FounderArc: The turning point from grit to glory.

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Josh Sizemore, a seasoned entrepreneur in the CPG world, to unpack a career defined by speed, resilience, and reinvention. From selling basketball cards as a kid to reviving a bankrupt $200M beverage brand and scaling it into tens of thousands of retail locations, Josh shares how opportunistic thinking and relentless execution fuel long-...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch talks with James Oliver, founder and CEO of Atlas Bars, about how he turned a college project into a thriving nutrition brand. James shares his journey from selling Cutco knives and mowing lawns to bootstrapping a seven-figure company built on clean ingredients, high protein, and zero sugar. He opens up about limiting risk, learning by doing, and why s...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Stephen Sakach, founder of AI CMO and Zero Company, to explore how empathy-driven marketing and purpose-led storytelling are reshaping the way brands connect with audiences. From his early entrepreneurial roots to building an AI-powered platform that helps businesses create meaningful, emotionally resonant campaigns, Stephen shares a fas...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Mark Newman, founder of HireVue and current CEO of Nomi Health, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from creating one of the first video interviewing platforms to tackling the massive challenges of U.S. healthcare. Mark shares candid stories of building HireVue from a college project into a global company, navigating the highs and low...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Scott Porter, CEO of San Diablo Artisan Churros, to dive into the inspiring highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey. From co-founding Surf Air, the innovative all-you-can-fly membership airline, to creating unforgettable churro experiences, Scott shares how risk-taking, innovation, and customer obsession have shaped his career. The...

Join Blaine Bertsch in this insightful episode of Turning Point with Sabir Semerkant, a leading eCommerce strategist and growth expert, as they dive deep into the future of online retail. Sabir shares proven methods for scaling eCommerce businesses, leveraging AI-powered automation, and optimizing customer journeys to maximize conversions and long-term loyalty. They explore how data-driven decisio...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch is joined by entrepreneur Kirstin Carey to unpack her dynamic journey across marketing, public speaking, the restaurant industry, and the wellness space. From launching successful gluten-free restaurants to building a transformative wellness program designed to reverse autoimmune conditions, Kirstin shares how passion, purpose, and persistence fueled h...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with serial entrepreneur Eli Portnoy to explore the untold realities of startup life. From launching his first venture in college to scaling companies like Sense360 and now BackEngine, Eli shares the highs, lows, and critical lessons every founder needs to hear. He reveals how timing, traction, and customer insights shape business success—and...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Adam Nathan, CEO of Blaze, to uncover the mindset, strategies, and lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial path. Drawing from his experiences at Apple and in government administration, Adam shares how structured startup strategies, risk management, and an entrepreneurial mindset helped him navigate the challenges of building companies fr...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Ken MacKenzie, founder and CEO of Fresh Victor, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from co-founding Republic Tequila to transforming the cocktail mixer market. Ken shares how persistence, vision, and passion fueled his mission to elevate cocktail culture with premium, fresh-ingredient mixers designed for both consumers and profession...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Borja Cuan, Co-Founder of Four15 Digital, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from selling golf balls as a child to building a thriving digital marketing agency. Borja shares founder insights on mentorship, networking, and the growth strategies that helped him scale his company while staying true to his values as a leader. The convers...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Robert Grazioli, Managing Partner of Bread, a Brooklyn-based digital agency, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship and the challenges founders face when moving from service-based businesses into product development. Robert shares his candid experiences with overcoming imposter syndrome, leveraging customer feedback, and making the...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Eric Hui, founder of Terracea, to explore his journey from corporate life to launching a premium cold-weather outdoor apparel brand. Eric shares how he identified market gaps in the outdoor industry, navigated the challenges of product development, and leveraged platforms like Kickstarter to secure funding and build early momentum. The c...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Tom Schwab, founder of Interview Valet, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship and the evolving role of podcasting in business growth. Tom shares his journey of building a company rooted in resilience, adaptability, and the support of community, highlighting how real-world practice often delivers more valuable lessons than theory....

In this conversation, Blaine interviews John Gillham, founder of Originality AI, discussing his journey into entrepreneurship, the evolution of content marketing, and the impact of AI on content creation.  John shares insights on building a remote workforce, the importance of customer focus, and strategies for small businesses to navigate the challenges posed by AI-generated content. The discussio...

Join host Blaine Bertsch as he sits down with Mandi Gunzberger, a powerhouse entrepreneur with a track record of launching successful ventures like Babyology and Nourish Travel. Mandi dives into her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the early sparks that ignited her passion for business and the valuable lessons learned along the way.  They talk about the highs and lows of hiring, team building, and...

In this episode of  FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch interviews John and Mark Cronin, the father-son duo behind John’s Crazy Socks. In 2016, Mark found himself unemployed at 58, while his son John, who has Down syndrome, was facing the "21-Year-Old Cliff," where school support ends and options are limited. After exploring different ideas, John proposed starting a sock business, inspired by his...

Bradley Hamner, Founder and CEO of Blueprint OS, shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced in scaling his business. He discusses the importance of sales skills, hard work, and the need for systems and processes to achieve growth and work-life balance.  The FounderArc for him was realizing the value of structure and organization in his business. He started by organizing exis...

In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine sits down with Ilya Kroogman, founder of The Digital Panda, to talk about his entrepreneurial journey and business growth. They discuss the challenges of hiring and the transition to remote work, emphasizing the importance of hiring for culture fit. The conversation dives into the impact of the pandemic on agencies, highlighting the benefits and challenges of...

Join us on FounderArc as Mike Begg, co-founder and CEO of AMZ Advisors, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his business. Mike discusses his early experiences, from working at a marina to selling on Amazon and launching his own brand.  He explains the changes in the Amazon marketplace and the importance of building a professional brand with content marketing. Mike also talks ab...

Join us on FounderArc as Brandon Gano, Co-founder of Whadif, shares his entrepreneurial journey. From starting young to focusing on larger, more profitable clients, Brandon discusses the importance of having a clear mission and vision for sustainable growth.  He highlights building relationships, leveraging testimonials, and knowing where your customers are. Brandon also talks about his transition...

In this episode of FounderArc, Herb Cogliano, Managing Partner at Aspire Growth Advisors, shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights into the employment business. He discusses the early industry days and how his father's company pioneered temporary staffing. Herb emphasizes relationship-building and its evolution in the staffing industry. He talks about pivoting businesses, data-driven d...

Adam Leventer, the visionary behind Scriberbase, unveils the narrative of his entrepreneurial voyage. Diving into the intricacies of launching a consulting venture and navigating the turbulent waters of the couponing industry, Adam talks about the evolution of Scriberbase into a premier authority in subscription commerce on a global scale.  Emphasizing the pivotal role of recurring revenue, he she...

Zach Coleman, the owner of creative agencies GymMark and Creatitive, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced in the creative industry. He discusses the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset and the influence of his parents' entrepreneurial journey. Zach talks about his transition from the corporate world to starting his own agency, emphasizing the need for con...

On this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch interviews Sam Jenkins, CEO of Punchcard Systems. They cover his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on his shift from web design to creating a healthcare analytics platform and the nuances of team management. The discussion highlights culture fit, the art of hiring effectively, and fostering a remote working environment conducive to mastery and balance....