Startup life is often portrayed as a thrilling ride of innovation, growth, and funding rounds. But in Episode 28 of the Fearless Founders podcast, hosts Benoy and Ike pull back the curtain on the rarely told reality. Joined by special guest Brock Blake, founder and CEO of Lendio, they dive into the emotional and mental toll of building a startup through what Brock calls “fetal position moments”—times when he wasn’t sure if his company, or even himself, would make it another day.
From running out of payroll cash before Christmas to leading a national crisis effort during the pandemic, Brock opens up about the hidden layers of leadership, endurance, and self-awareness required to build a $100M business.
One of Brock’s earliest trials came just months into launching his startup. After winning $50,000 to get the company off the ground, he and his team found themselves with no product-market fit and no revenue—right before the holiday payroll was due. The company had eight employees and not enough funds to pay them.
Instead of hiding the issue, Brock laid it out with complete transparency. He offered stock options in exchange for a few more months of belief in the mission. On Monday, all eight employees returned. This moment not only saved the startup but also solidified a culture of honesty and shared purpose that became a cornerstone of Lendio.
Before founding Lendio, Brock co-founded Funding Universe, a platform that connected entrepreneurs with investors. While the concept gained some traction, it only served a small percentage of the market. Over time, Brock realized the real need wasn’t venture capital—it was access to loans for everyday small businesses.
This pivot from investor matching to loan facilitation wasn’t just strategic; it was survival. The lesson? Even a great idea isn’t enough if it doesn’t solve the right problem for a large enough market.
One of Brock’s most harrowing fetal moments came during the pandemic. Lendio played a significant role in processing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses. With billions in funding at stake and national media attention, a lender partner failed to deliver, placing Brock in an emotionally crushing situation.
In one of the most raw moments shared on the podcast, Brock recalls lying on the floor, overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward. It was his wife who intervened—rallying their family and community in prayer and encouraging him to get back up. That emotional support was what ultimately helped him lead through one of the most critical periods of his company’s life.
As Lendio grew, Brock faced another common founder challenge: knowing when to part ways with team members and board directors who no longer aligned with the company’s direction. These weren’t just business relationships—they were friendships built over years.
He shared how avoiding these tough decisions often prolonged problems and impacted team morale. Brock emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who respond constructively to bad news and are committed to helping solve problems, not just celebrating wins.
Conclusion: Leadership is a Mental Marathon
Throughout the episode, Brock and the Fearless Founders hosts continually return to one core message: the journey is not about having all the answers—it’s about enduring the hard days. Brock’s honest recounting of his five “fetal position” moments provides an essential reminder that success in entrepreneurship isn’t about perfection. It’s about resilience, support systems, and the ability to get back up—even when you’re unsure how.
If you’re in the trenches of your startup journey, this is one episode you don’t want to miss. Visit our website for more founder stories, expert coaching insights, and resources designed to help you grow, lead, and scale with clarity. Visit our website: https://fearlessfounders.club/ and listen to more episodes of Fearless Founders—where real entrepreneurs share what it truly takes to build something meaningful.
In this episode 28 of Fearless Founders, Brock Blake, co-founder and CEO of Lendio, shares the unfiltered reality behind building a $100M business. He walks us through five pivotal “fetal position” moments—those gut-wrenching lows that tested his resolve, leadership, and belief in the mission.
In Episode 27 of Fearless Founders, we sit down with Fengmin Gong, a pioneering technologist and four-time exited founder, known for his instrumental roles in building companies like Palo Alto Networks and CipherOptics.
In this episode of Fearless Founders, Jeremy Glauser, a three-time exit entrepreneur, shares his journey of building and scaling multiple businesses. He opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, from navigating market timing to the emotional toll of setbacks.
In Episode 25 of Fearless Founders, we sit down with Tom Turner, a visionary leader in cybersecurity and a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple successful exits. With a career spanning decades in the tech industry, Tom shares his insights on building and scaling startups, aligning sales and marketing for growth, and the critical role of leadership in fast-moving industries.
In Episode 24 of Fearless Founders, Peter Harris, Managing Director of University Growth Fund, shares his remarkable journey from real estate and micro-franchising in Ghana to leading a venture fund in Utah. With years of experience evaluating startups and raising capital, Peter offers invaluable insights into when to raise funds, navigating investor relationships, and building successful businesses.
In this episode 23 of Fearless Founders, our guest, Clint Betts is a key figure in the startup and tech community, best known for founding Silicon Slopes and Kokomo. He has played a major role in fostering entrepreneurship, connecting leaders, and shaping Utah’s tech landscape.
In this episode 22 of Fearless Founders, Jeremy Docken is a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Calderas, a healthcare technology company. With a background in accounting and forensic finance at Arthur Andersen and KPMG, he transitioned into the tech and pharmaceutical space, building innovative solutions.
In Episode 21 of Fearless Founders, Brandon Bliss shares his incredible journey from finance graduate to achieving five successful company exits. With over 20 years of experience, he unpacks strategies for elevating business growth, the value of mentorship, and the power of aligning your purpose with your business venture. Learn more how his eye-opening life story and practical lessons can inspire you to create a lasting impact on your team and unlock growth for everyone. Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable takeaways!
In Episode 20 of Fearless Founders, Daniel Mueller, a distinguished executive coach and mentor to entrepreneurs, unpacks the transformative power of asking questions, embracing mentorship, and overcoming fear-based leadership. This episode dives into real-life lessons, including the struggles and triumphs of founders who learned to ask for help and lean on their teams for strategic growth.
In Episode 19, we’re excited to spotlight Talal Kaakani, a dynamic entrepreneur and co-founder of a thriving bootstrap business, Bella Boo Bear which is recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Talal shares his remarkable journey of scaling his company 300% year-over-year while balancing the challenges of managing operations, delegating to experts, and leading with vision. With lessons learned from taking control of in-house operations to embracing external expertise, Talal’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of calculated growth.