From the Ground Up - podcast cover

From the Ground Up

Inc. Magazinewww.inc.com
It takes audacity to start a company, grit to grow it, and community to survive the ordeal. From the Ground Up features frank and unfiltered conversations—with some of the most successful founders in the world—about navigating the role of the founder, the tips and tricks entrepreneurs need to know to be successful, and the secrets that nobody really tells you before you start a business.
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Episodes

1 Smart Business Story: How to Optimize Your Sleep Like an Olympian

Whether you’re an Olympic athlete or a business leader, sleep optimization is key to improving performance. Inc. staff reporter Chloe Aiello recently spoke with performance coach Sam Neame, who shared six strategies for sleep optimization. “Something I found interesting about Sam’s recommendations [was] that your best night of sleep actually starts first thing in the morning,” says Chloe. Chloe weighs in on unexpected practices that could lead to better rest. On this episode of The Business Mode...

Mar 02, 202624 min

Building the Future of Work

On today's episode, Josh Christensen talks with Room’s managing director Thierry Ondet about the company's line of soundproofed, sleekly designed meeting pods and easy-to-assemble phone booths. They discuss designing the modern office, meeting the needs of employees in 2025 and beyond, and how ROOM thinks about sustainability.

Dec 22, 202519 min

How brands can win in 2026

In 2026, brands must contend with a lot: AI slop. Copycats. A sea of influencers and content and competitors. Breaking through to consumers has always been a struggle for every company, but the ever-changing media landscape makes it even tougher. So how can brands win in the year to come? On this episode of The Business Model by Inc. , deputy editor Michelle Legro kicks off a new Founder Group Chat with experts in brand building: Tyler Fish, co-founder of Sun Home Saunas Sanja Komljenovic, CEO o...

Dec 12, 202531 min

Co-Founders in Sync: Balancing Passion, Partnership, and Purpose - FROM INC. STUDIO AND CHASE FOR BUSINESS

In this special episode of From the Ground Up, we sit down with Rica and Tasha Kendrick-Palmer, co-founders of Black Phlox, to hear how they’ve navigated the intertwined dynamics of partnership in both business and life. They share candid insights on dividing responsibilities, making tough decisions together, and maintaining a strong personal connection as their company grows. Robert Hines, South Region Area Manager at Chase, also joins the conversation to discuss how Chase for Business resource...

Dec 08, 202549 min

Exit strategy: Learn from a founder who sold her company

The mere idea of selling or exiting their businesses can bring out all kinds of reactions in founders. Some don’t want to even think about it. Others are putting a target sale price into their launch plans — the exit is the goal. Wherever you fall on the exit-strategy spectrum, this Founder Group Chat has something for you. On this episode, Inc.’s Graham Winfrey finishes his conversation with three founders: Fany Gerson, founder of Mexican ice cream and sweets brand La Newyorkina, Sarah LaFleur,...

Dec 05, 202530 min

When disaster strikes, what do successful founders do?

A few years ago, Ariela Safira’s Zeera was set to launch a brick-and-mortar mental health concept in New York. The opening month was set to be April 2020. As you might’ve guessed, things didn’t go as planned. Still, Ariela led her company through the hardships, a rebrand, and an acquisition. It’s something of a storybook ending for a founder. But how did Ariela cope with the challenges? And how did she take care of herself along the way? On this Founder Group Chat, Inc.’s Graham Winfrey continue...

Nov 14, 202527 min

Art Meets Ambition: How One Artist Turned Passion Into a Global Business

From selling prints made at Kinko’s to global art exhibitions and collaborations with major brands like New Balance and Netflix, Chicago-based artist Louis de Guzman shares the leap-of-faith decisions and business tools that helped transform his creative vision into a thriving enterprise

Nov 13, 202539 min

How to scale the right way

As a founder, trying to scale your business can feel like walking on a knife’s edge. Go too fast or too early, you’ll fall off. Move too slowly and you’ll get left behind. Every Friday on The Business Model, we’re hosting a Founder Group Chat. Each episode will feature a candid, in-depth conversation about one of the many pressing topics entrepreneurs are facing. On this first group chat, our topic is scaling. Specifically, how do you scale in the right way? Three founders from very different in...

