What does it look like to build a social app from an Instagram project into a VC-backed global community — and then let it go?

In this episode of Founded On Purpose, Kt McBratney talks with Kel Rakowski, artist, strategist, writer, and founder of Lex, the beloved queer social app acquired by 9Count in 2024. Kel opens up about the origins of Lex in vintage lesbian personal ads, the early explosive growth, and the challenges of scaling a community-centered product inside a venture-backed structure.

Kel also shares the deeply personal side of stepping back as CEO, navigating burnout, building with love, and finding the courage — and clarity — to start a new chapter after the acquisition.

We talk about:

• The moment Kel knew Lex was bigger than a side project
• How the community shaped the app’s evolution
• Burnout, identity, and the stigma around stepping back
• What it really means to hand your company to someone else
• Why love — in all forms — has always been Kel’s purpose
• The return to creativity through writing, Herstory, and storytelling
• Redefining success after an exit

This conversation is honest, tender, and expansive — perfect for founders navigating identity, impact, burnout, and reinvention.

Resources & Links

• Lex – https://www.lex.lgbt/
• Herstory (Kel's Instagram project) – https://www.instagram.com/h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y/
• Kel’s Substack: Work Unseen – https://rakowwwski.substack.com/
• NTS Radio – https://www.nts.live/

What really happens after your startup gets acquired?
In the first episode of season 2's After the Exit series, Kt talks with Amelia Lin, cofounder and former CEO of Honeycomb, the AI-powered family photo platform acquired in 2024, and cofounder of VC Backed Moms, the global community for venture-backed founders navigating motherhood.

Amelia shares the real story behind Honeycomb’s journey — from building safe AI image generation for kids before it was mainstream, to going viral on TikTok, to scaling through millions of family photos across the world. She opens up about the parts of M&A founders rarely talk about: preparing (or not preparing) for an exit, culture fit with an acquiring team, and the identity shift that happens when you go from founder to employee again.

We also dig into:

• Her family’s powerful story of education as opportunity
• Why she believes founders should learn about exit paths far earlier
• How viral growth is never as overnight as it seems
• What changed in her day-to-day once the deal became public
• Why she sees VC Backed Moms as a lifelong purpose, not a side project

This episode pulls back the curtain on what “after the exit” really looks like — human, honest and deeply useful for any founder mapping their own journey.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Honeycomb – https://medium.com/joinhoneycomb/introducing-honeycomb-94395b5950f8
• Ello (AI reading coach) – https://www.ello.com/
• VC Backed Moms – https://vcbackedmoms.com

• Follow Amelia on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelialin/
• Renew Venture Capital – https://renewvc.com

Kesha Stickland's mission is clear: to make healthy food accessible and delicious. After a life-changing health crisis, she turned to mushrooms as a powerful tool for healing—and now she's revolutionizing the meat alternative industry. Discover how her journey from software engineer to food innovator is transforming consumer behavior and building healthier communities.

Episode Summary:
Kesha Stickland, CEO and co-founder of The Mushroom Meat Co., shares her journey from software engineering and consulting to food innovation. Following a severe health crisis and personal journey to recovery, Kesha discovered the healing power of mushrooms. Her commitment to health drove her to develop award-winning beef and pork alternatives using functional mushrooms as the star ingredient.

In this episode, Kesha breaks down the science behind mushrooms, their nutritional power, and why they outperform many meat alternatives in both health benefits and sustainability. She also explores how she's working with farmers to grow mushrooms as a profitable alternative to traditional livestock, unlocking new economic opportunities and utilizing existing supply chains. Throughout the conversation, Kesha opens up about her leadership journey, her role as a visible role model, and how she embraces every learning as a powerful tool for innovation and growth.

Listen in to hear how Kesha's dedication to health is driving impactful change in the food industry and what we put in the center of our plates.

