Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with DeAnna Mangum, Co-Founder & President of CoupleyFit, a mission-driven wellness and consulting brand transforming how couples and businesses approach holistic health. What began in 2017 as a meal-delivery service and fitness bootcamp has evolved into a powerhouse consulting firm working with giants like Walmart, helping purpose-driven brands scale through authentic storytelling and omnichannel strategies. DeAnna shares how personal loss in her community fueled CoupleyFit’s generational wellness mission, the pivotal pivot from fitness coaching to B2B consulting, and why AI and trust are the twin pillars of modern brand growth.

From building a 20K-strong Instagram following to onboarding university interns, DeAnna reveals how CoupleyFit blends faith, psychology, and business acumen to create lasting impact. She drops golden advice on resilience (“You only need one ‘yes’ to change your life”) and unpacks her 2025 vision: expanding strategic partnerships, leveraging AI influencers, and helping brands convert social audiences into loyal customers. Whether you’re in wellness, consulting, or scaling a values-driven business, this episode is packed with actionable insights on turning purpose into profit.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Dr. Sharon Lamm-Hartman, Founder & CEO of Inside-Out Learning, Inc., a leadership development firm revolutionizing how organizations drive engagement and growth through transformative learning. With a doctorate from Columbia University and decades of experience (including at ARCO/BP), Dr. Sharon shares how her research-backed Authenticity Code methodology helps leaders achieve lasting mindset shifts—proven to boost retention, promotions, and revenue. She reveals why "inside-out" change is the key to scalable leadership and how her programs (from keynotes to 5-day intensives) are transforming Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Sharon also unpacks her scaling journey, from bootstrapping to building a 40-person global team, and her vision to reach 1 million leaders with her methodology. She discusses the future of leadership development—including AI-powered micro-learning and high-touch coaching—and offers golden advice for mission-driven founders: "Stay purpose-led, resilient, and see the gift in every struggle." Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or corporate leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights on creating transformative learning that lasts.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the world of food entrepreneurship with Cesar Cruz, Founder & CEO of Seven Claves, a consultancy revolutionizing how early-stage food and beverage brands navigate the complex journey from concept to shelf. Cesar reveals how his team of food scientists and designers helps founders avoid the pitfalls of FDA compliance, ingredient sourcing, and retail readiness—all while maintaining profitability in an industry dominated by corporate giants. From de-risking formulations to decoding unit economics, he shares why most food startups fail (hint: it’s not just about taste) and how Seven Claves’ data-driven approach flips the script by prioritizing demand creation over demand capture.

Cesar also pulls back the curtain on scaling a niche consultancy through standardized processes, SEO dominance, and hard-won social proof. He discusses the future of food CPG amid tariffs and ingredient bans, and leaves listeners with a rallying cry: “Just do it—worst case, you’ll learn invaluable lessons about this brutal but rewarding industry.” Whether you’re a food founder, consultant, or scaling a service business, this episode is packed with tactical insights on turning passion into profit.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Kareem Scales, founder and CEO of Scales Consulting, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in leadership development, community engagement, and strategic capacity building. Kareem shares his unique journey from corporate sales to entrepreneurship, revealing how his human-centered approach helps organizations across sectors develop resilient leadership and operational excellence. He also discusses the launch of his Leadership Blueprint podcast and the growing role of AI in leadership training through his new Scale AI program.

Kareem dives into the core pillars of his consultancy—leadership development, community engagement, and fundraising—and explains why adaptability is key in serving diverse clients, from nonprofits to municipalities. He highlights the power of organic relationship-building while exploring innovative growth strategies like paid ads and AI integration. For mission-driven leaders navigating change, Kareem offers a rallying cry: "Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about the person behind the work and the journey to get there."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Bill Jacoby, founder of Comply PRO+, a game-changing SaaS solution revolutionizing compliance management for importers. Bill shares how his 7,000-hour development journey created an AI-ready platform that automates regulatory filings—ahead of the July 2026 mandate requiring 300,000+ companies to digitally submit compliance certificates. With patented technology already adopted by billion-dollar retailers, Bill reveals how his system turns scattered supplier data into audit-proof compliance with one click.

