Investment Banker to AI Social Media Startup Founder I Tom Cullen

Summary

This conversation dives into the journey of building Zoplo, a platform that gathers real-time insights from Gen Z through polls. The founder discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, including the loneliness and financial struggles faced in the early days. They highlight the importance of a strong ethical framework, drawing from religion's teachings, and share their growth strategies—emphasizing trial, error, and content marketing on platforms like TikTok. The discussion also touches on the difficulties of sustaining a startup without salary and the essential advice for aspiring entrepreneurs to persist despite the hardships.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of having a strong framework of values, like those found in religion, to guide personal growth and decision-making.
• 😀 Gen Z's unique behaviors and preferences are valuable insights for brands, with data-driven polling being a key tool for understanding them.
• 😀 Zoplo's monetization model focuses on helping brands gather real-time insights from Gen Z to refine their marketing strategies.
• 😀 The power of knowing the context in which your audience consumes content, like the best times for Gen Z to listen to podcasts or engage with media.
• 😀 The significance of knowing whether your podcast audience is passive or committed, and how this affects content strategy and investment.
• 😀 A memorable, unique brand name can help your business stand out, but the product’s quality is ultimately what matters most in driving success.
• 😀 Running a startup is a lonely and emotionally taxing journey, often involving sacrifices like working without a salary and managing anxiety.
• 😀 Persistence and continuous testing of different strategies are crucial in user acquisition, with Zoplo's use of TikTok for organic growth being a prime example.
• 😀 Sacrificing immediate personal comforts, like dating or socializing, is a part of the startup journey, as founders face financial instability and pressure.
• 😀 Naivety in starting a business can be both a blessing and a curse: it can help founders move forward without fear, but they often face harsher realities along the way.
• 😀 A key piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to embrace the possibility of being wrong, seek out smarter individuals, and never lose hope in the face of challenges.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe is the main benefit of religion for children?

The speaker believes that the framework of religion, which emphasizes being a good person and helping others, is very beneficial for teaching children important values and providing guidance on how to live a moral life.

Why does the speaker value the experience of attending Sunday school and a religious high school?

The speaker values the experience because it provided a solid foundation of teaching about being a good person and helping others, which is seen as beneficial, even if the speaker is not religious.

How does the speaker view the role of storytelling in religion for kids?

The speaker views religious stories as vital for teaching children important values, as these stories often focus on helping others and being kind, which the speaker believes is crucial for shaping a child’s worldview.

What is Zoplo's primary business model for monetization?

Zoplo monetizes by working with brands that want insights into Gen Z. Brands can create polls, and Zoplo helps them gather data and feedback that can be used in marketing strategies.

What is a key feature of Zoplo's service that helps provide high-quality data?

Zoplo ensures high-quality data by not paying panelists, removing any incentive to rush through surveys or provide dishonest answers. This results in more genuine responses.

How does Zoplo charge its clients for the polls?

Zoplo charges clients per poll and offers batches of polls (e.g., 12 or 24). They also plan to launch a client portal with AI features to provide real-time insights.

What is the first step in building an interesting Gen Z podcast, according to the speaker?

The first step is understanding when Gen Z listens to podcasts, whether it's late at night, during commutes, or in moments of boredom, as this helps tailor the content to their listening habits.

What does the speaker suggest regarding the format and length of podcast episodes?

The speaker suggests polling the audience about the optimal length of podcast episodes, as preferences may vary from shorter episodes (15–30 minutes) to longer ones, such as those hosted by Joe Rogan.

How does Zoplo handle user acquisition, especially on platforms like TikTok?

Zoplo acquires users through engaging content on TikTok. They share content directly from the app, which helps attract users by showcasing the platform’s features and appeal.

What is the biggest challenge of being a startup founder, according to the speaker?

The biggest challenge is the existential nature of every risk and decision. Every setback can feel like a threat to the business's survival, which makes the journey emotionally taxing and filled with uncertainty.

What advice does the speaker give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

The speaker advises aspiring entrepreneurs to assume they’re wrong all the time, seek out people who are smarter than them, and never lose hope. The most important thing is to keep going and not give up.

How does the speaker describe the emotional toll of being a startup founder?

The speaker describes the journey as lonely and emotionally draining, particularly due to financial stress and the difficulty in maintaining personal relationships while building a business.