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Founder Problems PodcastFrom Rough Patches to Reality: When to Call It Quits on Your StartupIn this episode of Founder Problems, hosts Zach Oshinbanjo, Lee Zuvanich, and Sarah Schumacher discuss the challenging decision of whether to shut down or pivot a business. Zach shares a recent realization, and they all reflect on their personal startup experiences, emphasizing the significance of community support, understanding opportunity costs, the role of luck, and maintaining a balance between perseverance and practicality. Zach offers advice on the logistical aspects of closing a business, offering insights on how to move forward effectively. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Founder Problems 00:12 Meet the Hosts 00:51 S...2025-07-3044 minFounder Problems PodcastSummer BreakJust a quick note to say we're taking a short summer break and will return in July. Founder Problems is a podcast by and for real-world, fed-up founders. Three entrepreneurs in the messy middle share hot takes, actionable steps, and resources to navigate the challenges of running a business—no promises of 10x growth or swooning investors. Every founder’s journey is different, so take what works and make it your own. Learn more at founderproblems.com. 2025-06-1800 minFounder Problems PodcastWhat’s Your Problem: Real Talk on Operations, Focus, and Embracing LimitationsIn this episode, Sarah Schumacher, Zach Oshinbanjo (and joining later, Lee Zuvanich) experiment with a new format about our own, recent founder problems: tedious admin work, the art of saying no, and staying afloat when founder brain pulls you in twenty directions. We discuss Sarah's quest for operational efficiency, Zach's strategic life overhaul, and Lee's struggle with octopus-esque multitasking, in hopes it will provide you with useful tips on leveraging technology, refining your focus, and being a pragmatic pessimist (or at least some commiseration). Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to 'What's Your Problem?' 00:38 S...2025-06-0425 minFounder Problems PodcastAll That AI BS: An Infodump of Facts, Fears and Futuristic PredictionsIn this episode of the Founder Problems Podcast, hosts Lee Zuvanich, Sarah Schumacher, and Zach Oshinbanjo dive into the contentious world of AI. They explore its potential harms (DOOM!) and benefits (being lazy!), including environmental impacts, corporate responsibility, and practical applications in both personal and professional settings. The conversation also touches on the importance of developing your own style and being intentional with AI use. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to AI Discussion 01:12 Fears and Concerns About AI 03:54 Environmental Impact 06:13 Corporate Responsibility 11:21 Positive Aspects 21:10 Personal and Professional Uses...2025-05-2148 minFounder Problems PodcastDon't Quit Your Day Job... YetIn this episode of the Founder Problems Podcast, Zach Oshinbanjo, Sarah Schumacher, and Lee Zuvanich discuss whether to quit your secure 9-to-5 for your startup idea. They examine the pros and cons of maintaining a day job while exploring side ventures, highlighting the importance of stability and a gradual transition while totally unable to hide their bias toward entrepreneurship (but do it strategically, please). Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Founder Problems Podcast 00:20 Meet the Hosts: Zach, Sarah, and Lee 00:56 Defining the Day Job 01:10 The Positives of Keeping Your D...2025-05-0739 minFounder Problems PodcastFreelancing: A Minimum Viable BusinessIn this episode of the Founder Problems Podcast, Sarah Schumacher, Lee Zuvanich, and Zach Oshinbanjo navigate the murky waters of differentiating freelancers from entrepreneurs. They explore how freelancing can be a starting point for business-building, the difficulties (and risk) of scaling and delegation. The team also takes a detour into the need for personal branding and networking to avoid 'top hat' gimmicks. Key takeaways include the soul-searching exercise of using personal goals to determine business structure, leveraging personality types for optimal business roles, and starting with a 'minimum viable business' mindset. Timestamps: 00:56 Defining Freelancers 2025-04-2342 minFounder Problems PodcastFinding Silver Linings: What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Better at Business (and Public Speaking)In this episode, Zach Oshinbanjo, Lee Zuvanich and Sarah Schumacher share how to turn your biggest facepalms and 'oh-no' moments into stepping stones. From last-minute grant scrambles to learning to cultivate optimism, they dive into personal stories and practical tips on finding the silver lining in every screw-up. They also make a diversion into public speaking tips, and give examples of how to spot red flags in business referencing a certain weird book. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Hosts Introduction 00:45 Turning Disasters into Opportunities 01:29 Real-Life Examples of Finding Silver Linings 03:22 The...2025-04-0940 minFounder Problems PodcastRented vs Owned: The Digital Real Estate Dilemma for FoundersIn this episode of the Founder Problems Podcast, Sarah Schumacher, Lee Zuvanich, and Zach Oshinbanjo discuss the idea of rented versus owned digital platforms. Because social media accounts are great until they decide to pull the rug out from under you. They break down the pros and cons, sprinkle in a few realistic warnings, and give practical tips on leveraging both types to boost your personal brand. They even discuss why having your own server in your basement is a terrible idea. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Founder Problems Podcast 00:30 Rented Platforms: Pros and Cons...2025-03-2636 minFounder Problems PodcastWhen the Market Says 'Nice Try, Buddy:' Finding Product Market FitIn this insightfully honest episode, Lee Zuvanich, Zach Oshinbanjo, and Sarah Schumacher dive into TAM, SAM, and SOM (no, that’s not a delicious soup). They drive home the importance of understanding your Total Addressable Market (TAM) and listening to feedback before assuming your next idea is the big one. Don't spend all your money on ads and accolades before you even know what your market wants. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Backgrounds 00:40 Understanding Market Sizing: TAM, SAM, SOM 04:15 Common Mistakes in Market Entry 06:00 Challenges in Customer Acquisition 08:18 Mi...2025-03-1241 minFounder Problems PodcastVetting Cofounders: Why Swiping Right Isn't EnoughIn this episode of the Founder Problems Podcast, Lee Zuvanich, Sarah Schumacher, and Zach Oshinbanjo discuss the difficult task of vetting potential co-founders. Sharing personal misadventures and cautionary tales, they stress the importance of thorough due diligence with practical tips like working together on a trial basis, ensuring aligned values, and the critical need for trust and integrity. Spoiler alert: A mutual love for scotch or golden doodles isn't quite enough to seal the deal. Timestamps: 00:12 Personal Experiences and Perspectives 01:03 The Importance of Due Diligence 01:59 Building Trust and Relationships2025-02-2631 minFounder Problems PodcastThe Focus Myth: Navigating Multiple Side Hustles, Experimentation and Exploring InterestsZach Oshinbanjo, Lee Zuvanich, and Sarah Schumacher delve into the myth that a singular focus is necessary for business success. Sharing their eclectic and, frankly, exhausting career paths, they highlight the ability to balance multiple ventures by utilizing systems and leveraging natural nerd skills. They also give advice to their younger selves: underscoring the value of experimenting and following interests, and being ok with being different. Timestamps: 00:00 Meet the Hosts: Diverse Backgrounds and Expertise 00:47 Debunking the Myth of Singular Focus in Business 01:58 Balancing Multiple Roles and Income Streams 03:30 The...2025-02-1240 minFounder Problems PodcastWhen to Quit: Feast or Famine Cycles, Slow Intuition, and Listening to the MarketIn this episode, Lee Zuvanich, Sarah Schumacher and Zach Oshinbanjo dive deep into the multifaceted decision-making process of knowing when to throw in the towel. Enduring feast and famine business cycles, investor pressure, being too busy to listen... they discuss their own experiences with the mental gymnastics behind tough decisions. Expect insights on how anxiety can be helpful, the importance of intuition, and balancing the thrill of the idea with insights from the real world. Plus, hear why ignoring your mom's business advice might be the best move you'll ever make. If you've ever wonder how other founders differentiate...2025-01-2925 minFounder Problems PodcastThree Approaches to Annual Planning: Tarot Cards, B.L.U.F.F., and the Pen-to-Spreadsheet PipelineIn this episode, Lee Zuvanich, Zach Oshinbanjo, and Sarah Schumacher tackle the once in a year task of planning the next one. From Pinterest-level vision boards to X-men and mortar inspired operational plans, we cover three wildly different planning styles that all end up being mostly the same (hint: start with values). Yes, the ubiquitous rocks and pebble illustration is mentioned, but only once. Mentioned In This Episode: Measure What Matters by John Doerr The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran How You Spend the First Week of 2025 - smschumacher.com Bullet Journaling: What It I...2025-01-1528 minFounder Problems PodcastWhyZach Oshinbanjo, Lee Zuvanich, and Sarah Schumacher talk about their personal founder journeys and why they decided to start this podcast. Common threads include: an uncanny ability to see problems and an insatiable drive to fix them, how entrepreneurship is an effective tool to create fulfilling careers, and the significance of community for founder support. Mentioned in this Episode: The E-Myth by Michael Gerber Traction by Gino Wickman Kaufmann FastTrac Courses SBDC ElevationLab Course 1 Million Cups KCSourceLink KCSL Resource Navigator Founder Problems is a podcast by and for real-world, fed-up founders. Three entrepreneurs i...2025-01-0140 minFounder Problems PodcastFounder Problems Podcast TrailerSarah Schumacher, Lee Zuvanich, and Zach Oshinbanjo each give a summary on what the Founder Problems Podcast is all about.2024-12-0201 min