Built In America

• Brewing an Award-Winning Business: How Steve Schwartz Built Art of Tea from Scratch

  In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Steve Schwartz, Founder & CEO of Art of Tea, to uncover how he turned a deep passion for tea into a globally recognized brand. From hand-selecting the finest tea leaves across the globe to crafting blends enjoyed in top restaurants and luxury hotels like Wolfgang Puck and Caesars Palace, Steve shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a premium tea empire.Steve discusses the entrepreneurial drive that fueled his journey, the art and science of blending high-quality teas, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining authenticity. He explains why great tea isn’t just about taste—it’s about experience, storytelling, and creating a lasting impact. Fueled by his unwavering belief in his vision, Steve–with the help of his wife–self-funded Art of Tea—relying on personal credit cards to turn his passion into a thriving business, proving that quality and vision drive long-term success.Join us for an insightful conversation on brand-building, product excellence, and the business of tea, as Steve shares his lessons on leadership, sourcing, and the power of creating a product that consumers love and recognize.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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• Building a Sustainable Future with Dandelion – Kathy Hannun’s Mission in Geothermal Energy

  In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Kathy Hannun, founder and President of Dandelion, a pioneering geothermal heating and cooling company. Kathy shares her remarkable journey from Google X to launching Dandelion, a company dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making geothermal energy accessible for homes and businesses.Kathy discusses the challenges she faced building a startup in the clean energy sector, her approach to raising capital, and how she aligned Dandelion's mission with its revenue model. She also delves into the importance of mentorship, the value of building a strong team, and the strategies that fueled Dandelion’s growth. Kathy’s insights on the future of geothermal energy and its potential to revolutionize the market offer a compelling look at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation.Join us for a fascinating conversation on the future of clean energy, the power of mentorship, and the strategies behind building a mission-driven business that’s changing the way we think about sustainable solutions.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Startup Success and Scaling Innovation: Nanxi Liu's Journey with Blaze.tech to Transform Small Business Solutions

  In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood chats with Nanxi Liu, the powerhouse co-founder of Blaze.tech, a company changing the game for small businesses by making app creation simple and accessible. From managing multimillion-dollar companies like CarParts.com to founding Blaze.tech, Nanxi’s entrepreneurial journey showcases her ability to turn bold ideas into impactful businesses.Nanxi shares how she built Blaze.tech from the ground up, the lessons she’s learned from leading in the tech industry, and her secrets to raising capital and building a dream team. She dives into her strategies for creating products that customers love, the importance of staying adaptable as a leader, and why integrity is key to long-term success.Join us for a compelling discussion on entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and the practical strategies behind building and scaling successful businesses.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Austin Long: Scaling Youtooz into a Leading Internet Collectibles Brand

  In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Austin Long, the visionary co-founder behind Youtooz, a collectibles brand that has captivated the online creator community. Austin shares how his background in talent management for YouTube and Twitch creators helped him recognize a gap in the market for unique, creator-inspired collectibles. Since Youtooz's launch in 2019, Austin and his team have worked to make Youtooz a beloved direct-to-consumer brand, creating iconic figures that resonate with internet culture and fans worldwide.Throughout the conversation, Austin reveals insights into Youtooz’s rapid rise, from overcoming manufacturing hurdles to developing a distinct direct-to-consumer strategy centered on community engagement and organic growth. He explains how Youtooz has set itself apart by prioritizing creator partnerships and a trial-and-error approach to product development. This episode dives deep into the challenges and rewards of building a niche brand, the role of content in fostering loyal communities, and Youtooz’s future in expanding responsibly while staying true to its roots in innovation and ethics.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Jeremy Yamaguchi: Building the Nation’s Largest Pool Cleaning Roll-Up with Cabana

  In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood welcomes Jeremy Yamaguchi, an entrepreneurial powerhouse who has carved a niche by transforming home service industries—part of a trillion-dollar market—through innovation. From founding a digital agency to creating Goldenshine and Lawn Love—both pioneering home service brands with successful exits—Jeremy’s career is defined by a rare combination of vision and operational rigor. Now, with his latest venture, Cabana, Jeremy is tackling the pool cleaning industry, aiming to consolidate and modernize a traditionally fragmented market.Jeremy discusses the evolution of his career, sharing how his multicultural upbringing and self-taught skills shaped his entrepreneurial path. He dives into the challenges of creating national brands in low-tech sectors, offering insights on strategic acquisitions, the power of genuine relationships, and his vision to make Cabana the "Orkin of pools." With a focus on continuous improvement and long-term growth, Jeremy’s journey exemplifies resilience and strategic thinking in scaling businesses from the ground up. This episode provides invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned founders, and anyone interested in how one can reshape traditional industries.Discover how Cabana is modernizing the pool cleaning industry—check it out at cabanapools.com.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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