Entrepreneur Perspectives

Brando Babini started a company at 16 because the thing he needed didn't exist. Five years later he's running it from a train seat between Brown and Brooklyn — 1,000 players, a Nike partnership, and 30 million views he shot and edited himself. This one's about how he actually does it.Brando is 21, still finishing his degree, and building Youth 4 Youth FC into one of the largest player-led soccer organizations in the country. He spotted the gap from his own playing career — no mentor, no one who'd walked the path ahead of him — and built the thing he wished he'd had. The 2026 World Cup is on U.S. soil right now and the whole country's suddenly paying attention to soccer. Strip the sport out, though, and you've still got the more interesting story: a Gen Z operator running a real company while most people his age are still picking a major.What We Get IntoSpotting a gap from lived experience and building the company you wished existed at 16Running an eight-state operation while taking the Amtrak back to class twice a week — the "drop-in," not the dropoutTurning 30 million organic views into 4,000 player applications — and what to do when that engine slows downLanding a Nike partnership as a young, unproven founderThe mission-vs-profit tension: building real access without building a handoutGoing need-blind by design — so the best kid plays whether his family can pay or notScaling by "mega sub-regions" instead of chasing franchise growthTeaching 13-year-olds to represent themselves — agency as the actual productChapters00:00 — The drop-in: running a company between Providence and New York01:30 — Starting at 16, and the gap he was trying to close03:45 — When the pro dream faded and the founder showed up04:30 — The question that runs everything: "what do I wish existed?"21:00 — Access without a handout: the mission-vs-profit tension26:00 — Why profit incentives aren't the enemy, and going need-blind33:00 — Teaching agency: parents, players, and an internal locus of control50:00 — 30 million views, 4,000 applications, and rebuilding the funnel52:00 — The Nike street-soccer project he's directing this week58:00 — Rapid fire: the GOAT, the Prem, and a 2026 World Cup readThis first aired on SportsEpreneur. For the full sports-business take — youth soccer pathways, college recruiting, and pay-to-play — listen to the original conversation there.More Soccer Content from SportsEpreneurHydration Breaks, Fox Ads, and the Americanization of the World Cup2026 World Cup: Groups, Schedule, and What to Watch as the Tournament Is HereTop 5 Soccer Leagues in the World (2025 Rankings: Depth, Players & Vibe)Soccer: The World’s Most Popular Sport (3.5 Billion Fans, and Rising in the U.S.)Connect with BrandoInstagram: @y4yfc · brandobabini.com · y4yfc.com · LinkedIn: Brando BabiniEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a KazSource brand. Connect with Eric: X / LinkedIn

Why NIL needs data, why athlete brands matter, and how college sports is becoming a marketing business.College sports is moving fast. NIL, revenue sharing, transfer rules, donor fatigue, social media, compliance, brand deals, and athlete value are all colliding at once.Brent Wall, founder and CEO of Student Athlete Score, joins Eric Kasimov to talk through what is actually happening in the NIL market. Student Athlete Score helps schools, brands, and athletes understand social influence, audience quality, brand fit, and the real marketing value behind athlete deals.Eric and Brent get into the chaos around NIL, the rise of athlete personal brands, the growing youth sports market, the role of AI and data, and why local brand deals may be one of the most interesting parts of this whole shift. They also talk about college sports becoming more professional, what that means for Olympic sports and mid-majors, and why athletes now have to think about life beyond sports earlier than ever.Chapters00:00 – Ann Arbor, Michigan sports, and the business behind athletics01:50 – The professionalization of sports at every level03:01 – Why athletes now need to build personal brands05:51 – What Student Athlete Score does07:56 – The FICO score idea for athlete social value08:35 – How universities use Student Athlete Score10:54 – NIL education, taxes, and athlete responsibility13:36 – The new era of NIL and NIL Go15:17 – Compliance, regulation, and the fight over NIL deals16:22 – Five-and-five, eligibility, and transfer rules18:53 – Lawsuits, athlete rights, and past NIL usage19:35 – Tournament expansion, TV money, and sports betting22:19 – Why media rights drive the sports economy23:00 – Tennis programs, Olympic sports, and budget pressure26:17 – Donor fatigue and the need for ROI28:15 – Data, story, and decision-making in college athletics29:41 – Transfer portal chaos and recruiting changes35:15 – Mid-majors as proving grounds36:00 – International athletes, age gaps, and roster realities38:49 – Unlocking NIL for Olympic sport athletes39:53 – Why follower quality matters41:03 – Instagram, TikTok, X, and athlete visibility42:31 – Brand fit beyond the sport43:31 – Life beyond sports and building a platform44:11 – NIL moving into the youth and high school market46:21 – NIL as a real-world sales and marketing lesson47:21 – Micro-influencers, team dinners, and local business deals50:31 – How Student Athlete Score landed university partners51:20 – New commercial roles inside athletic departments52:51 – Where to find Brent Wall and Student Athlete ScoreConnectBrent Wall: Website | LinkedInEric Kasimov — X | LinkedInRelated episodesNIL Made College Athletes Entrepreneurs With No Guardrails | EP194Gordon Hayward | Life After the NBA & Youth Sports ReformEP143 | Bad Grades in School to Sports Business Founder Dan SovieroEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a media network and a KazSource brand.Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud

