Our guest today is Isaac Larian, the visionary founder of MGA Entertainment. MGA is home to some of the biggest brands in the toy space, including Bratz, Little Tikes, L.O.L. Surprise!, MGA’s Miniverse, and more. Join us as we embark on a journey through the fascinating life and entrepreneurial saga of a man who has not only shaped the toy industry but also overcome formidable odds to build an enduring legacy. Isaac shares the intricacies of his upbringing, offering a rare glimpse into the early...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 254
Howard Marks is the co-founder of StartEngine, one of the leading equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S., where everyday people can find and invest in early-growth companies and startups, as well as a variety of alternative assets and collectibles. StartEngine has helped more than 750 companies raise over $700 million. Before co-founding StartEngine, Howard co-founded Activision and was the Chairman of Activision Studios from 1991 until 1997. As a former Board Member and Executive Vice Presid...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 253
Welcome to The Founder Hour, where we uncover the stories behind the world's most remarkable entrepreneurs. In this episode, we have the distinct honor of sitting down with a true pioneer of conscious business, John Mackey, the visionary founder of Whole Foods Market. Imagine a time when the term "organic" wasn't part of our daily lexicon, and health food stores were few and far between. John’s journey began in the 1970s when he and a group of like-minded individuals embarked on a mission to bri...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 252
Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Founder Hour," the podcast where we dive deep into the stories and experiences of some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs and visionaries of our time. Today, we are thrilled to bring you a conversation with a true pioneer in the world of specialty coffee – the one and only James Freeman, the brilliant mind behind Blue Bottle Coffee. James’s journey from a freelance clarinetist to founding one of the most beloved and influential coffee companies in the...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 251
Welcome to another enlightening episode of "The Founder Hour.” Today, we have the distinct honor of hosting an entrepreneurial luminary whose journey has left an indelible mark on the business world. Our guest, Paul Orfalea, isn't just any entrepreneur; he's the brilliant mind behind Kinko's, a company that redefined the business services landscape. Paul founded Kinko's in 1970 with a simple idea and a $5,000 loan. What began as a small copy shop in Isla Vista, California, grew into a global phe...
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 250
Welcome to a special episode of The Founder Hour! Today, we have a guest whose story embodies the intersection of entrepreneurship and politics. Join us as we sit down with Doug Burgum, a tech entrepreneur turned Governor of North Dakota, as he shares his incredible journey from the tech world to the political arena. From mortgaging his family farm to invest in Great Plains Software, eventually selling the company to Microsoft for north of a billion dollars, to the principles that have guided hi...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 249
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Kym Gold, the entrepreneurial force behind True Religion and Style Union Home. Explore Kym's rise in the fashion world, as she co-founded True Religion, revolutionizing denim. Then, discover her pivot into interior design with Style Union Home, blending fashion and home decor seamlessly. * The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL ...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 248
Michael Fuerstman is the co-founder and creative director behind the iconic Pendry Hotels. Before establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with at Pendry, Michael's journey was interwoven with the tale of Montage International. Alongside his father Alan, he played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Montage, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry. Now, as the driving force behind Pendry Hotels, Michael has once again proven his knack fo...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 247
Sophia Amoruso is a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and an inspiration to many. She first gained recognition as the founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, an online retailer of trendy and vintage clothing, which started as a small eBay store and grew into a multimillion-dollar fashion empire. Her memoir, "#GIRLBOSS," became a New York Times bestseller, empowering entrepreneurs to fearlessly pursue their passions. She went on to build and sell Girlboss Media and currently runs Business Class, a...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 246
Bob Parsons is the founder of GoDaddy, the world's largest domain name registrar. He's a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran and a recipient of prestigious military honors including the Purple Heart Medal. Bob's entrepreneurial ventures span golf, motorcycles, real estate, marketing, and innovation. His passion for golf led to the creation of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) in 2013. Alongside his wife Renee, Bob founded The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, donating an average of one million dolla...
