William Bridge
William T. Bridge didn’t grow up chasing fame or fortune. He grew up chasing meaning. Raised in a small town where hard work meant everything, William learned early that success…
Interview
More conversations with founders. Different format, same honesty. These interviews dig into the messy middle of building something. The part between the big idea and the press coverage that most people skip over. Spoiler: that’s where all the interesting stuff happens.
The founders here share what actually fills their days. Not the Instagram version. The real one. With the early mornings, the difficult conversations, and the moments of genuine doubt that somehow coexist with genuine excitement. It’s a weird combination. Ask any founder.
What makes these conversations worth reading is the specificity. Not vague advice like “follow your passion” or “think outside the box.” Actual details. How they got their first customer. What they’d do differently. The habits that keep them from losing their minds.
Some of these founders run companies you’ve heard of. Most of them you haven’t. Yet. That’s kind of the point. The best insights often come from people who are still in the trenches, not the ones writing memoirs about trenches they left years ago. Browse through. Find someone in your space. Or don’t. Sometimes the best perspective comes from a completely different industry.
Jeffrey Belk
Jeffrey Belk built his career from the ground up, starting in roofing and learning early how much trust homeowners place in the people who care for their property. He spent…
Mark Stephen McCollum
Mark Stephen McCollum grew up in Conroe, Texas, in a hardworking family with three siblings—Tom, Missy, and Chris. He played basketball through high school, learning teamwork and grit early on….
Michael Shanly
Michael Shanly is the founder and chairman of the Shanly Group, a property enterprise that has constructed more than 12,000 homes across southeast England and supports over 1,500 commercial tenants….
Jenifer Bakewell
Jenifer Bakewell grew up in Pennsylvania in a family that valued education, and community service. From a young age, she was drawn to caring for others — a path that…
Warren Diamond
Since establishing his first facility in Brooklyn in 1983, Warren Diamond has served as the chief executive officer of American Self Storage Management Associates in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Warren…
Valicia Evans
Valicia Evans has built a life around creativity, care, and connection. Born in Houston, Texas, and now based in Los Angeles, she has spent her career turning ordinary spaces into…
Michael Franti
Michael Franti was born in Oakland, California, and adopted at seven months old into a big, loving family that valued music, sports, and church. Growing up as one of five…
Cisco Sanchez
Cisco Sanchez grew up in Colorado, where family and focus shaped his approach to life. He’s always been curious — the kind of person who wanted to know how things…
Paul Eliacin
Paul Eliacin grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, one of eight kids raised by a single mother. After his father passed in 1965, his mother worked two jobs to keep…
Mark Henry
As the founder and CEO of Alloy Wealth, Mark Henry leverages more than 30 years of wealth management experience to help clients optimize their retirement strategies and achieve their financial…
Andrew Sever
Andrew Sever, Sumsub co-founder and CEO, holds a degree in theoretical physics and formerly worked as a C-suite manager at several leading IT and automotive firms. Sumsub is a leading…