Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Larry Szeliga, founder of MYOB Publishing, LLC, as he shares his unconventional journey from financial literacy advocate to organizational development expert. After retiring from a successful corporate career, Larry initially focused on teaching financial literacy to students before pivoting back to his true passion: helpin...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Todd Nilson, founder of Clocktower Advisors, as he shares his journey from agency strategist to independent consultant specializing in online community building. Todd reveals how a personal need for flexibility to care for aging parents led him to launch his consultancy, where he now helps B2B companies and nonprofits creat...

In this episode of Founders, Future , host Mishal Saeed sits down with Alfredo Paredes, CEO of Capitol Consulting & Communication, an award-winning strategic communications firm with roots dating back to 1965. Alfredo shares how his journey from working with a Washington consulting firm to founding his own agency was driven by a passion for solving complex communication challenges—from politic...

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we explore the art of negotiation with Philip Brown, founder of The Negotiation Club (TNC). Philip shares his journey from frustration with traditional negotiation training to creating a dynamic platform where professionals can practice and refine their skills through real-world scenarios. He discusses how his unique approach—rooted in repet...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with  Sara Orellana, founder of 3Raptor Consulting, as she shares her inspiring journey from nonprofit CEO to entrepreneur. Sarah opens up about hitting a wall with compassion fatigue in her nonprofit role and how this led her to create a consulting firm that helps small businesses and nonprofits achieve their goals through cust...

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, John Harney—founder of Courageous Coaching and self-described "battery-powered introvert"—shares how his journey as an only child led him to revolutionize leadership development. John reveals his "anti-conference" approach, challenging the "Great Training Robbery" (where companies waste thousands on forgett...

In this episode of Founders, Future , host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Brian Kostka, founder and CEO of TC2 Advisors, a fractional CFO and advisory firm transforming how small to medium businesses optimize finance and operations. With decades of Wall Street experience, Brian shares how he bridges institutional financial expertise with Main Street businesses, helping them secure funding, streaml...

In this episode of Founders Future , host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Gibran McNeal, founder of McNeal and Company Creative Solutions, a minority-owned creative agency revolutionizing brand-building for small businesses. Gibran shares how a layoff during the 2008 recession sparked his journey into design, leading him to solve a critical gap for entrepreneurs: professional, cohesive branding. Fr...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Ammar Elm, Mitchell Levy—Silicon Valley veteran, founder of 20 businesses, and creator of Credibility Nation—shares his unconventional journey from corporate e-commerce leader to executive coach and LinkedIn strategist. He reveals how his "Customer Point of Possibility" (CPoP) framework helps entrepreneurs and CEOs articulate their purpose...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Ammar Elm, Alex Hey—founder of Reset ADHD and board member of the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches—shares his journey from personal ADHD struggles to building a mission-driven coaching business. With a theology background and late-in-life diagnosis, Alex reveals how he helps clients "work with their brains, not against them" through...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Ammar Elm, Sherry Sims—founder of Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN)—shares her journey from being overlooked for a promotion in 2008 to building a national organization that empowers Black women through coaching, mentorship, and professional development. Sherry reveals how a dormant LinkedIn group she created in frustration blossomed into a thrivin...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Karyn Vadnais, Marcos Placona—founder of DevRel Bridge and former Twilio DevRel leader—shares how he accidentally stumbled into developer relations and now helps B2B tech startups turn developer engagement into revenue. Marcos reveals his "anti-cookie-cutter" approach, where he tailors every client engagement (from content creation to commu...

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Gerald Covella, owner of FocalPoint Business Coaching of New Jersey, shares his journey from award-winning journalist to transformative business coach. With a passion for empowering small businesses in economically challenged regions, Gerald reveals his relationship-driven approach to coaching—focusing on uncovering clients’ deeper &quot...

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Joni D. Goodman, founder of JDG Advisors, shares her journey from biochemist to leadership development expert, empowering organizations and individuals through transformational coaching, facilitation, and women-focused programs. She discusses her passion for fostering self-awareness and emotional intelligence, revealing how her "Bre...

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, we dive into the inspiring journey of Morgan B. Williams, founder and CEO of Peak HR. Morgan shares how her unconventional path—from aspiring psychiatrist to HR visionary—was shaped by her parents' resilience and the power of mentorship. She discusses the mission behind Peak HR, a Black-owned, female-led HR consulting and training...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Jae Encarnacion, Jim Britt—legendary speaker, author of 15 books, and mentor to icons like Tony Robbins—shares his rags-to-riches journey from a high-school dropout foreclosing on his home to building a multi-million-dollar empire. Jim reveals how a single sale (after 3,650 rejections) changed his life, why he believes in the "law of creation&qu...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Mishal Saeed, Raul Mendoza, founder and CEO of Rapido Talent, shares his transformative approach to staffing and talent acquisition. Raul discusses how Rapido Talent is revolutionizing the industry by focusing on long-term talent communities rather than reactive hiring, particularly in logistics, construction, and manufacturing. He emphasizes the impo...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Ammar Elm, Jake Posner, founder of Well Intended Ventures and Off The Record, shares his mission to transform artist support in the music industry. Jake reveals how Off The Record was built to provide musicians, songwriters, and producers with a confidential, pressure-free space for honest feedback—away from sales pitches or commitments. He discusses...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Jae Encarnacion , Frank Keck, founder of Core Build Solutions and author of Embrace Your Freakness , shares his 25-year journey transforming leadership development through humor, neuroscience, and unconventional workshops. A Dale Carnegie-trained speaker with 12 global patents, Frank reveals how his "Synergy Lab" helps teams unlock their &q...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Jae Encarnacion, Anjanette Carter, founder of Stratus Media and million-dollar copywriting entrepreneur, reveals how she’s helping CEOs and founders dominate LinkedIn—without burning out. From her accidental start in a boiler-room sales job (shut down by the FBI!) to leveraging AI as her "co-worker," Anjanette shares her unconventional jour...

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Jae Encarnacion, Adam Kimmel, founder of ASK Consulting Solutions shares his journey from chemical engineer to fractional business development leader. With nearly 20 years of R&D experience and 12 global patents, Adam reveals how he bridges the gap between technical expertise and growth strategy, helping industrial and engineering firms scale thr...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Karen Vadnais, we welcome Erwan Lacour, founder of Breath Hold Work and a visionary in AI-driven personal development. Erwan shares his journey from childhood entrepreneurship to creating innovative methods like Breath Hold Work—a unique approach to meditation under pressure that enhances neural regulation and emotional resilience. He discusses how hi...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Karen Vadnais, we meet Keaton Grider, founder of Steadfast Seminars—a faith-based business leadership and coaching seminar company based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Keaton shares his journey from being a recent business graduate to launching a venture that fills a gap he noticed in Christian professional development. He discusses how Steadfast Seminar...

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we're joined by Karen Yankovich, LinkedIn marketing expert and CEO of Uplevel Media. With 20+ years in IT and marketing, Karen reveals why LinkedIn remains the ultimate "money tree" for high-ticket sales—especially for women transitioning careers or scaling businesses. She shares her proven "flip the funnel" ap...

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Ben Hankinson, founder of Unity Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in manufacturing leadership and operations. Ben shares his journey from managing operations at a large liquid egg manufacturing plant to launching his own firm, driven by a passion for unifying people and processes to create operational excellence. He...