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Ambition Today, Startup Stories with Kevin Siskar

Advertise on podcast: Ambition Today, Startup Stories with Kevin Siskar

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
25 reviews
This podcast has
71 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Kevin Siskar
Explicit
No
Date created
2015/08/14
Latest episode
2025/06/13
Average duration
45 min.
Release period
145 days

Description

Ambition Today is a podcast about entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and builders who ambitiously changed the world. Each episode explores the hardships and heroism of everyday life to reveal the key moments which leave behind a lasting legacy. Creating value in the world is hard, but you are not alone. No matter where you are in the world Ambition Today, hosted by Kevin Siskar, is here to keep you company as you create your own incredible story. Follow the show @AmbitionToday.

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Fundraising With AI
2025/06/13
On Tuesday, June 3, Nelson Mullins NYC hosted an energized gathering of founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts eager to dissect modern fundraising strategies through the lens of AI. Set against panoramic city views, with the liquid death flowing, the evening captured quintessential NYC energy. This episode of Ambition Today is supported by: Finta, the Cursor for Capital ‍ Featured Speakers Kathryn Thiele – Founder & CEO, Buildstock Kathryn brings 15 years of expertise building skyscrapers and is revolutionizing the $1 trillion construction supply chain through Buildstock—a B2B marketplace enhanced by fintech and AI-driven procurement processes. Chuck Storman – Managing Partner, StartFast Ventures An eight-time founder whose exits span natural-language processors, neural-network hardware, and telecom analytics platforms later acquired by Cypress Semiconductor, Osmose, and Oracle. A former chip-level AI researcher mentored by J. Alan Robinson, he now backs deep-tech founders investing $500K–$2M checks into promising B2B SaaS while exploring the frontier of autonomous agents, super alignment, and consciousness.‍ Kevin Siskar – CEO, Finta Kevin leads Finta, the Cursor for Capital, that's automating over $500M in investor interactions. He is driving innovation through Finta's Aurora AI, designed to triple fundraising speed for founders.   10 Essential Takeaways 1. Relationships Fuel the Flow Warm introductions account for 92% of fundraising success. Utilize your inbox and networks to find second-degree connections and send personalized, genuine outreach. The best results come from authentic relationship-building rather than impersonal mass emails. 2. AI as a Teammate, Not a Tool AI agents have evolved from basic automation tools to essential team members. They now manage investor prospecting, personalize email outreach, and maintain data room integrity. This frees founders to focus on critical storytelling and strategic relationships. 3. Master the Triple-Triple-Double-Double Seed-stage founders must clearly articulate a path to 10x revenue growth within two years. Investors prioritize startups that can significantly boost fund performance and deliver returns consistent with VC expectations. 4. Caution: Avoid Over-Raising Securing excessively large funding rounds early might feel impressive, but it creates heightened expectations and intense pressure for unsustainable growth. Carefully align your fundraising amount with achievable milestones to ensure sustainable success. 5. Build Density for Momentum Kathryn shared her highly effective strategy for fundraising: densely scheduling up to 10 investor meetings per day, strategically timed during the holiday season to create urgency. She spent extensive time beforehand warming relationships, allowing her to close a round swiftly in just three weeks. 6. Distinctive Data Matters Chuck emphasized evaluating AI startups through three lenses: unique datasets, distinctive computational infrastructure, or novel algorithms. Investors aren't impressed by generic AI claims; real differentiation in these core areas makes the difference. 7. Ask Investors, "What Keeps You Up?" Addressing investors' specific concerns directly in follow-up communications helps convert hesitant prospects into active supporters. Explicitly outlining how you will mitigate their concerns shows thoughtfulness and commitment. 8. Making Fundraising Fun Chuck Storman provided a valuable mental shift: view fundraising as an opportunity to engage deeply with intelligent, interesting people about your passion. Shifting the focus from outcome-driven pressure to genuine interactions helps maintain positivity and mental resilience. 9. Prioritize Strategically, Save Whales for Last Kathryn advises against pitching the biggest investors first. Be strategic: rank and prioritize investors, refining your pitch with earlier conversations, and approach major "whale" investors when your story and momentum are strongest. 10. Understanding the Venture Capital Super Cycle We might be experiencing a "once-in-a-millennium" venture capital cycle, marked by constrained LP investment and heightened caution. Despite these challenging conditions, as Warren Buffett advises, it's often beneficial to invest when others are fearful, setting up opportunities for bold founders. (Explore more about the current venture capital super cycle here.) Bonus Insight: The Human Edge AI excels at many tasks but cannot replace authentic relationship building. The critical skills of intuitive "vibe checking" and genuine commitment remain indispensable, ensuring investor and founder relationships thrive. Special Thanks We extend heartfelt gratitude to Nelson Mullins for hosting, StartFast Ventures for their invaluable insights, and every dedicated founder who joined us amidst the vibrant chaos of NY Tech Week. ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
