Johnathon Bush is the founder of Not Just Cookies, who began his entrepreneurial journey at just 13 years old. Discover how a love for baking turned into a thriving business that has weathered challenges, including a significant pivot during the pandemic. In this episode, Johnathon shares: • The early days of starting his business from his mom's ki…

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, Alexander McCobin sits down with David Simnick, the founder of Soapbox, to dive deep into the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and the importance of understanding your audience. David shares invaluable insights from his journey as an entrepreneur, highlighting the critical need for businesses t…

In this inspiring episode of the Liberty Ventures Podcast, host Alexander McCobin interviews Bob Chapman, the visionary CEO of Barry-Wehmiller. Bob has transformed the company from $20 million to over $3 billion through compassionate leadership and a strong business model. What You’ll Learn: • The Role of Leadership: Bob explains that a leader’s pr…

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with James Rhee, the national bestselling author of "red helicopter—a parable for our times." We dive into the themes of truth, kindness, and purpose in entrepreneurship that drive him. James shares his inspiring journey from private equity investor to unlikely CEO of As…

In this episode, we sit down with Alan Fisher, a seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor, to discuss the three critical goals that startups must achieve before scaling. Alan shares his insights on the importance of customer traction, maintaining a small team, and ensuring product-market fit. Learn how focusing on these essential milestones can set…

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Robertson, the pioneer behind Holacracy—a groundbreaking organizational model that replaces traditional hierarchies with self-management and emergent order. We dive into Brian’s journey from software developer to creating Holacracy, a system now implemented by companies like Zappos, Mercedes Benz, and Siemens.…

Anar Alizamanli is on a mission to uncover Azerbaijan's first unicorn company. An experienced attorney and investor, Anar is running an accelerator and building an angel investor community in Azerbaijan. We discuss: - His entrepreneurial journey, including training as an an attorney and living in China - What investors look for in start ups - Why t…

In today's video, you will find the three ESSENTIAL steps to entrepreneurial success. We dive deep into the critical elements that can make or break your startup: Purpose: Understand the importance of a clear vision and how aligning your personal purpose with your business can drive you forward. People: Learn how to build and nurture a network of r…

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Tyler Cowen, professor at George Mason University and co-founder of Marginal Revolution. As the leader of Emergent Ventures, Tyler is revolutionizing philanthropy by offering fast, low-bureaucracy grants to young, innovative talents globally. As more young innovators demonstrate their capabilit…

Welcome to this exciting episode of the Liberty Ventures Podcast, where we explore the entrepreneurial path with these former Students For Liberty and now visionary leaders: Mobin Koohestani, Founder & CEO of LendKoi, Brittany Fuller, Founder of Notably.ai, and Luis Silva-Ball, Co-Founder & CEO of Digifianz. Mobin delves into LendKoi’s mission to p…

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I had the immense pleasure of conversing with Howard Behar, Former President of Starbucks North America and Starbucks International. Howard shared insights from his transformative journey at Starbucks, starting with just 28 stores to over 15,000 by the time he retired, all while instilling a people-f…

I'm thrilled to have sat down with Bill Klein, Executive Director of the Academy on Capitalism & Limited Government, to examine capitalism, its misconceptions, and its potential as a positive force in the world. In this interview, I share my thoughts on individual agency, value creation, and the true principles behind businesses that thrive. 🔗 CONN…

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Academy on Capitalism about the importance of purpose in classical liberalism and capitalism. I discussed key capitalist principles from Adam Smith, including respect for individual agency, value creation, aligning interests, collaboration, and opportunity. This talk is especially useful for anyone who…

On this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I'm excited to be talking with Sam Corcos. Sam is an old friend and the Co-Founder and CEO of Levels Health, a wearable healthcare company, valued at over $300M, that gives people insights to their metabolic health so they can lead better lives. In this episode, we discuss: - Why some risks are not w…

I'm thrilled to have recently hosted a panel with two incredible, value-based entrepreneurs, Shawn D. Nelson and Mobin Koehestani. Shawn is the Founder and CEO of Lovesac, a publicly traded furniture company worth over $700 million dollars. Mobin is the Founder of LendKoi, the only non-bank financial institution providing credit access to immigrant…

Building the right network can change your life. I recently had the opportunity to share my strategies for building a powerful and meaningful network at the Academy On Capitalism. Bringing people together is a huge part of what we do at Liberty Ventures and I'm thrilled I was able to share some of my experiences with them. I shared: - Strategies fo…

This week I'm joined by Mike Brady, Co-Founder of Organic Food Incubator. Mike has had an incredible entrepreneurial journey, from his start at PwC, his work running Greyston Bakery, and now as a Co-Founder at the Organic Food Incubator. We discuss: • How Businesses Can Solve Income Inequality • Employee Ownership Models • The "Silver Tsunami": A $…

