Founder Connect with Elizabeth O'Neill

12. Elizabeth Connects With Alex Turnbull

In this powerful episode, Alex Turnbull—founder and CEO of Groove, Helply and Instant Docs—gets real about the ups, downs, and everything in between on his 20-year journey as an entrepreneur. Interviewed by his sister and coach, Alex shares how embracing "small but mighty" shifted everything in his business and life. From burnout to rebuilding, from flashy startup myths to focusing on profitable, purpose-driven work, this conversation is full of heart, wisdom, and real talk about what it really takes to build a sustainable, fulfilling company.  What You’ll Learn: * Why “going big” isn’t the only path to success—and how choosing to stay small and profitable can be incredibly fulfilling * The emotional toll of burnout and how Alex worked through it (with the help of a coach) * What it means to define your own version of winning as a founder * How customer development and listening are critical for non-technical founders * The value of persistence, self-awareness, and trusting your gut—even when the industry says otherwise This episode is a must-listen if you’re building something meaningful and want permission to do it your way. Connect with Alex: https://helply.com/newsletter [https://helply.com/newsletter] CONNECT WITH ME: • Website: www.elizabethoneill.com [http://www.elizabethoneill.com/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/] • Email: elizabeth@elizabethoneill.com LET'S WORK TOGETHER: • Find out how to work with me here: https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/ [https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/]

11. Elizabeth Connects With Denielle Finkelstein

In this episode of Founder Connect, I interview Denielle Finkelstein, co-founder and co-CEO of Unicorn, a company on a mission to make period products as accessible as toilet paper in public bathrooms. Danielle shares her journey of launching and scaling Unicorn, the pivotal moments of struggle and growth, and how she and her co-founder, Thyme, stayed committed to their mission despite challenges. The conversation covers the reality of fundraising as female founders, the power of community and networking, and the importance of persistence in building a business that challenges the status quo. What you'll learn: * The importance of persistence and resilience in navigating the ups and downs of startup life. * How to stay aligned with your core mission and recognize when you're straying from it. * Lessons from the fundraising journey, including how energy and confidence play a crucial role in investor meetings. * The power of mentorship and community—why having the right advisors, investors, and support system can make all the difference. * How to take and act on tough feedback to refine your strategy and leadership. * The systemic impact of Unicorn's mission—why period products belong in every bathroom stall and how that simple shift can create real change. Denielle Finkelstein, Co-founder and Co-CEO of UNICORN, is a trailblazing entrepreneur with a passion to advance women in society. After a distinguished 20+ year career as an executive in the fashion industry, Denielle joined forces with her cousin, Thyme Sullivan, to drive systemic change for future generations of women. Denielle's visionary leadership and infectious enthusiasm fuel UNICORN's mission to revolutionize period care. By strategically placing period products in EVERY bathroom stall, UNICORN challenges norms, advocates the importance of basic needs, and leads a historic journey of empowerment. Denielle and the UNICORN team are redefining workplace standards and championing women's progress globally, one bathroom stall at a time. UNICORN’s strategic partnerships with industry giants like JPMorgan Chase and American Express, have positioned them as a formidable force for health equity, access, and wellness in the period care industry. CONNECT WITH DENIELLE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denielle-finkelstein [https://www.linkedin.com/in/denielle-finkelstein] www.everystall.com [http://www.everystall.com] CONNECT WITH ME: • Website: www.elizabethoneill.com [http://www.elizabethoneill.com/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/] • Email: elizabeth@elizabethoneill.com LET'S WORK TOGETHER: • Find out how to work with me here: https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/ [https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/]

