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 – Heather Udo
Company: Shoppable
Website: https://www.shoppable.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherudo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherudo1/

The biggest skill every founder needs isn’t raising money or writing code—it’s learning how to hear “no” without giving up.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Heather Udo, Founder and CEO of Shoppable, to discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, resilience, and the journey of building a company that transformed the way brands sell products online.

Heather shares how a frustrating shopping experience while furnishing her first apartment led her to identify a massive gap in e-commerce. Instead of accepting that frustration as normal, she built Shoppable—a technology platform that enables brands, publishers, and creators to embed checkout experiences directly into content.

But this conversation goes far beyond technology.

Heather reflects on the countless rejections she received while pitching some of the world’s largest retailers, why persistence ultimately opened doors, and how balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood has reshaped her definition of success.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, health, startup growth, and the importance of building companies around real customer problems.

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

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why hearing “no” is part of every entrepreneurial journey
 • How solving your own frustration can lead to a successful business
 • Why founders should validate ideas before building products
 • The importance of starting with a true minimum viable product (MVP)
 • How persistence turns rejection into opportunity
 • Why work-life integration is more realistic than work-life balance
 • How fitness and healthy routines improve entrepreneurial performance
 • Why networking accelerates startup growth
 • How customer conversations shape better products

Heather also shares how moving to New York transformed her business, why becoming a mother changed the way she leads, and how building a remote company has allowed her to spend more meaningful time with her family while continuing to grow Shoppable.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, startup growth, innovation, 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 – Brandon Martini

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

Stratus Financial: https://stratisfinance.com

Aviation Mentors Podcast: Available on YouTube & Spotify

Success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about refusing to let failure define you. Every entrepreneur will face setbacks, but the founders who keep moving forward are the ones who ultimately build something extraordinary.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Brandon Martini, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Stratus Financial, to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, aviation, and the lessons he learned from rebuilding after nearly losing everything.

Brandon shares his journey from launching a flight school with almost no money to building one of the fastest-growing aviation finance companies in North America. Along the way, he experienced one of every founder’s worst nightmares—nearly his entire team walked out overnight to launch a competing business, taking employees and customers with them.

But this conversation goes far beyond business.

Brandon opens up about rebuilding from one of the lowest moments of his entrepreneurial career, how losing over 100 pounds transformed his health and confidence, and why becoming a father completely changed his perspective on success.

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

Whether you’re launching your first startup or navigating a difficult season in business, Brandon shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why every setback contains an opportunity to rebuild stronger
 • How resilience separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else
 • Why contentment matters more than chasing happiness
 • The importance of prioritizing your physical health as a founder
 • How intermittent fasting and fitness transformed Brandon’s life
 • Why work-life integration is more realistic than work-life balance
 • How clear expectations strengthen both business and personal relationships
 • Why believing in yourself is the foundation of entrepreneurship
 • How creativity helps founders solve seemingly impossible problems

Brandon also shares how aviation became his lifelong passion, why scuba diving taught him to face fear head-on, and how one of the most painful betrayals of his career ultimately made him a stronger entrepreneur and leader.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, resilience, aviation, startup growth, 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 – Ed DeAngelis
Website: https://www.edacontractors.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-deangelis-eda-contractors/

Entrepreneurship isn’t for people looking for an easy life. It’s for people willing to embrace uncertainty, push through adversity, and stay committed long after the excitement of starting a business has faded.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Ed DeAngelis, Founder and CEO of EDA Contractors, to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts more than two decades.

Ed shares how his entrepreneurial journey began as a paperboy before eventually founding EDA Contractors, which has grown into one of the leading commercial construction companies in the Northeast. Along the way, he learned that success isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about learning from them, adapting, and continuing to move forward.

But this conversation goes far beyond construction.

Ed reflects on the years he pushed himself to exhaustion before realizing that building a healthy business starts with building a healthy founder. He explains why balance, resilience, and emotional intelligence have become some of the most important tools in his leadership journey.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, health, personal growth, and the long-term mindset required to build a meaningful business.

