FOUNDERS REDEFINING DISTRIBUTION, CULTURE, AND AI: SEPTEMBER SPOTLIGHT

FROM THE GROWTH CAPITAL PODCAST

September on the Growth Capital Podcast was packed with founders turning hard-won insight into scalable playbooks—from human-curated communities and AI-native fintech to tactile customer journeys, culture-first beverages, and practical, agentic AI. If you’re building, operating, or investing, this month’s five conversations are a mini-MBA in distribution, product-market fit, and execution.

Episode 42: The Human Edge in an Automated World with Brian Von Ancken 

Brian’s career didn’t start in wellness entrepreneurship. Fresh out of law school, he joined Tough Mudder as its first legal hire when the company was just 10 people in a room. He quickly learned the power of brand loyalty—participants were so passionate they tattooed the Tough Mudder logo on their bodies. That experience sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and later led him to launch ventures like Anchor, a mindful fitness platform that blends boot camp workouts with meditation.

Those early lessons in growth, loyalty, and community set the stage for Wellness Growth Mastermind (WGM).

Brian Von Ancken’s story proves that powerful businesses don’t always start with spreadsheets and strategy decks. Sometimes, they start with a single introduction—and grow through trust, generosity, and the simple act of bringing the right people together.

👉 Check the full episode of Brian’s insights.

Episode 43: The Shift From Wealth Management to Wealth Enablement with Alexander Harmsen

Alexander Harmsen didn’t set out to start another venture-backed AI startup. He built a tool for himself, and it turned into a movement—one that’s poised to help millions of people keep more of their money, invest smarter, and retire with confidence.

As the financial services industry grapples with disruption, PortfolioPilot offers a compelling blueprint for what’s next: transparency, accessibility, personalization—and no middlemen taking a cut.

Want to see it for yourself? PortfolioPilot is offering Growth Capital Podcast listeners one free month of their premium plan. Just use the promo code PODCAST at checkout.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for more insights on:

• Why PortfolioPilot doesn’t move your money—and why that matters

• How Alexander used AI tools to eliminate bottlenecks

• Why building trust is a long game in fintech

  
  

Episode 44: Breaking Free from Golden Handcuffs: The Founder’s Awakening with Mark Stern

If your customer journey only lives in slide decks and software dashboards, you may be missing the chance to build trust and momentum. Mark Stern and Custom Box Agency show how to package the journey itself—so customers not only understand what’s next, but feel inspired to keep moving forward.

To hear the full story—including the birth of 57 Hats and what Mark is building next—listen to the Growth Capital Podcast episode.

Episode 45: Bet Beyond Comfort, Win Beyond Limits with Amy Bett

What started as a personal search for a healthier way to relax became a transcontinental entrepreneurial leap. Amy left Australia, landed in Los Angeles with no network, and set out to build a sparkling kava brand that could meet consumers where alcohol no longer served them. \

Amy Bett’s journey blends resilience, cultural respect, and market timing. By championing kava, she’s introducing U.S. consumers to a centuries-old tradition reimagined for today’s wellness-conscious world.

If you’re scanning the beverage aisle for something that helps you relax—without the hangover or the high—Melo is worth a look.

• Share this episode with a friend exploring alcohol alternatives.

• Watch for Melo’s Sprouts launch and that upcoming mystery flavor.

Episode 46: Agentic AI: The Next Frontier in Business Automation with Jeff Torello

Jeff Torello reminds us that AI doesn’t have to be mysterious or overwhelming. It’s software—powerful software—that, when applied deliberately, can help businesses do more with less. The winners won’t be those who bet big on flashy tools, but those who start small, prove value, and scale smart.

If you’re a founder, operator, or investor navigating this next phase of AI adoption, Jeff’s approach offers a clear path forward.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for Jeff’s practical frameworks, favorite tools, and step-by-step advice on getting your first AI agent live.

September’s Playbook (TL;DR)

• Human > Automation — Brian Von Ancken (WGM): How a single intro became a 200+ leader community—and why trust is your growth engine. (Watch)

• Wealth Enablement — Alexander Harmsen (PortfolioPilot): An AI-native RIA coaching $30B+ in assets—with no AUM fees. (Watch)

• Analog Advantage — Mark Stern (Custom Box Agency): Onboarding kits and gamification that boost acquisition, delivery, and retention. (Watch)

• Relax, Reimagined — Amy Bett (Melo): Sparkling kava goes national via Sprouts—built on sustainable supply and stage-driven distribution. (Watch)

• Agents That Work — Jeff Torello (Sinjun AI): Demos are dead—use LLMs + tools to automate research→content and weekly reporting. (Watch)