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

In this podcast episode, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Liesel Vaidya, an immigrant entrepreneur and founder of Imera, a platform designed to assist immigrants in navigating their journey in the U.S. Liesel shares her personal story of moving from Nepal to the U.S., the challenges she faced as a student on a visa, and her journey to becoming a founder. The conversation covers the importance of mentorship, the role of immigrants in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and practical advice for aspiring founders, particularly those on visas. Liesel emphasizes the need for personal branding, distribution strategies, and the significance of building a supportive network.

In this episode, host Jacob J. Sapochnick sits down with Tina Jo, who arrived in the U.S. from South Korea at age 15 and transformed her passion for art into a thriving career and business. Tina opens up about overcoming mental-health challenges through creative outlets, building a reputation as a fashion photographer, and pivoting to launch her own clothing label, Eight Cats. She recounts the viral moment that validated her leap into fashion design and shares the unique obstacles immigrant entrepreneurs face—from cultural barriers to establishing trust in a new market. Tina explains how staying authentic has cultivated a dedicated community around Eight Cats and offers practical advice for aspiring founders: trust the process, lean on your experiences for strength, and build a brand that empowers others through genuine expression.

Follow Tina Jo's journey:
https://www.instagram.com/iamtinajo
https://shopeightcats.com/

In this conversation, host Jacob Sapochnick sits down with Phillip Hwang, founder and CEO of KindredPM, to explore how AI is transforming property management. Phillip begins by sharing his journey from South Korea to the United States, reflecting on how his father’s tireless work ethic inspired him. He recalls the challenges of launching a startup, from navigating cultural differences in how business is done in Korea versus the US to building trust with property owners. Along the way, he highlights the importance of networking and how accelerator programs like Techstars accelerated his growth. Phillip also explains why academic grades matter less than real-world connections in the American VC landscape. He closes by offering advice to his younger self—focus on consistency, listen closely to customers, and let AI handle the heavy lifting, and lays out his vision for a fully autonomous AI property manager.

Follow Phillip Hwang's journey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-hwang-kindredpm