Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Meet Andrew Safnauer, a serial entrepreneur who proves that the pattern of success isn't about luck—it's about execution. From winning an Emmy and launching a seven-figure apparel brand to building a luxury vehicle wholesale organization from scratch, Andrew has mastered the art of turning ideas into reality. In this episode, he breaks down the single biggest obstacle holding most wantre...

In this powerhouse episode, Brian sits down with David Frederiksen, a seasoned CEO who has lived through the entrepreneurial gauntlet and emerged with a playbook for massive growth. David shares the raw, unfiltered story of scaling his healthcare company to over $250 million in receivables, including mortgaging his house three times and raising $16 million from angel investors (a move he surprisin...

Ever feel like your business is stuck in a rut, doing the same things while the world changes around you? In this powerful episode, corporate anthropologist Dr. Andi Simon reveals how to see your business, your customers, and your market with a completely fresh lens. She breaks down why the "more of the same, but cheaper" model is a recipe for disaster and introduces the game-changing pr...

Ever get lost in a chaotic group chat trying to plan a simple trip or event? Ankit Dave, a former Google software engineer and product manager, saw this exact problem and left his "golden handcuffs" to build the solution. In this episode, he unveils Farflung.ai , his AI-native platform designed to transform messy conversations into organized, actionable plans. This episode is a mastercla...

Ever feel like you have too many ideas and not enough focus? Andrew Mathewes is here to show you why that might be your greatest strength. In this episode, Andrew shares his incredible journey of leaving a high-profile role at the National Civil Rights Museum to launch not one, but two completely different businesses simultaneously: Jehl Consulting, a tech consultancy for nonprofits, and Stomping...

In this episode, fractional CMO and founder of Garde Haus Marketing, Cristin Padgett, breaks down the art and science of building a predictable, scalable marketing engine. She explains why relying on "vibes" is a surefire way to waste time and money, and how to shift to a data-driven, systematic approach. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur tired of inconsistent results. Y...

As the new year approaches, are you tired of setting the same old resolutions that fizzle out by February? It’s time to stop making wishes and start building a strategic roadmap. In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his completely evolved annual planning process — a powerful 6-layer framework he’s using to design his best year yet in 2026. Forget spreadsheets and simple goa...

Tired of the screen time battle and the overwhelming number of single-use gadgets for kids? This episode tackles the "iPad kid" epidemic head-on with Dhruv Chadha, founder of Ahmi. Drawing from his experience building hit products at Blackberry, Microsoft, and T-Mobile, Dhruv shares how his personal journey as a father led him to create Ahmi—an all-in-one intelligent device that serves a...

Justin Steele, a former Google.org director who oversaw $700 million in grants, found himself on the other side of the table as a non-profit founder struggling to afford fundraising tools. Instead of accepting the status quo, he taught himself to code with AI and built Kindora, a Public Benefit Corporation that makes professional fundraising tools accessible to all. This episode is a masterclass i...

In a world buzzing with AI, how do you cut through the noise to make decisions that actually grow your business? This episode features Bobby Thompson, the founder of WUNN Labs, who is demystifying the world of data for entrepreneurs. Bobby breaks down how the information you already have—from sales calls and emails to CRM entries—is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. He explains how modern AI makes...

Ever feel like you have a brilliant business plan, but something mysterious always gets in the way of executing it perfectly? This episode is your answer. Dominique Samari, a former attorney turned strategist and healing arts practitioner, pulls back the curtain on the invisible forces—the hidden organizational and leadership patterns—that sabotage our success. This isn't just another strateg...

Ready to stop letting fear dictate your entrepreneurial journey? In this episode, Brian sits down with Théa Watkins, an impactful coach with 27 years of experience as a global business leader. Théa shares her incredible story of leaving a secure corporate career to build a business around her passion: helping people and organizations realize their full potential. This episode is a masterclass in o...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Dom Kwong, the engineer-turned-CEO who is revolutionizing personal mobility with Damon Motors. Dom shares the inside story of how he’s tackling one of the biggest challenges in transportation—motorcycle safety—by applying advanced technology and data analytics in ways the industry has never seen before. This episode is a masterclass in innovation, showing how...

