In this special episode of Visa to Venture, the tables are turned as host Jacob Sapochnick is interviewed by Dez DeCosta.

Jacob shares his personal immigration journey, the global mindset that shaped his career, and a pivotal case that tested every part of his legal strategy. He reflects on advising a high-level executive building a U.S. company, navigating incomplete information, and making critical pivots under pressure.

The conversation also explores how immigration law requires constant adaptation to policy changes, the importance of flexible pathways to permanent residence, and what today’s immigrant entrepreneurs should understand when building companies in the United States.

This episode offers real-world insight into strategy, mindset, and decision-making for founders, executives, and global talent navigating the U.S. immigration system.

Learn more at: https://www.h1b.biz/

In this episode of Visa To Venture, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Maggie Zhu, founder of Us Two Tea, a modern tea and lifestyle brand rooted in Taiwanese culture. Maggie shares her journey from arriving in the United States on a student visa to building a brand from the ground up in one of the most competitive consumer markets.

As a designer turned founder, Maggie breaks down how she approached brand-building with intention, differentiated Us Two Tea in a crowded tea landscape, and translated cultural heritage into a modern product experience. She also opens up about the realities of building a company as an immigrant founder, navigating uncertainty, and turning personal challenges into creative direction.

This conversation covers practical insights for early-stage founders, including how to stand out in saturated markets, build meaningful networks, think about fundraising, and stay resilient while building in today’s startup environment.

Learn more at https://www.ustwotea.com

In this episode, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Jose Carlos "Charlie" Sarmiento, an inspiring entrepreneur and ultra endurance athlete. Charlie shares his journey from a corporate executive in finance to pursuing his passion for ultra trail running and founding Vertical X, a platform designed to help athletes secure sponsorships and funding. He discusses the challenges of transitioning careers, navigating the U.S. visa process, and balancing family life with entrepreneurship. Charlie emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, the lessons learned from his children, and the drive to create a positive impact through his work.

Learn more:
https://www.vtxathlete.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesarmiento

In this conversation, Joseph Lee, co-founder and CEO of Supademo, shares his journey from Seoul to Canada to New York and what it took to build an AI-native product used by more than 100,000 people across 100 countries. He reflects on dropping out to start his first venture, scaling a seafood marketplace through Techstars, and pivoting during COVID into profitable B2B software. Joseph dives into his O-1A visa path and overcoming an RFE, why the United States is unparalleled for founders, and how he builds culture with trust, radical candor, and a flat, meritocratic team. He also talks fundraising as a foreign founder, why brand and distribution matter more in the AI era, and the mindset that makes you undeniable. He closes with advice to act instead of over-researching and a reminder he would give his younger self to enjoy the moment.

Learn more at superdemo.com

In this podcast episode, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Brett Chell. Brett shares his journey from being a high school dropout to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry. He discusses the importance of understanding numbers and leadership in building a business, the evolution of his leadership style, and the lessons learned from his experiences. Brett also introduces his new venture, Bricks, which aims to create a community for entrepreneurs, and addresses the challenges of navigating immigration as a Canadian entrepreneur in the U.S.

In this conversation, Yidian Liu, the co-founder of PolyGone Systems, shares her journey as an immigrant entrepreneur focused on tackling the issue of microplastics in water systems. She discusses the mission of her company, the challenges faced by immigrant founders, the importance of diversity in the workplace, and insights into navigating the investment landscape. Yidian also reflects on the recognition received from Forbes 30 under 30 and the influence of her family on his entrepreneurial journey, concluding with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.polygonesystems.com

In this conversation, Néstor Castillero, the founder of Maera, shares his inspiring journey from starting a business with just $51 to building a successful company that serves clients in over 50 countries. He discusses the challenges of moving to New York, the importance of networking, and how he leveraged social media to grow his business. Néstor emphasizes the need for a customer-centric approach and the value of understanding market trends, while also providing valuable advice for young entrepreneurs.

Learn more at https://www.maera.com/home

In this conversation, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Hassan Khan, the founder of TODAQ Micro, a company focused on enabling micropayments for content creators. They discuss the evolution of TODAQ, the challenges of navigating the U.S. market as a Canadian founder, the influence of military experience on leadership, and the potential of AI in enhancing content creation. Hassan shares insights on the importance of adaptability, the significance of building a strong network, and the lessons learned from failures in entrepreneurship.

Learn more at https://todaq.net