Most founders know they should be visible, but very few understand what it actually takes to show up with clarity, confidence, and conviction—without performing or posturing.

In this episode of Founder Talk, Alex Sheridan sits down with Donna Marie Post, keynote curator, speaker coach, wardrobe consultant, and founder of TEDx Arlington Heights. Donna Marie works with leaders, founders, and executives to help them craft ideas worth sharing—and deliver them in a way that creates real impact, not surface-level inspiration. 

Together, they unpack what visibility really demands of founders, why fear of being seen often masquerades as fear of public speaking, and how ego quietly derails otherwise strong ideas.

Key Takeaways

• Why fear of visibility is often fear of being seen, not fear of speaking

• How founders accidentally dilute their message by copying what already exists

• The difference between performing confidence and embodying conviction

• Why service-driven messaging builds more trust than self-promotion

• How imposter syndrome shows up at higher levels of leadership

• What makes a keynote, video, or message truly memorable

• Why play, curiosity, and presence matter more than polish

Q&A-Style Takeaways with Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:07:23 – Why would a founder choose to build under an existing brand like TEDx instead of creating their own event?Donna Marie explains how attaching to an established global brand creates instant credibility, trust, and momentum.

00:11:39 – What hidden leadership challenges come with running a volunteer-driven organization?The conversation highlights how leading unpaid, mission-driven teams forces founders to develop clarity, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership.

00:17:00 – How does imposter syndrome show up after you’ve already “made it”?Donna Marie shares how imposter syndrome often intensifies at higher levels of visibility.

00:18:00 – Why are successful founders still afraid to get on camera or speak publicly?Alex reframes visibility as service, not self-promotion.

00:29:06 – Is fear of public speaking really about speaking at all?The episode reframes the fear as discomfort with being seen, judged, and perceived.

00:31:26 – What does it actually take to move through fear instead of trying to eliminate it?Donna Marie explains why surrender—not confidence hacks—is what allows founders to stay present.

00:49:04 – What’s the biggest mistake founders make when creating content or keynotes?They discuss how copying language, frameworks, and “safe” messaging leads to forgettable ideas and erodes trust.

00:54:01 – Why does over-professionalism hurt connection with an audience?The conversation introduces the idea of “death by professionalism”.

00:58:12 – How can founders use AI without losing their voice or originality? AI can act as a mirror that helps founders clarify what isn’t aligned—strengthening their authentic perspective.

This episode is especially relevant for founders navigating visibility, leadership presence, or the pressure to “show up” as an authority. Watch the full conversation to hear the nuance behind these ideas—and subscribe for more grounded, no-fluff founder interviews on Founder Talk.

🔗 CONNECT WITH Donna Marie Post

💻 Website: https://www.donnamariepost.com/ 

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573202306971   

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-marie-post/ 

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/ 

In this episode, I sit down with Bob Lambert, who draws on decades of real operating experience building iconic consumer brands like Nerds to explain why sustainable growth doesn’t come from clever campaigns or chasing trends. It comes from clarity, curiosity, trust, and a deep understanding of how people think, feel, and make decisions. He breaks down why so many founders struggle to stand out despite having more technology, data, and channels than ever, and how unclear messaging quietly limits revenue and momentum.

Our conversation shifts beyond marketing and into leadership and culture. Bob explains how trust erodes inside teams, why leaders lose effectiveness when they stop asking questions, and how creativity suffers when organizations prioritize speed and scale over understanding. As AI and automation accelerate, he makes the case that human connection, judgment, and empathy are becoming more valuable, not less, and that founders who ignore this will fall behind no matter how advanced their tools are.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why most founders misunderstand what actually makes brands resonate

✅ How creativity, curiosity, and observation drive durable growth

✅ Why unclear messaging quietly kills differentiation and trust

✅ How leadership and brand failures often stem from the same root problems

✅ What decades of brand-building still teach founders in an AI-driven world

If you’re a founder or entrepreneur trying to build something that compounds over time, communicates more clearly, and creates products and brands people actually care about, this episode offers a hard-earned perspective you won’t get from trend-driven advice.

