In this powerful episode of the Love Gangster Podcast, host Adrian Boysel sits down with visionary entrepreneur and startup fixer John Emmons, founder of Project Wilbur. With a background in education and a track record that includes 10 startups (5 exits and 5 hard lessons), John shares the truth about what it really takes to build, scale, and fix startups.

From his journey as a teacher to becoming a sought-after strategist for high-net-worth individuals and startup teams, John delivers raw, practical advice every entrepreneur, founder, and investor needs to hear. They discuss the difference between visionary and integrator roles, how to hire the right people, and why education and impact still matter most.

Whether you’re navigating the 0 to 1 phase, scaling past $10M ARR, or trying to avoid the most common startup mistakes—this episode is a goldmine of startup tips, founder strategies, and team-building insights. Plus, John shares the story behind the flying pig unicorn—and how Project Wilbur became a force for fixing what’s broken in business.

💥 Don’t just watch—get involved. Accept John’s challenge at the end and go make a difference in your community. And as always… keep looking up. 💥

⏱️ Time Stamps & Key Moments

00:00 – Why You Should Hire Someone Better Than You

00:46 – Welcome to Love Gangster with Adrian Boysel

01:15 – Meet John Emmons of Project Wilbur

01:41 – From Teacher to Tech Startup Exec

02:34 – 10 Startups: 5 Wins, 5 Lessons

03:20 – Why Startups? John's Origin Story

04:41 – From EdTech to FinTech: Startup Journeys

05:34 – What Makes Startups Succeed (or Fail)?

06:41 – The 0→1, 1→10, and 10→100 Growth Phases

08:06 – Why Visionaries Need Integrators

09:34 – Hiring Tip: Look for 80% Talent with 20% Potential

10:30 – How to Motivate Early-Stage Team Members

11:15 – The Startup Equity Model That Keeps Teams Hungry

12:00 – Why Amazon’s 4-Year Vesting Model Works

13:14 – Why Startups Need Education-First Leaders

14:05 – What is Project Wilbur, Really?

15:10 – Software, Strategy, and Startup Fixing

16:30 – Raising Money the Right Way

17:50 – Crowdfunding, E-Commerce & Big Wins

18:43 – The Flying Pig Story: Why Project Wilbur?

20:00 – Plushies, Branding, and Unicorn Vibes

21:00 – The Future of Project Wilbur & Incubating Ideas

22:45 – Founders vs. Entrepreneurs in Residence

24:00 – John's Challenge: Volunteer at a Local School

25:20 – The Ripple Effect of Teaching & Literacy

26:05 – Closing Thoughts: Fix More, Love More, Build Better