All Episodes

👉🏼 About the Guest:Brian Swartz (ex-Startup Chile, NeighborSchools) is a 2x venture-backed founder who sold his last company NeighborSchools. He is currently working on a stealth startup improving remote work and the way we show up as teams. They are on a mission to improve connectivity & real-time collaboration among remote teams. Brian is all about building startups, teams, and software products to solve big hairy real-world problems.👉🏼 About the Host:Sharath is a founder, creator, and community builder. He is also a serial maker who built and shipped 15+ projects using no-code tools. His SaaS product Shoutout generates $30k ARR which was sold to a UK-based product studio. Prev, Sharath worked for world-changing startups like Product Hunt and On Deck, where he helped build and nurture communities. He also grew his audience on Twitter from 200 to 20,000 using give-first principles and creating high-value content. Currently, he is the Head of Community at Threado and runs a newsletter called Sharath's CliffNotes alongside hosting this podcast.👉🏼 Description:Tune in as Sharath and Brian discuss pivoting from international development to the startup world, what it takes to be a good CEO, remote work, and more!Timestamps:0:00 | Episode highlight0:29 | Intro to Brian Swartz1:54 | Brian's journey creating and navigating NeighborSchools through covid12:02 | How Brian's experience in Uganda international development impacted his journey as a founder15:00 | Creating a product with empathy - even if it has nothing to do with your personal experience20:32 | Brian's failed startup ideas23:50 | Brian's newest startup: Remote work and connectivity29:50 | Swivel's platform for impactful work: What does productivity mean?39:50 | Why did Brian choose to work in stealth instead of building in public?41:15 | Brian's transition from international development to working in startups on remote work46:20 | Swivel's next steps: Beta testing, team building, and coming out of stealth!50:00 | Brian's important lessons for next-gen founders👉🏼 Where to find Brian Swartz:Twitter: https://twitter.com/bswartzzzLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianswartz👉🏼 Where to find Sharath:Twitter: https://twitter.com/5harathYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5harathWebsite: https://5harath.com/Newsletter: https://5harath.substack.com/

👉🏼 About the Guest:Mindaugas Petrutis (ex-InVision, ex-On Deck) is the founder of Coho, leading community-based cohorts in learning data science, design, marketing, and more. He founded On Deck's Design Fellowship and was the Head of EMEA Community at InVision. He loves building relationships, connecting the dots between humans, systems, and problems and simplifying complex ideas. Mindaugus is currently based in Lisbon 🇵🇹 with his rescue dogs, Rina and Mya.👉🏼 About the Host:Sharath is a founder, creator, and community builder. He is also a serial maker who built and shipped 15+ projects using no-code tools. His SaaS product Shoutout generates $30k ARR which was sold to a UK-based product studio. Prev, Sharath worked for world-changing startups like Product Hunt and On Deck, where he helped build and nurture communities. He also grew his audience on Twitter from 200 to 20,000 using give-first principles and creating high-value content. Currently, he is the Head of Community at Threado and runs a newsletter called Sharath's CliffNotes alongside hosting this podcast.👉🏼 Description:Tune in as Sharath and Mindaugus discuss starting a design recruitment agency with no experience in design, his childhood in Soviet Lithuania, cool initiatives at Coho, and more!Timestamps:0:00 | Episode highlight1:45 | Intro to Mindaugas Petrutis2:28 | Mindaugas' journey from bartender to tech and design10:21 | Mindaugas' childhood in Soviet Lithuania16:18 | How was it starting a design recruitment agency with no design experience?22:03 | The biggest phone call of Mindaugas' life24:22 | What was the process of learning design while being a design recruiter?26:19 | How did Mindaugas land up at InVision after being an entrepreneur?35:38 | 5 things Mindaugas is proud of building at InVision41:26 | Transitioning from InVision to On Deck47:20 | What are Mindaugas' tips for community-based businesses?53:33 | The journey building out Coho56:08 | Cool initiatives at Coho1:02:38 | What is it like living in Europe's hottest startup hub?1:05:54 | How has Mindaugas' leadership evolved over the years?1:08:16 | How is each team-building experience different?1:10:13 | The deal with cheesecakes1:11:58 | Outro👉🏼 Resources mentioned in the pod:On Deck: https://www.beondeck.com/InVision: https://www.invisionapp.com/Coho: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joincoho/👉🏼 Shoutouts to awesome people:Clair Byrd: https://www.crunchbase.com/person/clair-byrdErika Batista: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikabatistaErik Torenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriktorenberg/👉🏼 Where to find Mindaugas Petrutis:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindaugas_petrutis/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindaugasLTLinkedin: https://pt.linkedin.com/in/mindaugaspetrutis👉🏼 Where to find Sharath:Twitter: https://twitter.com/5harathYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5harathWebsite: https://5harath.com/Newsletter: https://5harath.substack.com/

