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The Founders' Roundtable is a media platform dedicated to bringing authentic storytelling back, especially regarding innovators and their origin stories. We're dedicated to showcasing how changemakers built what they have today and how life influenced their drive and ability to scale. Each episode is moderated by Isha Naik and Dominique Golden, both impact-driven founders who came together out of a need for support as they began building their own companies. Join our community by visiting our website and subscribing to our newsletter for updates!
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Immad Akhund is the founder and CEO of Mercury, a company that makes banking for startups easy. As a kid interested in programming for fun, he wouldn’t have guessed that he would end up here, and as he mentioned in our conversation, he tried more than once to start a company. Many entrepreneurs will understand the statement, “This is all a big experiment until it’s not.”
He discussed his previous startup ventures and the lessons he learned from failures. Immad also talked about the founding story of Mercury. The conversation highlighted the importance of easy onboarding, transparent pricing, and a user-friendly experience in the banking industry. He expressed his desire to have fun, make something big, and find personal fulfillment.
Listeners can try Mercury out for free here and check out Immad's podcast, Curiosity.
CONNECT WITH US: Immad | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to incorporate more mindfulness into their lives. We had the pleasure of interviewing Danielle Cuccio, a celebrity yoga instructor and the founder & CEO of Cuccio Somatology. In this episode, Danielle shares her journey of building a successful brand in the wellness industry and provides invaluable tips for other founders looking to do the same.
For those unfamiliar with Cuccio Somatology, it's a brand that specializes in creating products to inspire self-care and relaxation. Danielle's passion for wellness is evident in every aspect of her business, from the carefully sourced ingredients to the sustainable packaging. In this podcast episode, we dive deep into Danielle's personal story, including her family roots in the industry and her aspirations beyond her current company.
If you're in need of some positive energy today, you're in the right place. Follow the podcast for future episodes packed with inspiring content and interviews with the world's biggest changemakers.
CONNECT WITH US:
Danielle | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
LINKS:
Cuccio Somatology
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In this episode, we sat down with April, the founder of Detroit-based bakery Good Cakes and Bakes. We discussed April's journey and the impact of her business on the community.
The conversation also explores the challenges April faced, such as opening a bakery during Detroit's bankruptcy, juggling a full-time job, and being a mother. They touch on the importance of perseverance, building a supportive community, and the lessons learned along the way. April shares her insights on leadership, policy and change's impact, and cultural legacy's significance.
The podcast concludes with an inspiring conversation about purpose and cultural impact. April's commitment to preserving cultural recipes and invoking nostalgic feelings through her baked goods shines through. She shares her thoughts on the importance of passing down traditions and the joy of connecting with them in the kitchen.
Good Cakes & Bakes is a must-try spot for everyone; visit if you're in town, and order from the link below if you're not! Follow the podcast for future episodes packed with inspiring content and interviews with the world's biggest changemakers.
CONNECT WITH US:
April | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
LINKS:
Good Cakes and Bakes
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In this thought-provoking discussion with Bruce Friedrich, we delve into the future of sustainable and delicious food options that are revolutionizing the way we consume. As a society, we must rethink animal agriculture as it exists today due to its enormous impact on our environment, human health, and animals.
As the founder of the Good Food Institute, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to promoting plant-based and cultivated meat alternatives, Bruce possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an environmental enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of food, this podcast is a must-watch.
Follow the podcast for future episodes packed with inspiring content and interviews with the world's biggest changemakers.
CONNECT WITH US:
Bruce | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
LINKS:
Good Food Institute website
Leveling the Playing Field for Alternative Proteins, Foreign Policy, Fall 2022
Reinventing meat to stave off climate crisis—and the next pandemic, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists interview
How alternative meats could help save the planet, CNN
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In the first episode of season 2, Isha and Dominique sit down with Akash Mehta, co-founder and CEO of Ayurvedic-inspired haircare brand Fable & Mane. Akash also runs his podcast, Founded Beauty, which focuses on sharing how the world’s biggest beauty brands got to where they are. He and his sister are actively working to further their conservation work through their foundation, The Fable Fund. You may recognize this brand from the episode we filmed in season 1 with his sister and co-founder, Nikita Mehta.
