A Founder's Life

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, host Leo Gestetner sits down with Liz Andarcia, co-founder of Rise Collective Consultants and former Williams-Sonoma executive, to explore what it takes to pivot from a long corporate career into entrepreneurship—and design a life you truly want.

After 20 years leading sourcing and product development across iconic brands, Liz traded the 9–5 for a consultancy that helps brands take products from concept to shelf. Her journey is a testament to following your instincts, building a business around your values, and tapping into the power of your network.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn decades of corporate experience into a consulting business
• The lifestyle changes that came with leaving a traditional career
• Why networking and generosity are crucial for entrepreneurs
• The role of health, family, and travel in building a balanced life
• Tips for creating a schedule that works for you—not the other way around

Whether you’re ready to start your own consultancy, craving more flexibility, or simply love founder stories, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger about what’s possible.

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more authentic founder journeys.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

00:34 – Liz’s background in corporate retail

03:20 – Leaving the 9–5 for flexibility & family

05:15 – Founding Rise Collective Consultants

07:28 – Balancing health, family, and work

09:29 – Defining a balanced life

12:19 – The pivotal moment: starting her own business

14:11 – Liz’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

15:31 – Where to find Liz online

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In this inspiring episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Kerry Postel—founder of Abacus Business Solutions—to talk about building a business that works for your life, not the other way around.

From discovering her love for numbers to running a successful accounting and coaching company remotely from England, Kerry shares how she designed her business for freedom, flexibility, and family. After 19 years in the U.S., she made the life-changing decision to return home, proving that intentional design is just as important in life as it is in business.

💡 Whether you’re a founder struggling to understand your numbers, dreaming of working from anywhere, or looking to create better balance—this conversation is packed with practical advice and hard-earned wisdom.

What You’ll Learn:
•Why most business owners are running blind with their numbers
•How to set up your business to run from anywhere
•The decision to move back to England for family
•How Kerry avoids burnout and sets strong boundaries
•The importance of asking for help as an entrepreneur
•Why trusting your team is key to scaling

👉 If this episode resonates, please like, comment, and subscribe to support more founder stories.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – Kerry’s background and move from the U.S. to the UK
01:14 – Discovering a passion for numbers
02:54 – Helping business owners understand and trust their numbers
03:00 – The value of family and moving back to England
05:38 – Creating space for fun and health
07:00 – Health routines and boundaries
08:23 – Defining balance and avoiding burnout
10:37 – Pivotal moments in business growth
12:20 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
13:20 – Where to connect with Kerry

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Website

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In this episode of A Founder’s Life, host Leo Gestetner sits down with David Boehmer—German-born, Canadian-raised founder of Banff Advisors—to unpack the pivotal moment he walked away from a high-powered corporate career to build something entirely his own. From his roots in small-town Canada to navigating New York’s corporate ladder, David’s journey is proof that success isn’t about luck—it’s about showing up, taking risks, and creating your own opportunities.

Whether you’re contemplating a career leap, craving more control over your calendar, or simply curious about the inner workings of executive success, David’s story is packed with insights on purpose, persistence, and people-first leadership.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why leaving a secure corporate job can be the best decision you make
• How to flip the career game in your favor
• The importance of building something that matters—not just something that pays
• How COVID reshaped family priorities and work-life balance
• Why “hope” is not a strategy for career growth
• The underestimated power of founder-to-founder support

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe—it helps us reach more founders and leaders who need these conversations.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Welcome

00:38 – David’s early life and career beginnings

02:42 – The moment he knew corporate life was over

04:37 – Starting Banff Advisors during COVID

06:48 – Why giving people agency matters

06:53 – Family as the first priority

10:06 – Health, hobbies, and mountain biking at 4:30 am

11:59 – Balancing fun, family, and a new company

13:46 – Defining a balanced life through calendar control

15:07 – Pivotal life moments that shaped his work ethic

16:31 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

17:49 – How to connect with David

18:26 – Closing remarks

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In this powerful episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Katie Walker—founder, coach, and former high-level executive—to explore what happens when life forces you to slow down. From the loss of her sister to stepping away from the identity she built in the corporate world, Katie shares a story of grief, healing, and intentional leadership. This is for anyone who’s had to start over—and wants to do it with heart.

