New York Launch Pod: A Podcast Highlighting New Start-Ups, Businesses, and Openings in the New York City Area (NY Launch Pod)
2016 NEW YORK PRESS CLUB AWARD FOR BEST PODCAST! Highlighting start-ups, disruptors, innovators, and other nontraditional businesses in the New York City area, the New York Launch Pod is a monthly podcast featuring conversations with a diverse group of entrepreneurs, who share their experiences and insights building new businesses in and around the Big Apple. From business strategy, to dealing with logistical and financial obstacles, to the sometimes painful growth process, the podcast covers key issues facing entrepreneurs and their businesses. Hosted by Hal Coopersmith, a practicing attorney in New York City, the podcast is designed to address the unique opportunities...
Sat, July 01, 2023
Episode 91: Yotam Cohen, CEO & Co-Founder Founder of Daisy Property Management
Yotam Cohen, the visionary founder of Daisy Property Management, steps on to the New York Launch Pod. Prepare to be inspired as Yotam shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he is reshaping the landscape of real estate operations through innovative technology. In this insightful conversation, Yotam introduces us to the transformative power of Daisy Property Management. Discover how their state-of-the-art platform leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline and optimize property management processes, ensuring seamless operations for owners. Delving into the intricacies of the real estate industry, Yotam sheds light on the pain points faced by property owners and managers and explains how Daisy’s innovative solutions tackle these challenges head-on. As the conversation unfolds, Yotam emphasizes the importance of customer-centricity in driving innovation and success in the real estate industry. Hear stories of how Daisy has revolutionized the landlord-tenant relationship by prioritizing transparency, responsiveness, and efficient communication. Whether you’re a property owner, real estate professional, or simply fascinated by the intersection of technology and property management, this episode offers invaluable insights into the future of the industry. Join us as we explore the pioneering work of Daisy Property Management and its commitment to revolutionizing real estate operations through innovation, efficiency, and an unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.
Mon, May 01, 2023
How You Doin’? Vol 15: JoAnna Hartzmark, Founder of Revelle
JoAnna Hartzmark, steps back on the New York Launch Pod to discuss the growth of Revelle. Revelle is a groundbreaking platform reshaping the way women shop for jeans. In this engaging conversation, JoAnna takes us through the incredible journey of Revelle’s transformation over the past year. Discover how Revelle is tackling the age-old problem of finding clothes that fit perfectly without the frustrations of inconsistent size charts and multiple returns. JoAnna shares how Revelle’s algorithmic technology has evolved, empowering women to shop with confidence and ease. From starting with jeans as a testing ground to becoming a holistic shopping experience, JoAnna sheds light on the brand’s mission to help women feel beautiful in their own skin.
Sat, April 01, 2023
How You Doin’? Vol 14: Tximista Lizarazu, Co-Founder and CEO of Fraîche
Tximista Lizarazu, the Co-Founder and CEO of Fraîche steps back on to the New York Launch Pod. Since the last time Tximista was on the podcast, a lot has changed for Fraîche . Fraîche is an innovative vending machine that delivers fresh food to offices, catering to companies as they return to the office and seek to attract talent. Tximista explains that Fraîche has experienced tremendous growth, multiplying their revenue by ten in just nine months. They have achieved this with a small sales team and are now looking to close an extension round to hire additional sales reps and continue their expansion. Tximista highlights a few reasons behind their rapid growth, including the booming return-to-office trend and the need for new perks to make the office an exciting place. Traditional cafeterias no longer make sense for companies with reduced office occupancy, whereas Fraîche’s smart fridge technology provides a more sensible and cost-effective solution. With no on-site labor required, Fraîche can offer fresh food from local restaurants with a single daily delivery, making it profitable from day one. The conversation delves into how Fraîche helps build culture within offices, acting as a gathering point for employees and fostering interaction and bonding. Tximista emphasizes that Fraîche goes beyond being just a smart fridge, organizing events and incorporating software features to enhance connectivity and wellness.
Wed, February 01, 2023
Episode 91: Drew Fabrikant, Co-Founder and CEO of Scout
Looking to find the ideal customer? Scout helps with just that by engaging you with your ideal customers 10x faster using AI. With a focus on real estate transactions, Scout has a database of over 300M profiles and can automate an entire outreach in just seconds. For individuals and businesses, this can not only save valuable time but also helps increase productivity. Find out how Drew Fabrikant and his team at Scout are saving their clients time, increasing their productivity, and increasing their revenue.
Thu, December 01, 2022
Episode 90: Zach Colonder, Co-Founder and CEO of Grazzee
In this day and age who wouldn’t like the benefit of not having to stand in a line at the bank to draw money or risk that your building’s service staff might not receive their holiday tip? Zach Colonder realized this gap in the market and thought of a way to make this process better and simpler by creating Grazzee and now tipping has never being more convenient. Find out how Zach thought of this business opportunity, how he is overcoming the challenges of gaining traction in the market and how the app can make your life easier especially entering the holiday season.
Tue, November 01, 2022
Episode 89: Marco Shalma, Co-Founder and CEO of MASC Hospitality Group
Night markets are exciting local events that showcase local vendors. But they weren’t always that way. Our guest in this episode, Marco Shalma, speaks about how he started the Bronx Night Market, from what he considered a side gig into a full time company, MASC Hospitality Group.Find out how Marco overcame the challenges of the pandemic, and how he created a night market in the Yankee Stadium, parking lot, and a whole lot more.
Sat, October 01, 2022
Episode 88: Tximista Lizarazu, Co-Founder and CEO of Fraîche
Let’s face it, food in the office isn’t that great. When you are in the office, the lunch repetoir is familiar salads and sandwiches, having to pick up food or paying for delivery fees. Our guest in this episode, Tximista Lizarazu, thought that the same old song needed to change. He came up with Fraiche an innovative vending machine that brings top quality local New York City restaurants straight into the office without having to pay or wait for delivery. After facing challengs during Covid, Fraiche is now poised to be an office amenity for office workers and employers. Listen to the episode to find out how!
Thu, September 01, 2022
Episode 87: Rebroadcast of Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever.
Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his celebrity studded and corporate sponsored non-profit initiative which is encouraging New Yorkers to commit to New York City, support our front line workers and give what you can to keep the city strong. As the successful founder of a PR company, BerlinRosen, and a New Yorker for over 20 years, Jonathan has seen the way the city has been hurting since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year. In order to support the city he loves, he’s started NY Forever to give back by leveraging his network, getting people involved and supporting organizations which are helping struggling New Yorkers in this unprecedented situation. Taking their motto from a New York Magazine cover from the 1970’s, “We’ve Got to Help Ourselves”, Jonathan has recruited top fashion brands like Public School, tech companies like SalesForce and prominent celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer to get involved and help promote volunteer and fundraising opportunities that are alleviating the dire circumstances many New Yorkers face. His goal is simple: to get half a million New Yorkers to sign the pledge at nyforever.nyc in order to receive updates that will connect them with practical ways in which they can help the city. In this episode we talk about the overwhelming support Jonathan has received from the New York business community, how NY Forever is giving back to the city, and much more! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nyforevertr For more about NY Forever and to sign the pledge visit: nyforever.nyc This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Mon, August 01, 2022
Episode 86: Lindsay Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Super
Lindsay Liu, Founder of Super, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her new property management platform. Lindsay was on the board of her own Co-Op and was frustrated by the way the building was operating (and not because of the people). Lindsay’s building was using a hodgepodge of software (if any), sending out physical mailings, and keeping track of important building documents on Lindsay’s own personal Google Drive. Lindsay did some research and found out that her building wasn’t alone. Like any good entrepreneur Lindsay set out to solve a problem that she encountered herself. Listen to the podcast to find out how Lindsay built Super and how she wants to help all Co-Ops and Condos run better. More on Super: https://www.hiresuper.com/
Fri, July 01, 2022
How You Doin’? Vol 13: Ben Gordon and Matt Bachmann, Co-Founders of Wandering Bear Coffee
Ben Gordon and Matt Bachmann, co-founders of Wandering Bear Coffee Co. step back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their cold brewed coffee brand. We first spoke to Ben and Matt in our fourth episode and in the 7 years since we spoke with them their brand has grown exponentially and taken on significant investment. But it hasn’t been easy. Wandering Bear had to pivot during the pandemic to cater to consumers rather than large corporate tenants. Find out how on this episode of How You Doin’?
Wed, June 01, 2022
Episode 85: Katya Sverdlov, Co-Founder of JelikaLite
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), autism rates are growing. By one estimate, autism now affects 1 in 44 children. Families who have children with autism have been looking for an effective therapy, often without success. Enter JelikaLite. Katya Sverdlov wanted a better treatment for autistic children so she teamed up with Dr. Eugenia Steingold to create a therapeutic wearable device that combines non-invasive brain stimulation with infrared light, EEG sensors and an AI personalization platform. The results have been so promising that JelikaLite was awarded a National Science Foundation grant. Listen to the episode to hear how the device works, how JelikaLite competes with larger companies, the challenges of bringing a medical device to market and a whole lot more.
Sun, May 01, 2022
Episode 84: Craig Karger, Founder of Wrist Enthusiast
In this episode we go behind wristwatches, wristwatch culture and the wristwatch business with Craig Carger, Founder of Wrist Enthusiast. But Wrist Enthusiast isn’t just the name of Craig’s blog and Instagram page, it’s a way of life for Craig. Craig’s passion around watches led him to start an Instagram page that currently has over 300,000 followers and a blog with an engaged and active readership. Now Craig has a voice in the watch industry itself. But what started as a side hustle hasn’t been easy to build. Craig actively posts and engages with his readership all while working a full time job. Listen to the episode to find out just how Craig has leveraged new media and his passion for watches into a business.
Fri, April 01, 2022
Episode 83: JoAnna Hartzmark, Founder of Revelle
Why is it so hard to find a pair of jeans that fit properly? That’s the question that JoAnna Hartzmark, Founder of Revelle set out to solve. The result: a data driven platform that pairs women with brands that will fit well. Best part of all, it’s free for the users. Different brands are cut to different shapes, which are usually based from a “fit model“ and conformed to a linear standard. Now with many brands in existence, there was no easy way to find the right shape. Enter Revelle. Listen to the episode to hear the history of women’s sizing, Revelle’s business model, and much more!
Tue, March 01, 2022
Episode 82: Tyler Burnett, Co-Founder of Wally
Going to the dentist isn’t fun…and that’s not necessarily because of what the dentist is doing to your teeth. Dentists haven’t historically been a patient centered experience. The process has been opaque and difficult. Our guest, Tyler Burnett, Co-Founder of Wally wanted to change that (which may or may not have been related to being falsely diagnosed with eight cavities). In this episode we talk about what dentists have been doing wrong, how Wally wants to build a better experience, and much more!
Tue, February 01, 2022
How You Doin’? Vol 12: David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna Moonshine
In this episode of How You Doin’? we catch up with David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna moonshine. We first spoke with David in January of 2020 and since then David has taken aggressive steps to grow his brand and business. Listen to the episode to find out more!
Sat, January 01, 2022
Episode 81: Rebroadcast of 2017 Episode A Summer Inside NFTE
Rebroadcast of Episode 39: A Summer Inside NFTE, original airdate December 28, 2017. This summer we took an inside look at the New York office of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship, also known as NFTE. NFTE is a non-profit organization providing educational entrepreneurship training to high school students from low-income, urban communities. This podcast is the story of high school students throughout their journey through an eight-week intensive training course over the summer. They are bright students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch and require teacher recommendations in order to participate in the program. But it’s also the story about people who are underrepresented in the entrepreneurship community, and who don’t get the flashy headlines (yet). We follow these students as they develop a business idea, earn revenue for the first time and overcome the unexpected challenges that come with entrepreneurship. By completing NFTE’s training, these students acquire business and life skills that will stay with them for the rest of their careers. To learn about NFTE, however, is more than to learn about what their students accomplish. There is a large community that supports the organization from companies that donate resources, individual professionals who donate their time to mentor, and alumni who return to the program to help in any way possible. The story of NFTE is also about how all these constituencies interact with one another and create an environment where everyone benefits. For more information about NFTE please visit: http://nfte.com/ For more information about the New York office of NFTE please visit http://nfte.com/offices/new-york-metro/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: http://nylaun.ch/NFTEtranscript Episode sponsor: https://www.joinwisdomapp.com/ Follow @NYLaunchPod on the Wisdom App and get notified any time we go live!
Wed, December 01, 2021
How You Doin’? Vol 11: Matt Bennett, Founder of Dreams Aren’t This Good
What’s it like to grow a salsa brand? We check back in with Matt Bennett, Founder of Dreams Aren’t This Good Salsa. We first spoke to Matt in 2019 when he was just starting off. Since then, Matt has developed a proprietary chip bag, several new flavors, and began selling on Amazon. However, things haven’t been easy and we hear from Matt about his challenges in growing the brand and raising money.
Mon, November 01, 2021
Episode 80: Elia Wolberger, Founder of Feed Your Sister
New Yorkers are eating all wrong! That’s according to Elia Wolberger, Founder of Feed Your Sister. Elia is a private chef who saw New Yorkers had more in their pantries than they thought, yet still had high delivery and grocery bills. The solution according to Elia is Plan, Prep, Plate. Meal planning doesn’t have to be hard, but a lot of New Yorkers just don’t know how to do it effectively. In this episode we speak about what New Yorkers can do to eat more healthfully and lower their food costs in exchange for a small investment of time. More on Feed Your Sister: https://feedyoursister.com/
Fri, October 01, 2021
How You Doin’? Vol 10: Hannah Weitzer and BC of Seachange Collective
Social justice is in the news these days. Whether it’s resulting from the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, or issues related to access, social justice is on the forefront of the minds of a lot of New Yorkers. Who better to check in with than Seachange Collective, our guest in Episode 56. Seachange Collective has grown since we first spoke to them in 2019. In this episode, we speak about what social justice issues Seachange Collective is tackling, the organizations they are working with, and a lot more. It’s all in another episode of How You Doin’?!
