On this episode of the Founder Shares podcast, host Trevor Schmidt is joined by Chelsey Warren, Founder and Principal of Spark People Advisory, and employment lawyer Ashley Pittman (Hutchison PLLC), who tackle the critical "people" aspect of any growing company. Chelsey shares her strategic approach to hiring, retention, and knowing when to bring in HR expertise, while Ashley provides the essential legal perspective on compliance, noting how rules change as a company crosses employee count thresholds. The discussion covers practical, tough topics for founders, including best practices for consistent interviewing to avoid costly mishires, why candid feedback is more effective than formal performance improvement plans (PIPs), and the legal best practices for termination, emphasizing the value of severance and non-disparagement agreements to mitigate risk.

In this special edition of the Founder Shares podcast, we go on location to the 2025 Grepbeat Startups to Watch event. Host Trevor Schmidt speaks with judges and founders about what it takes to build a successful startup in North Carolina's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founders share how they've leveraged everything from social media and AI to a deep understanding of their communities to achieve remarkable growth. The episode provides an inside look at the "founder special sauce" and the crucial elements—from a strong team to a data-driven approach—that turn a promising idea into a company to watch.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC.

In this episode of the Founder Shares podcast, host Trevor Schmidt sits down with Ardis Kadiu, founder and CEO of Element451. Ardis shares his journey from an engineer to a successful entrepreneur, recounting how he spun off a software company from his marketing agency to solve a core problem in student recruitment. He candidly discusses the early days of grinding in a small Dumbo, Brooklyn office and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately became an "accelerant" for his company. Ardis also talks about the critical role of AI in their product, his experience navigating a multi-million dollar acquisition, and his decision to step away to pursue a new venture.

In this episode of the Founder Shares podcast, host Trevor Schmidt sits down with Runbin Dong, founder and CEO of Scale Social AI. Runbin shares his unique journey from corporate tech to small business owner, inspired by his mother's retirement and their handmade dumpling business. This experience led him to identify a critical gap in digital marketing, particularly the need for authenticity amidst a flood of AI-generated content. Discover how Scale Social AI empowers loyal customers to become a brand's biggest marketing asset by transforming real customer experiences into scalable, authentic content, and how Runbin navigates the challenges of entrepreneurship, balances work and family, and plans for the future of his rapidly growing company.

What if AI could turn supply chain disruptions into a competitive advantage? On this episode of Founder Shares, Chris Andrassy, co-founder and CEO of Astral Insights, shares how his company is using AI-powered business intelligence to help companies predict and resolve supply chain issues before they happen. With a vision to apply artificial general intelligence to the supply chain, Astral Insights is transforming how businesses navigate uncertainty. Chris discusses his entrepreneurial journey, lessons on startup growth, and why supply chains are the next frontier for AI-driven transformation.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.

What does it take to guide a company from early investment to a major private equity transaction?

In this special Founder Shares live episode, recorded at Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, Tim McLoughlin of CoFounders Capital and Joshua M. Hayes of Hutchison PLLC share the inside story behind the $175 million investment in Element451, a Raleigh-based higher education CRM platform.

What challenges arise when spinning out a new tech company from an existing business? How do investors, founders, and legal teams work together to navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and close major transactions? Tim and Josh offer real-world insights on evaluating early-stage companies, managing through crises like COVID-19, and preparing for a successful exit—including the fast-paced deal-making that led to Element451’s acquisition.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.

What if the key to success isn’t just hard work, but true happiness? On this episode of Founder Shares, Grace Ueng, founder and CEO of Savvy Growth, shares how happiness and business leadership go hand in hand. As a leadership coach, strategy consultant, and the creator of HappinessWorks™, Grace has helped countless entrepreneurs and executives unlock their potential, build resilient teams, and create thriving workplaces.

How can leaders foster psychological safety in their organizations? What role does mental well-being play in business success? Find out as Grace shares insights from her own entrepreneurial journey, how she helps founders find clarity and balance, and why she believes happiness is the real driver of success—not the other way around.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.

Stay Connected with Grace!

• Join Grace’s Happiness@Work Community for free science-backed tools to boost happiness at work.
• Connect with Grace on LinkedIn or email [email protected] to inquire about speaking engagements and 1:1 coaching.
• Become a Founding Member of the #HappinessHygiene Plunge Club—a monthly deep dive into happiness practices.
• Book a workshop for your next company retreat or lunch & learn with Grace’s Workshops: HappinessWorks, CivilityWorks, HybridWorks, PersonalBrandWorks, and ConfidenceWorks.

What if the key to advancing brain health and neuroscience lies in harnessing neurodata in ways never thought possible? On today’s episode of Founder Shares, Robert S. Cooley Jr., founder and CEO of Nuream, discusses how his company is revolutionizing the way we capture and analyze brain activity. With cutting-edge smart-sensing materials, Nuream is creating new possibilities for early intervention in conditions like dementia, improving sleep health, and expanding our understanding of cognitive performance.

How can this technology shape the future of healthcare, wellness, and beyond? Find out in this episode as Rob shares his journey from military leadership to tech entrepreneurship, the breakthroughs Nuream is making, and the impact neurodata could have on industries far beyond medicine.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.

How do you turn a passion for problem-solving into a thriving business that benefits millions? In this episode of Founder Shares, Brandon Kashani, founder and CEO of TRAKID, offers listeners a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Brandon’s journey from a chemical engineering student to the leader of a tech company revolutionizing guest experiences is filled with invaluable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Brandon delves into the importance of calculated risks, team dynamics, and staying connected to the mission of creating meaningful impact. Whether you're seeking guidance on overcoming challenges, scaling your business, or creating meaningful impact, this episode is a must-listen for anyone striving to turn their vision into reality.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.

What if AI could transform your frustrating interactions with local government into seamless, efficient experiences? In this episode of Founder Shares, Chip Kennedy, founder and CEO of CivicReach, shares how his voice AI platform is revolutionizing government customer service by acting as a “well-trained intern” for local agencies. Chip discusses how CivicReach addresses common frustrations like long hold times and bureaucratic inefficiencies, all while ensuring responsible AI practices that prioritize privacy and empower, rather than replace, human workers. Tune in to discover how AI is reshaping civic engagement and why trust and innovation are key to creating smarter, more efficient public services.

Hosted by Trevor Schmidt, Founder Shares is brought to you by Hutchison PLLC and is edited and produced by Earfluence.