He Left Robinhood to Build an App to Barter
Mehdi Taifi
Mehdi Taifi went from working at Robinhood, to leaving big tech and building Zeya, a community-driven app focused on swapping, sustainability, and alternative value exchange. In this episode, we talk about the realities of launching a startup, creating a barter-based marketplace, hosting live auctions and swap events, and turning an app into a real business. Mehdi also shares insights on user growth, monetization, partnerships, and how Zeya is being used by businesses, influencers, and local communities. Manny Alfonso: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannyalfonso8/ Kiko Suarez: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/querikoconkiko/ Eduardo Moya: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_moya/ Follow Us! - A Day in Miami: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adayinmiami/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20WEys6jxiliBCLoo9iSID ________________________ Produced by: Ben Schwede Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benthecreatorrr/ 0:00 Intro 1:43 Working at Robinhood 3:50 Gamestop Situation 6:44 Leaving Robinhood 7:50 Beginning of Zeya App 10:09 Sustainability and Mystery Boxes 14:00 Zeya Stash 17:17 Using Services for a Barter 19:27 Using Zeya as a Business 20:26 Swap Events 23:02 LIVE Auctions 24:58 Monetizing the App 25:40 Downloads and User Interactions 28:44 Most Popular Items 30:35 Most Expensive Item on the App 32:31 Partnership with Miami-Dade College 34:09 Uly’s Partnership with Zeya App 39:19 Top 3 Restaurants 42:01 Morocco 44:24 Food 47:15 Zeya for Influencers 48:23 Outro
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Featured Guests
Raheem Sealey
Dr. Agustin Arietta
Anthony Rodriguez
David Burstyn
Jose Miguel Vera
Mario Ramil
Omar Marrufo
Dr. Morad Askari
Cristina Ortiz
Melissa Graziano
Alex & Marcos Macías
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Madeline Pumariega
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Andres Camacho
Fui Martinez & Bryant Besu
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Tony Arrufat
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Vince Lago
Mario Naar
Tara Newell
Frankie Ruiz
Michael "DJ M DOT" Hankerson
Robert Gonzalez
Calvin Hughes
Richard Lamondin
Chris Kelly
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
Jeremy Ford & Joe Mizzoni
Bruno Raschio
Al Benthall
Mehdi Taifi
Romero Britto
Otto Othman
Chef Brad Delgado
Natalie Milian Orbis
Raameel Anwaar
Jose De Armas & Vinny Di Francesco
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All Episodes
He Left Robinhood to Build an App to Barter
Mehdi Taifi
How He Became the Most Licensed Artist of All Time
Romero Britto
How Pincho Went From Almost Shutting Down to Miami Staple
Otto Othman
From Hell’s Kitchen to Viral Cuban Food
Chef Brad Delgado
DDA Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony LIVE Podcast Recap
Inside District 6: The Issues, The Budget, and the Future
Natalie Milian Orbis
How He Creates Miami's Coolest Pop-Ups & Events
Raameel Anwaar
ADIM Live at Christmas Wonderland!
Why Padel Is Taking Over Miami
Jose De Armas & Vinny Di Francesco
How Gulliver Prep Stays Top-Tier in a Changing Miami
Simon Hess
Inside Miami’s Iconic Diamond District
Seybold Building
How to Protect Your Family, Assets & Legacy
Alina Nuñez