Wed, September 01, 2021
Episode 79: Mario Vivas, Founder of Criollas
What’s it like to start a restaurant in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York City? What about if that restaurant was in a subway station when ridership was at an all time low. Is it crazy enough to work? In this episode we speak to Mario Vivas, the Founder of Criollas, a restaurant located in the Turnstyle underground marketplace in Columbus Circle. Mario immigrated from Argentina in 2012 to New York City in order to reinvent himself. Mario never thought he would open a restaurant but after gaining experience in the industry, he saw his opportunity. As people were closing their restaurants, Mario picked up appliances and equipment and steep discounts, and was able to find high quality employees at the time those employees needed jobs. Listen to the episode to find out if Mario’s experiment worked and what a new chapter in New York City foodservice looks like! More on Criollas: https://www.criollasempanadas.com/
Sun, August 01, 2021
Episode 78: Andrew Cabasso, Co-Founder of Postaga | The Platform that Obtains Leads and Makes Marketing Easy
Andrew Cabasso, Founder of Postaga, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his outreach company that can identify relevant marketing opportunities for any business by crawling the internet for appropriate blogs and podcasts and connecting you with real humans on the other end. Promoting your business through media outreach and optimizing your website on Google Search is an extremely time and resource intensive endeavor. Before Postaga, to receive publicity, you would have to research relevant blogs and podcasts, spend time trying to find a contact person and send multiple emails before you ever receive a response. Andrew Cabasso founded Postaga to alleviate these pain-points. With Postaga, the research is done for you, email addresses are validated, and outreach can be performed by their team so you can focus on your core business. This not only identifies relevant marketing opportunities but will optimize your website on Google Search once multiple blogs and relevant websites start linking back to your site. In this episode we discuss how Postaga performs smart digital marketing for its customers, identifies and approaches relevant opportunities, the importance of media outreach, and much more! For a limited time, use code NY LAUNCH for 50% off your first three months of Postaga Pro! For more on Postaga visit: postaga.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/postagatr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Thu, July 01, 2021
How You Doin’? Vol 9: Aaron Luo, Co-Founder of Caraa | The Luxury Handbag Company for the Modern Woman
Aaron Luo, Co-Founder of Caraa, returns to the New York Launch Pod to discuss how he’s pivoted his luxury handbag company and developed new products during the Covid-19 pandemic including the Wall Street Journal’s top rated mask . In Episode 58, we spoke to Aaron about the motivation behind the Caraa brand and how they develop handbags, gym bags and baby bags for the modern woman who needs something both stylish and practical. Once the pandemic hit, Aaron and his partner Carmen Chen Wu realized two things, that they could use their manufacturing expertise to give back to the community and that they needed to change the focus of their brand to appeal to customers who were staying home from work and the gym. After developing masks to donate to needy populations they realized that in the process they had actually developed a great product which they then tweaked with different colors and fabrics for sale. Since then, Caraa’s masks have consistently been rated as one of the best and most comfortable masks on the market! In this episode we talk to Aaron about how Caraa has supported social causes during the pandemic, how they develop new product lines, what the future holds for the company and much more! For more information on Caraa visit: caraasport.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/caraahydtr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Tue, June 01, 2021
Episode 74: Maria Luisa Mendiola, Founder of MIGA Swimwear | The Swimwear Company Making Apparel for People with Disfigurement and Chronic Health Issues
Maria Luisa Mendiola, Founder of MIGA Swimwear, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her swimwear company which has specialized designs for people with disfigurement or other chronic health issues. Growing up with a disfigurement herself, Maria understood the need to feel comfortable at the beach or pool. While studying for a masters at Central St. Martins in the United Kingdom, Maria came up with the idea of building a brand that destigmatizes disfigurement and chronic health issues. Through social media and MIGA Swimwear’s blog, Maria has created a community of people who are now talking about and even inspiring MIGA’s designs. Every MIGA design has been crowdsourced from people who need more flexible swimwear and included in each purchase is a tote bag that tells the story of a community member who contributed to the design. In this episode we talk about the stigma around chronic health conditions that MIGA Swimwear is fighting, how Maria has built a community with her brand, and much more! Use code NYLAUNCH at checkout for a 15% discount on all MIGA Swimwear products! For more about MIGA Swimwear visit: https://migaswimwear.com/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/MIGASwimweartr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Sat, May 01, 2021
Episode 76: Scott Reich, Co-Founder of Believe in a Cure | The Non-Profit Foundation Working to Find a Cure for FOXG1 Syndrome
Scott Reich, Co-Founder of Believe in a Cure, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his non-profit foundation that is looking for a cure for FOXG1 Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder which has affected his son Eli. Scott began his foundation when his Eli was recently diagnosed with FOXG1 Syndrome, a neurological disorder that will prevent him from ever speaking or walking. Despite the devastation this caused Scott and his wife Ilissa, they decided that they were going to fight this disease for the sake of their son and all others affected by FOXG1 Syndrome. Since then, Scott and Ilissa have received an influx of support through personal donations, scientists and doctors who have dedicated their time and resources and friends who have connected them with someone who may be of help. In this episode we discuss FOXG1 Syndrome, how people can get involved to find a cure, how Scott and Ilissa were able to build a foundation from the ground up and much more. For more information on Believe in a Cure visit: webelieveinacure.org Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/believeinacuretr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Thu, April 01, 2021
Episode 75: Maya Komerov, Founder of ShopIN.nyc | The Localized E-Commerce Platform Taking on Amazon and Supporting New York City Communities
Maya Komerov, Founder of ShopIN.nyc, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her same day delivery e-commerce platform that allows you to shop from stores in your neighborhood all from the comfort of your home. With the rise of commerce giants like Amazon, traditional brick and mortar retailers have suffered declining sales year after year. Despite most New Yorker’s wish to shop local and support their communities, local retailers have found it hard to compete on price and convenience and, because New Yorkers are always in a rush, oftentimes it doesn’t make sense to go to multiple stores to get everything they need. This is where ShopIN.nyc comes in. Through ShopIN.nyc Maya Komerov has created a platform that rivals the convenience of Amazon through same day delivery and an all-in-one commerce platform which supports the small businesses which are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. On the ShopIN.nyc platform you can choose from a range of products sold by local businesses, ShopIN.nyc then sends their delivery team to each business to put your cart together and deliver it to you by the end of the day. In this episode we discuss the importance of small businesses to our community, why Shopin.nyc pays their delivery team $25 an hour, and much more! For more information on ShopIN.nyc visit: shopin.nyc Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/shopinnyctr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Mon, March 01, 2021
How You Doin'? Vol 8: Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications | Michael Returns to Discuss How His Public Speaking Company Has Pivoted Direction During the Pandemic
Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications, returns to the New York Launch Pod for his third appearance to discuss how he’s pivoted his company and adapted to new methods of communication during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Episode 28 and How You Doin’ Volume 5 we spoke to Michael about the techniques he used to teach high powered executives and political candidates. Before the pandemic, most of GK Training and Communications’ business was conducted in-person. In this episode we speak to Michael about how he was able to adapt to the changing landscape of Covid-19 and switch gears by offering courses online and focusing on communication techniques for teleconferencing, navigating difficult conversations, and battling lockdown fatigue. Michael is even offering the course library for free for anyone who has been furloughed or laid off as a result of the pandemic. In this episode we talk about techniques for better remote communication, Michael’s recent experience working with Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, how he has transformed his business during this difficult time and much more! For more information on GK Training and Communications visit: gktraining.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/GKtraininghydtr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Mon, February 01, 2021
Episode 74: Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever | The Initiative Helping New York and New Yorkers Recover from the Pandemic and Come Back Stronger Than Ever
Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his celebrity studded and corporate sponsored non-profit initiative which is encouraging New Yorkers to commit to New York City, support our front line workers and give what you can to keep the city strong. As the successful founder of a PR company, BerlinRosen, and a New Yorker for over 20 years, Jonathan has seen the way the city has been hurting since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year. In order to support the city he loves, he’s started NY Forever to give back by leveraging his network, getting people involved and supporting organizations which are helping struggling New Yorkers in this unprecedented situation. Taking their motto from a New York Magazine cover from the 1970’s, “We’ve Got to Help Ourselves”, Jonathan has recruited top fashion brands like Public School, tech companies like SalesForce and prominent celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer to get involved and help promote volunteer and fundraising opportunities that are alleviating the dire circumstances many New Yorkers face. His goal is simple: to get half a million New Yorkers to sign the pledge at nyforever.nyc in order to receive updates that will connect them with practical ways in which they can help the city. In this episode we talk about the overwhelming support Jonathan has received from the New York business community, how NY Forever is giving back to the city, and much more! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nyforevertr For more about NY Forever and to sign the pledge visit: nyforever.nyc This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Fri, January 01, 2021
Episode 73: David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna Moonshine | The Spirits Company Revolutionizing a Traditional American Liquor
David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna Moonshine, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his new moonshine brand which promises to popularize a traditional American liquor and a variety of new cocktails. While David was the COO of a baby blanket company, Aden + Anais, he started talking to one of his co-workers whose passion was distilling moonshine. Soon they both realized that moonshine was the only liquor that had not yet experienced a premiumization and set out to change that with a cocktail forward modern brand. By working with local suppliers and hitting the pavement to get Saint Luna stocked in a variety of New York City bars and restaurants, David has managed to take a traditional American liquor and modernize it for an elevated experience. In this episode we talk about the history of moonshine and why it has previously gone unnoticed in the liquor industry, how David came up with the idea for the brand, expanding an alcohol brand in the midst of Covid-19 and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/saintlunamoonshinetr For more on Saint Luna Moonshine visit: saintlunaspirits.com/ This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Tue, December 01, 2020
Episode 72: Kate Sokolov and Lisa Sokolov, Co-Founders of Social Goods, the Online Store that Turns Political Fashion into Political Action
Kate Sokolov and Lisa Sokolov, sisters and Co-Founders of Social Goods, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their online retail store that offers statement making gifts which incorporate donations to the causes they represent. Before starting Social Goods, Lisa worked in fashion while Kate was active in non-profits and political causes, together the sisters and Co-Founders set out to create a brand that combined their expertise into a socially-conscious way to shop. By handpicking designers and non-profits to collaborate with, Social Goods turns political fashion into political action by donating a portion or at times 100% of revenue to organizations working on the ground. In this episode we talk about how consumerism can be channeled into support for grassroots organizations, how Social Goods chooses sleek designs for their products, and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/socialgoodstr For more on Social Goods visit: www.social-goods.com This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Sun, November 01, 2020
Episode 71: Rob Pachter, Co-Founder of Realty Crunch | The Real Estate Software for Brokers Simplifying Communication and Making Deals Happen
Rob Pachter, Co-Founder of Realty Crunch, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his collaboration platform for brokers and clients dedicated to facilitating and providing efficiency to real estate transactions. While trying to purchase properties several years ago Rob identified several pain points in the broker/client experience including the difficulty of aggregating properties across multiple platforms, communicating effectively between clients and brokers and creating and sending forms and materials to clients once a decision has been made. Rob believed he could streamline and modernize this process with his company Realty Crunch which, in his own words, is “Pinterest meets text messaging for real estate agents”. Realty Crunch allows real estate agents to aggregate listings from all over the internet, streamline communication and collaboration with clients, and use a wide range of features including their smart form feature which allows agents to instantaneously send disclosure forms to clients. In this episode we talk about inefficiencies in the traditional buying and renting process, how Realty Crunch is simplifying and expediting deals, the cutting edge technology-driven software they offer and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/realtycrunchtr For more on Realty Crunch visit: realtycrunch.io This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Thu, October 01, 2020
Episode 70: Wole Coaxum, Founder and CEO of MoCaFi | The Challenger Bank Serving the Unbanked and Underbanked
Wole Coaxum, founder of MoCaFi, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his challenger bank and project management company dedicated to serving the unbanked and underbanked and providing essential financial services in marginalized communities. As former managing director at JPMorgan and head of business banking sales at Chase, Wole recognized that many people were using payday lenders and check cashers instead of traditional banks, either because banks did not have branches in these communities or because their fee models were not structured in favor of these clients. As a result, whether through payday lenders or traditional banks, these communities were paying a higher price to use necessary financial services and Wole set out to change that. MoCaFi is an online banking platform which provides a range of financial services to poorer communities that larger banks have neglected to serve by offering financial literacy education, credit building through rent and utility payments, and low fees and interest rates on small loans. In the future Wole hopes to reduce the wealth gap in these communities by bringing them into the traditional banking sector while providing efficient, low cost financial services. In this episode we talk about the gaps in traditional banking services, the importance of banking to lifetime financial well being and how MoCaFi is solving these issues through a wide range of innovative technologies and services! At 2:52 we discuss the hole in the market that brick and mortar banks are not filling At 6:01 we talk about the longterm financial effects of being unbanked or underbanked At 9:48 Wole discusses how MoCaFi is solving the high-fee, high-cost business model of traditional banks and how the environment and rituals of a community keep people from participating in the traditional financial sector At 15:28 Wole describes how MoCaFi is approaching customer acquisition through the power of social media and celebrity And at 27:00 Wole talks about MoCaFi’s sustainable business model and the difference between traditional banks and challenger banks and what that means in the context of the United State’s regulatory framework. Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/mocafitr For more on MoCaFi visit: mocafi.com This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Tue, September 01, 2020
Episode 69: Stacey Weismiller of SecondMuse | A startup incubator and impact firm dedicated to designing, developing and implementing entrepreneurial programs
Stacey Weismiller of SecondMuse steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her startup incubator and impact firm dedicated to designing, developing and implementing entrepreneurial programs specifically geared to hardware manufacturing in New York City. SecondMuse identifies opportunities in a wide variety of unconventional sectors, including hardware manufacturing and climate technology, which benefit the city as a whole and then develops and mentors startups to fill those gaps in the market. At SecondMuse, Stacey heads M-Corps, an incubator funded by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, which supports startups focused on solving climate issues in every step of their growth from funding to manufacturing. What’s more, SecondMuse does require any stake in equity in order to work with them. In this episode we talk about New York City’s possibilities as a manufacturing hub, the importance of energy technology companies in New York State, how SecondMuse builds these new economies by mentoring and supporting small innovative companies! For more on SecondMuse visit: www.secondmuse.com/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/SecondMusetr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com
Sat, August 01, 2020
Episode 68: Harlan Milkove, Managing Partner of Foundational | The company that uses a data driven approach to prepare startups for venture capital fundraising
Harlan Milkove, Managing Partner of Foundational, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his company that uses a data driven approach to prepare startups for venture capital fundraising. After founding several successful companies, Harlan realized that his venture capital expertise and technical know how could solve a problem that many founders face: learning how to efficiently prepare for new rounds of fundraising and target potential investors while still running a company at the same time. Foundational uses data to group startups together by their business plans, the market they’re tapping, location and many other attributes that can then be analyzed and used to predict which investors will be most likely to express interest. What’s more, Foundational coaches startups so that their investment pitches are more likely to be successful and so that CEOs can focus on their companies rather than the full time job of attracting investment. In this episode we talk about how Foundational solves fundraising problems for startups through the use of their proprietary data, common mistakes startups make when attracting capital, how Foundational can give startups the tools needed for success, and a whole lot more! For more on Foundational visit: www.foundational.nyc/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/Foundationaltr
Wed, July 01, 2020
Episode 67: Hal Coopersmith, Founder of RezCue | The first residential lease management software that helps landlords and brokers keep track of important deadlines
In a special episode of the New York Launch Pod Hal Coopersmith discusses his intelligent residential lease management and compliance software called RezCue, and who else to interview Hal Coopersmith, the longtime host of the New York Launch Pod, than his mother, Martha Coopersmith. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Last summer New York State enacted the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSPTA) which created more requirements for residential landlords, many of which could impact them financially. Realizing that many landlords were unaware of the new law or too busy to keep track of so many important deadlines, Hal used his legal and technological expertise to create RezCue, a software program that ensures that landlords, brokers and property managers alike know how to comply with the law by sending a sequence of emails and text messages (“Cues”). In this special episode, Hal and Martha discuss how the rental regulations can impact landlords, how his new software can save landlords, brokers, and property managers time and money, and a whole lot more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/RezCuetr For more information on RezCue please visit: rezcueme.com
Mon, June 01, 2020
Episode 66: Hector Castillo Carvajal, Founder of Don Carvajal Cafe | An eco-friendly coffee company committed to great taste and sustainability
Hector Castillo Carvajal, Founder of Don Carvajal Cafe, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his delicious eco-friendly coffee company. Don Carvajal Cafe offers a sustainable approach to the coffee industry by using exclusively compostable materials, contracting directly with farmers that Hector personally vets, and implementing new processes that help to protect the environment while roasting the beans to perfection. Hector was inspired to start Don Carvajal Cafe while he was still a student at the University of Rochester. One summer Hector came into contact with a coffee importer who was impressed by Hector’s business-savvy and drive. After learning about the coffee industry, Hector then returned to campus in the fall and created a business plan for Don Carvajal Cafe. Since then, Hector has continued to learn everything he can about the coffee industry through mentors and networking to building his business from the ground up. Today Hector is growing his business through pop-up events and visiting cafes and supermarkets to get the word out. In this episode we talk about how Hector took an idea and turned it into a brand with a presence in all five boroughs and several states, how he taught himself what it takes to be successful in the coffee industry, and how he manages to provide a completely eco-friendly brand from the farms he works with to the packaging containing the best tasting coffee you will ever try! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/doncarvajalcafetr Use code NYLAUNCH for 10% off your order at doncarvajalcafe.com !