Connect with Bob Lambert

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjlambert/

Guest Website: https://www.human2humanllc.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Bob Lambert

00:10 The Story Behind Nerds Candy

01:57 Marketing Strategies and Innovations

05:26 Creative Process and Brainstorming

07:37 Challenges and Successes in Marketing

24:04 The Evolution of Marketing

29:38 Personal Branding and Modern Marketing

39:23 The Power of Storytelling in Branding

40:03 The Evolution of Branding Strategies

41:49 The Importance of Customer Relationships

43:39 Human to Human: A New Approach

46:47 The Role of Trust in Business

50:25 Effective Communication Skills

01:02:25 The Future of AI and Human Interaction

01:12:43 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of Founder Talk, I sit down with Ryan Walsh, a drone industry veteran operating at the intersection of advanced technology, regulation, and global competition. We dive into what it really takes to build a tech company in heavily regulated industries, how drone innovation fell behind in the U.S., and what the growing conversation around UAPs reveals about advanced aerospace technology and how little the public actually understands about it.

Ryan shares firsthand perspective from operating across global markets, including why Asia moved faster in drone adoption, how regulation shapes innovation more than founders expect, and what it really means to build hardware businesses where timelines and risk look very different from software. We also talk about the long, uncomfortable middle of entrepreneurship: sunk costs, delayed momentum, and the discipline required to keep going when results aren’t immediate.

We also explore the growing conversation around UAPs and what it reveals about how new technologies are misunderstood long before they’re accepted. Ryan offers a grounded take on why many UAP sightings are likely tied to advanced aerospace and drone technology, and what that disconnect teaches founders about perception, narrative, and trust.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why regulation and policy often matter more than the technology itself

✅ How founders decide when to persist versus walk away

✅ What drones, robotics, and AI signal about the future of logistics

✅ Why UAP discussions highlight how society misunderstands new tech

✅ How patience, discipline, and mission compound over time

If you’re building anything complex, regulated, or capital-intensive, this episode offers an honest look at the realities most founders never hear about.

Connect with Ryan Walsh

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan--walsh/

Guest Website: https://www.valqari.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

00:28 Experiences in Hong Kong

02:59 Drone Technology and Logistics

06:20 AI and Robotics Discussion

10:26 Military and Drone Warfare

14:41 Future of Drones and Robotics

21:41 Acquisition of Sky Drop

28:18 Ground vs. Air Transportation

30:45 UAPs and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

32:20 Discussing Nick's Clip and Military Technology

33:17 Government Cover-Ups and Alien Technology

34:01 Debating the Existence of Aliens

35:44 Implications of Advanced Technology

40:15 Starting and Running a Business

45:56 Philosophy and Life's Purpose

49:52 Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

59:05 Future Plans for Valqari

In this episode of Founder Talk, I sit down with Mark Bealin, SEO Expert and founder of SearchLab, to unpack what it really takes for businesses to get found today, across Google, local search, and the rapidly changing world of AI-powered discovery. This is not a surface-level SEO conversation. Our conversation breaks down how search has evolved, why many founders are unknowingly invisible online, and what actually matters now if you want customers to find you instead of your competitors.

Mark shares hard-earned lessons from building companies through multiple search eras, from the early days of Google to today’s AI-driven answer engines. We also dig into why chasing hacks is a losing game, how customer obsession directly impacts rankings and revenue, and why reputation, trust, and fundamentals matter more than ever in a world of zero-click searches and AI summaries.

We also go deep on the practical side. Local search, Google Business Profiles, reviews, content strategy, and how founders should think differently about SEO as a long-term business asset, not a marketing trick. Along the way, Mark connects search strategy to leadership, focus, and building a company that can adapt as technology keeps changing.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why most founders misunderstand how customers actually find businesses today

✅ What matters more than rankings in a world of AI answers and zero-click search

✅ How reputation and customer obsession directly impact growth and visibility

✅ Why chasing SEO “hacks” hurts long-term performance and trust

✅ How to future-proof your business as search and AI continue to evolve

If you are a founder or business owner trying to grow demand, win trust, and stay relevant as search shifts under your feet, this conversation will reshape how you think about being discovered.

Connect with Mark Bealin

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbealin/

Guest Website: https://searchlabdigital.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:08 The Evolution of SEO

01:39 Local SEO Explained

02:27 Paid vs. Organic Search

03:52 Importance of Google Business Profiles

05:41 The Shift from Traditional to Digital Marketing

15:15 The Role of Reviews in SEO

22:01 AI and the Future of Search

33:32 The Innovator's Dilemma

34:30 Google's Evolution and Challenges

35:25 Content Strategies for AI and Traditional Search

37:32 The Importance of Fresh and Relevant Content

38:55 SEO Best Practices and Common Mistakes

40:31 The Role of Video in SEO

41:19 The Impact of Social Media on Search

43:58 Google Business Profile and Zero Click Searches

49:12 Balancing Work, Health, and Personal Life

57:13 Future Goals and Business Strategies

In this episode of Founder Talk, I sit down with John Morris, founder of 444 Media and host of Golf with JMO, to break down how podcasting can be used as a business development engine, not just a marketing channel.

