Viewer discretion is advised. This episode includes sensitive conversations about childhood adversity, trauma, addiction, abuse, faith, business stress, and difficult family experiences.
In this episode of Hidden Foundations, Kendall sits down with Doug Taylor of Taylor Chip to explore the family, faith, pressure, and grit behind building a cookie company from scratch. Doug shares how he and his wife started Taylor Chip with a $50 mixer in a 900-square-foot apartment, how Dave Portnoy’s Barstool review changed their e-commerce momentum, and how the company grew across retail, manufacturing, nutrition products, and online sales.
Doug also opens up about his mother’s traumatic past, her sobriety, the stability created by adoption, and the belief system that shaped his own approach to entrepreneurship, fatherhood, leadership, and legacy. The conversation also includes important context that Taylor Chip has since gone bankrupt, and this episode is shared as a real look at the ambition, risk, pressure, mistakes, and humanity behind building a business.
A special thank you to The Franklin on Rittenhouse for graciously allowing us to record these episodes inside their hotel. Their hospitality, atmosphere, and attention to detail gave us the perfect setting to host thoughtful conversations and bring Hidden Foundations to life in Philadelphia.
Check out their hotel here: https://www.thefranklinonrittenhouse.com/
https://www.instagram.com/franklinonrittenhouse/
Hidden Foundations is a weekly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and investor Kendall Schoenrock, examining how family systems, early adversity, and childhood dynamics quietly shape high-performing adults. Each conversation uncovers the “invisible wiring” behind resilience, ambition, leadership, and grit — told through candid stories from entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and leaders.
Guided by the thesis that strength is forged early at home, the show uses a consistent framework to explore emotional environments, money narratives, family roles, conflict patterns, and early challenges. Every episode delivers at least one practical, repeatable insight for parents, leaders, and anyone seeking to understand how greatness is built long before it’s visible.
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Learn more or connect with Kendall:
Website: https://kendallschoenrock.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schoenrock/
SilverRock Ventures: https://silverrockventures.com/about-us/
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-foundations/id1895154229
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