Episode 073: Part 2 of ‘Impact Founder’s’ takeover of the BTP

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 073: Part 2 of 'Impact Founder's' takeover of the BTP
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This episode is part of our 2020 Boulder Startup Week series. Because of the coronavirus, this year’s startup week took place virtually. We missed seeing everyone in person, but applaud the tremendous effort undertaken — mostly by volunteers — to put on the event. For more info, visit boulderstartupweek.com.

We’ve got another podcast “takeover” in this edition, with the Boulder Tech Podcast combining forces with Impact Founder, a media company, debunking the myth that entrepreneurship is sexy or easy. They tell the real stories of entrepreneurs so you don’t feel alone in your experience as a founder. 

For Boulder Startup Week 2020, Impact Founder’s “founder”, Kristin Darga, speaks with founders who pivoted or launched during the COVID-19 shutdown. In this episode, she talks to two people who decided to change course so that their business could better serve their community during this critical time.

First up is Claudio Garcia, founder at Ohiya Networks. 

As a customer-centric communications tool along the lines of Zoom and Slack, Ohiya Networks has been experiencing explosive growth during the coronavirus pandemic. He speaks with Impact Founder’s Kristin Darga about the recent challenges they’ve faced, and the success they’re enjoying.

Learn more at ohiyanetworks.com

Next up, Kristin talks to Yi Shan, founder of InterMeditation, an online meditation and support community. 

With people suddenly discovering they have more time on their hands, it’s no surprise that interest in meditation is spiking. InterMediation is enjoying rapid growth, with 100% of participants saying they’d recommend the site to their friends. Learn how Yi’s idea came about, and how InterMediation can improve your business — and life.

Find out more at intermeditation.com.

This has been an Impact Founder takeover of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

To listen to more stories, please visit Impactfounder.com or find them on iTunes, Stitcher and most other podcast platforms. Follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @impactfounder.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Name.com and the Downtown Boulder Partnership

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com.

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 072: ‘Impact Founder’ takes over the BTP to talk pivoting in this time of virus

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 072: 'Impact Founder' takes over the BTP to talk pivoting in this time of virus
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This episode is part of our 2020 Boulder Startup Week series. Because of the coronavirus, this year’s startup week takes place virtually. We won’t be doing as many interview as we have the past two years, and will miss seeing everyone in person, but look forward to catching as many of the online sessions as we can. For more info and a full schedule, visit boulderstartupweek.com.

We’ve got another podcast “takeover” in this edition, with the Boulder Tech Podcast combining forces with Impact Founder, a media company debunking the myth that entrepreneurship is sexy or easy. They tell the real stories of entrepreneurs so you don’t feel alone in your experience as a founder. 

For Boulder Startup Week 2020, Impact Founder’s founder, Kristin Darga, speaks with founders who pivoted or launched during the COVID-19 shutdown. In this episode, she speaks with two people who decided to change course so that their business could better serve their community during this critical time.

Our first guest is Rebecca Cranston, CFO of Amairify and Managing Partner of Four Corners Clean, a disinfecting service she started in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

They have been hard at work throughout the southwest and most notably in the Navajo Nation, spraying in the highest-risk community, residential, and tribal government spaces, where rates of infection have not stabilized and death rates are among the highest in the world.

And if starting one company wasn’t enough, the interest in Four Corners Clean led Rebecca to launch Amairify, a distribution company created to help provide disinfecting services nationally. 

Learn more at fourcornersclean.com.

Then, Kristin talks to Tommy Riley, Co-Founder of Handoff, a chat- and voice-based alcohol recommendation and delivery platform. 

When the coronavirus led to Colorado locking down in mid-March, Handoff took a tremendous risk to pivot and help Colorado breweries who do not have a retail presence. Their focus on local product has helped liquor stores, brewers and distillers across the state to remain afloat during a difficult time.

Find out more and download the app at handofftech.com.

