Beste The Blend With Kenz Chan podcaster (2025)

1
The Blend’s Year in Review: Biggest Wins, Lessons, and Time Wasters 47:20

2M ago47:20

47:20

On this episode of The Blend, we take time to reflect on the year together—celebrating growth in both business and self. We dive into meaningful end-of-year review questions, exploring topics like: What was the best outcome of the year? What’s working and what’s not working? What did we most enjoy in the business? What was the biggest lesson we lea…

1
The Power of a Unified Team: Setting the Stage for Next Year 48:56

3M ago48:56

48:56

On this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we reflect on our recent EVA Vision meeting—a pivotal moment that showed just how aligned and “locked in” our team truly is. Everyone’s not just embracing our core values—they’re exuding them and leveling up to the next stage of who we are as a company. We discuss how this team-wide alignment is fuelin…

1
The Fine Line Between Innovation and Focus 42:45

4M ago42:45

42:45

In this episode, Channing and Makenzie dive into the concept of imposter syndrome, exploring how they still experience it even after nine years of building their business. Instead of seeing it as a setback, they discuss how feeling like an "imposter" can actually be a sign of growth, signaling that they’re tackling new challenges and making progres…

1
Best Case, Worst Case: How We Planned Our Future 41:55

4M ago41:55

41:55

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we look back on the biggest growth we've experienced this fall—and why it still doesn’t feel like enough. We talk about how we’re managing this feeling within ourselves and our team, while also navigating challenges like the economy and recession. We share the big advancements we’ve made, from building…

1
The Question Session: Blending Business and Life 47:45

6M ago47:45

47:45

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we switch things up by asking each other a mix of business and personal questions that dive into the heart of our partnership. From “What are you most excited about where the business is at right now?” to “What concert do you wish you could go back and see again?” and even “What would you do after EVA?…

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Conferences Unpacked: Networking, Selling, and Surviving 40:53

7M ago40:53

40:53

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we dive into the world of conferences—both the hard parts and the highlights. From the challenges of travel to the nerves of walking into a room full of strangers, we share our experiences and how we've navigated these hurdles over the years. We discuss how our approach to networking and selling at con…

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The Silver Lining of Competition 32:37

7M ago32:37

32:37

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we tackle the often-stressful topic of competition and why we believe it can actually be a great thing. As entrepreneurs, competition is inevitable, but instead of fearing it, we've learned to see it as validation of our business in the market. Join us as we share funny anecdotes of past competitors an…

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Ego vs. Entrepreneur: Our PTO & Finance Struggles 38:25

8M ago38:25

38:25

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we tackle the battle between ego and entrepreneurship. We discuss the importance of taking PTO, the art of delegation, and the real financial struggles we face as entrepreneurs. Join us as we share personal stories and practical tips on overcoming these challenges, highlighting the need to set aside pr…

1
Wet Sigs 29:20

8M ago29:20

29:20

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we dive into the world of banking and share some crucial lessons we've learned along the way. Banking turned out to be a much bigger part of our business than we initially thought, and we're here to have a candid discussion about what has worked well and what hasn’t. From navigating complex banking pro…

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Why We Love Being Entrepreneurs 39:13

9M ago39:13

39:13

In this upbeat episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we focus on all the things we love about being entrepreneurs. From the flexibility and freedom to the incredible community and building our own culture, we dive into what makes this journey so rewarding. We also reflect on our childhoods and the moments that sparked our entrepreneurial spirit, s…

1
Behind the Scenes: Burnout and Bounce Backs 39:31

9M ago39:31

39:31

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we take you behind the scenes of our journey with burnout and how we're bouncing back. We discuss the tools and strategies we've found effective, why burnout is such a challenging issue for entrepreneurs, and the importance of supporting one another through it all. Join us for a mix of business insight…

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Stress, Mistakes, and Growth: 2023 Unpacked 40:48

9M ago40:48

40:48

In this episode of The Blend with Kenz + Chan, we get real about the ups and downs of the past year. We open up about how we've navigated burnout and personal stress, and share the tough lessons from a big mistake that caught up to us. Join us as we talk candidly about our mental health, how we're really doing, and what's been happening in our live…