How I Raised My Seed, Series A, & Series B
2024/10/29
This episode of Ambition Today is supported by: Finta, The Capital Copilot  In October 2024, Finta hosted a panel for LA Tech Week called "How I Raised - Seed, Series A, Series B." Featuring founders exploringthe unique challenges and insights of securing capital at different stages of their company. Our incredible panel for this event consists of: David Kervin‍ Proteus Space ($8M Raised) - Revolutionizing satellite design with AI-driven platforms, aiming to reduce the time and cost of deploying satellites through automation and cutting-edge technology. Gaurav Bhattacharya Jeeva ($16M Raised) - Harness AI-driven customer intelligence, helping companies optimize their customer experience and reduce churn through actionable insights​. Scott Wayman Kangarootime ($37.5M Raised) - A leading innovator in the childcare management software industry, Kangarootime has risen to the forefront, providing vital solutions for daycares and preschools.   Key Fundraising Insights From This Episode: 1. Getting Investor Buy-In: Confidence Over Convincing Founders emphasized that successful fundraising begins with confidence, not just pitching facts. Believing in your mission sets the tone for investor meetings, as confidence drives a stronger, more resonant narrative. ‍ 2. Parallel vs. Sequential Fundraising Processes Gaurav shared that sequential meetings can be a trap, leading to prolonged efforts. Instead, structuring outreach as a concentrated, parallel push creates urgency and FOMO among investors, leading to quicker commitments. ‍ 3. Navigating Round Dynamics with Clear Milestones For each funding stage, specific milestones are critical. Scott noted that Series B investors expect well-established product-market fit and sales efficiency, while Series A focuses on validating product intent. Seed rounds, by contrast, require strong founder conviction and a scrappy dedication. ‍ 4. Leveraging Warm Intros for Better Outcomes Cold outreach has a low conversion rate. David and Gaurav underscored the importance of warm intros, building relationships long before "the ask," as connections formed early often convert to funding opportunities. ‍ 5. Pitfalls in Equity Structure and Term Negotiations Gaurav and Scott highlighted the importance of a clean cap table and an informed approach to term sheets, particularly for liquidation preferences and convertible notes, which can heavily dilute founder control if unchecked. ‍ 6. Evolving Pitch Focus: Metrics Over Mission at Later Stages With each funding stage, the pitch shifts. For Series B, Scott mentioned that metrics and market dynamics become critical to justify high-value funding rounds, moving beyond storytelling toward quantifiable business growth. ‍ 7. The Role of Timing and Market Trends Market trends, such as the rise of AI, can be powerful, but founders caution to present technology realistically. David shared that aligning milestones with tech waves and managing investor perceptions is essential for positioning within emerging sectors. ‍ 8. Finding the Balance in Deal Terms and Equity Retention David noted that while SAFE notes and convertible debt can expedite early funding, they can also lead to significant dilution. Founders should prioritize understanding term sheets and use cap table modeling tools like Carta to project long-term equity impacts. ‍ 9. Building and Utilizing Investor Relationships Over Time David emphasized the value of maintaining relationships with VCs who may not invest immediately. Regular updates and casual interactions allow investors to track your progress and feel more comfortable when it's time to commit. ‍ 10. Strategic Use of Milestones to Drive Up Valuation Meeting critical operational or revenue milestones before the next round can significantly enhance valuation and interest. Scott's journey highlighted that proving product-market fit and high sales efficiency before Series B can allow for strong, valuation-focused negotiations. ‍ 11. Positioning Within Tech Waves for Strategic Advantage Each wave of technology (e.g., AI, blockchain) offers a unique angle for storytelling and market positioning. Scott and Gaurav recommended founders lean into tech trends authentically, showcasing how the wave aligns with their product rather than simply following hype. ‍ Hosting this event was a blast! A massive thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen and a success. We can't wait to see you all at the next one!       ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
Fundraising Perspectives From 3 Sides Of The Table: An Investor, a Founder, and a Lawyer
2024/06/17
During NY Tech Week 2024 we hosted a live panel discussion in midtown Manhattan on the state of fundraising in 2024. Delving deep into the nuances of fundraising from three different perspectives: an investor, a founder, and a lawyer. Hear from 3 different sides of the table when we gather an investor, founder, and a lawyer to discuss what fundraising venture capital in 2024. Our incredible panel for this event consists of: ​The Founder ‍David Silverstein, is the CEO of Ned, a white label lending platform that makes it easy for lenders to effortlessly deploy capital. The Investor Rachel ten Brink, General Partner at Red Bike Capital, an early-stage VC fund based in New York, specializing in SaaS, Health & Wellness, and Fintech sectors in the U.S. With over 30 years of experience, including founding a Y Combinator-backed startup that reached $100M in revenue and managing $2B in assets. The Lawyer ​Jack Sousa, is the Partner & Co-Chair of the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Practice Group at Wiggin. He is also a wiggin(x) Co-Founder and Partner. Jack focuses his practice on venture capital, startup and early-stage companies and their financing needs.   