Founders' Forum

Success in entrepreneurship rarely happens overnight—it’s often the result of decades of learning, experimenting, and refining what works. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Jason Sherman to explore the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.

In this conversation, recorded in July 2025, Jason Sherman—CEO and co-founder of Vengo AI—shares how a childhood filled with music, technology, and curiosity set the foundation for a career building and leading innovative businesses. Over the past two decades, Jason has experimented with different ventures, continuously learning from both successes and setbacks along the way.

Jason also discusses the evolution of Vengo AI, a platform designed to turn traditional websites into interactive AI-powered sales engines. By enabling businesses to engage visitors instantly and capture valuable leads, the technology aims to solve a major challenge many companies face: converting website traffic into real conversations and opportunities.

Throughout the episode, Marc and Jason dive into the realities of scaling businesses, managing complexity, and finding ways to focus on the work that drives the most impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of continuous learning throughout an entrepreneurial journey
• How AI-powered tools can transform website engagement and lead generation
• Why delegating and documenting processes helps businesses scale
• The role of curiosity and creativity in long-term success

About Jason Sherman:

Jason Sherman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vengo AI, a B2B SaaS platform that transforms websites into 24/7 AI sales engines. A seasoned startup founder and Wharton lecturer, Jason has helped companies scale through data-driven growth, product innovation, and storytelling.

Connect:

Website vengoai.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/vengoai; linkedin.com/in/jasonsherman76/
Instagram instagram.com/vengoaiapp
X x.com/vengoaiapp
Facebook facebook.com/vengoai
YouTube youtube.com/@VengoAIapp
Blog blog.vengoai.com
Discord discord.gg/WKvn2xGdhV

This episode is brought to you by Crossover Capital; make informed decisions about your financial future. Go to crosscapadvisors.com to learn more.

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What if getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to your career? In this episode of Founders Forum, Gui Costin shares how a career setback led him to build Dakota into a company serving thousands of investment firms nationwide.

Gui Costin, Founder and CEO of Dakota, shares his journey from losing his job to creating Dakota Marketplace, a powerful database used by over 1,200 investment firms and 6,000 fundraisers. Along the way, he discovered that success isn’t just about sales—it’s about service, systems, and leadership. Gui explains how documenting his proven sales methodology, the “Dakota Way,” helped scale the business, and why a failed product ultimately became his biggest opportunity.

At the core of Dakota’s growth is Gui’s commitment to helping others succeed—from his employees to customers and the community. His leadership philosophy centers on building a high-performance culture rooted in kindness, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

Key Takeaways:

• Getting fired pushed Gui to start Dakota and build something better.
• Systems like the “Dakota Way” helped scale growth and performance.
• A failed idea led to Dakota Marketplace, now used by thousands.
• Kind leadership creates stronger teams and long-term success.
• Growth creates opportunities for employees and the business.

About Gui Costin:

Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota, a business development and database company for investment firms. Founded in 2006, Dakota has over 60 employees with offices in Bryn Mawr and Philadelphia, PA.

Dakota’s eight-person investment sales team has raised over $40 billion for 15 different investment firms. Dakota has also raised over $13 billion in the RIA channel alone. Dakota Marketplace, an institutional investor database, is used by thousands of investment salespeople who use it to source leads of institutional investors.

Gui shares the mission of Dakota, which is to make the life of an investment salesperson easier. Each choice and decision Dakota makes daily comes back to that one point, including Dakota’s own sales team. Gui is the author of Millennials Are Not Aliens, a best-selling book on a generation who grew up on the Internet and have fundamentally changed how we buy things.

Gui attended the University of Virginia and is married with three kids.

Connect:

Website dakota.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/dakota-about/mycompany/
YouTube @DakotaRainmakerPodcast; @DakotaLivePodcast

This episode is sponsored by Dakota; helping investment firms connect with the right opportunities through the industry’s leading institutional investor database. Learn more at dakota.com.

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Burnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about lacking the mental systems to sustain performance. In this episode of Founders Forum, Lissy Alden shares how her personal burnout led her to build a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations develop true mental fitness. Co-hosting this episode alongside Marc Bernstein is Nicole Dery, Founder of Allelo Design, who brings thoughtful perspective to the conversation around leadership, culture, and workplace dynamics.

Lissy Alden, Founder and CEO of MYNDY Mental Fitness, experienced burnout firsthand while working in fast-paced corporate environments—even when she loved the work. Realizing there wasn’t a comprehensive solution addressing both workplace structure and individual resilience, she pursued research at MIT and developed a model that combines organizational design with daily mental fitness practices. Today, MYNDY helps leaders and teams strengthen mindset, build resilience, and perform at a high level without sacrificing well-being.

This conversation explores the realities of founder challenges, the evolving demands of modern workplaces, and why mental fitness is becoming essential for sustainable success.

