Listen Now

In this episode of Masters and Founder, host Dan Dillard sits down with Dr. Ken Wisian at Austin’s Ibble Studios. Dr. Wisian is the Associate Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology’s Environmental Division at the University of Texas at Austin.  Dr. Wisian discusses the importance of following your passions. He shares how following his passions for science fiction and military history guided him in his career path. A path that led him to a fulfilling career that he would gladly live all over again.  After graduating with a physics degree from UT Austin, Dr. Wisian started his career as a navigator in the Air Force. It's there he learned that it is better to be flying over the battlefield rather than be on it. He later went on to achieve a doctorate degree in geophysics. Dr. Wisian now researches geothermal energy in hopes to solve the energy crisis within the next couple of years.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Masters and Founders, Host Dan Dillard welcomes his guest, fellow serial entrepreneur and long-time friend, Joshua B. Lee to the show. Dan and Josh sat down together at Austin’s Ibble Studios to talk about the highs and lows of Josh’s journey as an entrepreneur.  Josh is the founder and CEO of StandOut Authority, which he started in 2014. StandOut Authority helps businesses grow their influence and optimize the human connection through LinkedIn. Focusing on H2H connections, rather than B2B or B2C, Josh’s energy and passion comes through in everything he does. But that wasn’t always so. It took a bad bet and the loss of several businesses to make him realize, you have to understand failure to be able to appreciate success. And as a founder and business owner, Josh has seen plenty of both — and learned a whole lot about what really matters along the way. He got his start in 2003 working in online marketing for businesses like MySpace and Google, and over the two decades that followed, went on to start 16 businesses and author a book called “Balance is Bullsh*t.”  In their conversation, Josh shares the proudest moments in his career, why seeking counsel has been instrumental for his relationships and personal growth, and digs into why sharing stories of both successes and failures as entrepreneurs is so important for the next generation of founders. Learn more and watch the podcast at foundingAUSTIN. A founding_media production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cortney Jones is a social worker, Child Welfare advocate, and the Executive Director and Founder of Change 1, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support services that improve the lives of children, youth, and families that experience the Child Welfare system and other Health & Human Services systems. She joins hosts Dan Dillard and PJ Christie for the final episode of Search & Convert’s Founder Spotlight series to share her experiences as a founder, the work that Change 1 accomplishes, and her involvement in Search & Convert’s Black Businesses Matter initiative.  Highlights include:  Cortney’s journey from social worker to founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Change 1  How Change 1 works in the community to support children transitioning out of the Child Welfare system  The unique challenges that entrepreneurs face when they’re founding a nonprofit organization Why it’s important for people working with Foster Youth to have lived experiences in the Child Welfare system   The challenges that entrepreneurs of color face as a direct result of their race How you can help Change 1 manifest their goals to build a one-stop drop-in center for Foster Youth and young adults who have emancipated from the system  This Founder Spotlight series is sponsored by Search and Convert, an Austin-based marketing agency that can help your business get more leads through your site. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Chaka Mahone is an artist, activist, and entrepreneur. He is one half of the dynamic hip hop duo Riders Against the Storm alongside his wife Ghislaine Qi Dada Jean, as well as the designer behind the fashion line NefrFreshr. Through this creative work, Mahone recognized and experienced injustice in how Austin supports artists of color. He shares his experiences and tells us how he created the Black Live Music Fund and DAWA to address these needs and alleviate these systemic issues. Mahone joins hosts Dan Dillard and PJ Christie for the second Founder Spotlight in Search & Convert’s series to shine light on systemic issues in Austin, share how he combines art and activism to effect change in our community, and discuss his involvement in Search & Convert’s Black Businesses Matter initiative.  Highlights include:  How Riders Against the Storm was an entry point for Mahone to start NefrFreshr, the fashion line How NefrFreshr combines ancestral wisdom and present perspective to share a message while looking fresh at the same time How Austin fails to support Black musicians, and how the Black Live Music Fund helps to address that issue  How DAWA aids community frontliners and artists of color in times of crisis  How to recognize your community’s needs and provide solutions to those needs The importance of being involved in the community to uproot systemic issues and keep them from getting worse This Founder Spotlight series is sponsored by Search and Convert, an Austin-based marketing agency that can help your business get more leads through your site. