A Founder's Life

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife 
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Meredith Hirsh
Website: meredithhirsh.com

Instagram: @WorkingHealthcare

Facebook: @WorkingHealthcare

LinkedIn: @meredithfhirsh

YouTube: @WorkingHealthcare

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithfhirsh

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/working-healthcare/id1746629912

Confidence is one of the greatest advantages an entrepreneur can have. Before anyone else believes in your vision, you have to believe in yourself.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Meredith Hirs, CEO of the Hirs Center for Arthritis & Sports Medicine, to discuss her unconventional journey from advertising and education into healthcare entrepreneurship, where she built and now leads one of South Florida’s largest independent rheumatology practices.

Meredith shares how a difficult partnership offer presented to her husband became the catalyst for launching their own medical practice. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a thriving organization with more than 60 employees, multiple physicians, advanced practitioners, and a reputation for patient-centered care.

But this conversation goes well beyond healthcare.

Meredith opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with raising three children, returning to earn her MBA later in life, and learning one of the hardest lessons every founder faces: you can delegate responsibilities, but you can never completely walk away from your business.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, confidence, family, health, personal growth, and the mindset required to build a successful company while creating a meaningful life.

Whether you’re launching your first business or leading an established organization, Meredith shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why confidence is one of a founder’s greatest assets
 • How believing in yourself creates new opportunities
 • Why founders can never completely abandon their business
 • The importance of building the right leadership team
 • How family influences entrepreneurial decisions
 • Why continuous learning creates stronger leaders
 • The value of prioritizing your health and wellbeing
 • How saying “no” becomes a leadership skill
 • Why success comes from both aptitude and attitude

Meredith also shares how returning to graduate school transformed her leadership, why she’s intentionally entering a new chapter focused on herself and her family, and how decades of entrepreneurial experience have strengthened her belief that confidence is often the deciding factor between success and failure.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, confidence, personal development, work-life balance, and startup journeys, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Rick Beyer
Website: https://engagewellness.org
Website: https://onepacificfs.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/engagewellness/
Email: [email protected]

Building a successful business isn’t just about growing revenue—it’s about creating a life where your health, family, faith, and purpose grow alongside it.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Rick Beyer, CEO of Engage Wellness and COO of One Pacific Financial Strategies, to discuss how decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and business transformation shaped his philosophy on success, wellness, and intentional living.

Rick shares his remarkable journey from leading major mergers and acquisitions for Daimler and Freightliner to building one of Arizona’s largest financial services practices before launching businesses focused on financial planning, employee wellness, and behavioral change.

But this conversation goes far beyond business.

Rick explains why true leadership begins with serving others, how wellness and financial planning are both rooted in human behavior, and why entrepreneurs should focus on creating sustainable success instead of simply working harder.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, health, faith, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to become better.

Whether you’re building your first company or leading an established organization, Rick shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why great leadership begins with serving others
• How wellness and financial planning share the same behavioral principles
• Why entrepreneurs should focus on consistency instead of perfection
• The importance of protecting your health while building a business
• How faith and purpose shape better leadership decisions
• Why surrounding yourself with great people accelerates success
• The value of being coachable throughout your entrepreneurial journey
• How intentional family time creates lasting impact
• Why believing in yourself is the first step toward earning the trust of others

Rick also shares how transitioning from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship changed his perspective on success, why helping employers improve employee wellness became his personal mission, and how staying focused on your purpose allows you to navigate life’s biggest challenges.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, health and wellness, resilience, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife 
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Richard Crane

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcrane/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/richcrane

YouTube (Inventing Fire with AI)

https://www.youtube.com/@InventingFirewithAI

Blog (Inventing Fire with AI)

https://inventingfirewith.ai/

Business Website (MILL5)

https://mill5.com/

Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing entrepreneurs—it’s empowering the founders who are willing to adapt faster than everyone else.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Richard Crane, Founder, CTO, and CIO of Mil5, to discuss entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and the mindset required to build a global technology company in one of the fastest-changing industries in the world.

Richard shares his journey from electrical and computer engineering to Microsoft, where he spent a decade helping enterprise customers solve their toughest technical challenges before co-founding Mil5. What started with two people in a room has grown into a global software development and AI consulting company with more than 350 employees across seven countries.

