Making it Rain, One Square at a Time with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares

Stairway to CEO

Description:

As an entrepreneur, it can be tempting to try to master every aspect of the business, but today’s guest is proof that playing to your strengths and finding a partner with complementary skills is a winning formula. Jake Karls is the Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, a chocolate company geared to revolutionizing the snack industry. Join us as we discuss Jake’s unique path to entrepreneurship success, the decision to manufacture Mid-Day Squares in an independent factory, and the effect of digital transparency on relationship-building. Don’t miss today’s high-energy episode!

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In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• [02:21] Lessons of hard work and resilience he learned from his entrepreneurial father.
• [10:12] Jake’s first foray into entrepreneurship; running an outdoor boot camp.
• [12:10] Co-founding Mid-Day Squares with his sister and brother-in-law in 2018.
• [20:51] Defining the roles and navigating the relationships behind the business.
• [24:09] A year-by-year look at the growth behind Mid-Day Bars since its inception.
• [28:13] How transparency has supported the fundraising process.
• [33:10] What happens when envy and insecurity affect our attitudes toward others.
• [36:39] Jake’s two experiences with burnout and his recovery process.
• [40:06] The story behind Mid-Day Bars.
• [42:21] Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and a glimpse into the future of Mid-Day Bars.

To Find Out More:

Jake Karls on LinkedIn

Jake Karls on Instagram

Mid-Day Squares

Lee Greene on LinkedIn

Awesome CX

Stairway to CEO

Stairway to CEO on Instagram

Quotes:

“I know [that] anything is possible as long as you work hard and you have that resilience, that grit and love and passion for what you do.” [0:03:36]

“If you work hard and put your effort and love into something, you have a chance of winning in that field.” [0:05:45]

“Through my [first] five years of entrepreneurship, I learned not to do what I’m really bad at, and to do what I’m really good at [instead].” [0:12:51]

“When you are yourself, truthfully, you are your best version and you are unstoppable because nobody can actually be you.” [0:16:30]

“Our strategy was simply not to talk about the product on social media, but to share the journey of how we built this business.” [0:24:32]

“We build out loud.” [0:28:57]

“I feel like I’m playing the game better than I ever have before because I lost that ability to be – envious or judgemental.” [0:35:35]

“My advice is block out the noise and be yourself.” [0:42:23]

“Being yourself is a superpower.” [0:42:43]

“We’re doing it by being ourselves which means that you can do anything by being yourself as well.” [0:43:20]