In this episode of Fully Managed, Shannon sits down with Chris Joyce, founder and CEO of Gusher, a platform that helps startups launch without outside capital. Together, they dive into the raw, real truths of startup life—no sugarcoating. From selling sunflower seeds at age six to building over two dozen companies, Chris shares what he’s learned about rejection, unreasonable investors, and the dangerous myth of scaling at all costs. The episode kicks off with Pitch It or Ditch It, a rapid-fire game of absurd startup ideas—from heartbreak-fueled productivity apps to brand roasts and founder-themed dating apps. But what follows is a deeply honest conversation about founder psychology, setting standards, and trusting the long game. Chris also shares his “deal rules”—hard-earned philosophies like “good deal first, money second” and “I am enough”—that challenge traditional startup thinking and advocate for building companies based on value, not vanity.
Three Things You’ll Learn:
Why taking bad clients (or bad investors) can cost you more than they pay.
How knowing your value and saying no can actually speed up your growth.
Why relationships—not revenue—are the real currency of early startups.