, only to pivot toward buying a business in 2025. He dives into the nuts and bolts of acquiring a $1.9 million seasonal operation, navigating environmental hurdles, and earning his team’s respect by getting his hands dirty. Whether you’re intrigued by entrepreneurship, blue-collar industries, or stories of reinvention, Joel Duncan’s journey delivers practical lessons and a dose of Midwestern charm.🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTSFROM MARINE CORPS TO CORPORATE TO OWNERJoel Duncan traces his evolution from fixing helicopters in the Marine Corps to earning an MBA and working in Michigan’s automotive industry, culminating in his purchase of a pothole repair business on January 10, 2025.STRATEGIC ACQUISITION VIA BROKERLearn how Joel Duncan hired a brokerage firm for $5,000/month to source deals while keeping his corporate job, landing Spray Patch Road Repair on BizBuySell after outbidding six competitors.BLUE-COLLAR LEADERSHIPDiscover how Joel Duncan bridges his white-collar past with a blue-collar present, using Marine Corps experience to lead by example—think hydraulic fluid and oily hands—while scaling a seasonal business.AI AS A LIFELINEJoel Duncan reveals his reliance on ChatGPT to master everything from CDL laws to employment regulations, showcasing how tech accelerates his entrepreneurial learning curve.OVERCOMING UNEXPECTED CHALLENGESFrom a $20,000 environmental review to managing a seasonal shutdown, Joel Duncan shares how he adapts to surprises with seller support and resilience.GUIDANCE FOR CORPORATE ESCAPEESJoel Duncan advises aspiring entrepreneurs to educate themselves, secure funds (quit or hire help), and muster the courage to ditch corporate identity for ownership.RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Spray Patch Road Repair: spray-patch.comConnect with Joel Duncan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joeltduncanPodcast Website: foundersecretspod.comFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: @foundersecretspodTikTok: @foundersecretsTwitter: @founder_secretsLinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyerSpotify: tinyurl.com/4wjb26v8⚡ SPONSORED BY DASHSimplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.

Join us as Paul Adams, a seasoned entertainment industry veteran with a distinctive British accent, shares his extraordinary journey from a working-class background in northern England to managing global superstars like Duran Duran, Justin Timberlake, Radiohead, and Jay-Z. As a key player in music management and co-owner of Phoenix Rising FC, Paul delivers a compelling narrative of persistence, human connection, and navigating the unpredictable worlds of music and sports.In this episode, Paul dives into his unconventional rise, from managing friends’ bands to working with top-tier talent and co-owning a soccer club with Diplo. He reveals how surviving accidents, mastering negotiation, and building relationships have shaped his career, offering practical wisdom for anyone looking to succeed in competitive fields. Whether you’re drawn to music, sports, or tales of grit, Paul’s story is a treasure trove of insight and humor.🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTSFROM NORTHERN ENGLAND TO ENTERTAINMENT ELITEPaul traces his path from a small town between Liverpool and Manchester, managing mates’ bands, to collaborating with icons like Jay-Z at Roc Nation.COMMUNICATION AS THE COREDiscover Paul’s philosophy that all business hinges on human interaction, assessing ego and emotional states to forge effective connections.NEGOTIATION MASTERY THROUGH TIMEPaul explains how years of experience allow him to outsmart less seasoned peers, securing optimal outcomes for his clients.PHOENIX RISING: FROM DREAM TO CHAMPIONSHIPHear how a lunch with Diplo’s lawyer led Paul to co-own Phoenix Rising FC, rebranding it from Arizona United and winning the USL Championship in 2023.RESILIENCE IN ADVERSITYFrom a brain hemorrhage after a biking accident to standing with fans during a final loss, Paul’s resilience shines through life’s challenges.GUIDANCE FOR ASPIRANTSPaul advises newcomers to embrace asking questions, highlighting how curiosity and humility trump overconfidence in building a career.RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Phoenix Rising FC: phxrisingfc.comConnect with Paul on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bangthedrum/Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.comFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: @foundersecretspodTikTok: @foundersecretsTwitter: @founder_secretsLinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyer

▶️ WATCH THE PODCASTYouTube:youtube.com/@foundersecretspod⚡ SPONSORED BY DASHSimplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.

Join us as Gabby Gabriel, the visionary founder of GAB Inc. and GAB China, shares her incredible journey from teaching English in Shanghai to leading a global marketing empire. With an adventurous spirit and a talent for turning challenges into opportunities, Gabby transformed a spontaneous move to China into a decad of entrepreneurial success. From building one of China’s largest LGBTQ communities to launching GAB China—a powerhouse agency connecting brand with Chinese markets—and expanding her vision through GAB Inc., Gabby’s story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and cross-cultural leadership.