Jun 06, 2023•57 min•Ep. 245
Sallie Krawcheck is the CEO of Ellevest, a women’s-focused investment platform she launched in 2016. The company has over $1.5 billion in assets under management with a goal to close the gender investing gap in the U.S. by “redefining investing for women.” Prior to launching Ellevest, Sallie had a successful career on Wall Street, serving as the CEO of Smith Barney, Merrill Lynch, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She also worked at Citi, first as the bank’s CFO and then as its head of wealth management...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 244
Anne Wojcicki is an innovative biologist and the co-founder and CEO of personal genomics company 23andMe. In 2006, Anne saw a need for creating a way to generate more personalized information so that commercial and academic researchers could better understand and develop new drugs and diagnostics. The result was 23andMe, which provides genetic testing for individuals curious about their ancestry and genetic makeup. It was named "Invention of the Year" by Time Magazine in 2008, and in 2013, The F...
May 23, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 243
Chriselle Lim is the founder of The Chriselle Factor, a YouTube channel and blog she started in 2011. Formerly a stylist and magazine editor, she started the blog as a passion project which evolved into a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content network followed by millions of people. Eventually, she would go on to launch Bümo, which brings licensed education-based childcare to the workplace, as well as acquire Phlur, a luxury fragrance house where she serves as its Creative Director. Phlur has be...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 242
Starting out in 1990 with just over $1,000 in the bank, Steve Madden followed his passion to create one of the most recognized brands in the world of footwear and fashion. Over the last 30 years, Steve has built his eponymous company into one that is worth over $3 billion. But, as some of you may already know, he almost lost it all at one point after spending 2.5 years in prison for his involvement with the infamous Stratton Oakmont scandal that was portrayed in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” We had...
May 09, 2023•47 min•Ep. 241
Miranda Kerr is an accomplished model and the founder and CEO of KORA Organics. Born and raised in Australia surrounded by family and farmland, she got her start in modeling at 13 and soon established herself as one of the most in-demand and influential faces in the world of fashion and beauty. In 2007, Victoria’s Secret signed Miranda as an Angel, making her the first and only Australian model ever to hold the coveted title. It was only a couple of years later that she would start and self-fund...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 240
Steve Case is one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life. Steve’s entrepreneurial career began in 1985 when he co-founded America Online (AOL). Under Steve’s leadership, AOL became the world’s largest and most valuable Internet company, helping to drive the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society. AOL was the first Internet company to go public, and in 2000, Steve negotiated the large...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 239
Andrew Cherng is the co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group, the parent company of Panda Inn and Panda Express - the largest Asian dining concept in the United States. The brand has more than 2,500 locations worldwide and has been family-owned and operated since the early 1980s by Andrew and his wife, Peggy. We spoke with Andrew about his upbringing in Asia and moving to the United States, how he got his start in restaurants, building the Panda empire and the factors that have led to it...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 238
Dave Finocchio is the co-founder and former CEO of Bleacher Report, a global digital media company delivering content at the intersection of sports and culture. He started the company with three of his childhood friends in 2005 and it went on to be acquired by TBS in 2012. Several years later, Dave stepped down from his role and most recently launched The Cool Down, a media platform that aims to be America’s first mainstream climate brand. * The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer mak...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 237
Ellen Latham is a highly trained physiologist with a lifelong passion for health and fitness. Her desire to be on the cutting edge of fitness inspired her to design “The Ultimate Workout,” which became the foundation for Orangetheory Fitness which she founded with her partners in 2010. Since then, Orangetheory, known for its coach-led group classes featuring heart-rate monitors, has surpassed $1 billion in sales with over one million members across 1,500 studios and counting worldwide. It was na...
