The ZeedRound Podcast

What the Solopreneur Life is Like (Feat. Kenny Tjay)

In this episode of The ZeedRound Podcast, we’re talking with Kenny Tjay, founder and creative director of IndieMarch Media. Kenny tells us about his journey from photography to soloprenuership, the challenges and benefits of living as a digital nomad, and the realities of building as a solopreneur. We also get to talk about his new platform, ProudWork, designed for creatives, and dive into vibe coding, AI, and the importance of staying curious and adaptable in a world that's changing really quickly. Highlights: * The differences between solopreneurship and running your own business * What it's like to travel the world and work from anywhere * Why vibe coding isn't magic * How to enjoy the process without getting burnt out * Some fun side banter about the NBA's most recent financial scandal Timestamps: 00:20 — Introduction to Kenny Chai and IndieMarch Media 02:31 — Kenny's Journey from Photography to Solopreneurship 04:54 — The Evolution of IndieMarch Media 07:33 — The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Benefits and Challenges 10:03 — Creative Process: Solopreneur vs. Team Dynamics 12:44 — The Launch of Proud Work: A New Venture 18:29 — Vibe Coding: Myths and Realities 22:49 — The Future of Creatives in a Tech-Driven World 26:47 — Innovative Ideas and Personal Projects 29:54 — The Future of AI and Hardware Integration 31:15 — Technological Advancements and Their Impact 32:20 — Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions 38:16 — NBA Controversies and Under-the-Table Deals LINK TO SHOW NOTES [https://open.substack.com/pub/zeedround/p/the-zeedround-podcast-what-the-soloprenuer?r=2kbqlj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]

Building the App You Always Wanted (Feat. Breana Cutshall)

In this episode of The ZeedRound Podcast, we’re talking with Breana Cutshall, Senior Account Manager at Pilot.com and founder of Bloom Budget, a personal finance app designed to make budgeting intuitive and stress-free. Breana talks about her journey from being a bookkeeper to creating the app she always wanted. We dig into the challenges of app development, the importance of empathy, and why financial literacy matters in a jargon-heavy industry. Highlights: * Why frustration with existing apps led Breana to create Bloom Budget * How she used AI tools like ChatGPT to build an app without coding expertise * The importance of plain language over jargon in personal finance * Why empathy matters in both bookkeeping and app design * The role of security and trust when dealing with sensitive financial data * The need for stronger financial literacy education in schools and everyday life * Funding and technical hurdles in the app development journey Timestamps: * 00:23 — Introduction to Breana and Bloom Budget * 04:32 — The Concept Behind Bloom Budget * 06:27 — The Financial Literacy Problem * 09:39 — Why Empathy is Important * 11:28 — The Near Future of Bloom Budget * 13:46 — Trust and AI in Financial Recommendations * 17:20 — Marketing to First-Time Budgeting App Users * 18:46 — Wins and Challenges in Development * 21:49 — The Grand Vision for Bloom Budget * 23:00 — Lightning Round! LINK TO SHOW NOTES [https://open.substack.com/pub/zeedround/p/the-zeedround-podcast-building-the?r=2kbqlj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]

From Driveway to Global Data Powerhouse (Feat. Ryan Girardot)

In this episode of The ZeedRound Podcast, we're talking with Ryan Girardot, CEO of Cerebro Sports — a Mark Cuban-backed company redefining how data is used at every level of basketball. Ryan shares his journey from founding a basketball league in his driveway at age 13, to working as a ball boy for the Dallas Mavericks, to ultimately co-founding Cerebro Sports. We dig into the entrepreneurial lessons he’s learned along the way — from the importance of building trust in your data, to the challenges of selling to coaches, players, and investors, to staying laser-focused on your company’s core mission. Here are some of the highlights: * What it's like to start a movement at 13 * How being approached by a scout caused the most important pivot in Ryan's business * What it means to dedicate yourself to your craft * Why some investors may not understand your vision * Staying focused on what you do best Timestamps: * 00:23 Introduction to Cerebro Sports and Ryan Girardot * 01:26 The Early Entrepreneurial Spirit: Shamrock Basketball Association * 06:52 Lessons from the NBA: Experiences as a Ball Boy * 12:31 Transitioning from ePlay to Cerebro Sports * 15:40 The AAU Basketball Landscape * 18:19 Cerebro's Evolution and Data Integration * 21:53 Challenges in Selling to Teams, Players, and Investors * 25:34 What Cerebro's Future Looks Like * 32:13 Lightning Round! LINK TO SHOW NOTES [https://open.substack.com/pub/zeedround/p/the-zeedround-podcast-from-driveway?r=2kbqlj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]

From Medical School to Remaking the Data Economy (Feat. Jacob Bassiri)

Summary In this episode of The ZeedRound Podcast, we're talking with former med school student turned Harvard grad Jacob Bassiri, who is trying to change the way the data economy works as we know it. Here are some of the highlights: * How going to med school changed how Jacob looked at startup leadership * Why your data is more valuable than you know * How to get feedback on your idea for free * Why AI could be in its Napster Era * Why "vibe" should be removed from jargon Timestamps * * 00:29 Introduction to Jacob Bassiri * 01:36 From Medicine to Business: A Unique Journey * 05:12 The Intersection of Medicine and Entrepreneurship * 08:23 Creating the Creator Stock Exchange * 13:35 The Value of Consumer Data * 19:18 Addressing Skepticism in Innovation * 22:17 Future Vision for CSX * 26:25 Sustaining Innovation and Economic Systems * 29:08 Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions Link to the show notes [https://open.substack.com/pub/zeedround/p/the-zeedround-podcast-from-medical?r=2kbqlj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]

From Accounting to Product Ops: Lessons for Any Career Pivot (Feat. Elliott Crow)

Summary In this episode of The ZeedRound Podcast, we're talking with Elliott Crow, who shares his unique career journey from accounting to becoming Manager of Operations Excellence at Pilot.com. Here are some of the highlights: * What it's like to work inside a $1B+ company * Why you don't have to be technical to go into product ops * Managing relationships in a remote environment * How to use AI without shrinking your brain in the process * How coffee roasting made Elliott better understand his customers * Why Elliott does not want you DMing him on LinkedIn! Timestamps * 00:32 Introduction to Elliott * 01:44 Elliott's Journey from Accounting to Product Management * 05:24 Understanding Operations Excellence at Pilot.com * 08:25 Debunking Myths in Product Operations * 13:05 Navigating Remote Work and Team Dynamics * 15:49 Leveraging AI without the Downsides * 21:07 Exploring the Coffee Roasting Journey * 25:28 Lessons from Coffee Roasting to Product Development * 27:38 Lightning Round! Link to the show notes [https://zeedround.substack.com/p/the-zeedround-podcast-debunking-product]