Together, John and I unpacked why cold outreach no longer works like it once did, how real conversations build trust faster than any pitch, and how founders can use podcasting to shorten sales cycles, open doors with decision-makers, and create leverage across their entire business. John explains why podcasts work even without massive downloads, what most founders get wrong when they try content, and how designing intentional experiences turns guests into partners, customers, and advocates.

We also dive into John’s personal reinvention, how hitting rock bottom reshaped his leadership style, and why founders can no longer hide behind logos if they want to grow. Today’s audience follows people, not companies.

You’ll learn:

✅ How podcasting can function as a business development engine

✅ Why giving people a platform builds trust faster than pitching them

✅ How to use conversations to shorten sales cycles and open doors

✅ Why brand experiences matter more than messaging

✅ What it takes to reinvent yourself and your business with intention

If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or business owner looking to replace cold outreach with warm relationships and turn conversations into revenue, this episode gives you a practical, real-world playbook.

Connect with John Morris

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%98%98%EF%B8%8Fjohn-morris%E2%98%98%EF%B8%8F/

Guest Website: https://444.media/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction to John Morris and 444 Media

00:06 The Root Beer Conversation

00:26 John's Entrepreneurial Journey

02:15 Battling Depression and Anxiety

04:30 The Turning Point: A Near-Death Experience

06:27 Rebuilding Life and Starting Golf with JMO

10:54 Launching 444 Media

17:32 The Power of Podcasting

39:19 The Importance of Depth in Conversations

41:00 The Role of Preparation in Hosting

42:17 Effective Interview Techniques

46:38 Qualities of a Great Podcast Guest

54:36 Starting Your Own Podcast: Key Steps

01:01:20 The Value of Podcast Metrics

01:04:01 Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

01:07:31 Introducing 'The Multipliers' Podcast

01:16:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Most great businesses start with a personal problem. For Brittany Hizer and Addie Gundry, a public restroom moment with Addie’s infant son led to Pluie, the first self-sanitizing diaper changing table in the U.S.

In this episode of Founder Talk, Brittany and I unpack the real journey behind building and scaling a physical product company, one with long sales cycles, manufacturing hurdles, capital constraints, and enterprise-level customers that move at their own speed.

We dig into the unglamorous truth of creating physical products; the tooling costs, supply chain risk, design revisions, and the emotional weight of raising capital when your early investors are your friends and family.

Brittany also explains how she and Addie Gundry validated the problem before building, created a complementary partnership as complete strangers, and used relentless outreach to get Pluie installed in stadiums, airports, malls, and national accounts across the country.

Then we also talk about the company's major turning point, their Shark Tank exposure, and how it helped them gain unexpected momentum; opening doors to big accounts and accelerating Pluie's credibility with enterprise customers and reshaping their company's long-term growth strategy and allowing them to scale faster than typical traditional hardware startups.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why the right partner matters more than having the right idea

✅ How to validate a problem before spending money on a solution

✅ The brutal reality of hardware timelines, cash needs, and operations

✅ How persistence, follow-up, and cold outreach fuel early traction

✅ Why the right customer segment can change your entire business

If you’re a founder building a physical product, pitching enterprise clients, or navigating the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, this episode is a blueprint for what it actually takes to keep going.

Connect with Brittany Hizer:

Guest LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-hizer-7806a74/

Guest Website: https://hellopluie.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction to Brittany Heiser and Pluie

00:24 The Problem with Traditional Diaper Changing Tables

01:20 The Birth of Pluie: From Concept to Reality

03:58 Early Challenges and Entrepreneurial Insights

08:46 Funding and Prototyping

13:43 Navigating the Pandemic and Market Research

25:35 Scaling Up: Manufacturing and Sales Strategies

32:10 Lori's Feedback and Reflections

34:27 Shark Tank Application Process

35:54 Filming the Shark Tank Episode

38:42 Post-Shark Tank Reflections

40:53 Consumer Products and Expansion

44:27 Impact of Shark Tank and Future Plans

53:59 Challenges and Entrepreneurial Journey

01:00:42 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

On this powerful and emotional episode of Founder Talk, Jennifer Guzman, founder of Bestola Collective, and I dive into what it really looks like to scale a company through human connection. Jennifer helped grow an HR outsourcing firm from 150 to 500 clients with a 95% retention rate, and a huge part of our conversation centers on why that happened; the in-person relationship-building, the trust, the follow-through, and the genuine care most leaders overlook. Few people understand the ROI of authentic connection the way she does.

