Built For This: Stories of a Maverick

She Rebuilt the Wealth Game by Ditching Rentals and Betting on Notes with Tiffany Alexander

In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] sits down with Tiffany Alexander [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/], Co-Founder & Partner at TaxLens AI [https://www.linkedin.com/company/taxlensai/], Chief Relationship Officer & Partner at The Pantheon [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pantheonfm/], Host of Unveiling Journeys with Tiffany Alexander, Fund Manager/Owner at Aspen Sage Investment Fund [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-sage-investment-fund/], and Owner/Manager at Thankful Inc, to explore her journey of redefining wealth creation with impact. Tiffany shares how she’s built her career at the intersection of real estate, investment strategy, and community centered development. From her beginnings as a college dropout who wanted to be an astronaut to diving into real estate and helping people flip houses with no money down, Tiffany’s story reveals how overcoming fear, surrounding yourself with the right people, and believing in yourself can lead to unexpected success. She discusses the highs and lows of real estate investing, her journey into purpose driven wealth, and the power of creative financing. Additionally, Tiffany talks about her new ventures and the ways she is integrating AI into her work. Key Takeaways: * Tiffany’s journey from aspiring astronaut to successful real estate investor * The role of creative financing in real estate investing and the benefits of owning debt * Why surrounding yourself with the right people can unlock new opportunities * The importance of mindset and how persistence and belief can overcome challenges * How Tiffany is shifting towards AI-driven solutions in her new ventures Noteworthy Quotes: * “If I can do it, then I have no ability, which I thought in my head to do it that anybody could.” – Tiffany Alexander * “Just show up and get your hands dirty. That’s the difference between a good leader and a bad leader.” – Tiffany Alexander * “Done is better than perfect.” – Tiffany Alexander * “You have to advocate for yourself and show up for yourself.” – Tiffany Alexander * “There’s always room for creativity in real estate, and it’s what I love most about it.” – Tiffany Alexander Key Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Tiffany Alexander and her entrepreneurial journey 00:02:34 - Tiffany’s early influences and dreams of being an astronaut 00:07:28 - Overcoming self-doubt and the role of mindset in her success 00:11:50 - What are the lessons she learned in real estate 00:16:27 - The importance of having a solid board of advisors and mentors 00:20:11 - How was the experience as a female in the male dominant industry 00:29:55 - Tiffany’s insights into real estate markets and investment strategies 00:31:23 - How buying bad debt works and entering the note-buying space 00:37:22 - How her investment fund works 00:42:13 - Hidden risks investors overlook, especially insurance costs 00:48:27 - How Tiffany uses AI in her ventures and her vision for the future 00:56:44 - Advice for new real estate investors: Creative finance and networking 01:02:57 - Closing thoughts: Being “built for this” and the power of persistence FOLLOW OUR GUEST TIFFANY ALEXANDER ON: * Tiffany Alexander LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] * Tiffany Alexander Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet/ [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet/] * Tiffany Alexander Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unveilingjourneys [https://www.youtube.com/@unveilingjourneys] * Tiffany Alexander Instagram: instagram.com/tiffsinvesting [http://instagram.com/tiffsinvesting] * Aspen Sage Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspensage [https://www.youtube.com/@aspensage] * Website: https://aspensagefund.com/ [https://aspensagefund.com/] * TaxLens AI Website: https://go.taxlens.ai/ [https://go.taxlens.ai/] * TaxLens AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taxlensai/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/taxlensai/] * The Pantheon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pantheonfm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pantheonfm/] * Aspen Sage Investment Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-sage-investment-fund/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-sage-investment-fund/] * Book a Consultation: https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] * Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/] * Email: info@kinshipkollective.com [info@kinshipkollective.com] FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: * Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/] * X: https://x.com/JBayuk [https://x.com/JBayuk] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast? [https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult [https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult [https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult]

The Inner Work That Saved Her Business and Transformed Her Life with Jennifer K. Hill

