We Live to Build

Aldo de Jong is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded the Startupbootcamp in Spain and is now currently a Founder in Residence at Antler Canada, a VC fund. His upcoming company is called Paddio, which seeks to reduce the complexities of home ownership, for example energy efficiency. Check out the company: https://startupbootcamp.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - How Coaching Helped Me Separate Myself From My Company06:31 - The 11th Hour Betrayal: My Co-Founder's Hostile Takeover 09:51 - The Aftermath: "Losing My Company Felt Like Losing a Child" 13:24 - The Best Friend's Advice That Saved Me 16:49 - How 4 Therapy Sessions Helped Me Rebound from Rock Bottom 19:58 - The Moment I Realized Our Values Were Mismatched 26:21 - Discovering Your "Motivated Skills" (What You're Good At vs. What You Love)35:58 - Why My Therapist "Fired Me" (And Why It Was a Good Thing) 📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the next frontier of technology, and where is smart money being invested? This video is A VC's Guide to the Next Frontier of Technology. Dr. Daniel Reese, an investment manager at the deep tech venture capital firm UVC Partners, pulls back the curtain on the technologies that will shape our future. Learn what "deep tech" actually is, with real-world examples in quantum computing, fusion energy, and advanced mobility. This is an essential briefing for any founder or investor who wants to understand the brutal realities and massive opportunities in the world's most innovative sectors, including why a deep tech return on investment is not a sprint, but "10 marathons." Check out the company: https://uvcpartners.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - What is "Deep Tech"? A VC's Definition 03:25 - The Next Frontier: Quantum Computing & Fusion Energy 06:38 - The #1 Thing We Look for in a Deep Tech Founder09:23 - The Critical Question Founders Should Ask Their Investors 12:12 - What to Do When Your Investor Tries to Hijack Your Vision 15:03 - Beyond ChatGPT: The Future of AI Integration18:21 - The Hidden "Woke" Bias in AI Systems 25:02 - The Brutal Reality of a Deep Tech ROI (It's "10 Marathons")📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the one trait that fuels both massive success and catastrophic failure? This video is a masterclass on why Your Ego Will Help or Destroy You. Glenn Gardone, a 30-year consumer goods veteran and President of Red Chocolate, breaks down the double-edged sword that every founder must learn to manage. This is a deep dive into the psychology of leadership, explaining why you need a healthy ego to take risks, but how an unchecked ego will ensure you make the journey alone . Learn the brutal but necessary advice he received from a mentor—"Slow down. You're not that important"—and how to find the critical balance between confidence and humility. Check out the company: https://red-chocolate.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - Ego: The Double-Edged Sword of Every Founder 03:01 - How a 4-Hour Meeting Led Me to a Global Chocolate Company08:53 - You Need Ego to Drive You, But Humility to Lead 14:40 - A Mentor's Brutal Advice: "Slow down. You're not that important." 17:44 - How to Check Your Ego at the Door as a Leader20:42 - Our Rule: Everyone Has a Seat at the Table 23:44 - A Story of Ego Inflation (And the Humbling That Followed)26:51 - The Wake-Up Call That Deflates Your Ego33:08 - The Final Lesson: Find the Balance📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI revolution is here. Do you have the one skill you need to survive and thrive in it? This video is an urgent guide to The #1 Skill You Need for the AI Revolution. Tech CEO Henri Huselstein, who has been deeply exploring ChatGPT, breaks down why the ability to properly prompt and control AI is the single most important new skill of our time . This conversation goes beyond the hype to explore the hidden dangers of AI bias, the risk of a global "singular belief system," and the future of human-AI collaboration. Learn why, as Henri says, "if you cannot use it in your favor, you're probably going to have it used against you." This chapter list turns the interview into a clear narrative about mastering a revolutionary new technology, from understanding its power to navigating its dangers. Check out the company: https://aucta.ioBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - We're Living Through a "Before and After" Moment for AI 06:16 - Prompting: The #1 Skill You Need for the AI Revolution 09:30 - Inside the Race to "Break" ChatGPT and Find Its Limits 18:31 - How AI Can Automate "Inhumane" and Monotonous Work 21:32 - The Hidden Danger of AI's "Confidence" in Wrong Answers 27:33 - Why "Media Competency" is More Important Than Ever33:58 - The Greatest Danger of AI: A "Singular Belief System" 42:37 - Will We End Up in an AI-Governed "Westworld"?📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your business stuck at a revenue plateau you can't seem to break? You're likely hitting one of three predictable "revenue ceilings." In this masterclass, Jeff Mains—a serial entrepreneur who has scaled and sold four 8-figure companies—breaks down The 3 "Revenue Ceilings" That Stop Most Businesses From Hitting $10M. This is a step-by-step playbook for sustainable growth. Jeff reveals the specific bottleneck at each stage and the exact solution required to break through: The $1M Ceiling: The Founder is the Bottleneck, The $5M Ceiling: Your Processes are the Bottleneck, The $8M Ceiling: Your Leadership is the Bottleneck. Learn how to evolve from a founder who does everything to a leader who manages through people and builds a company that can scale. Check out the company: https://championleadership.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Secret to Scaling: It's About the Order of Operations06:20 - Ceiling #1 ($1M): The Founder is the Bottleneck19:10 - Forget MVP. You Need a "Minimum Sellable Product."28:36 - The Hiring Mistake That Cost Me $5 Million32:01 - Ceiling #2 ($5M): Your Processes Are the Bottleneck38:30 - Ceiling #3 ($8M): Your Leadership is the Bottleneck41:39 - Why You Must Hire for Culture Fit Before Skill54:12 - How to Reach "Escape Velocity" at $10 Million📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why would anyone leave the lucrative, powerful world of venture capital to return to the grind of being a startup founder? This video answers that question. Why I Quit Being a VC to Become a Founder (Again). Ishan Rakshit shares his unique journey from entrepreneur to an investor at a top-tier fund, and back to the founder's chair with his new company, Shopflo. This is a candid look at both sides of the fundraising table. You'll learn what being a VC taught him about startups (including a "stupidity filter" for new ideas), why he believes being a founder is an "irrational choice" driven by having "tasted blood," and his number one metric for hiring a team you can trust. Check out the company: https://shopflo.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - From Founder, to VC, and Back Again06:42 - How We Use India as a Test Market for Our US Product10:09 - The Moment We Realized India Wasn't Our Real Market16:48 - The VC "Winter": A Look at the 2023 Fundraising Climate20:09 - Why I Left the "Cushy" Life of a VC23:31 - Being a Founder is an Irrational Choice ("You've Tasted Blood")26:44 - How Being an Investor Gave Me a "Stupidity Filter"30:05 - My #1 Hiring Filter: "Can I Trust Them More Than Myself?"📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the central paradox every founder needs to understand. This video reveals The Secret to Fundraising: Only Ask for Money When You Don't Need It. Nick Spiller, a Venture Principal at Capital Factory, pulls back the curtain on the world of venture capital, explaining why investors are most attracted to companies that are not desperate for cash. This is an insider's guide to the investor mindset. You'll learn the three "buckets" VCs use to value every startup (cash flow, data, and technology), why building deep trust is more important than your pitch deck, and the "possessive" founder mentality that signals to an investor that you're a bet worth making. Check out the company: https://capitalfactory.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - A VC's Perspective on What Makes Startups Succeed03:23 - The Hard Truth: Why VCs Push for 100x Growth06:49 - A VC Reveals the 3 "Buckets" of Startup Valuation10:24 - The Fundraising Paradox: VCs Fund Startups That Don't Need Money13:40 - It's Not Your Metrics, It's Trust16:53 - Your Investor's #1 Responsibility (It's Not to You)20:15 - The "Possessive" Founder Mindset That VCs Love23:36 - The #1 Mistake Founders Make Before an Investor Meeting27:02 - How Deep Tech Startups Can Win Military Contracts41:07 - Advice for 2023: Become a "Wartime" Founder📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever hired someone you were excited about, only to be disappointed by their performance? The problem