Fri, May 01, 2020
Special Episode: Getting a Deal on Shark Tank: Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, Co-Founders of Fur, Talk About Their Experience on ABC’s Shark Tank and Getting a Deal with Lori Greiner
Fresh off of a successful appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, we speak to Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, co-founders of Fur. After multiple offers, Laura and Lillian accepted an offer from Lori Greiner of $500,000 for 8% equity in the company and a $50,000 donation towards promoting body positivity. Listen to our special behind the scenes Shark Tank follow-up episode to hear how Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung prepared for their appearance, what it was like negotiating with sharks and a whole lot more! For more on Fur visit: furyou.com Transcript available at: https://nylaun.ch/sharktankfurtr
Wed, April 01, 2020
Episode 64: Cate Luzio, Founder of Luminary | A women focused coworking and networking space in the heart of Manhattan
Cate Luzio, Founder of Luminary, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her woman-focused collaboration hub right in the heart of Manhattan. Luminary offers a unique co-working and networking space for women of all professions to build their careers through hosted events, notable speakers, and a variety of amenities that are all designed make the Luminary space feel like a second home. Before starting Luminary, Cate was the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Multinational Corporate Banking for HSBC managing approximately $2 Billion in revenue and teams across 72 countries. But through her experience in banking, Cate began to notice that many organizations hosting networking events and panels for women did not foster the sense of community or offer a space for daily social gatherings that allowed women to build the relationships that are important to success in the workplace. So to fill this gap in the market, Cate left banking and ambitiously self-funded Luminary to fill the gap in the market. Luminary offers a mix of formal and informal events, amenities including a gym, a “living room”, and a window lined rooftop dubbed the “glass ceiling”. In this episode we talk about the need for a women-led and women-owned space for career development, the sense of community that is so important to the brand, and Cate Luzio’s decision to build Luminary in New York! More on Luminary: http://luminary.nyc/ Transcript of the episode available at: nylaun.ch/Luminarytr Note about this episode: this interview was recorded prior to the Covid-19 outbreak Resources referenced during the introduction: How the CARES Act Applies to Businesses (Commercial Tenants) and Residential Real Estate: nylaun.ch/CARESAct Making Sense of Rent and Mortgage Obligations Amid Confusing Times: nylaun.ch/Mortgage Preserving Your Commercial Lease Through COVID-19: nylaun.ch/CommercialLease
Sun, March 01, 2020
Episode 63: Umber Ahmad, Founder of Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery | The West Village bakery dedicated to sustainability, hospitality and community
Umber Ahmad, founder of Mah-Ze-Dahr, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her bakery located in the West Village that is expanding to new locations in New York City and the Washington D.C. metro area. Mah-Ze-Dahr prides itself on the quality of its baked goods, its sustainable approach to food, and its commitment to hospitality, all in the effort to create a heritage brand. Before founding Mah-Ze-Dahr, Umber worked in finance while baking “on the side”. Through her work, she met celebrity chef Tom Colicchio who was blown away by her skills as a chef and implored her to start her own bakery. Since then, Mah-Ze-Dahr not only supplies JetBlue’s first class Mint program but has opened two businesses in New York City. In this episode we discuss the meaning of the Urdu word Mah-Ze-Dahr, how Umber developed her passion into a successful business, how Umber is looking to change the world through her delicious food and a whole lot more! For more information on Mah-Ze-Dahr visit: mahzedahrbakery.com/ Transcript available at: https://www.nylaunchpod.com/transcript-mahzedahr/
Sat, February 01, 2020
How You Doin'? Vol 7: Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, Co-Founders of Fur | The celebrity endorsed body hair care brand
Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, Co-Founders of Fur, step back onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their company’s exponential growth and success in the self-care industry. Back in Episode 49 , we learned how Fur is changing the conversation around body hair care and meeting the needs of men and women who want all-natural products in their daily routine. Since then, Fur has doubled their sales, tripled their retail presence (including with national retailer ULTA Beauty) and brought several new products to market. In this episode we talk about how Fur continues to expand their market reach, the process of creating and releasing new products, and how attitudes have changed about Fur’s pubic hair and grooming products. For more on Fur check out: furyou.com Transcript available at: https://nylaun.ch/hydfurT
Wed, January 01, 2020
Episode 62: Lena Imamura and Sas Simon, Co-Founders of NAME GLO | The custom neon design studio that lets customers commission unique artwork for every special moment in their lives
Lena Imamura and Sas Simon, Co-Founders of NAME GLO, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their custom neon design studio that lets customers commission unique artwork for every special moment in their lives while also providing pre-made artisan items for sale. Lena and Sas didn’t set out to start a business that would light millenials’ Instagram accounts on fire. Instead the idea for NAME GLO began when Sas was searching for a neon to celebrate her nephew’s birth. Sas soon discovered a complete lack of consumer friendly methods for ordering or designing neon at a moderate price point. So she turned to her high school friend Lena who had the artistic experience and expertise to design custom pieces. After these pieces became popular, the two realized they had a business. NAME GLO has a variety of premade and custom designs you can create using their interactive online builder and by working with them directly to transform your unique idea into reality. In this episode we talk about how NAME GLO preempted the rebirth of neon, how their pieces are manufactured in their studio, and their brand new store that just opened on the Lower East Side! Use code NYLAUNCH for 10% of your order! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nameglotr For more on NAME GLO visit: name-glo.com/
Sun, December 01, 2019
Episode 61: Matt Bennett, Founder of Dreams Aren't This Good | The delicious new salsa company spicing up the market with homemade recipes and designs
Matt Bennett, founder of Dreams Aren’t This Good, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his delicious new salsa company that’s spicing up the market with fresh tasting homemade recipes and sleek modern designs. Matt founded the company with the insight that the $1.3 billion dollar salsa industry has remained largely unchanged, even while consumer preferences for other foods has been changing drastically. By offering consumers what he describes as “the full salsa experience” through a variety of inventive flavors with “clean” ingredients, uncharacteristically eye-catching labels, and even donations to philanthropic causes Dreams Aren’t This Good has been able to gain shelf space in a market dominated by major players. In this episode we discuss how Matt Bennett transformed a homemade recipe into a growing New York brand, what makes Dreams Aren’t This Good the most unique salsa company in stores now, and even get a sneak peek of several of their new products that will certainly change the salsa and chips experience forever. For more on Dreams Aren’t This Good visit: dreamsarentthisgood.com Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/datgtr
Fri, November 01, 2019
Episode 60: Lee Hoffman, Co-Founder of Heat Watch | The boiler-based technology company which is helping building owners save 20-30% on their fuel costs and reducing the city’s carbon footprint
Lee Hoffman, co-founder of Heat Watch, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his boiler based technology company which is helping building owners save 20-30% on their fuel costs, reducing the city’s carbon footprint and making apartments more comfortable too! Heat Watch works by monitoring and calibrating boilers to make sure they’re being used efficiently through machine learning technology. With sensors in every apartment and a personal monitoring system, Heat Watch makes sure that any heating issue is immediately identified and corrected while also ensuring that every apartment is a comfortable temperature. If you’ve ever had your apartment windows open in February because the heat is too high while your neighbor next door is freezing, you can see why this is no small deal. In this episode we discuss how Heat Watch is solving some of the most complicated and expensive problems for building owners, the positive impact its having on the environment, and a whole lot more! For more on Heat Watch visit: www.runwise.com Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/heatwatchtr
Tue, October 01, 2019
Episode 59: Heidi Hertel, Founder and Gabriel Schlumberger, CEO of Fitz Frames | The revolutionary 3D-printed eyewear company
Heidi Hertel, founder and Gabriel Schlumberger, CEO of Fitz Frames, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their revolutionary eyeglass company that promises to make shopping for glasses fun and headache free for kids and adults. Despite recent innovations, eyeglasses have been manufactured the same way for years. And while standardized styles and sizes may work for some people, they don’t work for others, especially children. However, Fitz has developed a way for everyone to have eyewear customized perfectly to their face – at an affordable price. By combining 3D printing and facial recognition technology found in smartphones, Fitz creates custom fit eyeglasses in a variety of styles that are both extremely durable and fashionable. Fitz’s app allows users (especially kids) to have fun by virtually trying on glasses, selecting their own style/color, measuring over 1,000 points on each face to ensure a perfect fit and even engraving their names. Fitz’s innovative manufacturing process, combined with their glasses being made in the USA, means those customized eyeglasses are delivered to you quickly. In this episode we discuss how Heidi and Gabe were able to perfect their 3D printing and facial scanning technology, why they’re so passionate about eyeglasses (especially for children), and what it means to disrupt the glasses buying experience. Use code FITZ-NYLAUNCH for 20% off your order! Go to: nylaun.ch/fitzpromo Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/Fitztr
Sun, September 01, 2019
Episode 58: Aaron Luo and Carmen Chen Wu, Co-Founders of Caraa | The luxury handbag company, which sells accessories for the modern woman
Aaron Luo and Carmen Chen Wu, Co-Founders of Caraa, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their luxury handbag company, which sells accessories for the modern woman. Caraa blends quality design with functionality to create bags that look good while still meeting the needs of an active lifestyle. Originally designed as the all purpose go everywhere gym bag, Caraa’s early success inspired them to apply their formula to a variety of everyday needs. They now sell over fifteen different styles in a range of colors and sizes including travel bags, satchels and totes. In this episode we discuss the inspiration behind the brand, their design process, Caraa’s unique place in the fashion industry and, at the end, a sneak peek at Caraa’s next big product. For more on Caraa and to order your own bag visit: caraasport.com Use code: NYLAUNCH for 10% off your order! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/caraatr
Thu, August 15, 2019
How You Doin'? Vol 6: Brian Berger, Co-Founder of Mack Weldon | Brian Berger talks about opening a store in Hudson Yards, adding clothing lines, and continued growth of the brand
Brian Berger, Co-Founder of Mack Weldon, steps back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his company’s continued growth and success. Back in Episode 33 , we learned how Mack Weldon’s focus on unique fabrics, customer satisfaction, and innovative styles revolutionized the men’s essentials category. Since then, Mack Weldon has added several new clothing lines, opened a store in Hudson Yards, and increased their advertising presence. Listen to this episode to find out about how Mack Weldon continues to evolve to meet its customers’ desires, the changing nature of direct to consumer brands, and how they decided to open their first store right here in New York City. More on Mack Weldon at: www.mackweldon.com Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/hydmackweldontr
Thu, August 01, 2019
Episode 57: Carrie O'Brien & Craig O'Brien, Co-Founders of Sunswell | The Hamptons-inspired clothing brand started by a husband and wife duo
Carrie O’Brien and Craig O’Brien the husband and wife and Co-Founders of Sunswell, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their Hamptons-inspired clothing brand, that offers items designed to look good anywhere and keep you cool at the same time. Sunswell’s high quality performance fabrics and classic designs can be worn anywhere from a day at the beach to dinner at night. Craig O’Brien is the former VP of Men’s Design at Vineyard Vines so he knows a thing or two about the clothing industry. In this episode we discuss how the brand came to be, the spur of the moment decision to open Sag Mercantile for the summer in conjunction with Fair Harbor in Sag Harbor, starting a company with your spouse, and a whole lot more. For more on Sunswell visit: sunswell.co Transcript of this episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/sunswelltr
Thu, August 01, 2019
Episode 56: Hannah Weitzer & Alli Finn, Co-Founders of Seachange Collective | The organization that helps businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies fulfill their social justice missions
Social justice has become something of a buzzword lately with topics including diversity, equality, and fair representation at the forefront of people’s minds. However, many businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies don’t always have the time or abilities to confront these issues head on. That’s where Seachange Collective comes in. Seachange Collective is a women-led and WBE-certified organization which conducts customized and contextualized workshops, social justice audits, and strategic planning and assessment services. They work with all types of organizations to fulfill their missions, bridge the gap between values and practice, and develop the knowledge and resources necessary to make a lasting impact. With backgrounds in community organizing, program design, and facilitation, Hannah Weitzer and Alli Finn, Co-Founders of Seachange Collective, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss how they help guide organizations to effectively create and execute short-term changes and long-term plans rooted in social justice values and practice. Check out Seachange Collective online at: www.seachangecollective.org Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/seachangecollectivetr
Mon, July 01, 2019
Episode 55: Jurrien Swarts Co-Founder of Stojo | The collapsible and reusable coffee cup
Each year over 16 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away, oftentimes only moments after someone finishes a coffee.When you think about how much paper and plastic there are in 16 BILLION coffee cups you might start recognizin Each year over 16 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away, oftentimes only moments after someone finishes a coffee. When you think about how much paper and plastic there are in 16 BILLION coffee cups you might start recognizing a problem. Jurrien Swarts co-founder of Stojo certainly did, and luckily, he decided to do something about it. Stojo is a sleek, collapsible coffee cup that allows you to take your coffee on the go. The genius behind the design is that before and after each use, you can collapse the cup to “stow” it away without bulkiness or mess. It’s environmentally friendly, incredibly convenient, and designed with the urban professional in mind. To check out Stojo online and order your own check out: https://stojo.co/ and use code: NYLAUNCH for a limited time discount Transcript of this episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/stojotr
Sat, June 01, 2019
Episode 54: Dr. Dennis Gross, Founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare | The story of the dermatologist who created a disruptive line of skin care products
Dr. Dennis Gross steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the founding of the Dr. Dennis Gross line of skin care products. There was not much innovation in the world of skin care products in the late 90’s. According dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross, the skincare industry relied heavily on the use of glycolic acid which had a harsh effect on the skin. The beauty industry even centered its marketing around how these harsh products were helpful to the skin. However, as a chemist and researcher by training Dr. Gross thought he could design a better solution and developed his first product, the Alpha Beta Peel. Since then Dr. Gross has developed a line of over 40 products which are uniquely formulated to address gaps in the marketplace. Listen to the episode to discover how Dr. Gross develops these unique products, how he was able to break into and change the ethos of the beauty industry, and a few tips for better skin care this summer and beyond! Mor on Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: https://drdennisgross.com/ Transcript of the episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/drgrosstr
Fri, May 24, 2019
Live @ Lincoln Center: Inside Brookfield’s Bold Plan To Revitalize Bleecker Street with Duncan McCuaig, SVP of Leasing at Brookfield Properties and Dana Glaeser, Founder of Slightly Alabama
In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the retail apocalypse due in part to noteworthy bankruptcies, massive store closings, and the unprecedented number of store vacancies across New York City. Real estate giant Brookfield Property Partners made headlines in 2018 when the firm acquired seven storefronts on vacancy-ravaged Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village for $31.5M at a time when experts predicted a further worsening of the retail climate. Since then, Brookfield has embarked on an ambitious plan to restore Bleecker Street, the once-vaunted retail corridor now plagued with high vacancy rates and declining sales, to its former glory. As part of the revitalization plan, Brookfield has created a laboratory for new brands getting a foothold in brick and mortar and a rich offering of art installations and cultural programming. In this episode we have a live panel with Duncan McCuaig, Senior Vice President of Leasing at Brookfield Properties, who provides insight as to how landlords, large and small, can navigate the new age of retail, the genesis of the Love, Bleecker, and how to work with emerging brands; and Dana Glaeser, Founder of Slightly Alabama, who provides the perspective of a tenant on Bleecker Street, why he was attracted to physical retail to grow his brand, and what techniques he is using to bring traffic to the store. ‘ This is episode is a panel discussion recorded in front of a live audience at Lincoln Center. Transcript available at: https://nylaun.ch/bleeckerpaneltr
