The Room Podcast

In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Kevin McCarthy, the CEO of Unreal, a company dedicated to creating healthier alternatives to classic candy. Unreal is known for creating delicious, better-for-you snacks that ditch artificial ingredients, offering cleaner, more natural options in the world of sweets. We discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship and health-conscious innovation, bringing a refreshing approach to an industry ripe for disruption. Kevin shares his journey to becoming CEO at just 24 years old, the pivotal changes Unreal made to become a leader in the health-conscious snack market, and how leadership lessons from his political campaign days shaped his approach to business.Key topics in this conversation include; the challenges of rebranding during and after a pandemic, what it takes to lead a company and board room through major pivots, and the value of a transparent and in-person DTC strategy. (00:00) Introduction(04:54) Where did Kevin grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?(05:39) Did Kevin always believe he was going to be a CEO?(06:46) How did Kevin's early passion for government shape his career?(09:38) What lessons has Kevin learned that he employs on a day-to-day basis?(10:50) How and why did Kevin join Unreal?(13:49) When did Kevin realize he would be with Unreal for a long time?(15:27) What is the original Unreal core product?(18:06) What is Unreal's approach to the supply chain layer?(20:10) How did Unreal incorporate a DTC approach to their business model?(21:57) How has Kevin built a relationship with the Board of Unreal without being the founder?(23:44) What advice does Kevin have for people entering a board room for the first time?(25:34) What was a moment while CEO of Unreal when things didn't go as planned?(27:47) How does Unreal think about "URL vs. IRL" in their go-to-market and sales strategy?(29:35) What challenges can arise when running an omni-channel strategy for a business?(31:58) How is Unreal cultivating a community around their product?(34:41) What is Kevin's favorite Unreal snack?(36:12) What's next for Kevin personally?(37:05) Who is a woman that has had a profound impact on Kevin and his career?For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok Check out our guide to podcasting here! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.**Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.WX Productions

In this episode of The Room Podcast, we’re joined by Sami Inkinen, co-founder of Virta Health, a company transforming the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Virta Health’s mission is to not just manage, but reverse diabetes using personalized nutrition plans backed by clinical research. Sami also shares his journey from humble beginnings on a Finnish farm to co-founding the real estate platform Trulia, and ultimately, Virta Health. Key highlights include the current state and effect of GLP1 drugs in America alongside the growing prevalence of diabetes, overcoming skepticism and resistance to adopting non-traditional treatments for chronic diseases, and the intersection of technology and healthcare overall.(00:00) Introduction(05:07) Where did Sami grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?(07:11) Did Sami always think he would become a founder?(9:12) What was Sami's plan when he finished college at Stanford?(11:16) When did Sami know it was time to start his journey as a founder?(14:30) What was the aha moment behind Trulia?(17:57) What were some lessons learned from Sami's first startup journey?(22:13) How was Sami's experience with his first startup being acquired by Zillow?(25:56) What is the core product of Virta Health?(27:41) What is Virta Health's mission?(31:43) How does Sami feel about GLP 1 medications becoming mainstream?(35:34) What is Sami's approach on go-to-market strategy with Virta?(38:04) Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Virta?(40:07) How has Virta changed its clients' lives?(45:09) What has been the hardest part of breaking into the healthcare space?(47:21) Who is a woman in Sami's life that had a profound impact on him and his career?For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok Check out our guide to podcasting here! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.**Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.WX Productions

In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Ariel Kaye, the founder of Parachute, a brand known for elevating the home essentials industry with a focus on comfort and wellness. Ariel shares her journey from a creative upbringing to her path through advertising, where she discovered her passion for building brands, eventually leading to the founding of Parachute.Join us as we dive into how Parachute taps into the wellness movement by focusing on the importance of sleep and home comfort. We explore the company's core product—bedding— and why it resonated with consumers looking for better home essentials. Ariel also shares insights on creating a brand from scratch while disrupting a market, the importance of consumer insights and communication in building a business, and the ups and downs of running a business while raising a family. (00:00) Introduction(04:50) Where did Ariel grow up and how did that shape her view of the world?(06:09) Did Ariel ever think she would become a founder?(07:35) How did Ariel's experience at NYU lead her to found Parachute?(11:27) What was the "aha moment" that encouraged the founding of Parachute?(15:11) Why did Ariel think online sales would be best?(18:29) What encouraged Ariel to take Parachute to brick and mortar?(21:01) When did Ariel realize it was time to raise capital?(23:34) What advice would Ariel give to other DTC founders?(27:32) What was a moment in Parachute's life cycle when things didn't go as planned?(30:37) What advice would Ariel give to founders facing uncertainties?(32:24) How does Ariel think the role of digital vs physical sales will change in the near future?(35:05) How does Ariel know when it's time to launch a new product?(37:20) How does Ariel balance what she likes as a product vs what's best for the business?(39:06) What advice does Ariel have for managing career and family balance?(42:10) Who is a woman in Ariel's life that had a profound impact on her and her career?For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok Check out our guide to podcasting here! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.**Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.WX Productions