Nancy Fechnay is an experienced entrepreneur and a Founding Partner at Unique Ventures, a venture capital (VC) firm that supports positively impactful founders and companies from Seed through Series C. In this episode we discuss: • Mental health and work-life balance for CEOs • Transitioning from startups to VC • What most non-profits are missing •…

At Liberty Ventures, our ecosystem of founders and investors come from diverse industries, ranging from healthcare tech to EdTech to defense. In this year's Liberty Ventures Reception at SXSW, two of our founders, Wesley King (Founder of Coherent Capital) and Carter Fowler (CEO of Totem), pitched the incredible companies and products they're buildi…

Danielle Strachman is a General Partner and Co-Founder of 1517 Fund, a venture capital firm that backs dropouts working on hard problems and sci-fi scientists at the earliest stages of their companies. Danielle shares her professional journey including her work at Thiel Fellowship, the principles behind the 1517 Fund, her support for young entrepre…

Blake E. Silver is a Vice President at TXV, a venture firm investing in human performance, like the Oura Ring. From working at NASA, starting his own company during the COVID-19 pandemic, working in nonprofit, and then transitioning to venture capital, Blake has a wide breadth of experience that aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from. In this episod…

In this episode, I'm excited to share my conversation with Sue Zoldak & Dana Cichon, co-founders of Wolfram Labs, a new kind of accelerator that helps tech companies break into the political space. Sue Zoldak and Dana Cichon are doing some incredible things at Wolfram Labs to elevate the political discourse and make it easier for constituents to sh…

Michael Gibson is a philosophy dropout, one of the initial creators of the Thiel Fellowship, and now the founder of 1517 Fund, a venture capital firm backing dropouts, renegade students, and deep tech scientists. Michael was a founding advisor to Liberty Ventures and in this episode shares his unconventional path and approach to picking and support…

In this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Bailey, the President/CEO of the Original Pancake House. What has impressed me most about Mark is the incredibly strong company culture he has built amongst his businesses. One that has led to greater growth and employee happiness in an industry famous for high…

I have to say, I'm thrilled to have our guest, Heath Dieckert, on the podcast today. Heath is an amazing individual, Executive Coach, and Founder of The Dieckert Group who was my coach for a while. During that time, he helped me solve several business and life challenges. I'm so glad that we get the chance to share some of his wisdom with the entir…

I had a great discussion with David Yakobovitch from DataPower Ventures for the Liberty Ventures podcast this week. We discussed just how critical data is for venture capital and the most common mistakes founders make when using (or failing to use) data. This is a great episode for any founder on how to use data effectively to build and scale your …

This was a fascinating conversation. In this episode, I speak with Nick Linck, the founder of The Residency, a residential startup accelerator for college age entrepreneurs. We discuss the transformative potential of using AI to redefine learning, whether college is really an efficient use of time and energy, and much more while at the Principled B…

I had a great time speaking with Michael Bird, CEO of Gladius International, at Necker Island (Richard Branson’s private island) during the Principled Business Summit. Gladius International is an intelligence driven, full service concierge risk management firm, offering everything from physical security, investigations, and cybersecurity. In this e…

It was fantastic sitting down with John Cochrane, the CEO of HumanGood at our Principled Business Summit at Necker Island. John is a remarkable example of a purpose-driven business leader, who is doing some incredible stuff in the retirement space. Challenging the traditional concept of retirement to bring purpose and passion for life to the "third…

I had a great time talking to John Glushik of HG Ventures on the latest episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast. He shares some great insights from the VC side on the KEY MISTAKES that founders make when pitching investors. This conversation with John is a must-watch for anyone looking to secure investment for their startup. ** Note that HG Venture…

Welcome everyone to this episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast! I'm Alexander McCobin, founder and CEO of Liberty Ventures, coming to you live from Richard Branson's private island, Necker Island, here in the Virgin Islands. I'm thrilled to have Colin Greenspon, founder of Narya Ventures, joining us today. In this conversation, Colin shares his j…

For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shawn Nelson, CEO of Lovesac, while we were at Necker Island (Richard Branson's private island) for the first Principled Business Summit. Shawn is an incredible entrepreneur who took his company from a startup in his parent's basement to a publicly listed company with a valuation (at that ti…

In today's episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, we're in for a real treat as we sit down with Dame Prue Leith, one of the special guests at the Principled Business Summit on Necker Island. Dame Prue is a powerhouse not only in the culinary world but also in business. From her impressive resume with 14 doctorates to her stint as a successful ent…

Welcome everyone! Join me on the Liberty Ventures's Podcast for an eye-opening conversation with David Thayer. David is a co-founder of Harvest, later acquired by the Blackstone Group, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, with $1 trillion in AUM. We're diving deep into the world of smart investing and the untold power of connections in th…

