Founder compensation is one of the most asked and least discussed topics in startups. In this solo episode, I break down real 2025 salary data, what bootstrapped and VC backed founders actually pay themselves, and the formula I used at every stage of growth. I also share the uncomfortabletruth about the first three years and how to diversify your income without hurting your company. If you are building a startup and wondering what you should earn, this episode gives you clear benchmarks and actionable guidance.

More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Michelle Wahler built Beyond Yoga from the ground up with no outside funding and a mission rooted in body positivity and inclusivity. What started as a wholesale activewear brand grew steadily and profitably for 16 years before Levi’s acquired it for over $400 million. In this episode, she shares the full story, from early design days and financial setbacks to negotiating the deal and navigating life after exit. If you are building a brand, thinking about selling, or dreaming of bootstrapping something meaningful, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons.Get your copy of Bootstrap Empire at http://bootstrap-empire.com This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster. https://dtcmvp.com/More on Michelle

https://www.instagram.com/michelle.wahler/

https://www.instagram.com/beyondyoga/

https://beyondyoga.comMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

There are thousands of tools out there promising to grow your business, but most of them will drain your budget and lock you into contracts you regret. In this episode, we break down the tools we actually use across finance, ecommerce, social media, and wholesale. We share lessons from overspending, signing long contracts, and cleaning up a bloated tech stack. If you are starting or scaling a business, this will save you time and money.

More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Allison McNamara, founder and CEO of Mara Beauty, shares how she transitioned from entertainment host to building an award-winning clean skincare brand powered by algae. She breaks down landing Sephora, scaling without traditional VC funding, influencer marketing strategies that actually convert, and what sustainability really means in beauty. This episode is packed with tactical advice for founders navigating retail, profitability, and growth. If you are building a brand or thinking about starting one, this conversation is a masterclass.

More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on AllisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarabeauty/Website: https://themarabeauty.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

What are the real lessons you will never learn in business school? In this episode, we break down the unfiltered truths about building a brand, from mastering distribution and prioritizing repeat customers to embracing speed over perfection. We talk about how a founder’s role constantly evolves, why longevity beats hype, and what it really takes to survive the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. If you are building a company or thinking about it, this is the advice we wish we had on day one.More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Vanessa Lee, founder of The Things We Do, shares what really works in modern aesthetics, and what needs to stop. From facial balancing and bio stimulators to Korean skincare innovation and private equity lessons, this conversation dives deep into beauty, business, and self confidence. Vanessa also opens up about her own surgeries, GLP-1 weight loss, and why natural enhancement always wins over trends. If you care about aging well, building a brand, or understanding the future of skincare, this episode is a must watch.Get your copy of Bootstrap Empire at http://bootstrap-empire.comThis Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster. https://dtcmvp.com/

Explore more about The Things We Do at https://thethingswedo.co and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thethingswedo.co/ for insider beauty tips and updates.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

What does it actually take to write and publish a business book? In this episode, Natalie breaks down the full journey from idea to pitch to landing a publisher and preparing for launch. She shares how she structured the book, navigated the publishing process, handled preorders and marketing, and balanced writing with running a company and being a mom. If writing a book has ever felt overwhelming or out of reach, this conversation makes the process clear and actionable.Get your copy of Bootstrap Empire at http://bootstrap-empire.com This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster. https://dtcmvp.com/Get 25% off Valentines Day Flowers https://urbanstems.comMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

The Beautyblender is one of the most recognizable makeup tools in the world, but its origin story is rarely told. In this episode, founder Rianne Silva shares how she created the iconic pink sponge out of necessity while working on early HD television sets as a single mother. She breaks down the struggles, mistakes, knockoffs, and mindset that helped her build a category-defining brand while keeping full ownership. This is a raw look at what it truly takes to build something from nothing.

More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on BeautyblenderInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/beautyblenderWebsite: https://beautyblender.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/