We had the good fortune of connecting with Alfonso Cobo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alfonso, how do you think about risk?
I’ve learned that the biggest rewards often come from calculated risks. Whether it was bootstrapping Unfold with no outside funding or buying and renovating a Tribeca loft above asking price, I’ve always trusted my instincts. Risks feel less daunting when they align with your vision and passion. It’s about being bold but strategic – making decisions quickly and not getting stuck in hesitation. I know that if I make 100 decisions in a day, a few might be wrong, but as long as they fall within my risk limits, that’s part of the process. Moving forward with confidence is what keeps momentum and innovation alive.

What should our readers know about your business?
Building something meaningful has always been at the core of everything I do. With Unfold, the goal was to give creators a way to express themselves visually in a way that felt premium and effortless. Now, with Hypelist, I’m tackling a different challenge in helping people find and share real recommendations without the noise of sponsored content or overwhelming algorithms. What sets Hypelist apart is that it’s deeply personal; it learns what you love and refines itself over time, making discovery feel intuitive rather than transactional.

The journey hasn’t been easy, though. Entrepreneurship comes with constant challenges: doubt, risk and the need to pivot quickly. When I bootstrapped Unfold, I didn’t have the safety net of investors, so every decision had weight. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that taking risks is inevitable, but they feel less like risks when they align with your vision. I’ve also realized the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people – both in business and in life. The people you work with, the content you consume and the ideas you engage with shape your ability to create something impactful. At the end of the day, I want my work – whether in tech, design or real estate – to feel purposeful and authentic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
LA is a city with so much variety, and I love places that have a mix of great culture and energy. For food, I’d take them to places like Gjusta in Venice for a laid-back breakfast, Bestia for amazing Italian, or Sushi Park for something special. I love grabbing coffee at Café Tropical or Verve, and I’d definitely make time for a sunset hike up to Griffith Observatory. As for nightlife, I’d take them to Dada in Echo Park for a drink, and maybe a cool speakeasy like Delilah or a rooftop spot downtown.

That said, I’d probably use Hypelist to make sure I was picking the best places based on their style. The beauty of Hypelist is that it helps you craft the perfect experience based on what you already love – so if my friend is into hidden gem restaurants, indie bookstores or say boutique hotels, I’d use the app to find places that match their vibe. It’s not just about what’s trendy but about what truly fits the person you’re with, and that’s what makes experiences more meaningful.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! While many entrepreneurs downplay formal education, my journey has been deeply shaped by incredible teachers. Miss Chapman in primary school sparked my curiosity early on. During my undergrad, Kate Cheyne pushed me to think critically about design and architecture. And in my Master’s, Erin Hersey taught me how to merge creativity with strategy. Their mentorship gave me the confidence and perspective that continue to influence my work today. Education isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about the people who challenge and inspire you, and I’m grateful for those who did.

Website: https://hypelist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cobo/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfonsocobo/

Twitter: https://x.com/alfonsocobo

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cobo?lang=en

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