Strap on your Boots

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Ali Hafizji, CEO of Wednesday Solutions and an engineer-turned-entrepreneur, about smarter ways to move from MVP to product-market fit without burning out or burning cash. Ali shares insights from building software that handles over a billion customer requests per hour and supporting 10% of India’s unicorns, offering practical advice on how to avoid com...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with business strategist and mentor Israel Duran about how entrepreneurs can scale their business using speaking, social media, and online platforms. Israel shares how to turn your message into money by getting booked on stages, building a strong personal brand, and standing out in a crowded market. He breaks down proven strategies that have helped his clien...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Harvard serial founder Shirish Nimgaonkar about how his company, eBlissAI , is leading a new era of agentic AI through self-healing, autonomous systems. Shirish explains why today’s enterprise IT systems are falling short and how eBlissAI’s platform is transforming endpoint management by combining real-time analytics, predictive insights, and intelligen...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with experience designer Geoff Thatcher about how AI is transforming storytelling and the future of immersive experiences. Geoff shares how tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Grok are already changing how experience designers create, but the real revolution is just beginning. We dive into the new GAME ON! AI Experience at the College Football Hall of Fame,...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Paula Paul, Founder and Distinguished Engineer at Greyshore , about how companies can drive real value from open source software. With over four decades of experience in tech, Paula shares insights on open source supply chain security, the power of community, and how organizations can adopt cloud-native technologies more efficiently. We also explore the...

In this episode of Zero to CEO I sit down with Paul Scribner, the visionary CEO of Raven Resources Corp whose innovative investment acumen is transforming how business deals are made. Scribner reveals the transformational business approaches that have helped partners multiply their facilities sixfold and increase revenue seven-X. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or business leader, you’ll...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with serial entrepreneur and marketer Chris LaMorte about how his company, Strictly AI , is helping small businesses and startups thrive in today’s fast-moving digital and AI-driven world. Chris shares insights on how AI is transforming marketing, why the future of the web is conversational, and how SMBs can stay ahead of the curve by embracing innovative to...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with relentless legal trailblazer Lem Garcia, who turned just a few thousand dollars and a Craigslist desk into one of Southern California’s top personal injury law firms . Lem shares his journey of betting on himself, overcoming setbacks, and proving that success isn’t about where you start but how hard you’re willing to push forward. We dive into the chall...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with independent compensation consultant Scott Trumpolt about growth-driven compensation strategies for startups and business leaders. We explore how a company’s compensation philosophy impacts its success and evolves over time, highlighting the importance of building flexibility into pay structures. Scott shares insights on market-based pay, the balance bet...

In this episode of Strap on Your Boots, I dive into the harsh realities of startup failure and the critical mistakes that lead to it. With 90% of startups failing, I break down the biggest reasons why, from ignoring market demand and running out of money to co-founder conflicts and poor customer engagement. Using real-world examples, I highlight what went wrong and how you can avoid the same fate....

 Is AI going to replace entrepreneurs, or is it the ultimate tool for success? In this episode of Future Tech, I break down the impact of AI on business, exploring whether it’s a threat or an opportunity. From automating tasks to optimizing marketing and even generating business ideas, AI is transforming how we work. But can it replace human creativity, risk-taking, and leadership? I dive into rea...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with hospitality entrepreneur and belonging expert Dan Berger about the true meaning of belonging and its impact inside and outside the workplace. Dan shares insights from his book The Quest, where he explores the psychology of belonging and provides a framework for building it intentionally. We discuss the difference between DEI and belonging, how they inte...

 In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with visionary entrepreneur, innovator, and author Mitch Francis about bold solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. Drawing from his new book, Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems, Mitch shares practical and non-partisan ideas for tackling issues like climate change, national debt, education reform, gun control, and more. With years o...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Matt Logan, Founder of Rise North Capital , about his mission to transform the financial services industry. With over 16 years of experience, Matt shares how he empowers financial professionals to thrive, expands access to financial advice, and creates lasting impact for clients. We explore his innovative leadership strategies, the art of building succe...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Robert McMillan, founder of Camping. Tools , about crafting value for both B2C and B2B customers in the digital age. We explore the challenges startups face when creating the perfect customer pitch and the importance of identifying market pain points to deliver meaningful solutions. Robert shares insights on where to begin, learning through trial and er...

 In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with entrepreneur, investor, and innovator Jason Schappert about his journey from bootstrapping a business to an 8-figure exit and how he’s now empowering others to achieve financial freedom through Moola . Jason shares his passion for financial literacy, the mission behind his AI-driven investment platform, and practical insights for building successful ve...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with CEO and Life Coach Vernessa Hopkins about the transformative power of the Influence Equation in leadership and career development. Vernessa shares her insights on how to elevate your leadership by maximizing your influence and impact, covering the 8 key points of the equation. From decoding the room to constructing your unique "YOUprint," this conversat...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Neil Twa , CEO and co-author of "Almost Automated Income with FBA," about building profitable e-commerce brands on Amazon. Neil shares insights from over 15 years of experience, revealing the strategies behind creating, scaling, and exiting successful Amazon FBA businesses. We discuss how to identify profitable products, the four steps to building a sus...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Louis Scatigna, CFP, author, and host of The Financial Physician , about the profound changes in personal finance over his 40-year career. We explore the looming retirement crisis, the enduring impact of inflation, and how the global financial landscape is being reshaped by challenges to the U.S. dollar. Louis also shares his insights on why families of...

Get 45% off the Magic Mind bundle with my link: https://magicmind.com/SOYBJAN In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Len Covello, Chief Technology Officer at Engage People , about revolutionizing the way loyalty points are used as an alternative payment method. Len shares insights into how their innovative loyalty network connects programs with global payment systems, enabling consumers to p...

In this episode of Future Tech, I speak with expert software engineer and Chief Software Officer at Fitch , Derek Ferguson, about building and scaling globally successful software platforms. Derek explains how DevOps Transformation can redefine a company’s competitive edge and shares insights into using AI to enhance, not replace, the work of engineers. He also discusses how ESG principles are dri...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Digital Polymath and 3x Founder Candice DeVille about the transformative impact of AI and automation on productivity and business operations. Candice shares practical insights and proven strategies to help entrepreneurs and leaders work smarter by integrating AI into their workflows, reducing repetitive tasks, and scaling their businesses effectively. W...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to Isaac Saul, the founder of Tangle , a nonpartisan newsletter offering news analysis from both sides of the political spectrum. Isaac shares the inspiring journey that led him from a struggling political reporter facing countless job rejections to bootstrapping Tangle in 2019. Despite starting with minimal resources, Tangle has since grown to over 125,000...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, entrepreneur and growth marketing expert Ross McDaniel unveils his secret formula for attracting and converting high-quality customers . Listeners will learn strategies for generating a steady stream of valuable leads, accumulating five-star reviews, and turning satisfied customers into vocal advocates. Ross dives into the importance of online reviews, how to create...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Mike Andes, founder and author, about how he transformed Augusta Lawn Care from a small local business into a thriving international franchise. Mike shares his insights on scaling a service business, building a strong brand, and the power of his unique Pay for Performance (P4P) model, which replaces hourly wages with performance-based rewards to drive p...