We also unpack what happens when businesses rely too heavily on technology and lose the human element. Together, we talk through how companies drift into transactional cultures, why retention collapses when communication breaks down, and how slowing down, showing up, and treating people like humans, not tickets, creates loyalty that lasts.

But the conversation goes far deeper than business. Jennifer opens up about her near-death health crisis, the culture shift after her company was acquired, and the emotional unraveling that pushed her to confront boundaries, people-pleasing, self-worth, and the darker energy that fueled her success for years. We explore her habit of saying yes to everything, tying identity to achievement, and the inner work required to become a healthier founder without burning out or abandoning yourself.

It’s raw. It’s honest. And it’s exactly the kind of conversation founders need but rarely get to hear.

What You’ll Learn

✅ Why authentic human connection is a founder’s most underrated competitive advantage

✅ How founders fall into people-pleasing, overworking, and identity through achievement

✅ What Jennifer learned from a life-threatening health crisis and emotional reset

✅ How to set boundaries, protect your energy, and build teams that communicate

✅ Why slowing down often gives founders the clarity to scale the right way

If you are a founder trying to grow without losing yourself, or if you want to build a company rooted in trust, humanity, and real connection, this episode gives you the clarity, perspective, and tools to do exactly that.

Connect with Jennifer Guzman

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-guzman-0442641/

Guest Website: https://bestolacollective.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:08 Scaling a Business: Strategies and Successes

01:21 The Importance of Authentic Connections

02:14 Human vs. Technology in Business

02:34 Client Relationship Management

12:06 The Downfall of Transactional Culture

16:20 Founding Best Consulting

18:48 Personal Challenges and New Beginnings

30:17 Building Relationships and Trust

39:58 Facing the Mirror: Self-Awareness and Personal Priorities

41:00 The Value of Self-Worth and Esteem

42:19 Balancing Social Media and Personal Time

44:04 Childhood Trauma and Professional Life

45:46 Harnessing Dark Energy for Success

49:28 The Sacrifices of Leadership

53:38 The Importance of Family and Personal Life

58:54 Rise Chicago: Civic Engagement and Leadership

01:11:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Most founders don’t realize how much their work is reshaping who they are. Until it’s too late.

In this episode of Founder Talk, Nick Greco, mental health expert, crisis intervention instructor, and founder of C3 Education & Research, breaks down what chronic stress really does to people who live in it day after day. Nick has trained thousands of officers across the U.S., taught suicide prevention globally, and even worked with other national police forces in different countries. Few people understand high-pressure psychology like he does and the crossover to entrepreneurship is undeniable.

Nick explains why people in these high-stakes, high-pressure positions lose their identity, shut down emotionally, and drift from the people they care about. He shares why communication at home often collapses, why “I’m fine” usually isn’t true, and how simple habits like taking 20–30 minutes to decompress can save marriages and families.

We also dive into why men struggle to ask for help, why emotional isolation is so dangerous, and how founders can actually retain people instead of losing them to fatigue, resentment, or culture issues. Nick also unpacks the psychology behind overworking, financial stress, identity fusion (“I am my job”), and why so many founders unknowingly mirror the same patterns he sees in first responders.

What You'll Learn

✅ Why chronic stress leads to burnout, isolation, and identity loss

✅ How emotional shutdown damages relationships and how to reverse it

✅ Why “burnout” is usually a system problem, not a personal weakness

✅ How to decompress and reset after high-pressure days

✅ Why founders and first responders fall into the same psychological traps

If you’re a founder navigating nonstop pressure, this episode gives you the clarity, tools, and mindset to stay grounded, connected, and healthy without losing yourself to the work.

Connect with Nicholas Greco

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-greco-iv-m-s-bcets-catsm-faaets-ba78168/

Guest Website: https://www.c3educationandresearch.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:46 Founding C3 Education and Research

02:43 Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

04:58 Law Enforcement and Public Perception

15:45 Mental Health and Officer Wellness

17:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life

28:09 Effective Communication in Relationships

33:39 Financial Pitfalls of New Recruits

35:01 The Importance of Financial Planning

35:49 Materialism and Happiness

36:50 Balancing Family and Work

39:29 The Role of Passion in Business

46:19 Stress and Burnout

51:54 Mental Health and Suicide Awareness

56:38 Global Training Experiences

59:36 Training and Curriculum Design

01:04:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Founder Talk, Christoff Poppe, founder of Half of Eight and a Vistage Chair who works with CEOs across industries, breaks down why peer groups are becoming a non-negotiable advantage for top leaders today. He’s in the room for the hardest conversations CEOs have: succession issues, hiring freezes, layoffs, stalled growth, shifting economies, AI disruption. And he’s seen how peers uncover blindspots that no book, consultant, or board meeting ever will.

