Power Players

Caffeine and Capital: The Terra Kaffe Tale

Sahand, a former finance professional turned coffee innovator, shares his journey of transforming into the founder of Terra Kaffe. His entrepreneurial spirit, kindled by early ventures and a diverse cultural interest, propelled him from the world of investment banking to pioneering a more sustainable coffee experience. In this episode, Sahand discusses how Terra Kaffe is challenging the status quo with eco-friendly machines and a commitment to community culture in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of building a brand that's as much about conscious consumption as it is about premium technology. Join us as Sahand unveils his story of innovation, culture, and sustainability, painting a vision for a future where coffee is a symbol of mindful consumption and environmental responsibility. Sahand's narrative is not just a business story; it's a testament to belief, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Experience & enjoy coffee mastery with TK-02 (link here [https://www.terrakaffe.com/products/tk-02?variant=42645724758273]). Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:25)  How did he end up being a finance bro? (3:55)  How were his 2 years in IB? (4:59)  Receiving a $100 gift card from his bank (6:44)  Impact investment banking has on you    (08:51) How architect parents have shaped his world view (09:28)  On Working too hard (11:20)  Parents hitting him with the "pls fix" (13:29)  Why choose Terra Kaffe over competitors? (17:25)  Terra Kaffe team (19:02)  How much money can you save drinking Terra Kaffe coffee? (23:18)  From IB to starting Terra Kaffe    (28:48)  Idea to machine (31:33)  How long did it take to design the machines? (33:57)  Think about getting a co-founder (35:11)  Production process for coffee machines (37:00)  Where are the machines being produced (39:14) What have you spent $14m of capital raised on? (41:14) Why even raise capital? (43:35) Scaling plan (45:35) End goal, sell or keep the company? (47:19) Would you consider selling right now at the right price? (48:53)  Culture at Terra Kaffe (55:35) What Sahand's day to day looks like (56:51) 1 week from going out of business (1:01:00) Advice for entrepreneurs (1:03:05) Are you truly happy (1:05:22) Rapid-fire questions   Sahand Dilmaghani links: Terra Kaffe Website [https://www.terrakaffe.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahand-dilmaghani/] https://www.obeliskbeauty.com/products/obelisk-blow-coca-leaf-candle-with-lid-snuff My links: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/haroonbokhary] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroon-bokhari-20774524a/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/haroonbokhary] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCidYGOzoo7XwVSlv0TF61MQ]

Designing Dreams: Indie McFarlane Path to Fashion Fame

Indie McFarlane is the visionary CEO and Founder of INDY Sunglasses.  During our conversation, Indie takes us on her remarkable journey from Scotland to a photography student in London to the creator of a renowned sunglasses brand based in Brooklyn, New York. She delves into the captivating stories behind how celebrities like Alicia Keys and Bella Hadid became wearers of her chic designs.  Indie offers an exclusive peek into her creative process, detailing the inspiration and dedication behind each pair of INDY sunglasses. She discusses her future ambitions, aiming to redefine fashion and functionality with every new drop.  She also shares invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, drawing from her own experiences and challenges.  Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:08) Childhood in Scotland (2:12) Did you want to be entrepreneur when you were younger (2:50) Studying photography in college (3:42) Idea first come to you, then executing on vision (5:07) Steps to first launching a sunglasses brand (7:08) First few sales (8:35) Moving to NYC (10:26) Alicia Keys wearing her sunglasses (11:24) How did you react to the news (12:34) Bella Hadid story (14:26) Lifestyle vs scaled business (15:50) Customer acquisition strategy (17:08) Future plans: retailers vs online presence (18:05) Sustained bump in sales when celebrities wear her sunglasses (19:27) Creative process for designing sunglasses (21:30) Average day look like (23:10) Projects in the pipeline (25:07) Opportunities and challenges as a female founder (26:53) Advice for future entrepreneurs (29:17) How to maintain a healthy life (30:51) Biggest mentors and supporters (33:56) Legacy in business and personal life  (35:15) Rapid-fire questions   Indie Macfarlane links: INDY Website [https://www.indysunglasses.com/] INDY Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/indy_sunglasses/] Indie Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/indie_mcfarlane/] Indie LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/indie-mcfarlane-874213123/] https://www.obeliskbeauty.com/products/obelisk-blow-coca-leaf-candle-with-lid-snuff My links: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/haroonbokhary] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroon-bokhari-20774524a/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/haroonbokhary] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCidYGOzoo7XwVSlv0TF61MQ]

