In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Rajia Abdelaziz, Founder & CEO of invisaWear—a groundbreaking company creating discreet safety tech inside stylish jewelry. A Forbes 30 Under 30 cover honoree and a standout in the personal safety space, Rajia has built an eight-figure brand, raised over $3 million, and secured major partnerships with ADT and TELUS.

Rajia shares how she turned down a job at Google to pursue a college project that would go on to save lives. She opens up about facing rejection, fundraising setbacks, and personal sacrifice, all while building a mission-driven brand from the ground up. From a 3D-printed prototype built by her 14-year-old brother to a product that’s now sold nationwide, this episode is a powerful look at purpose, perseverance, and building with impact. Subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

Chapters:
02:11 – Rajia’s first taste of entrepreneurship at 8 years old.
04:26 – Childhood hustle and early business ideas.
06:18 – Dreaming of an ice cream empire at 16.
07:57 – Growing up in a one-bedroom apartment and chasing the American Dream.
09:58 – The pressure to be perfect and the cost of high expectations.
11:32 – Choosing engineering and learning to build apps.
13:25 – The incident that sparked the idea for invisaWear.
16:02 – Launching invisaWear as a college project.
19:29 – Turning down Google and betting on a mission.
22:12 – Convincing her family to support her startup journey.
25:05 – Building with her co-founder Ray.
27:14 – A woman at demo day validates the mission.
28:56 – Handwritten thank-you notes from survivors.
30:42 – Sacrificing her 20s to build a mission-driven brand.
34:08 – Facing sexism and ageism in early fundraising.
35:30 – 14-year-old brother’s 3D print closes their first round.
39:45 – National news story puts invisaWear on the map.
43:00 – A health scare forces a mindset reset.
48:10 – 10 years of co-founder chemistry with Ray.
59:41 – What Rajia wants to be remembered for.
1:02:37 – Advice to her 21-year-old self.
1:04:52 – Rajia’s 5-year and 10-year vision.

Guest Links:
Website: https://invisawear.com/
Instagram: @invisaWear
@RajiaXoXo

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Jason Wong, founder of Paking Duck, a packaging company trusted by leading DTC brands like Arrae, Quest Nutrition, and Madhappy. Jason shares his journey from a teenager running affiliate blogs and viral meme businesses, to building a powerhouse in the packaging space, blending creativity with operational excellence.

Jason dives into how packaging became his passion, why it’s one of the highest-leverage parts of the customer journey, and how investing in people has helped him scale multiple businesses. He also opens up about building confidence through action, earning trust through execution, and how one key mentor changed his entire trajectory. Tune in to hear Jason’s powerful insights on brand-building, mentorship, and executing with speed. Subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.

Chapters:
01:36 – Meet Jason Wong
02:53 – How Jason fell in love with packaging
03:57 – What top CPG brands get right
05:01 – Growing up: immigrant hustle and early ambition
06:19 – Starting a blog and making $30K/month in high school
08:04 – The viral launch of the Holy Meme Bible
09:25 – Transitioning to a product business
11:47 – Launching Doe Lashes with $500
13:11 – Building with friends and early team culture
14:17 – Growing up without parents and living in a garage
15:35 – Why Jason never gave up
16:36 – Raising your ceiling through community
18:18 – Sacrifices and discipline in the early years
20:16 – Entrepreneurship and relationships
22:08 – Becoming secure in your identity
24:49 – Creating your own luck through exposure
26:36 – Meeting Michelle Phan and her mentorship
29:42 – The power of sharing stories and giving back
31:07 – Jason’s philosophy on packaging and unboxing
34:09 – Most impressive packaging Jason has seen
37:44 – 3 ways packaging makes money
41:08 – Why packaging is part of the product
42:14 – Defining success and freedom
46:16 – Achieving milestones through material rewards
47:21 – Building multiple businesses through people
50:53 – Jason’s story of finding a superstar on Upwork
53:48 – A masterclass in relationship-driven leadership
56:46 – Advice to his 23-year-old self
58:00 – Just go do it — the power of action

Guest Links:
Website: www.pakingduck.com
Instagram: @pug
LinkedIn: Jason Wong

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Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, Chris Meade sits down with Kevin O'Leary, a successful entrepreneur and investor also known as "Mr. Wonderful”, appearing on shows such as Dragons' Den and Shark Tank. Kevin dives into the current landscape of advertising, explaining why he's pivoting his portfolio companies towards television through his new platform, WonderAds. He breaks down how TV has become a powerful yet under-utilized channel for brands looking to scale cost-effectively, offering a competitive edge over rising social media costs.

