Unità

Mastering Your Cap Table with Joshua Lee of Ardius "You need a great lawyer and you need a great accountant. Those two things are inevitable. But they look at me and I go, 'Oh, you've never looked at your cap table." In this episode of Founders In LA, Joshua Y. Lee, CEO and Founder of Ardius, talks to us about the important role of cap tables in startup management and investment decisions. Highlighting his background in accounting and venture creation, Joshua discusses common challenges and the strategic advantages of maintaining organized and detailed cap tables. KEY TAKEAWAYS 🌟 Understanding Cap Tables: Joshua highlights the complexities of cap tables, including convertible notes and safe notes. He stresses record-keeping, as this impacts future strategic decisions, especially regarding funding and exits. Tax-Free Exit Potential: Joshua mentions the need for skilled accountants and lawyers in startup management. These experts can uncover tax benefits, including the possibility that the first $10 million in an exit might be tax-free under certain conditions. Joining New vs. Closing Funds: Joshua underscores the importance of understanding funding cycles and managing investor expectations. A company joining at the beginning of a fund may face different timelines and expectations compared to one joining at the end. Thanks again to our sponsors: Nearsure, Unità, Prodhub! 💙 WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST 📺 On YouTube →https://lnkd.in/gsE2p688 🎧 On Spotify→ https://lnkd.in/gdqZC2y3 🎧 On Apple Podcasts → https://lnkd.in/g3URfj4T 🎧 On Amazon Music → https://lnkd.in/gScjrJXb #sales #tax #credits #startup #randd #software #automation #machinelearning #technology #incentives #lessonsinentrepreneurship #foundersinla #entreprenuer #podcasting #lamoments #startuplife #mostlamoment #losangeles #lapodcast

Unlocking Passive Income: The Brandy App’s Impact on Everyday Consumers "I want to add billions to the economy, to consumers who need passive income, who need to feed their kids, buy Christmas presents... there's so much joy that we get out of the things that we buy when they're the right things that we buy." 🤳 In this episode of Founders in LA, we sit down with Rachael Nelson, the Founder and CEO of ⁠Brandy. Rachael shares her journey from aerospace manufacturing to leading a groundbreaking app that democratizes influence by allowing everyday consumers to earn meaningful money through simple endorsements of their favorite brands. She describes the inception of Brandy, highlighting the importance of passive income and the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Rachael's insights into creating a low-risk, high-return product, and her commitment to adding value to the economy by supporting consumers, provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice and the story behind Brandy’s mission to make affiliate marketing accessible to everyone! Thanks again to our sponsors: Nearsure, Unità, Prodhub! 💙 WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST 📺 On YouTube →https://lnkd.in/gN-AN5Np 🎧 On Spotify→ https://lnkd.in/gHTcjrcJ 🎧 On Apple Podcasts → https://lnkd.in/gr9RkdmE 🎧 On Amazon Music → https://lnkd.in/gScjrJXb #brandy #marketing #martech #consumer #psychographics #softwaredevelopment #tech #scaling #lessonsinentrepreneurship #foundersinla #entreprenuer #podcasting #lamoments #startuplife #mostlamoment #losangeles #lapodcast

