Scott McNealy stands as a prominent figure in the tech industry, celebrated for his role as the co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems. Established in 1982, Sun Microsystems quickly rose to prominence in Silicon Valley, renowned for its groundbreaking computer hardware, software, and network computing solutions. Its transformative contributions, such as Unix workstations and the Java programming language, left an indelible mark on the tech landscape before its acquisition by Oracle in...

Brian Smith is the innovative entrepreneur behind UGG, the iconic footwear brand known for its luxurious sheepskin boots. Originally from Australia, Brian founded UGG in 1978, aiming to bring the relaxed Australian lifestyle to the United States. His vision and determination transformed UGG from a small business into a global sensation, beloved for its comfort, quality, and distinctive style. Brian’s keen understanding of consumer trends and his dedication to creating premium products have...

Ashley Tisdale rose to fame as an actress, singer, and producer. She gained prominence with her role as Sharpay Evans in Disney Channel's "High School Musical" franchise and as Maddie Fitzpatrick in "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody." Ashley’s versatile talents extended into music, where she released three studio albums, showcasing her pop sensibilities. In addition to her entertainment career, Ashley co-founded Blondie Girl Productions, producing diverse content across various platforms....

Curt Jones is the innovative mind behind Dippin' Dots, a revolutionary frozen treat that has captured the imagination of dessert lovers worldwide. As the founder and inventor, Curt pioneered a unique flash-freezing process in 1987, transforming ordinary ice cream into tiny, flavorful beads. This innovative approach not only created a delightful new way to enjoy frozen desserts but also opened up a whole new market in the ice cream industry. Despite initial skepticism, Curt’s persistence and...

Col Needham is the visionary founder and CEO of IMDb, the world's most comprehensive and trusted source for movie, TV, and celebrity content. With a passion for film and an unwavering commitment to providing invaluable information to movie enthusiasts worldwide, Col has played a pivotal role in shaping IMDb into the go-to platform for entertainment data. His innovative leadership has not only revolutionized the way people discover and explore their favorite movies and shows but has also...

Stephen Kaufer is the co-founder and former CEO of Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform which helps hundreds of millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Before that, Steve was President of CDS, Inc., a successful independent software vendor specializing in programming and testing tools that was spun out of his first company, CenterLine Software. After stepping down as CEO of Tripadvisor in 2022, Steve started a...

Jonathan Neman is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand that serves healthy food at scale. Jonathan and his co-founders and fellow Georgetown classmates Nathaniel Ru and Nicolas Jammet started Sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Georgetown, DC, just three months out of college. The trio were disappointed with campus food options. Their vision is to be as ubiquitous as traditional fast food, but far more transparent and honest. Sweetgreen...

Giada De Laurentiis is the Emmy award-winning television personality of Food Network’s Everyday Italian, Giada at Home, Giada’s Weekend Getaways, Giada In Paradise, Giada In Italy, Giada’s Holiday Handbook, Giada Entertains, Giada On The Beach, a judge on Food Network Star and Winner Cake All, a NBC Today Show contributor, and a successful restaurateur with restaurants GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, as well as GDL Italian in Baltimore. She is the author of nine New York Times...

Nick Green is Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online platform that makes healthy living easy and accessible to all. Since launching in 2014, Thrive Market has grown to 1.3 million paying members and become a touchstone example of a mission-driven company at scale. In addition to offering the world’s best natural and organic products at affordable prices to its members, for every paid membership, the company donates a free year of membership to a family in need. The...

Heather Hasson is the co-founder and executive chairman of FIGS, the digitally native, DTC healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand creating technically advanced products for the modern healthcare professional. FIGS has revolutionized the large and fragmented healthcare apparel industry by branding a previously unbranded industry and de-commoditizing a previously commoditized product. Under Heather’s leadership as a multi-disciplined entrepreneur, FIGS has reimagined scrubs, created premium...

Welcome to a riveting episode of The Founder Hour, where we explore the captivating journey of Seamus Blackley, the ingenious mind behind the creation of Xbox. Seamus takes us on a compelling odyssey through his personal story and entrepreneurial ventures. From his fascination with physics to an impactful career in video games, including a stint working with Steven Spielberg at Dreamworks, Seamus shares the highs and lows that have defined his path. Join us as we delve into the setbacks and...

In this episode, we sit down with the visionary entrepreneur Chuck Templeton, the mastermind behind OpenTable. From his humble beginnings to revolutionizing the restaurant industry with OpenTable, Chuck's journey is a tale of innovation and determination. Tune in as we explore his inspiring story, discussing the challenges he overcame, the lessons he learned, and the impact he's made on the world of technology and dining. * The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the...

