The Midnight Founders Podcast

Jesse Randall - Sweater

After facing personal frustration with accreditation laws and exclusion, Jesse Randall, founder and CEO of Sweater, started a revolutionary venture capital fund accessible to everyone. For more than two years Jesse engaged with the SEC until he found a compliant way to allow non-accredited investors to participate with just $500, ushering in the Cashmere Fund. Learn about the innovative legal structures, such as the interval fund, that made Sweater's vision possible, and gain valuable advice on navigating the modern fundraising landscape. Jesse also shares his insights on the value of building relationships rather than relying on cold outreach and the practicalities of balancing entrepreneurial dreams with personal responsibilities. Listen now! -- The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by: RevRoad - Your sweat equity partner CB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank Contact us: aj.rounds@revroad.com jake.mchargue@cbutah.com

Michael Romrell - Literal

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Romrell, co-founder of Literal, to explore his journey in the EdTech industry. Michael shares how Literal improves student engagement by making books as addictive as social media, leading to a 70% increase in reading time. He discusses the challenges of selling to risk-averse school districts, and the importance of managing co-founder relationships.
Michael also reveals how he nurtures entrepreneurship in his children, encouraging them to start their own businesses. Tune in for a deep dive into innovative strategies and inspiring stories from the frontlines of EdTech.
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:RevRoad - Your sweat equity partnerCB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
Contact us:aj.rounds@revroad.comjake.mchargue@cbutah.com

Case and Kerri Lawrence - CircusTrix (now SkyZone)

Case Lawrence is the founder of CircusTrix (now SkyZone), the world's largest owner, operator, and franchisor of trampoline parks with over 300 facilities, 5,000 employees, and 50 million annual guests. In this episode, Case discusses his experience campaigning for the U.S. House of Representatives in Utah's 3rd District, drawing parallels between running for office and starting a business. His wife, Kerri, shares her perspective on involving the family in both the trampoline park business and the political campaign. Case highlights the sacred relationship between investors and entrepreneurs, the importance of remaining true to your values in the face of adversity, and the benefits of involving children in the business journey. Case and Kerri's story will inspire you to take the leap into entrepreneurship during both times of famine and prosperity.
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:RevRoad - Your sweat equity partnerCB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
Contact us:aj.rounds@revroad.comjake.mchargue@cbutah.com

Nate Tew - KeyRenter

Nate Tew started KeyRenter with the goal of changing lives one property at a time. He joins us for an insightful episode to discuss the journey of building a franchise model business. Nate firmly believes in the power of small businesses and the potential of franchises to empower entrepreneurs through mentorship, access to success tools, and a strong community culture. Today, KeyRenter has 56 franchise owners operating in 70 locations across the United States.
Nate also opens up about the challenges of balancing family life with business growth, and the importance of seeking counseling to navigate tough times with his co-founder. 
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:RevRoad - Your sweat equity partnerCB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
Contact us:aj.rounds@revroad.comjake.mchargue@cbutah.com

Logan Nicholson - Talsey AI

In this follow-up episode, we reconnect with Logan Nicholson of Talsey AI, formerly known as LocalEyes, to explore the exciting transformations his company has undergone over the past year. Join us as Logan shares his experiences:
Pivoting from a local food recommendation service to a smart guest engagement system, finding product-market fit despite never being his own customer.
Involving customers for feedback and even inviting them to sit on the board.
Securing a large enterprise deal that's in the works.
The story and behind the rebrand to Talsey AI.
Plus, hear an inspiring success story of how their hospitality chatbot helped a client boost reviews, increase occupancy, and sell their property for several hundred thousand dollars more.
Tune in for an episode packed with valuable takeaways on adapting, growing, and succeeding in the dynamic world of startups.
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:
RevRoad - Your sweat equity partner
CB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
 