Nov 07, 202525 min

Circling Back: Private Clubs Keep Popping Up—and Savvy Founders Are Using Them to Launch Their Companies

The top 10 percent of earners account for half of consumer spending. To target those big spenders, brands are meeting them where they are: behind closed doors. Host Chloe Aiello talks with Inc. staff reporter Ali Donaldson about why brands are trying to get their products -- not on the shelves of major retailers, like Walmart, Target, or REI -- but behind the closed doors of private, members-only clubs. This means, putting products in the bars, restaurants, and gift shops of places that people h...

Nov 03, 202534 min

How this 18x Inc. 5000 honoree uses tech and popcorn to revolutionize fundraising

Today, we have a special segment, brought to you by Inc. in collaboration with our partners at Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This year, at the Inc. 5000 gala, Glenfiddich presented this year's Legacy Award to Tim Heitmann, founder of Double Good. Double Good is a fundraising company that helps schools, teams, and nonprofits raise money by selling delicious, small-batch popcorn. Founded in 1998 and based in Burr Ridge, Illinois, the company has grown into a fully virtual platform, making...

Oct 31, 202512 min

The New Creative Frontier: Navigating The Creator Economy

In this segment, we have another panel from our live event at this year’s Inc Founders House in Philadelphia. Editorial director Bonny Ghosh hosted a conversation about "The New Creative Frontier: Navigating the Creator Economy." She was joined by Matt Quinn, frontman and songwriter of the indie rock band Mt. Joy, and Dave Silver , co-founder and CEO of the marketing agency REC Philly. They explained how to sustain a fan base after a viral moment, how Rec Philly’s strategies enable companies, br...

Oct 27, 202537 min

Introducing 'The Business Model' by Inc.

The Business Model by Inc. is the multi-episode-a-week podcast for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and startup founders who want to start, run, and grow stronger companies. Each week we deliver a curated mix of business-trend analysis, actionable playbooks, and candid interviews with real founders—from Main Street businesses to cutting-edge startups. In this video podcast, you’ll learn how to hire and lead, raise capital, market efficiently, manage cash flow, fix operations and supply chai...

Oct 18, 20252 min

How to Make Work Fun Again

For today's summer episode, we have another panel from this year's Founders House at SXSW at the Founders House, moderated by Inc. Editor-in-Chief Mike Hofman. He spoke with Shuman Ghosemajumder, co-founder and CEO of the AI cybersecurity startup Reken; Ben Goodwin, co-founder, CEO, and formulator of the prebiotic soda Olipop; and Melissa Mash, co-founder and CEO of the fashion bag brand Dagne Dover. They discuss how to have fun at work again, plus how to manage building a cohesive company cultu...

Oct 14, 202533 min

Beyond Barriers: One Business’s Mission to Revolutionize Accessible Travel and Build Inclusive Communities - FROM INC. STUDIO AND CHASE FOR BUSINESS

In this special episode of From the Ground Up, we sit down with Kelly Twichel, founder and CEO of Access Trax, to discuss how her portable mats are helping people with mobility challenges access beaches, parks, and outdoor spaces. Twichel will also share her journey from occupational therapist to entrepreneur, and how Access Trax is building inclusive communities through partnerships with local San Diego nonprofits, adaptive sports programs and local governments. Peter Jackson, Executive Directo...

Oct 09, 202532 min

An Inside Look at the Trends and Sales Strategies of Inc. 5000 CEOs

In this special custom episode, Inc. host and moderator Abigail Basset joins Kris Billmaier, EVP and GM of Sales Cloud and Growth Product at Salesforce, to discuss some of the most interesting trends and insights from Inc.’s annual CEO survey. For the second year running Inc has partnered with Salesforce to underwrite an exclusive survey of the CEOs of Inc. 5000 companies. In this thought-provoking conversation, you’ll learn how America’s greatest sales teams are navigating the ongoing challenge...

