Built In America

​In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Gagliardi, founder and CEO of Kane Footwear, to explore his journey from professional lacrosse player to pioneering a sustainable recovery shoe brand. John shares how his experiences in sports and the footwear industry inspired the creation of Kane, focusing on performance, sustainability, and innovation.​ John discusses the challenges of product design, the importance of sustainability, and strategies for building a successful brand. He emphasizes the significance of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey and balancing profit with purpose. He also reflects on lessons learned from past experiences and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about following their passions while being pragmatic about their career choices.​ Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of building a brand that prioritizes both performance and sustainability.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Diego Saez Gil, co-founder and CEO of Pachama, to explore how his journey from the Andes to Silicon Valley shaped his mission to combat climate change through innovation. Pachama uses technology to bring transparency and trust to the carbon credits market, helping companies offset emissions while supporting forest conservation. Diego shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial path—from launching his first startups during the 2008 financial crisis to facing the challenges of raising capital as an immigrant founder. He offers insights on the importance of surrounding yourself with passionate people, building a culture rooted in purpose, and viewing entrepreneurship as a path to service. He also opens up about how meditation, nature, and perspective have influenced his leadership style and personal growth. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on climate tech, startup resilience, and creating a company that values both impact and culture.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sasha Siddhartha, co-founder and CTO of Thrive Market, to explore how his passion and drive for entrepreneurship helped him build a thriving e-commerce platform. Thrive Market’s mission is to make organic, sustainable groceries accessible and affordable through a unique membership model. Sasha shares the story of building the company, from navigating the challenges of fundraising to leveraging influencers as investors for authentic brand growth. Sasha dives into the importance of operational efficiency, customer personalization, and staying mission-driven while scaling a direct-to-consumer business. He reflects on early mistakes in customer acquisition, the lessons learned in balancing growth with long-term value, and the competitive landscape of e-commerce. With a clear vision for the future, Sasha also shares his thoughts on global expansion, leadership, and what it takes to build a purpose-driven brand in a rapidly evolving market. Join us for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of aligning business success with positive impact.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Dennis Mortensen, CEO of LaunchBrightly, to discuss the art of entrepreneurship. Dennis shares how identifying pain points—not just passion—fuels great business ideas and why he keeps a ‘list of hate’ to track inefficiencies worth solving.Dennis dives into the challenges of startup culture, emphasizing the need for founders to cultivate a company built on care, authenticity, and shared commitment. With insights on raising capital, integrating family into entrepreneurship, and hiring for resilience, Dennis offers a candid look at the mindset required to scale a startup. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, innovation, and the power of solving problems that truly matter.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sara Blackmer, CEO of FluidLogic, to discuss how she’s revolutionizing hydration technology for athletes. Drawing from her military engineering background, Sara shares her journey into entrepreneurship and the science behind FluidLogic’s innovative hydration system. Sara dives into the challenges of developing cutting-edge technology, scaling a business, and creating a new category in the sports performance industry. She also highlights the importance of perseverance, leadership, and fostering a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity. Beyond the tech, this conversation dives into leadership, perseverance, and the importance of fostering a company culture that embraces failure as a stepping stone to success. Sara also reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her military career, why character matters more than skills when building a team, and how staying mission-driven fuels long-term innovation.Join us for an insightful conversation on innovation, endurance, and the future of hydration in high-intensity sports.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Bradley Nardick, CEO of Bazaar, to explore the evolution of a family-owned business founded by his grandfather after World War II. From navigating the complexities of succession and family dynamics to leading a bold digital transformation, Bradley shares how he’s modernizing the company while honoring its rich legacy. Bradley discusses the challenges of transitioning from retail to a digital-first model, the intricacies of supply chain management, and the importance of hiring the right leaders to drive growth. He reveals the lessons learned from past hiring mistakes and emphasizes the role of company culture in sustaining long-term success. With a focus on digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences, Bradley outlines his vision for the future of Bazaar. Join us for a compelling conversation on leadership, innovation, and the unique journey of scaling a family business in the digital age.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA==