Niluka Kavanagh left Big 4 consulting with a simple question: Can I work for myself, and can I do it from anywhere?That question turned into an experiment, then a business, then ImagineThat, a global club for first-time founders who are trying to build something without losing themselves in the process.We talk about the unsexy realities people don’t plan for: uncertainty, isolation, confidence dips, and the weird moment where you realise “being your own boss” can still mean being owned by customers. Niluka shares the framework she uses with founders to go from “I’ve got skills” to “I’ve got a business,” why you should design your life before you design your model, and why your personal brand is the only asset that survives pivots.This is a conversation for anyone in corporate with a pull toward independence, and anyone early-stage who wants fewer vibes and more clarity.Subscribe nowChapters00:00 The Journey of Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:08 Finding Purpose and Vision in Business05:53 Understanding the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship08:44 Building a Support Network for Founders11:35 The Importance of Market Validation14:25 Creating a Founder Brand and Authentic Storytelling22:27 Building Your Founder Brand25:41 The Importance of Values in Branding29:47 The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding34:07 Recognizing Your Achievements as a Founder38:31 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship43:20 Creating a Supportive Environment for FoundersNiluka Kavanagh A founder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and creator focused on the future of work.She is the Founder of ImagineThat, the global club for new founders, and the creator of The Modern CEO, a leadership program helping companies evolve into next-generation workplaces.Previously, she worked as a consultant at KPMG with clients like Mastercard, Tesco, and London Stock Exchange, co-founded KPMG FutureThinkers, and led communications for KPMG SheCan.Niluka has spoken at leading universities, including Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh University, and her work has been featured in The World Financial Review and Cambridge University Press.Who Should ListenNew founders transitioning out of corporate rolesExecutives leading younger or hybrid teamsOperators building modern leadership culturesAnyone curious about how careers, ambition, and identity are reshaping entrepreneurshipMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
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Niluka Kavanagh left Big 4 consulting with a simple question: Can I work for myself, and can I do it from anywhere?That question turned into an experiment, then a business, then ImagineThat, a global club for first-time founders who are trying to build something without losing themselves in the process.We talk about the unsexy realities people don’t plan for: uncertainty, isolation, confidence dips, and the weird moment where you realise “being your own boss” can still mean being owned by customers. Niluka shares the framework she uses with founders to go from “I’ve got skills” to “I’ve got a business,” why you should design your life before you design your model, and why your personal brand is the only asset that survives pivots.This is a conversation for anyone in corporate with a pull toward independence, and anyone early-stage who wants fewer vibes and more clarity.Subscribe nowChapters00:00 The Journey of Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:08 Finding Purpose and Vision in Business05:53 Understanding the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship08:44 Building a Support Network for Founders11:35 The Importance of Market Validation14:25 Creating a Founder Brand and Authentic Storytelling22:27 Building Your Founder Brand25:41 The Importance of Values in Branding29:47 The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding34:07 Recognizing Your Achievements as a Founder38:31 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship43:20 Creating a Supportive Environment for FoundersNiluka Kavanagh A founder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and creator focused on the future of work.She is the Founder of ImagineThat, the global club for new founders, and the creator of The Modern CEO, a leadership program helping companies evolve into next-generation workplaces.Previously, she worked as a consultant at KPMG with clients like Mastercard, Tesco, and London Stock Exchange, co-founded KPMG FutureThinkers, and led communications for KPMG SheCan.Niluka has spoken at leading universities, including Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh University, and her work has been featured in The World Financial Review and Cambridge University Press.Who Should ListenNew founders transitioning out of corporate rolesExecutives leading younger or hybrid teamsOperators building modern leadership culturesAnyone curious about how careers, ambition, and identity are reshaping entrepreneurshipMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
S2E1: How Billion-Dollar Companies Get Built. Mike Jones - Liquid Death, Dollar Shave Club, Science Inc.
Startups Decoded
42 minutes
3 months ago
S2E1: How Billion-Dollar Companies Get Built. Mike Jones - Liquid Death, Dollar Shave Club, Science Inc.