Key Takeaways:

• How personal burnout inspired Lissy to build MYNDY
• Why unclear expectations are a major driver of employee burnout
• The “Stop, Slow, Go” method for building mental resilience
• Lessons from building a new market as a solo founder
• Why mental fitness is key to sustainable performance

About Lissy Alden:

Lissy Alden is the visionary CEO + Founder of MYNDY, a pioneering company built to combat employee burnout from all angles through her revolutionary Organizational + Mental Fitness model developed over a decade of research beginning at MIT. Recognizing burnout as a multifaceted challenge requiring systemic intervention, she has engineered an innovative platform that addresses psychological, physiological, and organizational factors simultaneously—creating resilient workforces and healthier corporate cultures. She specializes in empowering organizations to achieve their ambitious goals while maintaining employee wellbeing—creating high-performance cultures where teams—and employees—thrive.

Connect:

Website www.myndy.co
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/myndy/; linkedin.com/in/lissy-alden/

This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum to learn more.

Marc maintains a personal account relationship with CamaPlan. The advisor does not solicit, recommend, or endorse CamaPlan’s products or services in his capacity as an investment advisor, and receives no compensation or other benefit in connection with this relationship. Diversify Advisory Services and DFPG Investments has no affiliation with CamaPlan.

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What if the future of air conditioning could cut your energy bills by 90%—while helping create cleaner, healthier buildings?

In this episode of Founders Forum, Grahame Maisey joins Marc Bernstein, with special guest co-host Dr. Valecia “Dr. V” Dunbar, Founder & CEO of the Center for Confidence and Full Confidence RX. Together, they explore sustainability, innovation, and what it truly means to build for the future.

Grahame shares his journey from post-war Leicester, England to becoming a pioneer in energy conservation in the U.S. With over 60 years of HVAC and building performance experience, he’s now launching NEMCO LDAC (Nature’s Energy Machine Company)—a zero-energy HVAC system designed to reduce electric and maintenance costs by up to 90%, eliminate compressors, and deliver sterilized indoor air.

At 78, Grahame isn’t retiring—he’s scaling globally. His vision is to license this breakthrough technology worldwide and modernize a 125-year-old air conditioning industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Why traditional HVAC technology is overdue for disruption
• How zero-energy buildings can eliminate net utility costs
• The power of “backcasting” to achieve bold goals
• Why sterilized indoor air is the next frontier
• The importance of courage and confidence in entrepreneurship

About Grahame Maisey:

Grahame Maisey is a highly trained British heating, ventilating, and air conditioning engineer with 15 years of experience in the UK and 47 years of experience in the USA in energy conservation in buildings.

He has conducted reviews and delivered lectures at architects’ and engineers’ offices.

He publishes LinkedIn articles and responds to LinkedIn threads concerning HVAC and building performance.

Connect:

Website nemcoldac.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/grahame-maisey-61350b15/

This episode is brought to you by NEMCO LDAC; Nature’s Energy Machine Company revolutionizing air conditioning with zero-energy technology that cuts electric and maintenance costs by up to 90% while delivering healthier, sterilized indoor air. Go to nemcoldac.com to learn more.

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What if the key to solving climate change was already sitting on top of every commercial building?

In this powerful episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein is joined by guest co-host Matt Wampler, Founder & CEO of ClearCOGS, for a forward-looking conversation with Nick Martin, Co-Founder and COO of Carbon Reform. From AI and emerging tech to climate innovation and legacy thinking, this episode blends cutting-edge insight with deeply personal storytelling.

Nick shares how the unexpected loss of both his parents became the catalyst that pushed him fully into entrepreneurship. What followed was a bold mission: transform commercial buildings into high-performance, energy-efficient spaces using modular carbon capture technology. By leveraging existing HVAC systems, Carbon Reform helps reduce energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and remove CO₂—all while building a scalable climate tech company.

Key takeaways:

• Why “AI won’t take your job—but someone using AI will”
• How personal adversity can shape entrepreneurial resilience
• The business case for carbon capture in commercial real estate
• Why manufacturing in America can be a competitive advantage
• How to separate “signal vs. noise” when raising venture capital
• Nick’s 10-year vision for global climate impact and generational wealth

About Nick Martin:

Nick Martin is the Co-Founder & COO of Carbon Reform, a climate tech startup transforming commercial buildings into high-performance spaces through improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and carbon removal. Their modular retrofit technology offers a profitable, sustainable, and scalable solution to the climate crisis—reducing emissions while cutting HVAC energy use. Nick brings a background in chemical engineering and public sector innovation to his work building a healthier, low-carbon future.

Connect:

Website carbonreform.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nickmartincr/

This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum to learn more.

Marc maintains a personal account relationship with CamaPlan. The advisor does not solicit, recommend, or endorse CamaPlan’s products or services in his capacity as an investment advisor, and receives no compensation or other benefit in connection with this relationship. Diversify Advisory Services and DFPG Investments has no affiliation with CamaPlan.

