Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, Jackie Dalius—founder of Just Dream Ventures and multifaceted PR/marketing expert—shares her decade-long journey from booking A-list talent on her college radio show to building a creative marketing agency that elevates artists, entrepreneurs, and brands. With a background spanning podcast production, talent management, and even launching a music-discovery app that gained 80,000 users, Jackie reveals how her "eclectic" career shaped her mission to help clients stand out in crowded industries. She breaks down her agency’s core services (brand development, content strategy, and creative marketing) and her relationship-driven approach to client success, emphasizing tailored 3-month engagements and organic lead generation through Instagram DMs.*

Jackie discusses the challenges of wearing "many hats" as a solopreneur and her vision to scale Just Dream Ventures by delegating tasks and hosting branded events. She also shares candid advice for 2025 entrepreneurs: "Just start—no Plan B," embrace pivoting, and nurture your business like a relationship. From her early days booking Andy Grammer to her current work with influencers and startups, Jackie’s story is a testament to the power of hustle, adaptability, and betting on underdogs.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we dive into the inspiring journey of Mar Della Greca, the visionary founder of TBM Marketing. Mar shares how she transitioned from a chemistry background to building a thriving digital marketing agency that specializes in film and book marketing. She discusses the organic evolution of TBM Marketing, from working with indie filmmakers to collaborating with high-budget productions, and how her agency has become a pivotal player in connecting creators with capital, distribution, and marketing strategies. Mar also opens up about the challenges of scaling her business, delegating responsibilities, and her vision for creating a robust network of professionals to bring creative projects to life.

Mar’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability, as she navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship while maintaining a deep passion for empowering creators. She emphasizes the importance of emotional engagement in marketing campaigns and how TBM Marketing’s partnership-driven approach sets it apart in the industry. Throughout the conversation, Mar offers valuable insights into her strategies for growth, the importance of setting boundaries with clients, and her plans to expand her agency’s impact in the digital marketing space. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives looking to elevate their brand visibility and storytelling.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the inspiring journey of Walter Collins, co-founder of The Solution Specialists, LLC. Walter shares his transition from corporate sales to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to help small business owners, solopreneurs, and startups overcome their challenges. He discusses his three-tiered approach to problem-solving, focusing on leadership, processes, and team development. Walter also opens up about his vision for the future—building a team of specialists to create a lasting impact on small business America.

Throughout the conversation, Walter emphasizes the importance of authenticity, confidence, and continuous self-improvement in business. He shares practical advice for consultants and coaches looking to stand out in a crowded market, stressing the power of being genuine and delivering value. Walter also highlights his new initiatives, including an online course, a business health audit, and his recently published book, No Longer Silent: Unlocking the Power of Your Voice.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, David Chaddock—Managing Partner of Infinite Partners and 30-year consulting veteran—shares how he built a fractional advisory firm that prioritizes solving client problems over chasing revenue. Frustrated by traditional consultancies’ focus on growth at all costs, David designed Infinite Partners to deliver "no-fluff" expertise in IT/OT security, governance, and supply chain solutions for mid-sized businesses. He reveals why the company intentionally avoided revenue targets in its first 18 months, focusing instead on client outcomes, team motivation, and strategic alliances to drive organic growth.*

David breaks down Infinite Partners’ dual offering: fractional leadership (CFOs, CMOs, and interim executives) and high-impact auxiliary services like cybersecurity governance. He discusses the challenges of building brand recognition as a new firm and his "lean-by-design" approach to scaling—relying on contractor networks rather than over-hiring. With candid insights on measuring leading indicators (client feedback, referrals) over lagging metrics (revenue), David offers a refreshing take on sustainable growth for service-based businesses.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, Povilas Rusevicius—founder of Arbor LDN—shares his journey into neurofeedback technology and its transformative power on mental clarity and emotional balance. A former athlete with a deep curiosity for neuroscience, Povilas discovered neurofeedback during his master’s in cognitive neuroscience, leading him to develop Arbor LDN’s brain-training system. He explains how neurofeedback works like a "gym for the brain," using real-time feedback to optimize brainwave patterns, addressing issues from ADHD and anxiety to peak performance and addiction recovery.

