From Start-Up to Grown-Up

#103 Patrick Lee— Rotten Tomatoes founder: the secrets to building an enduring business.Building Rotten Tomatoes, Managing Fame, and Staying True to Your Mission

• Alisa Cohn • Episode 103

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Patrick Lee is best known as the co-founder and founding CEO of Rotten Tomatoes, the groundbreaking review platform that reshaped how audiences connect with movies and television. What started as a side project born out of his love for film became a global authority that continues to influence critics, fans, and the entertainment industry.

In this conversation, Patrick shares his journey from running a small web design firm to creating one of the most recognizable brands in pop culture. He opens up about navigating the chaos of the dot-com boom, the lessons learned from selling his company, and how he’s managed imposter syndrome and focus throughout his entrepreneurial career.

Today, Patrick continues to merge storytelling, technology, and fandom through his latest venture, Fanverse, a curated community for passionate fans. His insights reveal what it truly takes to build something people love and to keep evolving long after success.


Where to find Patrick:


Timestamps:

(00:00) Founding Rotten Tomatoes

(02:57) Transitioning to a Business

(07:50) Selling Rotten Tomatoes

(25:29) Entrepreneurial Spirit

(30:58) Other Business Ventures

(37:46) The Importance of Product Focus

(39:04) Dealing with Failure and Self-Doubt

(40:12) The Impact of Company Culture

(41:31) Lessons Learned from Zombie Companies

(42:46) The Importance of Company Growth and Culture

(43:27) Creating a Curated Community at Fanverse

(50:28) Learning from Other Communities

(51:57) Building Community and Bonding

(55:06) Learning from Other Communities and Models

(01:00:58) Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt

(01:05:01) The Importance of Focus and Network

(01:06:44) Advice for Founders on Growing into Leaders



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