Wed, May 01, 2019
Episode 53: Christine Strzalka and Caroline Strzalka, Co-Founders of It's By U | Do it yourself subscription flowers
Flowers make people happy. But in the United States, there’s been a “lost” generation of people who haven’t had flowers in their homes. Maybe it’s because flowers are too expensive, they don’t last long, or are simply just a chore to bring home. Enter It’s By U, a subscription flower service where you assemble the flower arrangement at home. By shipping fair-trade flowers direct from Ecuador, It’s By U is able to deliver premium flowers to customers in 5 days from the day they were cut as opposed to the days on end a flower can spend wilting on the shelf of a retail store. The result: a beautiful arrangement that lasts longer and is less expensive than traditional delivery methods. Founded by sisters Christine (an award winning florist) and Caroline Strzalka, It’s By U brings the well known benefits of nature into the home and office, and has good reason to have you assemble the arrangement yourself. Listen to the episode to hear how this blossoming business is bringing new life to the flower industry! Thinking of an It’s By U gift? Use code NYLAUNCH for 20% off. More on It’s By U: https://itsbyu.com/ Transcript of the episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/itsbyutr
Mon, April 01, 2019
How You Doin' Vol 5: Micael Chad Hoepnner, Founder of GK Training and Communications on injecting technology in his business to help you communicate more effectively
Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications, steps back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss how he’s been able to grow his company through the use of technology. Back in Episode 28 , we learned a lot of the public speaking techniques that Michael teaches to presidential candidates and high powered executives. But there are only so many hours in a day that any person can teach. So for his business, Michael developed ways to train students on the go. In a smartphone app called Question Roulette, ( iTunes | Google Play ) people are prompted with typical business and personal questions. The app transcribes the responses, monitors the pace of speech, and identifies how many “filler” words were used. Michael also developed an app for the Oculus which helps train people to deliver more effective eye contact and speech through a variety of exercises. The result, of course, is better and more effective communication in daily life. Listen to the episode to learn about how to utilize technology in a way that will help your business and some tips to help you with public speaking. More on GK Training and Communication: http://gktrainingandcommunications.com/ Transcript of the episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/hyd5tr
Fri, March 01, 2019
Episode 52: Jenny Fleiss, Co-Founder of Jetblack | Rent the Runway Co-Founder speaks about her move to Jetblack and future of retail
Jenny Fleiss, Co-Founder of Rent the Runway, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her newest project as Co-Founder of Jetblack. Jetblack is a personal shopping service with the financial backing of Walmart, and Co-Founded by Jenny and Marc Lore (Jet, Quidsi/ diapers.com). Designed with the busy consumer in mind, Jetblack uses a combination of experts, algorithms and artificial intelligence to winnow down the sea of shopping options on the internet. Consumers are able to message Jetblack by voice or text to obtain product recommendations and often have the product delivered the same day, all at the cost of $50 per month. In the episode we discuss what Jenny sees in the new age of commerce, why she left Rent the Runway, and take a behind the scenes look at Jetblack! More on Jetblack: https://www.jetblack.com/ Transcript of the episode available at: https://nylaun.ch/jetblacktr
Fri, February 01, 2019
Episode 51: David Hall and Jordan Klein, Co-Founders of Park and Diamond | The collapsible bicycle helmet the size of a water bottle
Bicycle sharing programs and other alternative forms of transportation are becoming more popular in urban areas, but one thing you don’t see is a lot of people wearing helmets. Why? Because bicycle helmets are big, clunky, and no one wants to carry them around. David Hall and Jordan Klein, Co-Founders of Park and Diamond, thought a lot about this problem after David’s sister Rachel was in a bicycle accident and wasn’t wearing a helmet. So David and Jordan sought a solution that would enable more people to wear bicycle helmets and re-invented a bicycle helmet from the ground up, using composite materials The result is a helmet that looks cool, is comfortable, and folds up to the size of a water bottle. And of course, almost everyone carries around a water bottle. Listen to the episode to hear how these 23 year old entrepreneurs started developing the product as undergraduate students at Virginia Tech, why other companies haven’t come up with a product like this, and a whole lot more. Want to buy a Park and Diamond helmet? Use the exclusive discount for New York Launch Pod listeners here (not an affiliate link): https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/2417876/x/70846?secret_perk_token=d525a788 More on Park and Diamond: https://www.park-and-diamond.com/
Tue, January 01, 2019
How You Doin’? Vol 4 Helaine Knapp, Founder of CityRow: Boutique Fitness Rowing Studio with CityRow Go at home, national expansion with Franworth, and growing New York City presence
Helaine Knapp, Founder of CityRow, steps back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the growth of her boutique fitness studio. Since we first spoke to Helaine in 2015 on Episode 5, a lot has changed with CityRow and the boutique fitness world. CityRow has added a signature studio on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, introduced an at home product called CityRow Go, and is in the midst of a national expansion. There is also more competition in the boutique fitness world. Today, there are more boutique fitness studios in New York City and around the country, significant investments in the at home market from companies including Peloton and Aaptiv, and companies like ClassPass disrupting the marketplace. In this episode, Helaine talks about how CityRow has succeeded in the increasingly crowded and cutthroat boutique fitness landscape, how navigating multiple locations in New York led CityRow to partner with Franworth for national expansion, and how she teamed up with WaterRower to launch CityRow Go, an at home experience for people who love rowing but can’t get to a studio. More on CityRow: https://www.cityrow.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/HYDCityRowTr
Fri, November 30, 2018
Episode 50: Josh Futterman, Founder of ParkYou!: The sharing platform designed to solve New York City's street parking problem
It is no secret that parking in New York City is a miserable experience. Everyone knows this, but especially Josh Futterman. He’s been driving and parking in New York City for 34 years. Spending a lot of time battling New York City traffic and circling the blocks looking for an elusive parking spot, Josh thought there had to be a better way. So Josh decided to start a company to solve the problem and ParkYou! was born. Josh’s idea is centered around the concept of bringing drivers in New York City together. Of course, you can’t bring all 8.5 Million people together all at once, so Josh is starting in micro-communities. Unlike other companies that have been algorithmic predictors of parking availability or even tried to monetize public parking spaces, ParkYou! is based on the concept of sharing. Once a user indicates that they will be leaving a parking space another user will be matched if they are parking in the area at the same time as the first user is leaving. The secret sauce: in order to be able to receive a parking space, you need to have first offered up a space. As Josh says, “it’s forced altruism”. Listen to the episode to learn more about New York City parking and the extensive research Josh did before starting the Company and why the Company’s mission is so important to Josh and how the start-up was destined to be born in Harlem. More on ParkYou!: https://www.park-you.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/parkyoutr
Thu, November 01, 2018
Episode 49: Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung, Co-Founders of Fur | The celebrity-endorsed body hair grooming brand
What’s it like to invent a beauty category? In 2014, Laura Schubert had the idea that not everyone wanted to remove their body and pubic hair. Maybe they wanted to groom it. But how to approach this taboo subject? The answer was head on. Laura was undeterred despite being rejected multiple times when looking for a chemist to develop the product. A lot of the people Laura initially called abruptly hung up because they thought her idea was a joke. In 2016, Fur went from idea to reality as an inclusive, all natural clean beauty brand. The company manufactures a variety of products including a signature oil, stubble cream, ingrown concentrate and silk scrub that are sold in major retailers such as including Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and Goop. With an international distribution and a devoted following among customers that include Emma Watson, Fur now has a level of sales that might give you goosebumps. Of course the journey for Fur has not been an easy one. While the topic has become easier with time, body and pubic hair still remain taboo. Listen to the episode to hear how Fur navigates and educates on a topic that isn’t always easy to talk about with customers, retailers and the public to create a product like no other! More on Fur: https://furyou.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/fur_tr
Mon, October 01, 2018
Episode 48: Alexandra Janelli, Founder of Modrn Sanctuary | The wellness center bring together independent practitioners to offer top of the line health and beauty services
Alexandra Janelli, Founder of Modrn Sanctuary steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her wellness center located at 12 W 27th Street. Modrn Sanctuary offers health, wellness, and beauty services in a 5,000 square foot space featuring 15 treatment rooms centered around a salt room that features Himalyan Salt that is over 200 million years old. What’s different about Modrn Sanctuary? The business model includes independent practitioners coming together in a shared environment to offer top of the line services that include physical therapy, nutrition, massage, yoga, acupuncture, aroma therapy, hypnotherapy, botox, cryotherapy and a whole lot more! Alexandra had the idea for a Himalyan Salt Room after having a wonderful experience in a salt cave. After finding out that no one else had done anything similar in New York City she set out to bring an enhanced experience that caters to the New York market. Being a hypnotherapist and life coach, Alexandra also knew the benefits of a shared space for independent wellness practitioners. Thus Modrn Sanctuary was born. Alexandra has an incredible career and life journey and in the episode share her perspective of overcoming challenges including her fight with depression, finding how she was able to do what she loves, and where the wellness industry is headed. Exclusive for New York Launch Pod listeners: Use code NYLAUNCH for discount treatments in Modrn Sanctary’s salt room, crystal bed, and somoadome meditation pod. Book through: More on Modrn Sanctuary: https://www.modrnsanctuary.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/modnsanctuarytr Book your treatment at: ModrnSanctuary.com/ny-launch-pod
Fri, August 31, 2018
Episode 47: Ashley Mills and Mark Mullet Co-Founders of obé | The online fitness platform and community with a celebrity following
Ashley Mills and Mark Mullet, the Co-Founders of obé fitness, step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their online fitness platform and community. As consumers of boutique fitness classes in New York City, Mark and Ashley saw an opportunity to democratize their experience and make it accessible to anyone looking to get in a great workout. From there, obé was born, an app that brings high quality boutique fitness classes inside a consumer’s home at an accessible price point. Inspired by the workout VHS tapes of the 1980’s, obé reinvents the classic in-home workout to fit the millennial mindset of the person who wants it all. Top New York City fitness talent (including Megan Roup, Madelaine O’Connell, and the Rickey sisters – Alyssa Rickey and Sammy Rickey) are able to train obé members all over the world from a studio located in DUMBO (the aesthetic of which was inspired by the artists James Turrel and Dan Flavin). As an online app, members can workout at home, on a business trip, on vacation, or anywhere in between so they never have to miss a live class, which start at 6:00am ET, or a favorite class available on demand at any time. And at $27 per month, obé offers an unlimited suite of 28 minute workouts that include Strength, Power, Dance Cardio, Sculpt, HIIT, and yoga. With high production values including bright colors, heart pounding beats, and instructors calling out members by name, obé has quickly become more than just a successful fitness platform, but also an engaged workout community with fans like Kelly Ripa, Daphne Oz, and Katie Lee. Listen to the episode as we go behind the scenes of obé and why Mark and Ashley decided to leave their high paying talent agency jobs to start the company, how they wake up so early, and a whole lot more. EXCLUSIVE FOR NEW YORK LAUNCH POD LISTENERS use code NYLAUNCH to get 50% off your first month in addition to a one week trial. More on obé: https://www.ourbodyelectric.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/obe_tr obé on Instagram: @obe_fitness
Wed, August 01, 2018
Episode 46: Natalie Kathleen, Founder of Jibs | The ultimate summer shoe-sneaker that is made in Brazil
Natalie Kathleen, Founder of Jibs, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her unique perforated leather sneaker-shoes for men, women and kids. Three years ago at a dinner party, Natalie serendipitously came across a shoe created in Brazil. One of Natalie’s friends introduced her to this quixotic design modeled after a traditional Brazilian beach shoe. After wearing these shoes for a few days on the hot NYC summer streets and receiving a lot of attention, Natalie threw aside her high heels and decided to start her company. Thus Jibs Life and the #jibsjourney began. While the company is rooted in New York, the shoes are manufactured in Brazil under the supervision of someone Natalie refers to as the “Jimmy Choo” of sneakers. With a recycled PVC sole and the finest authentic leathers, Jibs currently come in three styles (Classic, Slim, and High Top) in a cornucopia of colors. As the company has grown, Jibs has been able to focus on its core 25-35 demographic and build a community around its product line. One collaboration with W Hotels led to the hotel chain calling Jibs their favorite “shift shoe” and supermodel Joan Smalls go-to Off-Duty sneaker. Go inside the competitive footwear and style industry as you listen to the episode to hear how Jibs has grown, the secret to its success, and the advantages and challenges of manufacturing in Brazil. More on Jibs: https://jibslife.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/jibs Jibs on Instagram: @jibslife
Sat, June 30, 2018
Episode 45: Ali Borowick and Lauren Borowick, Co-Founders of Fatty Sundays | The chocolate covered pretzels with delicious toppings, beautiful sprinkles and eye-catching packaging
Ali Borowick and Lauren Borowick the sibling Co-Founders of Fatty Sundays step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their delicious, gourmet chocolate covered pretzels. Inspired by their mother’s recipes, Ali and Lauren set out on a journey to bring their favorite snacks, the chocolate covered pretzel, to the world. The sisters first started developing their own recipes and giving out samples to friends and family. Realizing that their creations were disappearing just as quickly as they made them, Ali and Lauren decided to start Fatty Sundays. Ali quit her job and as a graphic designer and Lauren quit her job as an accountant. The two set out to create the most delicious and well-designed gourmet pretzels. What makes a chocolate covered pretzel well designed? Well, for one the pretzel isn’t completely covered in chocolate so you don’t have to get your hands dirty while eating it, according to Lauren. That, combined with delicious toppings, beautiful sprinkles and eye-catching packaging makes the Fatty Sundays experience one that has garnered incredible success. What started as a company from a home kitchen has grown to the Union Square Holiday Market and now has a national distribution with a team of 10 employees in Brooklyn making several thousand pretzels a day across 12 flavors (and gluten free options). Listen to the episode to hear how the business has grown, what it’s like for the sisters to be working together, how the name Fatty Sundays came to be and a whole lot more! More on Fatty Sundays: https://fattysundays.com/ The Forem on Instagram: @FattySundays For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/FattySundaysTr
Fri, June 01, 2018
Episode 44: Alli Young, Founder of The Forem | The accelerator for women's careers
Alli Young, Founder of The Forem, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her accelerator designed to get women further, faster in their careers. By connecting professional women to coaches and experts, The Forem provides hands on support and advice through workshops and one-to-one training. Through The Forem training, women at all levels and tenure develop critical skills for career advancement or for starting and scaling a business. According to Alli the skills that get women into middle management are not necessarily the skills that are going to get her out and into leadership. As a result, The Forem launched new curriculum called ‘The Five Critical Skills’ which teaches frameworks for negotiating confidently, fostering a network, building a personal brand, learning financial fluency, and mastering leadership. All geared towards advancing women. Since the responsibility of advancing women’s careers shouldn’t fall on women themselves, The Forem also offers corporate training to reduce unconscious bias and help companies recognize the extraordinary talent they already have within their ranks. This is particularly important because according to, Alexis Krivkovich, partner at McKinsey, for every 100 women are promoted to an entry level manager 130 men are being promoted to the same position. Listen to the episode to learn how Alli leveraged 20 years in the technology industry and 11 years in leadership at Google to start The Forem, how The Forem is advancing women’s careers and why Alli is so passionate about The Forem’s mission. More on The Forem: https://www.theforem.co/ The Forem on Instagram: @theforem.co For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/TheForemTr
