Strap on your Boots

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to Bobby Goodman, CEO of Mulework , about how businesses can unlock smarter growth with customized strategies that put people and performance first. Bobby shares how to identify critical gaps, align strategy with execution, and avoid the trap of following flashy trends. We dive into why innovation and customer-centric thinking are essential for long-term suc...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I chat with serial entrepreneur and futurist Benjamin Talin about why the old ways of running businesses — and even the consulting industry — are due for a major disruption. Benjamin shares how data-driven insights are transforming management by helping leaders find hidden gaps, prioritize the right levers for growth, and drive impact with limited time and resources...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Trading Lifestyle Leader Troy Noonan, also known as the Backpack Trader , about building a $10K/month trading business in just 30 minutes a day. Troy shares how he developed a simple and repeatable system that helps professionals generate consistent income without quitting their day jobs or watching charts all day. From busting trading myths to revealin...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with visionary DeFi innovator Martin Froehler, founder and CEO of Morpher , a blockchain-based trading platform revolutionizing how people invest. Martin shares how his background as a hedge fund quant inspired him to break the barriers of traditional finance by creating a system where users can trade stocks, crypto, and more 24/7 with zero fees and no middl...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to SME Funding Champion Ciaran Burke, COO and Co-Founder of Swoop , about how his fintech platform has transformed access to capital for over 250,000 businesses. Ciaran shares how Swoop helped unlock more than $2 billion in funding, and explains the biggest mistakes founders make when raising capital, what alternative funding really looks like, and why tradi...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to founder and entrepreneur Tim Dwyer about how to unlock faster, more sustainable business growth by aligning with the natural rhythms of your company. Tim reveals the key phases every business goes through and why understanding your current growth cycle is critical to avoiding burnout, scaling too soon, or stalling altogether. He shares the framework behin...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to change agent and coach Evan Unger about how meetings can either make or break your startup’s culture. Evan reveals how most meetings are shockingly inefficient and how that wasted time impacts leadership, productivity, and team morale. He shares practical tools to transform your meetings from painful time-sinks into high-performing decision-making engines...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with attorney and tech law expert Tony Smith about the critical intersection of blockchain law, intellectual property, and startup compliance. Tony shares how entrepreneurs can navigate the fast-changing legal landscape of emerging technologies, offering insight into real-world blockchain regulations, startup compliance best practices, and the protection of...

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with entrepreneur, investor, and Evolution Co-Founder Alex Chompff about redefining venture capital through ethics, inclusion, and long-term impact. From his early days in the military to his time at Kleiner Perkins during the dot-com boom, Alex shares the lessons that shaped his values as a founder and investor. Now at the helm of Evolution Ventures, he exp...

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...