might not have been them—it might have been you. This video breaks down a toxic cycle called The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of a Bad Hire. Business strategist Daniella Genas explains how a founder's lack of trust leads to a lack of systems, which in turn causes new hires to underperform, "proving" the founder's initial fears were right. This is an essential guide for any "maxed-out" founder struggling to build a team. You'll learn the powerful analogy of why elite athletes have coaches but entrepreneurs don't, why you must build processes from day one, and her actionable "VISA" framework (Vision, Innovation, Strategy, Systems, Accountability) for creating a business that can scale beyond you. Check out the company: https://bethebossintl.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - From a Failed Business to a Thriving Consultancy03:21 - The Universal Mistake I See in Every Business (From 1 to 30 Years Old)06:44 - The Real Reason Founders Don't Trust Their Team09:51 - How You Create a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy with Bad Hires12:44 - The Generational Clash: Managing Gen Z Expectations18:55 - Why You Must Build Systems From Day One25:29 - The #1 Emotion That Kills Founder Progress: Frustration31:49 - The First Step to Breaking the Cycle: A Clear Vision35:06 - The "Missing Link": Why Usain Bolt Has a Coach (But You Don't)38:05 - Why Founders See Coaching as a Cost, Not an Investment📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could your cloud costs be silently destroying your startup's profitability? This is a case study on that exact problem. Our AWS Bill Hit $95000/Month. Here's How We Halved It. Nick Jordan, CEO of the data-intensive startup Narrative.io, shares the unfiltered story of how his company's cloud costs spiraled out of control and the diligent process they used to get them back in line. This is a masterclass in efficiency for tech founders. You'll learn the step-by-step story of how they cut their AWS bill in half while simultaneously doubling revenue, dramatically improving their gross margin. The conversation also covers other "salty" truths about the unglamorous, real-world challenges of being a CEO. Check out the company: https://narrative.ioBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - I Never Wanted to Be an Entrepreneur06:14 - A CEO's Confession: "This Job Isn't Fun"09:16 - Why I'm a "Wartime CEO" Who Likes the Pain15:39 - The Moment Our AWS Bill Hit $95,000 in One Month18:36 - How We Halved Our Cloud Costs While Doubling Revenue24:50 - The "Jack of All Trades, Master of None" CEO Dilemma28:03 - The Dream: A 3-Week Vacation With No Tech31:21 - The Hardest Thing for Me to Do as a CEO34:38 - My #1 Piece of Advice: Don't Listen to Anyone📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the conversation about new motherhood that you won't hear in a parenting book. It's A Mompreneur's Confession: Postpartum is a Form of War. In this deeply personal interview, author and Kahlmi CEO Elina Furman gets brutally honest about her experience with postpartum depression, where the severe sleep deprivation is horrible.This is a raw and unfiltered look at the realities of balancing a career and a newborn. You'll learn about the profound identity crisis that can happen when an ambitious woman becomes a mother, the unspoken challenges of working without a support system, and the hard-won wisdom that eventually inspired her to launch a family wellness brand. Check out the company: https://kahlmi.comBook a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory👀 CONNECT WITH SEANSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrotLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrotInquiries: welivetobuild@gmail.com🕒 CHAPTERS00:00 - The Unspoken Challenges of Being a Mompreneur03:44 - My Expectation vs. The Brutal Reality of New Motherhood07:02 - "Sleep Deprivation is a Form of War"10:39 - Why Moms Are Still the "Default Parent"14:09 - The Shocking Loss of Control for a Type-A Founder17:43 - The Terrifying Decision to Have Kids (Or Not)24:59 - The Identity Crisis: When "Founder" is Replaced by "Mom"31:48 - How My Postpartum Struggle Inspired My Wellness Brand35:16 - Are We Creating a "Cauldron of Anxiety" for Our Kids?38:40 - My #1 Piece of Advice for Expecting Parents📈 WORK WITH ME▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.aiLeave a Review (it truly helps us grow): https://welivetobuild.com/review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.