In this episode, we dive deep into the power of data, technology, and accountability with Adam Serlin, founder of Independent Variable. Adam’s journey from working with at-risk youth in the justice system to leading a data-driven consulting firm is nothing short of inspiring. What started as a passion for improving community-based programs led him to develop cutting-edge data collection and analytics solutions that help nonprofits and government organizations measure impact and drive change.

But this episode isn’t just about data—it’s about challenging the status quo, questioning impact, and making informed decisions that actually lead to better outcomes. If you want to learn how data can revolutionize your business or cause, this one’s for you!

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

🚀 Why accountability is the missing piece in many industries—and how to build it into your business
📊 How data storytelling can drive action, funding, and change in mission-driven businesses
💡 The biggest mistakes organizations make when tracking and analyzing their impact
⚙️ How to create affordable, scalable tech solutions without massive budgets
🤝 Why collaboration and collective intelligence are the future of tech and social innovation
💰 The problem with traditional SaaS models and how Adam is disrupting the industry with more accessible solutions
🧠 How to separate effort from impact in your entrepreneurial journey

📝 About Adam Serlin

Adam Serlin is a performance management and innovation professional with nearly two decades of experience designing strategies for public good. After spending over a decade managing award-winning community programs for justice-involved youth and gun violence reduction, Adam became concerned with the lack of accountability in his contract work.

This led him to develop software for better outcome analysis, launching his mission to deliver collaborative technology and data analytics to those addressing tough social problems in environments not built for transparency.

Following a three-year Stoneleigh Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Center for Government Excellence, where he enhanced data-informed performance management in juvenile justice systems, Adam founded Independent Variable in 2020. Today, he leads a team of software developers and implementation specialists spreading his brand of social innovation nationwide, helping organizations leverage data to increase effectiveness and accountability in their service delivery.

🎯 Adam’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

“Don’t confuse effort with impact.”

📢 Memorable Quotes

“We don’t just need more effort—we need better accountability.” – Adam Serlin
“Technology should empower people, not extract value from them.” – Adam Serlin
“If the people you serve had a choice, would they still choose you? That’s the real test of impact.” – Adam Serlin

💡 Actionable Takeaways

✅ Implement simple, trackable metrics to measure success in your business
✅ Don’t just celebrate wins—analyze failures and improve based on data
✅ Look for collaborative business models that create win-win solutions
✅ Ensure your business solves a real problem—not just one that looks good on paper

🔗 Links & Resources

• Visit Independent Variable’s Website
• Follow Independent Variable on LinkedIn
• Connect with Adam on LinkedIn

What if entrepreneurship could be a tool for preserving cultural heritage? That’s exactly what Nadine Zaza, founder of Culture Crate, is doing. With a background in architecture, human-centered design, and cultural strategy, Nadine has built a mission-driven business that brings intangible cultural heritage to life through experiential learning kits.

In this episode, Nadine shares her journey from working with refugee educators to building a business that safeguards cultural traditions—all while successfully launching a crowdfunded Kickstarter campaign. Whether you’re passionate about mission-driven business, crowdfunding, or education, you’ll walk away inspired by her insights on building a purpose-driven brand that makes a lasting impact.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

🔹 How to turn your passion for social impact into a business model
🔹 What it takes to run a successful Kickstarter campaign (and why it validates your idea)
🔹 The power of human-centered design in product creation and how to use it
🔹 Why storytelling is your most valuable marketing asset (and how Nadine leveraged it)
🔹 How to ethically source materials and build a values-aligned supply chain
🔹 The importance of co-designing with the communities you serve

📝 About Nadine Zaza

Nadine Zaza is a designer, entrepreneur, and cultural strategist dedicated to preserving and celebrating global heritage through experiential learning. She founded Culture Crate in 2021, drawing from her experiences working with refugees, using design as a tool for social and cultural engagement, and her time at MIT, where she earned a Master of Science in Engineering and Management with a focus on human-centered design, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation. With a background in Architecture and Design from RISD, she merges design thinking, storytelling, and business strategy to create impactful ways for people to engage with intangible cultural heritage. As an MIT-trained entrepreneur, she has built a mission-driven business, secured funding, and navigated the complexities of launching a social enterprise. She has pitched Culture Crate at SXSW EDU and successfully reached her Kickstarter funding goal, further solidifying her vision of making cultural traditions more accessible, interactive, and sustainable for future generations.

