Founders Club

Hannah Kaul, founder of Women in Biz, shares how a local Nashville community expanded across the country before she intentionally brought it back to its roots. Hannah discusses the overwhelming demand among women for in-person connection and the importance of having a safe space to navigate the isolating journey of entrepreneurship. From navigating male-dominated corporate boardrooms to unpacking...

Former championship-winning basketball coach Micheal Burt shares his transition from the basketball court to building a multi-million dollar business coaching empire. Coach Burt breaks down how to activate your "Prey Drive"—the instinctual human ability to see a goal and pursue it with intensity. He unpacks the five key attributes of the top 1% of performers, the vital difference between confidenc...

Former Division 1 athlete Darryll Stinson shares how high-achievers can lose their identity to their career and the steps to find their true purpose. From navigating a career-ending back surgery and severe depression to understanding the power of innate gifts, Darryll unpacks the reality of tying self-worth to performance. He explains why taking a "walk to freedom" is more sustainable than waiting...

Tiffany Bard, founder of Bump City, shares how she transitioned from a corporate Wall Street career to launching a highly successful maternity boutique in Nashville. From testing her concept out of her home closet and a tiny room below the Bluebird Cafe to navigating long-term commercial leases, Tiffany breaks down the realities of bootstrapping an in-person retail business. She unpacks the import...

Aleksandra Chojnacka, founder of Detox House, shares how entrepreneurs can use nervous system regulation to build resilience and show up authentically in life and business. From navigating the pivot away from signing a commercial lease and running a referral-based in-home studio to launching a digital app and signature eight-week guided program , Aleksandra unpacks the realities of the wellness ma...

Joshua Johnston joins the show to share how founders can scale a service-based business or agency without losing their minds. From his early days making $3,000 a month as a fitness trainer to becoming an agency CEO and building a successful consulting business, Josh unpacks the realities of running a profitable operation where top-line revenue isn't the only thing that matters. He reveals why clie...

Personal transformation facilitator Joy Shaw joins the show to share her incredible path from surviving a near-fatal brain aneurysm to helping others navigate their own deep healing. Joy breaks down the archetypal stages of the "hero's journey" and explains why self-love is essential for moving past chronic people-pleasing. She candidly discusses the critical importance of setting firm boundaries...

Lauren Reed, founding partner of REED PR, shares how she went from an "accidental entrepreneur" leaving a sinking agency to building one of Nashville's most respected firms. Lauren opens up about rejecting hustle culture, the terrifying but rewarding process of taking a 90-day sabbatical, and why she prioritizes her life outside of work to be a better leader. She also discusses her newest venture,...

Traci Barrett, founding executive behind HGTV and author of “What If There’s More?”, joins us to discuss the journey of launching a billion-dollar media brand and the pivot that followed. From the scrappy startup days of cable television to navigating a "loss of self" in her 40s, Traci unpacks the concept of "Healthy Ambition" and why so many high-achievers feel disengaged. She shares her three-pa...

Zach Hesterberg, founder of PaidEvents.com, breaks down the strategy behind turning virtual events into high-revenue engines for coaches and experts. From his early days of "selling rocks" and becoming a top ambassador for Chubbies Shorts to generating millions for clients through paid virtual events, Zach shares the exact framework for pre-selling audiences before you ever make a pitch. He unpack...

Dr. Tiff Watson, an expert in health and performance psychology, joins the show to discuss how entrepreneurs can optimize their bodies and minds for long-term success. From her background in corporate wellness to launching a nonprofit for young girls, Dr. Tiff unpacks the critical link between physical health and professional endurance. She breaks down the "Physique" framework, busts common nutrit...

Stephanie Styll, founder of Killjoy, shares how she turned a personal decision to quit drinking into Nashville's first alcohol-free beverage shop. From getting fired moments after pitching her "exit plan" to navigating the fast-growing zero-proof market, Stephanie unpacks the realities of experiential retail, the challenges of working with family, and how to disrupt an industry by creating communi...

Nikita Vakhrushev, founder of ASPEKT Agency, joins the show to discuss how he transitioned from a generalist marketing agency to a specialized powerhouse in email and SMS for e-commerce. Nikita shares his unique daily routine of roleplaying sales calls with ChatGPT, the difficult decision to turn down revenue to niche down, and the "above the fold" secrets that drive email conversions. He also giv...

Matthew Hertz, founder of Third Person, shares his journey from running a successful logistics consultancy to building an AI-powered software platform. Matthew unpacks the transition from service-based work to scalable SaaS, the hard lessons learned from a co-founder breakup, and why retaining 51% control is non-negotiable for decision-making. He also discusses his "spaghetti" career path, the dif...

Luke Smiley, co-founder of the Nashville-based fast-casual brand Radish, shares his journey from the world of corporate finance to launching a restaurant concept with his wife, chef and influencer Amanda Frederickson. Luke unpacks the transition from a structured corporate schedule to the freedom of entrepreneurship, the realities of scaling a brick-and-mortar business without venture capital, and...

Katy Whalen, co-founder of Joi & Blokes, shares how personal health struggles led to building a comprehensive hormone optimization and longevity platform. From navigating complex telehealth regulations and legal challenges to the decision to bootstrap rather than raise venture capital, Katy unpacks the reality of working with your spouse, the importance of patient advocacy, and why "grit" is the m...

Attorney Autumn Witt Boyd, founder of the AWB Firm, shares how online business owners can legally protect themselves while scaling. From navigating recent FTC crackdowns on subscriptions and “scammy” marketing claims to understanding exactly when to form an LLC, Autumn unpacks the realities of the online course market, the shift toward memberships, and why profitability matters more than venture c...

On this episode, Owen Sammarone, creator of Unleash the Knowledge and one of the leading voices in the self-education space. Owen shares how he transformed a simple Instagram page into a thriving community by consistently breaking down big ideas from books, personal development, and business into bite-sized insights. ----- YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@foundersclubpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠...

In this episode, we sit down with serial founder and Nashville Entrepreneur Center CEO Sam Davidson to explore what truly drives successful entrepreneurship. Sam shares how community, mentorship, and resilience have shaped his journey across four companies, and why being coachable matters more than ever ----- YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@foundersclubpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ins...

In this episode Nashville sound healer and entrepreneur Kayce Laine shares how she turned her background in music and PR into a purpose-driven business in wellness. Kayce opens up about leaving the corporate world, trusting her intuition, and building multiple income streams through sound healing, mentorship, and brand partnerships with TikTok, Lululemon, and the Nashville Symphony. She explains w...

Entrepreneur Sydney Dumler, founder of Forza Pilates, shares how she built one of Nashville’s most in-demand wellness brands. From designing a fitness experience that feels like a luxury hotel to creating a community people identify with, Sydney unpacks the mindset, design thinking, and hustle behind her success. ----- YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@foundersclubpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https...