What it Takes Podcast
What it Takes Podcast
Podcast Description
The What It Takes Podcast is your front-row seat to stories of success from high achievers who’ve cracked the code on thriving in both corporate and non-corporate worlds. Hosted by Naftuly Kraus, founder of Blackbird Recruiting, this podcast features exclusive interviews with employees who've made over $300K, revealing the strategies, mindset, and hustle that propelled them to the top. Whether you're looking to level up your career or understand what it really takes to break through, you’ll get actionable insights, real stories, and inspiration from those who’ve done it. Tune in and start lear
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on career success, entrepreneurial journeys, and personal growth, with episodes including unique stories such as Shany Kaufman's unexpected transition from face painting to an interior design company and Esther Miller's journey as a single mother of 8 earning $150K while balancing career and family. Specific areas of focus include overcoming challenges, work-life balance, and strategic mindset shifts.
The What It Takes Podcast is your front-row seat to stories of success from high achievers who’ve cracked the code on thriving in both corporate and non-corporate worlds. Hosted by Naftuly Kraus, founder of Blackbird Recruiting, this podcast features exclusive interviews with employees who’ve made over $300K, revealing the strategies, mindset, and hustle that propelled them to the top. Whether you’re looking to level up your career or understand what it really takes to break through, you’ll get actionable insights, real stories, and inspiration from those who’ve done it. Tune in and start lear
In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Hershy Goldstein, CEO and Co-Founder of FRIDAY—a SaaS founder who went from unemployment to building a thriving tech startup serving over 1,200 customers.
Hershy breaks down his journey from leaving a secure career to bootstrapping and scaling a profitable, remote-first business. He shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: the moments he almost shut everything down, the pressure of scaling fast, and the leadership decisions that come with being the one in charge.
This conversation is a masterclass in career decisions, startup growth, and building a sustainable business. Whether you’re considering leaving a corporate job, building a startup, or leading a remote team, this episode delivers insights you won’t hear anywhere else.
💡 In This Episode, We Cover:
◼️ How Hershy turned unemployment into a SaaS startup success story ◼️ The pivotal moment that almost ended the company ◼️ Scaling to 1,200 customers without investors or venture capital ◼️ Building a fully remote team across multiple states ◼️ Recognizing when to leave a secure career to pursue entrepreneurship ◼️ Handling founder burnout and mental pressure while growing a company ◼️ How to identify, retain, and lead high-performing employees ◼️ Lessons from the accidental product pivots that saved the business ◼️ Hershy’s non-negotiable advice for first-time founders
⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 Intro – The $250k Question
11:54 The Breakthrough: Conquering Imposter Syndrome at Fingercheck
19:24 The 9-Year Grind: From Support to Manager to $250k
22:30 The Coaching Epiphany: Discovering a Hidden Superpower
37:19 The Final Straw: Why I Quit My Cushy Job
42:09 The Wilderness: Depression, COVID, and Consulting
54:10 Startup Nightmare: The Week Our Bank Vanished
1:02:55 Founder Truths: Surrender, Hiring, & The Fear of Content
1:20:38 Final Advice: Should You Leave Your Safe Job?
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey-goldstein/Website:https://fridayapp.com/
X (Twitter):https://x.com/TuliKrausInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/
Sponsored by Blackbird RecruitingTired of sorting through unqualified résumés? Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire top talent—so you can focus on growing your business.Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.
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