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The Novice

The Novice

Written by: A Podcast for the Curiously Uninformed by Kirill Zubovsky
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 The Novice : A Podcast for the Curiously Uninformed. A new podcast by Kirill Zubovsky where we have intelligent conversations with interesting people. We learn something new every time.

novice.mediaKirill Zubovsky Economics Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • Will you join the AI Renaissance? Bijan Vaez, Co-Founder of EventMobi

    Will you join the AI Renaissance? Bijan Vaez, Co-Founder of EventMobi
    Jul 26 2024
    Why are engineers and startup founders so excited about Artificial Intelligence? Is that because the field is hyped up, is that because we can ask ChatGPT all kinds of questions and get instant answers, or is it because of some deeper connection? My friend Bijan came to talk about his experience starting EventMobi at the time when mobile web was just getting started, and how he is seeing many parallels between those days and AI today. Bijan is smart, highly technical, and is full of energy, and while he could be doing anything else with his time, he is currently heads down, building a new company in AI. Why is that?So many great lessons in this episode. You’ve got to listen to it!Thanks for reading The Novice! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Bijan shares his journey from successfully bootstrapping EventMobi while still in college, to his current ventures in the AI, and how the best entrepreneurs and early stage employees are doing it all for fun and curiosity, as opposed to a big paycheck.Throughout the episode, Bijan's experiences highlight the realities of startup life beyond the glamorized stories often portrayed in media. His journey from a bootstrapped startup to exploring AI ventures offers valuable lessons on persistence, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning in the ever-evolving tech landscape.Key Highlights:The EventMobi Journey: Bijan recounts the early days of EventMobi, which he started with his brother in 2009. They identified an opportunity in the mobile space for conferences and events, navigating through challenges like explaining the importance of mobile technology to skeptical event planners.Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: Bijan discusses the pros and cons of bootstrapping EventMobi versus raising venture capital. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your industry and market potential when making this decision.Scaling Challenges: As EventMobi grew, Bijan faced challenges in transitioning from an individual contributor to a manager. He candidly shares his experiences with burnout and the difficult decision to step away from his CTO role.Post-EventMobi Career: After leaving EventMobi, Bijan explored various roles, including being a fractional CTO for startups and working with a venture capital firm. These experiences gave him a comprehensive view of the startup ecosystem from different angles.Entering the AI Space: Bijan talks about his current focus on AI, particularly in solving data management problems for retailers and distributors. He emphasizes the importance of understanding deep customer problems and finding the right intersection between AI capabilities and market needs.Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Bijan offers valuable insights for young entrepreneurs, especially in the context of the current AI boom. He stresses the importance of being a builder in these early stages of AI development and embracing the challenges that come with it.The Cyclic Nature of Tech: The conversation touches on how tech cycles repeat, with periods of building followed by periods of sales and incremental improvements. Bijan notes that we're currently in a building phase for AI.This podcast provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a realistic view of the startup world, emphasizing that success often comes through years of hard work, pivots, and a willingness to embrace new challenges and technologies.🔔 Don’t miss out! Subscribe now and hit the bell icon to stay notified about our latest content.Connect with the guest:• EventMobi • Bijan VaezConnect with the host:• The Novice Newsletter• The Novice on Facebook• Kirill ZubovskyEpisode Sponsored by: Breckworks.comLast but not least, I am also working on something new in AI.If you are curios, here is our deck, and a demo. We'd love to surround ourselves with really smart people. If you are one of them, say hello. Get full access to The Novice at novice.media/subscribe
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • The VanLife King of the Pacific Northwest