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

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why entrepreneurship isn’t for people seeking an easy life
 • How resilience is built through difficult seasons
 • Why balance creates stronger leaders and healthier businesses
 • The importance of protecting your physical and mental health
 • How emotional intelligence improves leadership
 • Why every entrepreneur should expect setbacks along the journey
 • How mistakes become your greatest teachers
 • Why being fully committed is essential to building a successful business
 • How putting people first creates stronger organizations

Ed also shares how nearly burning himself out completely changed the way he leads, why “humanity as a strategy” became a core philosophy of his business, and how embracing the natural highs and lows of entrepreneurship has allowed him to build a company that continues to grow more than 25 years after it began.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, resilience, personal development, health, company culture, 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/ajay-gupta-24255366/

Website: https://www.stirista.com/

Stirista's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stirista-global/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Stirista

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stirista/

Many founders put everything into building one successful business—but what happens when that industry suddenly disappears? The entrepreneurs who survive are the ones who know how to adapt before it’s too late.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with AJ Gupta, Founder and CEO of Starista, to discuss entrepreneurship, marketing, resilience, and why diversification is one of the most important strategies every founder should embrace.

AJ shares his unconventional journey from studying creative writing to building a data-driven marketing company that helps businesses acquire customers through intelligent audience targeting. Along the way, he discovered that success isn’t about following the traditional path—it’s about combining your unique skills with opportunities the market needs.

But this conversation goes far beyond marketing.

AJ reflects on how COVID nearly devastated his business after losing two of his largest clients almost overnight, why his team refused to panic, and how a strategic pivot ultimately made the company stronger than ever.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, health, personal growth, and the importance of continuously adapting in an unpredictable world.

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

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why every founder should diversify before they need to
 • How creative thinking can become a competitive business advantage
 • Why passion makes entrepreneurship sustainable
 • The importance of building a healthy company culture
 • How fitness and sports improve leadership performance
 • Why lifelong learning creates better entrepreneurs
 • How to pivot when your business faces unexpected challenges
 • Why routines and daily habits improve long-term performance
 • How resilience helps founders navigate uncertainty

AJ also shares how creative writing unexpectedly prepared him for entrepreneurship, why traveling the world with his family has become one of his biggest priorities, and how staying curious continues to shape both his business and his life.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, marketing, resilience, startup growth, 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 – Candy Messer
Website: https://affordablebookkeepingandpayroll.com/
Podcast: Biz Help For You
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candymesser/

Building a successful business isn’t about working harder forever—it’s about creating systems that eventually allow your business to thrive without you.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Candy Messer, Founder of Affordable Bookkeeping & Payroll and Fractional COO, to discuss entrepreneurship, delegation, financial freedom, and why so many business owners accidentally become prisoners of the companies they built.

Candy shares how she never planned to become an entrepreneur until someone convinced her to help with their business. What began as a single client eventually grew into a successful company helping entrepreneurs with bookkeeping, payroll, and business operations while empowering them to reclaim both their time and their lives.

But this conversation goes far beyond accounting.

Candy explains why many founders struggle to delegate, how setting healthy boundaries transformed her business, and why building systems—not dependency—is the key to achieving true freedom as an entrepreneur.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, family, health, delegation, resilience, and the mindset required to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.

Whether you’re launching your first company or trying to escape the day-to-day demands of an existing business, Candy shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why delegation is essential for long-term business growth
 • How healthy boundaries create stronger businesses
 • Why entrepreneurs often become the biggest bottleneck in their companies
 • The importance of building systems that allow your business to operate without you
 • How taking care of your health improves your leadership
 • Why family should remain a priority throughout your entrepreneurial journey
 • How empowering employees creates stronger teams
 • Why stepping away from your business actually makes it healthier
 • How combining financial freedom with time freedom creates lasting success

Candy also shares how leaving the security of a traditional job changed her life, why her husband’s encouragement gave her the confidence to become an entrepreneur, and how taking a true vacation without checking email became one of the biggest milestones in her business journey.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, delegation, financial freedom, work-life balance, resilience, 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 – Charlie Cole
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliecole
Email: [email protected]
Company: XGen.ai

Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing entrepreneurs—but it is changing what great entrepreneurs look like. The founders who thrive in the next decade won’t be the ones who resist AI. They’ll be the ones who learn how to work alongside it.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Charlie Cole, CEO of XGen AI and former executive at brands including Samsonite, TUMI, and Lucky Brand, to discuss entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, leadership, and the future of business.