10. Elizabeth Connects with Kate Minogue

In this episode of Founder Connect, Elizabeth interviews Kate Minogue, a Chief Product Officer and data and AI advisor. Kate shares her unique perspective on integrating people, strategy, and data in organizations, emphasizing how data and AI can support business goals when approached pragmatically. The conversation explores data-driven decision-making, the role of AI in startups, and the importance of balancing technical expertise with business needs. What you'll learn in this episode: * The importance of being intentional about the role of data and AI in your company * How to avoid implementing AI or data for its own sake and focus on business objectives * Why early-stage startups should focus on hiring generalists who can "get their hands dirty." * How to identify gaps in your team’s expertise and hire the right person or advisor to complement existing skills * Questions leaders should ask to ensure they are leveraging data effectively * How founders can upskill themselves to make better decisions before delegating responsibilities * Lessons from working with startups and scale-ups * Why being pragmatic about AI capabilities and data resources is essential * Examples of balancing sophisticated AI ambitions with budget and resource constraints * Tips for using consulting or fractional roles to fill skill gaps * The value of starting with MVP solutions and evolving team structures as the company grows Kate is a Fractional Chief Product Officer and Data & AI advisor to companies at various stages. She has a unique focus on bringing People, Strategy and Data together in all projects rather than treating them as disconnected. Kate is passionate about making lives easier and seeks out companies and products that have the same desire whether B2B or B2C. CONNECT WITH KATE: Website [https://www.kate-minogue.com] Linked in [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-minogue/] CONNECT WITH ME: • Website: www.elizabethoneill.com [http://www.elizabethoneill.com/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/] • Email: elizabeth@elizabethoneill.com LET'S WORK TOGETHER: • Find out how to work with me here: https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/ [https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/]

9. Elizabeth Connects with Eben Pingree

In this episode of Founder Connect, our guest is Eben Pingree, co-founder and CEO of Kinsome. Eben shares insights into his journey as a founder, the inspiration behind Kinsome, and the importance of strengthening intergenerational bonds. He reflects on the impact of his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how it motivated him to create a platform to help families connect more deeply, even across distances. Eben also discusses broader startup lessons, including: * The importance of choosing the right co-founder through alignment in values and vision * How to approach hiring early team members with a focus on cultural fit and long-term alignment * The learning curve of his first startup and how those lessons shaped his perspective on building businesses Eben is the co-founder and CEO of Kinsome, a platform focused on strengthening the bonds between kids and their grandparents.  Previously, he served as Chief Product Officer at EverTrue, a fundraising technology company focused on schools, through their successful sale to Rubicon Technology Partners.  He also held a senior Product role at SessionM, which sold to Mastercard, and founded another Consumer Social company called Syft while in business school.  Eben earned his BA from Williams College and an MBA from Dartmouth College, spending 7 years between investing in venture capital funds from the endowment space.   Eben lives in downtown Boston with his wife and 3 kids, in a building where his parents and younger brother and family also live! CONNECT WITH EBEN: Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bekinsome] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bekinsome] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/be_kinsome/] CONNECT WITH ME: • Website: www.elizabethoneill.com [http://www.elizabethoneill.com/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/] • Email: elizabeth@elizabethoneill.com LET'S WORK TOGETHER: • Find out how to work with me here: https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/ [https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/]

8. Elizabeth Connects with Kelly Olson

In this episode, Elizabeth interviews Kelly Olson, an expert in customer growth and retention for startups and small growing teams. Kelly shares her journey of transitioning from working in full-time roles to fractional leadership, allowing her to help companies improve their post-sales process, retain customers, and foster brand loyalty. They discuss the importance of a structured and proactive post-sales process, the challenges founders face when scaling their business, and how making strategic shifts can prevent churn and enhance customer retention. Kelly also offers practical tips for improving customer onboarding and leveraging existing systems to optimize the customer journey. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The importance of understanding and improving the post-sales process to retain and grow your customer base. * How a lack of process can lead to chaos and customer churn, and the steps you can take to address these challenges. * The role of fractional leadership in helping businesses scale without the burden of full-time commitments. * Practical advice on creating repeatable processes for customer management, segmentation, and forecasting. * How focusing on customer outcomes and value can turn clients into long-term advocates. Connect with Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olsonkelly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olsonkelly/] https://www.ko-knows.com/ [https://www.ko-knows.com/] CONNECT WITH ME: • Website: www.elizabethoneill.com [http://www.elizabethoneill.com/] • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oneill-consulting/] • Email: elizabeth@elizabethoneill.com LET'S WORK TOGETHER: • Find out how to work with me here: https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/ [https://elizabethoneill.com/howitworks/]