If SXSW is the brainy playground for founders, creatives, and change-makers, then Inc. Founders House was its VIP clubhouse—and I was lucky enough to snag a seat inside.
First off, shout out to TriNet for sponsoring what might’ve been the best coffee I had in Austin all week. Yes, the line for a latte rivaled the one for a Peloton bike in 2020, but it was worth it.
But let’s talk about the real fuel of the day: the speakers. The lineup was packed, but what made it so good was how unfiltered and real everyone was.
Rebecca Minkoff kicked things off with a truth bomb-laced journey through the early days of her career. It wasn’t a tidy “I-had-a-dream-and-it-all-came-true” story. It was gritty. It was messy. And it was exactly what I needed to hear. She owned every misstep and every leap of faith with such humility, and it reminded me that sometimes the ugliest moments are the ones that set you up for brilliance.
Then there was Naomi Watts, who surprised me in the best way. I didn’t expect to be so moved by her mission to normalize aging for women—but Stripes isn’t just a brand, it’s a movement. She’s out here reframing what it means to grow older, turning a topic often buried in shame into something empowering and aspirational.
Chelsea Clinton—what can I say? Sharp, composed, and quietly commanding. She was pragmatic and eloquent, with a no-nonsense delivery that made every word land. She doesn’t need to shout to be heard; her clarity is what cuts through.
Now, as someone in experiential marketing, I have to say: Brian Irving, Lyft’s CMO, was speaking my language. His approach to brand and customer connection is what we all should be doing—obsessing about the experience. Not just the product. Not just the pitch. The experience. His line about being the smaller player—how that forces you to punch above your weight and get creative to stand out—was something I scribbled down (okay, typed furiously) to revisit later. It’s the kind of mindset that wins.
And overall? The vibe was real. Transparent. Open. You didn’t feel like these leaders were gatekeeping. They were sharing the good, the bad, and the “I can’t believe we made it through that” stories.
That said… I did catch myself wondering: Would any of them open their doors to help other founders get ahead? The ones who don’t have the investors yet, the press coverage, the runway. I hope so—because if what we saw on stage translates off-stage, there’s real potential for game-changing mentorship.
Until next year, Founders House. Keep the coffee hot and the conversations real.