Send us a textIn the Season 2 opener of Startups Decoded, host Andy Walsh sits down with Mike Jones, General Partner at Science Inc., the venture studio and fund behind household names like Dollar Shave Club, Liquid Death, and PlayVS.With more than $1.3 billion in exits and angel investments including Scopely, GoodReads, and Maker Studios, Mike has seen what separates billion-dollar companies from the ones that stall out.From his early days founding Userplane, CEO of MySpace, to building Science into one of the most successful venture studios in the world, Mike shares the hard truths about brand, product, team dynamics, and the role of instinct versus data. This episode dives into how breakout companies really get built, the future of venture studios in a world transformed by AI, and why some startups endure while most fade.If you want a candid look at what it takes to scale a company that actually lasts, this conversation is a must-listen.Mike JonesMike Jones is the General Partner of Science Inc., the venture fund and studio behind brands like Dollar Shave Club, Liquid Death, and PlayVS. Since launching Science in 2011, Mike has led it to over $1.3 billion in exits, shaping household names through a unique blend of venture investment and hands-on company building.Science Inc.Fund, develop, and advise companies focused on solving the everyday problems of modern living. Science is a unique platform where talent, resources, and financing are brought together in a bid to nurture and develop ideas, arm emerging businesses with the strategy, expertise, and capital they need to grow, and to transform existing internet ventures, injecting them with new talent and innovation.Music Credit:"Neptuno" - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)TakeawaysMike Jones emphasizes the non-linear paths of entrepreneurs.The importance of technology shifts in creating business opportunities.Venture studios aim for long-term growth rather than immediate profits.Successful brands like Dollar Shave Club leverage strong narratives.Building a great product is essential for customer retention.AI is transforming the way businesses are built and marketed.Investors expect comprehensive business plans and prototypes.Team dynamics are crucial for the success of startups.Need clarity on fundraising, strategy, or scaling? You can book me, Andy Walsh, directly on Hubble for focused 1:1 advice. 15, 30, or 45 minutes no fluff, just solutions.Head to hubble.social/AndyWalsh Forget what you know about non-alc beer, Heaps Normal is here to blow your mind. Aussie-made, purpose-driven, and built for founder life. Pick up a can in select Bay Area spots, including Whole Foods.HeapsNormal.comDiscover Smarter Investing with the Teaminvest Wealth Builders PodcastExpert insights and proven strategies from Australia's top investors. Build your wealth.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the s ...
Startups Decoded
Niluka Kavanagh left Big 4 consulting with a simple question: Can I work for myself, and can I do it from anywhere?That question turned into an experiment, then a business, then ImagineThat, a global club for first-time founders who are trying to build something without losing themselves in the process.We talk about the unsexy realities people don’t plan for: uncertainty, isolation, confidence dips, and the weird moment where you realise “being your own boss” can still mean being owned by customers. Niluka shares the framework she uses with founders to go from “I’ve got skills” to “I’ve got a business,” why you should design your life before you design your model, and why your personal brand is the only asset that survives pivots.This is a conversation for anyone in corporate with a pull toward independence, and anyone early-stage who wants fewer vibes and more clarity.Subscribe nowChapters00:00 The Journey of Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:08 Finding Purpose and Vision in Business05:53 Understanding the Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship08:44 Building a Support Network for Founders11:35 The Importance of Market Validation14:25 Creating a Founder Brand and Authentic Storytelling22:27 Building Your Founder Brand25:41 The Importance of Values in Branding29:47 The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding34:07 Recognizing Your Achievements as a Founder38:31 The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship43:20 Creating a Supportive Environment for FoundersNiluka Kavanagh A founder, executive coach, keynote speaker, and creator focused on the future of work.She is the Founder of ImagineThat, the global club for new founders, and the creator of The Modern CEO, a leadership program helping companies evolve into next-generation workplaces.Previously, she worked as a consultant at KPMG with clients like Mastercard, Tesco, and London Stock Exchange, co-founded KPMG FutureThinkers, and led communications for KPMG SheCan.Niluka has spoken at leading universities, including Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh University, and her work has been featured in The World Financial Review and Cambridge University Press.Who Should ListenNew founders transitioning out of corporate rolesExecutives leading younger or hybrid teamsOperators building modern leadership culturesAnyone curious about how careers, ambition, and identity are reshaping entrepreneurshipMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.com
