Inside Point Wild: Neil Feather on Acquisitions, Growth & the Cybersecurity Frontier
In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Neil Feather, president of Point Wild, to unpack his journey in building a cybersecurity company focused on protecting everyday consumers. Neil reflects on the evolution of cybersecurity, the realities of business growth through both acquisitions and organic strategy, and how to build a company with strong values at its core.He shares insights into team building, navigating work-life balance, and the lessons he’s learned through multiple ventures. From defining company culture to understanding the true role of education in entrepreneurship, Neil offers practical takeaways for aspiring founders and seasoned operators alike.Join us for an honest conversation on leadership, risk-taking, and what it takes to succeed in the fast-changing world of cybersecurity.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA= Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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42:31
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42:31
How Shadi Bakour Built Path to Eliminate 600M+ Plastic Bottles
In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Shadi Bakour, co-founder and CEO of Path, to discuss his mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles through a sleek, reusable alternative. Shadi shares the origin story of Path, the inspiration behind its counterintuitive business model, and how early traction helped validate a bold idea in a competitive space. Shadi dives into the complexities of manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven consumer product. He also emphasizes the role of advisors, storytelling in fundraising, and why simplicity and persistence are key ingredients to building lasting impact. Join us for a compelling conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what it really takes to build a brand that blends profit with purpose.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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48:38
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48:38
How Vijay Ravindran Built Floreo: A Breakthrough VR Platform for Neurodiverse Learners
In this episode, Vijay Ravindran, founder and CEO of Floreo, shares how his background in tech and entrepreneurship led him to develop a virtual reality platform that’s transforming how we support neurodiverse learners. Floreo is an FDA-designated breakthrough device designed for individuals of any age and ability, operating at the cutting edge of healthcare, education, and immersive technology. Vijay discusses the unique challenges of building in a highly regulated space—from navigating FDA approval to scaling within a dual-market system that serves both clinical and educational settings. He also dives into the importance of team building, empathy in product design, and understanding the full patient and caregiver journey to create tools with real-world impact. Whether you're interested in neurodiversity, digital therapeutics, or the future of VR in medicine and learning, this conversation offers valuable insight into what it takes to build purpose-driven innovation that truly moves the needle.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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48:01
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48:01
From Middle School Friends to Fintech Founders: Kelly Littlepage & Stephen Johnson of OneChronos
In this episode, Sam Mahmood interviews Kelly Littlepage and Stephen Johnson, co-founders of OneChronos, a trading platform built to reduce inefficiencies in capital markets. From childhood friends to fintech founders, they share how their shared curiosity and drive to challenge the status quo shaped their entrepreneurial journey.They dive into the challenges of building a platform for institutional traders, the influence of Y Combinator, and the importance of maintaining strong investor relationships. Kelly and Stephen also discuss the value of sustainable growth, how hiring too fast can derail a company, and why focusing on long-term impact matters more than rapid scaling.The conversation also touches on work-life balance, the power of complementary co-founder dynamics, and the importance of staying passionate in high-stakes industries. For anyone interested in startups, trading, or building something that lasts—this episode is a must-listen.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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34:06
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34:06
From Princeton Review to Noodle: John Katzman’s Blueprint for Education & Startup Success
In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Katzman, renowned education entrepreneur and CEO of Noodle. Katzman shares his journey from founding Princeton Review to building Noodle, a platform reimagining the future of higher education. He unpacks what it takes to scale companies, the importance of risk-taking, and why solving real problems—not chasing trends—is the key to meaningful entrepreneurship.John dives into the lessons he's learned across decades of building businesses, including how to evaluate startup ideas, manage capital partners, and build teams with low ego and high trust. He also explores the evolving role of technology in education, the need for lifelong learning, and what it really takes to lead with clarity and conviction.Join us for a thoughtful conversation on innovation, leadership, and reshaping the way we learn and grow.Let’s keep building… Follow Sam Mahmood: Instagram: @TheSamMahmoodTwitter: @TheSamMahmood_LinkedIn: Sam MahmoodJoin the Built In America community of others who are buying great businesses and sign up for Sam’s weekly newsletter: www.builtinamerica.coFollow our producers, The Peers Project: https://www.instagram.com/thepeersproject?igsh=MTZ1dWJpZXVpYWdybA== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Starting a business is exciting, but it's anything but straightforward. Having a great idea is just the beginning — what really matters are the decisions you make and the pivots along the way. That’s where Built In America comes in. A podcast that explores the real and raw experiences behind entrepreneurial success, broken down from the very beginning. Hosted by Sam Mahmood, a self-made entrepreneur raised by immigrant parents, who has skillfully raised funds to acquire businesses across America. Sam interviews guests who have built and bought some of the most fascinating and successful companies across the U.S.It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, thinking of buying a business, or somewhere in the messy middle, Built In America is for those ready to delve into the business of building something big and be inspired by those who have built it, bought it, and made it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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