Why youth sports are chaotic, why parents carry the load, and how Onsides is trying to make it easier.Youth sports is not just practices, games, and tournaments anymore. It is schedules, apps, travel, training, equipment, group chats, recruiting pressure, and a lot of parents trying to keep up.Dave Yoo, founder and CEO of Onsides, joins Eric Kasimov to talk about the problem his company is trying to solve. Onsides is built for parents of youth athletes who are tired of jumping between platforms and trying to make sense of scattered information. The goal is simple: reduce the cognitive load.Eric and Dave also get into the bigger youth sports ecosystem, including AI, private coaching, NIL, parent behavior, social media, startup life, and what it means to build something useful in a noisy market.Key TakeawaysWhy youth sports feels broken, but may be better described as underservedHow parents became the collateral damage of fragmented sports platformsWhy Onsides starts with scheduling but points toward something biggerHow AI can help parents without guessing on the details that matterWhy every feature should reduce cognitive loadThe rise of private coaching, travel needs, and sports tech integrationsWhat startup founders need to think about in the AI eraWhy the youth sports conversation still has to come back to the kidsChapters00:00 – Youth sports, sports tech, and the size of the market03:00 – Why Dave Yoo started Onsides06:06 – Building the all-in-one youth sports app for parents08:26 – Reducing cognitive load for sports families10:48 – Training, private coaching, and Athletes Untapped12:29 – How Onsides uses AI14:40 – Probabilistic AI vs. deterministic scheduling data16:41 – AI disruption in software engineering18:42 – Advice for students entering the workforce20:09 – College, uncertainty, and keeping up with change22:29 – Growth, awareness, and reaching overwhelmed parents24:31 – The commercialization of youth sports27:07 – Recreational sports, I9 Sports, and getting kids active30:25 – Too many games, overuse, and youth sports reform33:02 – Better parent behavior and positive messaging35:10 – NIL moving downstream37:52 – How podcasting and media help startups grow41:38 – AI, content, and the next wave of signal boosting43:24 – Kids, social media, group chats, and behavior47:42 – How to find Onsides48:39 – Connecting with Dave YooConnectDave Yoo: Website | LinkedInEric Kasimov — X | LinkedInRelated episodesGordon Hayward | Life After the NBA & Youth Sports ReformEP143 | Bad Grades in School to Sports Business Founder Dan SovieroEP 181 | AI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine LambertEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a media network and a KazSource brand.Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud

Scott Sheridan is the CEO of Tastytrade, a trading platform and brokerage he co-founded with longtime partner Tom Sosnoff. Together with their amazing team, they’ve built a trading and media empire using a counterintuitive strategy: giving away their best content for free.In this episode, Scott explains how their “goodwill model” works — from free education on Tastylive to transparent customer service — and why betting everything on authentic content paid off. You’ll also hear his thoughts on broken systems, the future of education, and what separates genuine content from noise.This isn’t Scott’s first rodeo. He and Tom previously built Thinkorswim — you’ve probably heard of it — which was acquired by TD Ameritrade (now part of Charles Schwab). Today, Tastytrade serves thousands of active traders while Tastylive produces 10 hours of live market content daily, has 447K+ and growing subscribers on YouTube, and their videos regularly get hundreds of thousands of views! Tastytrade is the brokerage platform where viewers can actually execute trades — turning educational content into trading customers.Inside This Episode with Tastytrade CEO, Scott Sheridan:Why “that’s the way it is” is a terrible excuseThe real reason customer service is falling apartHow AI can remove gatekeepers and speed things upWhy insurance and financial products are too complicatedHow Scott thinks about risk-taking in your 20sCollege, cheating, and what education is (and isn’t) worthAutonomous vehicles, safety, and the future of drivingWhy Scott has never been on social mediaWhat makes Tastytrade content actually trustworthyThe culture loss in remote work — and what to do about itChapters:00:34 – Building Tastytrade through free, educational content04:51 – Using goodwill as a business strategy08:06 – Why most firms can’t copy Tastytrade’s model12:25 – Real customer service vs. being treated like a number18:06 – What’s broken in big industries20:17 – “Change the industry” as a mindset26:15 – Encouraging young people to take risks28:40 – College isn’t for everyone (and that’s okay)32:27 – How AI will reshape learning — and teaching34:17 – Riding in a Waymo and the case for autonomous driving40:11 – Social media, screen time, and mental health44:37 – Creating honest content in a hype-driven world46:55 – Why they brought employees back to the office52:06 – From Thinkorswim to Tastytrade54:09 – Who Tastytrade is really for (and how it’s evolving)Scott Sheridan & Tastytrade:Tastytrade: websiteTastylive: YouTube ChannelRelated Episodes:Ankit Somani | Ex-Google, Rare-Earth-Free Motors, $20M Seed, Rethinking CollegeDr. Shalabh Gupta | Biotech, AI, and Making Dialysis OptionalRemote Work in Today’s Financial Advisory Industry | Joe CantanucciEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov: X LinkedInCredits: Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloudThe post Tastytrade: How a Trading & Media Empire Was Built by Giving Everything Away | Scott Sheridan CEO — EP189 appeared first on KazSource.