Christoff explains why CEOs need people around them who challenge their assumptions, call out their patterns, and push them to lead with clarity even when the future is uncertain. He shares what he’s learned guiding leadership teams, why nearly every strategic issue is actually a people issue, and how the right peer advisory group can prevent costly mistakes before they happen.

We dig into the pressures CEOs feel but rarely talk about: decision fatigue, loneliness at the top, managing fear inside organizations, and the struggle to evolve when your company grows faster than you do. Christoff also reveals the three traits that determine whether a CEO thrives or stagnates and how peers accelerate that transformation.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why CEOs need peers who will challenge, not comfort them

✅ How peer groups expose blindspots you can’t see on your own

✅ Why isolation slows down decision-making and increases risk

✅ What great leadership actually looks like in uncertain markets

✅ How to lead through fear, hesitation, and rapid change

✅ Why belonging, clarity, and accountability outperform raw strategy

✅ How peer advisory groups help CEOs grow personally AND scale their companies

If you’re a CEO, founder, or executive searching “how do I scale smarter,” “why leadership feels lonely,” or “how to make better decisions in uncertain times,” this episode gives you the perspective you’ve been missing — the peer advantage every leader needs.

Connect with Christoff:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christoffpoppe/

Guest Website: https://www.halfofeight.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:13 Economic Uncertainty and CEO Confidence

03:39 Impact of AI on Employment

10:33 AI in Video Editing and Business Adaptation

18:25 The Role of Vistage in CEO Development

27:02 Personal Reflections on Business Growth

33:32 Rethinking Business Success Metrics

34:17 Legacy and Personal Fulfillment

35:22 Generational Differences in Work Values

36:35 Balancing Personal and Professional Goals

37:29 Empowering Employees for Business Growth

38:38 Navigating Business Succession Planning

40:46 Pursuing Passion Over Profession

51:15 The Rise of the Gig Economy

55:55 Investing Beyond Your Business

01:00:25 The Meaning Behind 'Half of Eight'

In this episode of Founder Talk, Alex Iannessa, founder of EnRoads Paving, shares the real story behind going from zero to eight figures in under four years. Alex breaks down how he took a side-door industry path, from laborer, to sales, to founder, and how he used relationships, reputation, and relentless consistency to build a national parking lot management company during a time when most businesses were slowing down.

We get into the sacrifices no one sees:

The 12-hour days.

Moving back in with his parents.

Losing relationships.

Starting with nothing but a laptop, a cell phone, and blind trust from family investors.

Alex also dives into the skilled trades crisis and why society pushed kids into college debt, how that narrative is breaking down, and why the next generation is rediscovering the opportunity and wealth inside blue-collar America. He explains how EnRoads found its competitive edge by bridging the gap between the boardroom and the jobsite, and why trust, humility, and showing up authentically beat any sales tactic.

We talk through everything founders never say out loud, from outgrowing your personal life, to the hard choices that come with growth, to why the construction and education systems are fundamentally broken and ripe for innovation.

You’ll learn:

✅ How Alex grew EnRoads to eight figures in less than four years

✅ Why relationships, reputation, and character are true competitive advantages

✅ The sacrifices founders make (and what Alex would do differently)

✅ Why the skilled trades are booming again and why the narrative is shifting

✅ How AI will reshape construction and where the real opportunities are

✅ Why young founders should focus on resilience, not perfection

If you’ve been searching “how to scale a business fast,” “what it really takes to build an eight-figure company,” or “is the skilled trades comeback real?” — this episode gives you the unfiltered truth.

Connect with Alex Iannessa:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderdiannessa/

Guest Website: https://enroadspaving.com/

If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠

Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:06 Founding EnRoads Paving

01:09 The Power of Networking

02:06 Raising Capital and Building a Team

02:52 Transitioning During COVID

08:09 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

10:33 Client Acquisition and Sales Strategy

19:44 The Future of Skilled Trades

26:38 Impact of AI on Skilled Trades

27:59 Impact of AI on Skilled Trades

28:45 AI in Office Operations

29:34 AI in Podcast Production

30:15 Challenges in the Construction Industry

33:29 Private Equity in Skilled Trades

35:40 Future Plans and Personal Goals

52:25 The Importance of Resilience

53:47 Conclusion and Contact Information