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PODCAST

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

A weekly show where Mary Scott, startup consultant with BusinessRiff, interviews experts in their fields for practical / tactical advice for new, startup businesses. Includes topics like Inventors, Investors, Marketing, Accounting, Legal, Social Media, Mindset, etc. Currently running on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@StartUpSuccessLaunch and in the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/startupbusinesslaunchpad/ We want Startups to be wildly successful, and this information will get

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

8:35

Insurance for Startups with Chris Castanes

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/03/17

https://surffinancialbrokers.com Chris Castanes from Surf Financial Brokers gives basic insurance tips for startupsStartup Insurance Basics ExplainedMary and Chris discussed the importance of insurance for startups, focusing on liability insurance and workers' compensation. Chris explained that liability insurance protects businesses from claims of bodily harm or property damage, both on and off premises. He also described workers' comp, noting that it covers employees who are injured on the job,

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7:32

Robotics and AI Investing with Oliver Mitchell

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/03/10

Oliver Mitchell from ff Venture Capital talks about AI & Robotics StartupsAI and Robotics Investment InsightsOliver Mitchell, an investor at ff Venture Capital, shared his extensive experience in AI and robotics investments, including his time at Autonomy Ventures where he made significant exits. He discussed his current role at FF, where he focuses on DeepTech investments, and his work on the boards of companies like Plus One, Burrow, and Civrox. Oliver also mentioned his book "A Startup Field

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8:54

Startup Accounting Do's & Don't's with Louise Pooley

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/03/05

Louise Pooley from Pooley Accounting Services talks about Taking Care of Your MoneyFinancial Mistakes in Startup FailuresLouise discussed common financial mistakes that lead to startup failures, highlighting the importance of proper cash flow planning during the early non-profitable phase and establishing a solid financial management system. She emphasized the need to separate business and personal finances by opening a dedicated business bank account and avoiding co-mingling funds, which can create

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9:55

CDFI Benefits for Startups with Robert Boyle

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/02/24

https://JustinePetersen.orgRobert Boyle from Justine Petersen talks about CDFIsCDFIs: Supporting Underserved CommunitiesMary introduced Robert Boyle from Justine Peterson, a CDFI in St. Louis, to discuss the importance of CDFIs for startups. Robert explained that CDFIs, or Community Development Financial Institutions, were established by the U.S. Department of Treasury in the mid-90s to assist underserved communities and business owners. He mentioned that CDFIs come under the CDFI Fund and can

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9:41

Sales Tips for Startups with Daman...

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/02/21

https://www.logisticssales.com/Daman Grewal from LogisticsSales.com gives Sales Tips for StartupsSummarySales Strategies for Startup SuccessMary welcomed Daman Grewal to the show to discuss sales strategies for startups, emphasizing the importance of sales before revenue generation. Daman shared his experience visiting St. Louis and acknowledged Mary's introduction. The conversation set the stage for a discussion on sales techniques, with Daman's expertise in logistics sales to be highlighted in the

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9:26

Getting Investors to Lean In with Alex Chompff

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/02/12

https://evolutionaccelerator.coAlex Chompff from Evolution Ventures Fund Management talks about Getting Investors to Lean In.Startup Support and Collaboration InsightsSMary welcomed Alex Chompff from Evolution Ventures to the Stuck? Time to Improv! podcast, where they discussed the importance of supporting startups and their journey to success. Alex expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share insights with the community and emphasized the value of collaboration in the startup

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8:55

Challenges for Minority Founders with Kristy Jackson

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/02/03

Startup Tree https://hssu-cie.startuptree.co/Kristy Jackson from the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harris-Stowe State University talking about challenges to minority foundersSupporting Minority Entrepreneurs in St. LouisMary and Kristy discussed the challenges minority founders face, including funding gaps, knowledge gaps, and a lack of mentorship and sponsorship. Kristy, as the Executive Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris Stowe State University,

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8:33

AI Tips for Startups with Dr. Farzana Chohan

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/01/27

https://www.farzanachohan.com/Dr. Farzana Chohan from Optimized Excellence talks about AI for StartupsAI Strategies for Startup SuccessMary introduces Dr. Farzana Chohan from Optimized Excellence to discuss AI strategies for startups. They plan to explore common mistakes startups make when approaching AI and how to work effectively with it.AI Adoption: Fear vs. BlindnessDr. Chohan discussed the two extreme approaches to AI: fear and blind adoption. She emphasized the need for leaders to learn about

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9:36

Necessary Diligence for Startups with Hall T. Martin

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/01/25

https://tencapital.group/Hall Martin from TEN Capital talks about Success Factors in Early Stage DiligenceDue Diligence for Startup InvestorsMary and Hall discussed the importance of due diligence for early-stage startups. Hall explained that investors examine pitch decks, legal structures, cap tables, financial projections, and revenue models to assess a company's potential. He emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to demonstrate knowledge of their business and to show evidence of support from

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9:31

What's Your Business Structure? with Kent Voran from...

