Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Carter Perez, CEO and founder of Revenue Chemists, a growth consultancy bringing scientific precision to scaling B2B SaaS companies. Carter shares his journey from Silicon Valley operator (with 4 exits) to building a fractional revenue leadership firm that’s helped over 40 startups unlock predictable growth. He dives into Revenue Chemists’ 3 core offerings—fractional leadership, coaching, and consulting—and why their referral-driven model has thrived without traditional marketing (until now).

Carter also unpacks the challenges of scaling a high-touch service business, his plans to expand through a new book and AI-powered tools, and why lifelong learning is non-negotiable in the age of AI. From vetting clients as rigorously as they vet him to his predictions for how AI will reshape sales, this episode is a masterclass in balancing organic growth with intentional scaling—especially for enterprise-level service providers.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Peter Winick—founder of Thought Leadership Leverage—shares his decades of experience helping thought leaders and executives transform their ideas into scalable businesses. Peter reveals his 3-pronged client acquisition strategy (inbound content, targeted outbound, and referrals) and why most consultants fail by focusing on "plumbing" (processes) instead of outcomes. He also breaks down his premium consulting model, emphasizing the importance of always marketing—even when busy—to avoid the feast-or-famine cycle.

Peter discusses the dual revenue streams of his business (front-end consulting and back-end licensing deals) and offers blunt advice for new consultants: "Know why anyone would pay you." He stresses niching down, delivering undeniable results, and building systems that work beyond hourly billing. For established thought leaders, Peter shares how his 6-week strategy-first approach creates clarity before execution.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Allison Jones, M.Ed., GPC, founder of Spark the Fire Grant Writing, shares her journey from social work to becoming a nationally recognized grant writing expert. She discusses the power of grants in driving social impact, the ethical approach to grant writing, and how AI is reshaping (but not replacing) the profession. Allison also breaks down common misconceptions, the ideal clients for her training programs, and the importance of meaningful work in philanthropy.

Allison dives into the realities of grant funding, explaining why it’s not "free money" and how organizations must deliver on their promises. She shares insights on her hands-on certification courses, partnerships with grant databases, and her mission to empower nonprofits, government agencies, and even for-profits with community-focused missions. Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to scale your impact, Allison’s expertise offers valuable guidance on turning proposals into funded projects.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Lavinia Iosub, Managing Partner of Livit International, to explore how she transformed a small co-living space in Bali into a thriving startup ecosystem and innovation hub. Lavinia shares the organic evolution of Livit—from supporting early-stage founders with workspace to offering full-scale business-building services like HR, legal, and strategic advisory across 15+ countries. She reveals why trust and long-term partnerships (some lasting 10+ years) are at the core of their client relationships, and how they’ve upskilled 20,000 Indonesians in remote work through their education platform.

Lavinia dives into the challenges of scaling a location-based business globally, the pitfalls of traditional digital marketing for high-trust services, and her vision for the future of work (hint: it’s about pairing humans with AI, not replacing them). She also shares hard-won advice for new entrepreneurs: niching down, validating ideas fast, and avoiding “business porn” that distracts from real customer needs. For anyone curious about building resilient businesses in emerging markets or navigating the Bali startup scene, this episode is a goldmine.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Rocky Peeden, Co-Founder and CEO of Revenue Zen, to explore how his B2B marketing agency is pioneering the shift from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Rocky shares his journey from building SDR teams to revolutionizing content strategy—emphasizing how AI is compressing timelines and forcing marketers to adapt faster than ever. He reveals why creating "opinion-led" content and engaging authentically on platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit are now non-negotiable for growth.