Key Fundraising Insights From This Episode: How Should Founders Think About Fundraising David Silverstein kicked off the event emphasizes the importance of focus during a raise. Trying to shrink the amount of time you spend fundraising so you can get back to building the business. Highlighting the importance of relationship building in fundraising, while de-risking and hitting the right milestones to build trust with investors. Rachel ten Brink advises founders to start planning their next round of funding as soon as they close their current round. She emphasizes the need to reverse-engineer the process, understanding how far the current funds will take the company and what metrics need to be hit for the next raise. AI's Influence On Startups AI will fundamentally transform the venture capital landscape. Rachel notes that AI is not just a sector but a foundational technology that will touch every industry. David adds that while AI is important, it is crucial to solve fundamental business problems first. VC Investor Relations with LP's Rachel discusses the current trends in VC strategies and the importance of understanding the dynamics between VC funds and their LPs. She highlights the necessity for founders to be aware of the financial health and commitments of the VCs they are pitching to. Current Market Trends and Company Valuations The discussion centers around the importance of always being prepared to fundraise and understanding market dynamics. David stresses the situational nature of fundraising, advising founders to be ready to adapt to market conditions. Important Fundraising Legal Considerations Jack Sousa recommends involving a lawyer early in the fundraising process to navigate complex legal terms and agreements. He mentions the return of redemption provisions and full ratchet anti-dilution clauses as trends to watch. How Can Founder's Stand Out To Investors To stand out, David suggests focusing on demonstrating real customer traction and needs. Rachel emphasizes the importance of clear, concise pitch decks and consistent communication with investors. Strong Investor Communication Balancing warm introductions and cold outreach is crucial. David recommends building relationships with investors before needing to raise funds, while Rachel highlights the importance of thoughtful signaling and avoiding desperate outreach. Practical Tips for Founders Jack Sousa and Rachel discuss essential legal terms, noting the increasing prevalence of liquidation preferences and full ratchet anti-dilution clauses. They advise founders to keep their cap tables clean and to be aware of the long-term implications of their fundraising choices. Industry-Specific Insights Raising funds for deep tech ventures involves unique challenges compared to traditional SaaS startups. Rachel and David emphasize the importance of understanding sector-specific milestones and investor expectations. The End of Software...? The panel debates whether the software market has matured. Rachel argues that while the market is evolving, there is still significant upside potential for innovative software solutions, particularly those integrating AI. A massive thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen and a success. We can't wait to see you all at the next one! ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
How Lorenzo Thione Is Scaling Support For Diverse Founders With Gaingels
2022/06/02
We sat down with one of the most influential people in tech, Lorenzo Thione, who shares his very inspiring journey and how that led him to be where he is today. Lorenzo grew up in Milan, Italy and had a technical background at an early age. He completed his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, from which he holds a M.S. in Computer Engineering. He is now the Managing Director of Gaingels, a leading LGBTQIA+/Allies investment syndicate and one of the largest and most active private investors in North America. He is also the co-founding Chairman of StartOut, Chairman of the Board at Social Edge, and previously co-founded Powerset, a natural-language search engine startup sold to Microsoft for $100 million in 2008. Lorenzo is named one of the most influential LGBT people in tech in 2014 and 2018 and his dedication in supporting and elevating leaders of the LGBTQ+ in the venture startup is amazing. As the Managing Producer at Sing Out, Louis! Productions, he is also a Tony-Award winner (Hadestown, The Inheritance). He produced and co-created the Broadway musical, Allegiance starring George Takei and Lea Salonga. He is currently working in a new original musical, Indigo, as well as The Elephant Whisperer. We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including: Topics Discussed: Where his passion comes from and how Lorenzo found entrepreneurship. Helping others to build a diverse company by providing more than just funding. The different companies that he had a part in building. His mark on Broadway. How your descent can make a difference in your future and your thinking. How the model of angel groups is evolving to syndicates and SPV's. The role of a "Platform" strategy to help Gaingels portfolio companies. What does Lorenzo think about the future of Venture Capital.   Quote of the Episode: "Strategic Value, what is all being brought to the table"   The Greatest Piece of Advice: His mentor told him to, " be obsessive, about how you can add value, to your own network and relationships" Links & show notes from this episode: Lorenzo Thione on Bio Lorenzo Thione on LinkedIn Lorenzo Thione on Twitter Gaingels StartOut Shearshare Bryan Janeczko episode   ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
How Jordan Levy Left His Mark On The Venture Capital Industry