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What if your business wasn’t just about revenue—but about changing lives? In this inspiring episode, Brad Stephenson shares how a people-first mindset transformed his company, his career, and thousands of others along the way.

Hosted by Marc Bernstein and guest co-host Ray Loewe, this conversation dives into Brad’s journey from laborer to CEO & Co-owner of Newcastle Lawn & Landscape. Brad opens up about the personal struggles that shaped his leadership style—from growing up in a challenging home environment to overcoming opioid addiction—and how those experiences fueled his mission to impact 100,000 lives.

He also shares the pivotal business challenges that nearly derailed his company, how implementing systems helped drive massive growth, and why focusing on people—not profits—is the real key to scaling a company with purpose.

Key takeaways:

• How “life domains” and time blocking create focus and balance
• Why entrepreneurs don’t need more time—just more clarity
• Brad’s journey from addiction to purpose-driven leadership
• The systems that helped grow his company from $3M to $13M
• How a mission to change lives drives culture, growth, and retention
• Why obstacles are often signs you’re on the right path

About Brad Stephenson:

Brad Stephenson is a passionate leader, entrepreneur, and certified behavioral analysis consultant dedicated to transforming lives and businesses. As the owner, CEO, and Visionary of New Castle Lawn and Landscape, Brad has successfully guided the company to become a thriving enterprise. Through his consulting business, Brad Stephenson LLC – Dream Higher, he empowers small business owners to achieve transformative growth, blending strategy with inspiration to help them dream bigger.

Connect:

Website newcastle94.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/brad-stephenson94/
Facebook facebook.com/94newcastle/
Instagram instagram.com/94newcastle/
YouTube youtube.com/channel/UC3jqNuvnrcWTlOaHK0Zj_nA

This episode is brought to you by New Castle Lawn & Landscape; Transforming Properties and Impacting Lives since 1994. Go to newcastle94.com to learn more.

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What if most disappointment comes from unspoken expectations—and the cure is a simple agreement? In this episode, we explore how shifting from assumptions to aligned agreements can transform leadership, teams, and even families.

Hosted by Marc Bernstein, with guest co-host Scott Reuter of Product Command Data, this conversation features Gal Borenstein, founder and CEO of The Borenstein Group. Gal shares a remarkable journey—from flying with generals in the Israeli Defense Forces’ media unit to studying communications at Temple University and launching a niche marketing firm with just a few thousand dollars on a credit card. That bold bet on the future of technology became a top B2B branding and marketing agency helping complex tech companies communicate with clarity and confidence.

Along the way, Gal opens up about learning sales without formal training, building a competitive advantage as a small agency, and creating long-term client relationships that span decades.

Key takeaways:

• Why replacing expectations with clear agreements improves leadership and results
• The sales lesson that changed everything: “people buy from people”
• How niching into technology gave a small agency a powerful edge
• The early thinking behind today’s fractional CMO model
• How to translate complex technical products into compelling stories
• Why self-belief—and sufficient runway—are critical for founders

About Gal Borenstein:

Gal Borenstein is the CEO and Founder of The Borenstein Group, a top-ranked technology-focused B2B and B2G branding and marketing agency serving technology innovators, cyber and defense contractors, and professional services firms. With over 30 years of experience, Gal is a sought-after speaker and strategic advisor to C-level executives, known for his expertise in digital branding, marketing transformation, and building trust in the age of AI. He is the author of three business books: Activate! How to Power Up Your Brand, What Really Counts for CEOs, and Don’t Believe the Hype. His strategic brand insights help organizations grow with clarity, credibility, and competitive impact.

Connect:

Website borensteingroup.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/galborensteinexecutiveprofile
Facebook facebook.com/borensteingroup/?_rdr
X x.com/BorensteinGroup

This episode is brought to you by Workshop Strategy; Merging experience, innovation, and purpose. Go to workshopstrategy.com to learn more.

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How do you turn decades of corporate experience into something that truly lasts—both in business and in your community?
In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Tom McEvoy, CEO and Founder of LumberCon LLC and Founder and Board Chair of the Uptown Theater in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

After spending 24 years with Armstrong World Industries—including leadership roles overseas—Tom transitioned into entrepreneurship, helping develop a revolutionary fireproof concrete decking product. At the same time, he turned his focus toward giving back, playing a key role in bringing live performing arts back to his hometown. This conversation explores Tom’s journey from corporate leadership to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

From a decade-long research and development process to educating architects and contractors on new materials, Tom shares what it really takes to bring innovation to market. He also reflects on the importance of mentorship, long-term thinking, and the leadership skill he calls “aggressive listening.” The episode wraps with Tom’s vision for the future of both LumberCon and the Uptown Theater—and what legacy means to him as a founder.

