Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Maurice Lauriano, founder of Got Goals LLC, a consulting firm helping education-focused businesses and EdTech companies navigate the complex world of government procurement. Maurice shares his unique journey from managing a $44M school budget to becoming a "revenue superhero" for underrepresented entrepreneurs, revealing how his insider knowledge helps clients secure lucrative contracts—often after years of bureaucratic hurdles. He breaks down his high-touch coaching model ($3K/month for 6 months) and why most small businesses fail to leverage certifications like MWBE (Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise) without expert guidance.

Maurice opens up about the challenges of scaling his niche consultancy, from identifying ideal clients (angel investors and revenue-ready EdTech founders) to shortening his 4-8 month sales cycle. He also shares unconventional growth tactics, like his "20 videos in 20 days" content strategy and peer referral system, while emphasizing the cultural barriers Black male consultants face in the education space. For founders struggling with government sales or long sales cycles, Maurice’s blend of institutional knowledge and entrepreneurial hustle offers a masterclass in patience, positioning, and strategic networking

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Ryan C Weiss, founder and CEO of Effective Performance Strategies (EPS), who shares his journey from launching his first business at 15 to revolutionizing outsourcing with his proprietary "Optics" system. Ryan reveals how EPS helps mid-market companies (revenue $10M-$100M) slash costs by 70% while standardizing processes—not just for outsourcing, but as a foundation for AI scalability and 2-3x valuation growth. He dives into EPS’s three revenue pillars (consulting, software, and outsourcing), emphasizing how authentic process transparency—even showing clients his own operational gaps—builds trust and drives transformational results.

Ryan opens up about overcoming his "builder’s fear" of scaling, leveraging grassroots strategies (podcasting, his Amazon bestselling book Optics), and why outsourcing done right changes lives—from boosting client valuations to funding school supplies for Filipino villages. With plans to expand his outsourcing team, he shares hard-won lessons on balancing "creation of value" with "perception of value," and why the SIPOC framework (his "People-Process Integrator") has been his secret weapon for 20+ years.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Richard Cruz, Principal Consultant of Harmonious Workplaces, shares his journey of transforming organizations through human-centric solutions. With over 20 years of experience, Richard reveals how his consultancy uses a unique "Triple A Method" (Assess, Amend, Align) to diagnose workplace challenges, implement data-driven changes, and foster resilient cultures. He discusses innovative offerings like the 2-week Harmonious Health Check and their playful yet research-backed "Hermie the HR Hermit Crab" learning tools, blending organizational psychology with engaging interventions like team drum circles.

Richard also explores how Harmonious Workplaces balances AI integration with irreplaceable human connection in the future of work. He highlights their plans to scale through LMS courses, speaking engagements, and strategic partnerships—while staying true to their mission of making workplaces more adaptive and psychologically safe. For aspiring consultants, Richard emphasizes starting small, celebrating incremental wins, and letting each success build momentum toward larger goals.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we dive into the dual ventures of Jonathan Pixley—co-founder of NIL platform MatchPoint Connection and founder of leadership coaching firm Train Lead Win (TLW). Jonathan shares how his background as a basketball coach and NIL innovator inspired TLW’s mission to bridge athletic discipline with executive leadership. He breaks down TLW’s unique 12-month coaching framework, which blends professional development with personal wellness, and reveals how his team is scaling impact through podcasting, youth mentorship, and an upcoming subscription platform—all while staying true to their "Walmart over Mercedes" ethos of accessibility.

Jonathan also unpacks the challenges of balancing hands-on coaching with scalable systems, from refining lead generation to training future coaches within TLW’s "army." With candid insights on niching down in the crowded executive coaching space and adapting to the chaotic NIL landscape, he emphasizes authenticity over transactional growth: "If you feel your message is worth hearing—and we do—you have to reach as many people as possible." A must-listen for founders navigating service-based scalability and mission-driven growth.

In this episode of Founders, Future with host Amar Elm, we meet Greg Stevens, founder of Alignment Resources, a leadership development firm. Greg’s journey spans from selling cemetery plots door-to-door to pharmaceutical sales before a life coach redirected him toward human potential training. After a grueling 2,000-hour apprenticeship, he launched his firm 26 years ago, blending lessons from programs like Landmark Forum and Crucial Conversations to help Fortune 500 executives and teams navigate complex relationships. His book, Build New Bridges, reflects his mission to repair fractured connections, rooted in his own journey of healing 36 personal relationships.