2022/03/05
In the fall we sat down with one of the godfathers of Venture Capital, Jordan Levy, who shares his very inspiring founder story and how that led to his career as an investor. Jordan co-founded Software Distribution Services which was acquired by Ingram Micro, before going on to be a Partner on the early-stage investing team at SoftBank Capital (SBNY) for 16 years. Jordan has served on the boards of BuzzFeed, TalkSpace, Work Market, ACV Auctions, and many others. Using his upbringing and religion to pay it forward (Tzedakah) to the community that he grew up in, in Buffalo, New York. Jordy also co-founded Z80 Labs, a startup incubator in Buffalo, and 43North, an accelerator that hosts an annual startup competition, investing $5M per year in Buffalo, NY. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:   Topics Discussed: Building Software Distribution Services in the early days of venture capital. How to think about the private vs public markets. The intricacies of SPACs vs the IPO. Lessons learned from decades of investments. Betting on the first days of the internet and what has changed since. Investing through the dot com boom and bust. How ACV Auctions re-defined the auto market. The importance of investing in people over markets, trends, and other aspects of the business.   Quote of the Episode: "You invest in the people and I will always believe that" and "if you don't think someone can take this company to the promised land, then don't invest in them."   The Greatest Piece of Advice: As his grandmother passed down to him, "never go to bed angry with your wife." Links & show notes from this episode: Jordan Levy's Bio Jordan Levy on LinkedIn Jordan Levy on Twitter Finta 43North ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
Scott Wayman's Plan for Kangarootime to Support the $648 Billion Care Economy
2021/10/05
Scott Wayman's shares his epically inspiring founder story. His passion for Kangarootime is next level and the company is currently focused on winning the childcare management software space for daycares and preschools. With plans to expand to the larger "care economy" which includes not only early education & childcare but also elder & senior care. A $648B TAM in the U.S. Alone according to Melinda Gate's Pivotal Ventures. The Kangarootime team brilliantly positioned themselves throughout COVID19 as leaders in the space, by taking time to host educational sessions about how their customers can best adapt their centers, as well as quickly shipping new features such as contactless check-in/out, health checks, and more. I have personally watched Scott relentlessly grow this company from their early days at Founder Institute, through several investments from 43North, and was very excited to sit down with him for this episode. ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
Creating Data-Driven Sales Leaders With Peter Kazanjy
2020/11/13
Pete Kazanjy is Ambition Today's new guest from Southern California. He is sitting in San Francisco, CA right now as we speak, enjoying Alamo Square. He is a serial founder and seasoned early stage Saas executive, advisor, and investor. Pete has cofounded many companies including TalentBin, Modern Sales, and Atrium. He is also an author of "Founding Sales". He went to Stanford where he learned English and Philosophy. Pete is still going strong and has a lot to offer his clients, be sure to read his book "Founding Sales", a Startup Sales Handbook. Topics Discussed: Branding and Design Go-to-Market and Marketing Strategies Product Development Hiring and On-Boarding Sales, Revenue, and Accounting Work-life balance End Game Quote of the Episode: "Three main rules: focus, focus, focus". The Greatest Piece of Advice: Checkout the podcast's back channel, The A-List where you can listen to exclusive audio clips containing the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: Atrium Peter's Bio Founding Sales Connect with Peter on LinkedIn Connect with Peter on Twitter Finta ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
Jack Greco Builds A Unicorn Company In Buffalo
2020/11/06
  From growing up on a dairy farm, to a successful entrepreneur with hundreds of employees, meet our next guest, Jack Greco. Greco co-founded ACV Auctions, an online auction dealer platform, which was last valued at $1.5B. He never thought that he would be the person to co-found Buffalo's first unicorn startup in 2014. The great part is the story behind his success. He later reveals to Kevin that he has been fired from every job before he became a founder, and what kicked him in gear, was learning that he had a baby on the way. Every success story is different, and I think this is great for our audience to hear, and prove to you, never give up, or think that you are not worth something because you got fired! Pick your feet up and move on! As of 2018, Greco left ACV Auctions and is now an angel investor. To date, he has invested in over 50 companies and is trying his hardest to maintain a quality work-life balance for his son. Topics Discussed: A little background on Jack Greco Unicorn Start-Up Angel investing in 50 companies Working with others Covid effects on the world Work-life balance Mental Health Having a coach is so important Buffalo Bridge Quote of the Episode: "This [ACV Auctions] is a great learning experience, and it will shape who I am going to be as an investor, a mentor, executive, father, for the rest of my life." - Jack Greco The Greatest Piece of Advice: Checkout the podcast's back channel, The A-List where you can listen to exclusive audio clips containing the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: ACV Auctions Connect with Jack on LinkedIn Connect with Jack on Twitter Buffalo Bridge Finta ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