👉🏼 About the Guest:Justin Welsh is the writer of the Saturday Solopreneur, a weekly newsletter with 90K+ subscribers, as well as the founder of a boutique advisory firm for entrepreneurs and creator of digital products for creators. He is also an angel investor, a mentor to entrepreneurs in LATAM with 500 Startups, and an LP at GTM Fund, a rolling fund investing $4 million per year into early-stage B2B SaaS companies.👉🏼 About the Host:Sharath is a founder, creator, and community builder. He is also a serial maker who built and shipped 15+ projects using no-code tools. His SaaS product Shoutout generates $30k ARR which was sold to a UK-based product studio. Prev, Sharath worked for world-changing startups like Product Hunt and On Deck, where he helped build and nurture communities. He also grew his audience on Twitter from 200 to 20,000 using give-first principles and creating high-value content. Currently, he is the Head of Community at Threado and runs a newsletter called Sharath's CliffNotes alongside hosting this podcast.👉🏼 Description:Listen in as Sharath and Justin discuss burnout, building alone, and the journey of being transparent as you build.Timestamps:0:00 | Episode highlight1:33 | Intro to Justin Welsh3:05 | Why become a solo entrepreneur, when building a team is possible?5:48 | How burnout impacted Justin's life design8:17 | What does freedom mean to Justin?10:40 | What triggered Justin into his current path as a writer and product builder?14:01 | What has Justin tried, failed at, and what has he learned?17:30 | Blueprint on pricing yourself as a consultant or freelancer21:15 | The balance between building a niche and building various products24:26 | When was the Saturday Solopreneur born?26:52 | If Justin could begin his entrepreneurial journey all over again, what would he do?30:46 | How Justin built his "publish everything" mindset33:28 | What is the best way of building systems as a solopreneur?35:36 | How do you know you need to hire a virtual assistant?38:36 | How Justin deals with being anxious for the next day42:12 | Justin's method for dealing with self-doubt46:15 | How does one access cutting-edge ideas from remote areas?48:55 | What is Justin's source of inspiration?51:21 | Justin's tips on the journey of being transparent53:55 | Advice for people beginning their career journeys57:23 | Rapid Fire 5: Favorite product, best recent book, and more!1:03:23 | Outro👉🏼 Resources mentioned in the pod:Starbucks Method: https://www.oreilly.com/content/the-eight-rules-of-good-documentation/The Saturday Solopreneur: https://www.justinwelsh.me/blog/Virtual Assistant Site: https://academy.surgedigital.agency/"How to Get Rich" thread: https://twitter.com/naval/status/1002103360646823936Growth in Reverse: https://www.indiehackers.com/product/growth-in-reverseOoni Koda 16 - Gas Powered Portable Pizza Oven: https://eu.ooni.com/pages/explore-koda-16Die With Zero: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/529509154,000 Weeks: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/54785515👉🏼 Shoutouts to awesome people:Chenell Basilio: https://twitter.com/chenellcoDan Koe: https://thedankoe.com/Jack Butcher: https://twitter.com/jackbutcherDaniel Vassado: https://dvassallo.com/👉🏼 Where to find Justin Welsh:Website: https://www.justinwelsh.me/The Saturday Solopreneur: https://www.justinwelsh.me/blog/Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejustinwelshLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwelsh👉🏼 Where to find Sharath:Twitter: https://twitter.com/5harathYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5harathWebsite: https://5harath.com/Newsletter: https://5harath.substack.com/