Greg’s Master Team Program—a six-month blend of group coaching and real-world application—equips leaders to tackle high-stakes conversations while preserving trust. By focusing on emotional management and dual motives (solving problems and strengthening relationships), participants transform workplaces, as seen in a plant leader who reshaped his entire organization’s culture. Greg’s referral-driven success underscores his belief: Great leaders don’t avoid hard talks—they lean in, rebuild bridges, and lead by example.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Karyn Vadnais welcomes Pamela King to explore the changing consulting industry and the vital role of human connection amidst rising AI adoption. Pamela emphasizes the importance of personalized, hands-on support that moves beyond generic digital solutions, helping entrepreneurs avoid the common trap of DIY overload. Drawing from her background as a history teacher and operations expert, she shares how accountability and tailored guidance create a truly holistic approach to business growth.

Pamela also shares two powerful resources transforming her work and clients’ results: a free time audit available on her website and ClickUp, a flexible tool that streamlines operations from lead tracking to CRM integration. She closes with inspiring advice for those scaling a consulting business or considering a career change—reminding listeners that skills are transferable and learnable, and encouraging them to embrace their own potential to evolve and succeed.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Matt Dandurand, founder of ConversionFlow, a strategic CRO agency helping mid-market to enterprise e-commerce brands turn traffic into profitable revenue. Matt shares his unconventional journey from stockbroker to creative director—and how pivoting to focus exclusively on conversion optimization transformed his agency. He reveals their unique "no-results, no-pay" guarantee, their consultative approach to diagnosing funnel leaks (from PDPs to retention), and why they bring both teams to sales calls to align on outcomes from day one.

Matt also dives into ConversionFlow’s "signal over noise" marketing playbook—handcrafted outbound, a 60K-subscriber newsletter, and LinkedIn thought leadership—all designed to cut through the AI-generated clutter. For founders wrestling with stalled growth or gut-driven decisions, Matt’s insights on building a "compounding advantage through experimentation" (not just tactics) are gold. Plus, his vision for 2024: doubling down on subscription e-commerce and complex B2B flows where CRO is still undervalued.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we welcome Beth Raebeck Hall, Founder and Principal of The Quantum Creator. Beth shares her powerful journey from a 50-year career in the music industry to becoming a master empowerment coach, helping mid-career creators and founders overcome burnout through her revolutionary small-group coaching program. She reveals the "Big 3" pillars of her methodology—clarity, empowerment, and transformation—and how blending neuroscience, therapeutic modalities, and ancient wisdom creates a "summer camp therapy" experience for professionals stuck in survival mode.

Beth opens up about her mission to build trust in a world of "soul-sucking" careers and a "trust recession," emphasizing the importance of community, authenticity, and selective collaboration. From refining sales funnels to leveraging AI for research, she discusses her vision for scaling The Quantum Creator through paid advertising, TEDx talks, and strategic partnerships—while staying true to her ethos of impact over influence.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Gloria Feldt, Co-Founder and President of Take The Lead Women, a nonprofit revolutionizing women’s leadership development. Gloria shares her inspiring journey from Planned Parenthood CEO to pioneering gender parity in leadership through mindset shifts, power tools, and her unique "intentioning" framework. She discusses the challenges of scaling a mission-driven organization, the impact of her programs (where 40% of participants land leadership roles or pay raises within 6 months), and her vision for the future—including AI-powered learning with her new "digital twin."

Gloria also highlights her upcoming Power Up Conference (August 25–26 in DC) and her push to help women think bigger—whether in corporate roles or entrepreneurship. From rejecting the myth that women need "empowerment" (they already have power!) to embracing chaos as opportunity, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders and founders alike.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Aaron Trahan, CEO and Founder of Performance Mindset Coaching. Aaron shares his journey from leading a $100M business division in his early 20s to becoming a certified OKR expert, helping founder-led businesses and HR executives scale through a proven management operating system. He breaks down his "Big 5" framework for business success—prioritization, communication, focus, execution, and accountability—and explains how his coaching model drives sustainable growth for consumer-facing brands.

Aaron also discusses the challenges of standing out in the crowded coaching industry, his strategies for building trust through authentic storytelling, and his vision for scaling Performance Mindset Coaching in 2025. From leveraging LinkedIn to public speaking and referrals, he reveals how he attracts high-value clients while maintaining a 40% year-over-year revenue growth target. Tune in for actionable insights on leadership, execution, and the future of business coaching.