Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s a relentless, all-consuming way of life.Welcome to Founder2Founder a raw and unfiltered podcast where host Aaron Spiva...
How to Go From Nothing to a Multimillion-Dollar Brand Without Outside Funding
In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Lior Ohayon. Lior is a serial entrepreneur from Toronto, now based in Miami with his family. Finding early success in the internet marketing world, he eventually transitioned into tech and landed on e-commerce. His most recent co-founded business Hush, sold to a publicly traded company for a landmark $48M deal. Now he spends his time helping other startups find their voice and refine their story for a major exit.Lior Ohayon shares how he went from dropping out of school to building Hush into one of North America's top weighted blanket brands. He breaks down the key decisions that shaped his path, from leveraging SEO to fund his early ventures, taking calculated risks, and scaling a product-based business from the ground up.He reflects on the turning points that defined his journey, from struggling with seasonality, to launching a record-breaking Kickstarter and ultimately exiting the company. This conversation gets into the mindset and strategies behind real business growth. Be sure to rate the podcast and follow on your favourite platform, so you never miss a new episode every Wednesday!Chapters:03:07 The Decision to Drop Out of School06:02 First Steps into Entrepreneurship08:55 Transitioning to Software and SEO11:54 The Birth of Hush and Partnership Dynamics14:54 Navigating Challenges and Scaling the Business17:54 The Kickstarter Success Story21:07 Building Trust and Collaboration23:56 Celebrating Small Wins and Validation26:50 Overcoming Seasonal Challenges30:06 The Power of Belief and Support32:59 Lessons Learned from Partnership38:12 The Power of Problem Solving39:46 Goal Setting: A Catalyst for Success42:52 The Importance of Hard Work and Team Dynamics45:15 Learning Through Experience: The Journey of Entrepreneurship48:46 The Role of Preparation in Business Success51:48 Navigating Growth and Change During COVID-1954:34 The Importance of Values in Business01:01:16 Reflections on Personal Growth and Future AspirationsGuest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lior-ohayonStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedin The Founders ClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Instagram @TheFoundersClub Founder2Founder:Instagram @Founder2FounderPodcastTikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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1:11:35
Using a Relentless Mindset to Build and Sell a Nine-Figure Empire
In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Anne Mahlum. Anne is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and speaker known for building impactful businesses. She founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit helping individuals experiencing homelessness, and [solidcore], one of the nation’s fastest-growing fitness brands. Under her leadership, [solidcore] expanded to 120+ locations and raised $210M. After successfully exiting in 2023, Anne now invests, advises, and speaks on leadership, risk-taking, and living boldly. In this conversation, Anne shares how she bet on herself, overcame self-doubt, and made bold decisions to scale her business rapidly. She breaks down key lessons in leadership, risk-taking, and negotiating high-stakes deals while navigating challenges like lawsuits and the pandemic. Her story is a masterclass in resilience and strategic thinking, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to build and exit a successful company. Continue to subscribe and share this podcast with someone you might think could benefit from it! We appreciate your support! Chapters:02:10 - Anne’s Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Back on My Feet06:30 - Transitioning from Nonprofit to Launching [solidcore] with $175K10:45 - Scaling [solidcore] Rapidly and the Subway Expansion Strategy15:20 - The Art of Negotiation: How Anne Secured Favourable Lease Terms20:50 - Breaking Away from Supplier Dependencies and Legal Battles25:26 - Leading Through Crisis: How Anne Navigated [solidcore] Through The Pandemic30:43 - Transitioning Out of the CEO Role and Preparing for Exit35:16 - Selling [solidcore] for Nine Figures and Lessons in Wealth Management41:32 - Strategic Decisions That Scaled [solidcore] to Over 120 Locations46:27 - Why Entrepreneurs Need to Deeply Understand Their Numbers51:47 - The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People56:55 - Life After Exit: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Business1:03:46 - Shutting Down Ambition and Embracing a New Chapter1:08:06 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy as a Female Founder1:15:26 - The Truth About Relationships, Success, and Finding the Right Partner1:28:08 - The Power of Momentum and How to Create It in Business and Life1:35:17 - Anne’s Advice to Her Younger Self: Stay Curious and Keep DoingGuest Links:Website: annemahlum.comInstagram @AnneMahlum Tiktok @AnneMahlum_LinkedinStay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedin The Founders ClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Instagram @TheFoundersClub Founder2Founder:Instagram @Founder2FounderPodcastTikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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1:38:48
How to Run Your Business with True Authenticity, Momentum and The Superpower of Being Unapologetically Yourself