News Roundtable: Future of American Cities and Working From Home
2020/10/23
  Kevin Siskar and Tim Shisler are at it again, discussing the current news in our world today. Each person brings one topic to the table and they talk about them both. Kevin's Topic: The Future of American Cities. Kevin starts by discussing how he lived in NYC for a full decade and how he has seen the cost of living has increased significantly, but at the same time, the storefronts are leaving! This is due to the commercial investors also increasing their rent too much where small shops are no longer able to handle the cost. Kevin found a statistic: 50% of all restaurants in NYC are going to close due to COVID 19, currently being 12,000 being closed already. So many people think the city and other big cities are dying, but looking at the next few years, will the economy be able to come back? Tim's Topic: Working from home, the rise of remote work! Tim talks about how it was hard to transition for him to remote work once COVID-19 forced a lot of our workforce to remote. It is a lot about having a plan and being diligent about time and how you carve it out. Routine is key. There is a fine line between work life and home life, the separation needs to be balanced. Should you be working at 8pm when you have a significant other? When working in an office, the commute is there to help you shift out of work mode, what do you do when you are working from home. This is also the time where it really shines on the people that really care about their work, vs. the people that were just working to have a job. This is a big topic right now, because working from home is definitely not for everyone. Tune in to hear what Tim and Kevin have to say about this week's topics! ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
Bringing Back Jeff Wald To Discuss The End Of Jobs
2020/10/16
Our next guest is so amazing, we had to interview him a second time! He was on nearly 5 years ago on Episode 8! Jeff Wald is an entrepreneur who has started three technology companies, with his latest company, WorkMarket, being sold to ADP. Monday was officially his last day. He is a Board Member on the following boards: Steel Connect, Costar Technologies, TransfrVR, Peerless Systems, and Register.com. But the true reason we brought him on the podcast today was to talk about his book, "The Rise of On-Demand Workers and Agile Corporations". Tune in to hear all about his book as well as statistics regarding the workforce in 2020: Topics Discussed: What is it like to sell a company? Remote working Social Squads The goal of the meeting Mechanization Electrification Computerization Abusing Powers Quote of the Episode: "Every time {we revolutionize} we ended up with more jobs, at a higher standard of living, with working fewer hours, that is definitively clear through history." The Greatest Piece of Advice: Join the podcast's backchannel, The A-List where members can listen to exclusive A-list bonus clips and get the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: The End of Jobs Book on Amazon Jeff on LinkedIn Jeff on Twitter WorkMarket ========== Ambition Today Is Proudly Independent & Supported By: Finta - A secure, deal room platform for early-stage companies. Quickly set up your company and you've got a blazing fast tool for organizing your fundraise and securing your sensitive company information. House your pitch deck, secure your legal documents, organize your cap table, notify target investors, and close deals faster! Finta allows you to raise more, save time, and increase your efficiency. The A-List - Join the podcast's backchannel for exclusive access to learn the single greatest piece of advice each guest has ever learned!  ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
News Roundtable: R.I.P. to RBG and Facebook
2020/10/07
In this new episode, Kevin Siskar and Tim Shisler discuss the current news in our world today. Each week, each person brings one topic to the table. This week Tim chose to talk about the sad passing of former Associate Judge, Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020. She passed away after complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer. And brought Facebook to the table. There are real issues with Facebook. Everything from the false advertising that Facebook is not taking responsibility for, mental health issues stemming from addiction to Facebook, and now election interference! On September, 3rd Facebook came out with their plan on tackling the Election campaigns on their platform. Tune in to hear what Tim and Kevin have to say about this week's topics! ========== Ambition Today Is Proudly Independent & Supported By: Finta - A secure, deal room platform for early-stage companies. Quickly set up your company and you've got a blazing fast tool for organizing your fundraise and securing your sensitive company information. House your pitch deck, secure your legal documents, organize your cap table, notify target investors, and close deals faster! Finta allows you to raise more, save time, and increase your efficiency. The A-List - Join the podcast's backchannel for exclusive access to learn the single greatest piece of advice each guest has ever learned! Plus additional Ambition Today content, deeper guest insights, a community of fellow fans, and much more. ========== Visit Ambition Today on the Web: ​www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday Follow Kevin Siskar on Twitter: ​twitter.com/TheSiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Follow Kevin Siskar on Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Add Kevin Siskar on Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, Tony Robbins, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, and Casey Neistat. Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy).
