# How To Succeed On the Road to Entrepreneurship

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-to-succeed-podcast-218065/how-to-succeed-on-the-road-to-entrepreneurship
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-to-succeed-podcast-218065/how-to-succeed-on-the-road-to-entrepreneurship.md
Podcast: [How to Succeed Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-to-succeed-podcast-218065)
Published: 2026-03-02T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://howtosucceed.libsyn.com/how-to-succeed-on-the-road-to-entrepreneurship
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/clean/secure/howtosucceed/HTS_Chris_McDonell_Alan_Tsao_MP3.mp3?dest-id=352791
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/how-to-succeed-podcast-218065/episodes/how-to-succeed-on-the-road-to-entrepreneurship
Duration seconds: 2404

## Resource

Podcast Summary This episode of the How To Succeed Podcast features watch entrepreneur Alan Tsao of the Tsao Baltimore Watch Company, tracing his journey from childhood fascination to launching a successful watch brand. After an initial manufacturing failure and losing early partners, Alan persisted, refined designs, leveraged mentorship, and achieved a breakout 2017 Kickstarter that far surpassed its goal via low-cost, gamified marketing. Tsao built trust with global manufacturers through in-person visits, grew through proactive behaviors and strategic partnerships (National Bohemian, McCormick Old Bay Seasoning, the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore Orioles, and the University of Maryland Athletic Dept.), and is developing notable projects like a Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge watch - using actual bridge steel - with profits donated to victims' families after the fatal bridge disaster in March, 2024. Join us, as Alan emphasizes attitude, learning from failure, community-building, and advises aspiring entrepreneurs to take action and, "Just Do It". Chapter 1: Introduction to the How to Succeed Podcast 00:00:02 – 00:00:40 Dave Mattson frames the show's focus on the "success triangle" of attitudes, behaviors, and techniques. He sets expectations for peeling back how top performers think and act. Chapter 2: Meet the Guest and Topic 00:00:40 – 00:01:15 Host Chris McDonell welcomes guest Alan Tsao of Tsao Baltimore Watch Company and outlines the plan to explore Alan's entrepreneurial journey. Alan acknowledges the journey's challenges and rewards. Chapter 3: From Childhood Fascination to Passion Project 00:01:15 – 00:03:35 Alan traces his love of watches to a gift at age ten and explains his obsession with mechanical movements. As his career advanced, he built a 35–40 wat…

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## Transcript

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