In the first official episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak along with Cohost Chris Meade, welcome Jake Karls. Jake is Co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the better for you chocolate brand that went from a kitchen table idea to a North American sensation. Known for his unapologetic authenticity and refreshingly relatable approach, Jake has been recognized as a rising star in the business world. He made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Food and Beverage, and is currently a finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards.Jake shares his journey of embracing his superpower, being himself, to build momentum and scale a brand that is as real as it gets. He opens up about overcoming insecurities, the power of showing up in person, and why building friends, not just customers, has been the cornerstone of Mid-Day Squares' success. From dealing with investor pushback to navigating the pressures of being the face of a rapidly growing company, Jake’s insights are a masterclass in leadership and authenticity.This episode is packed with actionable advice and real talk. Jake Karls is redefining entrepreneurship with authenticity and showing why embracing who you are might just be the ultimate business strategy. Be sure to rate the podcast and subscribe or follow on your favourite platform so you never miss a new episode, every Wednesday!Chapters00:02 - Introduction to the Founder to Founder Podcast 02:12 - How Jake Carl’s Energy and Confidence Started from Insecurity 03:23 - Overcoming Fear and Learning to Lean Into Strengths 05:56 - Finding the Right Role in Business and Letting Go of Ego 08:15 - The Power of Communication in Entrepreneurship and Partnerships 10:41 - How Conflict Can Destroy or Strengthen a Business Relationship 12:39 - The Challenges of Being a Public Figure and Representing a Brand 15:13 - Staying Authentic While Scaling a Business and Facing Public Scrutiny 17:25 - The Realities of Traveling Constantly and Maintaining Relationships 19:53 - The Sacrifices Entrepreneurship Demands and Finding Balance 24:06 - Why Communication and Therapy Are Key to Business Longevity 29:26 - Fear of Growing Up, Taking on Responsibility, and Losing Freedom 33:53 - How Proving People Wrong Became a Driving Force for Success 38:20 - Building a Personal Brand to Elevate Your Business and Career 42:03 - The Power of Showing Up and How It Opens Unexpected Doors 48:13 - How to Separate Your Identity From Your Business for Long-Term Growth 53:44 - The Role of Momentum in Success and How to Maintain It 1:01:18 - Identifying Energy Drainers and Protecting Your Time 1:07:06 - What Jake Would Tell His Younger Self About Life and Success 1:10:19 - Final Thoughts on Canadian Entrepreneurship and CommunityGuest Links:Instagram @JakeKarls_Linkedin Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedin The Founders ClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Instagram @TheFoundersClub Founder2Founder:Instagram @Founder2FounderPodcastTikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
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1:11:50
Welcome to Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
In the short teaser trailer of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sets the stage for what listeners can expect from this raw and unfiltered podcast. Fuelled by his passion for entrepreneurship, Aaron will be sharing the real stories behind building a business, from the late nights and brutal setbacks, to the game-changing moments that make it all worthwhile. His goal is simple: to bring candid conversations with fellow founders to a bigger stage, diving deep into the grit, growth, and the mindset needed to keep pushing forward when most would quit.Whether it’s solo episodes exploring Aaron’s own entrepreneurial journey or interviews with visionaries who have carved out their own paths, Founder2Founder promises to deliver the truth about what it takes to build something that truly matters. New episodes drop every Wednesday on all major platforms, so tune in, subscribe and rate this podcast to stay up to date on all the amazing conversations to come!Stay Connected!Aaron Spivak:Instagram @SpivakLinkedin The Founders ClubWebsite www.foundersclubofficial.com Instagram @TheFoundersClub Founder2Founder:Instagram @Founder2FounderPodcastTikTok @Founder2FounderPodcastYoutube @Founder2Founder.Podcast
Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s a relentless, all-consuming way of life.Welcome to Founder2Founder a raw and unfiltered podcast where host Aaron Spivak pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something from the ground up. No sugarcoating, no overnight success stories—just deep, honest conversations with some of the most driven, underrated, and game-changing founders of our time. From brutal setbacks to game-changing mindset shifts, Aaron goes beyond the polished success stories to uncover the unglamorous, deeply personal side of building a business.As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Aaron goes beneath the surface and gets into the nitty-gritty of what it truly takes to succeed. He’ll dive into the habits, behaviors, and routines that set elite founders apart, the tactics and strategies that are working today, and the mindset shifts required to push through the hardest moments. Through raw personal stories, late-night struggles, and breakthrough moments, guests open up about what it really means to grow, not just as a founder, but as a person.Each week, Aaron sits down with visionary entrepreneurs from high-growth startup founders to seasoned CEOs, for real, unfiltered conversations about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you're scaling a company, launching your first venture, or just looking for inspiration, this podcast will give you the insights, motivation, and real-world advice you won’t get just anywhere. If you're ready to strip away the illusion and get real about what it means to build, sacrifice, and thrive, this is the podcast for you. Join us every Wednesday!
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