Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we dive into the dynamic journey of MacKenzie Morris, founder and CEO of Mackenzie Morris Co. A serial entrepreneur and scaling expert, MacKenzie shares her evolution from launching a childhood food business to building an international wedding brand, and now empowering coaches and service-based entrepreneurs to hit 7 figures through her signature "systems-first" approach. She reveals how embracing multi-passionate creativity—while staying rooted in authenticity—fuels her unique blend of fractional COO/CMO services, high-energy "vibe calls," and experiential marketing strategies that defy traditional industry norms.

MacKenzie opens up about her vision for "The Fraction Firm," her unconventional lead-gen tactics (like hosting club events for clients), and the hard-earned lessons behind her 165% year-over-year growth—including the $0 product launch that reshaped her alignment with purpose. For founders navigating scalability, she emphasizes the power of automation, the non-negotiable role of personal branding, and why "staying power" trumps perfection in the messy, magical journey of entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the inspiring journey of Cate Stillman, founder of Club Thrive Global, Wellness Pro Academy, and Yogahealer.com. Cate shares her 25-year evolution from environmental activism to pioneering Ayurveda and yoga-based wellness businesses, blending ancient wisdom with modern business strategies. She discusses the power of habit-driven communities, the challenges of brand evolution, and her innovative approach to hybrid virtual and in-person wellness models.

Cate also opens up about her shift from high-ticket courses to recurring revenue clubs, the complexities of email marketing in today’s landscape, and her vision for collaborative intelligence in wellness entrepreneurship. With candid reflections on business pivots, lifestyle design, and the importance of community, this episode is packed with actionable insights for founders looking to align purpose, profit, and personal well-being.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Jay Graves, founder and CEO of Leadership Canvas, a leadership development firm revolutionizing how organizations foster psychological safety, diversity, and high performance. Jay shares his remarkable journey from military intelligence officer to corporate VP, where he honed his "CLEAR" methodology—a framework for transforming struggling teams into top performers. He reveals how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy, emphasizing adaptability, cultural awareness, and servant leadership, and how these principles now drive his mission to help mid-to-large organizations unlock their full potential through inclusive, high-performance cultures.

Jay dives into Leadership Canvas’s core offerings, from organizational assessments to leadership coaching, and discusses his strategic focus for scaling in 2025—including CEO roundtables and data-driven performance insights. He also shares hard-won entrepreneurial lessons, from bootstrapping through COVID’s disruptions to leveraging AI tools like Predictive Index and Gamma AI. For aspiring founders, Jay leaves a powerful piece of advice: "Your business plan will get punched in the face—adaptability is survival."

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Aaron Hovivian, Project Lead at The Collab Team, an operations powerhouse helping visionary entrepreneurs scale without crumbling under their own growth. Aaron shares his 11-year journey from fixing "redheaded stepchild" problems for clients like Pete Vargas and Pedro Adao to building a 22-person team that acts as a "scaffolding" for businesses on the hockey-stick climb. He reveals his unique retainer model (10K for 120 hours of ops firepower) and the "Gap Analyzer" tool that diagnoses team fractures—then dives in to fix them alongside founders, not just consult from the sidelines.

Aaron unpacks why slow, steady scaling beats explosive growth (hint: avoid the "black eye" of collapsed infrastructure) and how mastering the unsexy—like committing to one project management tool—saves visionaries from whiplash. He also shares hard-won lessons from migrating clients between CRMs, rolling out EOS systems, and why the best sales tactic is "grabbing a shovel" to solve a founder's ugliest ops problem for free. For entrepreneurs drowning in ideas, his closing advice is gold: "Choose your thing. Relentlessly pursue it. Don’t pivot until it’s baked—or you’ll leave your team with half-finished chaos."

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Marc Lesser, founder of ZBA Associates LLC and renowned executive coach who bridges Zen wisdom with modern leadership. Marc shares his unconventional journey from a 10-year stay at San Francisco Zen Center to running a mindfulness-based publishing company (working with icons like the Dalai Lama) and eventually developing Google's pioneering mindful leadership program. He reveals how his unique blend of Zen practice and business acumen helps leaders cultivate "compassionate accountability"—a framework that's transforming cultures at socially responsible banks and global organizations.

Marc discusses his current pivot toward scaling online training programs like "Zen of Coaching" while maintaining the power of in-person connection through hybrid offerings. He opens up about the challenges of balancing organic growth (through his books, podcast, and newsletter) with strategic expansion, and offers golden advice for aspiring executive coaches: "Develop your own deep practice first—that blend of confidence and humility is what makes great coaching physical and palpable." For leaders navigating uncertainty, Marc leaves us with his favorite business mantra: "Let cash be your king, and flexibility be your God."