But this conversation goes far beyond technology.

Richard explains why entrepreneurs must embrace discomfort, why AI is becoming an essential skill for every professional, and how continuously investing in yourself is the only way to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, health, family, artificial intelligence, and the habits that help founders continue growing long after their companies become successful.

Whether you’re building a startup, leading a technology company, or simply trying to stay ahead in the age of AI, Richard shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why AI is becoming a non-negotiable skill for every entrepreneur
 • How continuous learning creates long-term competitive advantages
 • Why embracing discomfort leads to greater success
 • The importance of investing in yourself before investing in your business
 • How health and fitness improve entrepreneurial performance
 • Why keeping your circle small helps maintain focus
 • How global technology companies scale successfully
 • Why entrepreneurs should welcome change instead of resisting it
 • How resilience shapes both leadership and personal growth

Richard also shares the childhood experiences that fueled his relentless work ethic, why he believes comfort is the enemy of progress, and how staying curious has helped him build multiple successful technology ventures throughout his career.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, founder mindset, business leadership, startup journeys, technology, innovation, and personal development, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Bart Davis
Website: https://512financial.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartdavis512/

Building a successful business isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about making confident decisions with incomplete information and staying focused on what matters most.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Bart Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of 512 Financial, to discuss his unexpected journey from public accounting to entrepreneurship and how helping founders gain financial clarity has become his life’s work.

Bart shares how a career that began at PwC auditing oil and gas companies evolved into leading finance and accounting operations for software companies before launching 512 Financial, a fractional finance firm that helps startups and growing businesses build the financial foundation needed to scale successfully.

But this conversation goes beyond accounting.

Bart opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with raising two young daughters, why protecting family time has become one of his highest priorities, and how rediscovering fitness has made him a more productive entrepreneur and leader.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, family, health, financial strategy, resilience, and the realities of building a company while navigating uncertainty.

Whether you’re starting your first business or growing an established company, Bart shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why financial clarity helps businesses grow faster
 • How fractional finance teams support scaling companies
 • Why entrepreneurs must make decisions without perfect information
 • The importance of protecting family time as a founder
 • How fitness improves focus, energy, and leadership
 • Why uncertainty is part of every entrepreneurial journey
 • How trusting your team creates stronger organizations
 • Why flexibility matters when building a growing business
 • How long-term consistency creates sustainable success

Bart also shares how becoming a father reshaped his priorities, why the COVID years strengthened his appreciation for family, and how embracing uncertainty has helped him build a thriving business serving startups across the country.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, financial planning, startup growth, business strategy, resilience, and personal development, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Dave Grebetz
LinkedIn: Dave Grebez

Building a successful business isn’t about avoiding setbacks—it’s about having the resilience to keep moving forward when everyone else tells you to quit.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Dave Grebetz, Founder of ClearCom, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey from working in manufacturing and cable television to building and successfully exiting a multi-million-dollar security and technology integration company.

Dave shares how he recognized emerging technologies long before they became mainstream, from cable television and fiber optics to digital surveillance systems. Starting as one person in a van, he grew ClearCom into a business generating more than $5 million in annual revenue before successfully selling the company after nearly two decades of building with the end in mind.

But this conversation goes far beyond entrepreneurship.

Dave opens up about losing his first wife to cancer, how that experience reshaped his perspective on health and life, and why perseverance became the defining characteristic of both his personal and professional journey.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, health, family, long-term planning, and the mindset required to overcome life’s biggest challenges.

Whether you’re launching your first business or preparing for an eventual exit, Dave shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why every entrepreneur should begin with the end in mind
 • How perseverance separates successful founders from everyone else
 • Why recognizing emerging technologies creates business opportunities
 • The importance of building recurring revenue into your business
 • How health and fitness improve long-term leadership
 • Why planning your exit should start years before you sell
 • How resilience helps entrepreneurs overcome major setbacks
 • Why surrounding yourself with trusted advisors accelerates growth
 • How staying true to your purpose creates lasting success

Dave also shares how personal tragedy transformed his outlook on life, why investing in his health became one of his greatest priorities, and how decades of preparation ultimately led to a successful business exit and a fulfilling new chapter focused on family, travel, and giving back.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, business exits, resilience, startup journeys, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

Connect with today's guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradswineheart/
Oxford Advisory Group: https://oxfordadvisorygroup.com/

Entrepreneurial success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about developing the mindset to keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Brad Swineheart, Chief Growth Officer at Oxford Advisory Group, to discuss the lessons he’s learned throughout a career in sales, marketing, financial services, and leadership.