Conifer co-founder Ankit Somani left Google to build something with more heart — and fewer rare-earth magnets.Backed by a $20M seed round, Conifer is making electric motors that are clean, compact, and don’t rely on China-controlled materials. In this conversation, Ankit talks about the problem they’re solving, what it’s like building real hardware in a software-driven world, and why he’s telling his kids not to go to college.We also get into the mindset side of entrepreneurship: parenting in the age of AI, staying grounded through spiritual practice, hiring for “high agency,” and handling the daily chaos of startup life.This isn’t a pitch deck. It’s the real conversation founders actually want to hear.Inside This Episode:From Google to hardware: Why Ankit left Big Tech to build with heartWhat Conifer is doing differently with rare-earth-free electric motorsThe overlooked environmental impact of small gas enginesWhy Ankit tells his kids they’re not going to college — and what he wants them to learn insteadHiring high-agency people: What actually stands out (hint: not your GPA)The fundraising surprises: How a cold pitch turned into a $20M seed roundHow he stays grounded through the chaos of startup lifeWhat parenting looks like in the age of AI (and Alexa bedtime routines)Building real company culture — especially when hardware teams need to be in personIs the Bay Area still worth it? Ankit pushes back on the media doom narrativeChapters:00:34 – Leaving Big Tech: Finding the “Heart” in Your Work03:57 – Advice for Young Grads: Where Do You Fit In?05:57 – Hiring: What Ankit Really Looks For (It’s Not Your GPA)07:37 – Is College Still Worth It? (And How Ankit Met His Co-Founder)09:20 – Building a Hardware Team: Why In-Person Matters10:25 – Telling Your Startup’s Story Authentically12:11 – More on Fundraising: The Power of a Cold Pitch13:54 – The Bay Area: Still a Hotspot for Talent?18:05 – Why Ankit Tells His Kids “You’re Not Going to College”21:28 – The Problem Conifer is Solving (Those Noisy, Dirty Small Engines)22:25 – Conifer’s Fix: Cleaner Motors, No Rare Earths & $20M Backing25:29 – How Conifer Works with Big Brands (OEMs)27:12 – Getting People to Go Electric: It’s More Than Just Being “Green”29:33 – What We Can Learn from China’s Electric Vehicle Market32:14 – New Tech: What’s Government’s Role vs. Market Competition?36:29 – Keeping Up with AI and the Fast Pace of Change40:43 – How Ankit Uses AI in His Daily Life and Work43:23 – Parenting with Tech: Managing Screens and AI for Kids46:10 – Staying Grounded as a Founder (The Bhagavad Gita)47:52 – Riding the Startup Rollercoaster: Handling Highs and Lows50:33 – Connecting with Ankit & Learning More About ConiferAnkit Somani & ConiferConiferAnkit Somani on LinkedInTechCrunch: Conifer locks down $20M seed round for its drop-in electric hub motorRelated episodes: How Zac Townsend and Meanwhile Are Rebuilding a $1T IndustryFatherhood and Untangling Expectations with Vin InfanteAI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine LambertEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov: x.com/eric_kaz linkedin.com/in/erickasimovCredits: Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloudThe post Ankit Somani | From Google to Conifer: Rare-Earth-Free Motors, $20M Seed, and Rethinking College | EP187 appeared first on KazSource.

With early backing from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and a $40M Series A led by Framework Ventures and Polychain Capital, Meanwhile is revolutionizing life insurance with Bitcoin-denominated policies. Co-Founder Zac Townsend explains how digital currency and modern tech are making life insurance more accessible — while solving the industry’s legacy system problems. Zac also shares insights on fundraising, working with high-profile investors, and why podcasting builds credibility in the crypto space.Inside This Episode:How Meanwhile built a Bitcoin-denominated life insurance company — and manages riskWhy traditional life insurance carriers fail at tech innovationBitcoin’s role in global insurance accessibility and trustLaunching a modern insurance startup with a lean teamBalancing crypto innovation with insurance regulationChapters:00:14 – Bitcoin Life Insurance: Philosophy & Mission 05:18 – Podcasting as a Trust-Building Tool 07:52 – How Traditional Insurers Respond to Bitcoin 14:13 – From Crypto Innovation to Insurance Disruption 18:33 – Fundraising with Framework, Polychain & Altman 25:34 – Underwriting & Tech: Meanwhile’s Competitive Edge 32:33 – Building a Modern Insurance Company from Scratch 38:07 – Bitcoin vs. Traditional Life Insurance Products 45:36 – Aligning with Clients: Product & Philosophy 48:17 – Where Meanwhile Is Headed Next 54:25 – How to Learn More & ConnectZac Townsend & MeanwhileMeanwhile.bmZac on XCrunchbaseRecently raised $40 million Series A co-led by Framework Ventures and Polychain CapitalRelated episodes: SAT, College Admissions, and Resilience with Prep Expert Founder Shaan PatelEric Jorgenson | The Almanack of Naval RavikantEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov: x.com/eric_kaz linkedin.com/in/erickasimovCredits: Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloudThe post Bitcoin Life Insurance? How Zac Townsend and Meanwhile Are Rebuilding a $1T Industry | EP185 appeared first on KazSource.

In this episode, Eric talks with Yehuda Niv, Founder & CEO of Spines, an Israel-based AI-based book publishing platform that’s transforming how authors publish their work. From his early recognition of AI’s potential to his mission of helping one million authors get published, Yehuda shares his vision for democratizing the publishing industry. What We Cover: How Spines uses AI to streamline the publishing process and help authors succeed Why everyone should write and publish books as part of their personal and professional legacy The changing landscape of publishing and how AI is making it more accessible Navigating criticism from traditional publishing gatekeepers The future of work and human interaction in an AI-dominated world Chapters: 00:00 – AI and the Future of Work 01:40 – Life in Israel and Focusing on Mission 03:27 – The Value of Self-Betterment and Focus 05:17 – Democratizing Publishing Through Technology 08:15 – Books as Legacy and Storytelling 12:08 – YouTube vs. Netflix: The Future Content Model 14:20 – Using AI to Enhance Book Success Rates 20:36 – Can There Be Too Much Content? 23:49 – Benefits of Becoming a Published Author 27:09 – The Publishing Industry’s Resistance to Change 32:10 – AI Audiobook Creation Technology 38:25 – The Challenge with Synthetic Voices on Platforms 43:38 – Deep Fakes and Verifying Content Authenticity 47:20 – Career Advice for Young People in an AI World Yehuda Niv & Spines Spines.com Spines for Writers * Niv Books * Yeduda on LinkedIn * More about Yehuda: Entrepreneur, author, and angel investor. CEO @ Spines, an AI-based book publishing platform, raised $22.5M to date. Founder @ Niv Publishing, Israel’s leading publishing house, with 400 team members and over 1,200 new titles a year, including bestsellers, selling millions of copies worldwide. B.Sc. in Computer Engineering. Master’s in Profiling and NLP. Related episodes to Yehuda Niv | Democratizing Publishing with AI & The Future of Books * EP170 | Recognizing the Drama in the Ordinary with Alexander Concepcion * EP 176 | The Future of Conversational AI | Mike Donohue * EP168 | SAT & ACT Resilience with Prep Expert Founder Shaan Patel Entrepreneur Perspectives and KazSource Entrepreneur Perspectives is part of the KazSource family. We’re building a modern media network through QuietLoud Studios, SportsEpreneur, and KazCM. Host, Eric Kasimov: X | LinkedIn

