Everette Taylor | Defying the Odds and Building a Multi-Million Dollar Empire Spanning Marketing, Art, and Philanthropy

Col Needham is the visionary founder and CEO of IMDb, the world's most comprehensive and trusted source for movie, TV, and celebrity content. With a passion for film and an unwavering commitment to providing invaluable information to movie enthusiasts worldwide, Col has played a pivotal role in shaping IMDb into the go-to platform for entertainment data. His innovative leadership has not only revolutionized the way people discover and explore their favorite movies and shows but has also solidified IMDb's status as an indispensable resource in the entertainment industry. In this episode, we delve into Col Needham's journey, insights, and the fascinating story behind IMDb's evolution into the iconic platform it is today.

*

CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.

Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.

Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.

Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Stephen Kaufer is the co-founder and former CEO of Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform which helps hundreds of millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip.

Before that, Steve was President of CDS, Inc., a successful independent software vendor specializing in programming and testing tools that was spun out of his first company, CenterLine Software.

After stepping down as CEO of Tripadvisor in 2022, Steve started a new venture, Give Freely, which is a platform for enabling everyday actions to help heal our world. Their first product is a browser extension that helps you find coupons while shopping online and then funnels the commissions they receive from the stores to your favorite charity.

*

CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.

Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.

Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.

Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Jonathan Neman is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand that serves healthy food at scale. Jonathan and his co-founders and fellow Georgetown classmates Nathaniel Ru and Nicolas Jammet started Sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Georgetown, DC, just three months out of college. The trio were disappointed with campus food options. Their vision is to be as ubiquitous as traditional fast food, but far more transparent and honest.

Sweetgreen raised its initial $375,000 of startup funding from investors including the three founders' parents, Joe Bastianich, Seth Goldman, and Washington's Latino Economic Development Center. In 2013, it accepted a $22 million investment from Revolution Growth, a venture capital fund founded by Steve Case.

Sweetgreen's corporate headquarters moved to the Los Angeles area from Washington, D.C. in 2016. As of September 2023, it had 221 stores in operation in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

Tune in to the episode to learn about Jonathan Neman's story and how it led to Sweetgreen.

*

CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.

Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.

Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.

Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Giada De Laurentiis is the Emmy award-winning television personality of Food Network’s Everyday Italian, Giada at Home, Giada’s Weekend Getaways, Giada In Paradise, Giada In Italy, Giada’s Holiday Handbook, Giada Entertains, Giada On The Beach, a judge on Food Network Star and Winner Cake All, a NBC Today Show contributor, and a successful restaurateur with restaurants GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, as well as GDL Italian in Baltimore.

She is the author of nine New York Times bestselling cookbooks, including her most recent, Giada’s Italy, in addition to her children's book series, Recipe for Adventure. Giada launched the lifestyle and e-commerce platform, Giadzy, in 2017, which showcases new recipes, entertaining and travel tips, and videos, along with a range of kitchen products.

With an impressive background of culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and a unique, personable charm, she is a globally revered celebrity chef who continues to prove her skill and accessibility.

*

CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.

Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.

Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.

Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Nick Green is Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online platform that makes healthy living easy and accessible to all.

Since launching in 2014, Thrive Market has grown to 1.3 million paying members and become a touchstone example of a mission-driven company at scale. In addition to offering the world’s best natural and organic products at affordable prices to its members, for every paid membership, the company donates a free year of membership to a family in need.

The business has also been recognized as a leader in regenerative agriculture, carbon-neutral shipping, and Zero Waste operations, and in 2020 became the nation’s largest grocer to receive B Corp Certification, as well as a Certified Great Place to Work. Outside of Thrive Market, Nick lives in Venice, CA with his wife, Carolina, and their three children.

*

CHA-CHING! Customers are rushing to your store. Do you have a point-of-sale system you can trust or is it (ahem) a real P.O.S.? You need Shopify for retail.

Shopify POS is your command center for your retail store. From accepting payments to managing inventory, Shopify has EVERYTHING you need to sell in person. Get hardware that fits your business. Take payments by smartphone, transform your tablet into a point-of-sale system, or use Shopify’s POS Go mobile device for a battle-tested solution.

Plus, Shopify’s award-winning help is there to support your success every step of the way.

Do retail right with Shopify. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at www.shopify.com/founderhour. Once again, go to www.shopify.com/founderhour to take your retail business to the next level today.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Welcome to a riveting episode of The Founder Hour, where we explore the captivating journey of Seamus Blackley, the ingenious mind behind the creation of Xbox.