💡 Whether you’re burned out, grieving, or simply questioning your next chapter—this episode is full of real, grounded insight.

What You’ll Learn:
•Why productivity isn’t the same as alignment
•How slowing down can be the start of reinvention
•The truth about grief and identity as a leader
•How to listen to your body before it screams
•Letting go of people-pleasing and performing
•How to lead with softness and strength

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support the show..

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
00:40 – Katie’s introduction and entrepreneurial mindset
02:00 – Launching a ketamine clinic for mental health
04:30 – The promise and power of psychedelics
06:25 – Losing VC funding and having to reset the business
08:10 – The emotional toll of public scrutiny and personal loss
10:30 – Grief, divorce, and raising her daughter through it all
12:00 – Finding balance between leadership, motherhood, and self-care
13:30 – What health means: emotional vs. physical wellbeing
15:00 – The importance of time-blocking and rest
16:30 – Katie’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
17:55 – Closing thoughts: “This is the most expensive school I’ve never been to”

LinkedIn

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Website

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What if the real key to success isn’t hustle—but alignment?

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Keala Kanae—former affiliate marketing mogul turned founder of Inspirian—to explore how values, psychology, and neuroscience drive true peak performance.

From living in his mom’s spare room with a 500 credit score to building and exiting a $140M business, Keala shares the painful moment that forced him to look inward—and the path that led him to redefine everything from health to leadership to family.

🔑 This is a masterclass in personal responsibility, performance psychology, and living a purpose-driven life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most entrepreneurs chase the wrong goals
• How to align your values with your business strategy
• The truth about “balance” (and what to do instead)
• The power of self-awareness and internal motivation
• Keala’s approach to health as a business investment

📌 Don’t forget to:

👍 Like this video

📝 Comment with your favorite insight

🔔 Subscribe to the channel

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:44 From coffee shop to CEO

02:30 The moment that changed everything

05:00 Rebuilding life from rock bottom

07:50 The mirror of leadership

10:45 Defining family, relationships, and commitment

13:30 Health as a business investment

17:45 What “fun” really looks like for high performers

20:05 Redefining balance and values

24:00 Advice for founders

25:50 Where to find Keala

LinkedIn

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Website

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What happens when a high-powered tech executive walks away from corporate life to serve humanity through AI?

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner speaks with Lori Kirkland—neuroscience researcher turned entrepreneur and co-founder of DeepHumanX. After 20 years in tech and a devastating personal loss, Lori chose to realign her life and business around purpose, family, and servant leadership. Together, they explore how leaders can navigate rapid change, use AI without losing the human touch, and build businesses that actually support wellbeing—not just efficiency.

Whether you’re navigating your own season of reinvention or looking for ways to future-proof your company culture, this episode is a must-listen.

✅ What You’ll Learn:

The mindset shift founders need to thrive in the age of AI
Why burnout forced Lori to reinvent her career
How grief reshaped her definition of leadership and success
Tactical advice for building “human-first” organizations
The power of chasing joy (and whiteboarding like a kindergartener)
🎧 Subscribe to A Founder’s Life for more real conversations at the intersection of entrepreneurship, health, and family.

3. YouTube Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Lori’s background

01:02 – From neuroscience to entrepreneurship

03:00 – What DeepHumanX actually does

04:00 – The real challenge with AI adoption

05:35 – Changing leadership through AI

06:40 – Lori’s “no-assholes” rule in business

08:00 – Grief, family, and redefining priorities

10:00 – Health and gardening as mental clarity

11:20 – How travel fuels creativity

13:45 – The shift from “what’s wrong” to “what brings joy?”

15:00 – Whiteboarding as self-therapy

16:20 – What balance actually looks like

18:00 – Lori’s most pivotal life moment

21:00 – Her #1 advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

22:15 – How to connect with Lori

LinkedIn

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Website

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In this episode of A Founder’s Life, host Leo Gestetner sits down with Samantha Enslen, founder of Dragonfly Editorial, to explore what it really takes to build a thriving business and a peaceful life. From accidentally starting her agency to managing a 25+ person team and navigating AI disruption, Samantha shares what it means to lead with clarity, calm, and conviction.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or feeling overwhelmed by growth, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking a more human approach to entrepreneurship.