Brad shares how he went from working construction and retail sales to helping thousands of families better understand retirement planning and financial education. Along the way, he discovered that the greatest opportunities often come from simplifying complex ideas and building trust through education.

But this conversation goes far beyond business.

Brad opens up about losing everything in a devastating Florida hurricane, how that experience reshaped his perspective on family and success, and why resilience is one of the most valuable traits every entrepreneur can develop.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, health, family, personal growth, and the mindset required to overcome life’s biggest challenges.

Whether you’re launching your first startup or growing an established business, Brad shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why entrepreneurial success begins with the right mindset
 • How resilience helps founders overcome life’s biggest setbacks
 • Why family should always be your strongest support system
 • The importance of simplifying complex ideas for your customers
 • How health and fitness improve entrepreneurial performance
 • Why marketing is the foundation of every successful business
 • How taking time to recharge makes you a better leader
 • Why determination matters more than talent alone
 • How confidence and consistency create long-term success

Brad also shares how rebuilding his life after losing everything in a hurricane strengthened his family, why his wife has been one of the biggest influences on his success, and how entrepreneurs can stay focused when facing uncertainty and adversity.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, resilience, marketing, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest
Website: http://www.leffcommunications.com/
Substack: https://substack.com/ ⁨@lefffield⁩  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmleff/

Entrepreneurship often begins with one simple decision: saying yes before you know exactly how you’re going to make it happen.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Scott Leff, Founder and CEO of Leff Communications, to discuss how a freelance writing career evolved into a global B2B content marketing agency serving some of the world’s largest consulting firms.

Scott shares his entrepreneurial journey from editing the McKinsey Quarterly and working on Chicago’s Olympic bid to launching Leff Communications, a business that’s grown over 16 years by embracing opportunities, learning through experience, and continuously adapting to client needs.

But this conversation goes far beyond content marketing.

Scott explains why some of the best business opportunities come from saying “yes” before you have all the answers, how learning through failure helped shape his leadership style, and why entrepreneurs don’t need to know everything before getting started.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, creativity, personal growth, and the importance of building confidence through action.

Whether you’re starting your first business or growing an established company, Scott shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why saying yes creates unexpected business opportunities
 • How entrepreneurs learn by doing instead of waiting for certainty
 • Why failure builds resilience and confidence
 • The importance of surrounding yourself with experienced mentors
 • How listening to clients helps businesses evolve
 • Why agency and ownership improve both leadership and mental health
 • How creativity fuels long-term business growth
 • Why building a successful company is an ongoing process of adaptation
 • How small opportunities can become long-term client relationships

Scott also shares why music has remained an important creative outlet throughout his career, how raising children reinforced the value of resilience, and why every entrepreneur should seek advice from people who have already walked the path they’re beginning.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, content marketing, resilience, startup journeys, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Darren Lauda

LinkedIn: Darren Lauda

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.outsetops.com

Great leadership isn’t built by avoiding challenges—it’s built by embracing them, learning from failure, and taking action before you feel completely ready.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Darren Lauda, Founder and CEO of Outset, to discuss his remarkable journey from serving in the U.S. Army to leading global software companies and launching an AI-powered forecasting platform designed to help businesses make smarter decisions.

Darren shares how his career began as a receptionist at a small software company after leaving the military, working his way through sales and executive leadership roles at companies like Salesforce before eventually founding Outset. Along the way, he learned that success comes from consistency, resilience, and staying focused on what matters most.

But this conversation goes far beyond software and AI.

Darren opens up about a defining moment when his young son left him a voicemail saying he had to look at his father’s picture to remember what he looked like. That moment completely changed Darren’s priorities, leading him to transform his health, become more present with his family, and redefine what success truly means.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, health, family, artificial intelligence, and the mindset required to build both a successful business and a meaningful life.

Whether you’re launching your first startup or leading a growing company, Darren shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why taking action is more important than waiting for perfection
 • How resilience is built through difficult experiences
 • Why family should always come before career success
 • How AI can improve business forecasting and decision-making
 • The importance of scheduling your health like any other business priority
 • Why celebrating failure accelerates learning
 • How military discipline shaped Darren’s leadership style
 • Why founders should spend more time talking to customers than perfecting products
 • How long-term consistency creates extraordinary results

Darren also shares the Army lesson that permanently changed his mindset, why strength training and health became essential after years of constant travel, and how redefining his priorities helped him become a better husband, father, and entrepreneur.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, artificial intelligence, resilience, startup journeys, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife  
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife 
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Lindsay Gorrill
Website: https://www.stargoldcorp.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-gorrill-b98b07176/

Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s often the foundation of it. The entrepreneurs who build lasting companies aren’t the ones who avoid setbacks, but the ones who learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Lindsay Gorril, Founder and CEO of Star Gold Corp., to discuss his remarkable entrepreneurial journey through the global mining industry and the lessons he learned from building businesses across North America, India, and beyond.

Lindsay shares how he left a successful accounting career to launch his first mining company with just $60,000, only to discover that his first acquisition was the wrong business. Facing the possibility of bankruptcy early in his entrepreneurial journey, he was forced to reassess, pivot, and rebuild—a decision that ultimately shaped the rest of his career.

But this conversation goes far beyond mining.

Lindsay explains why belief in yourself is one of the most important qualities an entrepreneur can develop, how international business taught him the importance of understanding different cultures, and why surrounding yourself with talented people leads to better decisions.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, health, travel, and the mindset required to build companies that stand the test of time.

Whether you’re launching your first startup or leading an established business, Lindsay shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why failure often becomes the greatest teacher in entrepreneurship
 • How believing in yourself helps overcome major setbacks
 • Why understanding different cultures creates better leaders
 • The importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking
 • How family provides stability throughout the entrepreneurial journey
 • Why resilience matters more than early success
 • How adapting after failure creates new opportunities
 • Why entrepreneurs should deeply understand both their business and their competitors
 • How long-term vision helps founders navigate uncertainty

Lindsay also shares how building businesses around the world expanded his perspective on leadership, why environmental responsibility is critical to modern mining, and how decades of persistence eventually positioned him to develop his fourth mine after years of waiting for the right market conditions.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, resilience, startup journeys, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Founder’s Life.

🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life
 • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife 
 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/
 • Instagram: @afounderslife
  • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Ken Salazar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-salazar-00198a8/

Website: https://www.gosilveredge.com/

Email: [email protected]

Building wealth is rewarding—but building a meaningful life is what truly matters. The most successful entrepreneurs eventually discover that success isn’t measured by the size of their business, but by the impact they have on their family, community, and the people around them.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Ken Salazar, entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of SilverEdge, to discuss his journey through the payments industry, fintech, entrepreneurship, and the life lessons that came from building and selling successful companies.

Ken shares how his career began in investment banking during the dot-com crash before transitioning into the payments industry, where he helped businesses adopt emerging technologies that transformed how companies accept and process payments. After successfully exiting his business, he entered the fintech world before returning to lead SilverEdge with a renewed vision for modernizing business payments.

But this conversation goes far beyond fintech.

Ken reflects on a pivotal moment in his early thirties when he realized that despite achieving financial success, something was missing. That realization led him to redefine success around faith, family, health, and service—principles that continue to guide both his business and personal life.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, health, family, personal growth, and why success without purpose can leave entrepreneurs feeling empty.

Whether you’re building your first startup or leading an established business, Ken shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why true wealth extends beyond financial success
 • How technology continues transforming the payments industry
 • Why entrepreneurs should avoid scaling before they’re ready
 • The importance of building businesses with the right people and systems
 • How health and fitness improve leadership performance
 • Why intentional family time creates lasting impact
 • How faith and purpose reshape entrepreneurial success
 • Why surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs accelerates growth
 • How continuous self-improvement creates better leaders

Ken also shares how CrossFit, travel, and lifelong learning help him stay energized, why family dinners became one of his highest priorities, and how building a successful business means very little if you lose sight of the people who matter most.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, fintech, payments, resilience, personal development, and building meaningful businesses, you’ll enjoy this episode.

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1