Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Tired of feeling like you're constantly fighting fires in your business? This episode is your guide to shifting from a reactive founder to a strategic and confident CEO. Leadership expert Kelly Kienzle joins the show to break down her research on the top three challenges every leader faces today: confusion, reactivity, and burnout. More importantly, she provides a clear, data-backed roadmap t...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Roger Baldowski, a 16-year creative industry veteran and founder of Wildcraft, a new kind of creative agency built for the AI era. Roger unpacks why creatives and entrepreneurs shouldn't fear AI, but instead embrace it as a revolutionary tool for enhancing talent, streamlining strategy, and telling more powerful stories. He explains how AI is enabling a s...

Are you drowning in data from countless dashboards but starving for actionable insights? In this episode, we tackle the all-too-common problem of being "data rich but insight poor." Harsha Mokkarala, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience driving 10x revenue growth at companies like Capital One and 2U, breaks down the next evolution of artificial intelligence: agentic AI. He...

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with Noelle Curtis, a visionary leader and "connector of dots" who has navigated everything from agriculture and fashion to finance and SaaS. Noelle unpacks the uncomfortable but essential truths about money, mindset, and the universal principles that govern business success, regardless of your industry. This episode is a masterclass in financial...

Ever feel like throwing in the towel after just a few losses? This Solo Sunday, I share what buying Powerball tickets taught me about entrepreneurship, persistence, and why most people quit right before their big breakthrough. ✨ Why This Matters for You The lottery might be luck, but the lessons apply to every entrepreneur: How quickly we let early failures discourage us Why “you can’t win if you...

Ever feel like you're drowning in data but starving for wisdom? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Lumpkin, a 15-year Microsoft veteran who left the corporate world to build Veritas Maps, a data visualization company on a mission to combat misinformation with truth. Jeff breaks down how he’s making complex data accessible and actionable, transforming overwhelming spreadsheets into insight...

Tired of marketing strategies that feel like you're just throwing money at a wall? This episode cuts through the noise with David Black, founder of Ready Set Search. David breaks down his powerful concept of building a "growth engine" for your business, focusing on sustainable, long-term success rather than just short-term wins. You'll learn how to strategically balance the ins...

Tired of the soul-crushing complexity of payroll? In this episode, we sit down with Lorenzo Di Stefano, a seasoned entrepreneur who turned his biggest business headache into a revolutionary tech company. After running a multi-location restaurant chain with over 200 employees, Lorenzo experienced the nightmare of manual payroll firsthand—the errors, the time-suck, and the compliance risks. He share...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Anthony Brown, a second-generation entrepreneur who is revolutionizing a highly technical and niche industry. Anthony shares the incredible story of growing up in his father’s lubrication systems business and how a strategic partnership led him to launch APEX Lubrication, a tech-forward company using machine learning to solve major industrial problems. This co...

Feeling anxious, guilty, or just plain confused about your business finances? You're not alone. This episode tackles the money taboo head-on with fractional CFO and financial wellness consultant, Kelly Goode. Kelly breaks down why so many entrepreneurs avoid their numbers and how this avoidance is secretly sabotaging their growth. She provides a clear, shame-free path to understanding your fi...

In an era where content is king, video reigns supreme. But how do you cut through the noise and create video content that actually grows your business? In this episode, Brian sits down with Bobby Holbrook, a six-time Producer of the Year and a master storyteller with over 20 years of experience. Bobby breaks down his industry-agnostic approach to creating emotionally resonant videos for brands in...

Ever feel like you’re missing out on the financial stability of a 9-to-5? This episode tackles the often-ignored (but crucial) conversation about long-term financial planning for entrepreneurs. We're not just talking to a financial expert; we're learning from Chris Stemler, a true serial entrepreneur who has built an impressive portfolio of seven different companies, from an event venue...