Bill breaks down his "Swiss Army knife" approach—from dynamic certificate generation to recall traceability—and why early adopters get 25% discounts plus lifetime filing perks. For SaaS founders, he offers hard-won lessons on bootstrapping complex tech ("Never outsource your core IP") and why AI-driven outreach is critical when educating a market that doesn’t yet know it needs you. His rallying cry? "In regulated industries, compliance isn’t a cost center—it’s your license to scale."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Kirk Dando, founder and CEO of Dando Advisors, a seasoned executive coach with nearly 30 years of experience guiding high-growth companies. Kirk shares his unique approach to leadership advisory, emphasizing deep trust-building, actionable insights, and the importance of addressing blind spots in fast-scaling organizations. He also discusses the disruptive impact of AI on the coaching industry, why human wisdom still prevails, and how entrepreneurs can leverage technology while staying grounded in authentic leadership.

Kirk opens up about his journey from CFO to trusted advisor, revealing how his hands-on experience with billion-dollar exits shaped his philosophy on predictive leadership. He highlights the power of word-of-mouth referrals, the pitfalls of scaling without self-awareness, and his mission to "empty the tank" by sharing hard-earned lessons through his For You Leaders podcast. For founders navigating uncertainty, Kirk offers timeless advice: Think big, start small, move fast—and never stop asking the hard questions.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Will Black, founder and CEO of Sharing the Credit, who's revolutionizing philanthropy through credit card processing. Will shares how his "lightning bolt moment" at a Rotary meeting led to creating a system where businesses automatically donate a portion of transaction fees to charities—without spending extra. With client relationships lasting 16+ years and nonprofits like Wounded Blue earning $500K annually through his platform, Will reveals why this model creates "indefinite LTV" while solving fundraising fatigue for causes worldwide.

Will breaks down the hidden economics of payment processing, explaining how his team bypasses banks to redirect fees directly to charities—turning everyday transactions into sustainable giving. For impact-driven entrepreneurs, he offers a golden rule: "If your solution doesn’t let people support what they’re already passionate about, it’s not transformational." With plans to scale to $50M/year, Will’s vision proves that profit and purpose aren’t just compatible—they’re inseparable.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Lee Davy, visionary founder of Origen Network and pioneer of regenerative vitality systems. Lee shares his 35-year journey from anxiety-ridden teen to transformational guide, revealing how breathwork, advanced healing technologies, and heart-centered leadership can revolutionize wellbeing. He introduces his ambitious vision to replace today’s "sick care" model with a tokenized, gamified ecosystem of vitality hubs, retreats, and neural-regenerative technologies—starting with his Costa Rica land project.

Lee unpacks his "adventure vitality experiences" (retreats reimagined), the science behind tools like molecular hydrogen therapy and Cogniva helmets, and why collaboration—not competition—is key to scaling consciousness. For entrepreneurs seeking purpose, he offers a rallying cry: "True leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about remembering our innate power to heal and co-create systems that make the old ones obsolete."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Dr. Corinne Green, CEO of HR Mom, LLC, shares her inspiring journey of transforming HR for small businesses. With 20+ years of HR leadership across retail, healthcare, and education, Dr. Green founded HR Mom to bridge the gap between corporate HR strategies and small business needs. She discusses how her hands-on approach helps entrepreneurs build compliant HR infrastructures, develop talent pipelines, and scale operations—comparing her role to a nurturing "mom" guiding businesses from infancy to maturity.

Dr. Green opens up about overcoming personal health challenges while scaling HR Mom, including her 2023 brain surgery and triumphant return. She reveals her vision for national expansion, leveraging AI for efficiency, and the importance of strategic partnerships with small business incubators. With insights on leadership, resilience, and the future of HR, Dr. Green offers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs balancing growth, operations, and personal well-being.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Brian Palmer, Senior Vice President at Premier Speakers Bureau, shares his remarkable 40+ year journey in the speaking industry—from helping build his father's National Speakers Bureau to merging with Premier in 2024. Brian reveals how Premier connects organizations with top-tier talent like Tim Tebow and Daymond John, emphasizing the power of live events and the art of matching the right speaker to the right audience. He also discusses Premier’s unique employee-owned (ESOP) structure and how their technology-driven platform streamlines the booking process while maintaining a human touch.

Brian dives into the challenges of scaling in the speaking industry, from identifying high-value buyers to navigating AI’s impact on lead generation. He shares why some clients resist speaker recommendations and how a compelling preview video can make or break a booking. With insights on serving customers selflessly and leveraging technology for personalized experiences, Brian offers invaluable lessons for anyone in the events or talent industry.