Martin Blencowe Talks Cameo, Purpose, and Building Emotional Connections
Show Description:In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood is joined by Martin Blencowe, co-founder of Cameo, to discuss his journey from a small town in England to building a platform that connects fans with celebrities through personalized video messages. Martin shares how a heartfelt video from an NFL client sparked the idea for Cameo, leading to a marketplace that delivers joy and emotional impact to users worldwide. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of building strong relationships with talent, and the strategies behind scaling a business in the creator economy. Martin emphasizes the significance of purpose, emotional intelligence, and personal growth in achieving success. He reflects on lessons learned from failures, the role of fear as a motivator, and the balance between financial gain and personal fulfillment. Martin also offers advice to aspiring creators on finding their passion, navigating competition, and building authentic personal brands. Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of creating a purpose-driven platform that resonates with both celebrities and fans alike.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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46:19
Mastering the CEO Role: Insights on Hiring, Decision-Making, and Brand Building
In this special episode, we’re pulling together some of the most powerful insights shared by the brilliant minds who’ve joined us so far — founders, CEOs, and operators who’ve built, scaled, and sometimes stumbled their way through the wild ride of leadership. From navigating founder identity to mastering strategic hiring, each guest has opened up with honesty and clarity about what it really takes to grow a business — not just the wins, but the mindset shifts and lessons learned along the way.If you’ve been with us from the start, this is a great refresher. If you’re new here, it’s the perfect place to jump in.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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39:26
From Lacrosse to Launching Kane: John Gagliardi's Entrepreneurial Journey
In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with John Gagliardi, founder and CEO of Kane Footwear, to explore his journey from professional lacrosse player to pioneering a sustainable recovery shoe brand. John shares how his experiences in sports and the footwear industry inspired the creation of Kane, focusing on performance, sustainability, and innovation. John discusses the challenges of product design, the importance of sustainability, and strategies for building a successful brand. He emphasizes the significance of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey and balancing profit with purpose. He also reflects on lessons learned from past experiences and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about following their passions while being pragmatic about their career choices. Join us for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey of building a brand that prioritizes both performance and sustainability.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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48:45
From Immigrant to Global Change-maker: Diego Saez Gil on Building Trust with Pachama
In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Diego Saez Gil, co-founder and CEO of Pachama, to explore how his journey from the Andes to Silicon Valley shaped his mission to combat climate change through innovation. Pachama uses technology to bring transparency and trust to the carbon credits market, helping companies offset emissions while supporting forest conservation. Diego shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial path—from launching his first startups during the 2008 financial crisis to facing the challenges of raising capital as an immigrant founder. He offers insights on the importance of surrounding yourself with passionate people, building a culture rooted in purpose, and viewing entrepreneurship as a path to service. He also opens up about how meditation, nature, and perspective have influenced his leadership style and personal growth. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on climate tech, startup resilience, and creating a company that values both impact and culture.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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43:07
Thrive Market: Building a Purpose-Driven E-Commerce Platform with Co-Founder & CTO Sasha Siddhartha
In this episode of Built in America, host Sam Mahmood sits down with Sasha Siddhartha, co-founder and CTO of Thrive Market, to explore how his passion and drive for entrepreneurship helped him build a thriving e-commerce platform. Thrive Market’s mission is to make organic, sustainable groceries accessible and affordable through a unique membership model. Sasha shares the story of building the company, from navigating the challenges of fundraising to leveraging influencers as investors for authentic brand growth. Sasha dives into the importance of operational efficiency, customer personalization, and staying mission-driven while scaling a direct-to-consumer business. He reflects on early mistakes in customer acquisition, the lessons learned in balancing growth with long-term value, and the competitive landscape of e-commerce. With a clear vision for the future, Sasha also shares his thoughts on global expansion, leadership, and what it takes to build a purpose-driven brand in a rapidly evolving market. Join us for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of aligning business success with positive impact.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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