In this episode of Founder2Founder, Chris Meade sits down with Kevin O'Leary, a successful entrepreneur and investor also known as "Mr. Wonderful”, appearing on shows such as Dragons' Den and Shark Tank. Kevin dives into the current landscape of advertising, explaining why he's pivoting his portfolio companies towards television through his new platform, WonderAds. He breaks down how TV has become a powerful yet under-utilized channel for brands looking to scale cost-effectively, offering a competitive edge over rising social media costs.

Kevin also discusses the critical components of successful brand scaling, the importance of mastering Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), and why multi-channel strategies are essential for long-term growth. He closes with valuable insights on entrepreneurship, including how to prioritize signal over noise, the art of listening, and the necessity of knowing when to pivot. Join Chris and Kevin as they uncover the strategies behind building resilient brands, leveraging television for growth, and the key principles every entrepreneur should know. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Chapters:
01:40 – Why TV Advertising is Making a Comeback
02:48 – Introducing WonderAds: TV for Emerging Brands
03:34 – Measuring Success on TV: CAC and ROAS
04:02 – Why Brands Give Up on TV Too Early
04:27 – Television’s Cost Efficiency vs. Social Media
04:52 – Mastering Customer Acquisition Costs
05:58 – The Importance of Personal Branding for Founders
07:08 – Building for Both Retail and Direct-to-Consumer
08:19 – Retail Rollouts: How to Secure and Succeed
10:35 – Signal vs. Noise: How to Focus Your Time
13:33 – The Art of Pivoting When Things Go Wrong
14:06 – Planning Liquidity Events and Exits
15:06 – Industries Ripe for Disruption: Healthy Snacks and Beverages
15:52 – Kevin’s Background in Photography and Film
16:52 – Embracing Discomfort: Why Founders Should Take Risks
17:39 – Lessons from Kevin's Mother: Integrity and Trust

Guest Links:
Website: https://kevinoleary.com
Instagram: @kevinolearytv

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Aaron Spivak:
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Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Will Nitze, Founder & CEO of IQBAR, the leading brain-and-body nutrition startup in America. Will shares how his competitive spirit and obsession with winning drove him to build a thriving brand dedicated to brain food and cognitive nutrition. He reflects on his journey from playing competitive sports to attending Harvard, where he first realized that building something impactful was more important than just making money.

Will also discusses launching IQBAR through a successful Kickstarter campaign, scaling with major retailers, and maintaining a lean, efficient team. He opens up about running the business alongside his wife, the importance of horizontal mentorship, and how he plans to build for acquisition and legacy.

Chapters:
00:44 – The Opportunist Mindset: Learning from Sam Zell
03:06 – Building the Competitive Spirit Through Sports
08:26 – Harvard Experience and Finding Direction
12:25 – First Steps into Entrepreneurship
14:02 – Negotiating Half-Time Work for Full-Time Hustle
15:21 – Starting IQBAR: Building Brain Food from Scratch
19:31 – Kickstarter Strategies: Guerrilla Tactics and Validation
22:01 – Manufacturing at Scale and Finding Co-Packers
24:38 – The Importance of Horizontal Mentorship
27:46 – Scaling the Business with a Lean Team
30:25 – Expanding into Major Retailers and Hitting Volume
33:43 – Navigating Trends and Pivoting the Brand
36:40 – Maintaining Control While Scaling Fast
38:29 – Hiring the Right People and the Hub-and-Spoke Model
41:06 – Working In the Business, Not Just On It
46:40 – Running a Business with His Wife
49:05 – Moving to Miami and the Evolution of IQBAR
52:13 – Building for Acquisition and Legacy
1:06:01 – Overcoming Challenges: Tariffs, COVID, and Market Shifts
1:07:50 - Building a Personal Brand
1:11:04 - The ROI of Personal Branding
1:25:10 - The Emotional Impact of Exiting a Business
1:31:11 - The Role of Partnerships in Business Success
1:34:46 - Advice for Younger Entrepreneurs

Tune in to hear Will’s raw insights on scaling a consumer brand from the ground up, the sacrifices required, and the mindset needed to build something that lasts. Don't forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Guest Links:
Website: www.eatiqbar.com
Instagram: @iqbar
LinkedIn: Will Nitze
Twitter: @willnitze

SARAL: Get your free trial here: www.getsaral.com/demo

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
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Linkedin

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

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

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

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

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

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
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Linkedin

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

Founder2Founder:
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TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

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

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

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

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

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

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

Founder2Founder:
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TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
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In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with serial entrepreneur David Segal, best known for building DAVIDsTEA into a $200M brand and now serving as President of Highbeam. David shares the full arc of his entrepreneurial journey, starting with the humble beginnings of DAVIDsTEA, through the grind of expansion and the thrill of going public, to the surprising emotional lows that followed a major exit. With refreshing honesty, he opens up about his feelings after selling the company, how he found renewed purpose, and the process of reshaping his identity beyond his business.

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

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

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

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

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

Founder2Founder:
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TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

Guest Links:
www.iamanochi.com
@findinganochi

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
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The Founders Club
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub

Founder2Founder:
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TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

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

Founder2Founder:
Instagram @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
Linkedin

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

Founder2Founder:
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TikTok @‌Founder2FounderPodcast
Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast