The Founders' Fable

Join hosts Dan and Savannah in an insightful episode as they chat with Triet, a former startup events planner turned Investor and Mentor at Render Capital. Explore early-age entrepreneurship, the importance of branding, micro-teams vs. corporate structures, what makes a good investor, and valuable insights for startup success. Discover how to thrive when you hit a wall in your entrepreneurial journey.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 32, we're talking with Chris Goode from Climavision. They're a strategic growth expert and hands-on leader. Chris has pioneered merging big data, meteorology, and remote sensing for the last 30 years.In this episode, we’ll discuss small versus large impact, moving from hobby to passion, global versus local impact, new data in an old industry, being a dot-connector, blind spots for founders, living with tech, selling to B2B companies, the difficulty in finding talent, the potential within Kentucky, investment and fund benefits, the ingredient of resiliency, and being ready for the ride.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 31, we're talking with Ben Smock. They're a motivated connector who’s passionate about social enterprise. Ben is the Director Of Development at Canopy Kentucky as well as President at Venture Connectors.Topics we discuss include the year of the rabbit, the progression of entrepreneurship, the art within startups, startups as more than profit, being a sponge, helpful advice versus relevance, purpose-driven business, joining a business from the jump, startups for societal success, the connective tissue between founders and community, a ‘no-wrong-door’ policy, balance is key, and not being defined by just one thing. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 30 of the Founders’ Fable, we're talking with Steven Plappert. They're a 2-time Founder and 2-time Techstars Alum. Steven also just completed a fundraising round of $4.5 million!Topics we discuss include growing up in an entrepreneurial family, taking a crack at it early on, trial by fire and experiential learning, co-founder dynamics, being careful with investor choice, life being bigger than capital and startups, better data access meaning better decisions, the mental toll of failure, decision fatigue, the baggage of a second-time founder, being a founder isn't for everyone, the difficulty of getting product development just right, and the power is in the people.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 29, we're talking with Andrew McIntosh. He’s a multi-time founder with an exit in his pocket and great hair. Andrew’s current project is 1st Gen Entrepreneurs: a platform where first-generation founders can get advice, mentorship, and support. Topics we discuss include Midwest blue-collar mentality, from passion to business, bootstrap vs capital raise, treating people with kindness, the mirage of financial security, entrepreneurship is not for everyone, the 4-minute mile, impostor syndrome, self-compassion for support, don't let the size of the mountain stop you from starting the hike, 1st gen entrepreneurs, the power of connection, and get out there and do it.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 28, we're talking with Mandy Ralston. She's been certified as a behavior analyst since 2002, and her most recent venture is NonBinary Solutions.Topics we discuss include: Do it yourself and competitiveness, sports and resiliency, keep failing upward, Nexus of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment, early-market ideas, constant change in your space, service versus product startup, leaning on what exists, gender, age, and queer divide in startup ecosystems, clinical decision support systems, getting investors on board, just keep swimming, the benefits of hands-on experience, drowning in feedback, and #itsnotbinary meaning two things can be true.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

For episode 27, we're sitting down with Bryce Butler. They're the Founder & Managing Director of Access Ventures. And what hasn’t he done; Bryce has also been an Army Officer, a pastor, an adjunct instructor, a producer, an author, and an investor. Topics we discuss in this episode include entrepreneurship as problem-solving, the balance between labels and support, investment gap in social entrepreneurship, philanthropic venture space, social networks, elevating communities through venture, self-compassion in entrepreneurship, policy’s effect on startup investment, when is an exit right for you, don't let advice lead you astray, growing our local ecosystem, incremental creativity, and integrated capital. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 26, we're talking with Chris Redd: Network N’ Chill Co-Founder, a serial angel investor, and an Epic software expert. Topics we discuss include starting where it's familiar, curiosity leads you down your journey, the importance of diversity, community and disruptions, IT in healthcare, gaining experience to reach your dream, don't run from risk, stability is fake, staying rooted in who you are (fend off fake anxiety), moving from a passion to project, listen to those experiencing now, learn more from failure than success, mental health in the startup space, and don't be afraid to take the first step. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 25 of the Founders’ Fable, we're talking with Evan Knowles. Currently, Evan’s a Co-Founder @ Middle Tech, a Co-Founder and CEO @ Symba, and a Founding Partner @ Defiant Capital.Topics we discuss include experience versus school, where to start with an idea, happy accidents, solve problems for your users by building it for them, using content to push your business forward, and listening is the most important thing you can do.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