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Introducing The Blend with Kenz and Chan 40:24

10M ago40:24

40:24

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "The Blend with Kenz + Chan"! In this exciting premiere, Kenz and Chan reintroduce themselves and their revamped podcast. Join them as they share what to expect from this new version of the show, including candid insights, valuable lessons, and honest conversations about entrepreneurship and life. Kenz and Chan d…

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Fundraising (round 2) Pt. 2 30:47

3y ago30:47

30:47

Continuing the conversation of fundraising, Channing and Makenzie give updates on their current round. They emphasize how important it is to find the right investors, and how you should be vetting them as much as they vet you. They also discuss determining how much you should raise and how to prioritize how the capital should be allocated.…

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Fundraising (round 2) Pt. 1 30:35

3y ago30:35

30:35

In this episode Channing and Makenzie talk about their experience raising money (for the second time.) They discuss how they used SXSW as a launching pad to open their round and how they got interest from investors before having a deck. Raising money is a full time job and the EVA co-founders are happy to have each other to split some of the work. …

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Working and Leading Remotely 26:16

3y ago26:16

26:16

Many of us have gotten accustomed to working from home in the past two years. Some of us love it and never want to go back to the office, while some of us are ready to get out of the house. Channing and Makenzie talk about how their team is doing a hybrid model and how important it is to connect with your employees and co-workers even when you're n…

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Upgrading From Word of Mouth Marketing 34:30

3y ago34:30

34:30

Channing & Makenzie have always had relationships with their customers. Much of their business has come through referrals and word of mouth. Finally they are spending money on digital marketing to grow their business outside of their network. In this episode they share tools, tips, and stories in their experience with a marketing budget.…

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Is it Ever Okay to Say No to Business? 45:40

3+ y ago45:40

45:40

Channing, Makenzie, and their sales team have always tried to make their customers lives easier. After years of saying yes, their clients are starting to ask for things outside of EVA's business model. In this episode Channing and Makenzie discuss managing expectations and setting boundaries with current clients. They determine if it is ever accept…

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Validating Yourself as an Entrepreneur 38:00

3+ y ago38:00

38:00

Channing and Makenzie have given you all of the tools you need to validate your business idea. Your idea may be ready to turn into a business but are you the right one to start that business? If not, Channing and Makenzie discuss how you can identify the right team members to add. It's already challenging to build a business and doing it alone only…

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Validating Your Idea Pt. 2 34:42

3+ y ago34:42

34:42

Channing and Makenzie revisit the concept of validating your idea before starting a business. Getting feedback from potential customers, determining your market size, and estimating potential costs and expenses are all important before launching. They share tools for first time founders and give insight on how a business is constantly changing.…

1
Company Retreat 30:58

3+ y ago30:58

30:58

Channing and Makenzie recently took the rest of the EVA team on a company retreat. They talk about what they worked on during that time and how important it is to get face time with their team. The team looks a lot different than it did at their first retreat so they reminisce on how they've grown and what their goals are now. Company culture is so…

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Back to Business 40:07

3+ y ago40:07

40:07

Channing and Makenzie return for season 4! They discuss Makenzie's move to Austin and how it impacts their business, the growth of their team, and how they are managing in 2021. The founders also discuss the importance of timing, and that even the best ideas can sometimes be too early.Av Channing + Makenzie

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2020 Recap 37:37

4y ago37:37

37:37

We are THRILLED that 2020 is coming to an end. While it was extremely difficult at times we do believe we came out of this better both personally and professionally. The theme of EVA's 2020 was accelerated iteration. We had to change our model fast when the pandemic hit and it was not something we could have done without our team. In this episode w…

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Channing Interviews Makenzie 41:56

4+ y ago41:56

41:56

Now it's Makenzie's turn to be in the hot seat. Channing gets Makenzie to open up about who she is and what makes her tick. She discusses her strengths and weaknesses, her influences and interests, and how many bones she's broken. We love feedback! founders@freshmenfounders.comAv Channing + Makenzie