Oct 07, 202517 min

Business Beyond Pro Sports with Stephon Marbury & Cam Jurgens

As the summer comes to a close, we have a collection of panels from this year's Inc Founders House in Philadelphia dedicated to our fall schedule. In this segment, deputy digital editor Graham Winfrey talks to Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens , founder of the beef jerky company Beef Jurgey, and former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury , who is the chief brand officer of the smart sunglasses company Chamelo Eyewear. Cam spoke about how he grew the jerky business, while Graham asked Stephon about...

Oct 02, 202534 min

EXPERT EXCHANGE: You Are Not Your Business. Here’s Why That Matters

In this episode, Dr. Gina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Luma Brighter Learning, and Marisa Murgatroyd, Founder of Live Your Message, continue their conversation. In this segment, they discuss learning how to separate yourself from your business, evolve your strategy, and give your company what it really needs to thrive.

Oct 01, 20255 min

The Future of Capitalism: Tariffs, Growth & Market

At this year's Inc Founders House event in Philadelphia, Editor-in-Chief Mike Hoffman spoke with Joao Gomes, Senior Vice Dean of Research and Professor of Finance at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, about the Future of Capitalism: Tariffs, Growth, and Markets. They delved into topics such as the consumer outlook, the decreasing trend of extravagant spending, the hiring slowdown in various job markets, the negative impact of Trump's tariffs, concerns regarding the supply chain, par...

Sep 22, 202535 min

Preparing for Tomorrow: Inc 5000 CEOs on AI, Culture, and Adaptability

In this custom episode from our partners at Insperity, Inc. Editorial Director Bonny Ghosh chats with Roger Nicholson, SVP of Service Operations at Insperity, about the results of the Inc. 5000 CEO Survey. The conversation reveals how today’s top business leaders are laser-focused on workplace culture, adaptability, and the integration of generative AI. With only 35% of CEOs believing their teams are AI-ready, the conversation turns to the urgent need for upskilling as a retention and competitiv...

Sep 18, 20258 min

The Future of E-Commerce: Trends, Tech, and Tactics

For today’s episode, we have a panel from this year’s Inc’s Founders House in Philadelphia. Social media director, Andrea Hardalo and her fellow panelists: Woodie Hillyard , co-founder and CEO of the men’s personal care brand W, Arthur Leopold , co-founder and CEO of the ad platform called Agentio, and Alicia Yoon, founder and CEO of the Korean skin care beauty brand Peach & Lily, discuss the Future of E-Commerce. They chatted about the challenges of starting your business online, which tren...

Sep 15, 202535 min

Challenger Brands with Babba Rivera, Sarah Paiji Yoo, and Justin Rosenburg

Here's a panel from this year's Inc Founders House in Philadelphia. In this episode, staff reporter Ali Donaldson led a discussion about challenger brands—companies that punch above their weight to succeed. Her guests were Sarah Paiji Yoo , founder and CEO of Blueland, a microplastic-free cleaning products company; Babba Rivera , founder and CEO of the clean hair care line Ceremonia; and Justin Rosenberg, founder and CEO of the fast-casual chain Honeygrow. During the discussion, Sarah explained ...

Sep 08, 202532 min

The space industries next big launch

Here is another panel discussion from our Inc Founders House showcase at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. The conversation was moderated by staff reporter Chloe Aiello and featured Janeya Griffin, the founder of Equity Space Alliance Association, an organization dedicated to creating a more equitable future in commercial space exploration. Also joining the panel was Moriba Jah, the co-founder and chief scientist of GaiaVerse, an AI-driven decision intelligence platform. Together, they discus...

Aug 25, 202534 min

Future Proofing your business

Today we have another panel from this past year's Inc. Founder’s House at SXSW, here is a panel that was hosted by former Executive Editor Diana Ransom. She was joined by Sowmiya Chocka Narayanan the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Lily AI, a female founded retail AI company, Richard Socher, founder and CEO of you.com, a chat search assistant, and cofounder of AIX Ventures, an AI-focused venture capital firm that invests in early-stage AI startups, and Naeem Talukdar, who is the cofou...

Aug 18, 202534 min
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