The Jason Cavness Experience

How Founders Actually Build Momentum with Nick Hughes

From a failed startup to launching Founders Live across 155 cities and 58 countries, Nick explains what founders really need early on: community, storytelling, validation, and consistent action. He also breaks down why most people wait too long to start, how 99-second pitches force clarity, and what he's learned traveling through startup ecosystems around the world. Nick also shares how Founders Live evolved from a simple Seattle pitch event into a global founder marketplace connecting startups with legal, development, hiring, and growth resources. We also discuss: • Why founders overthink getting started • How storytelling creates startup momentum • Building startup ecosystems outside Silicon Valley • Why the crowd votes at Founders Live • Lessons from running communities across 58 countries • What startup culture looks like in Africa and Southeast Asia • The future of Founders Live's marketplace model • Running a global remote-first company • Nick's upcoming 90-day Africa tour • Why entrepreneurship is a universal human drive Nick Hughes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnickhughes/] Nick Hughes Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/ [https://www.instagram.com/jnickhughes/] Founders Live https://www.founderslive.com/ [https://www.founderslive.com/] Jason Links https://linktr.ee/admin [https://linktr.ee/admin] Also check out The Jason Cavness Experience Deep Tech Demo Day during Seattle Deep Tech Week. A showcase bringing together founders, investors, operators, and emerging deep tech startups across the Seattle ecosystem. https://www.deep-tech-week.com/seattle-2026/events/the-jason-cavness-experience-deep-tech-demo-day-part-of-seattle-deep-tech-week

Why Most Teams Are Broken — Mimi Nguyen

Most teams don't fail because of strategy. They fail because people can't align. In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Mimi Nguyen to break down why teams struggle to work together and what actually fixes it. Mimi has lived across Vietnam, the United States, and Malaysia, and brings a rare perspective on culture, communication, and decision-making. She's led initiatives that drove a $7M+ uplift and achieved 90% product adoption. But the real story is how she got teams to stop working against each other. We get into the uncomfortable truth: misaligned incentives, poor communication, and lack of trust kill more progress than bad ideas ever will. This is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Why most teams are misaligned from the start • The real reason projects fail inside companies • How Mimi aligned marketing, sales, and operations • The $7M+ uplift project breakdown • Driving 90% adoption through behavior change • Why trust is harder than data • Data vs intuition in decision-making • The limits of AI in data science • Cultural intelligence as a competitive advantage • Living and working across Vietnam, Malaysia, and the U.S. • Fear of putting yourself out there and staying private Connect with Mimi Nguyen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimin11/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimin11/] Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness] Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com [https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com] Military Creator Con I'll be speaking at Military Creator Con on leveraging content to create opportunities. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social [https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social] Power Note Alignment beats intelligence. Every time.

Why Small Businesses Struggle — Hugo Nicolas

Most small businesses don't fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they don't understand the system. In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Hugo Nicolas from Washington State's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) to break down what actually stops businesses from growing. Hugo went from a small village in Mexico to helping thousands of business owners navigate permits, licenses, and government processes. He's seen firsthand where people get stuck and it's not where most think. We get into the real problems: confusing regulations, lack of awareness, and why too many founders ignore the "unsexy" parts of business until it's too late. If you're building a business or thinking about itT his episode will save you time, money, and frustration. This is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Why most small businesses fail (and it's not the idea) • The hidden cost of ignoring permits and regulations • Hugo's journey from undocumented immigrant to state leader • The biggest mistakes new business owners make • Why business structure matters more than you think • How to navigate government without wasting time • Free resources most entrepreneurs never use • The power of resilience and adapting fast Connect with Hugo Nicolas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-nicolas-17357052/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-nicolas-17357052/] Website: https://www.oria.wa.gov/site/alias__oria/368/Home.aspx [https://www.oria.wa.gov/site/alias__oria/368/Home.aspx] Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness] Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com [https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com] Military Creator Con I'll be speaking at Military Creator Con on how to leverage content to create opportunities. Sign up: https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social [https://bit.ly/speaker_jason_cavness_social] Power Note The difference between struggling and scaling is not effort. it's knowing how to navigate the system.

Tattoo Culture, Craft, and Business with Tim McCarthy

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Tim McCarthy, owner of Tsunami Tattoo in Tacoma and a veteran tattoo artist with more than three decades of experience in the industry. Tim shares his journey from starting tattooing in 1989 to apprenticing in Denver, working in San Jose and Albuquerque, and eventually building Tsunami Tattoo into one of Tacoma's most respected tattoo shops. We talk about how tattoo culture has evolved over the years, the discipline required to become a great tattoo artist, and what it takes to run a successful tattoo business. We also discuss the importance of apprenticeship, how artists develop their style, and why trust between artist and client is critical when creating permanent artwork. Tim explains how the industry has changed with social media and how shops like Tsunami Tattoo continue to build strong reputations through craftsmanship and consistency. This episode is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. What We Talked About • Tim McCarthy's start in tattooing in 1989 • Apprenticing in Denver and early tattoo career • Working in San Jose and Albuquerque tattoo shops • Opening and growing Tsunami Tattoo in Tacoma • How tattoo culture has evolved over the decades • The apprenticeship path for tattoo artists • Building trust between artist and client • The impact of social media on tattoo artists and shops • Running a long-term creative business Connect with Tsunami Tattoo Website: https://www.tsutattoo.com/ [https://www.tsutattoo.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsunami_tattoo_tacoma/ [https://www.instagram.com/tsunami_tattoo_tacoma/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tsunami_tattoo_tacoma [https://www.tiktok.com/@tsunami_tattoo_tacoma] Connect with Tim McCarthy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmccarthytattooing/ [https://www.instagram.com/timmccarthytattooing/] Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness] Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com [https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com] Power Note Great tattoo artists combine creativity, discipline, and trust. Tim McCarthy's decades of work show how craftsmanship and reputation build lasting businesses in creative industries.

Local Politics, Schools, and Public Safety — Ryan Logan

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I talk with Ryan Logan, a teacher and political candidate running for Washington State House. Ryan shares his perspective on education, community safety, and the policy challenges facing South King County. Ryan discusses what motivated him to step into politics, how his work in the Auburn School District shaped his views, and why he believes more community members should participate in civic leadership. We also explore the realities teachers face in classrooms today, the intersection of public policy and education, and the broader issues affecting communities across Washington State. This conversation covers local governance, political accountability, and what it takes to step forward as a candidate when you believe your community needs change. This episode is a video podcast available on YouTube and podcast platforms. Topics Discussed • Ryan Logan's background growing up in Renton and Kent • His work in the Auburn School District • Why he decided to run for Washington State House • Challenges facing public education today • The impact of drug addiction and public safety issues in local communities • Civic engagement and community involvement • Policy priorities for South King County • What voters should understand about local government Connect with Ryan Logan Website: https://loganforhouse.com/ [https://loganforhouse.com/] Email: evans.logan@gmail.com [evans.logan@gmail.com] Phone: (253) 249-6408 Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness] Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com [https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com] Power Note Change in communities often begins with individuals who decide to step forward. Conversations like this highlight how civic engagement, leadership, and local action shape the future of neighborhoods and cities.