Dual Threat CEOs

Dual Threat CEOs

Author: Paige Soya August 6, 2025 Duration: 38:15

At K Street, we’ve had the privilege of backing some incredible founders and over time, one theme has become increasingly clear: The most impactful leaders aren’t just building great companies, they’re also investing in others. These are dual threat CEOs: founders who play both offense and defense. They're scaling their own ventures while also writing early checks, mentoring rising entrepreneurs, and giving back to the ecosystem that helped them succeed. In the latest episode of High Stakes, K Street investor Sara Fagen joined Paige Soya to unpack what that role really looks like and why it matters. She shared a powerful perspective on how investing can be a vehicle for impact especially for new founders who have big ideas but lack access or experience. These early-stage bets often start with a conversation, a relationship, and a belief that someone just needs their first chance. That’s the ethos we carry at K Street. We back operators who pay it forward and we’re proud to count so many dual threat CEOs in our portfolio and community.


Behind every major innovation, there's usually a risky bet and a tense conversation that made it happen. High Stakes pulls back the curtain on those pivotal moments by focusing squarely on the world of early-stage venture capital. Instead of abstract theory, each conversation pairs a founder who has lived the grind with an investor who has backed the vision, creating a dynamic and often revealing dialogue. They tackle the specific trends and tough questions shaping the venture space right now, from evaluating a team's potential to navigating a market downturn. You'll hear the nuanced strategies, the candid mistakes, and the real-world compromises that define building and funding a company from the ground up. This podcast is built for anyone curious about the mechanics and human drama of startup investing, offering a genuine sense of how capital flows to ideas and what it truly takes to succeed. Tune in for unscripted perspectives that clarify how high-risk decisions are made and what both sides learn when the stakes are at their absolute highest.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 67

High Stakes
Podcast Episodes
Exit Strategy: Insights from Serial Entrepreneur Rami Essaid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:54
In this episode of High Stakes, host Paige Soya chats with serial entrepreneur Rami Essaid about his journey founding, scaling, and ultimately exiting three successful companies. From paying his way through college selli…
From HODL to Hindsight: A Roller Coaster Ride in Cannabis Investing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:06
Explore the intersection of risk and reward in the cannabis industry with Mark Smith's candid account of one of his earliest investments. From early optimism to unexpected challenges, Mark shares the valuable lessons he…
Navigating Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Mei Xu's Exit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:56
Mei Xu's inspiring story is one of resilience, determination, and true entrepreneurial spirit. With candor and wisdom, Mei recounts the challenges and triumphs of navigating the sale of her business, providing a poignant…
FrontierView's Exit, Featuring Richard Leggett and Tom McCormick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:06
Join host Paige Soya and featured guests, Richard Leggett, former CEO of FrontierView and Tom McCormick, lead investor, as they discuss their highly successful exit after facing unprecedented challenges including the imp…
Axios Exit to Cox Featuring Roy Schwartz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:24
In this Season 2 premiere, host Paige Soya sits down with Roy Schwartz, exited founder/CEO of Axios, to discuss his journey through exits and entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the complexities of acquisition…
Dos and Don’ts for Founders from the KSC Diligence Committee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:09
In this episode, we dive into the do's and dont's founders should know while fundraising. To help dig into this topic are two members of the K Street Capital team, Nick Duafala, Principal, and James Culver, Associate. Tu…