Akash shared how he went from an electrical engineering graduate to working at LVMH brands to co-founding a TikTok viral haircare brand that happens to be the first sibling-founded brand at Sephora. We talked about finding purpose, not being afraid to build something new, and sharing ancient hair rituals rooted in Ayurveda with the world.
CONNECT WITH US:
Akash | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
LINKS:
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Amy Peterson is the co-founder and CEO of Rebel Nell, a company dedicated to uplifting women and providing underserved women with a route to self-sufficiency and equitable opportunity. The company uses fallen street art to create sustainable jewelry, all while giving women an equal opportunity to work and renew their lives. Amy started as a lawyer and was the first-ever associate female council for the Detroit Tigers. While she was working for the team as one of the few women in prominent MLB positions, she began to witness the everyday barriers her neighbors at a women’s shelter next to her place in Detroit were facing. Shortly after, she met her co-founder and founded Rebel Nell. Because she could relate on a personal level to the struggles caused by women not being given equal opportunities, she made it her mission to have female empowerment as her company’s central focus. Rebel Nell is now a certified social enterprise and has been nationally recognized for the work they’ve done over the past 9 years.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Amy Peterson - Rebel Nell
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
RESOURCES/LINKS:
NBC Nightly News | Detroit's Rebel Nell helps women find their way out of the cycle of poverty
For the first time ever, we're joined by two guests on TFR. Raphael Wright and Dazmonique Carr are relentlessly building their food sovereignty movement in Detroit. On the pod, we discussed the many factors that influence a community's relationship with food, from transportation barriers to the lack of access to nutritional literacy. Dazmonique is an old friend who has been building her business, Deeply Rooted Produce, to grow food in Detroit and empower legacy Detroiters to return to home cooking. Raphael is a 2-time bestselling author and the founder of Urban Plug, which aims to empower inner-city Detroiters. His most recent project, Neighborhood Grocery, is the first black-owned grocery store in the city. What makes it even more special, is that it is funded by the very community it serves. These two leaders are making enormous strides to empower the city that raised them by working together.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Raphael Wright - Urban Plug
Dazmonique Carr - Deeply Rooted Produce
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
RESOURCES/LINKS:
Deeply Rooted Produces Works to Transform Detroit's Food System with Hyperlocal Produce Delivery
Detroit Entrepreneur Hopes to be the City's Only Black Grocery Store Owner
To Nikita Mehta, self-care means much more than what most people would imagine. The founder and creative director of Fable & Mane, a hair wellness brand, believes that acts of self-love and wellness rituals are the key to unlocking our best selves, as well as influencing the world around us in positive ways. After working in the luxury fragrance industry, she co-founded her company with her younger brother, Akash Mehta. In this episode, she discussed working with a sibling, balancing a personal and professional relationship, and overcoming communication obstacles to build strategically.
In addition to being in the personal care space, she goes above and beyond to work on efforts related to health and environmental conservation. One of her projects, Fable Fund, is working to help support those who are protecting tigers and cheetahs to avoid further exploitation and extinction. Nikita aided in the production of Game Changers, a documentary led by James Cameron, to spread the word about plant-based nutrition and its impact on human health. She spoke about how important it is to take the time to get to know ourselves and to embrace our inner wildness. In doing so, she hopes empowered people will go on to empower the world.
NOTE: There may be some audio distortion throughout this episode -- we apologize and hope you can still enjoy the interview!
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Nikita Mehta - Fable & Mane
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
This episode was all about women's health, a topic that has been politicized for far too long. Roya Pakzad is the founder of Feminade, a company that believes that providing women with root-cause tools and solid data can help them reclaim their lives and their health stories. The current approach to healthcare relies heavily on band-aid solutions and addressing symptoms instead of the core of a condition, and Feminade is part of a larger shift that has gained momentum in recent years to look beyond the obvious and empower patients with information. Women are often denied the chance to take a deeper look at their health or are overlooked by standard care protocols. With Roya, we discussed how healthy, empowered women are our best shot at building a balanced, forward-looking world. Feminade recently relaunched and is offering a 10% discount to those who sign up for email updates.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Roya Pakzad - Feminade
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
Ashton Keys is a tech founder born and bred in Detroit and is building his company, Athlytic, with his co-founder Jared Eummer. The company is a marketplace that allows colleges athletes the ability to use their name, image, and likeness for endorsement deals. It is also using its platform to empower athletes by giving them tools to increase financial literacy and improve mental health under the immense pressure they face from sports fans. During this episode, Ashton took us all the way back to his days as a student at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, as well as to his time building his first company. He shared valuable lessons related to engaging with the press, entering startup support programs/accelerators, and staying true to yourself to lead with direction.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Ashton Keys - Athlytic
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
Black-Owned Mobile Platform, Athlytic, Allows Student-Athletes To Monetize Their Name, Image, And Likeness
From Tech to Television; Athlytic Co-Founder Ashton Keys is Here to Leave a Mark!