🎯 Nadine’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

"The greatest power and impact you can have is through listening. Put your product down, put your vision down, and just listen."

📢 Memorable Quotes

🗣️ “Mission-driven entrepreneurship isn’t just a buzzword—it’s about co-designing with the communities you serve.” – Nadine Zaza

🗣️ “Education and tradition can coexist—our role as entrepreneurs is to make that connection tangible and accessible.” – Nadine Zaza

🗣️ “We don’t want to wait until cultural traditions are extinct to start preserving them.” – Nadine Zaza

💡 Actionable Takeaways

✅ Thinking of launching a product? Crowdfunding is a powerful way to validate market demand
✅ Want to build a mission-driven brand? Co-create with the communities you serve
✅ Struggling with marketing? Use storytelling to make your mission resonate
✅ Looking to make an impact? Find ways to make tradition relevant and accessible for modern audiences

🔗 Links & Resources

• Make a Pledge for Culture Crate in Kickstarter
• Follow Culture Crate on Instagram
• Visit Culture Crate’s Website

In this episode, we dive into the future of wellness technology with Moses Kasozi, founder of Mulongo Inc. and the creator of Oseer, a groundbreaking wellness digital twin platform. Moses has a background in statistical analysis at the Federal Reserve Bank and deep experience in product management in the identity authentication and wearable tech spaces.

Now, he’s leveraging AI and digital twin technology to help people optimize their health and wellness like never before. From his experience scaling startups to the lessons he learned after being fired (and how that pushed him into entrepreneurship), this episode is packed with insights you can apply to your own business journey.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

🚀 How being let go from a job became the fuel for Moses’ entrepreneurial journey
🤖 What a “digital twin” is & how this technology is revolutionizing health and wellness
💰 Why wearable tech is exploding—and how entrepreneurs can capitalize on this growing market
📊 How to validate your idea by talking to real users before launching
🛠️ The role of AI in hyper-personalized wellness and how it can drive better decision-making
📈 Why storytelling is one of the most underrated entrepreneurial skills (and how it helped Moses land investors)
⏳ How to balance short-term execution with long-term vision when launching a startup

📝 About Moses Kasozi

Moses Kasozi is the founder of Mulongo Inc., a company building digital twin solutions to help users improve the utility of their prized assets. His latest product, Oseer, is a wellness digital twin platform that integrates AI and wearable data to give people real-time insights and personalized recommendations for improving their health.

Before founding his company, Moses worked as a statistical analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank and later held key roles in product management for identity authentication and wearable tech. His diverse background and global perspective (originally from Uganda, now based in Colorado) have shaped his unique approach to problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

🎯 Moses’ BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs & Entrepreneurs

"If you have an idea—even if it will only make two people’s lives better—just start. Execution is everything."

💡 Key Takeaways from Moses’ Advice:
✔ Don’t overthink it—start small and iterate as you go
✔ Talking to users is more valuable than any market research report
✔ Entrepreneurship is hard, but if your idea solves a real problem, it’s worth pursuing

📢 Memorable Quotes

🗣️ "At the end of the day, entrepreneurship is all about solving problems. If you can make someone's life better, go for it." – Moses Kasozi
🗣️ "Storytelling is key—if you can't explain your vision in a conversation, you're going to struggle to get investors, partners, and customers on board." – Moses Kasozi
🗣️ "The best businesses don’t just track data; they make it actionable and meaningful for users." – Moses Kasozi

💡 Actionable Takeaways

✅ If you're building a product, engage with your potential users early and often—get real feedback!
✅ Think about how AI can enhance personalization in your business, not just automate tasks
✅ When pitching your business, focus on storytelling—not just stats and numbers
✅ Stay ahead of market trends—wearable tech and AI-driven wellness are exploding

🔗 Links & Resources

• Visit Oseer’s Website
• Follow Oseer on Instagram
• Find Oseer on X
• Connect with Moses on LinkedIn