"AI is awesome, and it provides many opportunities for advancement in different sectors. Where I find it gets tricky is where a lot of people, especially when it comes to content creation, leverage AI to replace the humanness of content." - Madeleine LambertMadeleine Lambert, Director of Marketing and Sales at Originality.ai, shares insights on AI content detection, digital ethics, essay writing in college, and the future of content creation. With experience scaling and selling her own content marketing agency, Madeleine brings unique perspectives on balancing AI tools with authentic human creativity. In this conversation, she discusses the challenges facing content creators, educators, and publishers as AI becomes more prevalent while offering practical guidance on using AI responsibly.We explore:The changing landscape of AI content detectionBalancing AI tools with academic integrityContent validation in the age of automationBuilding and selling content companiesLeadership opportunities for women in techEducation and ethics in emerging technologiesKey Topics:AI & Its ImplicationsAI in Education and Content CreationAI Detection and False PositivesAI in Publishing and CopyrightAI Ethics and ImplementationGoogle's Role in AI ContentBusiness Leadership in the AI EraWomen in Tech LeadershipLearning and DevelopmentFuture of AI and IndustryEducation, Digital Ethics, and IntegrityResources Mentioned in AI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine Lambert:Originality.aiDare to LeadWhat the Heck is EOSThe Let Them TheoryHow Leaders Can Inspire AccountabilityAct Like a Leader, Think Like a LeaderSportsE MediaDemon CopperheadAltered State of AffairsConnect with Madeleine Lambert: LinkedIn | Originality AI websiteAbout: Madeleine Lambert is the Director of Marketing and Sales for Originality.AI – a global leader in AI content detection. Previously, she worked for a medical technology start-up and then co-founded the marketing company Content Refined with Originality CEO Jon Gillham, which was sold in 2022. She holds degrees from both Carleton University and the University of Toronto. She lives in Collingwood, Ontario, with her husband and three children.Related content to AI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine Lambert :Eric Jorgenson | Serious People Will Always ReadGoing to the Canvas with Jodie KingThe Future of Customer Engagement | Mike DonohueEntrepreneur Perspectives is part of the KazSource family. We're building a modern media network through QuietLoud Studios, SportsEpreneur, and KazCM.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:X: x.com/eric_kazLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erickasimov/Credits:Music by Jess & Ricky: https://soundcloud.com/user-774649902/sets/jess-ricky

"I think art saved my life." - Jodie KingIn this episode, Eric talks with professional artist and educator Jodie King about discovering the healing power of art, building an authentic creative practice, and helping others reconnect with their artistic spirit. With 20 years of experience as an artist and entrepreneur, Jodie shares insights on using creativity to process emotions and build meaningful connections.We explore:How Jodie found her way to art at age 35 and made personal healing into a mission to help othersHonest Art: Creating from an authentic place rather than for algorithms or external validationThe Evolving Art Industry: How digital platforms and direct-to-collector opportunities are changing the gallery systemArtists as Entrepreneurs: How business skills can coexist with authentic creativityThe Science of Art: Understanding how creativity helps process stress and emotionsChapters in 'Going to the Canvas with Jodie King':00:00:00 Introduction and Early Creative Experiences00:04:31 Childhood Art Memories and Self-Selection00:08:08 Art as a Tool for Processing Trauma00:14:10 Building an Authentic Art Business00:19:01 Evolution of the Art Industry00:24:30 AI's Impact on Art and Business00:31:44 The Value of Creative Expression00:37:02 Breaking Down Creative Barriers00:42:14 Self-Taught Journey and Overcoming Doubts00:44:54 The Future of Creativity in BusinessKey Takeaways:Art can be a powerful tool for processing emotions and moving stress through the bodyCreativity isn't reserved for a select few - everyone has innate creative abilitiesThe art industry is evolving, offering more direct paths between artists and audiences"Honest art" comes from authentic expression rather than external expectationsTechnology like AI can help artists handle business tasks while maintaining creative focusResources Mentioned:The Creative Act by Rick RubinBurnout (Book by the Nagoski sisters)Honest Art PodcastColor Course for RebelsArt Biz for RebelsJust Create Something (article)Artist, Terri Katz KasimovWith Gratitude... @ Buffalo Art MovementNotable Quotes:"If you're called to create it, somebody needs to hear, see, or read what you have to say." - Jodie King"I think art saved my life." - Jodie King"We validate the human experience through art, and it's a gift to be able to do so." - Jodie KingConnect with Jodie King: Instagram | YouTube | websiteIf you liked 'Going to the Canvas with Jodie King", you'll like:EP 178 | Developing Soft Skills and AI at Work with Robin DanielsEP172 | Trust the Written Work with Caroline AilanthusEP 173 | A Full Leaf Tea Entrepreneurship Story to Boost Your DayEP166 | Embracing the Freelance Economy with Angie Moody of Ruby MoneyEntrepreneur Perspectives is part of the KazSource family. We're building a modern media network through QuietLoud Studios, SportsEpreneur, and KazCM.Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:X: https://twitter.com/eric_kazLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickasimov/Credits:Music by Jess & Ricky: https://soundcloud.com/user-774649902/sets/jess-ricky