Founders' Forum

A foundation in hospitality can teach lessons that last a lifetime — especially when it comes to building businesses rooted in people and purpose. In this episode of Founders' Forum, co-hosted by Armon Vincent, Founding Partner of Catalyst Technology Partners, Gray Brandeis, Founder and CEO of Scholar Hotels LLC, shares how his background in hospitality has shaped his approach to building authentic, human-centered brands.

Gray opens up about the lessons learned from years of serving people face-to-face — and how those same principles of empathy, trust, and experience design now guide his work helping founders elevate their businesses. From client relationships to leadership philosophies, Gray shows that success isn’t just about numbers — it’s about connection.

Key takeaways:

• How hospitality experience can create a strong foundation for entrepreneurship
• The importance of empathy and genuine connection in business growth
• Why founders should prioritize brand experience as much as product or service quality
• Practical ways to build long-term relationships that drive customer loyalty

With grounded insights and relatable stories, Gray reminds us that people remember how you make them feel — and that’s what builds lasting brands.

About Gary Steven Brandeis:

Gary is the CEO and Co-Founder of Scholar Hotels LLC. He began his real estate career in 1990, and his experience and expertise include development, finance, acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, and joint ventures. He has been the principal partner in four real estate investment funds, including PB Funds I & II, investing over $350 million across all property types and investment strategies since 2005.

Connect with Gary:

Website scholarhotels.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/garybrandeis/

This episode is brought to you by Gehman Design Remodeling; Design, Concept, and Construction for stress free remodels.  Go to gehmanremodeling.com to learn more.

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What does it take to overcome life’s toughest obstacles and build a successful business? Thomas J. Knox, Chairman and CEO of Pinpoint Health Benefits, shares an entrepreneurial journey that’s a true testament to perseverance, lifelong learning, and seizing opportunities in the face of adversity.

Tom’s story begins in public housing, where he sold newspapers, caddied, and started working from a young age. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Tom entered the insurance industry, starting with small, door-to-door sales of basic life insurance policies. His commitment to self-improvement and relentless work ethic catapulted him to build businesses from the ground up, including Homestead Smart Health Plans and Pinpoint Health Benefits.

One of Tom’s core business philosophies is the importance of innovation and adaptability. His ventures, such as Pinpoint Health Benefits, focus on providing small businesses with affordable, high-quality health insurance plans, proving that even in the face of large competitors, there’s always room for creative solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Success: Tom's early experiences shaped his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Learning and Growth: Despite a limited formal education, Tom’s commitment to reading and self-education helped him excel in his industry.
• Building a Business with Innovation: Tom revolutionized the health insurance market by offering affordable, competitive plans with added benefits.
• Leadership in Politics and Business: As Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia, Tom helped balance the city’s budget, showing his ability to lead both in business and government.

About Thomas J. Knox, PHD, CLU, ChFC, FCPP:

Tom Knox is a successful entrepreneur and insurance industry professional. In addition to being the Chairman and CEO of Pinpoint Health Benefits, Mr. Knox is the Founder of Homestead Smart Health Plans and the current Chairman of Homestead Insurance Company. As CEO of UnitedHealthcare from 2004 to 2006, Mr. Knox was responsible for overseeing all of UnitedHealthcare's operations in Pennsylvania and the surrounding jurisdictions.

Connect:

Website pinpointhealthbenefits.com

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tomknoxphilly/

This episode is brought to you by Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association; empowering people with disabilities through adaptive outdoor recreation. Visit glasa.org to learn more.

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What happens when life throws you off course? For Coach Malcolm Allison Hairston, CEO of Raku Products LLC and inventor of The Hipsetter, those moments became the training ground for greatness.

In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc talks with Coach Malcolm—a leader, educator, and motivator—about how he turned personal and professional challenges into a blueprint for success. Drawing from his experiences in sports and coaching, he shares powerful lessons on discipline, mindset, and leadership that every entrepreneur can apply.