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/01/20

Kent Voran from SCORE talks about What Type of Business Are You.Business Structure Selection GuideMary and Kent discussed the different types of business structures, including sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability companies, and corporations (C-Corp and S-Corp). Kent emphasized the importance of considering factors such as tax liability, personal liability exposure, operational setup, funding options, and future growth when choosing a business structure. He encouraged early planning

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9:52

Marie Patterson - AI Infrastructure for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2026/01/08

https://businessriff.comMarie Patterson from InfinityPath Ventures talks about AI infrastructure for StartupsAI Infrastructure: Hardware and SoftwareMarie explained that AI infrastructure encompasses both hardware and software components at the server and chip levels, including supporting systems like cooling and power supplies. She emphasized the importance of creating "frictionless planes" for software solutions to drive efficiency, particularly for companies that sell AI as their product. Marie

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8:30

Michael Berlingo - Student Interns for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/12/30

https://starteryou.comMichael Berlingo from Starteryou talks about using Students as a Resource for Startups.Student Resources for Startup SuccessMary and Michael discussed the benefits of using students as a resource for startups. Michael explained that students are eager, passionate, and can be shaped and molded to develop various skills beyond their initial role. He emphasized that students can be turned into versatile generalists, which is valuable for startups with small employee sizes and

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6:35

Chris Jackson on Vision-Market-Sales for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/12/25

Chris Jackson from EOS Worldwide talks about Vision-Market-Sales for StartupsFocus and Speed for StartupsChris emphasized the importance of focus for early-stage businesses, highlighting the need to define their core problem and target market rather than trying to solve multiple issues simultaneously. He noted that founders often underestimate the importance of anticipating problems and learning from failures, suggesting that rapid iteration and customer validation are crucial for success. Chris

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6:44

Sue Schuster - Partnerships for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/12/12

https://BizFi.io https://biz-fi.io/sue-schuster https://bizfi.io/funding-options/Sue Schuster from BizFi.io talks about what makes good Partnerships for StartupsBenefits and Risks of PartnershipsMary and Sue discussed the importance of partnerships in business, emphasizing that a good partnership should be mutually beneficial and help both parties achieve their goals. Sue explained that partnerships are valuable because they provide access to skills and expertise that one party may lack, and she

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9:57

Gordon Firemark - The Cost to NOT Hire a Lawyer for...

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/12/12

Gordon Firemark, "The Podcast Lawyer" talks about What will cost a Startup if They Don't Use a LawyerLegal Protection for Startup FoundersMary and Gordon discussed the importance of hiring a lawyer for startups to avoid costly mistakes. Gordon emphasized that founders often underestimate the legal risks and can lose their business or IP by not setting up the proper legal structure. He highlighted the dangers of operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership without protection, and the need for

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9:58

Natalie Krul - Using LinkedIn for Leads

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/11/25

https://kleverstrategies.com/Natalie Krul from Klever Strategies talks about Using LinkedIn for LeadsWhy businesses should use LinkedIninding target prospects on LinkedInDetailsNatalie: Search capabilities depend on your LinkedIn plan (free, premium, or Sales Navigator)Natalie: Define your target audience using filters like demographics, geography, job titles, and keywordsNatalie: Focus on second and third-degree connections as they're warmer prospects due to mutual connectionsMary: Gave an example

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9:24

Tiffany Rawson - Basic Strategy for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/11/24

https://monumentalstrides.comTiffany Rawson from Monumental Strides talks about basic strategies for startupsWhat strategies should you have? Know your long term plan. Where do you see your company in 5 years? ten years? What are revenue & expense projections? How big is the team? But, importantly, you need to think about what is your Impact? On community, on industry, on your employees, on customers lives, etc. And, how is this business serving you, the Founder? Decisions made today should set

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8:29

Alfredo Matthew III - Revenue & Focus for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/11/24

Alfredo Matthew III from SPCC.1 talks about Revenue & Focus for StartupsStartup Success: Validation, Revenue, ProfitMary and Alfredo discussed key strategies for startups to succeed, emphasizing the importance of customer validation, revenue generation, and profitability. Alfredo highlighted the need for startups to focus on securing early customers, building a tiered service or product offering, and gradually increasing contract values. He stressed the significance of understanding break-even

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8:23

Ken Miller - Virtual Assistants for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/11/11

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmiller84/Ken Miller from AIVAlution talks about How to Know When to Hire a V.A.Choosing Between Onshore and Offshore VAsKen explained the differences between onshore and offshore virtual assistants, noting that onshore VAs typically cost $20-25 per hour while offshore VAs cost $6-7 per hour. He advised that startups should hire a VA when they become overwhelmed by mundane, repetitive tasks, as this indicates they are running out of time to invest in their business. Ken

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9:57

C.J. Gilbert - Website Essentials for Startups

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad ·

2025/11/01

C. J. Gilbert from Jungle Studios talks about website essentials for StartupsStartup Website Goals DiscussionMary and CJ discussed the importance of setting clear goals for a startup's website, with sales being a common objective. CJ emphasized the need to consider what the website should achieve for both the business and its customers, highlighting the value of including educational resources, information, and forms. They also touched on the process of creating and sharing content across platforms

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111 results

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