Jonathan Kim took an interesting path to becoming the founder of a tech company. A journalism major at BU, Jonathan taught himself how to code before becoming a software engineer at HubSpot. It was there that he identified the problem companies face with onboarding users to platforms. Instead of wanting to solve this problem with people, he wanted to solve it with product. To solve this he started Appcues, a user onboaring company for software companies. &nbsp; In this episode, Jonathan shares amongst other things: What most companies get wrong about user onboarding When companies should start automating user onboarding What frustrates users the most How to use UX to gain the user’s trust Why he wouldn’t focus on finding a co-founder if starting over Why Appcues engineers also handle customer support Links from this episode: David Cancel Fasten Wistia Litmus Firebase Keen IO Price Intelligently Buffer’s transparency dashboard Hojoko  The Advantage Lean In &nbsp; If you liked this episode: Follow the podcast on Twitter Subscribe on iTunes or your podcast app and write a review Get in touch with feedback, ideas, or to say hi: nic {AT} startupbostonpodcast [DOT] com Music by: Broke For Free

Ep: 006 - Jonathan Kim - Appcues - User Onboarding

Sumner Lee is founder of Fuse Integration. Before founding the company, Sumner was in the Navy, and then spent time in SPAWAR and design consultancy. Fuse is a design and engineering firm that brings warfighter focused design to commercial and defense applications. &nbsp; In this episode, Sumner talks about: &nbsp; Their unique office space in downtown San Diego, where their walls are covered with murals &nbsp; What he’s learned from his time in the military and how he applies it to Fuse Integration &nbsp; The importance of focusing on users when designing products &nbsp; Links from today’s episode: &nbsp; Fuse Integration &nbsp; The Honor Foundation &nbsp; FAB LAB &nbsp; Inc. Magazine &nbsp; Communication Arts &nbsp;  Killing Patton &nbsp;  Rising Sun &nbsp; If you liked this episode: &nbsp; Follow the podcast on Twitter &nbsp; Subscribe on iTunes or your podcast app and write a review Get in touch with feedback, ideas, or to say hi: nic {AT} startupbostonpodcast [DOT] com &nbsp; Music by:&nbsp;Broke For Free

Ep: 039 - Sumner Lee - Fuse Integration - Warfighter Focused Engineering & Design

Kevin Kinsella is a venture capitalist in San Diego. Kevin has been a part of the formation, financing, and development of more than 125 companies, including several public companies. In the past, Kevin has led international joined ventures for Solar Turbines International, he was an advisor to the Peruvian government in national nutrition planning, he ran a technology exchange program between the United States and Latin America, and he taught algebra at the American high school in Beirut, Lebanon. Kevin was also a guest for The Boston Herald American, he’s a member of the Circumnavigators Club, won a Tony Award for producing Jersey Boys, and partnered with Rhino Records in producing the Grammy Award-winning Jersey Boys original cast recording, which has gone double platinum. He owns Kinsella Estates Winery, which produces the highest rated premium Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and has a large selection of art, sculptures, and memorabilia in the Kinsella Library in La Jolla. &nbsp; In this episode, Kevin talks about: &nbsp; The transition from employee, to founder, to investor &nbsp; How valuations of companies have changed over time &nbsp; Trends in venture capital that worry him &nbsp; How he became the largest investor in Jersey Boys &nbsp; His winery, Kinsella Estates &nbsp; Links from today’s episodes: &nbsp; Kevin Kinsella &nbsp; Avalon Ventures &nbsp; Jersey Boys &nbsp; Kinsella Estates Winery &nbsp; Empire &nbsp; Kingfish &nbsp;  The Last Lecture &nbsp;  August 1914 &nbsp; If you liked this episode: &nbsp; Follow the podcast on Twitter &nbsp; Subscribe on iTunes or your podcast app and write a review Get in touch with feedback, ideas, or to say hi: nic {AT} startupbostonpodcast [DOT] com &nbsp; Music by:&nbsp;Broke For Free &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Ep: 040 - Kevin Kinsella - Avalon Ventures - From Employee to Founder to Investor: San Diego's Most Interesting Man

Beck Bamberger is founder and CEO of BAM Communications, a PR firm for startups. Beck graduated UCLA in two years and was then, the youngest MBA graduate from the University of Pittsburgh at age 21. She started BAM Communications while working as a news anchor in San Diego and won an Emmy in 2011. Shortly after, she also founded BITE, San Diego’s top-rated and largest food tour company in the country and sold it in 2016. &nbsp; In this episode, Beck talks about: &nbsp; How founders can know if they’re ready or not to have a PR firm &nbsp; Common misconceptions about public relations &nbsp; How to decide which PR firm to work with &nbsp; Expanding her own comfort zone by doing what’s uncomfortable &nbsp; Links from today’s episode: &nbsp; Beck Bamberger &nbsp; BAM &nbsp; BITE &nbsp; Upload &nbsp; CourseKey &nbsp; Postmates &nbsp;  Scanner Pro &nbsp;  The Dictator’s Handbook &nbsp;  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck &nbsp; If you liked this episode: &nbsp; Follow the podcast on Twitter &nbsp; Subscribe on iTunes or your podcast app and write a review Get in touch with feedback, ideas, or to say hi: nic {AT} startupbostonpodcast [DOT] com &nbsp; Music by:&nbsp;Broke For Free

Ep: 041 - Beck Bamberger - BAM Communications - 'Success', Public Relations & Expanding Comfort Zones

Brittany DiCapua started The Boston Food Journal a year and a half ago by sharing food on Instagram and it has morphed into much more than a side project for her. She describes The Boston Food Journal as highlighting the food and dining industry through social marketing, blog and video content, and photography. The Boston food journal is a strong social influencer of local restaurants, small businesses, and technology applications throughout Massachusetts. &nbsp; In this episode, Brittany talks about: &nbsp; How she juggles her full time job and the Boston Food Journal &nbsp; How to get over self-doubt and the doubt from others &nbsp; What’s most important when growing a brand &nbsp; Starting and pursuing side projects &nbsp; Links from today’s episode: &nbsp; The Boston Food Journal &nbsp; Brittany DiCapua &nbsp; Brown Paper Bag (Holly Fox) &nbsp; Baked Ideas &nbsp; The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon &nbsp; If you liked today’s episode:  Follow the podcast on Twitter &nbsp; Subscribe on iTunes or your podcast app and write a review Get in touch with feedback, ideas, or to say hi: nic {AT} startupbostonpodcast [DOT] com &nbsp; Music by:&nbsp;Broke For Free

Ep: 042 - Brittany Dicapua - Boston Food Journal - Starting and Growing a Side Hustle

The Startup Boston Podcast takes you inside the world of Boston startups, featuring interviews with Boston-based entrepreneurs, investors, and influencers. During each episode, someone involved with Boston startups will share their experience, advice, thoughts, predictions, and challenges with listeners. No industry or topic is off-limits as guests share their first-hand experience. Guests range from Kickstarter successes, to angel investors and venture capitalists, to SaaS founders, to product team experts and beyond. I believe that each person has a story to tell and we each can learn something from the experiences of others. Whether you are a founder, work at a startup, are an investor, interested in joining a startup, or are just curious about startups, you will find something here for you. This podcast is an attempt to help share those stories.

Startup Boston Podcast: Entrepreneurs | Investors