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Andrea Lewis, founder and CEO of Human Capital Services, a woman-owned HR consulting firm revolutionizing how small to mid-sized businesses value their employees. Andrea shares her inspiring journey from losing her job to building a thriving business over nearly a decade, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, adaptability, and trusting the process. She dives into her personalized HR solutions, including talent assessments, leadership development, and strategic planning, while reflecting on the challenges of scaling, delegation, and maintaining a trusted brand.

Andrea also discusses her vision for the future of HR consulting, the power of referrals, and her upcoming book and workshops under the revived Make You New program. With insights on overcoming bottlenecks in lead generation and team-building, she leaves listeners with invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: operate from a mindset of abundance, not scarcity, and stay confident in the unique value you bring to the table.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Brent E. Long, Founder of Long on Life LLC, a veteran sales coach with 30+ years of transforming underperforming teams into high-achieving leaders. Brent shares his unconventional journey—from a career-ending spinal injury that derailed his football dreams to coaching under Hall of Fame mentors and developing a "servant leadership" approach to sales. His philosophy? "Organizations don’t grow—people do." Through his unique blend of accountability, behavioral coaching, and spiritual alignment, Brent reveals why he charges $150 just for an introductory call—and how this filters for clients truly ready to transform.

Brent also breaks down his counterintuitive approach to scaling impact without chasing revenue targets. With 98% of his business coming from word-of-mouth referrals and a content library of 1,000+ articles, he prioritizes depth over breadth—focusing on intimate, long-term coaching engagements (some lasting 30+ years) that create ripple effects. For entrepreneurs torn between profit and purpose,Brent’s wisdom on "discipleship over dollars" offers a refreshing blueprint for sustainable success.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Kelly Meerbott, Principal and Trusted Advisor at YOU: Loud and Clear, to explore her incredible entrepreneurial journey. Kelly shares how a sudden corporate layoff led her to discover her passion for coaching, ultimately building a thriving leadership development business. She dives into her core offerings—one-on-one executive coaching, a diverse global network of coaches, and strategies for authentic leadership—while offering invaluable advice on scaling with purpose, leveraging LinkedIn for growth, and overcoming common founder bottlenecks.

Kelly’s story is a testament to resilience and reinvention, as she discusses the mindset shifts that fueled her success, from embracing vulnerability to prioritizing alignment with her core mission: creating belonging and connection. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on leadership, sales processes, and the power of staying true to your "why"—whether they’re aspiring coaches or seasoned founders.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Dr. Liza Nicholson, Founder & CEO of Avail Management Services, a healthcare consulting firm transforming how hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies deliver care. Dr. Nicholson shares her journey from identifying critical gaps in healthcare efficiency to building a global consultancy that now serves clients across the U.S. and internationally. She reveals how Avail’s customized solutions—from grant management to workforce optimization—empower organizations to boost patient satisfaction, streamline workflows, and maximize revenue, all while fostering long-term resilience.

Dr. Nicholson also unveils Avail’s bold 2025 vision, dubbed #KDIB (Knowledge, Digital Health, Innovation, and Branding), and discusses the challenges of scaling a referral-driven business. From leveraging university partnerships to training the next generation of healthcare leaders, she highlights how Avail balances growth with sustainability—always ensuring they have the capacity to deliver on their promise: “We bend, but we don’t break.”

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Steve Pirt, co-founder and CEO of Flexwork Fitness, a game-changing platform revolutionizing the fitness industry as the "Airbnb of fitness." Steve shares his 24-year journey from personal trainer to franchise operations leader at UFC Gym, revealing how his frustration with the industry’s limitations for independent trainers inspired him to create Flexwork—a pay-as-you-go, app-based solution offering private premium spaces for fitness professionals. He dives into the core problem: trainers trapped in employee models with no scalable path to entrepreneurship, and how Flexwork empowers them with flexible, tech-enabled spaces to build their own brands.

Steve breaks down Flexwork’s unique model, which serves three key customer types: independent trainers (82% of users), wellness professionals, and individuals seeking private workouts. He highlights their Flex Connect lead-generation system, likened to "Match.com for fitness," which pairs trainers with clients seamlessly. With franchising already underway and a vision to expand beyond Carmel, Indiana, Steve shares hard-won entrepreneurial lessons—emphasizing endurance, cash flow management, and the critical importance of a strong "why" when building a disruptive business.