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Stott, improviser, teacher, and founder of Improv | On and Off the Stage, sits down with founder of Search & Convert PJ Christie and our host Dan Dillard to talk about her experiences as a founder and her involvement in Search & Convert’s Black Businesses Matter initiative.  Highlights include:  Stott’s journey from corner office to entrepreneur  How improvisational skills can translate in our day-to-day lives, helping us connect to ourselves and others  Why Search & Convert believes you have to get to know a client before you can provide SEO services to them  The challenge that Black entrepreneurs face when they are looking for support but want to avoid being in service of empty, performative gestures  Stott and Christie’s advice for entrepreneurs This Founder Spotlight episode is sponsored by Search and Convert, an Austin-based marketing agency that can help your business get more leads through your site.  Read more, listen, and watch at foundingAUSTIN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is sitting down with Don Donovan of Baker Street Solutions. Don is an inventor, data junkie, and author of The Right to Succeed™, a marketing approach guaranteed to deliver. With 20 years of client experience at Procter & Gamble in brand, category and general management, and 15 years of marketing consulting as founder and CEO of Baker Street Solutions, Don is Baker Street’s “Discovery” guru. Don’s vision for how consumer behavior is translated into predictive modeling is the basis for his extraordinary career. Guest: Don Donovan Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Learn more about Don and Baker Street: https://bakerstreetsf.com Founding Media YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLyxQReKL3jHiwd0BXsTcGQ Packing Taste Podcast: https://shows.pippa.io/packing-taste A Founding Media Podcast Founding Austin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is chatting with Chris Condit. Chris along with his now wife Mandy founded the Texas 4000 in 2004. Chris is a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor having been diagnosed at age 11. He created the Texas 4000 as a way to continue the fight against cancer by raising funds for research and sharing hope, knowledge, and charity throughout the continent. Chris felt that creating the longest charity bicycle ride in the world, from Texas to Alaska, would be an appropriate way to fight the nation’s greatest disease threat. Guest: Chris Condit Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Learn more about Chris and the Texas 4000: https://www.texas4000.org Founding Media YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLyxQReKL3jHiwd0BXsTcGQ A Founding Media Podcast Founding Austin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is chatting with Jody Goehring. Jody is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Hyde Park Ventures. and previously served as Vice President and Head of Corporate and Business Development at digital promotions giant RetailMeNot, Inc. Jody was an Associate Director in the Technology, Media, Telecom investment banking group at UBS Investment Bank in New York where he advised on a number of M&A and financing transactions. He also gained management consulting experience at Booz Allen Hamilton. Hyde Park Ventures' portfolio includes Boston-based Hyde Park Burgers, and the third largest Five Guys franchisee in the United States. Guest: Jody Goehring Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Learn more about Jody and his work: www.hydeparkventures.com Founding Media YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLyxQReKL3jHiwd0BXsTcGQ A Founding Media Podcast Founding Austin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is sitting down with Prentice Howe, Owner and Chief Creative Officer of Door Number 3. Prentice has worked with some of America’s most iconic brands including Minute Maid, The UPS Store, Anheuser-Busch and JBL. Prentice’s work has been recognized nationally and internationally in prestigious shows such as Cannes Lions, London International Advertising Awards, the Webby Awards and Communication Arts. Dan, Ryan Francis, and Prentice go over how he got his start and why values are an important part of any brand strategy. Guest: Prentice Howe Host: Dan Dillard, Ryan Francis Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Learn more about Prentice and his work: https://www.dn3austin.com/people Founding Media YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLyxQReKL3jHiwd0BXsTcGQ A Founding Media Podcast Founding Austin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is sitting down with venture capitalist, political strategist and writer, Bradley Tusk. Bradley is the Founder and CEO of Tusk Holdings, which includes Tusk Ventures, Tusk Strategies, Kronos Archives, Ivory Gaming and Tusk Philanthropies. Tusk Ventures is the world’s first venture capital fund to work with and invest solely in high growth startups facing political and regulatory challenges. Bradley recently wrote a memoir called The Fixer: My Adventures Saving Startups From Death By Politics, and hosts a podcast called Firewall. Previously, Bradley served as campaign manager for Mike Bloomberg, as Deputy Governor of Illinois, as Communications Director for Senator Charles Schumer and as Uber’s first political strategist.  Guest: Bradley Tusk Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Bradley's Podcast, Firewall: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/firewall/id1199693682 Founding Media YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLyxQReKL3jHiwd0BXsTcGQ A Founding Media Podcast Founding Austin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is sitting down with entrepreneur, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria. John is probably most known as the co-founder of Paul Mitchell line of hair products and The Patrón Spirits Company. His generosity is also a key feature to his work and his life. Guest: John Paul DeJoria Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace A Founding Media Podcast Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is sitting down with Gordy Quist. Gordy is probably known best as one of the members of Band of Heathens. He had a very interesting path, starting out in finance and eventually making his way back to his passion in music. Dan and Gordy talk about working in the music industry and all the steps it took Gordy to make it where he is today. Guests: Gordy Quist Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Band of Heathens Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dan is sitting down with Louis Black. Louis is one of the founders of the Austin Chronicle and the SXSW festival. He has also directed a documentary, executive produced a few films, and was a founding member of the Austin Film Society. Dan digs in and finds out how Louis got his start and what he loves about music, culture, and film. Guests: Louis Black Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ash Almonte is an Austin multimedia artist. She is primarily inspired by beautiful color, incredible music, and outrageous fashion . She is also moved by the process of change, individuals who are doing kind things in the world for others, and hearing about miraculous stories of the past and present. In essence, Ash is moved by life and inspired by every minute of it. She is represented by Lisa Russell, owner and operator of The Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery in Austin, Texas. Her and Dan explore her history and inspiration in this week's episode. Guests: Ash Almonte Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart Thomajan has found the magical formula for restaurant investments. He has made sure not to put himself or his company into a box giving them room to invest where they think it's smart, and be able to make big moves in Austin. Dan and Ryan jump into conversation this week to hear more about how Stuart got his start and where he sees Austin's restaurant scene moving into the future. Guests: Stuart Thomajan Host: Dan Dillard, Ryan Francis Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christy Pipkin is the executive director of the Nobility Project, as the director she creates motivating documentaries and short films, as well as overseeing educational outreach in the US and abroad. She believes that by improving conditions in one community you improve the state of the global community. Dan and Ryan jump into conversation this week to hear more about how Christy came to the Nobility project, and how learn how we can all do more as global citizens. Guests: Christy Pipkin Host: Dan Dillard, Ryan Francis Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With interests spanning from VC funding to real estate Gregg Alvarez has been at the forefront of innovation in multiple industries. Always asking why something doesn't exist or being done better, Gregg has kept a watchful eye on how technology is rapidly changing how business works. Dan and Ryan jump into conversation this week to talk all things innovation and how to make sure you keep the right people in your circle. Guests: Gregg Alvarez Host: Dan Dillard, Ryan Francis Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Randy Cohen wanted to make buying tickets to your favorite event easier, and he has done just that. With over 30 years of experience making customers happy, and experiences happen all over the country for millions of people, Randy knows what it takes to create amazing customer service moments. Sitting down with Dan and Ryan this week we dig in to find out how to make your hustle your happy place. Guests: Randy Cohen Host: Dan Dillard, Ryan Francis Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Arrow of Mutual Mobile kicked off his career as an innovator and entrepreneur at the young age of 22. Taking his company onto the Fortune 2011 Most Promising Companies list, at number one in the state of Texas, it has quickly expanded from the college dorm to over 300 employees. John has a way of seeing gaps in the market and making unique things happen. This week Dan talks to John about where he started, and how he has learned from success and failures in his career. Guests: John Arrow Host: Dan Dillard Producer: Myrriah Gossett Audio Engineer: Jake Wallace Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank Krasovec may have started with humble roots as a paper boy to as he began his journey to business greatness, but his drive has taken him far beyond his childhood home. From building empires at home and abroad Frank has been able to take all of his ventures far and beyond their original footprint and scale them into international successes. Guests: Frank Krasovec Host: Dan Dillard, Ryan Francis Producer: Myrriah Gossett Music by: Scott Holms Founding Austin Masters and Founders Facebook Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.