If you want to build a product that millions love — it all starts with solving one simple pain better than anyone else.
In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Julia Enthoven, the brilliant co-founder and CEO of Kapwing — the fast-growing platform that’s reshaping how creators and brands make videos.
From leaving Google to bootstrap-building one of the top online video editors, Julia’s story is packed with lessons on bias toward action, prioritizing product-market fit, leveraging SEO like a superpower, and scaling without losing your core values.
What We Discussed with Julia Enthoven
The Early Spark Behind Kapwing
A meme maker that grew into a powerhouse — Julia shares how she spotted the gap between clunky legacy software and the future of fast, collaborative video editing.
Bootstrapped Mindset, VC Efficiency
Why Kapwing raised capital but kept a lean, scrappy culture — and how that decision fueled sustainable, profitable growth even in a crowded market.
Bias Toward Action: Why Founders Can’t Wait Around
Julia explains the mental shifts needed to move from big company product manager to startup CEO.
Leading with Strengths, Letting Go of Weaknesses
How focusing on team members’ “zones of genius” — and letting go when needed — made Kapwing a magnet for top talent.
Mastering SEO and Community Building
Julia breaks down the art of pairing left-brain technical SEO with right-brain creative instincts to dominate organic traffic — and how authentic conversations build lasting communities.
The Future of Content Creation: AI, Lip Sync, and Beyond
A glimpse into how AI is evolving the creative process, from blank canvas tools to fully lip-synced, editable media.
Key Takeaways
- 02:00 — Why early video creators needed something faster than iMovie
- 06:30 — How Julia and Eric bet on SEO-first growth strategies
- 13:00 — Why action beats perfectionism every time
- 20:40 — Building a culture where great people thrive (and why letting go faster matters)
- 27:00 — How Kapwing focuses product development around “killer workflows”
- 36:00 — What AI is really unlocking for content creators today
- 43:00 — Leadership habits: gratitude, balance, and running every morning
Final Thoughts
Julia’s journey is a powerful reminder that great startups don’t happen overnight — they’re built one small, fearless decision at a time.
Whether it’s leaving a dream job, solving a real user pain, scaling a tight team, or embracing the messy reality of leadership, Kapwing’s story shows what it takes to grow with purpose.
If you loved this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast for more incredible founder journeys.
And if you want to connect with Julia directly, follow her on LinkedIn — she shares amazing insights for builders and creators!
![[A] Growth Ventures - podcasts](https://src.azariangrowthagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/A-Growth-Ventures_logo.png){kind=logo}