In this episode, Gabby takes us through her evolution from a private tutor in Shanghai to a celebrated entrepreneur featured by the BBC as a “Shanghai expert.” She dives into the inception of GAB China, her navigation of China’s complex digital landscape, and the serendipitous New York encounter that led to Second Wind Media, a venture with Lady Gaga’s father, Joe Germanotta. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a global thinker, or simply captivated by stories of grit and connection, Gabby’s narrative offers profound insights into building businesses that bridge cultures and create lasting impact.

🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

GAB CHINA: BRIDGING BRANDS AND CHINA’S MARKETS

Gabby unveils how GAB China became a go-to agency for international brands, leveraging her expat insights to help companies like Marriott and Adidas thrive in China’s dynamic digital ecosystem.

FROM COMMUNITY TO EMPIRE: THE BIRTH OF GAB INC.

Learn how Gabby’s early ventures—like growing an LGBTQ+ WeChat group to 10,000 members—laid the foundation for GAB Inc., a global parent company driving marketing innovation across Asia and the Americas.

THE APP THAT SPARKED RESILIENCE

Gabby reflects on her bold attempt to launch an LGBTQ+ app, its funding struggles, and how its failure fueled her determination to succeed with GAB China and beyond.

NEW YORK SERENDIPITY: SECOND WIND MEDIA

Hear how a chance happy hour in New York led to a partnership with Joe Germanotta, spawning Second Wind Media—an entertainment marketing venture blending Gabby’s global expertise with American flair.

SURVIVING SHANGHAI’S LOCKDOWN

Gabby shares her harrowing experience during the 2022 Shanghai lockdown, a turning point that accelerated her U.S. return and sharpened her remote leadership skills.

ACTIONABLE ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Gabby offers gems on working smarter—prioritizing relationships over immediate profits, embracing partnerships, and trusting gut instincts—plus her call for young entrepreneurs to live abroad for self-discovery.

RESOURCES & LINKHS

Learn More About GAB Inc.: thegabinc.com

Explore GAB China: gab-china.com

Connect with Gabby on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gabbygabriel

Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.com

🔔 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @foundersecretspod

TikTok: @foundersecrets

Twitter: @founder_secrets

LinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast

🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyer

WATCH THE PODCAST

https://www.youtube.com/@foundersecretspod

⚡ SPONSORED BY DASH

Simplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com

🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!

Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.

Join us as Manik Bhat, the visionary behind Healthify, shares his remarkable journey from medicine to tech entrepreneurship, driven by a mission to improve health outcomes through social services. With a background in philosophy, health care, and a knack for innovation, Manik has made significant strides in integrating technology with social welfare. Healthify is a platform that connects families to essential social services, aiming to reduce health disparities by addressing root causes.In this episode, Manik takes us through the inception, growth, and eventual sale of Healthify. He discusses the intricacies of managing a mission-driven startup in the complex healthcare landscape, offering valuable lessons on navigating cultural dynamics within a company, and the strategic decisions that shaped Healthify's trajectory.

Whether you're fascinated by the intersection of technology and social good, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in the personal stories behind business success, Manik's narrative is a deep dive into creativity, resilience, and the impact of thoughtful leadership.🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTSHEALTHIFY: REVOLUTIONIZING ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES

Manik introduces Healthify, which connects families to social services to improve health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health through a platform sold to enterprise clients like health plans and systems.NAVIGATING CO-FOUNDERS AND CULTUREInsights into managing a team of four co-founders (technically five, including the first engineer), emphasizing low ego, clear roles, and transparent communication. He discusses how equity splits were clear from the start to prevent conflicts.INNOVATION IN HEALTH CAREDiscover how Manik used his philosophical perspective and community health experience to innovate within health care, focusing on solutions that integrate social services for better health outcomes, emphasizing transparency and accountability in service delivery.RESILIENCE THROUGH PERSONAL STRUGGLESManik shares his journey with mental health, including how psychedelics helped him achieve personal growth and balance in business leadership, highlighting the significance of mental well-being in entrepreneurship.IMPACT OVER REVENUE: THE DECISION TO DECLINE AN EARLY EXITManik recounts the decision to reject an early acquisition offer, underlining the commitment to Healthify's mission and his personal growth over immediate financial gain, despite the company's precarious financial situation at the time.ACTIONABLE ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURSManik provides guidance on maintaining focus amid capital influx, the importance of product-market fit, and cultural practices like mission recitation to align team culture with company goals. He also warns about the pitfalls of raising too much capital too soon.RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Healthify: www.wellsky.comConnect with Manik on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/manik-bhat-43933a25/Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.com🔔 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: @foundersecretspodTikTok: @foundersecretsTwitter: @founder_secretsLinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyerSpotify: tinyurl.com/4wjb26v8⚡ SPONSORED BY DASHSimplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.