Key Takeaways:

• Why giving back matters for entrepreneurs
• The long road behind LumberCon’s innovation
• Introducing new products in traditional industries
• “Aggressive listening” as a leadership skill
• Building a legacy beyond the founder

About Tom McEvoy:

After 24 years with Armstrong World Industries, including seven years overseas in Hong Kong and London, I started a second career in the concrete industry with High Concrete, one of the leading precast concrete companies in the U.S. That introduction to concrete led me to develop LumberCon, a lightweight, high-strength concrete deck plank. Separately, my wife and two other friends started the Uptown Theater in West Chester.

Connect:

Website lumberconusa.com ; uptownwestchester.org
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tom-mcevoy-28504741/
Facebook facebook.com/uptownwc
Instagram instagram.com/uptownwc/

This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum to learn more.

Marc maintains a personal account relationship with CamaPlan. The advisor does not solicit, recommend, or endorse CamaPlan’s products or services in his capacity as an investment advisor, and receives no compensation or other benefit in connection with this relationship. Diversify Advisory Services and DFPG Investments has no affiliation with CamaPlan.

📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!

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📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein:
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🎤 Got a success story worth sharing?
We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.

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What happens when a White House correspondent trades breaking political news for building a purpose-driven PR agency?

In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Ronica Cleary to talk about clarity, intention, and the realities of growing a modern communications business.

Ronica Cleary is the Founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, a full-service public relations agency serving leaders and organizations across the U.S. Before launching her firm, Ronica spent years as a television journalist, including covering the first 18 months of the Trump administration as a White House correspondent—an experience that shaped her deep understanding of media, messaging, and storytelling.

Ronica shares how she transitioned from journalism to entrepreneurship while raising a young family, why she intentionally avoids a frantic work culture, and how intuition has guided her business decisions. She also discusses building a remote, contractor-based team, maintaining strong culture, navigating client growth and pricing, and adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape—including how SEO and generative engine optimization (GEO) have become unexpected growth drivers.

Key Takeaways:

• Why clarity and intention matter more than hustle
• Lessons from transitioning out of journalism into entrepreneurship
• How to build culture with a remote PR team
• Navigating growth, pricing, and evolving media channels

About Ronica Cleary:

Ronica Cleary is an award-winning publicist and the Founder & CEO of Cleary Strategies, a full-service public relations agency and a two-time Inc. Power Partner Award winner. Cleary Strategies provides public relations, media placements, and crisis management services to leaders and corporations. Cleary Strategies’ clients can be seen on broadcast television, heard on podcasts and radio, and featured in digital and print media. Prior to launching her agency, Ronica worked as a White House Correspondent for Fox 5 in Washington, DC, and hosted a Sunday morning political talk show, Fox 5 On The Hill.

Connect:

Website clearystrategies.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/cleary-strategies/ ; linkedin.com/in/ronica-cleary/
Instagram instagram.com/cleary_strategies/; instagram.com/ronicacleary/
Facebook facebook.com/RonicaCleary/
YouTube youtube.com/channel/UCBi-DNk7yTqKTrJtdX2DCsg

This episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org

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What if the biggest risk to your business isn’t technology itself—but your relationship with it? In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Darek Hahn to explore why strong human connection is the missing link in modern IT and leadership.

Darek Hahn is the founder and CEO of AffinIT, a relationship-first managed IT services company, and the soon-to-be-published author of Team We. Drawing from decades of experience across startups, acquisitions, and exits, Darek shares how seasons of life, business, and leadership shaped his philosophy around technology, trust, and teamwork. From selling an IT company for $8 million to launching a new venture grounded in empathy and communication, his journey offers valuable lessons for founders navigating growth and change.

In this candid conversation, Darek and Marc discuss why many businesses struggle with IT, how “tech debt” quietly erodes opportunity, and why excluding technology leaders from business decisions can cost companies millions. Darek also opens up about vulnerability, recovery, and how personal transformation influenced his leadership style and upcoming book.

Key Takeaways:

• Why underinvesting in technology creates hidden business risk
• How poor IT relationships weaken foundations and stall growth
• What “tech debt” really means—and how it impacts revenue
• Why technology must be part of strategic business decisions
• How vulnerability and trust strengthen leadership and teams
• Why the future of IT depends on human connection, not just tools

About Darek Hahn:

A relationship driven technology leader focused on building a team of amazingly talented, customer focused people who understand the importance of the personal connection in all we do. Darek's goal for his new company is to help clients change their relationship to IT, bringing it into the business as a value add rather than a value drag. Tech Debt is real and he can help you see it in your own company.

Connect:

Website affinitmsp.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/darek-hahn/ ; linkedin.com/company/affinitmsp/

This episode is brought to you by AffinIT, helping businesses build better relationships with their technology. Go to affinitmsp.com to learn more.

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