Key Themes:

• How Kesha Stickland's health journey inspired her to build The Mushroom Meat Co.
• The powerful nutritional benefits of mushrooms and their role in overall health
• Why reducing friction is key for changing consumer behavior, even when health is the motivating factor
• Why Kesha doesn't believe in failure and sees everything as a learning moment
• How a successful career in software, engineering, and consulting translates to her role and strengths as a founder
• Why celebrating wins and finding moments of laughter are key to her success

Links & Resources

• Connect with Kesha Stickland and our host Kt McBratney
• Learn more about Kesha's work with The Mushroom Meat Co.
• Follow The Mushroom Meat Co. on Instagram for chef-driven recipes and more
• Want more founder stories? Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Learn more about Renew VC, and follow on LinkedIn to stay in the know

Jilea Hemmings isn’t just ahead of the curve — she’s defining it. From pioneering meatless meals before the plant-based boom to transforming food access with AI-driven retail, Jilea is proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand. In this episode, she shares how she navigates resistance to change, the importance of asking the right questions, and why laughter is her secret to sustainable entrepreneurship.

Episode Summary:
Jilea Hemmings, co-founder & CEO of Nourish + Bloom, has spent her career pioneering solutions before the market even realizes it needs them. In this conversation, she shares how her early adoption of trends — from plant-based nutrition to AI-driven retail — has positioned her at the forefront of innovation.

Jilea discusses the power of asking questions and learning from customers, highlighting how initial skepticism can shift when people experience the benefits of new technology firsthand. She breaks down how AI enables Nourish + Bloom to serve communities that big box retailers often ignore, proving that automation can be a force for social good.

Beyond business, Jilea opens up about the role of joy and play in entrepreneurship. She and her husband, Jamie, have built not only a thriving company but also a resilient partnership, grounded in humor and shared purpose. Whether it’s navigating setbacks or celebrating wins (something she admits she needs to do more), Jilea emphasizes the importance of perspective, patience, and asking the right questions. Listen in to learn how Nourish + Bloom is redefining retail, reshaping perspectives, and proving that impact-driven businesses can also be highly profitable.

Key Themes:

• The market and impact opportunity at the intersection of food, retail, and innovation
• Overcoming resistance to change and shifting consumer behavior
• What it means to dare to fail up
• The realities of building a company by community, for community
• The power of laughter and celebrating milestones in business
• Why asking the right questions is an essential leadership and life skill

Resources & Mentions:

• Connect with Jilea Hemmings and Kt McBratney
• Learn more about Nourish + Bloom Market and Technologies, including their Purpose Round
• More information about food access, including terminology and USDA food access data
• Follow Nourish + Bloom on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC and follow on LinkedIn for more

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. Walter Ley breaks down how he forged his own, built his own playbook, and learned to trust his instincts as he celebrates his company, Branch, hitting the 1 million user milestone.

Episode Summary:
Walter Ley didn’t follow a prewritten script — he built his own playbook for success with his company, Branch. In this episode, we dive into his journey as a founder, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and how he navigates the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. From embracing uncertainty to making bold decisions, Walter shares insights that can help any entrepreneur carve their own path.

Walter and host Kt McBratney discuss bootstrapping and VC funding, the joy and challenges in growing a team, learning from failures, and the different ways we can define success for ourselves. His approach to building a company without a fixed framework provides valuable lessons for anyone looking to break conventional molds and build something truly unique and impactful.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• How Walter developed his own entrepreneurial framework
• The power of adaptability and trusting your instincts
• Lessons from building a company without a set playbook
• Strategies for navigating uncertainty and making tough decisions
• What hills would Walter and Kt die on? (Hint: they involve alternative milks and punctuation)

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Branch, including upcoming elections near you
• Connect with Walter Ley and follow Branch on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kt McBratney on LinkedIn and Bluesky
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC

What does it take to fully integrate impact into entrepreneurship? Laurie Lane-Zucker has spent decades shaping a new paradigm where business drives measurable social and environmental good.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Founded on Purpose, host Kt McBratney sits down with Laurie Lane-Zucker, founder and CEO of Impact Entrepreneur, a pioneering force in the impact economy. Laurie shares his journey from environmental NGO leadership to spearheading a global community of systems-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and scholars. He discusses the significance of shifting from a single bottom line to a triple bottom line framework, the evolution of the term "impact entrepreneur," and how branding can shape movements. Laurie also reflects on the importance of wisdom traditions in business, the role of community in effecting real change, and why the concept of "healing" is at the core of his purpose. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or purpose-driven leader, Laurie’s insights will inspire you to rethink success and embrace business as a tool for real impact.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Defining the Impact Economy: The shift from profit-only models to sustainable, socially responsible business practices.
• Building a Movement: How the term "impact entrepreneur" became a global identity for change-makers.
• Ancient Wisdom & Modern Impact: The unexpected role of historical and esoteric wisdom traditions in shaping the future of impact-driven entrepreneurship.
• The Power of Community: Why networks, mentorship, and shared knowledge are critical to systemic change.
• Rethinking Success: Beyond Profits to Purpose: Laurie’s perspective on success beyond profits, including long-term systemic transformation.

