Social justice is in the news these days.  Whether it's resulting from the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, or issues related to access, social justice is on the forefront of the minds of a lot of New Yorkers.Who better to check in with than Seachange Collective, our guest in Episode 56.  Seachange Collective has grown since we first spoke to them in 2019.  In this episode, we speak about what social justice issues Seachange Collective is tackling, the organizations they are working with, and a lot more.  It's all in another episode of How You Doin'?!

New York Launch Pod: A Podcast Highlighting New Start-Ups, Businesses, and Openings in the New York City Area (NY Launch Pod)

How You Doin’? Vol 10: Hannah Weitzer and BC of Seachange Collective

What’s it like to start a restaurant in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York City?  What about if that restaurant was in a subway station when ridership was at an all time low.  Is it crazy enough to work? In this episode we speak to Mario Vivas, the Founder of Criollas, a restaurant located in the Turnstyle underground marketplace in Columbus Circle.  Mario immigrated from Argentina in 2012 to New York City in order to reinvent himself.  Mario never thought he would open a restaurant but after gaining experience in the industry, he saw his opportunity.  As people were closing their restaurants, Mario picked up appliances and equipment and steep discounts, and was able to find high quality employees at the time those employees needed jobs.  Listen to the episode to find out if Mario’s experiment worked and what a new chapter in New York City foodservice looks like! More on Criollas: https://www.criollasempanadas.com/

Episode 79: Mario Vivas, Founder of Criollas

Andrew Cabasso, Founder of Postaga, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his outreach company that can identify relevant marketing opportunities for any business by crawling the internet for appropriate blogs and podcasts and connecting you with real humans on the other end. Promoting your business through media outreach and optimizing your website on Google Search is an extremely time and resource intensive endeavor. Before Postaga, to receive publicity, you would have to research relevant blogs and podcasts, spend time trying to find a contact person and send multiple emails before you ever receive a response. Andrew Cabasso founded Postaga to alleviate these pain-points. With Postaga, the research is done for you, email addresses are validated, and outreach can be performed by their team so you can focus on your core business. This not only identifies relevant marketing opportunities but will optimize your website on Google Search once multiple blogs and relevant websites start linking back to your site. In this episode we discuss how Postaga performs smart digital marketing for its customers, identifies and approaches relevant opportunities, the importance of media outreach, and much more! For a limited time, use code NY LAUNCH for 50% off your first three months of Postaga Pro! For more on Postaga visit: postaga.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/postagatr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Episode 78: Andrew Cabasso, Co-Founder of Postaga | The Platform that Obtains Leads and Makes Marketing Easy

Aaron Luo, Co-Founder of Caraa, returns to the New York Launch Pod to discuss how he’s pivoted his luxury handbag company and developed new products during the Covid-19 pandemic including the Wall Street Journal's top rated mask. In Episode 58, we spoke to Aaron about the motivation behind the Caraa brand and how they develop handbags, gym bags and baby bags for the modern woman who needs something both stylish and practical. Once the pandemic hit, Aaron and his partner Carmen Chen Wu realized two things, that they could use their manufacturing expertise to give back to the community and that they needed to change the focus of their brand to appeal to customers who were staying home from work and the gym. After developing masks to donate to needy populations they realized that in the process they had actually developed a great product which they then tweaked with different colors and fabrics for sale. Since then, Caraa’s masks have consistently been rated as one of the best and most comfortable masks on the market! In this episode we talk to Aaron about how Caraa has supported social causes during the pandemic, how they develop new product lines, what the future holds for the company and much more! For more information on Caraa visit: caraasport.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/caraahydtr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

How You Doin’? Vol 9: Aaron Luo, Co-Founder of Caraa | The Luxury Handbag Company for the Modern Woman