Contact us:
aj.rounds@revroad.com
jake.mchargue@cbutah.com

Dave Oldham & Jordan Volz - Awsm

The founders of Awsm stood outside the Delta Center with picketing signs when Utah’s first NHL team was announced. But they weren't opposing Utah's first NHL team—they were advocating for fan ownership.Meet Jordan Volz and Dave Oldham. Together, they are building Awsm, a SaaS platform that enables companies to share ownership on a performance basis. Research shows that when people have an ownership stake—whether it’s a consumer or an employee—their behavior changes dramatically.Jordan and Dave advise other entrepreneurs to focus less on their competition and more on meeting the needs of customers. It's not a foot race. They also caution against the trap of thinking you can buy speed—hiring more engineers to accelerate product development is a myth. From this episode, you can gain insights into the true drivers of efficient and effective product launches.—The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:RevRoad - Your sweat equity partnerCB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central BankContact us: aj.rounds@revroad.comjake.mchargue@cbutah.com

Taz Murray - Trü Frü

Learn how to turn a sweet tooth into a national sensation with Taz Murray, the co-founder of Trü Frü, as he shares his journey from accountant to confectionery connoisseur. Contrary to what was taught in business school, Taz proved that you don't need a $500M marketing budget to become a national brand. Instead, he leveraged the power of social media and influencer collaborations to place Trü Frü products in major retailers and tickle taste buds across the country. In this episode, you'll get an inside scoop on the candy trade, the perils of scaling too quickly, and the secrets of working with retail brokers. Plus, hear the incredible story of how a Costco buyer was so impressed, they drafted a purchase order within 22 minutes of their first call.

Kristi Holt - Vibeonix

Kristi Holt, a natural-born entrepreneur, turned $10,000 into half a million by the age of 26. Now, she's on a mission to revolutionize mental and emotional wellness with Vibeonix, an AI-driven platform that deciphers emotional intelligence and emotions through voice analysis.
Kristi joins us to share her insights on building a product before knowing who the customer was and navigating the complex relationship entrepreneurs have with money. Many founders use money as a band-aid to cover up underlying issues. Kristi views money as a tool for convenience but emphasizes that it's people who solve problems—not money.
Tune in to hear Kristi’s advice on rejecting negativity and embracing a more positive narrative, a mindset that has fueled her achievements and can inspire your own journey.
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:
RevRoad - Your sweat equity partner
CB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
 
Contact us: 
aj.rounds@revroad.com
jake.mchargue@cbutah.com 

Woody Klemetson - AskElephant

In this episode, we dive deep into the unsung heroes of the business world: intrapreneurs. These innovative minds work within companies to enhance processes, making organizations stronger and more resilient. Woody Klemetson, founder of AskElephant, discusses how intrapreneurs protect businesses and their people, and highlights the importance of "minding your wake"—being aware of the impact you have on your team and environment.
We'll also explore creating spaces where founders' ideas can be constructively challenged and the importance of being honest about product-market fit. Tune in for a value-packed episode that will help you build a better, more innovative company.
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:
RevRoad - Your sweat equity partner
CB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
 
Contact us: 
aj.rounds@revroad.com
jake.mchargue@cbutah.com 
 

Scott Johnson - WOJE Money

Meet Scott Johnson, the ultimate customer-focused founder and CEO of WOJE Money. When a customer missed a payment, Scott called them on the phone and learned that their wife had lost her job. With six clicks of a mouse, Scott put that customer on a new financing plan that better suited their current financial situation.
Scott has revolutionized financing for small businesses and individuals with flexible terms and dynamic pricing tiers tailored to their needs. In this episode, Scott shares how his journey was shaped by mentors who pushed him to start his own company and the advice he received along the way. He pays it forward by mentoring others, giving more to those who receive and take action.
Tune in to learn how Scott's innovative fintech solutions and unwavering commitment to customer success are setting new industry standards.
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The Midnight Founders Podcast is powered by:
RevRoad - Your sweat equity partner
CB Vault - The entrepreneur arm of Central Bank
 
Contact us: 
aj.rounds@revroad.com
jake.mchargue@cbutah.com