Joan Nguyen and her team at Bumo are building the future of family. Bumo, which means 'parent' in Korean, is reinventing what childcare and work will look like in the future. As the world was attempting to cope with the effects of the pandemic, she and her team set out to build a human-first solution that has positively impacted families globally. Joan has been a trailblazer in the education space, growing her previous company MeriEducation, into an Inc 5000 company. In this episode, she shared how her early life experiences shaped her as a leader and as an innovator and shared the importance of choosing a team that will carry you, your company, and your mission to the top.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Joan Nguyen - Bumo
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
Being Bumo Podcast
Bumo Brain
Bumo Work
Bumo Care
Bumo Closes $3.5 Million in Seed Funding
In our discussion with Gina Adams, founder and CEO of Wareologie, she detailed the events in her personal life that led her to start building products for those with physical limitations. After watching her stepfather struggle with Parkinson's and working in the apparel and sportswear industries, she realized that existing products were not doing much to empower populations with dexterity challenges. While completing her MBA at Wayne State, she began to build Buttons2Button magnetic adapters, allowing people to button and unbutton shirts effortlessly to regain a vital aspect of daily living.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Gina Adams - Wareologie
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
Customer Discovery
How to test an MVP
Defining Social Entrepreneurship
For-profit vs. nonprofit?
Amanda Lewan is an entrepreneur and writer based in Michigan. She has spent years being a connector in Detroit's entrepreneurial ecosystem, starting by building her co-working company, Bamboo. Bamboo is more than just an office space, and serves as a support system for entrepreneurs with offices in Detroit and Royal Oak. She and her team have plans to grow into more cities in the Midwest, while keeping inclusivity and community at the forefront of their mission. Human connection has been through tumultuous times over the past two years, and the episode touches on how Amanda and the members of Bamboo have collectively developed a more flexible work environment to serve them moving forward.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Amanda Lewan - Bamboo
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Harvard Business Review: Getting Brand Communities Right
Sheu-Jane, aka "the Captain" of Repela, had so much to say about building ventures in a meaningful way. She and her team are on a mission to build eco-friendly anti-fouling coating, which is crucial when it comes to protecting our freshwater resources and environment in general. The episode includes advice on how to be well-prepared when creating stakeholder relationships, ensuring that you stay in love with the problem you are solving, and using every possible opportunity to learn and improve your solution.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Sheu-Jane Gallagher - Repela
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
How to Become an Effective Female Founder
National Science Foundation Award
Customer Discovery Basics
Michigan Startup Accelerator Program
Early Stage Funding | MEDC | Michigan Business Accelerator Fund
The Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund (ETF)
TechTown Detroit
EMAIL US:
thefoundersroundtable@gmail.com
Rishi Moudgil joins the podcast and discusses how his founder journey began while in school, and how he learned to listen to the communities he was trying to serve in order to build a valuable solution for their problems. He also explains the work he does as the Founding Executive Director of Greenlight Fund Detroit, communicating the importance of balancing heart and dollars when innovating, and defining what social impact really means.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Rishi Moudgil - Greenlight Fund Detroit
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - Treeo
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
Measuring Social Change by Alnoor Ebrahim
Eight Tips for Building Cross-Cultural Relationships
A new way to score your ability to scale new ventures
What is a Value Proposition / What is Customer Discovery?
What is Social Entrepreneurship?
EMAIL US:
thefoundersroundtable@gmail.com
TFR co-hosts reunite with their professor, Ed Kim. He talks about how he has stepped into and learned from different roles, persevered through trying times, and fully realized the importance of failing fast when it was time to move on from a venture.