MAG Capital: Building a $1 Billion Industrial Real Estate Empire

Dax Mitchell and Neil Wahlgren are the visionaries behind MAG Capital Partners. In this episode, we journey through the corridors of MAG Capital Partners, a Texas-based investment firm managing a billion dollars with a focus on industrial real estate. Dax and Neil, share their in-depth perspectives on the pulse of the industrial real estate market as we edge into 2024. With anticipated shifts in interest rates on the horizon, they dissect the key factors influencing their investment evaluations and the returns they strategically target. Dax offers a personal glimpse into his life, revealing the unique experiences that come with living on a Texas ranch. Meanwhile, Neil draws an intriguing parallel between piloting planes and navigating the complexities of finance. For those yearning to carve their path in this formidable industry, Dax and Neil dispense invaluable advice, distilled from years of triumphs and challenges. Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:27)  Putting $1 billion to work (4:37) Founding of MAG Capital (8:06) Neil joining MAG Capital as a partner (9:34) Splitting responsibilities among partners (10:53) Ideal size for a private equity firms (14:08) Is MAG at its ideal scale (15:12) How are funds structured (16:09) Target returns (16:40) Are there leases you would consider not selling (17:50) What value are you bringing besides capital (19:23) Opportunity in industrial real estate (22:09) Single most important factor when investing (25:26) What have you mastered and what are you learning (26:40) Hardest lesson Dax has learned (28:29) Comparing flying planes to working in finance (30:16) What is it like living on a ranch (31:38) Most important hard/soft skill in finance (33:55) Skills/habits one should learn when young (35:52) Rapid-fire questions   MAG Capital Partners links: Invest in Industrial Real Estate Fund [https://magcapitalpartners.ac-page.com/newsletter-lead-gen-short-squeez] Website [https://magcp.com/] Dax Mitchell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dax-t-s-mitchell/] Neil Wahlgren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilwahlgren/] https://www.obeliskbeauty.com/products/obelisk-blow-coca-leaf-candle-with-lid-snuff My links: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/haroonbokhary] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroon-bokhari-20774524a/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/haroonbokhary] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCidYGOzoo7XwVSlv0TF61MQ]

Caffeine and Capital: The Terra Kaffe Tale

Sahand, a former finance professional turned coffee innovator, shares his journey of transforming into the founder of Terra Kaffe. His entrepreneurial spirit, kindled by early ventures and a diverse cultural interest, propelled him from the world of investment banking to pioneering a sustainable coffee experience. In this episode, Sahand discusses how Terra Kaffe is challenging the status quo with eco-friendly machines and a commitment to community culture in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of building a brand that's as much about environmental consciousness as it is about premium coffee. Join us as Sahand unveils his story of innovation, culture, and sustainability, painting a vision for a future where coffee is a symbol of mindful consumption and environmental responsibility. Sahand's narrative is not just a business story; it's a testament to belief, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:25)  How did he end up being a finance bro?  (3:55)  How were his 2 years in IB? (4:59)  Receiving a $100 gift card from his bank  (6:44)  Impact investment banking has on you    (08:51) How architect parents have shaped his world view (09:28)  On Working too hard (11:20)  Parents hitting him with the "pls fix" (13:29)  Why choose Terra Kaffe over competitors? (17:25)  Terra Kaffe team  (19:02)  How much money can you save drinking Terra Kaffe coffee?  (23:18)  From IB to starting Terra Kaffe    (28:48)  Idea to machine  (31:33)  How long did it take to design the machines? (33:57)  Think about getting a co-founder  (35:11)  Production process for coffee machines (37:00)  Where are the machines being produced (39:14) What have you spent $14m of capital raised on? (41:14) Why even raise capital? (43:35) Scaling plan (45:35) End goal, sell or keep the company? (47:19) Would you consider selling right now at the right price? (48:53)  Culture at Terra Kaffe (55:35) What Sahand's day to day looks like (56:51) 1 week from going out of business (1:01:00) Advice for entrepreneurs (1:03:05) Are you truly happy (1:05:22) Rapid-fire questions   Sahand Dilmaghani links: Terra Kaffe Website [https://www.terrakaffe.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahand-dilmaghani/] https://www.obeliskbeauty.com/products/obelisk-blow-coca-leaf-candle-with-lid-snuff My links: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/haroonbokhary] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroon-bokhari-20774524a/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/haroonbokhary] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCidYGOzoo7XwVSlv0TF61MQ]

Founding Obelisk: Alley Biehl's Coca Leaf Revolution

Alley Biehl, the mastermind behind Obelisk, joins us to illuminate her journey with the coca leaf. Founder of a company that crafts unique coca leaf-based products, like the renowned Blow candle, Alley has embraced the art of innovation. During our conversation, Alley shares the story of how she first found the coca leaf and how it's changed her life. Through Obelisk Alley plans on bringing the health benefits of coca leaf to everyone. Today Alley stands as a leading voice for the coca leaf's role in well-being, she's reshaping perceptions, leveraging her platform to illuminate the leaf's true potential. Alley's narrative is a tapestry of discovery, enlightenment, and steadfast dedication. Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:25) What makes coco leaf special (3:58) Why hasn't anyone done research (5:17) How she discovered coca leaf (7:26) Coca leaf to cure depression (8:14) Does coca cola have cocaine it (9:47) Should cocaine be legal (12:15) What does Obelisk do (12:59) How did she meet her partner (13:54) How she decide to start a company about coca leaf (16:15) Self-identified crazy person (17:45) Blow candle (19:04) Alley's diet (19:50) Coca leaf farming (22:28) Marketing strategy (24:02) How did she build Blow (26:30) How big is the team (27:50) Biggest challenge she overcame (29:05) Is NY better than LA for starting a business (31:55) Motivation behind raising capital (33:08) How to make coca leaf mainstream (34:55) Challenges faced as a female founder (36:12) Are you truly happy (36:34) Business/personal legacy (38:31) Rapid fire questions Alley Biehl links: Obelisk Website [https://www.obeliskbeauty.com/] Blow Candle [https://www.obeliskbeauty.com/products/obelisk-blow-coca-leaf-candle-with-lid-snuff] My links: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/haroonbokhary] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroon-bokhari-20774524a/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/haroonbokhary] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCidYGOzoo7XwVSlv0TF61MQ]