To listen to more founder stories, please visit Impactfounder.com or find them on iTunes, Stitcher and most other podcast platforms. Follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @impactfounder.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors Honey, Name.com and the Downtown Boulder Partnership

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 056: Sarah Bates, Co-Founder & CEO, MamaMend

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 056: Sarah Bates, Co-Founder & CEO, MamaMend
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This is the last — but definitely not least — of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. Thanks to all the guests for their time and patience, and to all of you, for listening.

Our guest for Episode 56 is Sara Bates, co-founder and CEO at MamaMend, a personalized, evidence-based guide to childbirth recovery and postpartum health.

Sara and I talk tech and birthing, and touch on:

  • how she employs data and empathy to solve problems
  • her journey from her time on Wall Street to founder of an app for postpartum moms
  • the dichotomy and balance between data and intuition when it comes to raising a new child
  • thoughts on being a founder, a woman and a mom in the tech industry

Follow Sara on Twitter @data_bates.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com.

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 048: Leslie Na, Founder/CEO/TruthBomb (a WILD interview by Stephanie Brady)

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 048: Leslie Na, Founder/CEO/TruthBomb (a WILD interview by Stephanie Brady)
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Episode 48 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is part of a special “WILD” series of interviews recorded during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week

WILD, Women Inspiring Leadership Development, is a new track at Boulder StartUp Week 2019, and features candid conversations celebrating women’s startup success, diversity, power, mentoring muscle and leadership impact. 

For the WILD series, interviewing privileges go to Stephanie Brady, Managing Director at iFG Studios and Board Member of The WILD Council. who chats with Leslie Na, Founder and CEO of Truth Bomb about:

  • Why Leslie left corporate America to start her own venture
  • Dealing with unexpected startup challenges
  • How her personal experiences shape her entrepreneurial spirit

and more, on this WILD episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Follow Leslie on Twitter @truthbomblife.

***

The WILD at Boulder Startup Week podcast series is supported by 1stBank, “banking for good” to help business customers achieve their goals and provide them the resources to succeed. Learn more at efirstbank.com.

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 047: Joan Kanner, Co-Founder, Bottom’s Up Bagels / Creator, Fugue App

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 047: Joan Kanner, Co-Founder, Bottom's Up Bagels / Creator, Fugue App
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This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 47 is Joan Kanner, co-founder and operator of Bottom’s Up Bagels, and creator of the Fugue app. Joan’s based in Baltimore and was in town for Boulder Startup Week to see what we’re up to out here. In our fun and wide-ranging discussion, we get into:

  • What sets a good bagel apart from a great one
  • The relationship between Food and memory
  • Forgetting, and why Joan created the Fugue music app
  • The view of Boulder from Baltimore
  • A brief history of bagels on the front range according to me

Follow Joan on Twitter at @fuguetheapp

[This episode is marked “explicit for language slightly saltier than a good salt bagel.]

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 046: Lisa Buffo, Founder/CEO, Cannabis Marketing Association

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 046: Lisa Buffo, Founder/CEO, Cannabis Marketing Association
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This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 46 is Lisa Buffo, Founder and CEO of the Cannabis Marketing Association, a Denver-based organization focused on education and best practices for cannabis industry communications professionals.

We cover a lot of ground, including:

  • challenges to cannabis marketing, both legally and image-wise
  • the restrictive laws around marketing and how they disrupt basic commerce as well as efforts to destigmatize the substance
  • Colorado’s place in the pot pecking order now that legalization is spreading
  • the often forgotten point that cannabis is, at its most basic, a source of joy

Follow the Cannabis Marketing Association on Twitter @CannaMarketing and LIsa @LiBuff21.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms, comments and guest suggestions are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 043: Shail Mehta, Co-Founder/CEO, The Last Gameboard (a WILD interview by Stephanie Brady)

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 043: Shail Mehta, Co-Founder/CEO, The Last Gameboard (a WILD interview by Stephanie Brady)
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Episode 43 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is part of a special “WILD” series of interviews recorded during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. 

WILD (Women Inspiring Leadership Development) is a new track at Boulder StartUp Week 2019, and features candid conversations celebrating women’s startup success, diversity, power, mentoring muscle and leadership impact. 