In this game-changing episode, Rebecca Whitney shares over 30 years of experience helping businesses scale from millions to nearly $100 million. She reveals why the key to explosive growth isn't hustling harder, but slowing down to build powerful, scalable frameworks. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed or stuck, as Rebecca breaks down how to achieve true fr...

Tired of answering the same questions over and over? Frustrated that your team's valuable knowledge gets lost in endless Slack channels? In this episode, Tomas Franc, CEO and founder of the NextKS Framework, reveals how to transform your team's scattered "tribal knowledge" into a powerful, scalable, and searchable asset. Tomas breaks down his journey from identifying a common b...

Financial wellness expert Peter Waitzman joins the show to completely reframe how you think about money on your entrepreneurial journey. He reveals why the generic financial advice we’ve all heard is holding founders back and what to do instead. This episode is a masterclass in building a rock-solid financial foundation that gives you the freedom to experiment, build, and scale your business respo...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Rachel Jackson, an interior designer who has carved out a powerful niche by creating wellness-centered, sensory-friendly spaces. Rachel shares her incredible journey of turning personal experience—navigating her own ADHD and her son’s sensory needs—into a thriving business that supports neurodiverse households. This conversation is a masterclass in finding you...

Cybersecurity isn’t just for big businesses anymore—it’s something every entrepreneur, household, and solopreneur needs to think about. In this eye-opening episode, Erik Barnett, founder of HomeSirens, breaks down why we’re all vulnerable and how he created a plug-and-play cybersecurity solution that anyone can use. With a background in the U.S. Marines and deep experience in enterprise security,...

Lee Thompson of ClickSense pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed as a local business today. He reveals why local SEO is a completely different beast than national SEO and how focusing on conversions, not just traffic, is the key to sustainable growth. This episode is a masterclass for any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur who needs to get customers through the door and, more import...

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with Nadine Keller, who scaled her first consulting business to over seven figures. Nadine shares her transparent and inspiring journey, from the early struggles and devastating setbacks of entrepreneurship to the personal tragedy that prompted a major pivot. She reveals how she shifted from helping wealthy institutions get wealthier to building a heart-ce...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Mike Paradise—CFO of Chirocare of Florida and founder of Paradise Automation Solutions—to uncover how he’s helping small businesses scale smarter through automation and AI. With a finance background from PwC to Ryder, Mike blends strategic thinking with tech implementation in ways that increase revenue while decreasing headcount. Whether you're a solopren...

Tired of the "move fast and break things" mantra leading to broken products and unhappy customers? This episode is your antidote. We sit down with Megan Maloney, a 20+ year Quality Assurance (QA) veteran and founder of Maloney and Associates, who has built a career on making sure good products see the light of day. Megan unpacks why "quality" isn't a stuffy corporate term,...

Eric Schell didn’t just flip homes—he flipped the script on how property repairs are handled. In this episode, you’ll meet the founder and CEO of OneTap, a smart repair request system designed to eliminate the bottlenecks and inefficiencies that plague maintenance workflows. With a background in construction and real estate, Eric brings a rare blend of hands-on experience and visionary thinking to...

What if AI could find your next customer before you even know they exist? That’s exactly what Anish Chopra is doing with Intently—an AI-powered platform that deploys personalized agents to crawl Reddit, LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and more to detect real-time buying signals. In this episode, you’ll hear how Anish went from coder to founder and built a tool that’s changing the game for B2B sales, SM...

Tired of feeling like sales is a full-contact sport you’re losing? In this episode, Wes Schaeffer, aka "The Sales Whisperer," demystifies the art and science of selling. He reveals why the old-school "Always Be Closing" mantra is dead and why your success hinges on being trusted, not just liked. Wes explains that your role isn't to convince anyone, but to provide new infor...

In this powerfully inspiring episode, Caroline Breeding shares how she went from being an occupational therapist to founding and scaling over 50 healthcare businesses across seven states. But this isn’t just a story about success—it’s a masterclass in servant leadership, adaptability, and creating real impact through entrepreneurship. Caroline’s ability to merge healthcare expertise with business...