Tue, May 01, 2018
Episode 43: Lisa Skye Hain and Brian Hain, Co-Founders of Primary | The coworking and shared office space started by WeWork's first employee
Lisa Skye Hain and Brian Hain the husband and wife co-founders of Primary step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their coworking and shared office space located at 26 Broadway in Manhattan. Coworking and shared office space is big business. According to Lisa the industry itself has grown between 300% and 400% over the past 8 years. Now players including WeWork, Alley, Industrious, Regus, and the Wing are competing for a larger share of business. So what is Lisa and Brian’s advantage? Well, Lisa was the first employee of WeWork so she knows the shared space business pretty well. One of the many ways in which Primary differentiates itself from the competition is by its focus on health and wellness. Each membership at Primary includes high end yoga, meditation, and boot camp classes, supervised by Brian, as Primary’s chief wellness officer who is also a former triathlon coach. The result: a successful business and a beautifully built out space that is both inspiring and zen. Primary is currently expanding at its first location in FiDi, has a second location near Penn Station under construction in the works, and plans to open more locations in New York City and beyond. While Lisa and Brian successfully raised capital and achieved full occupancy quickly it hasn’t always been easy. They have overcome challenges navigating the commercial real estate market in New York, a potentially fatal flaw in their financial model and working together as husband and wife. Listen to the podcast to go inside the coworking and shared office space business. Hear how Lisa’s professional networking was integral to establishing the business and recruiting members to Primary, how Brian formed values for the company that are essential to the brand, and a whole lot more! More on Primary: https://liveprimary.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/PrimaryTr
Sun, April 01, 2018
Episode 42: Sarah Sheehan and Toby Hervey, Co-Founders of Bravely | The Platform for off the record confidential employment coaching
Sarah Sheehan and Toby Hervey, co-founders of Bravely, step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their platform that connects employees with professional coaches outside of their workplace to encourage better conversations and healthier organizations. Workplace culture has an increased emphasis in today’s business world. No matter how hard companies try to create a supportive environment, conflict is inevitable. Whether it is abut a raise, promotion, management issue or a whole host of other issues, how companies are able to navigate such conflicts can determine whether they will keep and their best employees and allow them to thrive. Employees may not always feel comfortable approaching HR departments within companies as the first step when they have an issue, which can escalate workplace disputes and delay resolution. Enter Bravely. Using the Bravely app, people can easily schedule a phone session with a “Pro” who can provide guidance from a place of objectivity, and help them take the next step with their boss, colleague, direct report, or HR team. The goal is to get people talking about their issues sooner and more productively, which is why Bravely is a new way forward for employees dealing with tough topics like performance and coworker conflict. And this is big business. According to the most recent study on the matter, 26% of a manager’s time is spent helping direct reports manage conflict costing US companies over $359 billion per year. More on Bravely: https://www.workbravely.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: https://nylaun.ch/BravelyTr
Thu, March 01, 2018
How You Doin’? Vol 3 Andy Jacobi, Co-Founder of Untamed Sandwiches | Reflecting on the Growth of New York City's Braised Meat Sandwich Stores
Andy Jacobi, Co-Founder of Untamed Sandwiches, steps back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the growth of his braised meat sandwich shops. Since we first spoke to Andy in July 2015 for Episode 6 , a lot has changed. Untamed Sandwiches now has three locations (Bryant Park, DUMBO, and Midtown East) and 40 employees. Untamed Sandwiches is now going toe to toe with big name competitors in the casual food space in New York. In this episode we go inside the secrets behind Untamed Sandwiches’ growth. How Andy has been able to create a culture of success that allows employees to thrive while keeping employee turnover extraordinarily low, what continues to make the sandwiches great, and where Untamed has plans to expand. Andy also reflects on the challenges of having multiple locations, retaining customers, and his own transition as an entrepreneur starting the business to his current responsibilities. More on Untamed Sandwiches: https://www.untamedsandwiches.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: http://nylaun.ch/HYDUntamedTr
Sat, February 10, 2018
Episode 41: Alessandro Biggi and Francesco Brachetti, Co-Founders of Avocaderia | New York City's first Avocado Bar and Alumni of ABC's Shark Tank
Before they appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, Alessandro Biggi and Francesco Brachetti stepped on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss Avocaderia “the world’s first Avocado Bar” located in Industry City in Brooklyn. About one year ago, the thirty year old Italian co-founders were in search of healthy and tasty food and fell in love with the avocado. They then experimented with recipes and grew a following of their concoctions on Instagram. Realizing they had created delicious food and become popular, the two decided to open the first Avocaderia in New York City, a restaurant where each dish includes avocado. Today the restaurant sells well over 1,000 avocados a week and has gained a large and loyal following among its target millennial audience. But Alesandro and Francesco have their sights well beyond one restaurant location and want to establish a brand. As a result, Avocaderia has partnered with companies including SoulCycle and Goop to reach the health conscious consumer and is now looking at additional locations. Listen to the episode to go behind the scenes of Avocaderia, why the co-founders decided to focus exclusively on avocados, how they come up with recipes and more about avocados and the people who love them than you ever thought possible. More on Avocaderia: http://www.avocaderia.com/ Avocaderia Instagram Feed: https://www.instagram.com/avocaderia/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: http://nylaun.ch/avocaderiaTr
Thu, February 01, 2018
Episode 40: Ron Bergamini, CEO of Action Environmental | The largest private garbage company with the most sophisticated recycling center
Ron Bergamini, CEO of Action Environmental, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss one of the most sophisticated recycling facilities in the world which is located in the Bronx, New York. Action Environmental is the largest private waste and recycling services provider in New York City and invested heavily to build New York City’s largest recycling facility. According to Ron, the state of the art facility processes 400-500 tons of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum each day. The result is that the waste is not placed into landfills and Action Environmental is able to resell the recycled materials in the global marketplace sending much of the material as far away as China. In this episode we go inside (literally) the $15 Million facility located at 132nd Street to see how the optical technology responsible for sorting the tons of recyclable materials each day works. We also delve into the world of New York City’s garbage and the 20,000 tons of waste that are produced by New Yorkers each day. Listen to the episode to hear the business of waste management and recycling and learn why there are two separate garbage collection systems in New York City: the Department of Sanitation for residential purposes and companies like Action Environmental for commercial purposes. Hear why Action Environmental decided to invest so much in recycling and what the facility means to the company, New Yorkers, and the global economy. More on Action Environmental: http://actioncarting.com/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: http://nylaun.ch/ActionEnvTr
Fri, December 29, 2017
Episode 39: A Summer Inside the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) | The non-profit organization providing educational entrepreneurship training to high school students from low-income, urban communities.
This summer we took an inside look at the New York office of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship, also known as NFTE. NFTE is a non-profit organization providing educational entrepreneurship training to high school students from low-income, urban communities. This podcast is the story of high school students throughout their journey through an eight-week intensive training course over the summer. They are bright students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch and require teacher recommendations in order to participate in the program. But it’s also the story about people who are underrepresented in the entrepreneurship community, and who don’t get the flashy headlines (yet). We follow these students as they develop a business idea, earn revenue for the first time and overcome the unexpected challenges that come with entrepreneurship. By completing NFTE’s training, these students acquire business and life skills that will stay with them for the rest of their careers. To learn about NFTE, however, is more than to learn about what their students accomplish. There is a large community that supports the organization from companies that donate resources, individual professionals who donate their time to mentor, and alumni who return to the program to help in any way possible. The story of NFTE is also about how all these constituencies interact with one another and create an environment where everyone benefits. For more information about NFTE please visit: http://nfte.com/ For more information about the New York office of NFTE please visit http://nfte.com/offices/new-york-metro/ For a transcript of the episode please visit: http://nylaun.ch/NFTEtranscript
Fri, December 01, 2017
Episode 38: Kalle Simpson, Co-Founder of NIGHT | The silk pillow with a celebrity following for better sleep at night
Kalle Simpson, founder of NIGHT, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her $150 pillow. Is this price tag crazy? Kalle says no, and she’s here to tell you why. In fact, Kalle thinks you should rethink your strategy if you are sleeping on a $20 pillow. The NIGHT Pillow is meticulously designed to focus on beauty and wellness benefits while providing optimal sleep conditions, which justifies its cost and creates a unique place in the market. The pillowcase is made from couture quality silk which keeps hair and skin hydrated and smooth and also repels allergens and dust mites. The pillowcase comes in a signature black hue to negate light and increase melatonin production. The pillow itself is made from light-weight memory foam, which self-adjusts to accommodate every sleep position. The NIGHT Pillow has received a lot of attention with a celebrity following that counts Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner as fans. More than that, the pillow is carried by traditional retailers including Bloomingdales and Bed Bath and Beyond. Kalle is a veteran of the sleep industry. Before founding NIGHT, Kalle worked in the bedding industry for ten years. Seeing a lack of innovation in the bedding space, Kalle decided to go out on her own and invent the best pillow possible. Listen to the episode to hear the process behind inventing the NIGHT Pillow and all the health and wellness benefits associated with it (including a few that may surprise you)! You’ll learn how Kalle has been able to grow her business into what it is today. LISTENER GIFT: $20 OFF with code NYLAUNCH (not an affiliate code) More on Night: https://discovernight.com/ Transcript available here: http://nylaun.ch/NightTr
Fri, December 01, 2017
How You Doin'? Vol. 2: Ryan Babenzien, Founder of Greats | The Brooklyn-Based Sneaker Company
Ryan Babenzien, Founder of Greats, steps back on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the growth of his vertically integrated Brooklyn based sneaker company. Since we first spoke to Ryan in March 2016, his company has more than doubled in revenue, the headcount of the employees has doubled, opened their first retail location and expanded their offerings with a women’s line of footwear. However, it has not been easy. There is increased competition in the online footwear marketplace and finding the right people to join the Greats team has taken some time. In this episode Ryan talks about the successes and challenges behind his company’s growth and the plans for the future of Greats. Listen to the podcast to find out how the company will expand its brand through physical stores, how the brand collaborates with designers, and what Greats looks for in its employees. Ryan also tells the story of how Barack Obama and Ryan Seacrest came to be fan of the sneakers and one competitor he is not afraid of. More on Greats: https://www.greats.com/ Transcript available here: http://nylaun.ch/HYDGreatsTr
Wed, November 01, 2017
Episode 37: Yitzchok Kolodny and David Kupfer, Co-Founders of Theryon | The App for Physical Therapy on Demand in Your Home or Office
Yitzchok Kolodny and David Kupfer, co-founders of Theryon, step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their new platform for physical therapy on demand in your home or office. In a special episode, recorded at the offices of Samson Technologies, Yitzchok and David discuss why physical therapy on demand is important for busy and active New Yorkers. With a bevy of fitness options, races, and competitions, New Yorkers are more active than ever. And with more activity, especially among these “weekend warriors” there are more injuries. Yitzchok is a professional physical therapist by trade and saw his patients unable to regularly receive treatment which made their recovery longer or impossible. And once, a Fortune 500 CEO asked Yitzchok for physical therapy in his office and actually received treatment during a meeting–the idea for Theryon was born. Through Theryon’s app and website, users are able to book appointments whenever they want and a physical therapist comes to them in their home, office, or anywhere else in New York City they wish to be seen. And if some time frees up during the day, Theryon can accommodate same day appointments with the eventual goal of having a therapist to your door within one hour. Listen to the episode to hear about all the challenges in building the platform, how physical therapists are able to come to people’s homes to receive quality treatment, and why physical therapy is critical to anyone’s recovery. LISTENER GIFT: Use Code NYLAUNCH to receive $50 off your first physical therapy session through Theryon. (not an affiliate link) Special thank you to Samson Technologies as our sponsor for providing recording equipment and hosting us in their offices. More on Theryon: https://www.theryon.com/ Transcript available here: http://nylaun.ch/theryonTr
Sun, October 01, 2017
HYD Vol 1: Angela Ceresnie COO Climb Credit | The Lending Start-Up Making Education More Accessible
ANNOUNCING NEW SERIES: HOW YOU DOIN’? Angela Ceresnie, COO of Climb Credit, steps BACK onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her newest start-up, which tries to make skills-based, high-quality education more accessible. We first spoke to Angela in Episode 8 . As a Co-Founder of Orchard, Angela discussed the “new lending ecosystem,” where start-ups were lending in areas that traditional banks weren’t. These start-ups were then selling those loans to investors. Climb Credit is one such “alternative lender” but has carved out a niche by providing innovative solutions to students and schools alike. Climb Credit assesses a school’s performance to ensure that students receive a positive return on their investment in the education, earning more after graduating than before they started school. This means that schools who inflate their employment figures, have low graduation rates, or do not provide a valuable education are ruled out after comprehensive due diligence. In addition, Climb Credit provides the schools a further incentive to provide a quality education because, as a student pays back a Climb Credit loan, the school receives more money. Listen to the episode to go inside the world of professional education. Find out how Climb Credit finds out what makes a good school versus a “fake university”, what areas of professional education provide a positive return on investment and how Climb Credit is able to lend to everyone at an approved school. More on Climb Credit: https://climbcredit.com/ Transcript available here: http://nylaun.ch/HYDVol1Tr
Fri, September 01, 2017
Episode 36: Zachary Aarons Co-Founder and Partner of MetaProp | New York City's Real Estate Technology Accelerator, Venture Fund, and Advisory
Zachary Aarons, Co-Founder and Partner of MetaProp, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his real estate technology accelerator, venture fund, and advisory business– all wrapped into one. Founded in 2015, Zach and his Co-Founders, Aaron Block and Clelia Peters, realized that entrepreneurs and real estate executives were not connecting with each other. Real estate executives were not able to share their biggest pain points with entrepreneurs and as a result entrepreneurs were designing products that did not fit the needs of the real estate industry. Thus, MetaProp was born to solve that problem. Today, MetaProp has an advisory business that works with some of the largest landlords globally to help navigate real estate technology and has a venture capital fund as well as an accelerator which helps emerging companies navigate the real estate world. How difficult can navigating real estate organizations be? According to Zach when selling real estate software or hardware, a company often has to make four completely different sales within one organization, which includes the building engineer, the asset manager, the Chief Information Officer, and C-Suite executives. Each of the people within the real estate organization that a start-up is selling to may have a completely different motive for either purchasing or not purchasing the technology, and those motives might not even be the same between companies! Listen to the episode to hear how MetaProp has become the ‘nexus’ for real estate technology, how Zach found his way into real estate and real estate investing after launching his own company, and what the future holds for real estate technology. More on MetaProp: http://www.metaprop.org/ Transcript available here: http://nylaun.ch/MetaPropTr
Tue, August 01, 2017
Episode 35: Vicki Fulop, Co-Founder of Brooklinen | The Brooklyn based direct to consumer linen and bedding company