Feb 28, 2023•55 min•Ep. 236
Nancy Silverton is a world-renowned chef, baker, author, and co-owner of Mozza Restaurant Group which operates restaurants such as Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza, Chi Spacca, and Mozza2Go. Prior to founding Mozza, Nancy owned and operated La Brea Bakery and Campanile in Los Angeles after many years working under the likes of Wolfgang Puck, Michael McCarty, and other world-class chefs. In 2014, she won the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef Award, one of the most prestigious accolades a che...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 235
Dave Liniger is the visionary leader of the Denver-based global real estate franchise, RE/MAX, which he co-founded with his wife, Gail, in 1973. Today, the company has more than 140,000 agents in almost 9,000 offices and a presence in over 110 countries and territories. Dave is well respected internationally for his vast knowledge of the real estate industry and influence on housing policy and is widely credited with improving conditions for real estate agents by creating a successful business m...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 234
Rob Petrozzo is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Rally, a first-of-its-kind liquid financial marketplace for buying & selling equity shares in ultra-rare assets the same way you buy & sell stocks. From baseball cards and NFTs to cars and comics, Rally is making investing behind ideas, emotions, and communities safe, easy, and accessible. Prior to Rally, Rob held several positions as a designer as well as an Art Director in the early days of Kanye West’s record label, G.O.O.D. ...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 233
Rich Barton is the CEO and co-founder of Zillow Group, where he leads the company’s work to transform how people buy, sell, rent, and finance homes. Zillow is a real estate marketplace company that was founded in 2006 and has literally become a household name. Prior to Zillow, Rich also founded the online travel company and Microsoft spinoff, Expedia, as well as job search engine and career community, Glassdoor. Barton was also a venture partner at Benchmark and is on the Board of Directors of N...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 232
John Tabis is the co-founder and chairman of The Bouqs Company, which is reinventing the consumer experience and supply chain in the floral industry by connecting farmers directly to their customers. John and The Bouqs Co. have been featured on Shark Tank, 20/20, CNBC, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal Live, Oprah Magazine, and The New York Times. John is also the Managing Partner of Wavemaker Partners, a venture firm investing in non-obvious seed stage startups led by amazing founders in underserved m...
Oct 11, 2022•55 min•Ep. 231
David Rubenstein is back on the show for a second time to discuss his new book, “How To Invest,” where he provides a masterclass on investing featuring conversations with the biggest names in finance such as Sam Zell, Larry Fink, Mike Novogratz, and Marc Andreessen. David is the co-founder and co-Executive Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms with over $217 billion of assets under management. During our conversation, we talk about...
Sep 06, 2022•50 min•Ep. 230
Ben Clymer is the founder and executive chairman of Hodinkee, a luxury watch and lifestyle website. He is an authority and influencer in the world of watches and was dubbed “The High Priest of Horology” by the New York Times in 2013. He recently also launched the Fairgame Golf app, golf’s first digital clubhouse. We sat down with Ben at The Beverly Hills Hotel to learn all about his upbringing, why he started Hodinkee, how he grew the brand, his vision for the future of the watch industry, his f...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 229
Miki Agrawal is the founder of several acclaimed social enterprises: TUSHY, THINX, & WILD. She is also the author of the #1 best-selling books DO COOL SH*T and DISRUPT-HER. Miki was named "Fast Company's Most Creative People", “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum, and INC's “Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs”. She passionately speaks about her 15 years of entrepreneurial adventures, from inventing products in taboo categories, to creatively launching them, to marketing and sca...
Aug 23, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 228
Kevin Ryan is an investor and serial entrepreneur who has founded several businesses including Business Insider, Gilt Groupe, MongoDB, and Zola. He helped grow DoubleClick from 1996 to 2005, first as president and later as CEO. It was acquired by Google for $3.1 billion in March 2008. Kevin continues to found and invest in companies through AlleyCorp, a venture capital firm he founded in 2008. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER & STAY UPDATED > http://bit.ly/tfh-newsletter FOLLOW TFH ON INSTAGRA...
Aug 16, 2022•51 min•Ep. 227
Noubar Afeyan is the founder and CEO of life sciences innovation firm Flagship Pioneering. He’s also the chairman and co-founder of Moderna, known for its Covid-19 vaccine. He has helped start more than 70 public and private healthcare and life sciences companies over the course of his career. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Armenian parents, he and his family fled the Lebanese Civil War to move to Montreal in 1975. Prior to founding Flagship Pioneering, Noubar was the founder and CEO of PerSeptive ...
Aug 09, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 226
Troy Carter rose to prominence representing and nurturing global superstars including Lady Gaga and John Legend as founder & CEO of Atom Factory. He is the former Global Head of Creator Services for Spotify and the current founder and CEO of Venice Music and Q&A, a technology + media company focused on powering the business of music via distribution, services, and data analytics. His latest venture is the Venice Music Collective; an independent membership music community for creators whe...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 225