👉🏼 About the Guest:Ben Putano is a CEO and book publisher for entrepreneurs and innovators at damngravity.com and a writing coach at Great Founders Write - a 5-week, cohort-based course that helps entrepreneurs build a consistent and confident writing habit. He is also the author of  'Great Founders Write' and merchant of big ideas.👉🏼 About the Host:Sharath is a founder, creator, and community builder. He is also a serial maker who built and shipped 15+ projects using no-code tools. His SaaS product Shoutout generates $30k ARR which was sold to a UK-based product studio. Prev, Sharath worked for world-changing startups like Product Hunt and On Deck, where he helped build and nurture communities. He also grew his audience on Twitter from 200 to 20,000 using give-first principles and creating high-value content. Currently, he is the Head of Community at Threado and runs a newsletter called Sharath's CliffNotes alongside hosting this podcast.👉🏼 Description:Listen in as Sharath and Ben discuss building a writing habit, the process of making a book happen, and the trademarks of being a writer.Timestamps:0:00 | Episode highlight1:08 | Intro to Ben Putano2:44 | The process of writing a book5:20 | How Ben figured out writing was his path forward6:58 | How to identify as a writer10:00 | Finding your niche as a writer12:53 | Ben's entry into publishing14:48 | How to turn a book into reality18:04 | How Ben's cohort and Damn Gravity helps founders write21:06 | What are the variables that make a book successful?25:28 | Ben's Writing Framework: ABC-12329:18 | Examples of great copywriting for founders32:04 | Copywriting vs book writing36:07 | Reasons to join a writing cohort for founders40:00 | The focus of Ben's writing cohort, "Great Founders Write"46:50 | Tips for founders to make writing a part of their daily routine53:16 | Why is writing important for founders?55:20 | Closing thoughts👉🏼 Resources mentioned in the pod:Shoutout.soGreat Founders Write: https://www.damngravity.com/books/greatfounderswriteDamn Gravity Media: https://www.damngravity.com/books/greatfounderswrite👉🏼 Shoutouts to awesome people:William Zinsser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_ZinsserJustin Moore: https://twitter.com/justinmooretfamGrant Nissly: https://twitter.com/grant_nissly👉🏼 Where to find Ben Putano:Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenjaminPutanoLinkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-putanoGreat Founders Write: https://www.damngravity.com/books/greatfounderswrite-cohortDamn Gravity: https://www.damngravity.com👉🏼 Where to find Sharath:Twitter: https://twitter.com/5harathYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5harathWebsite: https://5harath.com/Newsletter: https://5harath.substack.com/

👉🏼 About the Guests:Tibo and Tom are the cofounders of Tweethunter.io, a product that helps you up your Twitter game. After meeting at graduate school, they went on to team up across several startups (Taplio, Tweethunter.io, PonyExpress), finally creating Tweethunter.io and scaling it from $0 to a $1M exit.👉🏼 About the Host:Sharath is a founder, creator, and community builder. He is also a serial maker who built and shipped 15+ projects using no-code tools. His SaaS product Shoutout generates $30k ARR which was sold to a UK-based product studio. Prev, Sharath worked for world-changing startups like Product Hunt and On Deck, where he helped build and nurture communities. He also grew his audience on Twitter from 200 to 20,000 using give-first principles and creating high-value content. Currently, he is the Head of Community at Threado and runs a newsletter called Sharath's CliffNotes alongside hosting this podcast.👉🏼 Description:Listen in as Sharath, Tom, and Tibo discuss building trust in your cofounders, coming back after failure, and building a large empire in the business world.Timestamps:0:00 | Episode highlight1:40 | Intro to Tom Jacquesson & Tibo Louis-Lucas2:57 | How Tibo sold his first product4:06 | Meeting your cofounder: How Tom & Tibo met9:58 | When to give up on your product13:50 | Signals to stop working on your startup18:40 | Life post first failed startup25:00 | Teachings from the first failure31:19 | How to establish trust as cofounders37:36 | Setting goals while building Tweethunter.io42:40 | Defining a startup's "aha!" moment45:25 | The risks founders take50:13 | Bringing on a third cofounder - the hows, whys, and whats53:37 | Tips to scale your business1:00:02 | Tom & Tibo's startup mistakes1:04:26 | Can you build a $1M company by being part-time?1:07:46 | Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital: thoughts from founders that have done both1:11:43 | Emotions on Tweethunter.io's sale1:16:41 | Closing thoughts👉🏼 Resources mentioned in the pod:Shoutout.soTweethunter.io: https://tweethunter.io/Pistache App: http://www.pistache-app.com/PonyExpress: https://ponyexpress.studio/👉🏼 Shoutouts to awesome people:JK Molina: https://jkmolina.com/👉🏼 Where to find Tom Jacquesson:Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomjacquessonLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasjacquesson/Tweethunter.io: https://tweethunter.io/Taplio: https://taplio.com/Pistache App: http://www.pistache-app.com/PonyExpress: https://ponyexpress.studio/👉🏼 Where to find Tibo Louis-Lucas:Twitter: https://twitter.com/tibo_makerLinkedin: https://fr.linkedin.com/in/thibaultll/Taplio: https://taplio.com/Pistache App: http://www.pistache-app.com/PonyExpress: https://ponyexpress.studio/👉🏼 Where to find Sharath:Twitter: https://twitter.com/5harathYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5harathWebsite: https://5harath.com/Newsletter: https://5harath.substack.com/