"Cold calls are the base of our entire business. The first three months we spent in Flick's basement, cold calling, and it's still the best tool that we have. We still do it every day." Frederick (Flick) M. and Louis-Pascal Walsh, Co-Founders of Tequio Tequila Cocktails, a premium canned tequila cocktail brand, share their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting their persistent cold-calling efforts to establish connections, secure partnerships, and obtain valuable insights from industry experts on this episode of Founders In LA. Key Takeaways: ✅ The importance of persistence and not taking "no" for an answer, as demonstrated by the founders' relentless cold-calling and in-store pitching efforts. ✅ The value of building relationships and making personal connections, even with prominent industry figures or unlikely prospects. ✅ The significance of differentiation and focusing on quality ingredients, as exemplified by the decision to use premium tequila in their canned cocktails. ✅ The critical role of sales and marketing in the early stages of a startup, even for founders without prior experience in those areas. ✅ The importance of expressing gratitude and following up with contacts, as a lack of follow-up can be perceived as disrespectful. ✅ The value of leveraging local resources and opportunities, especially in a city like Los Angeles with its diverse network of entrepreneurs and influencers. ✅ The significance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of rejections and setbacks, as success often comes after numerous failures or unsuccessful attempts. Top Quotes: 📢 "It's actually similar to cold calling. You need the same persistence. But instead of actually, like, picking up the phone and calling these people, you just have to walk into their store." (Flick Moradian, on getting into retail stores) 📢 "Cold calls are the base of our entire business…and it's still the best tool that we have." (Louis Pascal Walsh, on the importance of cold calling) 📢 "We literally just bootlegged a couple bottles over the border, brought them back to LA, and did a bunch of, like, at home bench samples." (Louis Pascal Walsh, on early product development) Thanks again to our sponsors: Nearsure Unità Prodhub Check out links to the full episode in the first comments. ---------------------- Follow Ethan Cole PhD for content & insights on Building Faster and Smarter; new trends in Product Development, the latest on Talks and Workshops from TED AI, and to learn more about Founders in Los Angeles.

Welcome to the Unità Podcast Member Spotlight series produced by Raconteur Seven {R7}. This week, we're thrilled to introduce our featured guest: Kristin T. Love, Principal of Creative Fundraising Advisors, known as CFA. With over two decades of proven expertise in higher education, program development, and nonprofit advancement, Kristin is a distinguished capacity-builder, collaborator, and change-maker in the philanthropic space. Enjoy the podcast. https://lnkd.in/dmajAAea #office #cowork #coworking #sharedoffice #officespace

At R7, we are constantly looking for new ways to use our expertise in strategic communication help our clients connect to their customers in the most informative and dynamic ways. Producing the Unità Podcast, Member Spotlight episodes is one of the innovative ways we do that. Alder Packaging's CEO Jerome Fraillon was a wonderful example of the benefit of such interactive engagements. We learned so much about his industry in this episode and we congratulate them on carving out their own niche that not only makes their clients look good on shelves but helps to create a better, cleaner, more sustainable future for our planet. Bravo!

"Customer feedback is gold. Whether it's good, bad, ugly- whatever the feedback is- that's gold." We welcome back Sumeet Rana the CEO and Founder of Prodhub in this episode of Founders In LA Sumeet shares progress on prodhub.ai and how it has continued its mission to serve as a co-pilot for product managers, automating routine tasks to allow for the creation of superior products more efficiently. Beyond merely speeding up product development processes, Prodhub has significantly broadened its scope to include strategic elements like product discovery and ideation tools, enabling product managers to explore new revenue opportunities and develop comprehensive business strategies. Sumeet underscores the critical role of customer feedback in shaping the trajectory of Prodhub, detailing how insights gathered from hundreds of interviews have informed the platform’s development and helped pivot towards features that resonate deeply with users’ needs. The discussion touches on the importance of genuine feedback over niceties, the strategic decision to offer a free plan for individuals, and the ongoing effort to demystify AI and data security concerns among their clientele. The conversation also highlights the latest developments at Prodhub.ai, including the introduction of an Opportunity Dashboard designed to help Product Managers identify and prioritize the most valuable opportunities based on customer feedback and market data. Sumeet reveals plans for further innovation, with a focus on enterprise maturity and infrastructure improvements powered by Azure to ensure data security and build trust with large enterprise customers. This episode not only showcases the impressive strides Prodhub has made under Sumeet Rana’s leadership but also offers valuable insights into the importance of customer feedback, the strategic application of AI in product management, and the challenges and opportunities of innovating in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Thanks again to our sponsors: Nearsure Unità Prodhub Check out links to the full episode in the first comments. ---------------------- Follow Ethan Cole PhD for content & insights on Building Faster and Smarter; new trends in Product Development, the latest the Talks and Workshops from TED AI, and to learn more about Founders in Los Angeles.