💬 In This Episode:

• How Samantha accidentally founded Dragonfly Editorial
• Building a business around family and sanity—not hustle
• Finding balance in leadership, parenting, and personal health
• Honest reflections on layoffs, AI, and what’s next
• The importance of doing the next right thing

📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Sam’s accidental path to entrepreneurship

02:00 – What Dragonfly Editorial does today

05:00 – From 2000-page proposals to thought leadership

06:30 – Why she moved to Ohio to build a better life

08:30 – What health means to her (beyond just physical)

12:00 – Managing stress, cortisol, and contribution

17:30 – How she redefined balance post-2020

24:00 – Pivotal moments: cashflow crisis, layoffs, and AI

29:00 – Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

Learn more about Dragonfly Editorial:

Dragonfly Editorial

Connect with Samantha:

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

LinkedIn

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Website

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Season 2 of A Founder’s Life was packed with raw stories, bold pivots, and hard-won lessons from founders who are redefining success.

From building billion-dollar visions to walking away from “dream jobs,” this recap captures the most powerful insights from our guests—reminding us that entrepreneurship isn’t just about business… it’s about becoming.

🎯 Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just getting started, this 2-minute journey is your invitation to pause, reflect, and keep going.

LinkedIn

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Website

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In this episode of A Founder’s Life, host Leo Gestetner sits down with Jeremy Lurey—PhD, entrepreneur, family business advisor, and founder of Plus Delta—to explore the emotional truth behind building a meaningful life and business.

Jeremy shares how he walked away from big consulting and launched his own firm, what it really takes to survive entrepreneurship’s darkest moments, and how his definition of family has expanded far beyond the traditional. From burnout and bank calls to purpose, team building, and legacy—this is a story for founders who want more than just profit.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why betting on yourself can be the safest option
• The real truth behind hiring (and keeping) great help
• How to create systems that free up your time
• Navigating mental health and physical health on the road
• How to build a business that’s not just about you
• Powerful lessons from near-bankruptcy and personal loss
• Why success starts with clarity about your values

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Background

01:30 - Rejecting the workaholic path

04:30 - From Big Firm to Entrepreneur

06:00 - Surviving the low points

09:00 - Building a business beyond yourself

13:00 - Remote team impact with Thanks

16:00 - Redefining family and leadership

18:00 - Mental & physical health as a founder

23:00 - Pivotal moments & near-bankruptcy

27:30 - Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

LinkedIn

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Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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What if the data you’re tracking could change your life—personally and professionally?

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Marc Kerrest—founder and CEO of GPS DataViz—to explore how data is transforming elite sports, behavior change, and the entrepreneurial journey. From launching a startup that now works with the NFL and European football clubs, to navigating a neck injury that redefined his priorities, Marc shares a powerful story of growth, humility, and purpose.

Whether you’re a founder, athlete, or simply curious about how data can shape habits and decisions, this episode is full of actionable insights.

⸻

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
•How Marc built GPS DataViz from scratch and got into top leagues
•The impact of personal data on recovery, wellness, and performance
•Balancing entrepreneurship with family and physical setbacks
•The identity crisis that comes after injury—and how to rebuild
•Practical advice for leaders navigating uncertainty

⸻

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Marc Kerrest, Founder & CEO of GPS DataViz
00:57 – From soccer to finance: Marc’s journey into data
03:17 – The moment GPS DataViz was born
04:33 – Breaking into pro sports: NFL, NBA, European football, and more
05:25 – What family means to Marc
06:43 – How Marc approaches health and recovery
09:05 – Behavior change through data tracking (Oura Ring, sleep, and wellness)
10:45 – Balancing startup life and personal time
12:42 – The neck injury that changed everything
14:59 – Reflecting on purpose: finance vs. fulfillment
16:07 – Marc’s advice to founders: Growth comes from the valleys

Learn more about GPS Data:

https://www.gpsdataviz.com

Connect with Marc:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-kerrest/

https://www.instagram.com/mkerrest/

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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