In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] sits down with Jennifer K. Hill [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkhill], Chief Executive Officer of OptiMatch [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimatch/], Certified Independent Trainer at HeartMath [https://www.linkedin.com/company/heartmath-lnc/], and Founder of the Jen Hill Tribe/Love Club [https://www.jenhilltribe.com/] and keynote speaker to explore the deeper dynamics of leadership, human connection, and psychological safety in the workplace. Jennifer began her career in recruiting, working closely with people at key career turning points, which sparked her interest in human behavior, motivation, and connection. She later moved into executive coaching after building and selling her recruiting firm. The conversation explores her journey through entrepreneurship, meditation, and neuroscience, alongside insights on self-awareness, accountability, intuition, and building more connected, psychologically safe workplace cultures. Key Takeaways: * How Jennifer K. Hill’s journey from recruiting to executive coaching shaped her perspective on leadership and human behavior * Why psychological safety is the most important predictor of successful teams and workplace cultures * How leaders can improve connection and performance by understanding human motivation rather than personality labels * Why self-awareness and inner work are foundational to building trust, relationships, and strong organizations * How emerging technologies and AI may reshape the future of work while creating more space for creativity and human connection Noteworthy Quotes: * “Until you understand yourself, it’s incredibly difficult to truly connect with others.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “The only thing you’ll ever see is what you’re looking for.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “The higher brain cannot function until the lower brain feels safe.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “Psychological safety is the foundation that allows teams to actually perform at their best.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “We are all designed differently, and understanding those differences is the key to connection.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “The secret to happiness and connection starts with reconnecting to yourself.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “Curiosity is the antidote to broken culture.” – Jennifer K. Hill * “When leaders slow down and get curious, trust and connection start to grow.” – Jennifer K. Hill Key Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Jennifer Hill’s early career, failure, and diagnosis journey 00:02:15 - From recruiting to entrepreneurship and building a company 00:08:10 - Personal struggles, self-discovery, and leadership transformation 00:14:19 - Meditation, intuition, and developing self-awareness 00:17:02 - Serendipity, career pivots, and stepping into new opportunities 00:28:51 - Trusting intuition and decision-making frameworks 00:31:42 - Building OptiMatch and understanding human motivation 00:35:15 - Psychological safety and its impact on workplace culture 00:37:47 - The “golden triangle” of connection: self, others, purpose 00:39:34 - Neuroscience of stress and emotional regulation 00:49:21 - Practical tools: heart-focused breathing technique 00:58:01 - AI, the future of work, and leadership evolution 01:02:07 - Jennifer’s vision, book launch, and future impact FOLLOW OUR GUEST, JENNIFER K. HILL ON: * Jennifer K. Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkhill [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkhill] * Jennifer K. Hill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferkhill [https://www.instagram.com/jenniferkhill] * OptiMatch: https://optimatch.io/ [https://optimatch.io/] * OptiMatch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimatch/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimatch/] * HeartMath Inc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heartmath-lnc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/heartmath-lnc/] * Jen Hill Tribe/Love Club Website: https://www.jenhilltribe.com/ [https://www.jenhilltribe.com/] * Jennifer K. Hill Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenhillspeaker/ [https://www.facebook.com/jenhillspeaker/] * Jennifer K. Hill X: https://x.com/JenHillSpeaker [https://x.com/JenHillSpeaker] * Jennifer K. Hill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferkhill [https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferkhill] * Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/regarding-consciousness/id1642479840 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/regarding-consciousness/id1642479840] FOLLOW OUR HOST, JENNA BAYUK ON: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] * Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/] * Email: info@kinshipkollective.com [info@kinshipkollective.com] FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: * Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/] * X: https://x.com/JBayuk [https://x.com/JBayuk] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast? [https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult [https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult [https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult]

What’s Coming Next Will Make or Break the Next Generation of Leaders with John Frankel

