Most startups chase the next automation hack. Gabe Lullo built his by betting on people instead. As CEO of Alleyoop and host of the Do Hard Things podcast, he’s helped over 1,600 founders scale by focusing on one thing that never goes out of style—real human connection. From 11 million cold calls a year to rebuilding how companies hire, train, and lead SDRs, Gabe’s rethinking what growth actually looks like in the age of AI. He steps to the mic this week to talk founder-led selling, why most sales hires fail, and how to build a team that never stops doing the hard things.

Find Gabe online:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/

Gabe is also hopping into our member community, GOAT to Market Club, for an Ask Me Anything this week. Got Q's you want to ask Gabe personally? Join for free today!

This episode is brought to you by our friends at CodeLaunch! CodeLaunch is the only equity-free AND fee-free accelerator + Venturetainment platform giving founders software development, a massive pitch stage, and an opportunity at investment all for FREE. Use our unique link to apply to CodeLaunch today and cut the line for fast-track application review! https://tinyurl.com/7k7rjt6m

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S4 BONUS! Creativity & Betting On Yourself - Reed Between The Lines

We've got a special bonus for you this week! It's a re-airing of my appearance as a guest on the Reed Between The Lines podcast with my friend Devin Reed. I've done a lot of interviews in my life, and this is hands down my favorite one ever. We peel back the curtain on the transformation from Rajiv Nathan to 'RajNATION' and get into the REAL stuff — setbacks, insecurities, relationships, and more. The stuff that really comes into play when you decide to bet on yourself. This interview was originally recorded in March 2024 and aired on Devin's show in May 2024. This one's long, but worth every song.

Want to WATCH the show instead? We filmed on a basketball court overlooking the Chicago skyline. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/vXAQ3bf7q0c?si=n9p7tHXWs3ex9v29

Subscribe to Devin's show:

Apple

Spotify

Connect with Devin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinreed/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereederco/

This episode is brought to you by our friends at CodeLaunch! CodeLaunch is the only equity-free AND fee-free accelerator + Venturetainment platform giving founders software development, a massive pitch stage, and an opportunity at investment all for FREE. Use our unique link to apply to CodeLaunch today and cut the line for fast-track application review! https://tinyurl.com/7k7rjt6m

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your startup’s biggest advantage isn’t your code, your speed, or even your traction but your ability to protect what’s yours? In a world where AI can replicate your idea in days, defensibility isn’t a luxury it’s survival. And few people understand that better than Bao Tran. Before founding Transformation VC, an IP-first venture capital firm, Bao built the patent strategy for Invasalign and Shutterfly before they became mega-brands. Now, he's rethinking what early-stage support should look like, using patents, AI, and a few surprising strategies to help founders build real moats. He steps to the mic in this week's episode to talk startup risk in the AI era, how his fund is making investments, and how to protect your ass(ets). Because sometimes, it’s not about being first — it’s about being uncopyable.

Find Bao online:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bao-tran-752988209/

Bao is also hopping into our member community, GOAT to Market Club, for an Ask Me Anything this week. Got Q's you want to ask Bao personally? Join for free today!

This episode is brought to you by our friends at CodeLaunch! CodeLaunch is the only equity-free AND fee-free accelerator + Venturetainment platform giving founders software development, a massive pitch stage, and an opportunity at investment all for FREE. Use our unique link to apply to CodeLaunch today and cut the line for fast-track application review! https://tinyurl.com/7k7rjt6m

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.