The Achieve Podcast

In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Taylor Baker sits down with Dave Durocher, Executive Director of The Other Side Academy, to explore his journey from a life of crime and addiction to leading a transformative rehabilitation program, with a focus on personal accountability, behavioral change, and second chances. What You’ll Learn: Lasting transformation comes from addressing behavior, no...

In this episode of the, host Taylor Baker sits down with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple ventures, to discuss her career journey, the power of reinvention, and building businesses rooted in purpose and impact. What You’ll Learn The importance of embracing pivots as a natural and necessary part of career and business growth How early clarity in career goals...

In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Taylor Baker sits down with Michael Tribolet, a seasoned entrepreneur and telecom innovator, to discuss scaling businesses globally, navigating technological shifts, and leveraging AI to drive growth. The conversation centers on lessons from building and leading high-growth companies and adapting to constant change in the digital economy. What You’ll Le...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with David Arkin, founder of David Arkin Consulting and a former media executive, about building a modern consulting business that blends strategy with execution. The conversation centers on how media companies can drive growth through sponsored content, AI-driven workflows, and practical, hands-on support. What You’ll Learn Why traditional consulting mode...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Eddie Petrie, CEO and founder of C3 Cell System, about his journey from FBI-trained behavioral interrogator to entrepreneur and sales leader, and how he applies psychology and human connection to build impactful businesses. The conversation centers on leveraging mindset, systems, and authentic communication to drive growth and transformation. What You...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker sits down with Preston Zeller, founder of Zellerhaus and a technology operator, entrepreneur, and creative, to explore the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and personal calling. The conversation centers on how emerging technology is reshaping business models while challenging individuals to align their work with deeper purpose and ownership. What You’ll Lear...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Andrew LeBaron, founder of AndrewLeBaron.com, a strategist focused on capital raising and helping businesses access funding. The conversation explores Andrew’s journey from banking at JP Morgan to entrepreneurship, and his focus on solving complex financial challenges for growing companies. What You’ll Learn How early exposure to banking and capital m...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Brett Jaffee, CEO of Caddy Time, about building an on-demand marketplace that connects golfers with caddies and reimagines the golf experience. The conversation centers on identifying overlooked opportunities, leveraging technology to modernize traditional industries, and scaling a lean, high-impact business. What You’ll Learn How identifying a person...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker sits down with Bubba Thurman, President of Baker Brothers Plumbing, Air, and Electrical, to discuss leadership, scaling a legacy business, and evolving a service company to meet modern demands. The conversation centers on growth through innovation, culture, and operational excellence in a long-established family-founded company. What You’ll Learn: How to successf...

In this episode, host Steven Bunker speaks with Satya Srighakolapu, founder of Cogni Forge Global, about building a data advisory and consulting company focused on modern data platforms and AI-driven solutions. The conversation explores Satya’s journey from corporate IT leadership to entrepreneurship, and the challenges of scaling a services-based business in a competitive, fast-evolving industry....

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Ben Laube, a real estate broker, team leader, and AI entrepreneur, about his journey building a high-performing real estate business and his expansion into leveraging AI to transform the industry. What You’ll Learn How building a strong, scalable sales team can drive consistent growth in a competitive real estate market The importance of focusing on a...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Cristina Alvarez-Barrett, CEO and President of Mona Payment Solutions, about her journey in the payments industry and how she has built a relationship-driven, service-focused fintech business. The conversation centers on growth through partnerships, leadership development, and embracing innovation in a highly competitive space. What You’ll Learn How a...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Chad Krause, CEO of TeraGanix, about building a mission-driven business that supports farmers while balancing profitability and sustainability. The conversation centers on leadership, regenerative agriculture, and the realities of scaling a purpose-driven company. What You’ll Learn Why “if there’s no margin, there’s no mission” is critical for sustain...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Caitlin Antel-Wilson, founder and CEO of FullGood, about building a specialized logistics and fulfillment company for food and beverage brands and the operational gaps she set out to solve. Their conversation centers on scaling a niche business, supporting emerging CPG brands, and bringing transparency and care to a complex supply chain. What You’ll L...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker sits down with Leo Castaneda, CEO of Think AES, to explore his journey from humble beginnings to leading a company in the biotech and engineering space, with a focus on innovation, persistence, and building solutions that serve complex industries. What You’ll Learn: How unconventional career paths can lead to highly specialized expertise and leadership opportunit...

In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Jessie Warner speaks with Matthew Flippen, founder and president of Gracelyn University, about building mission-driven businesses and addressing the national teacher shortage through innovative, affordable education. The conversation centers on combining entrepreneurship with social impact to create scalable solutions for underserved communities. What Y...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Ali Fakih, founder and CEO of AIAEC, a civil engineer turned tech entrepreneur, about building AI-driven solutions for the construction and permitting industry and the journey of transitioning from technical expertise to business leadership. What You’ll Learn Why niche industries require specialized AI solutions rather than relying solely on general-p...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Dave Maney, founder and CEO of Express Press Inc., about the evolution of media, thought leadership, and how businesses can effectively build authority through content. The conversation explores Dave’s journey from journalism and finance to building a platform that helps experts showcase their knowledge at scale. What You’ll Learn How shifts in the me...

In this episode, host Taylor speaks with Carl Sporie, owner of SkyFox Flyovers, about building a niche drone services business and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship in a highly regulated industry. The conversation centers on how Carl turned a simple idea into a growing business through networking, education, and persistence. What You’ll Learn How identifying a simple entry point—like o...

In this episode, host Steven Bunker sits down with Mallory Palisch, president of Craft Education and a serial entrepreneur in the social impact space, to discuss the power of earn-and-learn pathways and the need to better connect education with real-world work experience. Their conversation centers on rethinking higher education, workforce development, and how apprenticeship-based models can unloc...

In this episode, host Steven Bunker speaks with Shar, CEO of Zero Hiring and general partner at Infinity Constellation, about transforming recruitment through AI-enabled services and redefining how businesses approach hiring, talent, and growth. What You’ll Learn Why traditional recruitment models are inefficient and how AI-enabled services can deliver faster, better, and cheaper outcomes The shif...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker sits down with Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete and a PhD-trained civil engineer, to explore his unconventional journey into the ready-mix concrete industry and the critical role concrete plays in modern infrastructure. The conversation centers on leadership, industry expertise, and the often-overlooked complexity and importance of concrete in building durab...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Matt Remuzzi, owner of CapForge, about building a scalable bookkeeping business and redefining the role of accounting through strong customer service and business-owner empathy. The conversation centers on how understanding client needs and delivering practical financial clarity can drive growth and long-term success. What You’ll Learn Why poor or out...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Dr. Monique Mendoza, founder and CEO of Psychology and Solutions, about bridging the gap between mental health care and workplace support systems. The conversation explores how organizations can better equip themselves to support individuals navigating mental health challenges. What You’ll Learn Why there is a critical gap between clinical mental heal...

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Sam Strasser, founder and CEO of Treasure Financial, about building a fintech company focused on optimizing corporate cash and redefining treasury management for small and mid-sized businesses. The conversation centers on financial stewardship, leveraging technology, and building a sustainable business in a rapidly evolving landscape. What You’ll Lear...