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Makenzie Interviews Channing 30:37

4+ y ago30:37

30:37

In this episode Makenzie takes on the challenge of getting Channing to talk about herself. We thought it would be interesting to interview one another and see what questions we didn't already know the answers to. We learn a little more about Channing's way of thinking in personal and professional life. You can ask us questions, provide feedback, or…

1
Employee Interview - Warner 37:16

4+ y ago37:16

37:16

Warner Carpenter, our software developer, joins us on the podcast. We talk about how he pitched himself for a full time position when we weren't even hiring (and got it), and what it's like working for a startup. He discusses the similarities between music and code and how he transitioned into programming. You can reach us at founders@freshmenfound…

1
Tough Times as Founders 41:45

4+ y ago41:45

41:45

Running a company is hard enough without a pandemic, but when one hits things get tougher for every business. We've talked about our pivot and some challenges we've faced in the company but on this episode we get more personal. We talk about how we stay motivated, how we get out of a funk, and how important communication is within a team.…

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Most Embarrassing Moments as a Founder 33:22

4+ y ago33:22

33:22

We discuss some of our most embarrassing moments as first time founders. We record in a new studio with a few new fun tools that add to the awkward moments. In this episode we are very candid and open up how we've grown.

1
Gordon Droitcour pt. 2 41:38

4+ y ago41:38

41:38

We check back in with Gordon and how his business is doing during the pandemic. Last time we talked we discussed him potentially partnering with another company, so he gives us an update on what happened there. We also discuss how the live music industry may look in the future.Av Channing + Makenzie

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Is This What the Right Move Feels Like? 34:48

4+ y ago34:48

34:48

You know those days when everything feels like it's falling into place? We were grateful to have one, especially in these continued wild times, so we went more off script than ever. This episode is all about what our pandemic pivot has been like for our company and we also reflect on previous pivots made. It's been unnerving to build a business dur…

1
We Rebranded...And It Was a Long Time Coming 33:33

4+ y ago33:33

33:33

The better the brand, the better the business...right? While a beautiful brand isn't the only thing that makes a business, it is a very important piece. A well thought out brand gives your customers confidence that you can do what you say you can, and our brand...was not cutting it. In this episode we discuss what exercises helped us prepare for th…

1
We Co-CEO and Here's Why 25:38

4+ y ago25:38

25:38

Our roles have changed a lot while building our company. Sometimes it was forced due to our business’s evolution, and at other times it was decided as we found a better path forward. We wanted to be open and honest about all of it. On this episode, we talk about becoming Co-CEOs together this year, and why we insist that our team members act as lea…

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Running a Business in a Pandemic 25:59

4+ y ago25:59

25:59

Season 3 is here! We had to get creative and record this without our typical production resources due to the pandemic. It definitely makes this episode that much more candid on what we are all experiencing in the world today. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to have a pandemic hit your business from all sides (aka ours), how we have gr…

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Q&A with Makenzie + Channing 30:04

5+ y ago30:04

30:04

And that's a wrap, season 2! In this final episode we answered questions that were submitted throughout the season via founders@freshmenfounders.com. As always, please reach out if you have any further thoughts/questions or want to talk through pain points when growing a business.Av Channing + Makenzie

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Partnerships with Gordon Droitcour pt. 1 43:16

5+ y ago43:16

43:16

We have found that one of the most exciting yet difficult parts of growing a business is determining what kind of partnerships actually make sense for your company. And how do you know if they are strategic and will complement your company? This episode is part 1 of Partnerships with Gordon Droitcour and how he began to think through this process f…

1
Building a Sales Team with Chris Becker 42:46

5+ y ago42:46

42:46

There is truly a method to the madness when it comes to executing sales goals and building a sales team. Not only are there metrics to base your goals off of, but also intrinsic motivators that are unique to each individual that's a part of your team. Chris Becker is an expert on these topics and we are excited for you to hear from him on this epis…

1
Passion → Full Time Business with Nathan Brown 32:51

6y ago32:51

32:51

Attention all creators: if you're wondering how to take the next steps in making your passion/creative outlet/hobby a full time business, this is the episode for you. Nathan Brown is an incredible artist that took all of his knowledge from previous career experiences and implemented these lessons into his full time business as a public artist. Nath…

1
Digital Strategy with Michael Sloane 41:28

6y ago41:28

41:28

In this episode we discuss all things digital strategy (and what that actually even means) and how to effectively market your business as a brand. Michael has an impressive background in digital strategy for all different types of businesses, especially in the music industry which we love. He started in project management, moved to interactive mark…

1
Traditional Capital with Brad Peterson 40:01

6y ago40:01

40:01

This is the third episode on fundraising for your startup (part 1 and part 2 are in season 1). We dive into traditional capital options like utilizing a line of credit or a loan to grow your business, and why this might be more beneficial than initially working with investors. Brad Peterson is the Vice President of Music & Entertainment at Regions …

1
A Few Things We Wish We'd Known Earlier 26:12

6y ago26:12

26:12

This episode is short and sweet. We learned the hard way on a few finer business details that are need to know, so we wanted to share them with you. Some would say it's boring stuff, we agree, but at least try to make it semi fun.Av Channing + Makenzie

1
Expanding with Clint Smith 52:53

6y ago52:53

52:53

This episode of Freshmen Founders is all about expanding your business. Clint Smith, former co founder and CEO of Emma, joins us and shares how he and his team strategically took their company from start to acquisition.Av Channing + Makenzie

1
Hiring with Tyler Newkirk 31:39

6y ago31:39

31:39

Freshmen Founders hears from the VP of operations at Gun.io, Tyler Newkirk, on how Gun.io hires well for their clients and for their own business. There is so much that goes into hiring the best candidates for your team, and we learn about what to pay extra attention to in this episode. What's Gun.io? Gun.io began as a way to connect open source so…

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Branding with Brian O' Connor 39:36

6y ago39:36

39:36

Season 2 kicks off with Good Dye Young co founder, Brian O' Connor, as our special guest. We talk through building a timeless brand and how it should evolve with your company's growth. What's Good Dye Young? "Good Dye Young was created by Hayley Williams, lead singer of the Grammy Award winning band Paramore, and her longtime stylist and makeup art…

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Season 1 Finale: Q+A 19:39

6+ y ago19:39

19:39

In the final episode of season one on Freshmen Founders, Channing and Makenzie answer questions that listeners have sent in and asked in the past few weeks.

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How to Create Your Network + Press 22:00

7y ago22:00

22:00

Half of a startup's initial success is based on meeting the right people and having a compelling story. In this episode, Channing and Makenzie talk through how they effectively built their network and grew awareness solely on press.

1
Office Space 18:50

7y ago18:50

18:50

When is the right time to get office space? Is it necessary for startups to have a dedicated space to work? Channing + Makenzie talk about their experience with getting an office, co working spaces, and working from home.Av Channing + Makenzie

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Don't Be Afraid to Pivot 19:30

7y ago19:30

19:30

Entrepreneurs are often scared to admit they need to "pivot" in their business, but Channing and Makenzie believe it is a must! This episode is all about how to test and edit your business model effectively.

1
Building Your MVP 10:00

7y ago10:00

10:00

Startups can die by never leaving the idea phase. We have to get out of our own head and showcase our business to customers, review the feedback, and then revise when needed. It's a never ending process that all starts with your Minimum Viable Product. In this episode, learn all about what to watch out for when building your MVP.…

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Raising Investment Pt. 2 21:45

7y ago21:45

21:45

This episode continues the conversation on investment. Channing and Makenzie discuss angel investors, convertible notes, raising money in different parts of the country, and venture capital.Av Channing + Makenzie

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Raising Investment Pt. 1 20:15

7y ago20:15

20:15

This episode is an introduction to raising investment for your business the first time. Channing and Makenzie talk through bootstrapping, family and friends money, bank loans, and a few extra fundraising options.Av Channing + Makenzie

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