Episodes

  • The Realities of Startups, Pitching & AI’s Next Wave with Hikari Senju, Founder of Omneky

    The Realities of Startups, Pitching & AI’s Next Wave with Hikari Senju, Founder of Omneky
    Mar 6 2025
    In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Hikari Senju, Founder of Omneky, to discuss his journey from a creative childhood to scaling innovative startups. Hikari dives into his early entrepreneurial experiences, the rise of generative AI, and how AI is transforming advertising. He also reveals the challenges of raising capital—having pitched to hundreds of investors—the power of networking, and how introverts can thrive in business. Susan and Hikari break down the realities of acquisitions, the importance of finding the right investors, and the vision behind Omneky. This episode is packed with real-world insights on building, funding, and scaling a business in the AI era. About Hikari Senju: Hikari Senju is a computer science graduate from Harvard University with a passion for technology and design. He founded his first startup, QuickHelp, an on-demand tutoring app, which he later sold to Yup.com and became their Head of Growth. During his time at Yup.com, Senju observed inefficiencies in content spending and the potential of AI in advertising, which inspired him to establish Omneky in 2018. Senju’s background in computer science, entrepreneurship, and his experience with AI technologies led him to create Omneky, an AI platform that generates, analyzes, and optimizes personalized ad creatives at scale. Connect with Hikari: Website https://www.omneky.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hikari-senju-63780199/ About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • AI Startups, Fundraising & The Pivot That Changed Everything with Susan Groeneveld, Founder of Sylvester.ai

    AI Startups, Fundraising & The Pivot That Changed Everything with Susan Groeneveld, Founder of Sylvester.ai
    Feb 27 2025
    In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with Susan Groeneveld, Founder of Sylvester.ai, to discuss the bold pivot that reshaped her AI startup. Initially launched as a B2C pet health platform, Susan made the strategic decision to shift to B2B, securing key contracts to expand into veterinary clinics and successfully raising funding in today’s tough investment climate. Susan G shares practical insights on raising venture capital, the unique challenges female founders face, and how to attract the right investors. She also dives into AI’s impact on pet health, the power of strategic pivots, and why founders must think bigger to scale successfully. If you're an entrepreneur navigating AI, health tech, or pet care, this episode is filled with actionable strategies to help you scale, secure funding, and build a high-growth business. About Susan Groeneveld: Susan Groeneveld is a serial entrepreneur specializing in agriculture, animal health, and AI-driven technology. With 25 years of experience, she has led commercialization for global companies, co-founded an award-winning marketing agency, and launched Sylvester.ai, an AI platform transforming pet health. A 2023 top 5 finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in Women in AI, Susan is a leader in innovation, scaling startups, and tackling global challenges in agriculture and veterinary care. Connect with Susan Groeneveld: Website https://www.sylvester.ai/ LinkedIn @susangroeneveldab Instagram @sylvester_tech/ About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • AI Disruption, Female Founders, & Raising Capital with Melinda Wittstock, Founder of Podopolo

    AI Disruption, Female Founders, & Raising Capital with Melinda Wittstock, Founder of Podopolo
    Feb 4 2025
    AI is shaking up industries, but what does it mean for female founders in today’s challenging funding environment? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with five-time entrepreneur Melinda Wittstock—AI innovator, venture partner, and CEO of Podopolo. They break down the impact of AI disruptors like DeepSeek, the funding freeze on U.S. grants, and why women-led startups deliver higher returns yet still struggle for capital. Melinda shares raw insights on hiring, scaling, and staying scrappy in tough times. If you’re a founder navigating today’s startup landscape, this episode is a must-listen. About Melinda Wittstock: Melinda Wittstock is a 5-time entrepreneur, AI innovator, and Founder and CEO of Podopolo, the AI and blockchain-powered podcast platform revolutionizing discovery, engagement, and monetization. Honored as 2024’s “AI Pioneer of the Year,” she also invests in women-led startups as a venture partner at Zero Limits Capital. A former award-winning journalist for the BBC, Times of London, and CNBC, she created a BBC TV show reaching 20 million viewers and was praised by Steve Jobs for her interviewing skills. Melinda hosts Wings of Inspired Business, empowering female founders to succeed without tradeoffs. Connect with Melinda: Website: https://melindawittstock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindawittstock About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • How Kaylee Lieffers Disrupted the Beauty Industry with Blanka’s Zero-Inventory Model

