OnlyFounders

In this episode, Matt and Anne dive deep into the rapidly shifting landscape of software development and how AI is empowering non-technical founders to build their own bespoke solutions. They discuss the current headwinds facing the SaaS market , the addictive nature of the "builder bug" , and why relying on common sense and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can bridge the coding experience gap. Finally, they explore the ultimate dividing line in business today: why those who execute and s...

In this inspiring episode, Anne and Matt are joined live from Los Angeles by Mojo, the founder and executive producer of Rainbow Creative. Mojo opens up about his incredible founder's journey, tracing his roots from customer service at Apple and marketing at Disney to launching coworking spaces for WeWork during their hyper-growth phase. He shares the raw truth about the physical and mental toll of scaling a mission-driven podcast agency to 25 shows while surviving on just four hours of sleep...

In this episode, Matt and Anne dive into how AI is drastically accelerating the founder's journey, cutting the traditional six-month software go-to-market cycle down to just two months. Matt shares his insights on using AI tools to build a fully functional MVP in mere weeks, shifting a founder's focus from heavy development to rapid distribution. They also explore the changing landscape of SEO in the age of AI search and why showing up "live" to interact with your audience is becoming the ult...

Matt and Anne kick off this episode debating the merits of the "mental health day" versus the classic grit of powering through an illness. Anne shares her philosophy on working intuitively and trusting your energy to get tasks done faster , while Matt questions how that fluidity applies to the rigid demands of a startup. The conversation then takes a sharp turn into the realities of leadership and control. Matt passionately explains why he believes equal partnerships and co-CEOs are a recipe ...

In this episode, Matt and Anne welcome guest Ben Whitehair, a unique "actor-preneur" who has mastered the art of building businesses alongside a career in Hollywood. Ben shares the journey of his college-founded startup that saved students $30 million and discusses how his current role at the feminist nonprofit Calling All Crows utilizes the same "CEO mindset" required for creative success. The trio explores the counter-intuitive power of "intentional procrastination," the reality that 86% of...

The duo explores the critical shift from billing for time to billing for impact, with Anne explaining how she now ruthlessly deletes tasks that don't directly serve her top three yearly goals. Matt argues that the job market is evolving into a landscape of "mini venture capitalists," where employees are hired not for a specific role, but to own an outcome entirely using AI tools. The episode wraps with a reality check on perfectionism: you have the right to change your mind personally, but in...

Matt and Anne discuss the delicate balance of founder energy and the obligation to "show up" for clients, even when Friday feels like a Sunday. The conversation moves to Anne's strategic pivot with Fix & Form, targeting high-stakes M&A and healthcare companies rather than solopreneurs. Matt identifies a dangerous gap in her focus: prioritizing operations and fundraising over active selling. They break down the sobering timeline of enterprise sales—where "starting today" means getting ...

In this episode, Anne and Matt discuss the fallout from X’s Grok and the disturbing rise of AI-generated exploitation. They argue that while the tools themselves—like Photoshop before them—are just instruments, the true burden of safety lies with the social media giants who control distribution. The discussion covers the futility of federal regulation in the US, the potential for state-based solutions, and the overwhelming challenge parents face in teaching children to discern real from fake ...

Matt and Anne return from the holiday break battling "January brain fog" and a wave of post-vacation sickness to tackle the myth of the "10X Revenue" goal. They discuss why setting revenue targets is often a recipe for failure because revenue is a lagging indicator you cannot control. Instead, they argue for 10Xing the "unsexy" inputs—activity, outreach, and product quality—that actually drive growth. The conversation explores how this mindset applies to everything from weight loss to parenti...

In this episode, Matt and Anne dive deep into the often misunderstood dynamic of setting boundaries. While Anne advocates for boundaries as a critical tool for self-worth and ensuring others feel seen, Matt challenges the traditional view with a goal-oriented approach where unwavering directness is often just efficiency in disguise. From Matt’s six-week table tennis training blocks to Anne’s decision to break her own rules for a breakthrough client session, they explore the constant negotiati...

Matt and Anne unpack one of the hardest mental shifts founders face: moving from trading time for money to building something outcome-driven. What starts as a casual conversation about coffee and creatine quickly turns into a deep dive on pricing ethics, discount traps, burnout, pivoting (aka quitting), and why so many service businesses struggle to ever become real products. They explore why content, personal brands, and SaaS all live in a gray area where effort doesn’t equal immediate payof...

Matt Lo and Anne Gillaspie unpack a deceptively simple idea with massive implications for founders: your environment dictates your mindset — and your mindset dictates outcomes. This episode starts with content creation vulnerability and ends somewhere much deeper: how founders survive chaos, context switch without burnout, and build momentum when everything they do pulls them in different directions. From coffee shops as productivity hacks, to separating “play mode” from “win mode,” to why co...