In our final episode of 2022, let’s look back at all that we learned this year from our Founders' Fable guests. Specifically, we'll discuss: Slingshot ventures in 2022, feedback versus failure, business valuation, the Louisville start-up ecosystem, early adopters, how important are logos?, you can't do it alone, complementary skill sets, all the ways to support Founders, put good in to get good out, and uproot failure. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 23, we're sitting down with Jermaine Watkins. He's a seasoned CTO with 20+ years experience and a serial entrepreneur with successful exits.We'll talk about growing up w/ tech, side hustles, domain expert vs a technical partner, problem solving, knowing when it's time to move on, flexibility even within a corporate structure , the whirlwind of beginning at a startup, tactical vs situational, enjoy every season, the new frontier of content curation, and enjoy the moment.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 22, we've got our first returning guest Sada Wane! Last October, we spoke on XpressRun in it's pre-launch stage. But how has the last year been?Topics we discuss include: pushing back a launch to pivot, continuous user feedback, it's not what you do but how you do it, lean into your startup community, utilize your mentor's network, creating symbiotic connections, representation matters, communication is key, focus on what you can control, making your first hire count, believe in yourself, and start building relationships ASAP. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 21, we're talking with Mike Jackson: Managing Owner at Agriblock Farms, aka Kentucky Greens Co, and Market Manager at Farm + House Louisville.Topics we discuss include growing up with a passion, having a passion project fail and growing from that, lean on what exists, pivoting with patience and persistent, building to benefit, failure is feedback, helping your customers with what you offer, incubators, not being afraid to ask for help, evaluating your team to be ready, volunteer and shop local, and you're not alone. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 20, we're talking with Harry Wilson: an award winning sales and leadership professional who is the Co-Founder & CEO of Limitless Minds.Topics we discuss include: Having an athletic competitiveness and a grit mindset, imposter syndrome, failure is feedback, reward is correlated to handwork, let your customers help build the product, shorten your gap between potential and now, motivation needs activation, be open to change, use investment for growth, process feedback and avoid distractions, deciding on 'yes,' come back to your original fire, and taking risks to not let opportunities sit on the table. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 19, we're excited to sit down with Tendai Charasika. He's a high-performing leader with an innovative mindset. Tendai is the former CEO of SuperFan, and is the current Chief Strategy Office for Sailing Wealth Advisors.Topics we discuss include: it’s okay to try something, athletics and startups: the story of climbing to the top, there’s no substitute to finding what you’re passionate about, the human elements help you stand out, the importance of exits, population, and corporate engagement in a startup community, nothing changes if nothing changes, the startup worlds gets you out of your comfort zone, learning on the fly and leaning on your team, and making your life all about experiences. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

For episode 18, we're sitting down with Chris Weidmar! He's a technology leader with a background in business development, human centered design, and new product deployments. He's also the co-founder of Party Horses.Topics we discuss include: working for yourself, if you can't sell you won't make it, finding a partner that compliments your skills, technology is always changing, building a team who cares, using early money to prepare for the future, Party Horses, learning as you go, criticism isn't the end, and Memento Mori. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

Our special guest for episode 17 is Jennifer Williams. She’s a Cuddle Clones co-founder who recently exited. Jennifer is currently the VP of Business Development at Dianthus and a Hustler & Tinkerer at Working Title Lab.Topics we discuss include: the good problem of going viral, moments of pause in entrepreneurship, collaboration is important but can sometimes be limiting, find and utilize your cofounder’s skillset, lean into change and new-ness, research should be your first step into being a founder, have realistic expectations, DETECT model of ideas, failure is not the worst thing; just ‘existing’ is, figure out your long term goals early, and you don't always have to solve an apparent problem. Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

On episode 16, we're talking with Roland Achenjang. They're the Founder & CEO at C2 Keep (a Slingshot Ventures portfolio-company.) Roland wears a lot of hats; he's an Entrepreneur, Healthcare Leader, Author, Meditation Coach, and Podcaster.Topics we discuss include disparities between frontline and managers in the workforce, going all out, finding ways to feel supported, being aware of what you don’t know, reducing your scope to ‘must have,’ don’t focus solely on the light or dark side; find the middle, figuring out the next step that’s best for you, putting your ideas into the universe as a place to start, failing vs learning, not letting hurt continue to hurt you, closing the loop for your users, rerouting instead of doing things wrong, and letting your opportunities help others define themselves.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

In the first episode of 2022, we're sitting down with Natalia Bishop. She's a several-times founder who sits on multiple boards. Natalia’s newest role is Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Louisville.In this episode, we'll talk about: Natalia's long family line of women founders, her perseverance when moving to America, don't say you can't but say why you can, push through (without losing yourself), why community comes before business, having a child-like authenticity, perfect practice makes perfect, tailor your network for the right people, finding the next right thing, opportunities at UofL, opportunity meets preparedness, and meditate to find what makes you happy.   Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.

In our final episode of 2021, we look back at our first year of The Founders' Fable. We'll discuss what we've learned, and what our guests have shared with us. Specifically, we'll discuss: the past year with Slingshot Ventures, take your time, failing fast, the importance of feedback and vulnerability in research, separating yourself from your business, being self aware in building partnership, exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking, believe in yourself and find your way, the human experience, writing your own story, and find what success means to you.Check out Slingshot Ventures at ventures.yslingshot.com. If you want a look at all our episodes, visit our website's podcast page.