Charlie shares his unconventional journey from studying mathematics with plans to attend law school to becoming one of the leading voices in digital commerce. After decades leading e-commerce for global brands, he recognized the transformational potential of generative AI and founded XGen AI to help businesses create smarter, more personalized shopping experiences.

But this conversation goes far beyond technology.

Charlie reflects on how becoming a father completely reshaped his priorities, why losing both of his parents changed his perspective on life, and how balancing ambition with presence has become one of the most important challenges of his entrepreneurial journey.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, artificial intelligence, family, health, resilience, and the mindset required to adapt in an era of rapid technological change.

Whether you’re building a startup or leading an established company, Charlie shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why AI will transform business without replacing great leaders
 • How entrepreneurs can use AI to become more productive
 • Why personalization is the future of customer experience
 • The importance of knowing both your strengths and weaknesses
 • How becoming a parent changes your definition of success
 • Why energy is one of an entrepreneur’s greatest assets
 • How travel expands your perspective as a leader
 • Why self-awareness creates better founders
 • How surrounding yourself with mentors accelerates growth

Charlie also shares why cooking has become one of his favorite ways to recharge, how traveling to more than 90 countries shaped his worldview, and why asking yourself, “Am I doing everything I can?” has become the foundation of his definition of a balanced life.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, artificial intelligence, business leadership, e-commerce, 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

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: https://open.spotify.com/show/70mfiPVuefpTnQHskflEqc?si=d8f658731c9248ba
 • Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-founders-life/id1780849489

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Steven Muro

• Website: gowithfusion.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-muro-2985413/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowithfusion/

The goal of entrepreneurship isn’t to retire as early as possible—it’s to build a life so fulfilling that you never feel the need to escape from it.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Stephen Muro, Founder and President of Fusion Marketing, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, integrity, and what it takes to build a business that lasts for decades.

Stephen shares how a successful corporate marketing career at companies like L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble eventually led him to launch Fusion Marketing. After recognizing an opportunity to bring modern marketing strategies into the fresh produce industry, he built an agency that has spent decades helping companies communicate more effectively while staying true to one simple principle: always do what’s best for the client.

But this conversation goes far beyond marketing.

Stephen reflects on raising three entrepreneurial sons, why honesty has become the foundation of every client relationship, and how intentionally designing a fulfilling life has allowed him to continue working because he wants to—not because he has to.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, family, health, resilience, purpose, and the importance of building a business around values instead of short-term profits.

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

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why honesty builds stronger businesses than sales tactics
 • How passion creates long-term entrepreneurial success
 • Why helping clients—even when it costs you money—builds trust
 • The importance of creating a business you never want to retire from
 • How health and fitness contribute to better leadership
 • Why family remains the greatest measure of success
 • How cycling and lifelong habits support long-term well-being
 • Why entrepreneurs should focus on serving instead of selling
 • How integrity compounds into lasting business relationships

Stephen also shares why traveling the world with his wife has become one of his greatest joys, how preserving classic cars keeps him connected to his past, and why his family’s motto—“do it before your wheels fall off”—perfectly captures his philosophy on living a meaningful life.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, integrity, marketing, 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

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: https://open.spotify.com/show/70mfiPVuefpTnQHskflEqc?si=d8f658731c9248ba
 • Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-founders-life/id1780849489

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Alison Weick
•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aweick/
•Instagram: @Alison_Weick
•Company: https://www.jewlr.com/

Building a successful career doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when you’re willing to leave your comfort zone and embrace opportunities you never planned for.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Alison Weick, CEO of Jewlr, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, career pivots, work-life balance, and what it takes to grow businesses through periods of rapid change.

Alison shares her unique career journey from consulting and finance to leading consumer brands like WeightWatchers, Barnes & Noble, Boxed, and now Jewlr. Along the way, she discovered that her greatest strength wasn’t building companies from scratch—it was helping proven businesses reach their next stage of growth.

But this conversation goes far beyond business.

Alison opens up about balancing executive leadership while raising two young sons, why she rejected the traditional idea of work-life balance, and how leading a company headquartered in another country forced her family to redefine what balance really means.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, business leadership, resilience, family, health, career growth, and the importance of finding the environment where you perform at your best.