From overcoming adversity to helping others unlock their potential, Coach Malcolm’s journey is a masterclass in turning pressure into progress. His insights go beyond the game, offering real-world strategies for staying consistent, purposeful, and resilient—no matter what life brings.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why mindset is the foundation of every success story
• How to transform obstacles into opportunities for growth
• The connection between sports discipline and business leadership
• Practical ways to stay motivated through life’s toughest seasons

About Coach Malcolm Allison Hairston:

I am a lifelong entrepreneur, having owned several successful businesses, including property inspection services for large insurance carriers, custom cabinetry, granite and marble, music production, and athletic coaching at the age group, high school, and college levels.

Connect:

Website hipsetterwpc.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/malcolm-hairston-42840246/
Facebook facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091494637248
Instagram instagram.com/hipsetter_wpc/

This episode is brought to you by Hipsetter; a revolutionary tool designed to help you walk with balance, strength, and confidence. Go to learn.hipsetterwpc.com/walk to learn more.

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What if scaling your business wasn’t about doing more, but choosing better? In this inspiring Founders’ Forum episode, host Marc Bernstein talks with Shikha Miglani, co-founder of Saarthee, a global strategy, analytics, and AI firm helping enterprises across telecom, media, retail, banking, and healthcare make smarter, fairer decisions with data.

From being the only woman engineer on India’s factory floor to leading a respected AI company, Shikha shares a journey that proves you can balance innovation with empathy, and scale without losing authenticity.

She opens up about how Saarthee’s mission was built on a timeless idea from the Mahabharata: choose the strategist over the army. For Shikha, that means focusing on better partners, better principles, and better impact, not just faster growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to align analytics and AI with real business outcomes
• The power of duality—balancing hard metrics with soft empathy
• Why authenticity beats polish when leading through bias
• How to reduce bias in AI through inclusive, transparent data design
• Why “quality over quantity” is the foundation of lasting growth

About Shikha Miglani:

Shikha Miglani is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Saarthee, a strategy, analytics, technology, and AI company that empowers enterprises through transformative insights. With an engineering background and decades of consulting experience, she has led multimillion-dollar initiatives across industries, seamlessly bridging data analytics with business strategy.

A strong advocate for the power of mentorship, she serves as a passionate Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Shikha also leads Maithee, where she spearheads the collaborative development of AI-driven solutions.

Connect:

Website saarthee.ai
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/shikha-miglani-40a1ba5/

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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Jim Logue didn’t start ThermOmegaTech, he reinvented it. When he stepped in, the company was overly reliant on one industry and struggling with culture. Today, it’s a $35M business with nearly 150 employees, serving sectors from aerospace to railroads—and even space.

In this conversation, host Marc Bernstein and returning guest Branden Moyer, founder of Buzz Brands, talk with Jim about the “four pillars” that guided the turnaround: staying relevant, putting customers first, engaging employees, and committing to continuous improvement. Jim opens up about the challenges of scaling, why small wins build trust, and how delegation and culture matter as much as strategy. He also shares how AI and automation are solving labor shortages and reshaping the future of manufacturing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to diversify and stay relevant in changing markets
• Why employee buy-in is the foundation of growth
• Lessons on scaling from $9M to $35M in revenue
• The role of AI and automation in modern manufacturing

Beyond the CEO role, Jim’s love of history shines through his work as a Philadelphia tour guide and Union League docent—proof that great leaders never stop learning.

About James F. Logue, Jr.:

Jim is the President & CEO of ThermOmegaTech, Inc. (“TOT”). TOT provides engineering design, machining, assembly, and testing of specialty temperature control valves and related products. The company also has a division that populates and tests printed circuit boards, primarily for the aerospace and military industries. TOT operates out of a 60,000 sq. ft. facility located in Warminster, Pennsylvania.

Connect:

Website thermomegatech.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/thermomegatech

This episode is brought to you by ThermOmegaTech; a leader in innovative temperature control solutions for industrial, plumbing, aerospace, and defense markets. Visit thermomegatech.com to learn more.

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Entrepreneurship is never a straight line—it’s full of zigzags, ups and downs, and lessons learned along the way. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Tatiana Barakshina, PhD, MBA, Managing Partner at Bazis Americas LLC, to explore her remarkable journey from Russia to the U.S. and her path to co-founding a successful healthcare market research firm.

