Are you scaling your startup too soon? Many startups don't fail because they can't find customers. They fail because they scale before they've built a business that's ready to grow. In this episode of Designing Successful Startups, Jothy Rosenberg sits down with Aaron Alpeter, Founder and CEO of IZBA Group, former Unilever supply chain leader, and startup advisor whose companies have helped founders achieve more than $2.5 billion in startup exits. Aaron shares practical lessons on startup operations, unit economics, supply chain management, fundraising strategy, startup growth, ecommerce, operational excellence, and building a company that can scale successfully. Whether you're an early-stage founder, startup CEO, entrepreneur, or investor, this episode is packed with actionable startup advice you can apply immediately. In this episode you'll learn: • Why unit economics matter more than fundraising • The biggest startup scaling mistakes founders make • How to build a scalable startup from day one • Startup operations every founder should understand • Supply chain strategies for ecommerce startups • Why founders should build with the exit in mind • How to know when your startup is ready to scale • Lessons from helping create over $2.5 billion in startup exits • How Unilever's operating system applies to startups • Founder advice for sustainable startup growth If you're searching for content about startup funding, startup scaling, startup operations, ecommerce strategy, founder advice, business growth, entrepreneurship, startup strategy, supply chain management, or how to build a successful startup, this conversation is for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Aaron's journey from Unilever to startups 06:40 Lessons from world-class operations 10:20 Why startups struggle with supply chains 17:30 Scaling a startup the right way 19:00 The truth about unit economics 24:30 Building multiple startup businesses 31:00 Where entrepreneurial grit comes from 42:00 Toolkit Takeaways If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with successful founders, startup CEOs, investors, and innovators. Tell us in the comments: What's the biggest operational challenge your startup is facing today? Start here: https://whosaysyoucantstartup.teachable.com/p/full-bundle Books by Jothy Rosenberg Tech Startup Toolkit: https://www.manning.com/books/tech-startup-toolkit Follow Me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jothy Website: https://www.jothyrosenberg.com/ Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7266943963645853696 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AcONvI1yssfvybLEziXa4 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@designingsuccessfulstart #startupfounders #entrepreneurship #startupfounders #startupgrowth #businessstrategy #supplychain #startupfunding #businesspodcast