What does it take to raise $1 million in just six days—without any venture capital?
In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan speaks with John Worthington, the founder and CEO of Sircles. This conversation is all about real growth, real leadership, and building a platform that puts people first.
Sircles isn’t just another app—it’s a movement built on trust. Instead of relying on anonymous reviews, Sircles allows users to share authentic recommendations from people they actually know. No negativity. No toxicity. Just community-driven discovery.
John and Susan dive into how his team built the product, created engagement before scale, and turned investors into users and brand ambassadors—all without the traditional VC playbook.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Sircles raised over $1M in six days through crowdfunding
- How to validate product-market fit with real-time community input
- Why Sircles is flipping the outdated review model
- What most founders misunderstand about early-stage tech development
- The emotional toll of entrepreneurship—and how John leads through chaos
- Why a values-driven approach can build long-term brand trust
This episode is essential for early-stage founders, operators, and anyone navigating the ups and downs of startup life. Susan brings her signature directness to the conversation, while John offers honest insights that go beyond the typical founder story.
Listeners will walk away with practical advice, emotional validation, and a renewed sense of clarity on how to build something meaningful.
About John Worthington:
John Worthington is a serial entrepreneur who’s built and scaled multiple businesses from the ground up. He’s the founder and CEO of Sircles, one of the most successful crowdfunded startups in tech without VC backing. His “Riding the Escalator” strategy has redefined how startups grow, turning investors into loyal users and brand advocates.
Connect with John Worthington:
Website: https://sircles.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sircles/
About Susan Sly:
Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.
Connect With Susan Sly:
- Website https://thepause.ai/
- LinkedIn @susansly
- Trusted Partners https://susansly.com/trustedpartners/
More Entrepreneurial Wisdom:
Loved this episode? Check out our conversation with Kaylee Lieffers, Co-Founder and CEO of Blanka, a game-changing Shopify app that empowers entrepreneurs to launch private-label beauty brands without managing inventory.. [Listen here]
