Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Zac Parker, Founder of Agile for Life Coaching and author of Agile Sucks (When You Do It Wrong). A retired military veteran turned leadership coach, Zac shares his unconventional journey from software development teams to empowering leaders through John Maxwell’s principles. He reveals why traditional coaching fails (“It’s not about showcasing what you know—it’s about helping others uncover who they are”) and how his Leadership Game—a gamified retrospective—helps organizations diagnose cultural friction.

Zac opens up about his $500K revenue target for 2025, the challenge of scaling into enterprise clients (“You can’t force growth—people must want it”), and why he avoids paid ads in favor of grassroots networking (Rotary Club, Toastmasters, and Chamber of Commerce). For aspiring coaches, he drops a golden rule: “Read the same book 10 times—you’ll learn something new each time. Leadership isn’t a checklist; it’s a mirror.”

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the transformative journey of Ron Sosa, founder of Synapt Neuroinclusive Leadership Coaching. Ron shares his powerful transition from 20 years in veterinary medicine to becoming a neurodiversity advocate after receiving ADHD and autism diagnoses during the pandemic. He reveals how these revelations helped him understand lifelong struggles and inspired him to create a coaching practice that helps neurodivergent veterinary leaders show up authentically while building inclusive workplaces.

Ron discusses his tailored coaching programs (ranging from 5-week intensives to 6-month deep dives) that help practice owners align their leadership with their neurotype. He opens up about the challenges of transitioning from word-of-mouth client acquisition (currently 90% of his business) to building scalable systems, including his upcoming book on neuroinclusive leadership and plans for cohort-based learning. With raw honesty, Ron shares why he's targeting April 2026 to leave his full-time job—and how hitting $250K in revenue could accelerate that timeline.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we meet Erika Radis, the powerhouse behind Working Moms of San Antonio (WMSA)—a thriving membership community that’s grown from a humble Facebook group to 7,000+ members since 2019. Erika shares how her dual role as a real estate agent and mom of three inspired her to create a space where career-driven mothers could network authentically (kids in tow!) through 6–8 monthly events, workshops, and a mom-owned business directory. She reveals the unexpected demand that turned her side project into a movement, complete with a physical studio space and podcast, while staying laser-focused on San Antonio’s vibrant market.

Erika breaks down her $55/month membership model, the power of testimonials in Meta ads, and why email lists trump social media for long-term growth. She also opens up about balancing WMSA with her other ventures (including female-focused podcast studios) and her vision for scaling through delegation—hinting that her next frontier might involve systems and AI tools like ChatGPT. For aspiring community builders, her advice is golden: "Start small, validate the need, and remember—10 people on an email list is still momentum."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Brian Waild, founder of Start With the Answer, to explore how he helps businesses double their valuation in 36 months. With 30+ years in operations and finance—including a decade leading a PE-backed company to exit—Brian shares his unique approach: a blend of Toyota Production System principles, Theory of Constraints, and gain-sharing programs that align stakeholder incentives. He reveals how his "diagnostic-first" consulting model uncovers hidden bottlenecks (often in manufacturing/service throughput) and delivers a 3x ROI for clients, while prioritizing long-term value over quick fixes.

Brian also opens up about the challenges of scaling a boutique consultancy, from balancing hands-on client work (he caps at 3 engagements at once) to bridging the gap between his operational genius and the marketing/sales engine needed to grow. He reflects on lessons from his first year as a founder, including why he leans on his network of 30+ consultants rather than cold outreach—and how his "supercharged" mindset helps clients achieve what they once thought impossible.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the journey of Mike Kuczkowski, founder and CEO of Orangefiery, an award-winning strategic consulting and communications firm. Mike shares his transition from journalism and politics to leading global PR agencies before launching Orangefiery, which specializes in high-stakes positioning, stakeholder engagement, and purpose-driven branding. He discusses the firm’s unique approach—blending insights, strategy, and communications—and how they help visionary CEOs, commercial leaders, and CCOs navigate complex challenges.

Mike also opens up about the challenges of scaling a consultancy, the importance of aligning with the right clients (those who value curiosity and collaboration), and the balance between predictable lead generation and maintaining authentic relationships. He reflects on lessons learned over a decade in business, including the critical role of talent and staying connected with his network.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Jason Ronnel, founder of Ronnel Enterprises, to explore his journey from commercial real estate to franchise consulting. Jason shares how his entrepreneurial roots led him to identify a gap in the franchise industry—a need for a more client-centric, boutique approach that prioritizes long-term fit over quick sales. He explains his unique process of matching clients with recession-resilient franchise opportunities (particularly in home services) by analyzing financial disclosures, market stability, and personal lifestyle goals—all while operating on a referral-fee model that keeps costs $0 for prospective franchisees.