Ever get that feeling of "senioritis" in December? The days get shorter, the holidays get closer, and the temptation to mentally check out and just "drift" until the new year is real. But what if that drift is costing you your momentum for next year? In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on why the most successful entrepreneurs use this time not to slow down...

This episode is a masterclass in resilience from a man who has lived it. Aaron “Sergeant Q” Quinonez takes us on his incredible journey from a Marine special forces operator to a homeless veteran battling PTSD, and ultimately to a purpose-driven CEO of a 150+ employee company. This isn't just an inspiring story; it's a practical blueprint for rewiring your brain to overcome any obstacle....

AI feels like a superpower, but how do you actually harness it to create real, measurable growth? In this episode, we sit down with Kacy Webster, a "positive disruptor" and CEO of Profit Quiver, who transforms how businesses navigate the complexities of the AI era. Kacy breaks down why technology is never the real problem—it's the leadership mindset and the failure to bring your peo...

Get ready to be energized! This episode features the incredible Brandi Croghan, founder of The What If Collective, who shares her powerful framework for unlocking human potential. Brandi explains how a corporate restructuring became the catalyst for her to finally bet on herself and launch her own business. She dives deep into the "What If Mindset," a transformative approach anchored in...

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the rise of AI? This episode is your antidote. Charisse Tabak joins us to reframe the conversation, shifting the focus from fear to empowerment. She reveals how the key to mastering AI isn't just about learning to prompt—it's about mastering your own internal state. Charisse explains that by combining AI skills with embodied leadership, entrepreneurs can...

Peter Williams is the definition of a multi-talented entrepreneur, seamlessly blending raw creativity with razor-sharp business strategy. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his journey of building Designerds, a creative agency that has served global giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Samsung for over a decade. Peter reveals the "grit and hard work" required in the early days, th...

Tired of launching new projects, software, or processes only to see them fail because your team won’t get on board? In this episode, Scott Sager, founder of ChangeMap, breaks down the critical difference between project management and true change leadership. He reveals why even the most perfectly planned initiatives flop and how you can bridge the gap between building a great solution and getting...

Ever wonder why a sales pitch felt "off," a follow-up email sounded desperate, or a high-stakes meeting didn't go as planned? In this special "on-the-go" Solo Sunday episode, Brian Lofrumento breaks down one of the most fundamental truths of entrepreneurship using a simple analogy: you can only get lemon juice from a lemon. He explains that whatever is truly inside of you—...

Ever feel like you’re crushing it in your business but struggling to find the same success in your personal life? You're not alone. In this episode, entrepreneurial psychiatrist Dr. Laura Dabney reveals how the subconscious emotional patterns we developed in childhood can directly impact our decisions, relationships, and ultimate success as entrepreneurs. This isn't just a therapy sessio...

Are you wrestling with the question of whether to build your personal brand or your company brand? According to Collin Rutherford, CEO of FounderBrands, the answer is clear: your personal brand is 100 times easier and 100 times more effective. In this masterclass episode, Collin breaks down the exact strategies he used to grow his own audience and now uses to help B2B founders drive hundreds of th...

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with Brandon Pankey, a board-certified master arborist who transformed his lifelong passion for trees into Blue Pine Works, a thriving, mission-driven business. Brandon shares his raw and authentic journey from "glorified self-employment" to becoming a true CEO who leads a team, lands major city contracts, and builds a legacy. This episode is a m...

In a world obsessed with complex marketing funnels and expensive ad campaigns, Adam Aldred proves that winning in business often comes down to mastering the fundamentals. He breaks down how he built his own growth marketing agency, Orsin, to $40K/month in recurring revenue entirely through referrals and organic content. This episode is a masterclass in practical, data-driven growth for any entrepr...