Welcome back to a new season of The Room Podcast! To kick off Season 11, we're joined by Johnny Ho, co-founder of Perplexity, an AI-powered platform transforming the way everyday consumers interact with search. Johnny shares his path from competitive programming to entrepreneurship and offers insights into the development of Perplexity’s core product, which aims to deliver precise, reliable answers in a simple, intuitive way.In this episode, we covered topics such as how Perplexity uses AI to deliver accurate and reliable search results using multiple LLMs, building a user-first product in a competitive tech space, and the importance of finding investors who want to work with you in the right ways. Want to work with Perplexity? Apply here!(00:00) Introduction(05:05) Where did Johnny grow up and how did that shape his view of the world?(05:42) Did Johnny always think he was going to be a founder?(06:21) How did Johnny get into competitive programming?(07:23) What brought Johnny to start working at Quora?(08:06) What lessons did Johnny take away from his time at Quora?(08:49) How did Johnny meet his cofounders of Perplexity?(09:17) Why did Johnny, Arvin, and Dennis decide to start a company together?(10:01) Why did Johnny think Arvin and Dennis would be good partners?(10:56) What was the "aha moment" that inspired the core product of Perplexity?(12:04) Why was user interface so important to Johnny and the team?(13:26) What was the decision-making process behind implementing a unique feature allowing consumers to choose what LLM they use?(16:09) Who was the first person to say yes to investing in Perplexity?(17:06) What advice does Johnny have regarding picking the right investors to partner with?(18:11) What's a fun story or anecdote from founding Perplexity?(19:11) When should a founder consider trying a new idea/ altering their concept?(20:32) How is Perplexity's go-to-market strategy changing with its success?(21:39) How is Perplexity differentiating themselves from their competitors?(23:21) Is B2B selling a part of Perplexity's future plans?(24:51) How does Johnny get authentic reviews from customers?(26:03) What was a moment in Perplexity's life cycle when things didn't go as planned?(27:22) Is it possible that some of Perplexity's partners could be future competitors?(29:43) Has Perplexity created a governing board?(30:00) What's next for Perplexity?(30:59) What's next for Johnny Personally(31:45) Who is a woman in Johnny's life that had an impact on him and his career?For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter.Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok Check out our guide to podcasting here! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.**Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.WX Productions

In this episode, we dive into the Future of DTC panel from this summer’s Inside Summit. This panel was moderated by our very own Claudia Laurie, who is also the founder of Prive, a leading eCommerce billing platform. In this discussion, the panelists explore the future of DTC, how to build authentic brand communities, building a celebrity brand, challenges and opportunities around customer acquisition and retention, and advice for brand founders and builders. This conversation includes an incredible mix of perspectives from leading brands, agencies, and tech partners. Our panelists included: Nik Sharma is widely known as “The DTC Guy,” a Forbes 30 Under 30 member, AdWeek’s Young & Influential, and a resource that brands and investors turn to for growth. Nik is the founder and CEO of Sharma Brands, where clients include Feastables, Jolie, Milk Bar, Everlane and more. Outside of Sharma Brands, Nik writes a newsletter to 50,000 investors, founders, and marketers and is also the co-host of Limited Supply, an award-winning marketing podcast.  Scout Brisson is the CEO of De Soi, a line of sparkling non-alcoholic apéritifs, co-founded by Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan. Scout's professional journey spans over seven years in management consulting at McKinsey, and venture capital at M13.In 2020, Scout co-founded better-for-you CPG brand, DEUX, innovating a functional alternative with edible cookie dough.  Marissa Steinmetz is an accomplished digital product leader with 13+ years of eCcommerce and omnichannel expertise. She is currently the Head of Digital Product, eCommerce at Coterie and has spent her career helping well-known brands and businesses transform their digital enterprises, including Moda Operandi, Pernod Ricard, Drunk Elephant, and Target. Breana Teubner is COO of TYB, a community rewards platform with customers like Glossier, Urban Outfitters, JuneShine, and Rare Beauty. Prior to TYB, she helped scale Skillz, the first pay-to-earn gaming platform to go public - and was an executive at Walmart and Gap. She is an LP in two early-stage funds, Let’s Open the Door!