Join The Bandwagon With Harold Hughes
2020/02/21
Our next guest on the show, is the amazing Harold Hughes. He is the founder of Bandwagon, which helps companies discover the identity of their fans in order to increase attendance, offer personalized services, and increase revenue. Growing up, Harold made his first dollar selling AirHeads for cheaper than the school sold them at their cafeteria until he got caught! He went to Clemson University where he received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics, before going back for his Masters's degree later. It was then, while he was taking his strategic management course that he realized it was a lot like being a fan at a sports event. Harold loved playing sports when he grew up, and he loved that it didn't matter your families financial status was or where you lived, you just loved to play the game. That is where Bandwagon all started. Now Harold has expanded Bandwagon from just preventing ticket fraud for fans, too also being a fan identity and data analytics company. Tune in to hear more about Harold's story and experiences going through the ups and downs of being a CEO.   Quote of the Episode: "Service to others is the rent for your time on earth" Gauntlet: Listen in for Harold's amazing tips from his experience growing his business: Branding/Design Go-to-Market Product Development Hiring Revenue and Accounting Fundraising The Greatest Piece of Advice: Join the podcast's backchannel, The A-List where members can listen to exclusive A-list bonus clips and get the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: Bandwagon Harold's LinkedIn Harold's Twitter Never Lost Again Equity Token Audible ========== Proudly Independent & Supported By: Finta- A secure online, cloud-based, operations center for your start-up. Quickly set up your company and you've got a blazing fast tool for raising capital and securing your sensitive company information. House your pitch deck, secure your legal documents, organize your cap table, notify target investors, and close deals faster! Finta allows you to raise more, save time, and increase your efficiency. Audible - Visit www.audibletrial.com/AmbitionToday to download and keep any audiobook for free. Download your free book now! The A-List - Join the podcast's backchannel for exclusive access to additional Ambition Today content, deeper guest insights, a community of fellow fans, and much more. Plus, Learn the single greatest piece of advice each guest has ever learned!  ========== Follow: Visit Ambition Today on the Web: www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday  Follow Kevin Siskar on: Twitter: twitter.com/TheSiskar Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy). ========== About:  Ambition Today is a podcast about entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and builders who ambitiously changed the world. Each episode explores the hardships and heroism of everyday life to reveal the key moments which leave behind a lasting legacy. Creating value in the world is hard, but you are not alone. No matter where you are in the world Ambition Today, hosted by Kevin Siskar, is here to keep you company you as you create your own incredible story. Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, Casey Neistat, and Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman. 
Alexis Beechen Drops Knowledge From Building Her Wine Empire
2020/01/29
Imagine being on a cruise with friends and a good business idea comes to mind, then months later, your idea is now being distributed in Walmart's around the world! Today's guest, Alexis Beechen was enjoying her time partyin' and thought, putting wine in a can would be much easier to casually drink. She got home and decided to research this idea and discovered that there would be a good market for it. She partnered with some amazing people and created her brand, The Drop, which is now at concert venues, small wine stores, and as of late last year, in Walmart's all around. An entrepreneur by heart, Alexis made her first dollar selling her mom's gently used clothes when she could barely drive. She grew up with much support from both her parents who were lawyers. Her dad, an entrepreneur himself, had his own firm, and her mom was the first person that talked to her about branding yourself and establishing trust with people. She went to Georgetown for Marketing and eventually landed a job with Havas where she maintained Dos Equis account. Although she loved her job with Havas, she decided to go back to Columbia for business school.  During her schooling is when The Drop was born. Today, she is working on another business that she is passionate about, Hunterz.io which helps startups with connections they need to grow their business. Listen in to hear more in-depth about Alexis' awesome story! Quote of the Episode: "You can only make as much money as the hours you build" Gauntlet: Listen in for the tips, tricks, and tools that Alexis used growing her business: Branding/Design - Fiverr Go-to-Market – Hunterz.io Product Development – feedback from customers Hiring - LinkedIn Revenue and Accounting - QuickBooks Fundraising - Carta The Greatest Piece of Advice: Join the podcast's backchannel, The A-List where members can listen to exclusive A-list bonus clips and get the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: The Drop Website Alexis' website Alexis' Instagram Hunterz.io The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F Fiverr QuickBooks Carta ========== Ambition Today Is Proudly Independent & Supported By: Finta - A secure, deal room platform for early-stage companies. Quickly set up your company and you've got a blazing fast tool for organizing your fundraise and securing your sensitive company information. House your pitch deck, secure your legal documents, organize your cap table, notify target investors, and close deals faster! Finta allows you to raise more, save time, and increase your efficiency. The A-List - Join the podcast's backchannel for exclusive access to learn the single greatest piece of advice each guest has ever learned! Plus additional Ambition Today content, deeper guest insights, a community of fellow fans, and much more. ========== Follow: Visit Ambition Today on the Web: www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday  Follow Kevin Siskar on: Twitter: twitter.com/TheSiskar Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy). ========== About:  Ambition Today is a podcast about entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and builders who ambitiously changed the world. Each episode explores the hardships and heroism of everyday life to reveal the key moments which leave behind a lasting legacy. Creating value in the world is hard, but you are not alone. No matter where you are in the world Ambition Today, hosted by Kevin Siskar, is here to keep you company you as you create your own incredible story. Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, Casey Neistat, and Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman. 