Vicki Fulop, Co-Founder of Brooklinen, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her Brooklyn based, direct to consumer bedding company. Several years ago Vicki and her co-founder and husband Rich, were staying at a hotel and sleeping on incredibly comfortable sheets. When the two wanted to purchase the sheets, they were shocked that at the expensive price. After thoroughly researching the textile industry, Vicki and Rich saw the high mark-ups from traditional retailers and set off to create a direct to consumer brand at a time when there weren’t that many around. Brooklinen sheets and bedding have been off to a roaring start. Through a clever grassroots campaign in 2014, Vicki and Rich smashed their initial $50,000 goal on Kickstarter and raised $237,000. Since then the Company has grown its revenue by a multiple of 10, in each of the past two years with annual sales now in excess of $25 Million and a growing product line that covers sheets, comforters, blankets, and of course linen sheets. Listen to the episode to hear what makes Brooklinen sheets different than the store department store brands, why people improperly focus on thread count and how the company markets sheets to people who can’t touch them before purchasing. Hear how Vicki and Rich bootstrapped the company through incredible growth, what the Brooklyn brand means to them and even what it’s like being a husband and wife team. More on Brooklinen: https://www.brooklinen.com/ Transcript available here: http://nylaun.ch/BrooklinenTr
Sat, July 01, 2017
Episode 34: Susannah Vila, Co-Founder of Flip | The flexible housing marketplace for subletting
Susannah Vila, Co-Founder of Flip, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her marketplace for flexible housing that helps people sublet their apartments. Finding an apartment for less than a year is a difficult task. Sites like Craigslist can be unorganized, inconsistent, and difficult to navigate. Similarly, for the person looking to sublet an apartment there was no great way to vet a prospective subtenant to ensure he or she would pay the rent on time. This was a significant pain point for a large constituency of people that was yet to have a comprehensive solution. Realizing this, Susannah set off to establish Flip as the ‘go to’ marketplace for residential subletting. Flip users create a profile that links their credit score, employment information and even bank account to show that they are qualified to rent an apartment. Similarly, renters can post photos and details of an apartment and even create a “bounty” that encourages others to help find a subtenant on their behalf. Once a match is made, a sublease is drawn up, rent payments are held in escrow, and the site provides an easy way to ask the Landlord for permission to sublet the apartment and show that a qualified renter will be in the space. The result: a dynamic marketplace that draws users looking for flexible housing. And what started out as a marketplace for subletting has grown to attract people looking for roommates as well as landlords. Listen to the episode to hear how Susannah has grown the business, why she thinks Flip will win in the marketplace and how she has been able to make the once ‘shadow market’ of subletting easier and more user friendly. More on Flip: https://flip.lease/ Transcript Available Here: http://nylaun.ch/FlipLeaseTR
Thu, June 01, 2017
Episode 33: Brian Berger, Co-Founder of Mack Weldon | The company reinventing Men's underwear and Men's essentials through great product design
Brian Berger, Co-Founder of Mack Weldon, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his men’s underwear and essentials company. Frustrated by the experience of purchasing underwear in department stores and the feeling that brands were simply changing their products for the sake of changing them, Brian thought about creating a better customer experience as well as a better product. And after speaking to a whole bunch of guys about their underwear, Brian knew he was not alone. Based upon common frustrations, Mack Weldon began re-inventing men’s essentials to make the best products. Their underwear has waistbands inspired by cycling shorts so they don’t curl over, the undershirts have longer tails and higher armholes so they don’t untuck easily, and their fabrics are engineered to be softer and more breathable than cotton including a blend that includes silver to be antimicrobial and fight odor in a way that never washes out. The brand itself is rooted in authenticity, consistency and innovation that has attracted accolades and a diverse audience, in addition to being a hit with the 25-45 year old urban, mass affluent market. Brian was a high powered business executive with two kids and another on the way as he was founding Mack Weldon – meeting his co-founder Michael Isaacman, a leader in the apparel industry shortly thereafter. Each took big professional and personal risk launching this new venture. The combination of their respective talents and efforts has led to a company that has more than doubled in size over the past year and a growing product line. Listen to the episode to hear exactly what makes Mack Weldon and their fabrics different, what it is like to be an entrepreneur after having a career and a family, and even more about the underwear business than you might haven even thought possible. More on Mack Weldon: https://www.mackweldon.com/ USE CODE: NYLAUNCH for 20% off your first order Transcript Available here: http://nylaun.ch/mackweldonTR Episode sponsor: https://simplyframed.com/ USE CODE: NYLAUNCH for 10% off your first order
Mon, May 01, 2017
Episode 32: Charlie O'Donnell, Founder and Sole Partner of Brooklyn Bridge Ventures | The Venture Capital Fund that invests exclusively in New York City startups
Charlie O’Donnell, Founder and Sole Partner of Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his Venture Capital fund and give a behind the scenes look at the venture capital world. Brooklyn Bridge Ventures invests exclusively in New York City companies with Charlie managing $23 million across two funds, leading or co-leading investments of around $350,000 in companies that have yet to raise $750,000 in capital. Having worked in venture capital since 2001, Charlie knows the space. He has been named to Business Insider’s 100 Most Influential People in NY Tech five times and served on the founding board of the New York Tech Meetup. Whether you are interested in the start-up scene, venture capital, or want to know what goes through a venture capitalist’s head, this is the episode for you! Listen to the episode to hear: Why Charlie choose New York for his fund. (4:56) Opportunities to invest in New York (7:28) The steps Charlie took to start his own fund (10:50) Charlie’s pitch to his initial investors (15:00) How Charlie finds his deals (18:21) How Charlie established himself in the start-up scene (20:20) What Charlie looks for in a Company (23:1 0) What Charlie looks for in an entrepreneur and accepting pitches (27:47) Brooklyn Bridge Venture’s investment in Orchard, our guest in Episode 8 ( 31:05) Amount of money Brooklyn Bridge Ventures invests in companies (35:36) Why companies take on a venture capitalist (37:51) Charlie’s involvement with portfolio companies (41:05 ) What does a typical month for Charlie look like? (42:38) Predictions for 2017 (47:00) More on Brooklyn Bridge Ventures: http://www.brooklynbridge.vc/ Transcript Available Here: http://nylaun.ch/brooklynbridgeTR
Sat, April 01, 2017
Episode 31: Camille Hearst, Co-Founder of Kit | The online social shopping platform for people to recommend the products they love
Camille Hearst, founder of Kit, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her Tne platform for people to recommend the products they love to use. Everyone has been there. If you start a new activity, interest or hobby, you try to search on Amazon for the best products. Do you get the one with the best reviews or the best seller? You can spend an endless amount of time trying to figure out what is the best product and by the end you aren’t sure if you have everything you need. Kit seeks to solve this problem. On Kit, users create packages of their favorite products which are based on interest. People can then search by interest for various Kits from people who they trust and purchase the products directly from retailers including Amazon. Creators of Kits (who include Tim Ferris, Casey Neistat and Gary Vaynerchuk) are able to keep 100% of any affiliate revenues they generate. The premise behind Kit is not to make people accumulate more “stuff” but to get the best products for what they need. Camille calls Kit, “The modern day peer-to peer social version of helping people help each other be self-sufficient, enrich their lives, find the tools that they need. “ Listen to the episode to hear how Kit wants to be the social media on top of Amazon, how Kits are created, and how to find the best products to buy! We even made a few kits for the New York Launch Pod! You can find ours at kit.com/nylaunchpod More on Kit: www.kit.com Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/KitTranscript
Wed, March 01, 2017
Episode 30: Lisa Skeete Tatum, Founder of LandIt | The online platform to help women increase their success and engagement in the workplace
Lisa Skeete Tatum, Founder and CEO of Landit, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her online platform to help women increase their success and engagement in the workplace while also helping companies develop and retain their female employees. Lisa first formulated the idea for Landit based on her own career “inflection point” after over a decade as a venture capitalist, Lisa found herself feeling a little “stuck” as she was deciding what her next chapter would be. Even with a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, an MBA from Harvard University and being selected as a Henry Crown Fellow as the Aspen Institute, Lisa found this inflection point to be quite challenging. Lisa was not alone in her feelings. Today, we have the largest number of professional, educated women not firing on all cylinders. According to Lisa, women are 51% of the workforce yet only 16% of upper management, with 90% of women experiencing workplace navigation issues. In response to this problem, companies and women are left asking “where do we start?” With a comprehensive and individually tailored platform, Landit provides a unique solution. Landit provides a ‘playbook’ that enables people to more successfully navigate the workplace by democratizing access to resources, tools and know-how. The platform elements such as executive coaching, personal profile building, matched opportunities, and other keys to success including building your board of advisors and personal brand. By bundling all these resources together, Landit has blossomed into a turnkey way to make a major impact on individuals and companies alike. Listen to the episode to hear how Lisa was able to pull all the resources together, how Landit is transforming careers and workplaces, and how you can build a more fulfilling career. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/LandItTr More on Landit: https://landit.com/
Wed, February 01, 2017
Episode 29: Alissa Wagner and Sabrina De Sousa, Co-Founders of Dimes | The fantastic and cool restaurant, marketplace, and deli in Chinatown
Alissa Wagner and Sabrina De Sousa, the Co-Founders of Dimes, step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their restaurant, marketplace, and deli in Chinatown. Dimes first opened its doors in September 2013 as a huge success. After the first day of business Alissa and Sabrina were on the phone to get more staff for the restaurant. The concept is based on design elements that Alissa and Sabrina love and food the two would want to eat. As Alissa says, Dimes serves food that is “balanced, healthy, clean and beautiful”. Not surprisingly, Dimes opened up to wonderful reviews. In addition to having great food, the New Yorker called Dimes the place where “the cool kids want to be”. Sabrina explains, “Dimes embodies the creatives that live in the neighborhood…a lot of crossover with fashion, art, and music”. As the business flourished, Alissa and Sabrina created a marketplace that sells Dimes branded apothecaries including a salt scrub, lip balm, and candle alongside the fresh food that goes into the restaurant. Listen to the episode to hear why Alissa and Sabrina chose Chinatown as the location for Dimes, how they actively engage the community, and the genesis of the name and brand Dimes. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/DimesTr More on Dimes: http://www.dimesnyc.com/
Sun, January 01, 2017
Episode 28: Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications | The techniques everyone can use to communicate and speak better
Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the founding of his business at the height of the recession in 2009 and how to communicate effectively. Whether you’re an entrepreneur giving a pitch, speaking in a conference room, or having a conversation with friends and family, EVERYONE can learn how to speak better. In this episode, Michael goes over the techniques that his company teaches and that everyone can instantly apply. With a Masters of Fine Arts from NYU, Michael started as a professional actor and discovered the link between a kinesthetic task (physical act) and learning habits for effective communication. Michael now teaches communication at Columbia University Business School and his company has grown to twelve coaches with clients including Pfizer, Xerox, and The Boston Consulting Group. Listen to the episode to hear how you can communicate better including: (9:00) How to overcome self-consciousness and the “don’t school of feedback” (12:39) Why you have permission to be nervous in front of an audience (15:40) Do you need confidence for a presentation? (17:04) Right idea. Right Order. Right Words. (20:02) Getting your voice heard in group situations and claiming the conversation space (20:35) Gender differences in communication (28:40) Relating your ideas better to your listeners. Simpler, image-based words (32:30) Bringing more of yourself to the conversation (36:07) Navigating Questions and Questions & Answers (39:03) Talking Points as a double edged sword (41:24) Getting an audience to like you (45:10) Keys to a wedding toast or eulogy (46:35) How to find someone to emulate (48:29) Input vs. Output communication (51:07) The 5 P’s of vocal variety (53:00) Final Takeaways to be more in command of your language Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/GKTraniningTr More on GK Training and Communications: http://www.gktrainingandcommunications.com/
Thu, December 01, 2016
Episode 27: Eric Kane, Founder of Barrel On | Making online shopping a more sustainable and charitable experience
Eric Kane, Founder of Barrel On, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss how his online marketplace is working to make shopping a more sustainable, more impactful experience. Originally founded as a barrel refurbishing company, Barrel On transformed into a marketplace for environmentally friendly brands that give back. Every time you shop on Barrel On your purchases transparently raise money for reputable non-profit organizations. Eric believes that Barrel On is becoming a sustainable way to kickstart charity projects and make a lasting impact. Listen to the episode to hear how! Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/BarrelOnTR More on Barrel On: http://barrelon.com/
Thu, December 01, 2016
Episode 26: Asha Carroll, Founder of Cake in a Crate | The DELICIOUS vegan, gluten-free, desert that you bake at home
Asha Carroll, Founder of Cake in a Crate, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her vegan, gluten-free, processed sugar-free dessert baking kit. And before you think anything else — it tastes delicious! Asha is a self-proclaimed dessert enthusiast, who, after moving to New York City, started baking a lot. After indulging in all her deserts, Asha decided to pursue more ‘alternative’ recipes and found that her vegan, gluten-free creations were not only more healthful, but also more popular than her traditional desserts. When sharing the recipes, however, most people did not have the necessary ingredients. It was at that moment that Cake in a Crate was born. Asha decided to forego her opera singing career and pursue her vision of bringing plant-based desserts to the public. Like Blue Apron or Plated, each Cake in a Crate comes beautifully packaged with pre-measured ingredients (that don’t expire for 3-6 months). Listen to the episode to hear how each recipe is carefully developed, why all the cakes look and taste so good, and how easy each Cake in a Crate is to make! For New York Launch Pod listeners, Cake in a Crate is offering 20% off all first time purchases with code NYLAUNCH! Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/CakeinaCrateTr More on Cake in a Crate: http://www.cakeinacrate.com/
Tue, November 01, 2016
Episode 25: Marshall Cox, Founder of Radiator Labs | The smart radiator cover preventing overheating and tackling the $1.2 billion in NYC's wasted fuel each year
Marshall Cox, Founder of Radiator Labs, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the first ever smart radiator cover that allows users to control the temperature in their room. It seems as though every New Yorker has sweated in a room that has been overheated by a radiator. Radiators are ubiquitous in older buildings and Marshall estimates that there are approximately 10 million radiators in New York City alone. The problem: radiator technology has barely advanced since World War II, yet windows have become more efficient. Consequently, rooms overheat and New Yorkers open their windows to freezing temperatures just to make a room temperature manageable. It is estimated that $1.2 dollars of fuel is wasted each year in New York City alone due to this problem. One night while Marshall was studying for his PhD in engineering at Columbia he could not tolerate the wild temperature fluctuations in his dorm room anymore. He set out to create a radiator cover that would solve the problem and the Cozy was born. The Cozy is a patent pending “smart” radiator cover that solves the overheating problem and adjusts the room to a constant temperature which can even be controlled by a smartphone app! Once a building installs the Cozy, a mesh network is created allowing the building to access a vast amount of data about its heating system resulting in up to a 40% reduction in heating costs. Listen to the episode to learn how radiators are being brought in the 21st century and what that will mean for all New Yorkers, Landlords and Tenants alike. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/radiatorlabsTr More on Radiator Labs: https://www.radiatorlabs.com/
Sat, October 01, 2016
Episode 24: Alexandra Chemla, Founder of ArtBinder | The digital platform for art galleries and collectors to quickly access their inventory for presentations or sales
