Voices on the Wind Podcast

From Idea Graveyard to First Dollar | Building a Startup With No Guarantees

27 min · 28 de abr de 2026
Portada del episodio From Idea Graveyard to First Dollar | Building a Startup With No Guarantees

Descripción

Welcome to Episode 55 with Toby Lyles joined by Hannah Michaud, owner of PixelPay. What if your best idea isn’t the one you start with—but the one you almost gave up on? In this episode, we follow a scrappy startup journey that started with failed ideas, health struggles, and a literal “idea graveyard”… and turned into a real, revenue-generating tech company. This is a story about betting on yourself, walking away without regret, and trusting that the dots will connect later. 💡 The “Idea Graveyard” Philosophy * Every idea gets a shot—but not forever * $10K max investment per idea * Kill it fast, move on faster, no regrets 🎯 Why Trying More Beats Trying Harder * Effort ≠ success * Viral, scalable wins are unpredictable * Volume of attempts > perfection 🧠 Rewiring Fear Around Money & Business * From “math anxiety” to excitement about growth * Entrepreneurship became fun, not intimidating 📈 The Real Entrepreneur Mindset * Think in “next step,” not 5-year overwhelm * Side hustle → part-time → full-time (dimmer switch, not binary) * There’s never been a better time to build Episode 055 Release Date: April 28, 2026 Host: Toby Lyles Guest: Hannah Michaud/ PixelPay Get in touch with PixelPay Website: https://www.pixelpay-arcade.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580543154491 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixelpaynow/ [https://www.instagram.com/pixelpaynow/] Spotify: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound Substack: https://votw.substack.com/ Website: https://twentyfoursound.com Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com [https://votw.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

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61 episodios

episode Artists, Engineers & Hustle | Unexpected Paths to Profit artwork

Artists, Engineers & Hustle | Unexpected Paths to Profit

Welcome to Episode 60 with Toby Lyles joined by Tate Schrock and Genee Vidakovich of Edge Flyte. This episode is full of motivational storytelling — celebrating local entrepreneurs, pivots, community impact, persistence, and creativity. Season 5 guests Edge Flyte (Tate and Genee) — evolution from weather balloons to CubeSats, scaling to 20+ countries, education-focused STEM kits for schools, a big 100-unit CubeSat order for Thailand, frequent product pivots driven by market need and funding. (Episode 60) Cleyton Bauer — persistence and willingness to pivot coming from a medical background; entrepreneurship as a family legacy. (Episode 49) Mel Turner — risk-taking, shutting down a venture, learning from failure, and planning the next iteration. (Episode 50) Josh Buettner (artist) — turning trauma into art, building a creative community, proving alternative entrepreneurial paths. (Episode 51) Lori and Gil Chavez (Creator, Created, Create) — building confidence through business; mentorship role for younger women entrepreneurs. (Episode 52) Cecilia Villar-Balderas (Alpacaglobo) – how fun and business can go together. (Episode 53) Troy & Michaela Strand (Ranch Eats) — partnership, grit, rapid growth through hard work and mutual support. (Episode 54) Hannah Michaud / PixelPay — reviving “graveyard” ideas; the value of resurrecting overlooked tech. (Episode 55) Sabine McClintock — art + children outreach; community-minded projects. (Episode 56) Katerra and Uriah (Atlas Physical) — integrity, follow-through, and community service. (Episode 57) John Chernogeroc (Downtown Digital) – hobby, living room startup to downtown store front. (Episode 58) Denise Hawkins (artist) – health crisis caused a life pivot, photography fun to artist success. (Episode 59) Toby highlights themes of community, integrity, the cost of change (time and money), and the ember-to-fire metaphor for individual change that scales. Episode 060 Release Date: June 5, 2026 Host: Toby Lyles Guest: Tate Schrock and Genee Vidakovich / Edge Flyte Get in touch with Edge Flyte Website: https://edgeflyte.com/ Spotify: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound Substack: https://votw.substack.com/ Website: https://twentyfoursound.com Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com [https://votw.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

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Welcome to Episode 59 with Toby Lyles joined by Denise Hawkins. In this inspiring episode, we hear from an entrepreneur and artist who turned a life-altering stroke into a journey of resilience, creativity, and reinvention. After building a successful business from the ground up, she faced an unexpected challenge when she suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2012. What followed was a story of courage, determination, and the rediscovery of her love for photography and art. Through perseverance and the support of a local artistic community, she found herself exhibiting her work in major galleries and winning prestigious awards. In this conversation, Denise shares her path to recovery, how art became a powerful form of self-expression, and the importance of staying curious and open to new creative pursuits. Episode 059 Release Date: May 26, 2026 Host: Toby Lyles Guest: Denise Hawkins Get in touch with Denise Website: https://www.denisehawkinsphoto.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkinswyo [https://www.facebook.com/hawkinswyo] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisewyo [https://www.instagram.com/denisewyo] Spotify: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound Substack: https://votw.substack.com/ Website: https://twentyfoursound.com Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com [https://votw.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

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Welcome to Episode 58 with Toby Lyles joined by John Chernogorec owner of Downtown Vinyl. In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of John, a former Marine and Bureau of Land Management employee, who traded a structured government career for the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Through music, memories, and unwavering determination, John found the courage to chase his dream of owning a record store. We explore the mental and emotional hurdles of leaving stability behind, navigating countless rejections, and leaning on the support of loved ones. John shares intimate moments of joy, including the simple pleasures of his dog’s encouragement and the first time unlocking the doors to his store. This episode is a testament to perseverance, creative courage, and the small joys that fuel big dreams. Key Takeaways: * Following your dream often means embracing discomfort and uncertainty. * Small moments—like music, memories, and pets—can profoundly motivate and reset your mindset. * Support systems, like partners and mentors, are crucial in taking bold risks. * Rejection is a natural part of entrepreneurship; persistence transforms “no” into opportunity. * True purpose comes from connecting with people and pursuing something meaningful, not just financial gain. Episode 058 Release Date: May 19, 2026 Host: Toby Lyles Guest: John Chernogorec/ Downtown Vinyl Get in touch with Downtown Vinyl Website: https://www.downtownvinyl307.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownVinylCheyenne [https://www.facebook.com/DowntownVinylCheyenne] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downtown_vinyl [https://www.instagram.com/downtown_vinyl] Spotify: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twentyfoursound7322/playlists https://odysee.com/@VoicesontheWind Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/TwentyFourSound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.lyles.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobyblyles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-lyles-twentyfoursound Substack: https://votw.substack.com/ Website: https://twentyfoursound.com Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit votw.substack.com [https://votw.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

19 de may de 202621 min
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