Automating Indoor Agriculture with Dan Nelson's Grow Computer
2019/12/11
Packing for a nice relaxing vacation, you look around, and realize, you have these beautiful plants that you have worked so hard in growing, and you wonder, are they going to be thriving when you get home? Our amazing guest today, Dan Nelson thought just that as he prepared for his honeymoon a few years back. There has to be a better way than having dead plants when you get back from vacation! This is the event that gave him a new chapter in life. After countless hours of studying under his belt, he helped create Grow Computer as it is today! Dan didn't always have the ambition to help automate agriculture, he grew up in Long Island where his father and grandfather instilled his great work ethic in him. He would help with the latest house project by wheelbarrowing supplies to them when needed. He had great hardworking role models and followed in their footsteps. Nelson graduated with a Masters Degree in accounting and an undergraduate in Economics at the University of Michigan. Before Grow Computer, he had many jobs, with one of his favorites being a virtual CFO because he has always loved helping people build better businesses. He even created a tool called Start of Economics 101. Tune in to this episode to hear more about Dan and his tips and experience in building his own company. Quote of the Episode: "If it [computer system] doesn't talk to each other, it adds layers, complexity, transaction costs and stress and hassle, and reduces the efficiency in any business" Gauntlet: Listen in for the tips, tricks, and tools that Dan shares with us! Branding/Design Go-to-Market Product Development Hiring Revenue and Accounting Fundraising The Greatest Piece of Advice: Join the podcast's backchannel, The A-List where members can listen to exclusive A-list bonus clips and get the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: Grow Computer Dan's LinkedIn Abundance - Peter H. Diamondis Beer School - Steve Hindey and Tom Potter The Captain Class - Sam Walker Equity Token Audible Copper - Fundraising Tool ========== Proudly Independent & Supported By: Finta- A secure online, cloud-based, operations center for your start-up. Quickly set up your company and you've got a blazing fast tool for raising capital and securing your sensitive company information. House your pitch deck, secure your legal documents, organize your cap table, notify target investors, and close deals faster! Finta allows you to raise more, save time, and increase your efficiency. Audible - Visit www.audibletrial.com/AmbitionToday to download and keep any audiobook for free. Download your free book now! The A-List - Join the podcast's backchannel for exclusive access to additional Ambition Today content, deeper guest insights, a community of fellow fans, and much more. Plus, Learn the single greatest piece of advice each guest has ever learned!  ========== Follow: Visit Ambition Today on the Web: www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday  Follow Kevin Siskar on: Twitter: twitter.com/TheSiskar Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy). ========== About:  Ambition Today is a podcast about entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and builders who ambitiously changed the world. Each episode explores the hardships and heroism of everyday life to reveal the key moments which leave behind a lasting legacy. Creating value in the world is hard, but you are not alone. No matter where you are in the world Ambition Today, hosted by Kevin Siskar, is here to keep you company you as you create your own incredible story. Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, Casey Neistat, and Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman. 
