Married to the Startup

Hosted by Alicia McKenzie

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Married to the Startup is a modern podcast where power couple, George and Alicia McKenzie, navigate the thrilling intersection of marriage, family, and entrepreneurship. With over a 15 years of partnership, this CEO and entrepreneurial coach duo share candid insights on building businesses while fostering a strong family unit.

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60 recent

June 1, 202630 min

The 25-Year Non-Compete: How Bobbi Brown Built a Second $1B Empire

Send us Fan Mail Join Alicia and George as they explore the inspiring story of Bobbi Brown, founder of Jones Road Beauty, who built a billion-dollar brand, sold it, and then reinvented herself in her sixties. We discuss entrepreneurship, branding, strategic decisions, and the importance of authenticity and timing. keywords Bobbi Brown, Jones Road Beauty, entrepreneurship, branding, non-compete, beauty industry, clean beauty, business reinvention, family business, social media influence Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Bobbi Brown's Inspiring Journey 01:54 The Origins of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Its Market Impact 03:49 Selling the Business to Estée Lauder at 38 04:35 The 25-Year Non-Compete and Its Challenges 06:43 Transitioning to New Ventures During the Non-Compete Period 08:32 The Serendipitous Creation of Jones Road Beauty 10:28 Launching Jones Road on the Exact Day the Non-Compete Expired 12:28 Viral Success of the Miracle Balm and Brand Growth 14:26 The Focus on Clean Beauty and Ingredient Transparency 16:25 Building a Family-Owned Business and Staying Authentic 18:20 Lessons on Timing, Authenticity, and Reinvention 20:03 The Power of Social Media and Personal Branding 22:10 The Massive Market of Beauty and Personal Care 24:09 Reflections on Non-Compete, Legacy, and Next Chapters 27:00 Inspiration and Final Thoughts ⸻ Sponsors: She’s Built Different: https://shesbuiltdifferent.substack.com/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

May 24, 2026Episode 7436 min

Writing a Book Won't Make You Rich

Send us Fan Mail Join Alicia and George as they explore the realities of writing and publishing books, the impact of media and marketing, and the importance of platform and passion in success. They also delve into personal insights on family, relationships, and the influence of social media on perceptions and opportunities. keywords book publishing, marketing, social media, author success, platform, passion, family, relationships, media influence, entrepreneurship Timestamps: 00:00 The Joy and Struggles of Writing 05:37 The Publishing Process and Its Challenges 11:05 The Reality of Being an Author 12:53 The Pay-to-Play Award System 14:18 The Influence of Wealth on Success 16:32 Expectations in Marketing and Promotion 18:33 Behind the Curtain of the Book Industry 20:32 Revenue Recognition and Payment Delays 21:44 Passion vs. Profit in Writing 23:23 The Role of PR in Book Success 25:20 Quality vs. Quantity in Parenting 28:24 The Balance of Metrics in Business and Relationships 30:49 Leveraging Substack for Writers 33:40 The Reality of Quick Rich Schemes ⸻ Sponsors: She’s Built Different: https://shesbuiltdifferent.substack.com/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

May 19, 2026Episode 7352 min

Does the American Dream Still Exist?

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the nuances of social media influence, the reality of wealth, the American Dream, and the future of technology and content creation. The hosts share personal stories, insights on financial habits, and predictions about AI and media evolution. keywords social media, wealth, American Dream, AI, content creation, social media influence, financial habits, social media trends, future technology, family life Timestamps: 00:00 Betting on Yourself: The Entrepreneurial Mindset 09:37 Navigating Parenting Challenges and Expectations 19:10 The Illusion of Wealth: Social Media and Aspirational Poverty 28:10 Housing Market Realities and Financial Decisions 28:20 The Evolving American Dream: Home Ownership vs. New Aspirations 30:33 The Changing Perception of Home Ownership: From Asset to Investment 32:58 Multi-Generational Households: A Return to Tradition? 34:54 Influencers and Content Creation: Value vs. Grift 38:28 The Future of Media: AI, Content Creation, and Human Touch Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

May 4, 2026Episode 7234 min

Is the Influencer Brand Trip Dead? The Pivot You Should Be Considering

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the evolving landscape of marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI innovations like Swan AI's mirror, and the importance of adaptability in business and life. George and Alicia share insights on how rapid technological changes and market dynamics demand quick pivots and authentic content strategies. keywords marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI mirrors, Swan AI, social media strategy, business adaptability, brand trips, user-generated content, AI disruption, entrepreneurial journey Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Swan AI and Influencer Marketing 02:44 The Evolution of Influencer Brand Trips 05:49 Understanding the AI Mirror Technology 08:28 The Importance of Authentic Content Creation 11:36 Navigating Pivots in Business 14:11 Generational Perspectives on Pivots 16:53 Defining Success and Wealth 19:49 The Changing Landscape of Employment 22:26 The Future of Work and AI 25:03 Personal Stories of Pivots and Growth Sponsors: Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