In this episode, we dive into the Future of Platforms panel from this summer’s Inside Summit. This panel was moderated by Alexandra York, Associate Editor at Forbes and a key figure behind the 30 Under 30 lists. Alexandra brings her expertise in covering young entrepreneurs and emerging brands to guide a discussion on the evolving digital platform space. In this discussion, the panelists explore the future of digital platforms, the impact of social commerce, and how they’re navigating challenges like AI integration, community engagement, and finding the right revenue models. They also share personal insights on pivoting, fundraising, and defining success in today’s competitive tech landscape. Our panelists included:• Emma Bates, CEO and co-founder of Diem, a social search engine pioneering a new, inclusive internet for women. With a background in partnerships at Away and community-building at Whalar, Emma is a recognized advocate for gender equity in the digital world.• Miri Buckland, COO and co-founder of Landing, a social commerce app revolutionizing how Gen Z interacts with shoppable content. Miri's experience spans corporate strategy and consumer tech, with a passion for fostering creativity and community.• Judy Thelen, CEO and co-founder of Beli, a platform transforming how consumers discover and recommend restaurants globally, with over 30 million ratings across 30,000 cities since its launch.• Dylan Diamond, co-founder and CEO of Saturn, a calendar platform tailored for high school students, with significant backing from top-tier investors. Dylan’s journey includes a stint as Tesla’s youngest software engineer and recognition as a Thiel Fellow. Let’s Open the Door!

In this episode of The Room Podcast, we recap the Inside Summit x Gen AI Collective panel, moderated by Sriram Ramakrishnan. The panel featured Vaikkunth Mugunthan (Dynamo AI), Hassaan Raza (Tavus), Ankur Patel (Multimodal), and Lulu Chang (Canapi Ventures), who shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities in the AI landscape. Key questions discussed: 1. Career Journeys: What led each panelist to venture into AI or invest in it? 2. Fundraising for AI: How does raising funds for AI-focused startups differ from other ventures? What’s the investor perspective? 3. Enterprise Adoption: What hesitations do enterprises have regarding AI, and how can companies overcome them? 4. Building Sustainable AI Businesses: What are the keys to long-term success in AI? 5. Unlocking Mass Adoption: What needs to happen for AI to see widespread adoption in enterprises? 6. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in AI’s growing role in enterprise and the practical steps to navigate this evolving field. About Gen AI Collective: The Gen AI Collective is a community dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration within the generative AI space. By bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, the collective aims to accelerate the development and adoption of AI technologies that transform industries and improve human experiences.

Episode StructureIntroductionKJ Sidberry's BackgroundCareer Pivots and Decision-Making FrameworksAdvice for FoundersInsights for FundersIndustry Experience and Market ChangesConclusionKey Discussion Points1. KJ Sidberry's BackgroundEast Coast upbringing between Connecticut and NYCExposure to entrepreneurship and education through parentsEarly rejection led to a pivot in career direction2. Career Pivots and Decision-Making FrameworksPivot 1: Consulting to VC (Forerunner Ventures)Three key priorities in decision-makingPivot 2: Forerunner Ventures to GVPrioritizing family and career growth3. Advice for FoundersImportance of pre-existing relationships with investorsThree key traits that catch attention during pitches:MagnetismDeep curiosityFounder-market fitTip: Consider using memo format for pitches4. Insights for FundersRed flag when evaluating founders: "Lack of paranoia"How to be a good board member:Speak lessOffer contextualized perspectiveStay informed between meetings5. Industry Experience and Market ChangesEvolution of VC landscape since 2017First deal experience: Alchemy43 (MedSpa company)Current investment thesis: "Small communities that aren't actually that small"Changes in the VC market since 2017Predictions for emerging technologies (focus on AI)

In this episode: Dive into the highlights of our intimate gathering of 120 talented friends from the DTC spaceGet a taste of the dynamic perspectives and human connections that made Inside Summit uniquePreview the upcoming episodes featuring panel conversations with leaders in:• Generative AI• Consumer social platforms• DTC• And more! We're thrilled to share how our pandemic side hustle has blossomed into a vibrant in-person community of impressive leaders. Join us as we recap the most powerful takeaways and key learnings from this extraordinary event.Don't miss the rest of this 5-part series, releasing weekly, to experience the full impact of Inside Summit!