 This month’s four-minute FirstMile Founder interview features Lisa Kagan, CEO and co-founder of Buddy, a FirstMile 2024 portfolio company that is building a scrap metal marketplace for the future. Over the past 17 years, Lisa has helped conceive, build, and grow a number of ventures across different industries. Lisa got her start in early-stage technology at Deloitte, where she was part of the core team behind fintech unicorn TymeBank. Most importantly, before founding Buddy, she co-founded and scaled Endless with Stuart Kagan. Endless is New Zealand’s fastest-growing metal recycling business. Lisa and Stu took it from zero to over $60M in annual revenue in four years and exited in 2023.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a kid, I didn’t really have a clear idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I’ve always had a deep love of words. I was fascinated by how they could move people, change minds, and even outlive you. I always dreamed about writing a book one day. Not because I wanted to be an author, but because I loved the idea that words could leave a quiet legacy. For me, it’s always been about the impact I make, not the label attached to it. Was starting Buddy an "aha moment" or a "gradual realization"? It was definitely a gradual realization. Between my co-founder and me, we have over 30 years of experience in the industry. We’ve lived the pain, we’ve felt the inefficiencies, and we knew there had to be a better way. The more time we spent in it, the clearer it became that technology could solve so many of the problems people had just accepted as ‘the way it’s done.’ Buddy was born out of years of frustration, pattern recognition, and the conviction that the industry deserved better. If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you first started Buddy, what would it be? If I could go back in time and give myself advice when I first started Buddy, it would be to get boots on the ground sooner. We started the company in New Zealand, which was home, but our market was always going to be in the U.S. I wish we’d moved earlier as founders because nothing replaces being close to your customers. When you’re on the ground, you’re at the coalface. You can feel the market, shorten feedback loops, and build with your customers, not just for them. Looking back, I’d tell myself not to play it safe. Take the leap early and go where the learning happens fastest. What is the best constructive feedback you have gotten, and how bad did it hurt the first time you heard it? I’ve always been someone who genuinely enjoys constructive criticism. It doesn’t hurt because that’s where the growth is. The most impactful feedback I ever received was early in my career. Back then I prided myself on being the first in, the last out, working weekends and holidays. I equated effort with progress and thought relentless hustle was the way to get ahead. One day my manager said, ‘Lisa, stop mistaking movement for progress.’ At first I felt resentful that he didn’t appreciate my hard work, but once I got over my initial reaction, it made a lot of sense and it completely changed how I think. I realized it’s not about how hard you work, but whether what you’re doing actually moves the needle. That lesson has served me well as a founder - it’s how I decide where to focus, what to say no to, and how to keep my team working on what truly matters. Why is Texas a great place to start a company? Texas is a great place to start a company because it has all the right ingredients - a business-friendly environment, thriving tech and startup ecosystems, and a culture that genuinely wants founders to win. People here go out of their way to help - they open doors, make introductions, and celebrate your success. Austin, in particular, has this rare mix of creativity, ambition, and humility. It’s serious about innovation but still grounded and welcoming. There’s also an increasingly active investor community here that’s passionate about supporting Texas-based founders, which makes it an exciting place to build. Add in the quality of life - the culture, the sunshine, the energy - and it’s easy to see why I can’t imagine building Buddy anywhere else. Rapid Fire Round: How do you take your coffee? I don’t. Caffeine makes me jittery. But I do love a cup of rooibos tea - hold the milk and sugar. Favorite time management hack? Right now I’m loving Wispr AI. It transcribes what I say anywhere I’d normally type, it’s a huge time-saver. What AI products are you using in your personal life or professional work? ChatGPT, mainly for custom GPTs and deep research. Descript for podcasts. Midjourney and Magnific for creative work. And Nano Banana and Sora just for fun with my kids. I love seeing what crazy things they come up with! Last book you read? The last book I read was Ryan Holiday’s Right Thing, Right Now. He is a stoic, and I love reading his stuff. I actually just saw him speak in Austin! Favorite podcast or blog? Lenny’s Podcast is a firm fave, so much practical value in there for founders. Free time (not that you have any), but if you did or when you do, how do you spend it? I spend most of my free time with my family - they’re my number one and my reason why I do this. A lot of it’s on the sidelines, watching my kids play sports, which I love. We’re big on card and board games, getting outdoors, and catching live music when we can. I also love a good game of mahjong with friends or some quiet time with a book. Comments are closed.
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