Pat Killoren moved to Austin in 2013 and left for a stint working in New York City in 2016. It was there he had the idea for a hyper-local podcast interviewing entrepreneurs – who are based in Austin. He came back ‘home’ late 2021 and now he’s hosts the LoneStartup Podcast, where all guests are Austinites. We caught up with him to learn more, including what he’s learned from interviewing some of our city’s smartest and most successful entrepreneurs.
When did the podcast start? The first episode officially dropped in May 2024. It’s crazy to think how much has happened since then. What started as an idea in my head has turned into something much bigger—real conversations with real entrepreneurs who are shaping Austin’s future.
You had the idea in NYC. Why did you choose Austin? The goal was always to create a podcast that could bridge the gap between business owners and the people who support them. Austin just made sense for that. It’s big enough to have incredible talent, but small enough to feel like a true community.NYC is intense - people are constantly moving, grinding, and chasing the next thing. But Austin has this “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality. People here actually want to collaborate and help each other succeed. Plus, it’s home for me. I moved here in 2013 and it’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere in my life. This city has given me so much, so telling the stories of the people building its future feels like the right way to give back.
How many people have you interviewed so far? Over 50 founders and business owners from almost every industry you can think of—tech, food, retail, fitness, you name it. The range of stories is what makes this podcast so fun.
What are 5 of the biggest takeaways from the interviews so far?
- Entrepreneurship feels far away for a lot of people. Surround yourself with people who make dreaming big feel normal. It changes everything.
- The worst-case scenario isn’t as bad as you think. When you truly break it down, the fear of failure is usually worse than failure itself. Once you realize that, taking the leap gets easier.
- Being kind is underrated. People assume you need to be this cutthroat, relentless operator to succeed. But, the most successful founders I’ve talked to are the ones who are genuinely good to people. It pays off in ways you can’t even measure.
- Managing cash flow is everything. A lot of early-stage founders get caught up in the fun stuff—brand, product, growth—but if you don’t understand your numbers, you won’t last.
- You don’t have to be born an entrepreneur to be one. Some people know from the jump, but plenty of founders I’ve interviewed realized later in life that they had a unique opportunity. So, if you have that itch, keep it alive. The right moment will come.
What’s the biggest commonality among the people you’ve interviewed? Everyone I’ve talked to has had a lucky break. But more importantly, they put themselves in position to catch that lucky break. You don’t just stumble into success—you have to be in the right places, having the right conversations and taking the right risks. I always say, ‘If you never put your rod in the water, you’ll never catch a big fish.’
Who are some of your dream guests?
Kendra Scott- she's an absolute boss and I'm so impressed by how involved she is in things outside her business with non-profits and other local impact projects.
John Mackey - the founder of Whole Foods. He built one of the most influential businesses in Austin and I’m really curious about his new venture, Love.Life, which focuses on preventive healthcare.
Matthew McConaughey - His approach to life is fascinating, and I’d love to hear about his tequila company and how Austin has shaped him.
Do you do the podcast full-time? It’s definitely where I’m putting most of my energy. I also do GTM consulting for early-stage tech companies on the side. And, of course, I’m also chasing my two incredible girls (4 years old and 2 years old) around the house, which feels like a full-time job on its own.
Anything you’d like to add? This podcast is about inspiring people in our community—not just to start their own business, but to support the ones around them. When you hear these stories, you realize just how much heart and hustle goes into building something. There are incredible people doing incredible things right here in Austin, and if this podcast can help shine a light on them, I feel like I’ve done my job.