In this episode of Built For This, host Jenna Bayuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] sits down with John Frankel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrankel], Partner at ff Venture Capital [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ff-venture-capital/], to unpack the evolution of artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping startups, investing, and the global technology landscape. John Frankel is an investor with decades of experience supporting early-stage startups. He began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has backed companies across emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, drones, and enterprise software. The conversation explores the history of AI from early applications like optical character recognition to modern large language models and why today’s AI moment feels both overhyped and underhyped at the same time. John explains how startups are using AI to operate with leaner teams, how the venture ecosystem is adapting to rapid technological change, and why founders who deeply understand AI tools are gaining massive competitive advantages. Key Takeaways: * How artificial intelligence evolved from early applications like OCR to today’s large language models * Why AI is both overhyped and underhyped at the same time * How startups are using AI to grow faster with smaller, more efficient teams * What venture investors look for when evaluating AI-driven startups and founders * How technologies like robotics, drones, and autonomous systems could reshape daily life and industries Noteworthy Quotes: * “Technology is always a form of creative destruction, the more creative it is, the more disruptive it becomes.” – John Frankel * “However bad AI is today is the worst it will ever be.” – John Frankel * “Humans tend to think linearly, but technology improves exponentially.” – John Frankel * “Great CEOs are often delusionally optimistic, they believe they can change the behavior of millions of people.” – John Frankel * “The companies that understand AI deeply today can run circles around those who don’t.” – John Frankel * “AI allows startups to grow faster without growing headcount at the same pace.” – John Frankel * “It’s very possible to replace human work with AI and spend more on electricity than the human salary.” – John Frankel * “If technology makes something 10x cheaper or 10x better, people will change their behavior.” – John Frankel Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to John Frankel and ff Venture Capital 02:13 – Early Tech Adoption and the Journey into Venture Capital 09:08 – The History of Artificial Intelligence 14:35 – AI in Everyday Life and Invisible Intelligence 20:13 – AI’s Impact on Startups and Productivity 26:50 – Regulation, Global Competition, and AI Governance 49:18 – The Future of Venture and AI-Driven Innovation 51:49 – Rapid Fire: AI Myths, Founder Traits, and Future Technologies FOLLOW OUR GUEST JOHN FRANKEL ON: * John Frankel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrankel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrankel] * ff Venture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ff-venture-capital/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ff-venture-capital/] * ff Venture X: https://x.com/ffvc [https://x.com/ffvc] * Website: https://ffvc.com/ [https://ffvc.com/] FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] * Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/] * Email: info@kinshipkollective.com [info@kinshipkollective.com] FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: * Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/] * X: https://x.com/JBayuk [https://x.com/JBayuk] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast? [https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult [https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult [https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult]

The Identity Crisis for Entrepreneurs to Rebuild Purpose after a Forced Exit with Josh Kosnick

In this episode of Built For This: Stories of a Maverick, host Jenna Bayuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] sits down with Josh Kosnick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkosnick], Founder & CEO at Kairos Coaching & Consulting, LLC [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kairos-coaching-consulting-llc/] and Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide [http://linkedin.com/company/462458/] to explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the realities of leadership, and how adversity can reshape purpose and identity. Josh Kosnick shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey from growing up watching his father lift their family out of poverty through entrepreneurship, to building a successful financial advisory firm, leading hundreds of employees, and eventually navigating an unexpected and painful exit from the company he helped build. The conversation is about leadership, culture, identity, and resilience. Josh reflects on lessons learned from leading teams, managing difficult personalities, and the emotional toll of losing a business he expected to run for decades. He also shares how that experience ultimately led him to a new calling: coaching entrepreneurs, hosting leadership retreats, and helping high performers rediscover purpose, alignment, and personal growth. Key Takeaways: * How Josh Kosnick’s upbringing and relationship with his entrepreneurial father shaped his leadership journey * The hidden challenges of running and exiting a successful business * Why leaders must distinguish between talent and character when building teams * How vulnerability and personal development are essential for effective leadership * Why adversity can become the catalyst for discovering deeper purpose and impact Noteworthy Quotes: * “Success is not my identity, it’s something I strive for, but it’s not who I am.” – Josh Kosnick * “You’ve already overcome everything in your life up to this point. Technically, you’re undefeated.” – Josh Kosnick * “You were built to overcome every obstacle placed in your path.” – Josh Kosnick * “We have to focus on what’s right for the company, not who we feel attached to emotionally.” – Josh Kosnick * “Vulnerability isn’t weakness. Real vulnerability is strength.” – Josh Kosnick * “You’re not speaking to everyone in the room, you're speaking to one person who needs to hear it.” – Josh Kosnick Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Josh Kosnick and his entrepreneurial journey 02:21 – Growing up with an entrepreneurial father and early influences 04:57 – Lessons learned working alongside his father 11:07 – Transitioning into leadership and taking over the firm 16:23 – Difficult leadership decisions and navigating conflict within teams 22:08 – Building culture and managing relationships as a leader 23:04 – The unexpected lawsuit that forced Josh’s exit from his company 29:49 – Processing grief, identity loss, and rebuilding after a painful exit 43:01 – Leadership, vulnerability, and helping high performers confront personal challenges 55:22 – Rapid Fire: Redefining impact, purpose, and what it means to truly be “built for this” FOLLOW OUR GUEST JOSH KOSNICK ON: * Josh Kosnick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkosnick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkosnick] * Josh Kosnick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshkosnick [https://www.instagram.com/joshkosnick] * Josh Kosnick X: https://x.com/joshkosnick [https://x.com/joshkosnick] * The Kairos Code Book: https://www.amazon.com/Kairos-Code-Discover-Purpose-Performance/dp/1636805299 [https://www.amazon.com/Kairos-Code-Discover-Purpose-Performance/dp/1636805299] * Website: https://www.joshkosnick.com/ [https://www.joshkosnick.com/] * Josh Kosnick Free Assessment: https://www.joshkosnick.com/assessment [https://www.joshkosnick.com/assessment] FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] * Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/] * Email: info@kinshipkollective.com [info@kinshipkollective.com] FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: * Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/] * X: https://x.com/JBayuk [https://x.com/JBayuk] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast? [https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult [https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult [https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult]

