INspired INsider Podcast [One Question] The Pressure to Exceed Expectations with David Rabie of Tovala.com
no stranger to that pressure. David is founder of Tovala, a smart oven that is paired with a meal delivery service. With Tovala you get a fresh, healthy, packaged meal delivered to you. You scan the package and pop it in the smart oven and it knows the precise time and method to cook that meal to perfection - by broiling, baking, steaming, or convection. On Kickstarter David's team sold $250,000 worth of Tovala ovens and $100,000 of that total in one day. Tovala won the University of Chicago New Venture Challenge in 2015. To date they have raised over 700K.
Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:- [0:10] Jeremy's introduction to this episode with David Rabie.
- [1:53] David's lowest moment in business: Trying to live up to expectations.
- [3:20] How David kept going with little response to his product.
- [4:22] David's proudest moments.
- [7:07] Lessons learned for those trying to get their ideas into the world.
Every startup wants to exceed expectations - of their customers and their investors. When that happens everybody is happy and the company is clearly on the path to success. Today's episode with David Rabie unpacks the pressure that comes with that desire. If you want to see things through the eyes of a startup founder, this episode is for you.
It's interesting that the pressure to exceed expectations is what David Rabie shared as what made for his lowest moments in business. The initial support Tovala received via Kickstarter immediately turned on the pressure to deliver an incredible product. The struggle he experienced in trying to live up to that expectation is what David shares.
How do you endure the pressure cooker of a startup? How do you keep going when the discouraging or challenging obstacles crop up? On this episode, David Rabie shares the role endurance and determination played in sticking with the company game plan when difficulties arose. He describes the great outcome that came of it as well. If you need encouragement on your entrepreneurial journey, David's story will be a great help to you.
When you're building a business of any sort you don't truly know what to expect - but you do know that the expectations that you succeed are high on many different levels. David Rabie and his team learned through the struggle that pressing forward in the hardest times is what makes the difference between companies that fail and those that succeed. Hear more on this episode.
If you are looking for an environment where you can receive business mentoring and brainstorming opportunities alongside a group of fellow entrepreneurs who are walking the same path as you, today's sponsor of Inspired Insider may be just the thing you're looking for. Rise25 is a mastermind group like no other. Find out more about this invite-only group by listening to this episode.
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Our sponsor today is www.Rise25.com where entrepreneurs of 6,7, and 8 figure businesses come together live and in person every few months to solve their biggest business challenges through this high-level Mastermind group. Each member leaves each week with lifelong friendships and actionable steps to take their business to the next level. Check out Rise25.com - a group run by myself and cofounder John Corcoran. Rise 25 is application only.