    The VanLife King of the Pacific Northwest
    Jul 15 2024
    Welcome to The Novice. Today it is my pleasure to share with you my interview with Harley Sitner, the amazing Seattle entrepreneur and driving force behind Peace Vans, a company that embodies the spirit of adventure and community. This episode will show you what it takes to take the leap and to leave a comfortable office job in the pursuit of happiness, even if that means stress and long hours for miles on end.If you want a shortcut to decide whether you want to hear the full episode, take a look at my collection of Harley Sitner shorts on YouTube from the first 30 minutes of the interview. If you like ‘em, please give them a thumbs-up and help me share the episode. Every listener counts, and that means you!Harley’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional. After a successful stint at Microsoft, where he honed his skills in marketing and small business engagement, Harley purchased a struggling VW repair shop in Seattle, transforming it into the thriving business it is today.In this episode, Harley talks about:• His love for Burning Man and how it inspires his business 🌟• The rollercoaster ride of running a small business with epic highs and challenging lows 🚀• Hilarious and heartfelt stories from the van life community 🚐❤️• The importance of creativity and personal connections in entrepreneurship🎨Under Harley’s leadership, Peace Vans has grown exponentially, now employing around 30 people across multiple buildings and managing a fleet of vans that delight customers with both nostalgic charm and modern upgrades, including electric conversions. The company generates approximately $10 million in revenue annually, showcasing Harley’s acumen in scaling a business while maintaining a strong sense of community and customer satisfaction.Peace Vans is not just a business for Harley; it’s a creative outlet and a way to build meaningful relationships. His commitment to customer service is unparalleled, often going above and beyond to ensure his customers have memorable experiences. This dedication is reflected in stories where he personally addresses customer issues, even if it means driving through the night to deliver a replacement van.In addition to Peace Vans, Harley has just expanded his entrepreneurial ventures by acquiring Sekr, an innovative app designed to connect van enthusiasts and provide a platform for sharing travel experiences. This acquisition aligns perfectly with his passion for building communities and enhancing the travel lifestyle for van owners.Harley’s story is a testament to following one’s passions and the rewards of taking risks. Whether he’s mentoring small business owners, engaging with customers, or innovating within the van life community, Harley Sitner remains a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. His journey continues to inspire many, proving that with vision, creativity, and a bit of tenacity, dreams can indeed become reality.Connect with Harley • Peace Vans• Harley SitnerConnect with Kirill• Encourage your friends to sign up for the The Novice Newsletter• Kirill ZubovskyReady to Dive In?Listen to the full episode here, on YouTube, on Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows. * Listen: Your future startup life depends on it.* Like: Show us some love if you found this episode enlightening.* Subscribe: Keep up with our latest episodes and never miss a beat.* Share: Spread the word. This knowledge is too good to keep to yourself.* Buy a van: If you need a daily driver that can also double as a camper, and you don’t go too far or plan on doing extreme off-roading, Peacevans might be right for you. If you liked this episode, you will probably like the one before it where Stewart Alsop talks about buying exotic birds, living in South America, learning “readneck science” and much more. If you know a little bit about startup life and venture capital, you might also enjoy this episode with a fake VC. He’s a comedian. He’s got 20k followers on LinkedIn. He sounds incredibly real, and yet, it’s a long running joke.Lastly, if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or you just need to get something off your chest, feel free to email me. I’d love to hear from more of my readers.Stay awesome! Kirill Zubovsky Get full access to The Novice at novice.media/subscribe
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Would you record 400 hours of podcasts?

    Would you record 400 hours of podcasts?
    Jul 3 2024

    Stewart Alsop III is not just the host of The Crazy Wisdom podcast; he’s a friend and a fellow adventurer in the wild world of podcasting. Our paths first crossed when Stewart invited me onto his show to dive into the magic behind Smashnotes.com. Since then, he’s embarked on an epic journey, recording nearly 400 episodes, quenching his insatiable curiosity, and even discovering a unique way to monetize his passion.

    Today, I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Stewart to The Novice. Our plan was to explore the nuts and bolts of producing countless episodes, staying motivated, and all things podcasting. But, as often happens with Stewart, the conversation took a thrilling detour. We plunged into the depths of San Francisco’s underground culture, reminisced about his wild farm life with goats, and the vibrant mix of truck-driving Trump supporters and perpetually-high, earth-loving hippies.

    Thanks for reading The Novice! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

    Highlights of this episode:

    🌟 From San Francisco to Buenos Aires: Stewart traded the tech hustle of San Francisco for the tango rhythms of Buenos Aires. Why? Because why not!

    🦙 Farm Life Follies: Ever thought you’d need an emu to guard your goats? Neither did Stewart. Discover his wild farm adventures that involve mountain lions and some very confused animals.

    🎧 Podcasting Wisdom: Stewart’s done nearly 400 episodes and counting. He shares how spontaneity became his new best friend and why scheduling is soooo last year.

    💡 Redneck Science: Yes, it’s a thing. And it’s surprisingly effective. Stewart dives into the quirky world of country ingenuity.

    💰 Argentinian Economics: Forget your high school econ class. Stewart explains the wild world of pesos, Bitcoin, and why the black market rate is the real MVP.

    Grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and join us for a rollercoaster of an episode that covers everything from the spiritual crises to the secret to surviving San Francisco’s tech scene (hint: it’s all about the parties).

    Catch the full episode here!

    Connect with the guest:

    • Stewart on X: https://x.com/StewartalsopIII

    • The Crazy Wisdom: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

    • Stewart on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartal...

    • Crazy Wisdom en Espanol

    Connect with the host:

    • Kirill’s Home (https://kirillzubovsky.com)

    • Kirill on X (https://x.com/kirillzubovsky)

    • Kirill on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirillzubovsky/

    • The Novice on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNoviceMedia

    Stay curious,

    Kirill Zubovsky

    P.S. Ever tried to buy an emu? Stewart has, and it’s as wild as it sounds.

    → https://youtube.com/shorts/eYkW44IJfo0



    Get full access to The Novice at novice.media/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
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