Imagine being inspired to change your career path because of a chance encounter. That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Cindy Trice, a veterinarian who transformed her passion for relief work into a thriving business. In our latest episode, Cindy recounts her unconventional journey from a freelance production worker to founding Relief Rover, a platform designed to connect relief veterinarians and technicians with job opportunities and resources. She shares how her early experiences and an inspirational figure led her to embrace the dynamic and flexible nature of relief veterinary work, which eventually sparked her entrepreneurial spirit. Cindy’s story is an eye-opener into how diverse experiences can unexpectedly shape one's career path.

We also delve into the intricacies of building a two-sided marketplace and the emotional highs and lows that come with it. Cindy describes how she sustained the business without initial revenue and the subscription-based model that ensured its success. Moreover, she talks about the strategic merger with Hound, aligning with partners who shared her vision and integrity. As if that wasn't enough, Cindy opens up about her personal battle with chemotherapy and how it led to the creation of Kick It Pajamas—functional yet stylish clothing for women undergoing medical treatments. Her resilience, creativity, and dedication are a testament to the power of turning personal challenges into impactful business ventures. Don’t miss this episode filled with insightful stories of entrepreneurship, growth, and meaningful partnerships.

Ever thought about how leaders adapt as their startups morph into the real business world? Stacee and Ira pull back the curtain on their evolution from the early days of winging it with their teams, to mastering the art of delegation and trust in a growing company. We get real about the gnarly bits of meshing with larger corporate beasts post-acquisition and why having your ducks in a row with processes can save you from a world of hurt down the line.

Special shout outs:
Mike Fisher
Fish Food for Thought newsletter
Dani McVety

Tips of the week:

• Ira: Canva
• Stacee: Tango

In our latest discussion, we unpack the tango of competition and innovation in the business world. Ira and Stacee share their stories of discomfort of encountering their rivals and the subsequent appreciation for the diversity and drive it brings to the market.

Ira's tip of the week: Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet

Stacee's tip of the week: Radical Candor podcast

The episode takes a turn as we confront the reality of firing an employee—a challenge that tests the alignment of personal compassion with a company's core values. We discuss the broader impact these decisions have on the team and the delicate nature of delivering difficult news.

There comes a time in every successful entrepreneur's life when they just "know" (hopefully). It might be a key event, your inner voice or a gut feeling but some where along the journey, something happened that clued you in that you were really on to something. This week, Stacee and Ira share their special moment.

Special mentions this week:
Adam Little
Elizabeth Green
Ed Catmull
Amy Wallace

Have you ever faced the daunting challenge of building a startup from the ground up? This episode is a goldmine of guidance, as Dr. Adam Little shares insights around foundational steps for budding entrepreneurs to thrive.

Adam and Ira spend some time talking about de-risking the company, the problem with hiring too many people too early and why strategic partnerships are a huge waste of time for early stage companies in the veterinary space.

The biggest lessons don't come from success, they come from trying something that fails. If you are an entrepreneur, don't learn the hard way. Instead, take Adam's advice to heart and avoid these pitfalls.


Special mentions:
Mark Stephenson
Couto Guillermo

Glance behind the curtain with Dr. Adam Little as he chats with Ira about his startup journey including the highs of innovation and the lows of layoffs. Adam shares the hard knock lessons he learned with brutal honesty showing that integrity and compassion always win. You won't want to miss this episode with one of the most brilliant innovators in veterinary medicine.

Learn more about Adam on LinkedIn

Stacee and our special guest cohost, Beth Green, spin the wheel today and talk about their business partners and the way they found them.

Special mentions:
Toni Passaretti
John O'Brien
Dr. Pat Tomlinson
Karyn Gavzer
Martin Traub-Werner