When Wall Street Isn’t Enough, You Build the Future of Venture with Sarah Adams Anderson

In this episode of Built For This, host Jenna Bayuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] sits down with Sarah Adams Anderson [http://linkedin.com/in/sarah-adams-anderson-b6231916], Founding Partner at Vault Fund [https://www.linkedin.com/company/vault-fund/], to explore how venture studios are reshaping the future of company building and early-stage investing. She began her career in investment banking, including time at J.P. Morgan [https://www.linkedin.com/company/jpmorgan/], navigating private companies through major market cycles. After graduating during the 2008 financial crisis, Sarah went on to launch Vault Fund with a bold thesis: repeatable company creation platforms can outperform traditional venture capital. In this episode, she breaks down how venture studios work, why ownership is often misunderstood, and why process and talent matter more than percentage. The conversation covered AI’s accelerating impact on capital cycles, liquidity timelines, workforce shifts, and what the next decade of innovation may look like across healthcare, energy, and private markets. Key Takeaways: 1. Venture Studios Explained: How repeatable company-building models test, kill, and scale ideas more efficiently than traditional VC 2. Ownership Myths: Why taking too much equity can actually hurt outcomes 3. AI & Exit Timelines: How artificial intelligence is compressing company lifecycles and reshaping venture duration 4. Talent Over Everything: Why founder quality and process discipline determine long-term success 5. The Future of Capital: How AI, private equity roll-ups, and capital efficiency will define the next decade Noteworthy Quotes: 1. “I can’t be average. None of us can be average.” – Sarah Adams Anderson 2. “If you’re taking more than 30% ownership in a studio model, it’s a red flag.” – Sarah Adams Anderson 3. “We want to play with upside. We would prefer not to spend time in the downside.” – Sarah Adams Anderson 4. “The barriers to entry for company creation are lower than they’ve ever been.” – Sarah Adams Anderson 5. “We have essentially built ourselves over time for where we are today.” – Sarah Adams Anderson Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Sarah and her path from finance to venture 07:42 – Why early-stage venture and the move toward company creation 11:40 – Inside the venture studio model and why ownership matters 21:37 – AI’s impact on venture timelines and liquidity strategies 34:57 – Workforce disruption, reskilling, and the human side of AI 39:21 – The future of energy, global leadership, and emerging innovation 49:45 – Rapid Fire: Ownership myths, AI trends, and what “Built For This” means FOLLOW OUR GUEST SARAH ADAMS ANDERSON ON: 1. Sarah Adams Anderson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-adams-anderson-b6231916 [http://linkedin.com/in/sarah-adams-anderson-b6231916] 2. Vault Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vault-fund/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/vault-fund/] 3. Website: https://www.vaultfund.com [https://www.vaultfund.com] FOLLOW OUR HOST JENNA BAYUK ON: 1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennabayuk/] 2. Website: https://kinshipkollective.com/https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] 3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenna_bayuk/] 4. Email: info@kinshipkollective.com [info@kinshipkollective.com] FOLLOW BUILT FOR THIS: STORIES OF MAVERICK PODCAST ON: 1. Website [https://www.escocommunity.com]: https://kinshipkollective.com/ [https://kinshipkollective.com/] 2. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/esco-institute/]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinshipconsulting/] 3. X: https://x.com/JBayuk [https://x.com/JBayuk] 4. Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast? [https://www.tiktok.com/@builtforthispodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] 5. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult [https://www.instagram.com/kinship.consult] 6. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult [https://www.facebook.com/kinshipconsult]