    How Kaylee Lieffers Disrupted the Beauty Industry with Blanka’s Zero-Inventory Model
    Jan 23 2025
    Kaylee Lieffers, Co-Founder and CEO of Blanka, shares how she built a top Shopify beauty app that helps entrepreneurs launch private-label brands—without holding inventory. From bootstrapping and startup struggles to funding, hiring, and overcoming imposter syndrome, Kaylee reveals key lessons in scaling a tech business. A must-listen for founders, startup leaders, and e-commerce entrepreneurs! About Kaylee Lieffers: Kaylee's journey is a compelling narrative of transition and entrepreneurship. Formerly immersed in the world of management consulting, she took a bold leap into the startup realm, venturing into the competitive landscape of e-commerce. Her personal experiences navigating the challenges of launching her own business eventually led her to co-found Blanka. In less than two years, Blanka became one of the top performing apps in the Shopify App Store, won BC Tech’s Startup of the Year, and today has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs start their businesses. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and empowering other entrepreneurs has earned her a number of awards including Top 30 Under 30 and Top Female Founders to Watch in Canada. Kaylee has generously provided a special discount for our listeners! Use code RAWANDREAL to get 10% off your first sample order with Blanka! Connect with Kaylee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleelieffers/ Website: https://blankabrand.com/ Tiktok: @blanka_brand Instagram: @/blankabrand/ About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • The Future of Content Creation and AI with Cody Schneider, Co-Founder of Swell AI

    The Future of Content Creation and AI with Cody Schneider, Co-Founder of Swell AI
    Jan 22 2025
    In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, host Susan Sly sits down with Cody Schneider, Co-Founder of Swell AI. Together, they explore the dynamic landscape of startups, highlighting the rising trend of remote work and the power of global talent pools. Cody shares invaluable insights on scaling companies through innovative strategies like podcasting, live courses, and social media, emphasizing the critical role of community building. Explore the transformative impact of AI on media and marketing, as Susan and Cody discuss practical marketing strategies and the significance of leveraging expert knowledge and brand voice. Cody reveals his tried-and-tested methods for achieving page one of Google overnight and provides a glimpse into the evolving content creation process powered by AI. Learn from real-world examples, including success stories of tech startups leveraging AI tools and remote teams to drive exponential growth. Cody discusses the success of AI-powered platforms in content marketing and the potential ban of TikTok. For entrepreneurs seeking to harness the power of AI, create impactful content, and navigate the ever-evolving startup world with confidence and strategic foresight, this episode is an indispensable resource. It offers timely insights and practical strategies that can help entrepreneurs stay ahead in today's dynamic business environment. About Cody: Cody Schneider is a serial entrepreneur and innovator in AI-powered content marketing. As Founder of Draft Horse AI and Swell AI, he has helped numerous companies exponentially grow their businesses by leveraging AI to automate content production workflows. Named one of Business.com's Top 25 Marketers to Watch, Cody gained his experience helping scale startups from the ground up through strategic content strategies. Connect with Cody Website: swellai.com LinkedIn: @codyxschneider About Susan: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey. Connect With Susan Website: https://susansly.com Website: https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn: @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • From Registered Nurse to Entrepreneur: Revolutionizing Healthcare with Jasmine Bhatti, Founder of Navi Nurses