Tune in to hear Rand Fishkin (468K Twitter followers, SparkToro, Oprah Guest Star, multi-company founder) and Sharath discuss the presence of community in marketing today, work-life balance, and making smart career moves.

Tune in to hear Peter Yang (92K+ Twitter followers, ex-Reddit, ex-Facebook) and Sharath discuss balancing community and product, growing your creative career, and developing as a product manager.

Zehra Naqvi (GLO, Republic) and Sharath discuss raising funds for pre-seed startups, making connections in venture capital, and navigating a downturn in this episode of The Undefeated Underdogs Podcast.

Arvid Kahl (FeedbackPanda.com, The Bootstrapped Founder) and Sharath discuss selling their startups, creating to help communities, being kind versus being right, and the power of passive income in this episode of The Undefeated Underdogs Podcast.

Dickie Bush (Ship 30 for 30, Typeshare) and Sharath discuss writing, habit formation, and building a team, as well as Dickie Bush's growth to 300K+ Twitter followers. Tune in!

Listen in as Amanda and Sharath chat about growing to 200k+ followers on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter etc.) through first-hand experiences, working life on a small team, and balancing career growth and being a parent.

Tune in as Sharath chats with Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science, and the podcast Creative Elements (1M+ downloads!), exploring all the ways you can make a living with your art and creativity. Learn how to finetune your creative experiments, which industries are growing, and steps to be taken in 2023 for all video and audio creators.

In this episode, Sharath unpacks Justin's origin cover of building a brick-and-mortar snowboarding shop, how to be a mindful founder, why he intentionally picked bootstrapping over the VC path, Transistor's journey so far, and more.

In this episode, Sharath talks to Warren Shaeffer about the story of him being a first-gen immigrant in the US, going from building startups from scratch to selling them to world-class brands, taking risks, how to think like a venture-backed founder, kindness, and more!

In this episode, Sharath talks to Anne-Laure about her writing process, her POV on being kind, why she promotes mindful productivity, the Ness Labs community she's building, the reason she learns/builds everything in public, her maker mindset and lastly, why she left Google to pursue her dream!

In this episode, Sharath unpacks Shriya's story on how she went from choosing a career in the community space as an undergrad to building Catalyst - one of the most successful programs in the history of On Deck to helping early-stage founders build communities in Sylva, investing in startups as an angel and more.

In this episode, David and Sharath cover the role of community building, being a citizen of the Internet, personal monopolies, David's 3-step writing framework, obsession being an underrated trait and a gift, and more.

In this episode, Sharath and Jack cover his early days as an immigrant in the US, the power of design, the role of freedom in his life, Naval's influence, permissionless philosophy, identities vs. labels, and more.