Povilas breaks down Arbor LDN’s three core services—in-house sessions, mobile setups, and rentals—while highlighting remarkable client transformations, including overcoming bedwetting and smoking cessation. He discusses the challenges of educating the market on neurofeedback’s safety and efficacy, as well as his vision for expanding beyond London. With a passion for merging science and human potential, Povilas reveals how Arbor LDN is pioneering accessible, personalized brain optimization for a healthier, more balanced life.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Allisa Verhille, founder of Jakaris Coaching, whose transformative approach to executive leadership is reigniting purpose-driven careers. A childhood cancer survivor, Allisa reveals how her near-death experience at 13 became the catalyst for Jakaris—a coaching practice that helps high-achievers (CEOs, founders, and women leaders) shed societal conditioning and reclaim their "dragon fire" (the name’s inspiration). Blending deep identity work with AI-powered tools like her Flamekeepers Journal app, Allisa’s method isn’t about optimization, but resurrection: "We don’t fix clients; we return them to themselves."

Allisa unpacks her unconventional path—from trading corporate success for alignment to launching Jakaris in 2023—and shares her vision for scaling through a book (The Fire Within), speaking engagements, and a "soulful tech" approach to coaching. For leaders feeling "successful but restless," her message is clear: "Protect your fire. Let it burn through illusion and lead you back to the future you were born to create

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Michelle Saeed sits down with Miguel Roblero, founder and CEO of Connexian Creative and Health Odyssey Studios. With over 17 years of UX design experience at industry giants like Dell and IBM, Miguel shares his journey from corporate tech to entrepreneurship, focusing on how he’s reshaping UX design to help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed in the digital marketing landscape.

Miguel dives deep into the challenges small businesses face when navigating digital marketing, especially with oversaturated paid ads and unclear strategies. He explains Connexian Creative’s unique approach—leveraging local SEO and the Google 3 Pack—to drive authentic leads and calls for clients. He also highlights the importance of storytelling and branding in building trust and standing out in competitive markets.

The conversation covers how Connexian Creative has evolved from a web agency to a specialized service combining UX, digital marketing, and customer-centric solutions. Miguel discusses scaling the business sustainably by partnering with trusted collaborators and leveraging a network of trained designers to maintain quality while growing.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Tony Sanders, CEO of Gawlo, a leadership development firm revolutionizing how fast-growing companies train their teams. With a background in sales and entrepreneurship, Tony shares how Gawlo solves a critical gap: equipping technically skilled employees (promoted to leadership) with the mindset and tools to lead effectively. His proprietary Gawlo Growth Framework helps organizations from startups to enterprises build cohesive leadership pipelines—because "promoting your best doer doesn’t automatically make them your best leader."

Tony reveals why relationship-building—not ads or social media—has driven Gawlo’s 5-year success, and his hard-won lessons on scaling without sacrificing quality. From transitioning "hustler to entrepreneur" to balancing acquisition with implementation, he offers gold on why founders must "build the brand beyond themselves." For leaders feeling the strain of rapid growth, Tony’s message is clear: "Your business only grows as much as you do. Get rooted in community—it’s the ultimate growth hack."

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Dr. Scott Green, CEO and Co-Founder of G2 Consulting Group, a Potomac-based firm transforming how health-focused organizations navigate the federal marketplace. With a unique blend of clinical psychology expertise and 20+ years in federal business development, Scott shares how G2 bridges the gap between bureaucratic inefficiencies and community needs—helping nonprofits and corporations secure government funding while maintaining mission-driven impact. From his transition from clinician to consultant, Scott reveals why blending public health knowledge with federal procurement strategies is the "secret sauce" behind G2’s success.

Scott dives into the challenges of scaling a boutique consultancy, balancing long government sales cycles with commercial client demand, and leveraging AI (like ChatGPT) to streamline proposals without losing the human touch. He also unpacks his vision for 2025—expanding into state/local contracts and small-business innovation grants—while emphasizing the power of patience: "Be comfortable being uncomfortable; growth isn’t linear." A must-listen for mission-driven entrepreneurs navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Melissa Dawn Simkins, CEO of Velvet Suite and hailed as the "First Lady of Personal Branding." Melissa shares her transformative journey from feeling marginalized in her youth to founding an Inc. 5000 award-winning EdTech company that’s redefined leadership development for Fortune 500 giants like Procter & Gamble and the NFL. Her revolutionary Athleteership™ methodology—where elite athletic mindset meets leadership mastery—solves a critical pain point: traditional leadership training is broken, and burnout is at an all-time high.

Melissa reveals how Velvet Suite’s pivot from service-based to content-driven solutions (like their MVP Accelerator course and Flamekeepers Journal app) aligns with today’s demand for agile, purpose-driven leaders. With 96% of clients coming from referrals, she unpacks the challenges of scaling predictability in a post-pandemic world and why "leaving it better than you found it" is the ultimate metric for legacy. A masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and the neuroscience of high performance.