Kevin also discusses the critical components of successful brand scaling, the importance of mastering Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), and why multi-channel strategies are essential for long-term growth. He closes with valuable insights on entrepreneurship, including how to prioritize signal over noise, the art of listening, and the necessity of knowing when to pivot. Join Chris and Kevin as they uncover the strategies behind building resilient brands, leveraging television for growth, and the key principles every entrepreneur should know. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Chapters:
01:40 – Why TV Advertising is Making a Comeback
02:48 – Introducing WonderAds: TV for Emerging Brands
03:34 – Measuring Success on TV: CAC and ROAS
04:02 – Why Brands Give Up on TV Too Early
04:27 – Television’s Cost Efficiency vs. Social Media
04:52 – Mastering Customer Acquisition Costs
05:58 – The Importance of Personal Branding for Founders
07:08 – Building for Both Retail and Direct-to-Consumer
08:19 – Retail Rollouts: How to Secure and Succeed
10:35 – Signal vs. Noise: How to Focus Your Time
13:33 – The Art of Pivoting When Things Go Wrong
14:06 – Planning Liquidity Events and Exits
15:06 – Industries Ripe for Disruption: Healthy Snacks and Beverages
15:52 – Kevin’s Background in Photography and Film
16:52 – Embracing Discomfort: Why Founders Should Take Risks
17:39 – Lessons from Kevin's Mother: Integrity and Trust

Guest Links:
Website: https://kevinoleary.com
Instagram: @kevinolearytv

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Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Will Nitze, Founder & CEO of IQBAR, the leading brain-and-body nutrition startup in America. Will shares how his competitive spirit and obsession with winning drove him to build a thriving brand dedicated to brain food and cognitive nutrition. He reflects on his journey from playing competitive sports to attending Harvard, where he first realized that building something impactful was more important than just making money.

Will also discusses launching IQBAR through a successful Kickstarter campaign, scaling with major retailers, and maintaining a lean, efficient team. He opens up about running the business alongside his wife, the importance of horizontal mentorship, and how he plans to build for acquisition and legacy.

Chapters:
00:44 – The Opportunist Mindset: Learning from Sam Zell
03:06 – Building the Competitive Spirit Through Sports
08:26 – Harvard Experience and Finding Direction
12:25 – First Steps into Entrepreneurship
14:02 – Negotiating Half-Time Work for Full-Time Hustle
15:21 – Starting IQBAR: Building Brain Food from Scratch
19:31 – Kickstarter Strategies: Guerrilla Tactics and Validation
22:01 – Manufacturing at Scale and Finding Co-Packers
24:38 – The Importance of Horizontal Mentorship
27:46 – Scaling the Business with a Lean Team
30:25 – Expanding into Major Retailers and Hitting Volume
33:43 – Navigating Trends and Pivoting the Brand
36:40 – Maintaining Control While Scaling Fast
38:29 – Hiring the Right People and the Hub-and-Spoke Model
41:06 – Working In the Business, Not Just On It
46:40 – Running a Business with His Wife
49:05 – Moving to Miami and the Evolution of IQBAR
52:13 – Building for Acquisition and Legacy
1:06:01 – Overcoming Challenges: Tariffs, COVID, and Market Shifts
1:07:50 - Building a Personal Brand
1:11:04 - The ROI of Personal Branding
1:25:10 - The Emotional Impact of Exiting a Business
1:31:11 - The Role of Partnerships in Business Success
1:34:46 - Advice for Younger Entrepreneurs

Tune in to hear Will’s raw insights on scaling a consumer brand from the ground up, the sacrifices required, and the mindset needed to build something that lasts. Don't forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Guest Links:
Website: www.eatiqbar.com
Instagram: @iqbar
LinkedIn: Will Nitze
Twitter: @willnitze

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Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Josh Goldstein. Josh was a high-level college baseball player and MBA student when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear on reality TV changed everything. After the tragic and very public loss of his sister on national television, Josh turned unimaginable grief into powerful growth. Now, just a few years later, he’s built a seven-figure online fitness business empowering thousands of women, launched a supplement brand rooted in positivity, and created a personal brand focused on mindset, transformation, and authenticity.

This episode dives deep into what it means to find clarity through pain, the strategy behind monetizing real impact, and how trusting your gut can outwork any perfect plan. Josh opens up about going all-in on business, his unique approach to brand building, and the deeper mission driving every decision. Whether you're dealing with pressure, looking to turn a setback into a launchpad, or want to build with real intention, this conversation delivers. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Chapters
02:07 – Growing Up Around Sports and Early Lessons in Discipline
09:08 – Self-Confidence Through Sports, COVID’s Impact, and Falling in Love with Sales
12:30 – Saying Yes to Love Island
17:07 – Tragedy: Losing His Sister During Filming
20:22 – Returning Home and Navigating Grief
25:10 – Starting a Business With Meaning and Honouring Her Legacy
27:17 – Serving Women in Fitness and Emotional Connection to the Mission
30:45 – The “Other 23 Hours” Philosophy in Fitness
33:28 – Josh’s Fitness Program Structure and Growth
35:46 – Personal Transformation and What He’s Still Working On
41:26 – Public Figure Pressures and Dating After Reality TV
48:05 – Business Future: Exit, Scale, or Legacy
49:20 – Starting the Supplement Company Reevyv
51:25 – Impact on Family Dynamics and Healing Through Growth
56:22 – Motivation to Repay His Parents’ Sacrifices
58:12 – Journaling, Morning Routine, and Structure
1:04:21 – Mindset as the Foundation of Transformation
1:06:13 – Avoiding Hard Conversations and Their Cost
1:11:15 – The ROI of Investing in Yourself
1:14:32 – Advice to Younger Josh: Don’t Let Others Define You
1:16:27 – Environment, Loneliness, and Finding Your Circle
1:22:38 – Final Message: Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

Guest Links:
Instagram: @_josh.goldy_ @jgoldy_fit @reevyv_strips
Website: https://reevyv.com
https://www.joshgoldyfitness.com/quiz-l

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Dominic Purpura. Dominic Purpura is the founder and owner of MELA, a rapidly growing watermelon water company. After acquiring the business in 2021 following a successful cryptocurrency investment, he completely rebranded it, transforming a $25,000 monthly operation into one approaching $1 million monthly with national 7-Eleven distribution on the horizon. Influenced by his entrepreneurial father and uncle, Purpura implements a structured goal-setting system across five categories: health, wealth, wisdom, happiness, and travel. He's known for his equity-sharing leadership approach, treating employees as partners. His mission is to establish watermelon water as a major beverage category, with plans to scale MELA until, in his words "it stops being fun."

Dominic shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to achieving a major exit, breaking down the real process behind rebranding and scaling MELA. He talks about discovering MELA while building experience in the CPG industry, using cryptocurrency profits to acquire the brand, and scaling the company to an eight-figure exit. From growing up questioning traditional paths, to implementing equity-sharing leadership, to navigating life after a major acquisition, Dominic brings tactical lessons around resilience, strategic thinking, building a brand true to your values and learning to trust your gut.

Chapters:
00:43 – Introduction, Early Exposure to Entrepreneurship and Family Influence
02:05 – Growing Up Questioning Normality
03:56 – Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made?
04:33 – Learning From Father Figures and Environment
06:16 – Early Businesses, Crypto, and Falling in Love With the CPG Business Model
10:03 – Building a Beef Jerky Brand and Learning Systems
12:47 – Finding MELA and the Initial Spark
18:52 – Building Wealth Through Cardano and Crypto Strategy
22:22 – Timing the Crypto Exit and Creating Opportunity
24:08 – Acquiring MELA ,Rebranding, Restructuring, and Relaunching
29:23 – Early Wins and Rapid Product-Market Fit
30:45 – Brick-by-Brick Growth: Selling Store by Store
32:13 – Yearly Growth and the Journey From 300K to Millions
35:32 – Why MELA Worked for the Mass Market
38:15 – Building a Brand for the 99%, Not the 1%
43:29 – Losing His Father and Going All-In on Entrepreneurship
46:25 – Turning Pain Into Focus, Drive, and Daily Discipline
48:27 – Staying Focused Through Grief and Hardship
50:00 – Selling MELA and Sharing the Exit With the Team
52:31 – Navigating Identity Shifts Post-Exit
53:12 – Why Slowing Down After Success Matters
58:24 – Honouring the Journey: Reflection and Growth
1:06:12 – Building a Community: The Vision Behind Founders Club
1:14:29 – Giving First, Protecting Energy, and Scaling Smart
1:18:45 – Advice to 23-Year-Old Dominic: Trust the Journey
1:26:10 – Finding Meaning in Pain and Why It Matters

Guest Links:
Website: https://melawater.com
IG @dompurpura

Stay Connected!
Aaron Spivak:
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The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with serial entrepreneur David Segal, best known for building DAVIDsTEA into a $200M brand and now serving as President of Highbeam. David shares the full arc of his entrepreneurial journey, starting with the humble beginnings of DAVIDsTEA, through the grind of expansion and the thrill of going public, to the surprising emotional lows that followed a major exit. With refreshing honesty, he opens up about his feelings after selling the company, how he found renewed purpose, and the process of reshaping his identity beyond his business.

David and Aaron explore the hidden cost of scaling quickly, the emotional whiplash of sudden wealth, and the importance of defining success beyond financial freedom. The conversation is packed with invaluable takeaways for founders at every stage, from negotiating working capital terms that change your bottom line, to the mindset shifts required when stepping into a new venture. Whether you’re in the trenches or on the other side of a win, David’s story is a powerful reminder that the work never really ends, it just evolves. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with a fellow founder, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.

Chapters:
01:10 – Starting DAVIDsTEA: The Idea Nobody Was Doing
04:32 – Early Failures and Lessons in Persistence
07:27 – From 4 Stores to 30: What Changed?
08:45 – Building for Scale: The Highs and Pitfalls
11:55 – Expansion Mistakes in the U.S. Market
14:33 – Handing Over the CEO Role: Ego and Learning
16:02 – The Power of Process (Without Bureaucracy)
20:23 – Leaving DAVIDsTEA and Losing Identity
22:15 – From Rock Bottom to Highbeam: A New Beginning
25:50 – Life-Changing Money Doesn’t Mean Life-Changing Fulfillment
28:15 – What Founders Need to Know About Life After the Exit
31:00 – Starting Mad Radish and Firebelly: Lessons in Patience
34:50 – David Now vs. Then: Maturity in Decision Making
38:52 – Sleep On It: Slowing Down to Make Better Decisions
40:09 – Working Capital Masterclass: The Deal That Can Save Millions
44:03 – Lifestyle Business or Unicorn? How to Decide
46:41 – Operating for Cash Flow vs. Chasing the Exit
48:57 – The Power of Compounding and Long-Term Operating
50:33 – Managing Post-Exit Wealth: Keep It Simple
54:56 – David on Legacy and Still Being “Just Getting Started”
58:20 – The Power of Environment and a Supportive Partner
1:01:25 – Entrepreneurship is a Personal Journey
1:03:39 – Advice to 19-Year-Old David: Put in the Work, Keep Showing Up
1:06:19 – Meditation, a “Digital Sabbath”, and Mental Resilience as a Founder
1:11:07 – Final Reflections: Inputs Over Outcomes

Guest Links:
Website: https://www.highbeam.co/
LinkedIn: David Segal
Instagram: @tea_maverick
X: @tea_maverick

Stay Connected!
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Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

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In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Adam Klasner. Adam Mordechai Klasner is a widely respected personal growth facilitator, committed to empowering individuals and nurturing meaningful relationships. He masterfully integrates diverse modalities and techniques, including Breathwork, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Family Constellations, and Imago facilitation, to guide his clients on transformative journeys. Adam's approach centers on a holistic comprehension of his clients' inner worlds and their connections with others. By harmoniously merging these aspects, he skillfully helps clients achieve profound self-awareness, heal past wounds, enhance communication, and foster profound harmony in their relationships.

In addition to his professional endeavours, Adam leads a fulfilling personal life. Happily married and the proud parent of ten children, he appreciates the significance of balancing personal and professional pursuits, while infusing joy into both.

Adam shares how facing himself 12 years ago began a life-altering shift, leading him to help men reconnect with their authentic selves. The conversation dives into the concept of “checking in”, a practice of emotional awareness, and how that self-awareness can transform how we lead, live, and relate to others. With a blend of vulnerability, spiritual insight, and grounded leadership, Adam offers tools for founders to identify emotional triggers, address inner wounds, and lead from a place of truth rather than fear.

If you enjoyed the episode please subscribe and share this podcast with someone you think could benefit from it!

Chapters:
01:30 Who Is Adam Klasner?
02:40 The Internal Crisis That Changed Everything
05:03 The Workshop That Triggered a Life Transformation
06:35 Why Most Men Say “I’m Good” And What They're Missing
08:32 Aaron’s First Workshop Experience in Montreal
11:06 How a Check-In Transformed a Meeting
13:19 What Is a Check-In? A Tool for Real Vulnerability
17:00 Why We Hide Behind Masks in Business and Life
20:13 How Childhood Stories Shape Leadership Patterns
23:08 Authenticity vs. Connection: The Tension We All Face
25:33 Why Every Founder Must Balance Both to Lead
26:50 Practical Daily Tools to Access Your Inner World
30:06 Triggers Are Clues: How to Work with Emotional Discomfort
32:43 Journaling, Breathwork, and Self-Inquiry: Building a Practice
36:41 Aaron’s Real-Time Trigger: A Business Partner Conflict
49:27 Discovering the Root Need Beneath the Reaction
53:04 Why Real Growth Requires Revisiting the Past
58:40 Aaron’s “I’m Not That Good” Belief and Where It Began
01:04:01 The Power of Acknowledging What Is
01:05:59 Where to Start: Journaling and Awareness
01:10:25 Gratitude for the Past: Why Everything Happens for a Reason
01:14:12 What Spiritual Practice Taught Adam About Leadership
01:19:56 The Moment Adam’s Father Told Him “You Can Do Anything”
01:30:08 Message To Younger Self

Guest Links:
www.iamanochi.com
@findinganochi

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Aaron Spivak:
Instagram @‌Spivak
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The Founders Club
Instagram @‌TheFoundersClub
Website www.foundersclubofficial.com

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Youtube @‌Founder2Founder.Podcast