Entrepreneur Conundrum

Lori Atwood is the founder and CEO of Fearless Finance, a fiduciary financial planning firm offering hourly advice without sales pressure, minimums, or judgment. With 25+ years in finance (including investment banking, asset management, and private equity), Lori founded Fearless Finance to change how people access financial guidance—especially during the messy middle of life and business growth. K...

Nate Amidon is the founder and CEO of Form 100 Consulting, a veteran-owned technology consulting firm focused on transforming software development organizations using military leadership and mission execution principles. Key Discussion Themes Why “command and control” is a myth—and what high-performing teams actually need How alignment breaks down between business priorities and engineering execut...

Avrohom Jacks is a serial entrepreneur, coach, and bestselling author who helps founders scale their businesses “like crazy without going crazy.” He’s also a former rabbi and currently COO of an AI legal tech company, bringing a rare mix of clarity, storytelling, and strategy. Key Discussion Themes Why the founder’s mindset is the business’s greatest asset How Avrohom gets in front of clients (and...

Michi McClure is the founder of Consivian, where she helps leaders and organizations bridge the gap between compliance and culture through leadership development, coaching, and operational strategy. With a law background and decades of experience advising startups, medical groups, and corporations, she brings a steady, practical framework rooted in integrity and accountability. Key discussion them...

Guest Introduction Steff Vanhaverbeke is a veteran business coach and change facilitator helping leaders become irreplaceable in the age of AI. With a background in early web development and 20+ years guiding organizations through change, she focuses on keeping work human while teams adopt powerful new technology. Key Discussion Themes Why most people think they need prompt training—and what actua...

Guest Introduction John Whitt is a corporate leader turned business coach and the founder of Business Whitt. After decades in the corporate grind, he built Whole Life Leadership to help entrepreneurs and executives grow businesses without losing their lives in the process. Key Discussion Themes The shift from corporate life to entrepreneurship — and why many people bring the “grind” with them Who...

Guest Mary Lawson — Mary Colleen Photography Mary is a fine art trained photographer based in Valleyview, Alberta. She specializes in school, sports, and event photography, with a growing photo booth offering for events and business marketing. Key discussion themes Building community trust first, then expanding services (grad photos → school photos → more communities) Getting clients the unglamoro...

Guest Introduction Laura Patac returns to Entrepreneur Conundrum to talk about her newest book, Whole, Not Perfect , and how imperfection, reflection, and authenticity shape the way we live and lead—especially during major identity shifts. Key Discussion Themes Identity crisis after leaving a role, title, or organization The “unique individual value proposition” (4-part framework): Origin story St...

Episode Link https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/derrickgirard Guest Derrick Girard is a former Air Force veteran, tech founder, and author. After years in the financial services industry, he built a tech company to solve an industry-wide problem—then sold it six and a half years later. Today he speaks and consults with entrepreneurs and organizations on applying the Figure It Out mindset to real-wo...

In this episode, Virginia sits down with serial entrepreneur and author Italia Tornabene to talk about: How survival shaped Italia’s first real entrepreneurial moves Building timeless brands across beauty, wine, and education Who her ideal clients are for Bene Bellezza, Tornabene Wine, and Baxter Learns to Save Why entrepreneurs should show up on every relevant platform The unexpected power of Lin...

Guest: Erin Krueger Host: Virginia Purnell Websites: Capture the Culture – https://capture-the-culture.com/ https://erinkrueger.com What We Covered: Walking away from a corporate job over ethics Building a real estate team from scratch in a city where she knew only five people Forecast-based hiring vs. hiring when overwhelmed Why culture matters more than skill The layered interview system that en...

Episode Guest: Rob Haynie Company: Life Insurance Settlements Association member / LI Settlements Website: lisettlements.com LinkedIn: Rob Haynie (linkedin.com/in/rob-haynie-08656b9/) Podcast Mentioned: Unlocking the Hidden Value of Your Life Insurance What you’ll learn What a life settlement is (and how it differs from surrendering or lapsing a policy) Why policies often get more expensive later,...

In this episode, Virginia talks with Logan Lyles about: Logan’s path from journalism (2008) to B2B tech sales, then podcasting and demand gen Why webinars still work—when you treat them like a conversion system, not a one-off event Logan’s best-fit clients: B2B (especially agencies, professional services, SaaS) Client acquisition on LinkedIn “Starting a new position” post + profile optimization Re...