Maria Luisa Mendiola, Founder of MIGA Swimwear, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her swimwear company which has specialized designs for people with disfigurement or other chronic health issues. Growing up with a disfigurement herself, Maria understood the need to feel comfortable at the beach or pool. While studying for a masters at Central St. Martins in the United Kingdom, Maria came up with the idea of building a brand that destigmatizes disfigurement and chronic health issues. Through social media and MIGA Swimwear's blog, Maria has created a community of people who are now talking about and even inspiring MIGA's designs.  Every MIGA design has been crowdsourced from people who need more flexible swimwear and included in each purchase is a tote bag that tells the story of a community member who contributed to the design. In this episode we talk about the stigma around chronic health conditions that MIGA Swimwear is fighting, how Maria has built a community with her brand, and much more!  Use code NYLAUNCH at checkout for a 15% discount on all MIGA Swimwear products! For more about MIGA Swimwear visit: https://migaswimwear.com/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/MIGASwimweartr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Episode 74: Maria Luisa Mendiola, Founder of MIGA Swimwear | The Swimwear Company Making Apparel for People with Disfigurement and Chronic Health Issues

Scott Reich, Co-Founder of Believe in a Cure, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his non-profit foundation that is looking for a cure for FOXG1 Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder which has affected his son Eli. Scott began his foundation when his Eli was recently diagnosed with FOXG1 Syndrome, a neurological disorder that will prevent him from ever speaking or walking. Despite the devastation this caused Scott and his wife Ilissa, they decided that they were going to fight this disease for the sake of their son and all others affected by FOXG1 Syndrome. Since then, Scott and Ilissa have received an influx of support through personal donations, scientists and doctors who have dedicated their time and resources and friends who have connected them with someone who may be of help. In this episode we discuss FOXG1 Syndrome, how people can get involved to find a cure, how Scott and Ilissa were able to build a foundation from the ground up and much more. For more information on Believe in a Cure visit: webelieveinacure.org Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/believeinacuretr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Episode 76: Scott Reich, Co-Founder of Believe in a Cure | The Non-Profit Foundation Working to Find a Cure for FOXG1 Syndrome

Maya Komerov, Founder of ShopIN.nyc, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her same day delivery e-commerce platform that allows you to shop from stores in your neighborhood all from the comfort of your home. With the rise of commerce giants like Amazon, traditional brick and mortar retailers have suffered declining sales year after year. Despite most New Yorker's wish to shop local and support their communities, local retailers have found it hard to compete on price and convenience and, because New Yorkers are always in a rush, oftentimes it doesn't make sense to go to multiple stores to get everything they need. This is where ShopIN.nyc comes in. Through ShopIN.nyc Maya Komerov has created a platform that rivals the convenience of Amazon through same day delivery and an all-in-one commerce platform which supports the small businesses which are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. On the ShopIN.nyc platform you can choose from a range of products sold by local businesses, ShopIN.nyc then sends their delivery team to each business to put your cart together and deliver it to you by the end of the day. In this episode we discuss the importance of small businesses to our community, why Shopin.nyc pays their delivery team $25 an hour, and much more! For more information on ShopIN.nyc visit: shopin.nyc Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/shopinnyctr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Episode 75: Maya Komerov, Founder of ShopIN.nyc | The Localized E-Commerce Platform Taking on Amazon and Supporting New York City Communities

Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications, returns to the New York Launch Pod for his third appearance to discuss how he's pivoted his company and adapted to new methods of communication during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Episode 28 and How You Doin' Volume 5 we spoke to Michael about the techniques he used to teach high powered executives and political candidates. Before the pandemic, most of GK Training and Communications' business was conducted in-person. In this episode we speak to Michael about how he was able to adapt to the changing landscape of Covid-19 and switch gears by offering courses online and focusing on communication techniques for teleconferencing, navigating difficult conversations, and battling lockdown fatigue. Michael is even offering the course library for free for anyone who has been furloughed or laid off as a result of the pandemic. In this episode we talk about techniques for better remote communication, Michael's recent experience working with Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, how he has transformed his business during this difficult time and much more! For more information on GK Training and Communications visit: gktraining.com Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/GKtraininghydtr This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

How You Doin'? Vol 8: Michael Chad Hoeppner, Founder of GK Training and Communications | Michael Returns to Discuss How His Public Speaking Company Has Pivoted Direction During the Pandemic

Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his celebrity studded and corporate sponsored non-profit initiative which is encouraging New Yorkers to commit to New York City, support our front line workers and give what you can to keep the city strong. As the successful founder of a PR company, BerlinRosen, and a New Yorker for over 20 years, Jonathan has seen the way the city has been hurting since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year. In order to support the city he loves, he's started NY Forever to give back by leveraging his network, getting people involved and supporting organizations which are helping struggling New Yorkers in this unprecedented situation. Taking their motto from a New York Magazine cover from the 1970's, "We've Got to Help Ourselves", Jonathan has recruited top fashion brands like Public School, tech companies like SalesForce and prominent celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer to get involved and help promote volunteer and fundraising opportunities that are alleviating the dire circumstances many New Yorkers face. His goal is simple: to get half a million New Yorkers to sign the pledge at nyforever.nyc in order to receive updates that will connect them with practical ways in which they can help the city. In this episode we talk about the overwhelming support Jonathan has received from the New York business community, how NY Forever is giving back to the city, and much more! Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/nyforevertr For more about NY Forever and to sign the pledge visit: nyforever.nyc This episode has been sponsored by RezCue, the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act compliance software for landlords. For more information on RezCue visit: rezcueme.com

Episode 74: Jonathan Rosen, Co-Founder of NY Forever | The Initiative Helping New York and New Yorkers Recover from the Pandemic and Come Back Stronger Than Ever

David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna Moonshine, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his new moonshine brand which promises to popularize a traditional American liquor and a variety of new cocktails. While David was the COO of a baby blanket company, Aden + Anais, he started talking to one of his co-workers whose passion was distilling moonshine. Soon they both realized that moonshine was the only liquor that had not yet experienced a premiumization and set out to change that with a cocktail forward modern brand. By working with local suppliers and hitting the pavement to get Saint Luna stocked in a variety of New York City bars and restaurants, David has managed to take a traditional American liquor and modernize it for an elevated experience. In this episode we talk about the history of moonshine and why it has previously gone unnoticed in the liquor industry, how David came up with the idea for the brand, expanding an alcohol brand in the midst of Covid-19 and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/saintlunamoonshinetr For more on Saint Luna Moonshine visit: saintlunaspirits.com/

Episode 73: David Suk, Co-Founder and CEO of Saint Luna Moonshine | The Spirits Company Revolutionizing a Traditional American Liquor

Kate Sokolov and Lisa Sokolov, sisters and Co-Founders of Social Goods, step onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss their online retail store that offers statement making gifts which incorporate donations to the causes they represent. Before starting Social Goods, Lisa worked in fashion while Kate was active in non-profits and political causes, together the sisters and Co-Founders set out to create a brand that combined their expertise into a socially-conscious way to shop. By handpicking designers and non-profits to collaborate with, Social Goods turns political fashion into political action by donating a portion or at times 100% of revenue to organizations working on the ground. In this episode we talk about how consumerism can be channeled into support for grassroots organizations, how Social Goods chooses sleek designs for their products, and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/socialgoodstr For more on Social Goods visit: www.social-goods.com

Episode 72: Kate Sokolov and Lisa Sokolov, Co-Founders of Social Goods, the Online Store that Turns Political Fashion into Political Action

Rob Pachter, Co-Founder of Realty Crunch, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his collaboration platform for brokers and clients dedicated to facilitating and providing efficiency to real estate transactions. While trying to purchase properties several years ago Rob identified several pain points in the broker/client experience including the difficulty of aggregating properties across multiple platforms, communicating effectively between clients and brokers and creating and sending forms and materials to clients once a decision has been made. Rob believed he could streamline and modernize this process with his company Realty Crunch which, in his own words, is “Pinterest meets text messaging for real estate agents”. Realty Crunch allows real estate agents to aggregate listings from all over the internet, streamline communication and collaboration with clients, and use a wide range of features including their smart form feature which allows agents to instantaneously send disclosure forms to clients. In this episode we talk about inefficiencies in the traditional buying and renting process, how Realty Crunch is simplifying and expediting deals, the cutting edge technology-driven software they offer and much more! Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/realtycrunchtr For more on Realty Crunch visit: realtycrunch.io

