In this inspiring episode, Matt Rosen sits down with Sunny Vanderbeck, entrepreneur, investor, Army veteran, and author of Selling Without Selling Out. Sunny takes us on a journey of resilience, grit, and the lessons learned from building and rebuilding companies.
From starting college at 16, earning an engineering degree, serving in the U.S. Army, and launching his first company in his 20s—Sunny’s path is anything but ordinary. He candidly shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship: selling his business, facing a devastating setback, and ultimately buying his company back after bankruptcy.
Sunny reflects on how grit—simply just keeping going—carried him and his team through uncertain times. He opens up about the importance of empathy, leadership under pressure, and breaking down vs. breaking through. Along the way, he shares stories of lessons learned at Compaq, the impact of 9/11, and how he built his next venture, Satori Capital, over a meal at Chili’s with a vision to reshape the future.
Key Highlights:
- 🎓 Started college at 16, Army service, and first entrepreneurial ventures
- 📠 The fax machine story and a major business setback
- 💪 What “grit” means in entrepreneurship and leadership
- 🌍 Building Satori Capital and its purpose-driven origin
- 🥂 The “Gratitude Dinner” tradition
- 📖 Author of Selling Without Selling Out, helping entrepreneurs exit with integrity
Sunny’s journey is proof that setbacks don’t define you—your grit does.
Stay Gritty!
What is Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen?
This podcast is dedicated to exploring the untold stories of resilience, determination, and mental toughness from leaders in business and technology. Our mission is to inspire and empower listeners by delving deep into the journeys of those who have faced significant challenges and emerged stronger. Through authentic conversations, we uncover the mindsets, strategies, and lessons that have propelled these individuals to overcome adversity and achieve success. We aim to provide actionable insights and real-world advice to help our audience cultivate their own grit and navigate their personal and professional lives with confidence and resilience.