In this episode of From Angel to Exit, Bruce Eckfeldt speaks with entrepreneur and investor Joshua Maidan, whose journey from Colombia to New York led to the creation of a high-end coffee brand with international acclaim. Maidan shares how he scaled the business using real estate savvy, aggressive strategy, and deep operational structure. The episode centers on how misaligned visions and lack of corporate governance led to a pivotal exit—and how those lessons now guide his investment philosophy and deal execution.

Key Takeaways

• Corporate governance is vital from day one—misalignment can kill promising ventures.
  
• A shared brand vision must be backed by aligned operating agreements.
  
• Clear exit mechanisms save time, stress, and future litigation risk.
  
• High design and product quality can’t overcome partner misalignment.
  
• Early board involvement separates day-to-day operations from strategy.
  
• Documented roles and responsibilities avoid equity vs. contribution conflicts.
  
• External investors bring discipline—and force professional governance.
  
• Strong operational systems and clarity make exits seamless and scalable.
  

Links & Resources

• Joshua Maidan

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamaidan
    

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