Alexandra Chemla, Founder of ArtBinder, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her digital platform that allows art galleries and collectors to quickly access their art inventory for presentations or sales. In 2010, Alexandra was working as a gallery assistant at Gavin Brown’s Enterprise assembling three ring binders with photographs and information of artwork in advance of Art Basel Switzerland. With the gallery’s many art pieces, ensuring that each of the thirty large binders contained correct, updated information was labor and cost intensive, taking months of work. Once the iPad was first released, however, Alexandra had the revelation to digitize the process and after a year of development, ArtBinder was born. ArtBinder allows its clients to seamlessly access (and search) the images and vital information (size, medium, year, etc.) of their inventory on mobile devices. Instead of spending inordinate amounts of money on labor, printing and shipping, for a small monthly fee galleries are able to take their whole inventory on the go and instantaneously share information with prospective clients. The result: lower costs and more sales. Leveraging her knowledge and experience in the art world, Alexandra was able to build a solution for galleries and quickly get a foothold in an industry that was resistant to technology. Six years later, ArtBinder has the biggest names in art using its product and has its sights set on becoming a full service solution for art galleries. Listen to the episode to go behind the scenes of the art world and hear how being headquartered in New York City among the many galleries in Chelsea has been an advantage to ArtBinder, and get an inside look at the company’s pathway to success as well as its future expansion plans. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/ArtBinderTr More on ArtBinder: http://artbinder.com/
Thu, September 01, 2016
Episode 23: Miriam Altman, Co-Founder of Kinvolved | The company that elevates student attendance in schools and provides text message alerts to family members about absenteeism or lateness
Miriam Altman, co-founder of Kinvolved, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the founding of her company that elevates student attendance in schools and provides text message alerts to family members about absenteeism or lateness. As a teacher in a New York City public school for three years, Miriam saw first-hand that classroom attendance was inconsistent and the problems with chronic absenteeism and lateness. However, once Miriam started establishing a relationship with the parents her students’ attendance increased. Understanding that teachers are over-burdened and that each class represents over a 100 parents, the idea for Kinvolved was hatched. On her first day at the Wagner School at NYU Miriam met her Co-Founder, Alexandra Meis. Both Alex and Miriam were passionate about education and family involvement. While in graduate school the co-founders were able to understand the need for the product and made time to start the company with the first Beta launching in 2012. With Kinvolved’s app Kinvo, if a student is late or absent, a text message or email (in a number of different languages) is sent to that student’s parents allowing them to know what is happening in real time as opposed to traditional methods which let parents know at the end of the semester. The result: three in four teachers who use Kinvo have reported increased student attendance, with 93% reporting improved communication with families. What’s more, the app takes a fraction of the time to take the roll versus the traditional Scantron sheets that some schools still use allowing for more classroom instruction. Go behind the scenes of the start-up that has double bottom line of making money and carrying out a social mission to improve attendance in under-resourced communities, and hear about the challenges and opportunities of working in New York City public schools, the largest district in the United States. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/KinvolvedTr More on Kinvolved: https://kinvolved.com/
Mon, August 01, 2016
Episode 22: Aline Sara, Co-Founder of NaTakallam | The online platform that connects Arabic learners around the world with displaced Syrians (and Syrian Refugees) for language practice
Aline Sara, Founder of NaTakallam steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her online platform that connects Arabic learners around the world with displaced Syrians for language practice. Aline first came up with the idea of when she wanted to work on her Arabic after finishing her Master’s Degree in International Affairs at Columbia and found that the price for individual tutoring was expensive. Aline, who is Lebanese, saw the over one million displaced Syrians in Lebanon and connected the need for Arabic learning with a native speaking population. NaTakallam, which means we speak, was born at a Columbia University start-up competition and went on to finish in the semi-finals of a World Bank competition. NaTakallam partnered with NGOs in Beirut that help recruit Syrian conversation partners. The conversation partners are interviewed and vetted by the company and have conversations with their students over Skype. Once launched, NaTakallam was shared over 5,000 times and demand is growing, particularly among universities. The Syrian crisis has created over 4.8 Million refugees and internally displaced over 6.5 Million Syrians (source: OCHA). many of the refugees are unable to participate in their respective local economies, NaTakallam provides a sustainable source of income that is different from aid. Hear how NaTakallam has changed the lives of the displaced Syrians and teaching Arabic to students in a way that they can actually learn, what the company means to the conversation partners and just what the students and teachers talk about. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/NaTakallamTR More on NaTakallam: https://natakallam.com/
Fri, July 15, 2016
Episode 21: Belvy Klein, Co-Founder of Riis Park Beach Bazaar and Brooklyn Night Bazaar | Bringing music, food, drink, vendors, and fun to the beach and at its famous night market
SUMMER SPECIAL! Belvy Klein, Co-Founder of Riis Park Beach Bazaar and Brooklyn Night Bazaar, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss what it’s like to bring music, food, drink, vendors, and fun to the beach and at its famous night market. After winning a request for proposal (RFP) late spring of 2015, Belvy Klein and his co-founder Aaron Broudo did not have a lot of time to invigorate the sleepy Rockaway Beach with life. But armed with the out-of-the-box thinking that Brooklyn Bazaar LLC, the parent company, is known for, Belvy and Aaron were able to transform Riis Park into a tourist destination that caught the eye of the New York Post as the number one item on its summer bucket list and the second best beach in America as rated by Yahoo! Travel. Rather than selling traditional food on the beach, Riis Park Beach Bazaar draws in visitors with an exciting mix of local food, vendors, free live music, and programming on a daily basis. With a unique location that captures the benefits of a beautiful beach and the vistas of Manhattan, New Yorkers have been flocking by car, bus, train, ferry, and bicycle. The result for the first season of the Riis Park Beach Bazaar was a 140% increase in attendance over the previous year. Belvy also talks about the forthcoming return of the Brooklyn Bazaar to the former Polonaise Terrace and the many exciting new features that his company is bringing to the former wedding venue. After starting at the DeKalb Market in Downtown Brooklyn and moving to Williamsburg then to Greenpoint this will be the fourth iteration of the popular Night Bazaar that utilizes the company’s recipe of live music, food, drink, vendors, and fun. In the episode, Belvy also talks about how the company has grown, how the Bazaar has been a springboard for its vendors, what it is like to be an independent concert venue in New York City and what it was like to lose the former space on Banker Street to BMW. Listen to the episode to get an inside look at what it is like to do business at the beach with the unpredictability of mother nature, and how Riis Park Beach Bazaar was able to gain the support of the local community by having a year round presence, and hear Belvy address criticism that his company is gentrifying the beach. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/rpbazaarTR More on Riis Park Beach Bazaar and Brooklyn Bazaar: http://riisparkbeachbazaar.com/ http://bkbazaar.com/
Fri, July 15, 2016
Episode 20: Vaughan Cutillo, Co-Founder of Montauk Brewing Company | The brewery and tap room located in Montauk, New York
SUMMER SPECIAL! Vaughan Cutillo, Co-Founder of Montauk Brewing Company, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his brewery and tap room located on the easternmost point of New York State: Montauk. Montauk Brewing Company was founded in the summer of 2012 by three friends: Eric Moss, Joe Sullivan and Vaughan Cutillo, who all grew up in Montauk. The company traces its genesis to 2009 when the three co-founders were home-brewing five gallons of beer at a time in a basement yet had their eyes on higher ambitions. After navigating various laws and regulations and gaining support from the Town of East Hampton, the Montauk Brewing Company opened its doors at 62 South Erie Avenue, Montauk, New York in June 2012. With distribution across all of Long Island and as far as New York City the Montauk Brewing Company is a success and trying to keep up with demand. The Taproom is stocked with 6 beers on rotation including the two year round brews of the Driftwood Ale and Session IPA and becomes a gathering place for the community and summer tourists alike with weekly events including Breathe and Brews (yoga) and Bells and Brews (kettle bells). Importantly the Montauk Brewing Company stays true to its roots and hosts a variety of fundraisers at the Taproom. Listen to the podcast to get a behind the scenes understanding of the laid back brand with the slogan “come as you are”, how it came up with its logo and branding that is uniquely Montauk, and what is like to do business year round in Montauk, New York. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/montaukbrewcoTr More on Montauk Brewing Company: http://www.montaukbrewingco.com/
Fri, July 01, 2016
Episode 19: Tom Melcher, Founder of Show-Score | The rating service for live theater
Tom Melcher, Founder of Show-Score, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his rating service for live theater. Like Rotten Tomatoes for movies, TripAdvisor for travel or Goodreads for Books, Show-Score empowers theater fans to rate and review shows and organizes the reviews in a crisp and straightforward manner including a score from 1-100. Tom, an avid theater enthusiast, first conceived the idea when he moved to New York. After seeing more than 5 shows a week (and more than 250 in a year) Tom thought there had to be a better way to discover great shows since there was no centralized site. So Tom, an entrepreneur who is now on his 10th start-up, decided to build the platform himself and it is a ‘runaway hit’. In the first 6 months, Show-Score has over 75,000 reviews from over 50,000 users which is more than 6x the number of reviews for shows on Facebook, TripAdvisor and Twitter, combined. The reviews themselves also have an innovative design where a user answers three quick questions and gives a rating from 1-100. The reviews, which includes reviews from professional critics, are aggregated based on an algorithm that takes into account the user’s following on the site. The success of the platform has enabled Show-Score to allow users to discover new shows and allow smaller theater companies to list their shows and quickly find an audience. With over 150 shows on a daily basis New York truly is the theater capital and Show-Score enables users to see shows they are bound to like and discover affordable shows on Broadway and ‘Beyond Broadway’. Listen to the podcast to delve into the world of the performing arts and hear how Show-Score came about, its innovative model to grow, and the user friendly features in the platform. At the end, Tom even provides some hints about getting tickets to the hottest shows in New York. (Hamilton) Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/show-scoreTr More on Show-Score: http://www.show-score.com/
Wed, June 01, 2016
Episode 18: Rachelle Hruska, Founder of Guest of a Guest | The Digital Media Platform for People, Places, Parties & Nightlife
Rachelle Hruska, Founder of Guest of a Guest, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss the founding of her digital media platform and its recent expansion into weddings. Guest of Guest traces its genesis to 2007, when Rachelle was taking photos at various events on a Treo phone and posting them on her blog. What began as a form of self-expression gained a following of influential people and the site organically blossomed into a business that caused Rachelle to forego business and medical schools in order to grow the platform. With the tagline “People, Places, Parties & Nightlife” Guest of a Guest built its brand by fulfilling a cultural niche rather than using algorithms to gain traffic at volume. As Rachelle explains the ethos behind the site, “we want to be your cool friend.” With the best social calendar in the city, an array of interesting articles and millions of event photographs, Guest of a Guest is able to attract web traffic of an audience that wants to be at the forefront of new trends. Eschewing corporate fundraising, Guest of a Guest has remained fiercely independent and grown to 15 full time employees and 60 photographers. On a daily basis, the site delivers engaging content to its target audience of 18-35 year olds, with an even male–female split that has made the platform attractive to premier brands including Dolce & Gabbana and Cointreau. Four years in the making, Guest of a Guest is now launching a wedding site with the goal of having 50 new wedding albums up per week. The idea behind starting a wedding site is to be community focused and fill a void left by traditional media. As Rachelle explains the wedding albums will gain a unique perspective on these major life events and the related editorial content and calendar will be engaging to the site’s audience. Listen to the episode to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at Guest of a Guest, how the company has grown with its sights now set internationally, and how it stays competitive in the ever shifting landscape of digital media. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/GuestofaGuestTr More on Guest of a Guest: http://www.guestofaguest.com/
Sun, May 01, 2016
Episode 17: Dave Salvant and Songe LaRon, Co-Founders of Squire | The app for scheduling and paying for men’s haircuts and SAAS platform for barbershops
Dave Salvant and Songe LaRon step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their app called Squire which is solution for scheduling and paying for men’s haircuts as well as their SAAS platform for barbershops to manage scheduling and marketing to customers. In 2015, Dave and Songe discovered that it was difficult and annoying to schedule a haircut. Songe in particular had the realization while waiting an hour for his barber while working as a corporate attorney. After surveying 300 people, Dave and Songe discovered that scheduling men’s haircuts was a universal problem and there was no one else in the space. So they decided to build the solution themselves and Squire was born. Instead of calling, texting, or just waiting for your barber, the app works by locating barbershops closest to the user and allows the user to see the rating of the barbershop, the services provided, available barbers and times. The interface syncs with ApplePay and allows the user to pay and tip ahead of his appointment. Then realizing that barbers also needed a solution, Dave and Songe also created a platform for higher end barber shops to sync in with Squire and become a calendar, marketing and data analytics platform for barbershops. Go behind the scenes as Dave and Songe try to help the over 5,000 barbershops in New York City alone are quickly expanding nationally, and how they are already driving new business to barbershops. Hear what makes a good haircut and how Dave and Songe want guys to get Squire Fresh and just how important that is! For New York Launch Pod listeners, Squire is offering $7 off a haircut with code “NYLAUNCH” Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/SquireTr More on Squire: http://getsquire.com/
Fri, April 01, 2016
Episode 16: Ariana Mouyiaris, Creative Director and Co-Founder of MAKE | The first for-benefit brand in the beauty industry
Ariana Mouyiaris, Creative Director and Co-Founder of MAKE, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her new beauty brand. MAKE is the first for-benefit brand in the beauty industry where ten (10%) percent of sales (not profits) are donated to the We See Beauty Foundation. Before MAKE launched in February 2013, Ariana did not think the world needed another beauty brand, yet saw an opportunity in the marketplace to deliver high quality products with a different kind of messaging. The brand encourages creative self-expression and focuses on “approachable” beauty. “I don’t feel like I have the keys to telling you how to look beautiful. I don’t think that power is in anybody outside of whoever is choosing to buy and wear the product itself,” says Ariana. With that vision in mind, MAKE focuses on contemporary beauty and has collaborated with influential creative designers including Faye Toogood and Maryam Nassir Zadeh. Ariana partnered with her father, who has over 40 years in cosmetic contract manufacturing, to create the company. With a wealth of experience, MAKE is able to bring on a great core team to create professionally formulated products with a very fast turn around. Manufactured in Long Island City, MAKE now has over 250 SKUs and has been picked up by premier retailers including Barneys. Social impact is a very important to the DNA at MAKE. The 10% of all sale proceeds going to the We See Beauty Foundation has been able to incubate and accelerate women-led, worker-owned cooperatives. These donations and a collaboration with Mercado Global have empowered women-owned cooperatives to have incredible and meaningful growth. As Ariana says, “A lot of brands do charitable work, which is very commendable. And given the scale it’s significant for sure. But we want to make a stronger commitment to saying that business could be done differently and to bet our bottom line on it.” Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/makebeautyt More on Make: http://makebeauty.com/
Tue, March 01, 2016
Episode 15: Ryan Babenzien, Founder of Greats | The vertically integrated sneaker brand born in Brooklyn
Ryan Babenzien, Founder of Greats, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his Brooklyn based sneaker company. Greats is vertically integrated so that the company manufactures and sells directly to consumers. Without relying on retailers, Greats is able to sell at a lower price than “legacy brands” and cut traditional twelve month development cycles in half, all while making a premium product. The shoes themselves are based off traditional silhouettes with creative color and material changes that appeals to a millennial audience. Ryan is a veteran of the footwear industry working at Puma and K-Swiss prior to starting Greats. Now in its third year, Greats has been a runaway success. The company has involved some major influencers in the fashion landscape as well as celebrities, collaborated with former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, begun shipping internationally and expanded into women’s sizes. “We can’t even keep white and black in stock,” says Ryan. Hear why Ryan believes that Style, Quality and Value is the key to his company’s success in appealing to millennials and why Ryan thinks that Greats can and is already competing with the major manufacturers in the market. Listen to the episode to hear why the company is called Greats, the names of some of the shoes (including the Bab) and the interesting story behind Greats.com. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/GreatsT More on Greats: http://www.greats.com/