In this episode, we cover: How Charmaine turned her own search for worth into a life of service Who she serves—and why purpose doesn’t have an age, role, or title Why confidence and finances are common roadblocks for mission-driven entrepreneurs Letting go of perfection and choosing authenticity instead Faith, consistency, and perseverance when building something meaningful Why your win doesn’t ha...

In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum , Virginia Purnell sits down with Alison Mullins — an award-winning sales leader, two-time best-selling author, and founder of Rep Methods — to talk about what actually drives growth in trade-based businesses. Alison shares why public speaking, trade shows, and real conversations consistently outperform social media in her industry — and how too many sales...

In this episode, we cover: Why entrepreneurship is harder than most people expect The hidden cost of “doing nothing” in business How AI agents are transforming marketing automation Why live webinars are making a comeback The importance of authenticity in an AI-driven world How to protect your mindset during brutal business seasons Why patience is not optional for long-term success What real scalab...

Many entrepreneurs are highly skilled at what they do — yet struggle to gain traction because no one knows who they are. In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum , Virginia Purnell sits down with PR strategist Zachary Bernard, founder of WeFeature You, to unpack how credibility is built before the sales conversation ever happens. Zach shares his journey from launching an automation agency at a yo...

In this episode, we cover: Why success can quietly lead to complacency The difference between common and uncommon leadership John’s Seven Ds of Transformation How executive coaching transforms leaders from the inside out Faith-driven leadership without preaching Overcoming imposter syndrome and fear of failure Why leaders feel “busy” instead of fulfilled The power of reflection, discipline, and pu...

Guest: Bill Zujewski (GoodLiife) ( LinkedIn ) Book: What’s Your Life Score: A Playbook for Designing Your Best Life ( Amazon ) What we cover Bill’s path from engineering → enterprise marketing leadership → entrepreneurship Why “best product” doesn’t always win (and what brand really means) Building GoodLiife as a purpose-driven, balanced-life company The “HELP GROW” life areas and why balance is b...

In this episode, we cover: Nicolai’s global journey across 11 countries and 10 years at McKinsey   Why ambition can either propel you forward or trip you up   The difference between wisdom and knowledge in career decisions   How to move from “outside-in” expectations to “inside-out” self-authorship   Nicolai’s three-part reflection framework: past, present, and future   Why so many high performers...

In this episode, we discuss: How Laura went from introverted teen to global leadership mentor   Her transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur   The limitations she experienced in corporate and what pushed her to make the leap   Why storytelling is a non-negotiable skill for modern leaders   Laura’s signature 3M Framework for leadership   The mindset traps younger leaders often fall into...

Episode: Redefining Goals: Behavior-Driven Change with Michael Lopez Guest: Michael Lopez – Best-selling author, LinkedIn Top Voice, transformation consultant Listen: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/michaeljalopez In this episode, we cover: Michael’s journey from military intelligence and Big Four consulting to founding his own boutique consultancy   Why traditional change programs fail when the...

Guest: Lloyd Ross – lawyer, MBA, CFA level III, multiple six-figure entrepreneur, seven-figure investor, 2-Comma Club winner, Legacy Club millionaire, author of three books, and host of the award-winning podcast Money Grows on Trees . Episode: Become Time Rich: Ditch Busywork and Build Real Wealth with Lloyd Ross Link: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/lloydross In This Episode, We Cover: Lloyd’s...

Guest: Mark Delaney Website: markdelaney.com Nonprofit: purposemastermind.com/nonprofit Podcast: The Purpose Mastermind Podcast YouTube: @Mark. Delaney Facebook: facebook.com/markdelaney.me LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-delaney-3a935b107 In This Episode: The single line that changed Mark’s life   Why comfort and reputation keep us trapped   Freedom defined: “Nothing to hide, nothing to prove”   W...

Guest: Sloan Wilkins — Executive Financial Coach & financial well-being advocate LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sloan-wilkins/   Website: executivefinancialcoach.com.au   Facebook: facebook.com/ExecutiveFinancialCoaching   Instagram: instagram.com/sloan_now_here/   Topics Sloan’s shift from corporate wealth management to coaching   Why he focuses on professionals & business owners (esp. on LinkedIn/BNI...