CONNECT WITH US:
TFR: linktr.ee/thefoundersroundtable
Ed Kim - www.repela.co
Dominique Golden
Isha Naik - www.treeo.co
EPISODE-RELATED RESOURCES:
Startup-Investor Matching Tool
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
How To Fail Faster -- And Why You Should
Can adopting a "fail fast" culture accelerate the success of innovation and transformation programs
Don't Fail Fast, Fail Smart
EMAIL US:
thefoundersroundtable@gmail.com
Monica Wheat, managing director of Techstars Equitech (+ founder/investor/so much more), joins TFR as its first guest. She discusses her journey building ventures and driving the Detroit entrepreneurial ecosystem (and beyond) forward, as well as the importance of diversity and inclusion from both the founder and funder perspectives.
CONNECT WITH US
Monica Wheat - https://www.techstars.com/the-line/eq... , https://www.venturecatalysts.co | Dominique Golden | Isha Naik - https://www.treeo.co
TFR'S FOUNDER RESOURCE PICKS: We'll be updating this section with our favorite content related our episode topics and links that are useful for founders, so stay tuned for more! NFX Ventures Podcast x Iman Abuzeid (founder + CEO of Incredible Health), How Women of Color Are Using Equity Crowdfunding to Achieve Success in the Tech World, Startup-Investor Matching Tool, Fearless Fund (built by women of color, for women of color), Create & Cultivate
We love Ayurveda at The Founders' Roundtable, so when we had the opportunity to talk to Michelle Ranavat, founder & CEO of Ranavat, we took it. Michelle is the brilliant mind behind Ranavat, a brand synonymous with luxurious and holistic skincare inspired by Indian traditions. The company is not only bringing ancient science to the modern world through its skin and hair care products but is also focused on making an impact with each purchase.
In this episode, we asked Michelle about her experiences growing up in the Midwest as a young girl with Indian immigrant parents, exploring her roots, and tinkering with powerful ingredients to create DIY blends that would one day land her in one of the most prestigious beauty retailers in the world, Sephora. The conversation was a great reminder to remain authentic and build each chapter of our lives with intention.
Don't forget to subscribe to the pod to stay updated on more inspiring conversations with changemakers like Samir. New to TFR? Be sure to subscribe and catch up on all of our previous episodes wherever you listen and on YouTube.
CONNECT WITH US: Michelle | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
Samir Lakhani is a true changemaker. He's the driving force behind Eco-Soap Bank, an innovative non-profit that's revolutionizing hygiene, sustainability, and social impact. With his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, Samir is changing lives one soap bar at a time.
Eco-Soap Bank goes beyond recycling soap; it's about empowering vulnerable communities. Samir shares insights into how access to hygiene can break the cycle of poverty and make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into the intersection of social entrepreneurship, sustainability, and global impact. Samir Lakhani's story is a testament to the notion that anyone, with the right vision, can make the world a better place.
Don't forget to subscribe to the pod to stay updated on more inspiring conversations with changemakers like Samir. New to TFR? Be sure to subscribe and catch up on all of our previous episodes wherever you listen and on YouTube.
CONNECT WITH US: Samir | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
LINKS:
Riverside - record high-quality audio and video content in your own virtual studio
Today, Ashley Rouse, founder & CEO of Trade St. Jam Company, sits down with us for a vulnerable conversation on the high highs and low lows of entrepreneurship. Ashley is a former chef-turned-founder who created spoonable jams using her culinary expertise that customers absolutely love (us included).
TFR is about bringing authentic conversations back into the founder world, and Ashley helped us do precisely this. When her business took a huge financial hit, she began opening up to her Instagram audience (as well as to Gayle King during her CBS appearance) about how that challenge had impacted her team and her mental health in an alarming way.
Don't forget to subscribe to the pod to stay updated on more inspiring conversations with changemakers like Ashley. New to TFR? Be sure to subscribe and catch up on all of our previous episodes wherever you listen and on YouTube.
CONNECT WITH US: Ashley | Dominique | Isha
Website: https://thefoundersroundtable.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefoundersrt
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/thefoundersroundtable
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefoundersrt
LINKS:
Ashley's All Founders Need Therapy Campaign focuses on highlighting the mental health of small business owners, plus a way for Trade St. Jam Co to raise money as a small business close to failure.
Riverside - record high-quality audio and video content in your own virtual studio
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