What if the key to solving your remote work communication woes lies in a video messaging app? In this episode, we sit down with Josh Little, a seasoned entrepreneur, to unpack the story behind Volley, an asynchronous video messaging app designed to bridge the gaps left by tools like Slack and Zoom during the pandemic. Josh takes us through the exhilarating early days of Volley's development, from the viral response to an initial survey to the rapid prototyping that garnered early traction and significant interest from both users and investors.

The journey wasn't without its hurdles. We delve into the psychological barriers that professionals encounter with video messaging and the challenge of gaining user adoption in a high-risk, low-trust work environment. We discuss the iterative process of refining Volley's features and the stark contrast between workplace communication and more personal, low-risk environments. Despite promising signs from YouTubers and content creators, Volley faced insurmountable obstacles, prompting a pivot toward a consulting model.

Join us as we listen to Josh reflect on the emotional toll of entrepreneurial failure, sharing candid insights on the impact on his health, relationships, and investor expectations. He offers valuable lessons on resilience, the importance of perseverance, and the evolving landscape of asynchronous communication. Despite the setbacks, Josh remains optimistic and driven, believing that his best work is still ahead and determined to repay the trust of his early supporters.

This episode is sponsored by Ampleo. Ampleo offers fraction executives in finance, marketing, and HR to companies of all sizes. Visit ampleo.com to learn more.

From the high stakes of securing venture capital to the crushing reality of laying off a beloved team, Bubba Page opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of tying one's identity to the fate of a business. Kickstarting our discussion with his experience at Launch Leads followed by the ambitious yet challenging Outro, Bubba provides invaluable insights into the realities of entrepreneurial life.

The emotional toll of startup failure can be devastating, but it's also a powerful catalyst for personal growth. Bubba bravely discusses the struggles of trying to sell a business amidst repeated rejections and the ensuing battles with depression and anxiety. Through candid reflections on personal setbacks and the path to recovery, we explore how faith, physical fitness, and self-reflection became pillars of Bubba's resilience. Wrapping up our conversation, we underscore the indispensable lessons learned from failure and encourage young entrepreneurs to embrace setbacks as integral steps towards success. This episode is a poignant reminder that growth often stems from our greatest challenges.

Fail. A word we spend our whole lives running away from. The truth is that failure is the most common outcome for entrepreneurs and startups, but we rarely talk about these painful experiences with perfect candor and openness. The Real F Word podcast will explore invaluable learning and insight from the stories of failed businesses and collapses. These are the real stories rarely discussed by entrepreneurs and often hidden by investors.