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Overview
I loved making this episode with Ben and it feels like we came from similar places and similar mindsets as it relates to computers, learning, and business.

Ben, the co-founder of Contra, is revolutionizing traditional employment norms.

Growing up in a small town in South Carolina, Ben's curiosity led him from a young boy fascinated by the hum of a computer to an innovative entrepreneur in the tech industry. Together, we delve into the genesis of Contra and the initial skepticism Ben faced, as well as why traditional professional norms such as resumes and suits persist, despite technology offering creative professionals new opportunities.

We further explore Ben's personal journey, from his self-taught skills in music production to his entrepreneurial ventures. Through anecdotes, we discuss the transformative power of technology in shaping careers, and how platforms like Contra are enabling creative professionals to redefine their paths. We also delve into the value of contract portfolios in demonstrating one's capabilities, bypassing traditional interview limitations.

As we delve deeper into our conversation, we touch upon the changing landscape of learning and career-building in the digital age, highlighting the shift from traditional paths to self-taught and creative avenues. We examine the impact of new platforms born out of frustrations with existing systems, envisioning a future where networks seamlessly integrate payments, contracts, and identity verification without commission fees.

Our discussion concludes with an inspiring look at how remote work, creative collaboration, and innovative tools are shaping the future of the tech industry. Join us as we celebrate the creativity and resilience that fuel innovation in this fascinating industry.

Chapters
(00:00) - Building Better
(04:00) - From Computers to Contra
(13:50) - Creating Career Opportunities With Contra
(18:03) - Revolutionizing Opportunity Through Creativity
(27:37) - Reimagining Creative Collaboration and Value
(40:07) - The Journey to Angel Investors
(48:47) - Navigating Start-Up Challenges and Growth
(57:17) - Prioritizing Design in Business Growth

Highlights
(02:45) Startup Success Story (75 Seconds)
(06:57) From Music to Design (84 Seconds)
(11:48) Evolving Professional Identity and Networking (123 Seconds)
(26:24) Building Relationships With Remote Workers (72 Seconds)
(30:40) Challenging Visionary Ideas (28 Seconds)
(42:45) Opportunities Arise Amidst Societal Shift (140 Seconds)
(52:21) Accelerating Growth Through Collaborative Innovation (43 Seconds)
(57:46) Importance of Engineering in Product Development (67 Seconds)

Episode Summary

In this podcast episode, Kyle interviews Sarah, the Founder of Mys Tyler, an innovative fashion platform. Transitioning from the telecommunications industry to fashion, Sarah discusses her journey from running sales and marketing for a telecommunications company to becoming an entrepreneur.

She speaks about her first business, Doodad, a telecommunications venture that morphed from a $50,000 pilot project into a million-dollar venture, but eventually had to shut down. She shares her experience of dealing with the closure of Doodad and how it led to the birth of Mys Tyler. Sarah was inspired to start Mys Tyler after struggling with personal fashion choices and wanting to balance comfort with style.

The platform matches users with creators of similar body types, offering personalized style inspiration. She discusses the innovative strategies used to overcome the cold start problem, like using celebrity data and creating engaging quizzes. Sarah shares her experiences with the unpredictable and challenging process of fundraising, the emotional experience of notifying customers and suppliers about Doodad's closure with just 48 hours' notice, and the unexpected positive feedback received despite the abrupt closure.

Sarah then delves into the journey of launching Mys Tyler, leveraging affiliate marketing and influencer trends. She discusses the creation of a unique business model that resulted in the successful launch of Mys Tyler.Throughout the interview, Sarah emphasizes the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and a solid network for entrepreneurs. She also highlights the need for self-care amidst the excitement and challenges of startup life.

Highlights

(00:38) From Zero to One (137 Seconds)
(05:55) Doodad (61 Seconds)
(12:03) Discovering Entrepreneurial Ideas (108 Seconds)
(22:56) Navigating the Startup Numbers Game (47 Seconds)
(26:40) Discovery of Entrepreneurial Passion (63 Seconds)
(30:10) Celebrity Body Double Algorithm App (132 Seconds)
(35:20) Evolution of Celebrity-Free Social App (70 Seconds)
(38:16) Navigating Fundraising Challenges as a Founder (109 Seconds)
(44:12) Mark Zuckerberg's Inspirational Startup Journey (88 Seconds)
(49:24) Startup Support and Community Growth (81 Seconds)

Quotes

Chapters

(00:00) - Entrepreneurship Journey
(13:51) - Fashion Innovation for Women's Social Media
(16:45) - Navigating the Entrepreneurial Fundraising Journey
(27:43) - Entrepreneurial Validation and Platform Development
(38:26) - Founder's Struggle With Fundraising Mindset
(45:48) - Entrepreneurial Journey Reflection and Growth