Episode 71: Rob Pachter, Co-Founder of Realty Crunch | The Real Estate Software for Brokers Simplifying Communication and Making Deals Happen

Wole Coaxum, founder of MoCaFi, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his challenger bank and project management company dedicated to serving the unbanked and underbanked and providing essential financial services in marginalized communities. As former managing director at JPMorgan and head of business banking sales at Chase, Wole recognized that many people were using payday lenders and check cashers instead of traditional banks, either because banks did not have branches in these communities or because their fee models were not structured in favor of these clients. As a result, whether through payday lenders or traditional banks, these communities were paying a higher price to use necessary financial services and Wole set out to change that. MoCaFi is an online banking platform which provides a range of financial services to poorer communities that larger banks have neglected to serve by offering financial literacy education, credit building through rent and utility payments, and low fees and interest rates on small loans. In the future Wole hopes to reduce the wealth gap in these communities by bringing them into the traditional banking sector while providing efficient, low cost financial services.  In this episode we talk about the gaps in traditional banking services, the importance of banking to lifetime financial well being and how MoCaFi is solving these issues through a wide range of innovative technologies and services! At 2:52 we discuss the hole in the market that brick and mortar banks are not filling At 6:01 we talk about the longterm financial effects of being unbanked or underbanked At 9:48 Wole discusses how MoCaFi is solving the high-fee, high-cost business model of traditional banks and how the environment and rituals of a community keep people from participating in the traditional financial sector At 15:28 Wole describes how MoCaFi is approaching customer acquisition through the power of social media and celebrity And at 27:00 Wole talks about MoCaFi's sustainable business model and the difference between traditional banks and challenger banks and what that means in the context of the United State's regulatory framework. Transcript of this episode available at: nylaun.ch/mocafitr For more on MoCaFi visit: mocafi.com

Episode 70: Wole Coaxum, Founder and CEO of MoCaFi | The Challenger Bank Serving the Unbanked and Underbanked

Stacey Weismiller of SecondMuse steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss her startup incubator and impact firm dedicated to designing, developing and implementing entrepreneurial programs specifically geared to hardware manufacturing in New York City.﻿ SecondMuse identifies opportunities in a wide variety of unconventional sectors, including hardware manufacturing and climate technology, which benefit the city as a whole and then develops and mentors startups to fill those gaps in the market. At SecondMuse, Stacey heads M-Corps, an incubator funded by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, which supports startups focused on solving climate issues in every step of their growth from funding to manufacturing. What's more, SecondMuse does require any stake in equity in order to work with them.﻿ In this episode we talk about New York City's possibilities as a manufacturing hub, the importance of energy technology companies in New York State, how SecondMuse builds these new economies by mentoring and supporting small innovative companies! For more on SecondMuse visit: www.secondmuse.com/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/SecondMusetr

Episode 69: Stacey Weismiller of SecondMuse

Harlan Milkove, Managing Partner of Foundational, steps onto the New York Launch Pod to discuss his company that uses a data driven approach to prepare startups for venture capital fundraising. After founding several successful companies, Harlan realized that his venture capital expertise and technical know how could solve a problem that many founders face: learning how to efficiently prepare for new rounds of fundraising and target potential investors while still running a company at the same time. Foundational uses data to group startups together by their business plans, the market they’re tapping, location and many other attributes that can then be analyzed and used to predict which investors will be most likely to express interest. What’s more, Foundational coaches startups so that their investment pitches are more likely to be successful and so that CEOs can focus on their companies rather than the full time job of attracting investment. In this episode we talk about how Foundational solves fundraising problems for startups through the use of their proprietary data, common mistakes startups make when attracting capital, how Foundational can give startups the tools needed for success, and a whole lot more! For more on Foundational visit: www.foundational.nyc/ Transcript available at: nylaun.ch/Foundationaltr

Episode 68: Harlan Milkove, Managing Partner of Foundational

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