#113 - Julien Brault: How Hardbacon's Collapse Taught Me the Toughest Lessons in Fintech

Azizi Podcast

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/lQPHSJrvGCA
In this episode of Azizi Podcast, host Samir Azizi sits down with Julien Brault, founder of Hardbacon, to discuss the turbulent journey of launching a fintech startup and the challenges that ultimately led to the company's bankruptcy. Julien shares his candid reflections on the rise and fall of Hardbacon, a financial app that once served 400,000 Canadians, helping them make smarter financial decisions. He opens up about the emotional toll of losing his business, the impact of a devastating Google algorithm update, and the tough lessons learned from navigating the Canadian fintech market.

Despite the setback, Julien's optimism remains intact, as he explores new ventures and reflects on the future of entrepreneurship. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode provides a raw, unfiltered look at the realities of running a startup—from rapid growth to the challenges of pivoting and the lessons of failure. Tune in to gain insights on the startup ecosystem, mental resilience, and the evolving fintech landscape.

Subscribe to hear Julien’s take on the future of fintech at Global Fintech Insider: https://www.globalfintechinsider.com/
Connect with Julien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienbrault/

Topics Covered:

The rise and fall of Hardbacon
How Google updates can make or break startups
Mental health challenges after business failure
Key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs in fintech
The future of fintech and entrepreneurship
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Connect with Samir Azizi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirazizi/
Follow Samir Azizi on X: https://twitter.com/AdoubleZI
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