Forward Obsessed

Sam Parr's story is one of grit, hustle, and strategic pivots. In a world where newsletters were nothing more than a simple marking tool, Parr was able to build The Hustle and eventually sell it to HubSpot for $27 Million. It turns out he was just getting started. In our most recent episode of Forward Obsessed with Pete Sena and David Salinas, Parr candidly discusses his failures, his incredible successes, and what his vision looks like for the future. In this article, we'll dive into five key learnings from Parr's experience that aspiring entrepreneurs can apply to their own startup journeys. Be sure to check out the full episode on your podcasting app!

Entrepreneurship is inherently risky, and success often comes down to a combination of timing, luck, and being in the right place at the right time. The rest is scrappiness and an ability to hack your way to greatness - something that Benjamin Lamson has done his entire life. Check out his 5 tips for hacking a startup, and be sure to check out his entire episode on your favorite podcasting app!

From starting a snowboarding magazine in high school to building and selling a mission-driven tech company, Aaron Lyles' story is one of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to what he loves, and what he believes in most.  Check out his tips on turning your passion into a profession in the article below, and be sure to listen to the full episode on how Aaron founded, built, and sold CommonAlly on your favorite podcasting app! 

Kat Hantas went from making tequila infusions in her kitchen to selling 21Seeds for $160 million to Diageo in three years. How did she do it? Check out Forward Obsessed's exclusive interview with Kat on how she turned ah "aha moment" into a 9 figure business.

In the early 2000s, a young Peter Thum found himself traveling across South Africa for a consulting job. As he gazed out the window, a sight caught his attention: a woman carrying a bucket of water on her head, walking along a dusty road. At that moment, a profound realization struck him—this woman would likely spend the rest of her life bearing this burden, walking back and forth on a dirt road, carrying water for the members of her community. The image seared itself into his mind, refusing to let go. With $10,000 in his pocket, Peter's idea exploded on the global scene as Ethos Water, a mission-driven luxury water brand that was acquired by Starbucks. Check out the story of how Peter did it, and watch the full episode of Forward Obsessed on your favorite podcasting app!

Lindsey Andrews was having "take-out Tuesday" with an old friend from grad school one night when disaster struck - they ran out of wine. Just as they had ordered food, it should have been easy to order some wine as well - but they realized that this lucrative niche was totally untapped. Minibar Delivery was born. From having to acquisition, Lindsey's path was filled with triumphs, near-failures, and pivotal lessons that every aspiring entrepreneur should hear. In this article, we dive deep into five key learnings from Lindsey's interview, providing invaluable insights for those looking to build and eventually exit their own startups. Here are Lindsey's five tips for building a business from scratch. Enjoy, and be sure to check out the full epsiode on your podcasting app!

Just wrapped an incredible interview with Kat Hantas who founded 21Seeds, selling to Diageo within 3 years. An incredible story - Kat is truly #ForwardObsessed.

Mastering sales is not just about the pitch; it's about the approach, persistence, and the art of building relationships. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, sales prowess stands as a foundational pillar for success. It's a skill set that demands not only a deep understanding of one's product or service but also the ability to connect with customers on a meaningful level. Jason Kirby's journey from the trenches of cold calls to becoming a magnet for clients underscores the transformative power of sales. 🎧 Don't miss this compelling episode of Forward Obsessed where Jason Kirby, the exited co-founder of Liquid Sky and founder of Thunder, shares his invaluable insights on becoming proficient in sales by leveraging personal strengths and strategic content creation. #Entrepreneurship #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #ColdCalling #BusinessDevelopment

Securing funding is a crucial part of any startup founder's journey. Just ask Jason Kirby, Founder of Thunder and a serial entrepreneur who has navigated the fundraising gauntlet across multiple ventures, from early-stage startups to acquisitions by major players like Walmart. In this article, we distill some of Jason's hard-earned wisdom into five key tips for successfully raising capital at every stage of your startup's growth:

At just 32 years old, Jessica Lynch has already lived the full entrepreneurial experience. She successfully founded, grew, and sold her startup Wishroute, weathering storm after storm as she built a technology company up from scratch. On this Episode of the Forward Obsessed podcast, we covered the highs and lows behind growing a business, surviving pitfalls, pivoting again and again, and finding a path forward to getting acquired. During our conversation, Jess shared hard-won insights on the tenacity required as an entrepreneur. We distilled her wisdom into five key lessons that any founder can apply when they reach their darkest hour. #EntrepreneurialGrit #StartupPivots #FounderWisdom #BusinessResilience #TechStartupJourney