EP08: David Lord (Guidesly) — From Accounting to Adventure: Reinventing Outdoor Guiding with AI

David Lord has built and exited tech companies for decades, but his newest venture is pure passion. After years chasing trout, he created Guidesly—a Buffalo-born platform that equips 1,500-plus outdoor guides with AI tools and marketing muscle so they can focus on delivering the “magic moment” for anglers. Sitting down with host John Richmond, David unpacks the $50 billion guiding industry, explains how the 43North accelerator helped anchor Guidesly in Western New York, and shows why a strong culture and clear accountability still beat raw enthusiasm.

00:00 — David Lord's Entrepreneurial Journey
08:01 — The Importance of Accountability in Leadership
13:09 — Guidesley: The Birth of a New Venture
19:32 — Building a Strong Company Culture
22:50 — Leveraging AI for Guidesley's Success
30:18 — The Passion Behind Fishing and Leadership
31:24 — The Importance of Fishing in Life Decisions
33:36 — Learning New Hobbies: The Role of Guides
34:59 — Feedback and Success: Building a Community
38:47 — Challenges in Scaling a Startup
43:22 — Understanding Startup Funding: Series A to B
46:32 — Key Metrics for Valuation in Vertical SaaS
51:26 — The Future of Guidesley: Embracing AI
53:07 — Lessons from Mentorship: The Art of Listening
56:13 — Fishing with Legends: A Dream Trip