What if your LinkedIn profile was your top-performing funnel?

In this episode of We Code, You Launch, Jason W. Taylor sits down with former LinkedIn sales leader turned founder of Believe It Today, Skyler Steudter, who shares exactly how early-stage founders can grow their personal brands and attract real business — on LinkedIn in just 90 days.

If you’re tired of pitch-slapping and vanity metrics and ready to show up authentically online, this one’s for you.

Key takeaways for startup founders on this episode:

• Founders Over Logos

The founder is often the face of the business. People want to connect with you, not a graphic. Building your personal brand builds your startup’s visibility and credibility.

• Don’t Wait Until You Need It

Treat LinkedIn like a living resume and relationship engine. Start posting and engaging before you need funding, a hire, or a partner.

• Storytelling Sells

Every founder has a story. Skyler emphasizes that even seasoned CEOs doubt whether their stories are worth sharing. They are — if framed to provide value.

• Avoid the Pitch Slap

Using LinkedIn as a cold DM sales tool is a missed opportunity. The best relationships start with authenticity and thoughtful engagement, not spammy outreach.

• Vanity Kills Trust

Engagement pods may boost numbers but dilute your audience quality and trust. Skyler breaks down how and why to avoid them.

Connect with Our Guest

Skyler Steudter, Founder of Believe It Today on LinkedIn, or his website

Learn more about CodeLaunch Accelerator 2025 Tour here

What does youth marketing, esports, and a $2,000 vacuum have in common?

In this episode of We Code, You Launch: The Startup Community Podcast from CodeLaunch & Improving, host Jason W. Taylor sits down with entrepreneur, former CodeLaunch judge, and DLC founder John Davidson to talk about how his career went from skateparks to esports boardrooms—and what startup leaders can learn from it all.

From launching product demos on stage at the CodeLaunch World Championship to consulting for GameSquare and cities like Frisco, John breaks down how the gaming culture is shaping workforce development, civic engagement, and brand partnerships in 2025.

And yes—we also get the full story on how John once sold Kirby vacuums door to door (with a shockingly good pitch).

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The Link Between Skateboarding and Esports Leadership

John shares how growing up in a subculture of skeptics gave him the insight needed to bridge the gap between gamers and global brands.

• Why Cities Should Care About Gamers

Learn how Frisco, San Antonio, and other forward-thinking cities are tapping into gaming to develop tech talent pipelines and reimagine youth engagement.

• Behind the Scenes of CodeLaunch World Championship

John reflects on his first experience as a judge, how it challenged his assumptions about startup accelerators, and why he believes CodeLaunch creates “Instagrammable” moments that actually drive value.

• The Secret to Authentic Esports Strategy

From FaZe Clan and Optic Gaming to Six Flags and Coca-Cola, John explains why esports partnerships fail—and how brands can get it right.

• From Startup Judging to City-Wide Innovation

Hear how John’s work with the Frisco EDC is building a new esports ecosystem and why community-first thinking is the next frontier of economic development.

Connect with our guest John Davidson on LinkedIn
Learn more about his work at Davidson Learning Company (DLC)

What makes a founder fundable? In this episode of We Code, You Launch: The Startup Community Podcast From CodeLaunch & Improving , our host Jason W. Taylor, President and Founder of CodeLaunch and Patrick McGuire , CRO of ThinkFISH , a capital-raising platform helping early-stage founders land investor meetings without giving up equity too soon.

They break down what actually matters when raising capital, how to avoid the legal traps that tank startups early, and what it takes to earn credibility with real investors.

This is a tactical conversation designed for founders building now.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The Fundable Founder Formula: Patrick shares the exact criteria ThinkFish uses to determine if a founder is worth funding, and how to become one.

Raising Capital Without Compromising Your Cap Table: Learn how early founders can avoid common legal and ownership pitfalls that haunt many startups.

Outreach That Works: The three layers of investor outreach: executive network, community, and cold—that book meetings weekly for ThinkFish clients.

Investor Psychology 101: Why understanding investor fit and timing can make or break your raise—and how ThinkFish reverse-engineers their strategy.

The Reef Advantage: Explore ThinkFish’s private platform where founders and investors connect directly, plus a massive tech stack savings directory.

Connect with Our Guest:
Patrick McGuire serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at ThinkFISH

Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcguirep

Funding Is Hard. ThinkFISH makes it easier. Learn more on their Website: https://thinkfish.co

Access the REEF Community: https://reef.thinkfish.co

Startup Deal Desk Newsletter: https://startupdealdesk.substack.com


CodeLaunch is the only startup accelerator in the world that provides founders with FREE professional software development to fast-track their digital product—without taking equity.
Learn more about CodeLaunch Accelerator at https://CodeLaunch.com

This year, CodeLaunch is hosting three events across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, leading up to the CodeLaunch World Championship in Dallas TX, where the top startups will compete for $50K in funding.

📅2025 Startup Application Deadlines:
USA: July 6th
Mexico & LATAM : August 17th

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/codelaunch-accelerator
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