On this episode of Founders & Empanadas, I sat down with my cousin, Steven Eidelman. We both grew up with entrepreneurial fathers who emigrated from the former Soviet Union, and their journeys had a huge impact on how we approach our own work as second-generation founders.

Steven is the co-founder of Modern Animal and previously started Whistle. Together, we reflect on what we’ve learned from our dads—their grit, their drive, and the risks they took coming to the U.S. with almost nothing. We’ll talk about how those lessons have shaped our own entrepreneurial paths and the balance we’ve had to find between bold action and calculated risk, as well as between our personal and work lives.

Below you can read some of the highlights from my interview with Steven - the full conversation is available here:

Q1: What deep motivation or survival instinct drives entrepreneurs, particularly second-generation entrepreneurs?

Steven: For our fathers, it was all about survival. They had no choice but to make it work, and that need to provide for their families pushed them to take huge risks. For us, it’s different. We’re not in the same survival mode, but there’s still that ingrained entrepreneurial spirit—the desire to build something meaningful. The challenge is not letting fear drive us the way it drove them, but instead channeling that energy into optimism and growth.

Q2: What are some of your learnings as you reflect on your father's journey?

Steven: Reflecting on my father’s journey, I am constantly amazed at what he was able to achieve. He came to the U.S. with practically nothing—just a few dollars and a relentless drive to succeed. Watching him hustle, especially in the early years, taught me the importance of perseverance and action. He was always moving forward, no matter the challenges he faced. I’ve carried that with me in my own entrepreneurial journey.

Q3: How do you try to balance bias towards action with making more calculated risks in entrepreneurship?

Steven: One of the biggest takeaways from my father was his bias towards action. He never overanalyzed things—he just did them, trusting that solutions would present themselves. That mindset has helped me a lot, especially in the early stages of starting my businesses. But I’ve also learned the importance of balance.

It’s about finding that middle ground. My father’s 'just do it' attitude gave me the confidence to take the leap and figure things out as they come. But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized not every risk needs to be taken. It’s about picking the right ones. You can still act quickly but also be measured in how you move forward. That’s the evolution from my father’s approach to mine—still action-oriented, but more thoughtful in the risk-taking process.

Q4: Can you reflect on how your father’s bicultural relationship influenced you, especially growing up in a bicultural family?

Steven: Growing up in a bicultural family gave me a unique perspective. My father’s background as an immigrant from the former Soviet Union shaped a lot of my experiences. It wasn’t just about assimilating into American culture but also maintaining the cultural values that were important to him. That duality of cultures has been a significant part of my life, and it’s something I bring into my relationships and my business decisions today.

Q5: How did marrying into another entrepreneurial family shape your view of entrepreneurship?

Steven: Marrying into another entrepreneurial family reinforced a lot of what I already knew. My father-in-law is just as much of a hustler as my dad, and it’s been fascinating to see the parallels between them. Both of them come from immigrant backgrounds and have had to fight for everything they’ve achieved. It’s a constant reminder of what’s possible with hard work and determination, and it’s also shaped how I approach my own business ventures.

Q6: What was your initial experience starting Whistle, and how did it compare to the vision you had for Modern Animal?

Steven: Whistle was a huge learning experience for me. It was my first company, and looking back, I can see that while I had a vision, it wasn’t grounded in something I truly believed in. It was more about finding a business opportunity rather than solving a real problem I cared about. Modern Animal, on the other hand, is deeply personal to me. I have a clear vision for it, and that makes all the difference. With Modern Animal, I’m not just trying to build a business—I’m trying to change an industry I genuinely care about.

Q7: How did you separate your identity from Whistle after selling it?

Steven: That was tough. When you build a company from the ground up, it becomes part of who you are. I had to consciously detach myself from Whistle after we sold it. There was definitely a period where I felt a bit lost because so much of my identity was tied to the company. Taking time to reflect, going on retreats, and focusing on what I wanted to do next helped me create that separation. It’s something every entrepreneur faces when they sell their business—it’s about figuring out who you are beyond the company.

Q8: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs about overcoming anxiety and maintaining vision in their journey?

Steven: Anxiety is a huge part of the journey, especially when you’re just starting out. The thing I’ve learned is that you can’t avoid it or run from it. You have to acknowledge it, see it for what it is, and work through it. A big part of overcoming anxiety is having a clear vision. Knowing what you want to build and why you’re doing it can help keep you grounded. It doesn’t eliminate the fear, but it gives you a sense of direction that keeps you moving forward, even when things are tough.

Q9: Can you talk about a significant belief or lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur that might go against what others think?

Steven: I used to believe that being right was the most important thing. As an entrepreneur, you think you need to have all the answers, but I’ve learned that it’s less about being right and more about being open to change. I’ve been wrong so many times, and that’s okay. It’s about being adaptable and learning from those mistakes. I think the belief that you need to get everything perfect from the start is misguided. The key is to keep learning and adjusting as you go.

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