In this conversation, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Hassan Khan, the founder of TODAQ Micro, a company focused on enabling micropayments for content creators. They discuss the evolution of TODAQ, the challenges of navigating the U.S. market as a Canadian founder, the influence of military experience on leadership, and the potential of AI in enhancing content creation. Hassan shares insights on the importance of adaptability, the significance of building a strong network, and the lessons learned from failures in entrepreneurship.

Learn more at https://todaq.net

In this podcast episode, Jacob Sapochnick interviews Liesel Vaidya, an immigrant entrepreneur and founder of Imera, a platform designed to assist immigrants in navigating their journey in the U.S. Liesel shares her personal story of moving from Nepal to the U.S., the challenges she faced as a student on a visa, and her journey to becoming a founder. The conversation covers the importance of mentorship, the role of immigrants in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and practical advice for aspiring founders, particularly those on visas. Liesel emphasizes the need for personal branding, distribution strategies, and the significance of building a supportive network.

In this episode, host Jacob J. Sapochnick sits down with Tina Jo, who arrived in the U.S. from South Korea at age 15 and transformed her passion for art into a thriving career and business. Tina opens up about overcoming mental-health challenges through creative outlets, building a reputation as a fashion photographer, and pivoting to launch her own clothing label, Eight Cats. She recounts the viral moment that validated her leap into fashion design and shares the unique obstacles immigrant entrepreneurs face—from cultural barriers to establishing trust in a new market. Tina explains how staying authentic has cultivated a dedicated community around Eight Cats and offers practical advice for aspiring founders: trust the process, lean on your experiences for strength, and build a brand that empowers others through genuine expression.

Follow Tina Jo's journey:
https://www.instagram.com/iamtinajo
https://shopeightcats.com/

In this conversation, host Jacob Sapochnick sits down with Phillip Hwang, founder and CEO of KindredPM, to explore how AI is transforming property management. Phillip begins by sharing his journey from South Korea to the United States, reflecting on how his father’s tireless work ethic inspired him. He recalls the challenges of launching a startup, from navigating cultural differences in how business is done in Korea versus the US to building trust with property owners. Along the way, he highlights the importance of networking and how accelerator programs like Techstars accelerated his growth. Phillip also explains why academic grades matter less than real-world connections in the American VC landscape. He closes by offering advice to his younger self—focus on consistency, listen closely to customers, and let AI handle the heavy lifting, and lays out his vision for a fully autonomous AI property manager.

Follow Phillip Hwang's journey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-hwang-kindredpm

In this conversation, Jacob Sapochnick and Halen Youles explore the cultural differences between Australia and the U.S., particularly in terms of work ethic and networking. Halen shares his journey of moving to the U.S. for work, the challenges he faced with visa complexities, and how these experiences led him to start his own business. The discussion highlights the importance of adaptability, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the unique aspects of navigating the U.S. immigration system as an entrepreneur. In this conversation, Jacob Sapochnick and Halen Youles discuss the intricacies of the E2 visa, the challenges and strategies of starting a business in the U.S., and the personal growth that comes from relocating. Halen shares insights on business planning, hiring, and transitioning from a service-based to a product-based business. They also explore the impact of family background on entrepreneurial decisions, the importance of independence in decision-making, and the future aspirations tied to visa status. Halen reflects on the lessons learned and the advice he would give to his younger self regarding career choices and the pursuit of success.

Follow Halen on his journey:
https://www.instagram.com/halenyoules

At the heart of many American startups is a journey that began long before a pitch deck or a first hire: the choice to build a life and a business in a new country. Visa to Venture follows these journeys with care and clarity, tracing how founders turn paperwork into possibility and ideas into companies.

Hosted by Jacob J. Sapochnick, an immigration attorney based in San Diego, California, serving clients worldwide. Jacob speaks with entrepreneurs, founders, and investors who are building in the United States while navigating the immigration system. Each conversation moves past headlines and hype to the steady work of applying, waiting, learning, and building. You will hear the practical steps, the tough tradeoffs, and the quiet wins that make real progress possible.

What to expect

• Straightforward visa stories tied to real companies and careers
• Plain-language explanations of timelines, options, and common pitfalls
• Practical lessons on funding, hiring, compliance, and sustainable growth
• Frameworks, resources, and next steps for immigrant-led ventures
• Candid, unscripted, conversations about the personal and business realities of starting up in America

New episodes every other week on all major podcast platforms. Learn more at h1b.biz.