Ugly Talk

Investor newsletters: keep them hooked monthly. A simple way to keep investors in the loop long term, shared by Aidan Richards, Co-Founder & COO of Rezora IO. #uglytalk #founderinsights #startupfundraising #buildinpublic #investorupdates

At UGLY TALK: FROM E-COM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME REVENUE, we’re not just talking about building. We’re talking about what it takes to actually stay in the game long enough to win. Because starting is one thing. Sustaining, scaling, and making sense of it all is where most founders struggle. Leading the conversation is Arjun Mahadevan, Founder & CEO of doola and host of the 15-minute founder podcast. Arjun’s path isn’t accidental. From Data & Analytics at Dropbox to Product on the Growth team, he’s seen how real products grow and what it takes to turn early traction into something scalable. His background in statistics and mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School gives him a sharp lens on how founders should think about growth, systems, and decision-making. This is the kind of conversation that keeps things grounded: -Understanding what actually drives growth -Making decisions with data, not guesses -Building systems that scale beyond you -Avoiding the mistakes that slow founders down This isn’t about hype. It’s about clarity. And what comes after the first win. RSVP now👇 https://lnkd.in/gt_cAXVU

At UGLY TALK: FROM E-COM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME REVENUE, we’re not talking about ideas. We’re talking about what it takes to turn something original into something that actually sells. Featuring Rider Tuff, Founder of Timeless Patents — a company transforming US patents into watercolor artwork and turning intellectual property into a visual product people actually want. Rider didn’t just build a brand. He built a system. From his background in US Strategy at Deloitte to growing Timeless Patents through paid media and product seeding, his work is proof that execution beats intention every time. This is what matters: -Turning a concept into a product people understand -Using distribution to create demand -Testing what works instead of guessing -Building with strategy, not just creativity Original ideas don’t mean much if they don’t reach the right people. This conversation is about making that happen. RSVP now👇 https://lnkd.in/gt_cAXVU

At UGLY TALK: FROM E-COM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME REVENUE, we’re looking at what building really looks like when life doesn’t slow down for you. Because the truth is, most people aren’t waiting for the right idea. They’re waiting for the perfect moment. Featuring Tommy Castellano, Founder of KYVO — a Shopify merchant, entrepreneur, and father of four who turned early dropshipping experiments into a real learning ground for building, testing, and understanding what actually converts. Now he’s channeling everything he’s learned into KYVO Performance, a golf brand built for the everyday competitor who takes the game seriously. This is what building looks like in real life: -Balancing a full-time career, family, and early mornings -Testing, failing, and refining before anything works -Turning experience into something you actually believe in -Building without waiting for the “right time” Tommy didn’t pause his life to build. He built inside of it. If you’re waiting for the perfect moment, this is the conversation you need. RSVP now👇 https://lnkd.in/gt_cAXVU

At UGLY TALK: FROM E-COM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME REVENUE, we’re cutting through the noise and getting honest about what it actually takes to move from idea to execution and from a side hustle to a real business. Most people don’t get stuck because they lack ideas. They get stuck when it’s time to actually build. Featuring Mary Bemis, Founder of Reprise Activewear — a plant-based, nontoxic activewear brand built from a $20K Kickstarter into a business now operating nationally and internationally. Mary didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She built with what she had, making intentional decisions from fabric to product to brand, and growing Reprise through consistent, bootstrapped execution. This isn’t about theory. It’s about what happens when you actually start building: -Moving from idea to action -Making decisions with limited resources -Prioritizing what actually drives growth -Understanding what to do when things don’t go as planned If you’re sitting on an idea, this is the part most people avoid. This is the part that matters. RSVP now👇 https://lnkd.in/gt_cAXVU

The real shift happens when you realize rest isn’t something you earn… it’s something you choose. “You don’t need a reason to rest. Just rest ’cause you feel like it.” — Dawn Kelly, CEO of The Nourish Spot #uglytalk #foundermindset #entrepreneurlife #selfawareness #mentalhealthmatters

All the rejection you’re getting leads to one meaningful breakthrough. That’s the mindset founders need to keep pushing forward. Every “no” is part of the process. Every setback is data. And if you stay in the game long enough, the yeses start showing up. Featuring insights from our speaker: Coralie Saint-Louis, Founder & CEO of ENPAK For founders, builders, and anyone navigating the ups and downs of growth. This is your reminder to keep going. #UGLYTALK #FounderMindset #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset

The emotional hack for content: start on Trial Reels. Charlotte Trecartin, Founder & CEO of CharCharms on building the confidence to go viral before you even hit your main feed. No ego. Just data. #UGLYTALK #GrowthHacks #ContentTips #FounderLife #SocialMediaStrategy #AlgorithmUpdate #OrganicReach #LinkedInMarketing #EarlyAdopter #DigitalArbitrage #PersonalBranding #AttentionEconomy #FirstMoverAdvantae #BusinessGrowth #MarketingTrends

HAPPENING APRIL 8🔥 Building your e-com hustle in NYC? Don’t miss it. UGLY TALK: FROM E-COM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME REVENUE Having an idea is just the starting line. The real challenge is turning that spark into something real, something that pays the bills and grows beyond just a hobby. It’s easy to dream, but hard to build. The gap between those two is filled with late nights, failures, and relentless execution. This Ugly Talk strips away the glam and hype to show you the real, messy path from side hustle to sustainable revenue. If you want to move from dreaming to doing, from planning to launching, this is your reality check and your roadmap rolled into one. 🎯 Why You Should Attend -What to look out for when starting an e-commerce business and the common rookie mistakes you can avoid before they cost you -Where to invest your time and money first, and the underrated activities that compound and multiply later -How to attract your first 100 customers -What to do when the launch does not go as planned, how to know when to pivot, and if you even should 🎤 Who's Taking the Stage Mary Bemis, Founder of Reprise Activewear. From Kickstarter to national growth with a plant-based, low-toxin activewear brand. Tommy Castellano, Founder of KYVO.�� From dropshipping to building a golf brand while juggling a full-time job and four kids. Rider Tuff, Founder of Timeless Patents.  Turning patents into art and growing through paid media. Moderator: Arjun Mahadevan, Founder and CEO of doola.  Ex-Dropbox product manager and host of the 15-minute founder podcast. 🤝 Who's Backing This  Shopify New York — powering millions of sellers worldwide. doola — The Business-in-a-Box™ for e-commerce founders. New Edition — a creative agency for emerging consumer brands April 08, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM EST Shopify New York | 131 Greene St, New York, NY 10012 Free admission — RSVP required Register here 👇  https://lnkd.in/gt_cAXVU #UglyTalk #Ecommerce #Shopify #NYTech #Founders #Startups #SideHustle #Entrepreneurship #RealTalk #BusinessGrowth

New feature = early advantage Early adopters usually get more reach—it’s how platforms drive usage. Paraphrased from Iliriana Balaj Founder of Live Healthillie Applies across TikTok and Instagram same pattern every time. #UGLYTALK #GrowthHacks #ContentTips #FounderLife #SocialMediaStrategy #AlgorithmUpdate #OrganicReach #LinkedInMarketing #EarlyAdopter #DigitalArbitrage #PersonalBranding #AttentionEconomy #FirstMoverAdvantage #BusinessGrowth #MarketingTrends