April 19, 2026Episode 7139 min

In Conversation with the Host of Cake for Dinner - Keesha Scott

Send us Fan Mail Keesha Scott is a co-founder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company with 800 employees and 17 facilities nationwide, a podcast host, and a soon-to-be published author. In this episode, she sits down with Alicia and George to talk about building a business with her husband, parenting through addiction and loss, and why leading with vulnerability is the most powerful thing she has ever done. Keesha and her husband bootstrapped Guardian Recovery from a two-person idea into a company rooted in a deeply personal why: both are in recovery, and her first husband died of a drug overdose. She opens up about what it looks like to build a business alongside a spouse when the mission is that close to home, including the terrifying moment during COVID when they thought the whole thing might sink. From wearing a weighted vest upside down to accidentally going viral, Keesha's approach to life and parenting is refreshingly unfiltered. She shares the story behind her podcast and upcoming book Cake for Dinner, why she stopped making herself small, and the one piece of advice she would give every couple running a business together: always remember your why. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Keisha Scott and Her Journey 02:56 Building Guardian Recovery: A Family Affair 05:38 Navigating Sobriety and Parenting 08:16 The Intersection of Business and Personal Life 11:05 Wellness Practices Amidst Chaos 14:08 Embracing Authenticity and Imperfection 16:53 The Meaning Behind 'Cake for Dinner' 19:38 Lessons from Parenting and Social Media 22:38 The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents 25:24 Preparing Teens for Real-Life Challenges 28:11 Upcoming Book and Future Plans 30:56 Insights from Podcasting and Real Stories 33:37 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts ⸻ Sponsors: Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ ⸻ Follow Cake for Dinner | Keesha Scott: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

April 13, 2026Episode 7040 min

MacKenzie-Childs Part 2 | The Dark Side of Rapid Expansion

Send us Fan Mail What really happened to the woman behind MacKenzie-Childs? In this episode, Alicia and George go back to finish the story they started in episode 51, because it turns out there was a whole chapter the internet left out. Before private equity entered the picture, there was Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, who bought MacKenzie-Childs out of bankruptcy for $5.5 million on a $15.3 million debt. What she did next is the part that got glossed over and it is a masterclass in capitalism doing what capitalism does, regardless of whether it feels right. Victoria MacKenzie-Childs passed away on March 4, 2026 at 77, and her death brought the full story out into the open. Alicia and George break down the Roland era, the non-compete, the lawsuit over Victoria’s own first name, and what it actually looks like when a creative builds something extraordinary, loses it, and keeps going anyway. Plus: why your lifestyle is exactly like the elastic in your underwear and why that matters for your business too. Timestamps: 00:00 - The underwear elastic theory of lifestyle creep 01:00 - Meet your hosts (and their new grand-chickens) 03:00 - Quick recap: Episode 51 and why we’re back 05:30 - Honoring Victoria MacKenzie-Childs and the creative spirit 07:30 - The origin story: a TikTok comment that started it all 11:45 - Pleasant Rowland enters: the chapter the internet skipped 15:45 - How Pleasant Rowland used debt as leverage (the non-compete) 20:15 - The Roland era 2001 to 2007: rebuilding and the lawsuit over their names 26:00 - Capitalism vs. the artist: protect the creative at the table 32:30 - Victoria’s comeback: the ferry boat, M-Prize, and making art anyway 37:00 - Lifestyle creep, debt, and why the elastic never snaps back 38:30 - Know your non-negotiables before you need the money 39:00 - The classic founder cautionary tale (and what to do differently) ⸻ Sponsors: Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

April 5, 2026Episode 6938 min

What Nobody Tells You After the Exit

Send us Fan Mail What actually happens after the big exit? In this episode, Alicia and George talk about the wealth event no one fully prepares you for and the three tensions that sneak up on almost every founder: identity crisis, lifestyle creep, and the paranoia of losing what you worked so hard to build. From a Chanel bag to a Lamborghini that eventually just sat in the garage, they share their own wins and regrets, including why every financial advisor tells you to wait six months before making a major purchase after a wealth event and why almost no founder actually does. The conversation gets personal as George opens up about the identity crisis that followed his post-sale sabbatical and Alicia shares how her childhood shaped her perspective on what money can and cannot buy. Their bottom line: don't wait for the number to hit before you figure out who you are outside of your business. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and the truth about startup cash flow 03:15 - Preparing for a successful business exit 06:00 - Lifestyle changes post-wealth event 09:08 - The importance of financial planning after a wealth event 12:04 - Identity crisis after selling a business 15:00 - Celebrating success and lifestyle creep 18:00 - Managing expectations and requests from others 21:28 - The psychological impact of wealth 24:52 - Finding value and purpose post-wealth 28:05 - Changes in life post-wealth 31:21 - What hasn't changed despite wealth 34:20 - Personal stories and reflections on fear and wealth 36:31 - Advice for “couple-preneurs” and identity discussions Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

