Ep. 40: Evan Baehr – Founder of Arena Hall & co-author of Get Backed

Ep. 42: Matthew Iommi – Co-Founder & CEO of Fetii

In this episode, Evan sits down with Matthew Iommi, co-founder and CEO of Fetii, the group rideshare platform transforming how large groups move around cities. Broadcasting from Austin, Texas, Iommi shares the unlikely origin story of buying a party bus off Facebook Marketplace while attending Texas A&M and how that decision evolved into a company now transporting more than 2.2 million passengers annually. The conversation explores how Fetii modernized the outdated group transportation industry, survived the COVID-19 pandemic through a critical business pivot, and ultimately earned backing from Y Combinator and billionaire investor Mark Cuban. Iommi also breaks down the company's unique growth strategies, including the famous "God Mode" marketing playbook, and discusses how Fetii is leveraging proprietary AI tools to optimize transportation networks, predict demand, and redefine the future of group mobility.

Ep. 41: Leigh Veidman – Head Coach of Spokane Velocity FC

Tarek is joined by Leigh Veidman, head coach of Spokane Velocity FC, to discuss the growth of professional soccer in Spokane and the evolving landscape of the sport across the United States. Veidman shares his journey growing up in inner-city Liverpool, overcoming adversity, and receiving a second chance that ultimately changed the course of his life and coaching career. The conversation explores Spokane Velocity’s rapid success as a club, the structure of the U.S. soccer pyramid, and the often nonlinear pathway players take to reach the professional level. Veidman also dives into his coaching philosophy centered around “people before players,” emphasizing leadership, resilience, culture, and understanding the individual behind the athlete. Beyond the field, the episode examines the future of soccer in America, including the impact of the upcoming World Cup, the growth of the USL, and the development of the next generation of coaches and players in the United States.

Ep. 40: Evan Baehr – Founder of Arena Hall & co-author of Get Backed

In this wide-ranging episode of Y’all Street, Tarek sits down with Evan Baehr - entrepreneur, co-founder of Able, and founder of Arena Hall, to discuss his approach to building companies and creating meaningful community. A graduate of Princeton, Yale, and Harvard Business School, Evan's career spans venture-backed startups and early experience at the White House. Evan shares why he believes startups are one of the most effective ways to bring together talent, capital, and ambition to drive real impact. They explore the role of storytelling in early-stage investing, where conviction in the founder often outweighs a fully developed business model, and break down the mindset behind entrepreneurship through the idea of “the man in the arena” – valuing those who step into the challenge and build, regardless of outcome. The conversation also dives into the decline of community and the rise of loneliness, introducing the concept of social capital as the relationships and networks that support people in real, tangible ways. Evan explains how Arena Hall, his latest project in Austin, is designed to rebuild that foundation by creating a physical space centered on connection, collaboration, and intentional hospitality. From startup building to community design, this episode highlights how people, ideas, and environments shape the way we live, work, and build for the future.

Ep. 39: Lorne Whitmore – Managing Director of Sales, Royal Canadian Mint

This week on Y’all Street, Tarek sits down with Lorne Whitmore, Managing Director of Sales at the Royal Canadian Mint, one of the most advanced and trusted minting institutions in the world, to explore how the organization operates at the center of global precious metals markets. As a crown corporation wholly owned by the Canadian government, the Mint runs two primary facilities in Ottawa and Winnipeg, managing everything from gold refining to large-scale coin production for countries around the world. Lorne breaks down the primary business lines of the Mint, including its globally recognized Maple Leaf bullion coins, an expansive numismatics program producing highly detailed collectible coins, and its role as a custodian for precious metal ETFs. The conversation also dives into the technical side of refining gold to “four nines” purity and beyond, the use of advanced technologies like AI in production and quality control, and the robust security features that protect against counterfeiting, including micro-engraving and digital tracking systems. They also cover broader market dynamics, from the impact of tariffs and trade agreements to how fluctuations in metal prices influence investor behavior and supply chains, offering a comprehensive look at how the Royal Canadian Mint balances innovation, security, and global scale in this evolving financial landscape.

Ep. 38: Joseph Cabrera – Head of Brand at American Operator

In this episode, Evan sits down with Joseph Cabrera, Head of Brand at American Operator, a company focused on transitioning small businesses from retiring owners to a new generation of local operators. He explains how their model challenges traditional private equity by prioritizing long-term ownership, community impact, and giving operators the chance to earn equity over time. They dive into the “soul” of small businesses—why they matter beyond profit and how losing them to corporate rollups strips communities of their identity. Joseph also shares how his experience at West Point Military Academy and service in Afghanistan shaped his leadership style, along with his belief that real teams are built through shared hardship, not comfort. The conversation highlights the challenges of business succession and why a growing number of young Americans are turning toward hands-on, meaningful work over traditional corporate paths.