For the WILD series, I’m pleased to hand off interviewing duties to Stephanie Brady, Managing Director at iFG Studios and Board Member of The WILD Council. who chats in this episode with Shail Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder of The Last Gameboard about :

  • How Shail started a tech venture without a tech background
  • Her inspiration to fuse the physical game board experience into the digital gaming world. 
  • And battling the bro-culture as a minority woman 

The WILD at Boulder Startup Week podcast series is supported by 1stBank, “banking for good” to help business customers achieve their goals and provide them the resources to succeed. 

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 040: Megan Bent, Founder/CEO, Harbinger Ventures (a WILD Interview by Stephanie Brady)

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 040: Megan Bent, Founder/CEO, Harbinger Ventures (a WILD Interview by Stephanie Brady)
/

Episode 40 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is part of a special “WILD” series of interviews recorded during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week

WILD (Women Inspiring Leadership Development) is a new track at Boulder StartUp Week 2019, and features candid conversations celebrating women’s startup success, diversity, power, mentoring muscle and leadership impact. 

For the WILD series, I’m pleased to hand off interviewing duties to Stephanie Brady, Managing Director at iFG Studios and Board Member of The WILD Council. On today’s epsiode, Stephanie speaks with Megan Bent, Founder of Harbinger Ventures, about a number of things, including:

  • Startup lessons she’s learned
  • Megan’s passion for supporting female founders 
  • Creating a new “shared-benefit” model of venture funding 

The WILD at Boulder Startup Week podcast series is supported by 1stBank, “banking for good” to help business customers achieve their goals and provide them the resources to succeed. 

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com

Episode #39 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Product Management track sponsor, SOVRN.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.

Episode 039: Susan Crouse, CEO, Traxart Toys

Boulder Tech Podcast
Boulder Tech Podcast
Episode 039: Susan Crouse, CEO, Traxart Toys
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This is one of 20 interviews recorded in a popup backroom studio at dojo4 during the 10th annual Boulder Startup Week. When it started in 2009, Boulder Startup Week was the first event of its kind, anywhere. Now, Startup Weeks are held around the world. It’s a great example of Boulder’s position on the leading edge of tech — and the future.

Our guest for Episode 39 is Susan Crouse, CEO of Traxart Toys – a company founded to get kids back on the ground and playing with toys.

Among many things, Susan and I chat about:

  • What drew a long time, high-end product development manager to toys
  • Why being a product developer is great prep for becoming a CEO
  • Susan’s enthusiastic advocacy for rapid prototyping
  • And the cruel irony underlying the fundraising challenges faced by women in tech 

Follow Susan on Twitter @CEOTraxartToys.

SPECIAL NOTE: Traxart Toys is running a Kickstarter campaign through June 19, 2019. Learn more here.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder Startup Week 2019 Title sponsor, Techstars. At the core, Techstars is a company founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. With more than 300,000 alumni and 10,000 mentors across 150 countries, Techstars is a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more, go-to techstars.com

Episode #39 of the Boulder Tech Podcast is presented by Boulder StartUp Week Product Management track sponsor, SOVRN.

***

The Boulder Tech Podcast is made possible in part by Boulder StartUp Week platinum sponsors HoneyMatter and Zayo

We’re also supported by Glider, a Colorado-based Community movement and non-profit that produces Boulder’s Ignite and TedX events, as well as Boulder Startup Week. Learn more and consider a donation at glider.com

Thanks to dojo4 for providing space for our podcast studio, and to KGNU Community Radio for recording gear and studio usage.

Our intro music is by Eccodek. Hear more at eccodek.com (that’s E-c-c-o-d-e-k).

Our outro music is by EarthRise SoundSystem. You’ll find them at earthrisesoundsystem.com

The Boulder Tech Podcast is produced by me, Joel Davis. Your feedback, criticisms and comments are welcome. Reach me at joel@dojo4.com

Thanks for listening. We’ll see you back here for the next episode of the Boulder Tech Podcast.