Seamus takes us on a compelling odyssey through his personal story and entrepreneurial ventures. From his fascination with physics to an impactful career in video games, including a stint working with Steven Spielberg at Dreamworks, Seamus shares the highs and lows that have defined his path.

Join us as we delve into the setbacks and triumphs, learning about the failures that shaped him and the pivotal moments that led to convincing Bill Gates and Microsoft to venture into the fiercely competitive world of video game consoles, challenging Sony's dominance with the PlayStation.

We explore the internal struggles Seamus faced during this groundbreaking endeavor and gain insight into the reasons behind his eventual departure from Microsoft. This is a conversation not only about the birth of Xbox but also about the resilience, vision, and evolution of a true entrepreneurial spirit.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

In this episode, we sit down with the visionary entrepreneur Chuck Templeton, the mastermind behind OpenTable.

From his humble beginnings to revolutionizing the restaurant industry with OpenTable, Chuck's journey is a tale of innovation and determination.

Tune in as we explore his inspiring story, discussing the challenges he overcame, the lessons he learned, and the impact he's made on the world of technology and dining.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Our guest today is Isaac Larian, the visionary founder of MGA Entertainment. MGA is home to some of the biggest brands in the toy space, including Bratz, Little Tikes, L.O.L. Surprise!, MGA’s Miniverse, and more.

Join us as we embark on a journey through the fascinating life and entrepreneurial saga of a man who has not only shaped the toy industry but also overcome formidable odds to build an enduring legacy.

Isaac shares the intricacies of his upbringing, offering a rare glimpse into the early experiences that fueled his entrepreneurial spark. From navigating challenges to seizing opportunities, he takes us through the pivotal moments that defined his path – a journey marked by resilience, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to his dreams.

Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of MGA's rise to prominence, as Isaac delves into the innovative strategies and bold decisions that propelled the company to become a global leader in the toy industry. Learn how he transformed adversity into motivation, turning setbacks into stepping stones on the road to success.

This episode is not just a conversation; it's an exploration of the mindset that drives one of the most influential figures in the business world today.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Howard Marks is the co-founder of StartEngine, one of the leading equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S., where everyday people can find and invest in early-growth companies and startups, as well as a variety of alternative assets and collectibles. StartEngine has helped more than 750 companies raise over $700 million. 

Before co-founding StartEngine, Howard co-founded Activision and was the Chairman of Activision Studios from 1991 until 1997. As a former Board Member and Executive Vice President of video-game giant Activision, he and a partner took control in 1991 and turned the ailing company into the $37 billion market cap video game industry leader, selling millions of games.

Howard was also the founder and CEO of Acclaim Games, a publisher of online games that was later sold to The Walt Disney Company. 

Join us as we sit down with Howard to learn about his early life, incredible career, the wild story of how he came to control and rebuild Activision as we know it, and his insights into the future of entrepreneurship and venture capital.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.

Welcome to The Founder Hour, where we uncover the stories behind the world's most remarkable entrepreneurs. In this episode, we have the distinct honor of sitting down with a true pioneer of conscious business, John Mackey, the visionary founder of Whole Foods Market.

Imagine a time when the term "organic" wasn't part of our daily lexicon, and health food stores were few and far between. John’s journey began in the 1970s when he and a group of like-minded individuals embarked on a mission to bring wholesome, natural foods to their community. Their small, unconventional vegetarian store in Austin, Texas, was the birthplace of what would become a revolution in the grocery industry. With passion, resilience, and a commitment to their values, they turned that humble store into the thriving global phenomenon we now know as Whole Foods Market.

In this episode, we'll dive deep into John’s upbringing and the incredible founding story of Whole Foods – a story of daring innovation, the pursuit of a higher purpose, and a relentless dedication to quality. Join us for an enlightening conversation with John Mackey as he shares the highs, lows, and pivotal moments that defined his entrepreneurial journey and transformed the way we eat and shop for good.

*

The Founder Hour is brought to you by Outer. Outer makes the world’s most beautiful, comfortable, innovative, and high-quality outdoor furniture - ALL from sustainable materials - and is the ONLY outdoor furniture with a patented built-in cover to make protecting it effortless. From teak chairs to fire pit tables, everything Outer makes has the look and feel of what you’d expect at a 5-star resort, for less than you’d pay at a big box store for something that won’t last.

For a limited time, get 10% off and FREE shipping at www.liveouter.com/thefounderhour. Terms and conditions apply.