Taylor Jacobson Teaches Us Distraction-Free Productivity with Focusmate
2019/11/27
After a summer break, we are back with a brand new season of Ambition Today! Season 3 brings with it some fresh new changes to the podcast, coming to you from our brand new podcast studio in the heart of New York City! We have some exciting guests coming up and I can't wait to share all of the great conversations & new questions with you! I hope you enjoy Season 3, now on to the episode! Who struggles with procrastination? Did you know that studies show up to 95% of people struggle with procrastination! My guest today is Taylor Jacobson. He is the founder of Focusmate, the app that helps you focus and in return be more productive. In this episode, we discuss with Taylor what in his personal life lead him to the idea of needing a solution like Focusmate, as well as his personal take on a lot of procrastination issues. As Taylor developed Focusmate, he found three major aspects of being more productive. One, you perform better when you need to complete a task in the presence of someone else. Two, if you commit to another person that you are going to do something, it is highly likely that you will complete it. And three, you are likely to increase productivity if you reflect on your work afterward. You know that you are going to have to review the job that you did, so in the moment of work, your actual focus becomes stronger. Focusmate is now helping thousands of people with all of these aspects! Tune in to hear more about Taylor and his company, Focusmate! Quote of the Episode: "These are the people {Co-workers} that have my back to grow into my best self" Gauntlet: This is a new section of my podcast for season 3, where I will ask my guest a tip or tool that they recommend for their business in each of the following categories. Listen in to hear Taylor's answers: Branding/Design Go-to-Market Product Development Hiring Revenue and Accounting Fundraising The Greatest Piece of Advice: Join the podcast's backchannel, The A-List where members can listen to exclusive A-list bonus clips and get the single greatest piece of advice our guests have ever learned! Links & show notes from this episode: Focusmate Taylor's LinkedIn Start At The End - Dave Lavinsky Indistractible - Nir Eyal Tim Urban - Inside the mind of a master procrastinator Equity Token Audible Profitwell Stripe ========== Proudly Independent & Supported By: Finta- A secure online, cloud-based, operations center for your start-up. Quickly set up your company and you've got a blazing fast tool for raising capital and securing your sensitive company information. House your pitch deck, secure your legal documents, organize your cap table, notify target investors, and close deals faster! Finta allows you to raise more, save time, and increase your efficiency. Audible - Visit www.audibletrial.com/AmbitionToday to download and keep any audiobook for free. Download your free book now! The A-List - Join the podcast's backchannel for exclusive access to additional Ambition Today content, deeper guest insights, a community of fellow fans, and much more. Plus, Learn the single greatest piece of advice each guest has ever learned!  ========== Follow: Visit Ambition Today on the Web: www.siskar.co/ambitiontoday  Follow Kevin Siskar on: Twitter: twitter.com/TheSiskar Instagram: instagram.com/thesiskar Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.siskar Snapchat: snapchat.com/add/krsiskar Be sure to listen and subscribe to Ambition Today in the iTunes Store for iOS (apple.co/1NRRPzL), on Google Play Music (goo.gl/LmmciJ), or on Stitcher for Android (bit.ly/1Rn01dy). ========== About:  Ambition Today is a podcast about entrepreneurs, creators, investors, and builders who ambitiously changed the world. Each episode explores the hardships and heroism of everyday life to reveal the key moments which leave behind a lasting legacy. Creating value in the world is hard, but you are not alone. No matter where you are in the world Ambition Today, hosted by Kevin Siskar, is here to keep you company you as you create your own incredible story. Kevin Siskar brings you ambitious entrepreneurs inspired by Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Residual Income, Entrepreneur on Fire, NPR, HBR, TED Radio Hour, the StartUp podcast with Alex Blumberg by Gimlet Media, Pat Flynn, The Uncertain Hour, Bigger Pockets, Art of Charm, Dave Ramsey, Planet Money, Jocko Podcast, EntreLeadership, Zigler, APM Marketplace, This Week In Startups with Jason Calacanis, Mixergy, Seth Godin, Joe Rogan Experience, GaryVee, James Altucher, Monocle 24, How to Start a Startup, Crooked Media, and The $100 MBA Show with Omar Zenhom, Casey Neistat, and Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman.   

Podcast reviews

Read Ambition Today, Startup Stories with Kevin Siskar podcast reviews


5 out of 5
25 reviews
★★★★★
Nolen R 2019/08/21
Kevin is amazing
I enjoyed a lot listening to the episode with Michael Loeb. It resonated with me so much when Kevin mentioned how he met Michael - the director of Fou...
★★★★★
The Schaeffers 2018/05/22
Straight Talk From a Guy That Knows His Stuff
I heard Kevin on The Land Geek Podcast and asked him to be on The Sales Podcast because he's a straight shooter with a proven history of helping entre...
★★★★★
Speaking@krc 2016/10/26
High caliber guests and info!
What i am really enjoying about this show is Kevin's interview style and the quality of guests. Kevin is obviously passionate about these topics and a...
★★★★★
Mel Pow 2016/06/07
Motivating and Exciting
This series always gives me motivation for that next step and excitement towards the future. Awesome sessions Kevin!
★★★★★
WormsandRice 2016/03/15
Great Podcast
This Podcast always has great guests and has valuable advice for those just starting out, as well as those who have already "arrived"
★★★★★
xen0exe 2016/03/08
Ambitious Today is awesome
Kevin Siskar talks/interviews to NYC's ambitious start-up folks who each has a very insightful view on entrepreneurship, start-ups, venture capital an...
★★★★★
Luau Fanatic 2016/02/16
Great podcast!
Amazing guests, timely topics, great editing. Subscribe!
★★★★★
Djkjgdsdfccdyug45684 2016/01/06
Well worth the listen
A refreshing chronicle on the value of hard work in today's society while still offering technical expertise to those seeking guidance in the ever-exp...
★★★★★
The Dombrowski 2015/12/16
Baller!
This is great stuff
★★★★★
J Carbary 2015/10/17
Really great show!
Loving this podcast. Episode topics are interesting, the content is incredibly helpful, and the episode length is perfect. Keep up the great work, Kev...
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