Whether you’re launching your first startup or navigating a major career transition, Alison shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why career pivots often create the biggest opportunities
 • How to identify the stage of business where you’ll thrive most
 • Why solving real customer problems is the foundation of every successful startup
 • The importance of blending work and life instead of chasing perfect balance
 • How health, sleep, and routines improve leadership performance
 • Why ownership and accountability accelerate personal growth
 • How embracing change leads to better career decisions
 • Why consumer obsession builds stronger businesses
 • How passion creates brands that people genuinely connect with

Alison also shares how moving from large corporations to high-growth companies transformed her leadership style, why she believes balance looks different for everyone, and how focusing on meaningful work has helped shape a fulfilling career across multiple industries.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, career growth, consumer brands, 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

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: https://open.spotify.com/show/70mfiPVuefpTnQHskflEqc?si=d8f658731c9248ba
 • Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-founders-life/id1780849489

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Robert Heath Sr.
•Website: robertheathsr.com
•Company: The Legacy Leadership Consulting Group
•LinkedIn: [Robert Heath Sr. (007)]

Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about helping other people become the best version of themselves. The leaders who create lasting impact are the ones who learn how to align people around a shared purpose.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Robert Heath Sr., Founder of Legacy Leadership Consulting Group and former U.S. Marine Corps officer, to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the mindset required to bring out greatness in others.

Robert shares his remarkable journey from educator to attorney, Marine Corps officer, and leadership consultant. Along the way, he discovered that qualifications alone don’t create great leaders. After watching a highly qualified superintendent fail because she couldn’t inspire people to embrace her vision, Robert dedicated his career to understanding what truly makes leadership effective.

But this conversation goes far beyond leadership theory.

Robert explains why alignment—not motivation—is the key to building high-performing teams, how regret became the catalyst for changing the course of his life, and why entrepreneurs should stop trying to know everything before taking action.

Throughout the conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, family, health, purpose, and the importance of living intentionally instead of waiting for the “right time.”

Whether you’re building your first startup or leading a growing organization, Robert shares practical lessons every entrepreneur can apply.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why great leadership is about helping others realize their potential
 • How alignment creates stronger teams than motivation alone
 • Why qualifications don’t automatically make great leaders
 • The importance of taking action before regret takes over
 • How identity shapes every leadership decision you make
 • Why physical and mental health improve leadership performance
 • How lifelong learning accelerates personal growth
 • Why entrepreneurs should embrace not knowing everything
 • How surrounding yourself with smarter people leads to better outcomes

Robert also shares how his childhood inspired a lifelong commitment to service, why the Marine Corps transformed his understanding of leadership, and how one moment of regret completely changed the direction of his life.

If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder mindset, business leadership, personal development, resilience, purpose-driven leadership, 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
• Instagram: @afounderslife
• Spotify
• Apple Podcast

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Zachary Collins

• Website: ludus.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharycollins/
• X (Twitter): [@ZacharyCollins]

Zachary is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ludus, a fast-growing software company serving over 4,500 performing arts organizations across the United States. What began as a freshman-year idea to simplify ticketing for schools has evolved into a powerful operating platform for theaters, community centers, and performing arts venues nationwide.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Zachary opens up about building through the pandemic, setting boundaries with family, and why success starts with small, consistent habits. He also shares his philosophy on balance, creativity, and the simple power of getting started.

🔥 What you’ll learn in this conversation:

• How Ludus grew from a college project to 4,500+ clients
• The unexpected size of the performing arts SMB market
• How to set boundaries between business and family
• Why small, consistent health habits drive long-term success
• How travel and curiosity can “slow down time”
• Why entrepreneurs must stop over-validating ideas and start building

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – Intro & sponsor (Thankz)

0:37 – Meet Zachary Collins: Co-Founder & CEO of Ludus

1:16 – How a high school theater director sparked a business idea

3:10 – Turning a class project into a real company

4:30 – Navigating the pandemic and rebuilding the team

5:45 – Growing to 4,500+ clients across the U.S.

6:50 – Family as motivation — and learning to set boundaries

8:00 – Health: consistency, training, and mental balance

9:20 – Finding joy in travel, books, and new experiences

11:40 – How to “slow down time” through novelty and learning

13:05 – Lessons from early coding and entrepreneurship

14:35 – Advice to founders: dream big, but start now

15:20 – Where to find Zachary (LinkedIn + Twitter/X)

👉 Don’t miss an episode — subscribe & join our community of founders redefining success.

LinkedIn

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