Jason also opens up about the challenges of lead generation in this space, his philosophy of letting franchisors handle the "sales" aspect, and why he avoids upfront fees despite industry norms. He reflects on lessons from his first 18 months in business, emphasizing the importance of patience, adaptability, and trusting the process—advice he’d give his younger self.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the AI revolution with Mike Burger, founder of Headquarters for AI (HQ for AI). Mike shares his journey from corporate consulting burnout to building a consultancy that demystifies AI for businesses through his "Dream, Plan, Build" framework. He reveals how HQ for AI helps clients—especially nimble mid-sized companies (25-500 employees)—navigate AI adoption safely, from literacy workshops to custom AI agent development, while staying platform-agnostic in the fast-moving tech race. Mike’s candid take on the consulting industry’s bloat and his "build with purpose" mantra (testing every AI solution internally first) offers a blueprint for lean, ethical AI integration.

Mike opens up about the challenges of scaling an AI consultancy in a hype-driven market, including his team’s pivot from Fortune 500 targets to grassroots referrals and local nonprofit partnerships. He highlights tools like n8n for workflow automation and the importance of human-centric AI adoption ("automate the crap work so teams can focus on strategy"). With plans to expand cold outreach and double down on AI builders (vs. users), Mike’s advice for aspiring founders is gold: "Line up clients before quitting your job, and assess market timing—we knew AI was inevitable, but it took a year for demand to catch up."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with LaShasta Bell, LPC-S, powerhouse speaker, holistic life coach, and founder of LaShastaBell.com and I Choose Me. With 13 years of entrepreneurial experience, LaShasta shares her journey from licensed therapist to corporate sleep evangelist, revealing how her "Optimal Life Framework" helps exhausted professionals and organizations boost productivity through radical rest. She breaks down her unique approach to wellness—starting from morning routines rather than bedtime—and how proper sleep can reduce workplace biases and increase cognitive performance by 13% in under 24 h.

LaShasta also opens up about the challenges of scaling her mission-driven business, from balancing referrals with predictable lead generation to licensing her methodology for global impact. She shares hard-won lessons for new entrepreneurs, including why your "strategic collective" matters more than friends/family support and how investing in coaches with "receipts" accelerates growth. Listeners will walk away inspired by her vision to combat systemic inequities through sleep—and actionable strategies to prioritize rest without sacrificing success.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we meet Teri Day, founder of Lovely Days Collective and former corporate real estate leader, who’s on a mission to help women entrepreneurs break free from overwhelm and "spinning" in their businesses. Teri shares how her 5-week Jumpstart Your Goals program—combining deep-dive strategy sessions, mindset work, and real-time support—helps clients uncover hidden blocks and create actionable plans. She reveals her grassroots approach to scaling (referrals, Instagram, and local networking) while candidly discussing the solopreneur hustle—from hiring her first VA to planning in-person community events that combat entrepreneurial loneliness.

Teri’s philosophy centers on "the magic is in the client"—her role is to clear the noise so women can reclaim their confidence. She unpacks common misconceptions about coaching (certifications aren’t everything!) and her vision for a hybrid future of local meetups and retreats. With plans to launch a membership and group accountability programs, Teri’s advice is gold: "Just start. One focused hour on what matters beats three hours of busywork."

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Steve Cockram, co-founder of Giant Worldwide, a global leadership consultancy transforming organizations by developing liberating leaders in over 100 countries. Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey—from leaving corporate roles to building a high-impact business with a unique licensing and certification model. He dives into Giant’s evolution from a consulting firm to a scalable, tech-enabled platform offering AI-driven leadership tools, recurring revenue streams, and sector-specific solutions—all designed to create lasting cultural change.

Steve reveals how Giant leverages a viral lead magnet (their 5 Voices assessment) to attract tens of thousands of weekly signups, and how they empower independent coaches and consultants to monetize their IP. He also teases their groundbreaking AI workplace intelligence tool, which analyzes real-time organizational data to predict burnout, project risks, and team dynamics—positioning Giant at the forefront of the future of leadership development. For founders, Steve’s insights on blending high-touch consulting with scalable tech offer a masterclass in sustainable growth.