March 29, 2026Episode 6853 min

The Advice Economy Is Lying to You

Send us Fan Mail Alicia and George call out three myths dominating entrepreneurship culture right now: more AI means more productivity, more money means more happiness, and owning a business beats working for someone else. They get into what actually happens when companies rush to implement tools without knowing what problem they're solving, the hidden costs that pile up when you start stacking subscriptions, and why the most-shared headlines about workplace transformation don't hold up under scrutiny. The second half gets personal. A $90 yurt near an active volcano beats an $1,800-a-night hotel, and they unpack why that gap exists and how targeted advertising keeps people chasing an upgrade they don't actually want. They also push back hard on the idea that entrepreneurship is the obvious path to a better life. Some of the happiest people they know have stable jobs, real vacation time, and no one calling them on weekends. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and the truth about startup cash flow 03:03 - AI’s productivity gains vs. reality 06:02 - Common pitfalls in AI implementation 10:35 - Future vision: AI-powered memory aids 15:03 - Cost implications of AI tools 20:30 - Recommendations for beginners in AI 28:34 - Reconsidering work and success 36:02 - The fleeting nature of material happiness 44:01 - Importance of industry knowledge before entrepreneurship 50:21 - Prioritizing time with family over hustle 53:07 - Final thoughts on happiness and fulfillment ⸻ Sponsors: Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

March 22, 202634 min

How Two Outsiders Almost Destroyed a Multi-Million Dollar Idea

Send us Fan Mail Stacey Spikes built MoviePass from the ground up, a subscription model that let you see unlimited movies for one monthly fee, only to watch investors hand his company to someone else. Alicia and George break down how slashing the price to $9.99 turned three million subscribers into a $40 million monthly loss, why gaming growth metrics is a trap that even smart founders fall into, and what really happens when you take capital from people who want control more than they want your vision to succeed. They also get into the uncomfortable truth about who gets rescued when a startup is drowning, and why Spikes buying his own company back out of bankruptcy might be the most satisfying ending in startup history. Timestamps: 0:00 - 1:00 Alicia and George introduce their personal update and episode background 8:00 The initial concept of MoviePass as a gym membership-like subscription 13:00 How aggressive subscriber growth was prioritized over profitability 14:00 The impact of lowering subscription prices from $40 to $9.99 16:00 The unsustainable math: losing $40 million in May 2018 alone 17:00 Changes in strategy: limiting use, locking out users, and the fallout 19:00 The financial shenanigans: loans, SEC issues, and the ultimate bankruptcy 22:00 The return of Stacey Spikes and the lesson in founder resilience 26:00 Critical reflections: why growth without profit is a business failure 28:00 The importance of founder control and avoiding bad investor influence 28:30 Racial disparities in startup funding and investor bias 30:00 The legacy and current state of MoviePass’s innovative idea Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com

March 9, 202633 min

The Private Equity Playbook: How Investors Drained InstaPot

Send us Fan Mail Robert Wang left his career as a PhD scientist to build the Instant Pot with his wife Tracy after one too many "what's for dinner" moments as two working parents. He breaks down the 18-month development process, how he grew a cult following of millions with zero marketing budget, and why selling direct-to-consumer on Amazon was the move that changed everything. Alicia and George dig into what really happened when private equity came knocking, why building a product that never breaks can actually work against you, and what every founder should know before signing on the dotted line. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories 00:59 The Problem: Dinner Dilemmas for Busy Families 02:06 The Birth of Instapot: Solving a Household Problem 04:06 Instapot's Early Success and Word of Mouth Marketing 05:50 Market Domination in 2016-2018 09:36 Private Equity Acquisition and Growth 11:51 Changing Hands: From Startup to Corporate 12:28 Financial Strategies and Overleveraging 17:23 COVID-19 Impact and Supply Chain Challenges 18:09 Product Safety and Quality Issues 20:03 Sales Decline and Market Saturation 21:28 Debt, Interest Rates, and Profitability 22:06 Bankruptcy and Restructuring 22:56 Post-Bankruptcy: New Ownership and Strategy 27:00 Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Investors 30:45 Final Takeaways and Episode Wrap-up ⸻ Sponsors: Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/ Support the show Follow George and Alicia! https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/ www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother https://liftlikeamother.com