Welcome to the latest episode of the Liberty Ventures podcast, where we dive into the inspiring journey of Rob Connelly and Henny Penny. Join me as I sit down with Rob Connelly to explore the transformative power of conscious capitalism. Learn about Henny Penny's transition to an employee-owned company in 2015 and the profound effects of the ESOP (…

In this episode, I have the pleasure to sit down with Joseph Kenner, the force behind Greyston Bakery's Open Hiring. Joseph has an impressive track record in business, and has recently been listed in the top 100 Top Impact CEO Ranking for the second year in a row. Discover Greyston Bakery's journey and Open Hiring's transformative power. Learn how …

With thousands of venture capitalists in the US alone, how can an aspiring VC stand out? Charlie O'Donnell, a former venture capitalist turned coach and adviser, encourages VCs to become findable. Charlie is no stranger to venture capital, having been named as Business Insider's 100 Most Influential People in NY Tech more than five times. Join me i…

Joe De Sena is one of my true heroes. I've been doing obstacle course races for years now and I love the Spartan brand. Unlike in other industries, where a business is selling solutions to make life easier or more fun. Joe built his business around doing the opposite -- trying to get people to do HARD, uncomfortable things. Starting out, most peopl…

It's a pleasure to have Niklas Anzinger, the Founder & General Partner of Infinita VC on the Liberty Ventures podcast today. By listening to his story, you'll see how remarkable of an entrepreneur and investor Niklas is. After his first start-up, Niklas ventured into the investment world by asking himself -- What's the biggest, most impossible, mos…

Join me in this exciting new episode of Liberty Ventures, with Jared Frost, the CIO of Blue Pebble Homes and the Managing Partner of Oakvine Partners. Jared has a fascinating story that began in aerospace engineering, then led to Wall Street, and now is in real estate. But in each stage, taking the same analytical mind with him. Today, with Blue Pe…

From the bustling markets of Azerbaijan to the pulsing heart of America's entrepreneurship scene - join me as we pick the brain of investing prodigy and trust-building extraordinaire, Yagub Rahimov. We explore the exhilarating, addictive nature of entrepreneurship and the daunting challenge of finding purpose while riding the entrepreneurial roller…

How can the banking industry lead to innovation? Join me for an intriguing conversation with Frank Trotter, a successful business investor and banking entrepreneur, as he unveils his latest venture, BattleBank. Frank shares the fascinating journey that led him to this disruptive venture and how he's poised to shake up the banking industry. 🔗 CONNEC…

Join me for an engaging podcast with Matt Cole, CEO of Strive Asset Management. Matt's remarkable journey from leading CalPERS to his current role brings insights into capitalism, innovation, and human flourishing. We delve into the debate between value maximization and stakeholder capitalism, addressing Strive Asset Management's stance on ESG and …

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Daniel Shakhani, co-founder of Salary Finance, as we explore the power of purpose and how businesses can positively influence society. Daniel shares insights on leadership, trust-building, and collaborative efforts, highlighting the importance of honoring commitments. He also discusses his involvement w…

Ever wonder how a seasoned leader scales a business from scratch, or how profound customer-centricity can guide your entrepreneurial journey? You're in for a treat with our special guest, Victor, who has navigated the corporate and startup worlds with stellar precision. His riveting journey spans from Microsoft to the helm of Evite and now, Emovid,…

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to our very special guest, Maureen McCann. In this candid conversation, she shares overcoming fear and making her leap to entrepreneurship and real estate investing. An important part of Maureen's journey revolved around shifting her mindset from scarcity to abundance, and how giving first has opened the door to …

Today I'm honored to have on the show Magatte Wade, the CEO of Skin is Skin, a lip balm with a mission to bring prosperity to Africa. Magatte is the perfect example of an entrepreneur motivated by real purpose, or as she puts it - she's someone who criticizes by creating. Listen in to hear the key lessons she's learned over the years of combining m…

Ever wondered how a successful financial newsletter business is built? Join me for an engaging conversation with Roger Michalski, Vice President and Group Publisher of Eagle Financial Publications. In this episode, Roger shares his story and some of the most valuable lessons in entrepreneurship that he's learned along the way. Whether you're an ind…

Today I'm excited to share my conversation with Rodolfo Milani, Senior Managing Director at B Riley Wealth Management. In this episode, Rodolfo shares his incredible life journey, his philosophical transformation and his unique career on Wall Street. Rodolfo serves a special niche of clients in Latin America that may have high net worth, but who kn…

Ever wondered about the ethical dilemmas surrounding the world of business and how entrepreneurs contribute to societal change? I tackle this critical question with Dr. Matt Zwolinski, our distinguished guest and a professor of philosophy at the University of San Diego. In this discussion, we dig into some of the most contentious topics of business…