Mentioned Resources & Links:
• Impact Entrepreneur
• Laurie Lane Zucker’s 2023 Textbook: Sustainability, Business, and Investment Implications
• Orion Magazine
• Wendell Berry’s Works

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Laurie and Impact Entrepreneur on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kt and Renew VC
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC

What does it take for women entrepreneurs — especially women of color — to break through and thrive? Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, CEO and founder of Wocstar, shares how she backs bold entrepreneurs and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Founded on Purpose, Kt McBratney sits down with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, a trailblazing investor, founder, and ecosystem builder, to explore what it really takes to fund and support diverse founders. Gayle dives into the importance of owning mistakes, having hard conversations, and trusting your instincts. She shares her philosophy on "fessing up to your f*** ups," why ghosting is never the answer, and how scaling impact in venture capital remains one of her biggest challenges. From discussing how she plays—through cooking, cycling, and jigsaw puzzles—to navigating advice as both a mentor and mentee, Gayle offers invaluable insights on balancing the serious nature of venture capital with creativity and joy. She also reveals her deep belief in storytelling as a tool for systemic change and how it shapes her approach to investing, founder education, and media.

Key Takeaways:

• Fess Up to Your Mistakes: Mistakes aren’t fatal—acknowledge them, learn from them, and move forward.
• Difficult Conversations Matter: Avoiding hard discussions only prolongs discomfort. Addressing issues head-on leads to clarity and resolution.
• No More Ghosting: Whether in investing, partnerships, or leadership, communication is key—just say yes, no, or that you need more time.
• Scaling Impact is Hard But Necessary: The real challenge is not just funding great founders but changing the entire system that supports them.
• Play is Essential: From cooking gourmet meals to solving puzzles, making space for joy fuels better decision-making and leadership.
• Advice is a Practice: Taking advice is a skill—be selective, consider the source, and be intentional about seeking mentorship.
• Storytelling Drives Change: Media and narratives have the power to reshape perceptions, unlock opportunities, and foster human connection.

Mentioned Links and Resources

• Connect with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne and Kt McBratney on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Wocstar
• Building and/or investing with purpose? Sign the Pledge!
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC

Ever wondered how to turn life’s challenges into a springboard for innovation? Merav Goldman’s story will inspire you to rethink setbacks and redefine creativity.

Episode Summary
In this episode of Founded on Purpose, we sit down with Merav Goldman, founder of the award-winning company All Better Co. Merav shares her entrepreneurial journey, focusing on two powerful themes: how slingshot moments can transform obstacles into opportunities and the art of innovative product design. From navigating parenting challenges to crafting solutions that resonate deeply with her customers, Merav offers invaluable lessons on resilience, creativity, and problem-solving. Tune in to discover how she turned personal experiences into a purpose-driven business that’s making life easier for parents everywhere.

Key Themes and Takeaways

• Slingshot Moments: Learn how Merav reframes setbacks as opportunities to gain momentum, offering actionable advice for turning challenges into growth.
• Innovative Product Design: Hear the story behind "Don’t Scratch That" pen and other innovative first aid products by All Better Co., and how Merav’s unique approach to design addresses real-world problems.
• Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship: Explore how Merav’s personal experiences fueled her mission to create products that solve meaningful problems.
• Lessons from Parenthood: Discover how being a parent informed Merav’s entrepreneurial perspective and her commitment to supporting other parents.

Mentioned Links and Resources

• Connect with Merav Goldman on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Learn more about All Better Co. including their award-winning Don’t Scratch That Pen
• Listen to our interview with Merav's co-founder Stacy Bernstein
• Follow All Better Co. on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
• Join the journey and invest in moms making it better
• Connect with Kt McBratney on LinkedIn and Bluesky
• Building and/or investing with purpose? Sign the Pledge!
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC