How do you build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process?

In this episode, David talks with Betsy Fore, Co-Founder and former CEO of Tiny Organics and Founding Partner of Velveteen Ventures. Betsy shares her remarkable journey from toy inventor to serial entrepreneur and impact investor, becoming the first Native American woman to raise a Series A along the way.

She opens up about co-creating Tiny Organics alongside 100 founding families, facing setbacks like her unaired Shark Tank appearance, and learning to redefine success through purpose and presence. Betsy also reflects on the lessons that shaped her new book, Built on Purpose, blending practical entrepreneurship with spiritual grounding and a values-driven approach to leadership.

Now, through her venture fund and nonprofit, Betsy is focused on investing in solutions that uplift communities, children, and the planet, showing that business can be both profitable and deeply purposeful.

Takeaways:

• Unforgettable Beginnings and Tiny Organics' Success: Betsy's tale begins with her concept of engaging 100 founding families, transforming them into co-creators of Tiny Organics and fostering community-driven innovation.
• Embracing Challenges and the Road Less Traveled: Betsy's first entrepreneurial venture, a Fitbit-like product for dogs, taught her the significance of understanding consumer behavior and product-market fit.
• A Unique Shark Tank Experience and Fundraising Insights: Navigating numerous challenges, including a memorable Shark Tank experience, Betsy shares insights into the traditional venture fundraising path and the nuances of raising capital, particularly as a Native American woman.
• Discovering Purpose Beyond Business: Betsy's inspiration for her debut book, Built On Purpose, stemmed from a desire to demystify the practice of manifestation and align it with business creation.
• Melding Investment with Impact: Through Velveteen Ventures, Betsy shifts her focus towards using her skills to benefit her community and the broader planet. Her investments in healthcare, climate, and solutions for children.

Quote of the Show:

• “The most important relationship a founder can have isn’t with investors or customers. It’s with themselves." - Betsy Fore

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyfore/
• Website: https://www.tinyorganics.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #TinyOrganics #VelveteenVentures

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:26 Building Tiny Organics with Founding Families

07:47 From Tiny Organics to National Recognition

08:34 Lessons from a Previous Venture

13:51 Shark Tank Experience

19:18 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape

25:07 Securing Initial Funding and Building a Strong Advisory Board

26:15 Realizing the Importance of Giving Back

27:55 Founding Natives Rising and Healing Through NLP

29:20 Investing in Underrepresented Founders

31:39 Writing 'Built on Purpose' and the Power of Manifestation

35:38 Inspiring Stories from Native American Founders

38:21 Launching a Venture Fund with a Purpose

41:26 From Rural Illinois to International Success

49:35 The Importance of Self-Compassion for Founders

50:35 Outro

How do you scale exceptional customer support without losing the human touch?

In this episode, David sits down with Ryan Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Assembled, to explore this very challenge. What started as a simple scheduling tool has evolved into an AI-powered customer support platform trusted by leading companies like DoorDash and Salesforce.

Ryan opens up about the realities of scaling a fast-growing company, balancing innovation with culture, leading through learning, and keeping mission and execution at the heart of everything. His insights offer a playbook for founders and leaders aiming to build resilient, adaptable organizations.

Takeaways:

• Understanding the Challenge of Scaling Support: Ryan Wang shares insights into the evolution of Assembled, beginning with a fundamental question: how to scale great customer support without losing efficiency..
• Wearing Multiple Hats: Ryan emphasizes the importance of diving into different roles within a company. For founders, this means deeply engaging with various functions, learning from their challenges, and understanding what excellence looks like.
• The Art of Networking: The conversation highlights the importance of connecting with top industry leaders to learn and seek guidance. Founders should prioritize genuine learning over mere networking, making it easy for mentors to share their expertise.
• Adaptability and Product Evolution: Assembled’s journey reflects the necessity of being adaptable. Ryan discusses the creation of a "new products" team to innovate without disrupting the existing structure, showcasing a strategic approach to product development.
• Facing Cultural Challenges: The transition to AI tools and methods posed cultural challenges at Assembled. Ryan acknowledges how these changes can strain company culture, advising that clear communication and integrating efforts can prevent breaking the company culture.
• Mission and Execution: Ryan and David discuss how a strong mission and purpose can act as a modern moat for companies

Quote of the Show:

• “As CEO, your job is to hold the line, even when it breaks hearts, because someone has to protect the long-term vision." - Ryan Wang

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanywang/
• Website: https://www.assembled.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Assembled

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:22 Deep Dive into Leadership and Management

04:25 Networking with Industry Leaders

09:12 Balancing Multiple Roles as CEO

15:31 Transition to CEO Role

23:33 Evolution of Assembled's Product

29:13 Running Through Y Combinator

30:28 Demo Days and Team Dynamics

32:16 Staying on Top of Rapid Changes

35:53 The Concept of Moat in Business

40:22 Adapting to AI and Cultural Challenges

45:09 Future Vision for Assembled

47:42 Personal Background and Influences

52:45 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

55:15 Outro

Do you know how essential a support system is for a CEO? In this solo episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David discusses the often overlooked, yet critical support necessary for CEO success.

Ways to Tune In:

• Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #OctoberCEOPulse

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:53 The Importance of a CEO Support System

03:57 Key Components of a CEO Support System

05:10 The Role of Co-Founders and Key Executives

07:33 The Value of Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff

09:24 Leveraging Board Members and Advisors

14:38 The Importance of Therapists and Personal Relationships

19:16 The Power of CEO Peer Networks

21:27 Outro