Our guest today is Isaac Larian, the visionary founder of MGA Entertainment. MGA is home to some of the biggest brands in the toy space, including Bratz, Little Tikes, L.O.L. Surprise!, MGA’s Miniverse, and more. Join us as we embark on a journey through the fascinating life and entrepreneurial saga of a man who has not only shaped the toy industry but also overcome formidable odds to build an enduring legacy. Isaac shares the intricacies of his upbringing, offering a rare glimpse into the...

Howard Marks is the co-founder of StartEngine, one of the leading equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S., where everyday people can find and invest in early-growth companies and startups, as well as a variety of alternative assets and collectibles. StartEngine has helped more than 750 companies raise over $700 million.  Before co-founding StartEngine, Howard co-founded Activision and was the Chairman of Activision Studios from 1991 until 1997. As a former Board Member and Executive Vice...

Welcome to The Founder Hour, where we uncover the stories behind the world's most remarkable entrepreneurs. In this episode, we have the distinct honor of sitting down with a true pioneer of conscious business, John Mackey, the visionary founder of Whole Foods Market. Imagine a time when the term "organic" wasn't part of our daily lexicon, and health food stores were few and far between. John’s journey began in the 1970s when he and a group of like-minded individuals embarked on a mission to...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Founder Hour," the podcast where we dive deep into the stories and experiences of some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs and visionaries of our time. Today, we are thrilled to bring you a conversation with a true pioneer in the world of specialty coffee – the one and only James Freeman, the brilliant mind behind Blue Bottle Coffee. James’s journey from a freelance clarinetist to founding one of the most beloved and influential coffee companies in...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "The Founder Hour.” Today, we have the distinct honor of hosting an entrepreneurial luminary whose journey has left an indelible mark on the business world. Our guest, Paul Orfalea, isn't just any entrepreneur; he's the brilliant mind behind Kinko's, a company that redefined the business services landscape. Paul founded Kinko's in 1970 with a simple idea and a $5,000 loan. What began as a small copy shop in Isla Vista, California, grew into a global...

Welcome to a special episode of The Founder Hour! Today, we have a guest whose story embodies the intersection of entrepreneurship and politics. Join us as we sit down with Doug Burgum, a tech entrepreneur turned Governor of North Dakota, as he shares his incredible journey from the tech world to the political arena. From mortgaging his family farm to invest in Great Plains Software, eventually selling the company to Microsoft for north of a billion dollars, to the principles that have...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Kym Gold, the entrepreneurial force behind True Religion and Style Union Home. Explore Kym's rise in the fashion world, as she co-founded True Religion, revolutionizing denim. Then, discover her pivot into interior design with Style Union Home, blending fashion and home decor seamlessly. * The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture -...

Michael Fuerstman is the co-founder and creative director behind the iconic Pendry Hotels. Before establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with at Pendry, Michael's journey was interwoven with the tale of Montage International. Alongside his father Alan, he played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Montage, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry. Now, as the driving force behind Pendry Hotels, Michael has once again proven his...

Sophia Amoruso is a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and an inspiration to many. She first gained recognition as the founder and CEO of Nasty Gal, an online retailer of trendy and vintage clothing, which started as a small eBay store and grew into a multimillion-dollar fashion empire. Her memoir, "#GIRLBOSS," became a New York Times bestseller, empowering entrepreneurs to fearlessly pursue their passions. She went on to build and sell Girlboss Media and currently runs Business...

Bob Parsons is the founder of GoDaddy, the world's largest domain name registrar. He's a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran and a recipient of prestigious military honors including the Purple Heart Medal. Bob's entrepreneurial ventures span golf, motorcycles, real estate, marketing, and innovation. His passion for golf led to the creation of Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) in 2013. Alongside his wife Renee, Bob founded The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, donating an average of one million...

Sallie Krawcheck is the CEO of Ellevest, a women’s-focused investment platform she launched in 2016. The company has over $1.5 billion in assets under management with a goal to close the gender investing gap in the U.S. by “redefining investing for women.” Prior to launching Ellevest, Sallie had a successful career on Wall Street, serving as the CEO of Smith Barney, Merrill Lynch, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She also worked at Citi, first as the bank’s CFO and then as its head of wealth...

Anne Wojcicki is an innovative biologist and the co-founder and CEO of personal genomics company 23andMe. In 2006, Anne saw a need for creating a way to generate more personalized information so that commercial and academic researchers could better understand and develop new drugs and diagnostics. The result was 23andMe, which provides genetic testing for individuals curious about their ancestry and genetic makeup. It was named "Invention of the Year" by Time Magazine in 2008, and in 2013,...