Building a Six-Star Experience with John Andrew Entwistle, Founder and CEO of Wander

Daryna interviews John Andrew Entwistle, Founder and CEO of Wander. John Andrew shares his journey from launching his first business at 13 to founding Wander after a successful venture with Coder. Influenced by his hardworking single father, he emphasizes the importance of a strong work ethic and resilience.

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John Andrew discusses the challenges of building Wander, maintaining a clear vision, and making tough decisions. He highlights Wander's innovative use of AI and automation to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations. He also shares insights into their market validation strategy through paid founding memberships. His passion for delivering exceptional travel experiences and his forward-thinking vision underscore his commitment to innovation and growth.

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In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• John Andrew’s journey from Coder to Wander and what he's doing differently as a second-time founder
• How Wander combines luxury and comfort to deliver a six-star experience, thus creating the Wander experience
• The importance of pre-mortems and market validation in scaling a travel startup
• How integrating AI and maintaining high standards ensures customer satisfaction
• The role of content creation and multi-channel marketing in driving Wander’s growth
• How to maintain velocity as your company grows

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Timestamps

1. (0:00) Daryna Kulya introduces the podcast and John Andrew Entwistle
2. (1:07) John Andrew's background and early companies
3. (5:37) Early stages of Coder
4. (7:14) Transition from project to company
5. (9:44) Breakthrough moments and critical challenges
6. (12:49) Overcoming financial challenges and securing funding
7. (17:37) Transition from Coder to Wander and immediate steps
8. (18:15) Inception of Wander
9. (24:36) The original idea and evolution of Wander
10. (28:27) Hedging progress and running multiple paths
11. (30:04) Building a great team and early validation
12. (34:17) Marketing strategies and channels
13. (36:47) The importance of content creation and influencer marketing
14. (40:29) Effective marketing strategies and customer acquisition
15. (42:44) Role of AI in enhancing customer experience
16. (47:05) Innovations and customer delight at Wander
17. (50:03) Balancing perfection and scalability
18. (52:32) Simplifying operations while maintaining high standards
19. (54:23) Execution and velocity as a founder's superpower
20. (58:38) Avoiding busy work and focusing on productivity
21. (59:16) Cultural alignment and hiring practices
22. (1:03:21) Differences between first-time and second-time founders
23. (1:06:26) Changes in hiring philosophy and focusing on ethics
24. (1:08:31) Effective interviewing and direct questions
25. (1:09:48) Honest communication during the hiring process

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This is a series featuring real stories behind building a company. Expect candid conversations with fellow entrepreneurs who’ve experienced everything from wild highs to “can-we-survive-this” lows. In each episode, Daryna and her guests share their journeys, lessons learned, and the insights that made all the difference. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, there's something here for everyone.

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To learn more about Wander, check:

▷ Wander website: wander.com

▷ Follow Wander on X: @Wander

▷ Connect with John Andrew Entwistle on X: @jaentwistle

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