Rocky dives into Revenue Zen’s AI-powered content engine, which combines SME insights with algorithmic optimization for both search and LLMs. He predicts seismic shifts in marketing roles (think: 50% of editorial jobs disappearing in 6 months) and explains why the future belongs to those who distribute their ideas across the "spider web" of interconnected channels—from YouTube Shorts to custom GPTs. For founders and marketers, this episode is a masterclass in staying ahead of the AI curve while keeping human trust at the core.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Samantha Melting, President and Co-Owner of Mayfield Consulting, Inc., to explore her journey from leading multibillion-dollar businesses at Synchrony and Bank of America to acquiring and transforming a 37-year-old consulting firm. Samantha shares how Mayfield Consulting helps small and mid-sized businesses amplify their strategies—from marketing and branding to acquisitions—through hands-on execution, market research, and operational expertise.

Samantha dives into the challenges of rebranding a legacy business, the power of niching down, and how AI has revolutionized their workflow. She also reveals her unexpected pivot into manufacturing consulting and the importance of solving client problems—not just selling services. With a focus on scaling through automation and strategic networking, Samantha’s story is a masterclass in reinvention and sustainable growth.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Kristin Toth, founder and CEO of Ulu Partners, to explore her journey from scaling high-growth startups like Amazon and Zulily to revolutionizing leadership development. Kristin shares how Ulu Partners helps founders and executives foster organizational growth, alignment, and joy—emphasizing the critical shift from building a business to building a company with scalable leadership, culture, and processes.

Kristin dives into her tailored coaching programs, leadership workshops, and the challenges of scaling with soul. She reveals key insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, leveraging AI for efficiency, and the importance of authentic lead generation. With a vision to expand into scalable one-to-many programs, Kristin’s mission is to empower leaders to create meaningful impact—without sacrificing sanity or joy.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Nader Dawood, co-founder of Aspire Training LLC, a leadership development firm revolutionizing how companies cultivate leaders from within. With 15+ years in performance coaching, Nader reveals why traditional LMS courses fail (low retention) and how Aspire’s virtual one-on-one training model solves this by focusing on continuous, personalized development. He shares the challenges of scaling a "high-touch" service, from educating clients on their unique approach to casting a wide net for lead generation—while staying lean with a 3-person team.

Nader also dives into the future of leadership training in the AI era, arguing that human emotional intelligence (EQ) will always outvalue machines in mentorship. For founders, he drops golden advice: "True leaders don’t teach ‘how’—they inspire ‘why.’" Plus, his 6-month plan to build a sales/marketing engine and why he’s betting on Oklahoma’s midsize businesses (20–500 employees) as his ideal clients.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Natasha Tynes, founder of Suburban Media Group and a trailblazing ghostwriter for underrepresented voices. Natasha shares her journey from a 25-year career in journalism (including roles at Al Jazeera and The Washington Post) to launching her own agency, where she helps female entrepreneurs—particularly from Middle Eastern backgrounds—write memoirs that bridge cultural gaps. She reveals how she transformed her passion for storytelling into a scalable business, offering both high-ticket "done-for-you" ghostwriting and "done-with-you" coaching, while navigating the challenges of client acquisition and staying lean.

Natasha also dives into her experiments with growth—from cold outreach on LinkedIn to paid ads for her digital courses—and her vision for the future: a boutique agency that prioritizes cultural authenticity and life-changing narratives. Along the way, she drops golden advice for founders, emphasizing that health (physical and mental) is the foundation of entrepreneurial success.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Olivia Howell, co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, the world’s first divorce registry and support platform. Olivia shares her deeply personal journey—from navigating her own divorce to transforming her pain into a mission that empowers others through life transitions. She unpacks how Fresh Starts Registry helps individuals rebuild their lives with curated resources, expert support, and a compassionate community, all while challenging societal stigmas around divorce.

Olivia also dives into the business side, revealing how Fresh Starts generates revenue through memberships for professionals (divorce lawyers, therapists, etc.), workshops, and PR services—all while keeping core offerings free for those in need. She discusses scaling challenges, the power of organic community growth, and her vision for turning Fresh Starts into a lifestyle brand that redefines life after divorce.