The Bevz Effect: Jason Vego's Strategy Disrupt the Convenience Retail Sector "Failing is the best way to learn" Jason Vego, CEO and Co-Founder of ⁠Bevz, shares insights into the journey of revolutionizing retail operations for independent liquor and convenience stores through innovative SaaS solutions in the latest episode of ⁠Founders In LA⁠. 🛒📈 With a focus on simplifying inventory management and enhancing e-commerce capabilities, Vego illuminates the challenges and triumphs of catering to a sector often overlooked by technology advancements. The conversation navigates the intricacies of understanding customer needs, adapting to industry shifts, and leveraging personal experiences to drive a business forward. Beyond the narrative of Bevz's evolution, Vego's personal anecdotes about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the spirit of collaboration offer valuable lessons on navigating the tech startup landscape. 💡 This episode not only highlights Bevz's mission to empower small businesses but also reflects on the broader implications of technology in transforming traditional business models. Thanks again to our sponsors: Nearsure, Unità, Prodhub! 💙 WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST 📺 On YouTube → https://lnkd.in/gTQzwxAf 🎧 On Spotify →https://lnkd.in/gp_WhnAP 🎧 On Apple Podcasts → https://lnkd.in/gKEgE9aa 🎧 On Amazon Music → https://lnkd.in/gAV-tppU #bevz #retail #retailoperations #liquorstores #ecommerce #tech #lessonsinentrepreneurship #foundersinla #entreprenuer #podcasting #lamoments #startuplife #mostlamoment #losangeles #lapodcast

"Humans are really good at workarounds. We have finite brain capacity and the flood of information that's coming in, especially with Gen AI, can't be processed by humans." Jon Lemelman  Founder and CEO of Classify showcases its role as a beacon in the realm of personal productivity tools in this episode. Classify is designed to address the modern dilemma of information overload through its innovative use of AI-based workflows. Jon elaborates on the thoughtful integration of features aimed at users with ADHD, making productivity accessible to a broader audience. He shares the startup's journey, emphasizing the importance of a user-centric approach in design and functionality, and Classify's commitment to transforming our digital interactions into a more manageable, efficient, and less overwhelming experience. This episode of Founders In LA reveals the exciting trajectory of Classify, from its inception to its mission to redefine personal organization through technology, making it a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the future of work and digital well-being. Thank you again to our sponsors Nearsure  and Unità  for making this podcast possible! Check out links to the full episode in the first comment below. #podcast #founders #startup #automation #ai #productdevelopment ---------------------- Follow Ethan Cole PhD for content & insights on Building Faster and Smarter; new trends in Product Development, summaries of the Talks and Workshops from TED AI 2023, and to learn more about Founders in Los Angeles.

Intimate conversations, real issues, exceptional people with solutions ready to change, impact...All here at Unita! #office #coworking #event

This afternoon in #manhattanbeach, join us at Unità coworking space to meet 5 #southbay executives launching and leading local ventures. Earlier this week we highlighted Amy Keller, Edward Keller, and Francis Mohajerin joining us at 4:30 PM to network with our community. Today we highlight 2 more executives who we will be hosting today: Elijah Kim and John T Foxworthy M.S. Data Science https://gids.co - John Thomas Foxworthy - Founder Gids empowers enterprises to become AI-ready, providing immersive training programs for technical and non-technical teams to develop real-world AI applications tailored to business priorities. Their Veteran Data Scientists distill decades of experience to our global network members as our Beachhead strategy. They have created a premier set of AI credentials and a global network of real data scientists for conferences and improve racial and gender equity in the artificial intelligence industry. John is a local Manhattan Beach resident since 1986. www.redro.ai incubated by www.lvlon.com - Elijah Kim - Founder AI powered powered stylist that helps people stay up to date with fashion trends using advanced algorithms to identify individual preferences - Eliminate the guesswork from fashion/style choices - Access/buy products that work best for you (budget, style, texture, quality, etc) Elijah spent over 5 years at BCG Digital Ventures building corporate-backed ventures in the south bay across multiple industries (consumer, media, finance, healthcare, energy, etc) #ai #incubator #fashion #digital #entrepreneurs #community Jason Manasse Sanjeev Rao Mike McGloin Kiana Nicio