Tatiana shares how her educational journey, from earning her MBA in Illinois to completing her PhD in Chicago, shaped her passion for marketing and consumer insights. She also reflects on the challenges of building a business around client demand, the importance of finding the right team, and how her multicultural company culture drives innovation and collaboration.

Alongside Marc and returning guest Bobby Reed, Executive Producer at Loaded Pixel, Tatiana discusses resilience in entrepreneurship, the value of mentorship, and why humor and sincerity play an unexpected role in leadership and teaching.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs—every crisis also brings opportunity.
• Building the right team is critical, especially in people-driven industries like research.
• A multicultural workplace culture fosters creativity, connection, and shared pride.
• Having a business partner or mentor provides perspective and support during challenges.
• Humor and honesty can strengthen both teaching and leadership.

About Tatiana Barakshina, PhD, MBA:

I am a founding partner at Bazis Americas, a full-service marketing research agency established in 2006. I teach Consumer Behavior and Marketing Communication courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University Chicago. I have four kids, a husband who works in IT, and a fluffy dog.

Connect:

Website www.bazisamericas.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tatiana-barakshina , linkedin.com/company/bazisgroup

This episode is brought to you by Bazis Americas; a global healthcare marketing research firm that places patient-centric approaches at the heart of every study. Visit bazisamericas.com to learn more.

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How do you turn setbacks into fuel for impact? Valecia “Dr. V” Dunbar has made a career out of answering that question.

In this episode of Founders' Forum, Dr. V shares her journey as a founder, strategist, and visionary leader. From overcoming personal and professional challenges to creating spaces where leadership and innovation can thrive, she shows us what it means to transform adversity into opportunity. With her unique perspective, Dr. V offers lessons not just in resilience, but in building something bigger than yourself.

Listeners will walk away inspired and equipped with practical insights for navigating their own leadership paths.

Key Takeaways:

• How Dr. V turned challenges into steppingstones for growth
• Why purpose-driven leadership matters more than ever
• The role of storytelling in connecting vision to impact
• Strategies to stay resilient while scaling a mission-driven business

About Valecia "Dr. V" Dunbar:

Dr. Valecia Dunbar (Dr. V) is the visionary Founder and CEO of The Center for Confidence | Full ConfidenceRX (FCRX), a premier organizational leadership firm specializing in professional, business, and financial coaching for top performers and mission-driven changemakers. With a passion for helping leaders thrive in complex environments, she has become a trusted advisor to executives, entrepreneurs, and institutions across the globe.

A subject-matter expert in organizational crisis & leadership, Dr. Dunbar serves on the MBA Advisory Committee at the Forbes School of Business & Technology and has led national research efforts as a Senior Research Facilitator, including groundbreaking studies on the impact of COVID-19 on multicultural businesses. As a Business Advisor with Goldman Sachs’ Black in Business accelerator, she champions women-owned solo enterprises, guiding founders toward long-term financial growth and sustainability.

Her latest endeavor, The New LaVilla, is a bold $1 million+ community reinvestment and commercial real estate crowdfunding campaign to convert a historic landmark into modern coworking space and entrepreneurship hub in Jacksonville, FL—reviving a historic neighborhood through innovation, ownership, and collective vision.

Follow her work and her series "Lost fortunes" on LinkedIn and across social media @TheTrueDrV.

Connect:

Website www.fullconfidencerx.com/
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/drdunbar/, linkedin.com/company/the-new-lavilla/
Facebook facebook.com/thecenterforconfidence

This episode is brought to you by Full Confidence RX; helping leaders and teams unlock potential with confidence and resilience. Visit fullconfidencerx.com to learn more.

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What if the key to business success is simply letting go? In this episode of Founders' Forum, Justin Currie, Owner of Thema Home Care, founder of Masters of Home Care, and Inc. 5000-recognized entrepreneur, shares how embracing the “Let Them Theory” transformed not only his mindset but also his business.

Justin’s entrepreneurial journey took him from the oil fields of Saskatchewan to launching a thriving senior care business in Pennsylvania. Along the way, he faced challenges—like being turned away at the border twice—but refused to let setbacks define him. Instead, he built Thema Home Care (named after his grandmothers Thelma and Jermaine) into a company known for premium, personalized care and a sustainable model that pays caregivers better than the competition.

Now, with systems in place and an executive director running day-to-day operations, Justin has achieved the freedom to spend more time with his growing family while continuing to expand into memory care services. His story is a powerful example of how to design a business that serves both your clients and your lifestyle.

Key Takeaways:

• Why “letting go” of control can open the door to growth and freedom
• How to build a premium service model that benefits both clients and caregivers
• Lessons from overcoming immigration and startup challenges
• Structuring a business to thrive without needing you 24/7
• Smart ways to integrate AI into operations while keeping a human touch
• Justin’s reminder: “Don’t confuse motion with progress.”

About Justin Currie:

Justin Currie is the sole owner of Thema Home Care, recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for its rapid growth, and founder of Masters of Home Care, a consulting firm dedicated to helping home care agency owners scale to $5 million in revenue. Originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, Justin now resides in Downingtown, PA, with his fiancée and three dogs.

Connect:

Website www.themahomecare.com, www.mastersofhomecare.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/justin-currie-958565278/
YouTube youtube.com/channel/UCTp9wknIFODgUPEIY8T8WKg
Newsletter https://homecaremba.com/

This episode is brought to you by Masters of Home Care; helping home care agency owners attract more clients, retain caregivers, and scale with freedom. Visit mastersofhomecare.com to learn more.

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What does it take to spot an opportunity before the world even has a name for it? For Scott Reuter, Principal at Product Data Command, the answer lies in curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to reinvent when the market shifts.

From launching a computer products buying group in the 1980s, to pioneering one of the first product information management (PIM) systems in the 1990s, to today’s AI-powered solutions at Product Data Command, Scott’s 30+ year journey has been anything but linear. Along the way, he’s faced setbacks—including a deal that fell through at the finish line—and moments where he had to pick up side jobs just to keep his dream alive. Through it all, his focus remained the same: helping companies present their products in ways that boost sales and deliver better customer experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• How Scott turned the idea of a buying group into a profitable venture for resellers in the 1980s
• The birth of one of the first commercial PIM systems—and why clean product data matters
• What happens when a big acquisition deal falls through, and how to recover
• How AI is transforming product information management and giving companies a competitive edge
• Why legacy, kindness, and integrity matter as much as business success

About Scott Reuter:

35+ years of experience in various technology sectors. 30+ years as an entrepreneur, including founding a technology buying group, a computer product manufacturer, and one of the world’s first Product Information Management software companies. Extensive experience in the computer product and automotive aftermarket industries.

Connect:

Website www.pdcommand.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/scott-reuter/ , linkedin.com/company/product-data-command-llc/
Facebook facebook.com/pdcommander/

This episode is brought to you by Product Data Command; Boosting Online Sales & Revenue with Expert Product Data Strategies. Go to pdcommad.com to learn more.

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What does it take to step into a family business, honor its legacy, and still make it your own?

Marc Bernstein welcomes Karla Trotman, President & CEO of Electro Soft Incorporated, to share her remarkable story. From the company’s humble beginnings on her family’s kitchen table to becoming a trusted manufacturer for the defense, aviation, and transit industries, Karla has guided Electro Soft through challenges and growth with vision and grit.

Key Takeaways:

• How doubt can actually be a powerful leadership tool
• The difficult—but necessary—family conversations that shaped her path
• Taking the reins just before the pandemic, and how she pivoted to keep her team strong
• Why strategic planning, community, and adaptability are her keys to success

Along the way, Karla also shares insights from her book Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: Building the Vibrant Future of Manufacturing, and what winning EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award meant to her.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating leadership transitions, managing change, or simply looking for inspiration from a leader who embraces resilience and authenticity.

About Karla Trotman:

Karla Trotman is the President & CEO of Electro Soft, Inc., one of the largest independent electronics contract manufacturers in the Philadelphia Tri-State area, serving aviation, defense, and transit industries. She's the author of "Dark Dirty Dangerous" and Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award winner.

Connect:

Website electrosoftinc.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/karlatrotman/
Instagram instagram.com/karlatrotman
YouTube youtube.com/user/electrosoftinc

This episode is brought to you by Electro Soft Inc., Trusted in Custom Electronics Manufacturing for Over 35 Years. Go to electrosoftinc.com to learn more.

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