    From Registered Nurse to Entrepreneur: Revolutionizing Healthcare with Jasmine Bhatti, Founder of Navi Nurses
    Jan 16 2025
    In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly chats with Jasmine Bhatti, a Registered Nurse and founder of Navi Nurses, about her journey from COVID unit nurse to healthcare innovator. Learn how Jasmine bootstrapped her company, scaled to 200+ nurses, and disrupted the industry with patient-focused care. She shares insights on finding clients, building a team, and managing stress. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Jasmine’s story will inspire you to take the leap and build your dream business. About Jasmine: Jasmine Bhatti, RN, is the founder and CEO of Navi Nurses, a rapidly growing private-duty nursing company redefining at-home care through client empowerment, engagement, and education. With 12 years of nursing experience at Barrow Neurological Institute and the Mayo Clinic, Jasmine saw critical gaps in care during transitions from hospital to home and launched Navi Nurses in 2021 to bridge those gaps and reduce hospital readmissions. Currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University, Jasmine also holds a master’s in regulatory science and health safety from ASU and a bachelor’s in nursing from Grand Canyon University. Connect With Jasmine: Website: https://navinurses.com/ LinkedIn: @jasminecbhatti/ Navi Nurses LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navinurses Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Navigating Startup Growth and Challenges with Gregory Shepard, Founder of BOSS Capital Partners

    Navigating Startup Growth and Challenges with Gregory Shepard, Founder of BOSS Capital Partners
    Jan 9 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Gregory Shepard, founder of BOSS Capital Partners, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Startup Life Cycle. Gregory shares insights from his groundbreaking research, including interviews with 1,200 founders, and highlights the phases where startups are most vulnerable—and how founders can navigate these challenges to achieve the ultimate goal: a successful exit. Susan and Gregory dive into the systemic biases faced by women and marginalized founders, the grit it takes to overcome these obstacles, and how celebrating small wins is crucial for entrepreneurial success. From marathon swimming and shark dives to Gregory’s ticket to space, they also explore what it means to push limits and embrace fearless leadership. Gregory Shepard has built and sold 12 businesses in BioTech, TransitTech, AdTech and MarTech. He is a Forbes book author and contributor, and has been featured or quoted in publications like Fortune, Entrepreneur, The New York Observer, The DEAL, and Thrive Global. A recipient of four private equity awards for transactions between $250M to $1B, Greg has appeared on TV, radio, and popular podcasts, and been featured as a TEDx and keynote speaker at multiple universities and conferences worldwide. Connect with Gregory: Website: www.gregoryshepard.com LinkedIn: @gregshepard/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Lifecycle-Definitive-Guide-Building/dp/1637744323 Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • From the Parking Lot Workout to Fitness Empire: Empowering Women Through Fitness with Morgan Kline, Co-Founder of Burn Boot Camp

    From the Parking Lot Workout to Fitness Empire: Empowering Women Through Fitness with Morgan Kline, Co-Founder of Burn Boot Camp
    Jul 10 2024
    In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with Morgan Kline, Co-Founder of Burn Boot Camp. Morgan shares her inspiring story of transitioning from parking lot boot camps to leading a thriving fitness franchise with over 400 locations and a best-selling book. The conversation touches on: Entrepreneurship & Career Transition: Morgan recounts how she left her corporate job to follow her passion, leveraging her experience to build a successful business. Navigating Marriage & Business: Susan and Morgan address the challenges and strategies of balancing professional and personal growth, especially when working with a spouse. They stress the importance of effective communication and updating their relationship "contract." Fitness & Women's Empowerment: Morgan highlights Burn Bootcamp's mission to empower individuals through fitness, nutrition, and mindset, sharing stories of transformation and the holistic approach of their program. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for entrepreneurship, personal growth, and community building. Morgan Kline, Co-Founder & CEO of the Burn Boot Camp Franchise. Morgan Kline is the Co-Founder and CEO of Burn Boot Camp. Growing up in Battle Creek, MI, she initially pursued a corporate career at Kellogg Company. However, her true passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals led her to co-found Burn Boot Camp with Devan in 2012. This venture has enabled Morgan to share her passion for healthy living and realize her potential. As a mother of three, she understands the challenges women face in prioritizing their well-being and is dedicated to empowering them through Burn Boot Camp. Connect with Morgan Website https://burnbootcamp.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-kline-0ab49758/ Instagram @morgan.a.kline Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins