Andrew Ackerman has lived every side of the startup world. Founder, investor, accelerator director, teacher, and now author, he brings a rare full circle perspective on what it really takes to build and fund successful companies. He has founded two startups, invested in more than seventy early stage ventures, and led accelerators that gave him a front row seat to the moves and mistakes that make or break new founders.Andrew translates the chaos of entrepreneurship into lessons people can actually use. His new business novel, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, blends real world startup experience with the inspiration of a story driven journey. It has been described as The Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, a guide wrapped in narrative that both teaches and inspires.He brings candor, humor, and practicality to every conversation. Andrew shares why many founders misunderstand investors, why venture capital is not the fast lane people think it is, and why he believes VCs can be hypocrites when giving advice they did not follow themselves. He also dives into the discipline behind writing his book, the patterns he has seen across hundreds of founders, and the simple principles that separate progress from struggle.Listeners will walk away with real startup truths, investor insights, and clear takeaways they can apply to their own ventures and creative work.
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Andrew Ackerman has lived every side of the startup world. Founder, investor, accelerator director, teacher, and now author, he brings a rare full circle perspective on what it really takes to build and fund successful companies. He has founded two startups, invested in more than seventy early stage ventures, and led accelerators that gave him a front row seat to the moves and mistakes that make or break new founders.Andrew translates the chaos of entrepreneurship into lessons people can actually use. His new business novel, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, blends real world startup experience with the inspiration of a story driven journey. It has been described as The Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, a guide wrapped in narrative that both teaches and inspires.He brings candor, humor, and practicality to every conversation. Andrew shares why many founders misunderstand investors, why venture capital is not the fast lane people think it is, and why he believes VCs can be hypocrites when giving advice they did not follow themselves. He also dives into the discipline behind writing his book, the patterns he has seen across hundreds of founders, and the simple principles that separate progress from struggle.Listeners will walk away with real startup truths, investor insights, and clear takeaways they can apply to their own ventures and creative work.
Ep. 64 - Dancing with Fire & Electricity: Michael Ravenwood on Flow, Power & Performance with Purpose
Born or Made
48 minutes
3 months ago
Ep. 64 - Dancing with Fire & Electricity: Michael Ravenwood on Flow, Power & Performance with Purpose
What do martial arts, Tesla coils, and poetic fire dancing have in common? For Michael Ravenwood, they’re all expressions of one mission: to ignite human potential through movement, mindfulness, and meaning.In this electrifying episode of Born or Made, Larry Dix sits down with Michael Ravenwood—international cirque performer, empowerment coach, and founder of SkyFire Arts—to explore how a life of discipline, creativity, and intentional flow can lead to profound transformation.Michael’s journey spans over 35 years of martial arts, meditation, psychology, and mind-body science. With a background in quantum physics and global wisdom traditions, he weaves ancient practices with modern performance—transforming stages into sacred space. From fire-walking instructor to high-voltage Tesla coil performer, from silent Vipassana retreats to Google HQ talks, Michael has become a beacon of inspiration, showing others how to embody power with presence.In this episode, you’ll discover how flow arts, storytelling, and embodied wisdom can help unlock confidence, healing, and a deeper connection to life itself.If you’ve ever felt the call to step into your purpose with passion and precision—this episode will light the spark.
Born or Made
Andrew Ackerman has lived every side of the startup world. Founder, investor, accelerator director, teacher, and now author, he brings a rare full circle perspective on what it really takes to build and fund successful companies. He has founded two startups, invested in more than seventy early stage ventures, and led accelerators that gave him a front row seat to the moves and mistakes that make or break new founders.Andrew translates the chaos of entrepreneurship into lessons people can actually use. His new business novel, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, blends real world startup experience with the inspiration of a story driven journey. It has been described as The Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, a guide wrapped in narrative that both teaches and inspires.He brings candor, humor, and practicality to every conversation. Andrew shares why many founders misunderstand investors, why venture capital is not the fast lane people think it is, and why he believes VCs can be hypocrites when giving advice they did not follow themselves. He also dives into the discipline behind writing his book, the patterns he has seen across hundreds of founders, and the simple principles that separate progress from struggle.Listeners will walk away with real startup truths, investor insights, and clear takeaways they can apply to their own ventures and creative work.