Mon, February 01, 2016
Episode 14: Roseanne Stanzione, Founder of LaneHoney | Bringing pricing transparency to the trucking and shipping industry
Roseanne Stanzione, founder of LaneHoney, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her platform to bring transparency to the trucking industry by creating an efficient open digital supply network and publishing live spot market prices between truckers and shippers. The majority of trucking shipments is coordinated through truck brokers who conduct most of their business over the telephone. Truck brokers, who connect shippers that send goods across the country make money by taking the spread between what the shipper pays and what they pay truckers. As a result, there is a lot of inefficiency, inconsistency, and lack of transparency in the trucking market with unduly large spreads. Roseanne, who has a background in trade automation and was a trucking industry analyst on Wall Street, saw an opportunity to use new mobile technology to challenge spread-building brokers and let truckers and shippers find and transact with each other more efficiently. With the vast majority (95%) of truckers owning 1-4 trucks and 120% turnover among truckers, LaneHoney creates a digital supply network for shippers, by automating the process to have truckers “on-board” to the platform, making sure they have the required insurance and safety profile, and tracking every shipment through delivery. Most revolutionary, however, Lane Honey provides the first truly transparent marketplace for shippers and carriers to know the price of a route without the broker bias and to have the tools to transact directly. Rather than have brokers dictate price, LaneHoney crowdsources quotes and transacted prices so both truckers and shippers see live price movements and know what their peers are paying and earning. As a result, shippers are able to see the true cost of their shipment and for tuckers in an industry where there is no minimum wage, this has been very meaningful even opening up more “lanes”. Listen to the episode to go behind the scenes of the trucking industry and learn how LaneHoney wants to change the game. How important is trucking? As the saying goes, if you bought it, a truck brought it. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/lanehoneyt More on LaneHoney: https://lanehoney.com/
Fri, January 01, 2016
Episode 13: Clinton Grusd, Founder, and Ally Vaughn, Strategic Advisor of Wermz | The App for Personalized News
Clinton Grusd, Founder, and Ally Vaughn, Strategic Advisor, step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their app, Wermz, which delivers personalized news to smartphones. Wermz is a platform which delivers content based on people’s interests. It uses algorithms to determine what is actually news (a more difficult question than you might think!) and what news is relevant to each person based on his or her interests. Clinton saw an opportunity in the news industry. Publishers that were struggling to adapt to the web had even more difficultly transitioning to mobile. For publishers, mobile presented simply another medium to distribute traditional articles in digital form. For Clinton, mobile presented an opportunity to allow users to “experience” news stories that interests them by seamlessly exploring those stories wide and deep, through articles, video, images, and reference material. Listen to the episode to hear why the boot-strapped Wermz thinks they can compete with the largest news tech companies including Flipboard, Facebook, Twitter and Apple to deliver the best and most engaging news product to users. Hear the process behind developing the app, how Clinton and the team have been gaining publicity for their product, and all the features Wermz brings to its users. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/wermzt More on Wermz: https://www.wermz.com
Tue, December 01, 2015
Episode 12: Kenneth Shinozuka, Founder of SafeWander | 17 year-old entrepreneur and Google Science Fair Award Winner Invents a device to help caregivers monitor dementia and Alzheimer’s patients
Kenneth Shinozuka the 17 year-old founder of SafeWander steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his new product to help caregivers monitor dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. SafeWander detects when these patients wander or fall with an innovative way to provide smart phone alerts based off of a ‘one twist’ motion sensor that is securely worn by the patient. Kenneth, currently a senior in high school at the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, first began developing the SafeWander system at age 14 out of love for his grandfather with whom he was very close. Watching his aunt try to take care of his grandfather, Kenneth had the idea to develop SafeWander. What began as a sock sensor several years ago, now consists of a button sensor worn by the patient, a gateway that connects to a WiFi network, and an App, that sends a beeping alert to a mobile device as soon as the sensor detects the patient getting up. There are over 5.3 million Alzheimer’s patients in the United States alone and over 44 million dementia patients worldwide. It’s estimated that 60% of these patients wander and 1 in 3 seniors overall, suffer from a fall risks. Unlike anything else currently on the market, SafeWander has been tested at a number of care facilities and Kenneth has won the Scientific American Science in Action Award at the Google Science Fair, been invited to the White House, and received numerous other awards. Hear the steps Kenneth took to make this incredible invention while balancing high school, his conversation with Bill Nye the Science Guy, what he plans to do with the product to help people, and what other inventions he plans to make! Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/SafeWandert More on SafeWander: http://www.safewander.com
Sun, November 01, 2015
Episode 11: Mike Rothman, Co-Founder of Fatherly | The Digital Destination for Gen X and Millenial Parents
Mike Rothman, co-founder and CEO of Fatherly, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss his digital destination for young parents (not necessarily only fathers). Realizing that parenting content was not optimized for today’s consumer both in the way it was distributed and in the way ideas, attitudes and behaviors have shifted over time, Mike and his co-founder Simon Isaacs, created a parenting experience for young generation X’ers and Millenials. Mike, one of the first employees at Thrillist, realized a void in the marketplace. As he explains, “A funny thing happens after marketing to young single guys for seven years, namely that audience is no longer single or as young.” So, after an early partnership with the 92nd Street Y, Fatherly has grown from a 300 person email list to over 125,000 subscribers, a website having 1 Million unique visitors per month and content syndication with Business Insider, Huffington Post, and Time.com. There is nothing more high stakes than someone’s child says Mike. Listen to hear how Fatherly develops “incredibly practical” parenting content for developmental milestones and couches it in language and in stories that are more conversational, and better wired for the social web from “ridiculously overqualified people” such as Arne Duncan on how to hack the Pre-K admission process in your neighborhood, a Navy Seal on how to dominate hide and go seek, and Malala and her father on how to raise a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Go behind the scenes of Fatherly’s incredible growth, how they have been able to develop relationships with content providers, and how they have utilized a seed round of $2 Million. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/fatherlyt More on Fatherly: https://www.fatherly.com/
Thu, October 01, 2015
Episode 10: Doug Hayes, Founder of Junto Health | An innovative shared research model to tackle big problems in healthcare
Doug Hayes, founder of Junto Health, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss a new way to innovate and solve problems in the health care industry. Named and modeled after “The Junto,” a group founded by Benjamin Franklin for mutual improvement among its members, Junto Health uses a shared research model to tackle obstacles endemic to major stakeholders in the health care industry. Junto Health is the first open innovation program in digital health, driving evolution up to twice as fast as a traditional R&D model in the industry. This is the Golden Age of opportunity for health start-ups. Health care is more consumer-centric than ever and large, traditional institutions are being asked to change drastically and quickly, requiring them to look externally for innovative solutions. The visual, as Doug explains, is like a “a cruise liner in a bay that’s asked to turn around and exit the bay. It requires a number of tugboats to move that large, hulking ship.” Doug and Junto Health believe that start-ups are the “tugboats” and the key to the innovation process because “they are more nimble, flexible and can attack parts of the market that are financially rewarding to small companies but might not check the box for a large tech vendor.” Junto Health’s goal is to provide a contained “safe place” for members to test and pilot new innovative solutions while mitigating risk. Current members include major hospitals, and pharmaceutical, insurance and technology companies such as New York Presbyterian Hospital, North Shore LIJ, Aetna, Emblem Health, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, HP, Philips, Samsung, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Hear how Junto Health lowers the cost of innovation for its members by finding common pain points and creating working groups. Junto Health “filters the noise,” priming the demand side from industry and vetting early stage companies to create an efficient win/win situation for all parties involved. With this process, Junto Health is able to bridge the 6-12 month sales cycle of a large health institution that is difficult for small business to navigate yet also provide a proven product that large institutions demand. Partnering with the Sachs Policy Group, Junto Health is uniquely positioned to see the policy changes that will continue to transform health institutions, allowing Junto’s working groups, as Doug notes, to “make innovation work ” not only for today but for the paradigm shift of tomorrow. Junto Health is a spinoff from our second guest, Blueprint Health. To learn more about Junto Health visit www.juntohealth.org and follow on Twitter @juntohealth. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/juntot
Tue, September 01, 2015
Episode 9: Gillian Zoe Segal, Author of Getting There: A Book of Mentors | A book featuring an ‘A List’ of 30 successful luminaries including Warren Buffet, Michael Bloomberg, Kathy Ireland and Sara Blakely
Gillian Zoe Segal steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss her book “Getting There: A Book of Mentors”. In the book, Gillian interviews an ‘A List’ of 30 successful luminaries who are all at the top of their field. Subjects including Warren Buffet, Michael Bloomberg, Kathy Ireland and Sara Blakely discuss their career journeys in essays that cover not only their successes but also their obstacles and set backs. “Almost everyone in the book is an entrepreneur” says Gillian. Hear the common themes among many of these luminaries and important advice that isn’t just applicable to business, like the dangers of over scheduling at a young age or ‘you can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow’. Gillian spent five years writing this book and has a lot of fascinating stories to tell! Find out how she was able to gain access to all her subjects and her elevator pitch to convince them to be interviewed and photographed “If the front door’s locked, try the back door. If the back door’s locked, try the side door. And if that doesn’t work, try crawling in the window. And if you can’t do that, then wait a little while and try the front door again. You never know, someone might answer.” Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/gsegalt
Sat, August 01, 2015
Episode 8: Angela Ceresnie and David Snitkof, Co-Founders of Orchard Platform | The platform that connects institutional investors and loan originators
Angela Ceresnie and David Snitkof, co-founders of Orchard Platform step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their technology platform that as David describes it “brings together large institutional investors as well as loan originators to transact in an efficient and data-driven and scalable way.” The lending landscape is being disrupted. Where some forms of lending have once been a tedious, time consuming process taking approximately 30 hours to complete an application, new lenders such as Lending Club, CAN Capital, and Funding Circle have stepped in to ease the experience and cut down the amount of time in an application process. With more information disclosed by borrowers to get a loan as well as more information being provided by the lenders about the loan itself, the environment has become ripe for entry by institutional investors who want to invest in these loans in what has been described by Orchard as “sunlight banking”. Find out how Orchard Platform connects investors and lenders in a unique way that provides value to all sides in what has been estimated as a One Trillion Dollar non-bank, online lending marketplace. Listen to hear how Orchard Platform started from humble beginnings of four friends working and blogging in a chinese restaurant on the Lower East Side to a company with 43 employees and on the Forbes list of next potential billion dollar start-ups. Hear what Angela calls are the three free things that led to Orchard’s thought leadership and growth as well as how Orchard’s relationship with big name investors such as Vikram Pandit (former CEO of Citibank), John Mack (former CEO of Morgan Stanley), Max Levchin (co-founder of PayPal), QED Investors and Nyca Partners among many others has changed over time and assisted in Orchard’s phenomenal growth. Tune in to hear about a true New York City success story as well as Angela’s and David’s passion for the business and why one of Orchard’s values is to “Think to the future” because as Angela describes it “the future is where Orchard is a really successful and valuable company”. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/Orchardt
Wed, July 01, 2015
Episode 7: Julie Sygiel, Founder of Dear Kate | A women's apparel and lingerie company that makes functional underwear for women
Julie Sygiel, founder of Dear Kate, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to talk about what Julie calls the “ultimate underwear for women”. Dear Kate is a women’s apparel and lingerie company that makes functional underwear for women. One day Julie asked herself why no one was making better underwear if every woman has a “horror story during that time of the month”. So Julie set out and spent two years developing the now patent pending UNDERLUX technology and Dear Kate was born. Listen to how Dear Kate has grown its sales by 400% in EACH of the past two years and how the company’s expansion into activewear started with its underwear-less yoga pants that reached its Kickstarter goal in less than one hour! And find why Julie thinks 2015 is “the year of the period.” Manufactured and headquartered in New York City, Dear Kate is driven by the philosophy to do what they think is right. Hear how that philosophy has influenced decisions to use models for who they are and what they do- not simply how they look, naming campaigns after famous women, and offering sizes XXS to 3X in order to be size inclusive. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/dearkatet
Wed, July 01, 2015
Episode 6: Andy Jacobi and Ricky King, Co-Founders of Untamed Sandwiches | Braised meat sandwiches made from sustainable ingredients
Andy Jacobi and Ricky King the founders of Untamed Sandwiches step on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss their delicious braised meat sandwiches. Combining the quality and ambiance of a farm-to-table sit down restaurant with the efficiency and convenience that busy office workers demand, Untamed Sandwiches was a welcome addition to midtown when it first opened 18 months ago. Located by Bryant Park at 43 West 39 Street, Untamed Sandwiches specializes in braised meat sandwiches made from sustainable ingredients, while also offering gluten free and low-carb options. Go behind the scenes of Ricky’s efficient five day braising process and his lifetime of research and development used for the recipes, how the sandwiches got their names (Carla Bruni, Sheemakers Bounty, The Butt), and how Untamed Sandwiches handles the daily crush of the midtown lunch business with aplomb. Find out how important it is for Andy and Ricky to maintain a strong relationship with their local suppliers who focus on “doing things the right way” (grass fed meat, pasture raised pork), how they view their role in the sustainable foodchain, and Untamed Sandwiches’ plans for the future. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/UntamedSandwicht More on Untamed Sandwiches: http://www.untamedsandwiches.com/
Mon, June 01, 2015
Episode 5: Helaine Knapp, Founder of CityRow | The boutique fitness studio with rowing classes
Helaine Knapp, founder of CityRow, steps on to the New York Launch Pod to discuss one of the newest and hottest boutique fitness studios in Manhattan. It took an injury for Helaine to discover the benefits of rowing and how it was both low impact and worked 84% of her muscles. Once she did, however, Helaine could not get enough! While there were many boutique fitness classes in New York City at the time, there were none dedicated to rowing. So Helaine decided leave her job at another start-up to open her own studio and bring rowing back in to the “limelight”. From “sexy” water based rowers to foam rollers, CityRow is committed to being a forward thinking fitness studio that led to it being ahead of the rowing curve. Listen to how Helaine first connected with Annie Mulgrew, CityRow’s Director of Programming, to develop an interval based class that is suitable for all fitness levels and ages. Now over one year old, find out how CityRow first got its start at its Union Square location, what it learned from being in the Hamptons, and its plan for a signature flagship location on the Upper East Side. Go inside the boutique fitness world and the challenge of educating consumers about rowing, but why with new fitness studios popping up, Helaine thinks CityRow has a formula for long lasting success. Transcript of the episode available here: http://nylaun.ch/cityrowt More on CityRow: http://www.cityrow.com/
loading...