Built In America

In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Dave Sherwood, CEO and co-founder of BibliU, to explore how he's transforming education by making textbooks more affordable and accessible. Dave shares the early missteps that led to BibliU’s pivot from a B2C to a B2B model, the complex challenges of breaking into the U.S. market, and how AI is reshaping the future of educational publishing.Dave opens up about navigating layoffs, maintaining leadership through tough decisions, and balancing growth with profitability in a venture-backed company. He also reflects on the personal evolution required to build a company over a decade—discussing the mindset shifts, leadership coaching, and philosophical reflections that continue to shape his journey.Join us for a candid look at the business of education, the pressures of scale, and what it takes to lead with clarity and conviction in a rapidly changing world.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 Blake Hall, co-founder and CEO of ID.me, to explore his remarkable journey from Army Ranger to tech entrepreneur. Blake shares how his experience in military service shaped his approach to leadership and ultimately inspired the creation of ID.me, a digital identity platform now used by tens of millions of Americans.Blake opens up about the sacrifices required to build something meaningful, the importance of integrity in leadership, and what it means to navigate criticism while staying true to your mission. He also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for trusted identity verification and reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind for his children.Join us for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose in building a company that’s changing the way we prove who we are.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 Kevin Lavelle and Charlie Hill, co-founders of Harbor, a company reimagining baby monitoring for the modern parent. Kevin and Charlie share how their own experiences as fathers inspired them to build a smarter, safer solution for families—one that blends traditional baby monitoring with cutting-edge technology and remote patient monitoring capabilities.They discuss the early challenges of hardware development, navigating the venture capital landscape, and how differentiation in a crowded market has been key to Harbor’s growth. The conversation also explores controversial marketing strategies, lessons from customer feedback, and the mental resilience required to lead a startup through uncertainty and high expectations.Join us for a powerful conversation about parenthood, product innovation, and the relentless pursuit of building something that truly makes families’ lives better.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 Andrew Lacy, founder and CEO of Prenuvo, to explore his journey from practicing law in Australia to building a groundbreaking health tech company in Silicon Valley. Andrew shares how Prenuvo is reshaping the future of preventive healthcare through whole-body MRI scans and why the current model of reactive “sick care” is due for disruption.He discusses the challenges of raising capital for transformative ideas, the importance of building a strong team culture, and how resilience and wellness play crucial roles in entrepreneurship. Andrew also reflects on what it means to be an entrepreneur in a high-pressure ecosystem and the impact of staying mission-driven in the face of uncertainty. Join us for a candid conversation about healthcare innovation, building a business with purpose, and what it takes to lead a company that’s putting health back into the hands of consumers.Built in America listeners go to Prenuvo.com/BIA to get $300 off a scan at a Prenuvo near you.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 Jacob Zuppke, CEO of Whisker, the company behind the Litter-Robot—a self-cleaning litter box that’s redefining modern pet care. Jacob walks us through the early days of product innovation, the complexities of launching hardware, and how Whisker carved out a leading role in a competitive and fast-growing industry.Jacob shares how influencer marketing, video storytelling, and a strong understanding of the consumer problem were key to Whisker’s growth. He also offers insight into navigating supply chain hurdles, adapting marketing strategies across platforms, and building a customer experience that drives loyalty and word-of-mouth.Tune in for a candid look at building a consumer product brand, leading with vision and empathy, and what it takes to scale innovation while staying grounded in purpose.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 Neil Feather, president of Point Wild, to unpack his journey in building a cybersecurity company focused on protecting everyday consumers. Neil reflects on the evolution of cybersecurity, the realities of business growth through both acquisitions and organic strategy, and how to build a company with strong values at its core.He shares insights into team building, navigating work-life balance, and the lessons he’s learned through multiple ventures. From defining company culture to understanding the true role of education in entrepreneurship, Neil offers practical takeaways for aspiring founders and seasoned operators alike.Join us for an honest conversation on leadership, risk-taking, and what it takes to succeed in the fast-changing world of cybersecurity.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 Shadi Bakour, co-founder and CEO of Path, to discuss his mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles through a sleek, reusable alternative. Shadi shares the origin story of Path, the inspiration behind its counterintuitive business model, and how early traction helped validate a bold idea in a competitive space. Shadi dives into the complexities of manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven consumer product. He also emphasizes the role of advisors, storytelling in fundraising, and why simplicity and persistence are key ingredients to building lasting impact. Join us for a compelling conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what it really takes to build a brand that blends profit with purpose.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, Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, shares how his background in tech and entrepreneurship led him to develop a virtual reality platform that’s transforming how we support neurodiverse learners. Floreo is an FDA-designated breakthrough device designed for individuals of any age and ability, operating at the cutting edge of healthcare, education, and immersive technology. Vijay discusses the unique challenges of building in a highly regulated space—from navigating FDA approval to scaling within a dual-market system that serves both clinical and educational settings. He also dives into the importance of team building, empathy in product design, and understanding the full patient and caregiver journey to create tools with real-world impact. Whether you're interested in neurodiversity, digital therapeutics, or the future of VR in medicine and learning, this conversation offers valuable insight into what it takes to build purpose-driven innovation that truly moves the needle.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, Sam Mahmood interviews Kelly Littlepage and Stephen Johnson, co-founders of OneChronos, a trading platform built to reduce inefficiencies in capital markets. From childhood friends to fintech founders, they share how their shared curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo shaped their entrepreneurial journey.They dive into the challenges of building a platform for institutional traders, the influence of Y Combinator, and the importance of maintaining strong investor relationships. Kelly and Stephen also discuss the value of sustainable growth, how hiring too fast can derail a company, and why focusing on long-term impact matters more than rapid scaling.The conversation also touches on work-life balance, the power of complementary co-founder dynamics, and the importance of staying passionate in high-stakes industries. For anyone interested in startups, trading, or building something that lasts—this episode is a must-listen.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==