Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s a relentless, all-consuming way of life.
Welcome to Founder2Founder a raw and unfiltered podcast where host Aaron Spivak pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something from the ground up. No sugarcoating, no overnight success stories—just deep, honest conversations with some of the most driven, underrated, and game-changing founders of our time. From brutal setbacks to game-changing mindset shifts, Aaron goes beyond the polished success stories to uncover the unglamorous, deeply personal side of building a business.
As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Aaron goes beneath the surface and gets into the nitty-gritty of what it truly takes to succeed. He’ll dive into the habits, behaviors, and routines that set elite founders apart, the tactics and strategies that are working today, and the mindset shifts required to push through the hardest moments. Through raw personal stories, late-night struggles, and breakthrough moments, guests open up about what it really means to grow, not just as a founder, but as a person.
Each week, Aaron sits down with visionary entrepreneurs from high-growth startup founders to seasoned CEOs, for real, unfiltered conversations about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you're scaling a company, launching your first venture, or just looking for inspiration, this podcast will give you the insights, motivation, and real-world advice you won’t get just anywhere. If you're ready to strip away the illusion and get real about what it means to build, sacrifice, and thrive, this is the podcast for you. Join us every Wednesday!
Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
Founder Burnout: Why Building a Business Can Break You and How to Fix It with Garrett Peters
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In this episode of Founder2Founder, Aaron Spivak sits down with Garrett Peters, co-founder of Duncan & Stone Paper Co., a brand focused on helping families capture meaningful memories through intentional stationery. Before launching the company in 2020, Garrett spent over a decade working with Walmart and Sam’s Club, gaining experience in scaling brands and building businesses.
Garrett shares his transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire for more freedom, alignment, and time with his family. From building the business as a side hustle to navigating burnout and redefining success, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it really takes to build a business that supports your life.
Chapters
01:01 – Garrett’s Background and Joining Founders Club
03:45 – The Moment That Sparked His Entrepreneurial Journey
06:10 – Realizing the Lack of Freedom in Corporate Life
09:34 – The Decision to Start a Business With Friends
11:50 – Building Duncan & Stone as a Side Hustle
12:22 – Late Nights, Family Life, and Early Startup Grind
14:06 – The Realities of Manufacturing and Early Challenges
16:10 – When the Business Started Feeling Real
17:24 – First Holiday Sales and Early Momentum
18:30 – The Breaking Point That Led to Quitting His Job
20:52 – Going All-In Without Financial Security
21:37 – The Chaos of Year One as a Full-Time Founder
22:33 – Losing Identity and Burning Out in the Business
23:44 – The Impact on Marriage and Personal Life
25:50 – Learning to Outsource and Build a Team
26:48 – Understanding Alignment vs. Burnout
28:29 – Finding Product Focus and Building a Brand
30:43 – Creating the Legacy Journal and Defining Their Niche
34:13 – Why Amazon Became a Key Growth Channel
36:57 – Selling a Product Customers Didn’t Know They Needed
38:17 – Navigating Business With Friends and Family
40:20 – Setting Boundaries Between Work and Life
43:13 – The Role of Personal Health in Business Success
45:09 – Defining “Enough” and Building a Lifestyle Business
48:44 – Balancing Ambition With Contentment
50:10 – The Danger of Comparison and External Validation
53:47 – Creating Your Own Version of Success
59:33 – Advice to His Younger Self: Control What You Can
Guest Links:
Website: https://www.duncanandstone.com/
Instagram: @duncanandstone
LinkedIn: Garrett Peters
If you're a founder doing $1MM+ in annual revenue, apply for the Founders Club today: https://go.foundersclubofficial.com/intro-fc-aaron
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Website www.foundersclubofficial.com
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