Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Rob Nickester, Marine Corps veteran, real estate investor, and founder of Inspire X—a high-performance coaching platform transforming lives through mindset mastery and generational wealth strategies. Rob shares his raw journey from battling imposter syndrome as a self-taught IT architect to embracing his calling as a coach, revealing how his "done is better than perfect" philosophy helped him break free from self-doubt. With Inspire X’s unique blend of personal development, real estate mentorship, and corporate speaking, Rob now empowers physicians, entrepreneurs, and professionals to design lives of financial and emotional freedom.

Rob unpacks his hyper-focused approach to scaling (honed through ADHD resilience), why LinkedIn and live events are his top acquisition channels, and how "action builds confidence" for stuck high-achievers. From free strategy sessions to a soon-to-launch CEO 10X program, he reveals how authenticity—not pressure tactics—drives conversions. A masterclass in turning personal struggle into a mission that’s impacting thousands.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Jeira Belen Ortiz, the founder and managing member of JBO Strategic Services LLC. Jeira shares her inspiring journey from working in executive leadership roles for the government of Puerto Rico to launching her own consulting firm. With a strong background in policy development, public health, and community management, Jeira created JBO Strategic Services to help government agencies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations bridge the gap between strategic goals and operational outcomes. She discusses the motivations behind starting her business, her holistic approach to strategic planning, and her vision for empowering small and mid-sized businesses to optimize their operations and achieve sustainable growth.

Jeira also delves into the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of in-person interactions with clients, and her plans to expand her impact by building a dedicated team and engaging with more communities across Maryland. She shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, consistency, and building a solid foundation for your business. Jeira’s passion for helping others and her commitment to fostering a sense of ownership and community shine through in this insightful conversation.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Bobby Marsden, the visionary founder of Glamptuary, a luxury glamping experience that redefines outdoor hospitality. Bobby shares the inspiring journey of how Glamptuary was born from her passion for nature and her desire to create a unique, high-end camping experience that blends adventure with comfort. She delves into the challenges of scaling a niche business, the importance of customer experience, and how she’s building a brand that resonates with both outdoor enthusiasts and luxury travelers.

Bobby also opens up about her entrepreneurial mindset, the lessons learned from her early career in hospitality, and how she balances innovation with sustainability. She discusses the future of Glamptuary, her vision for expanding into new locations, and how she’s leveraging technology to enhance the guest experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of hospitality, entrepreneurship, and the great outdoors.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Gene DiPalma, founder of Finbus Group, a firm specializing in accounting and operational business consulting for small businesses. Gene shares his extensive experience as an entrepreneur since 1969, having owned 12 diverse businesses, and how his ventures evolved into helping small business owners navigate regulatory challenges, operational complexities, and growth strategies. He discusses Finbus Group’s mission to support entrepreneurs, particularly those from minority backgrounds, in achieving the American dream by providing tailored consulting, accounting, and back-office management services. Gene also reflects on the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and understanding the intricacies of any industry before diving into entrepreneurship.

Gene emphasizes the value of hands-on experience and the need for entrepreneurs to seek professional guidance to avoid common pitfalls. He highlights Finbus Group’s approach to client retention, lead generation through referrals, and their plans to restructure and enhance their outreach efforts in 2025. With decades of experience, Gene offers timeless advice for new entrepreneurs, urging them to listen, learn, and seek help when needed.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Jared Haslam, co-founder of the Kintsugi Institute, to explore the intersection of mental health and corporate leadership. Jared shares his journey from spending 18 years in the automotive industry to co-founding Kintsugi Institute with his spouse, a marriage and family therapist. Together, they aim to help leaders and teams navigate emotional and psychological challenges in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of mental fitness for sustainable success. Jared explains the concept of Kintsugi, a Japanese art form that symbolizes repairing broken pottery with gold, and how it serves as a metaphor for embracing and healing personal and professional “breaks” to emerge stronger and more resilient.

Jared dives into the services offered by Kintsugi Institute, including holistic team engagements, one-on-one coaching, and educational workshops tailored to small teams and executive groups. He highlights the challenges of addressing mental health in a corporate setting, especially when it comes to messaging and conversion, and shares his vision for bridging the gap between the mental health community and businesses. Jared also offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of mental health as a foundational lever for both personal well-being and business profitability. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the critical role of emotional wellness in leadership and team dynamics.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Hana Wimberly, founder of Snatch UP, a San Francisco-based recruitment firm revolutionizing startup hiring. With a master's in organizational behavior and over a decade of experience, Hana shares how she’s helped power 1,000+ startups and contributed to 50+ IPOs by bridging the gap between visionary founders and elite talent. She reveals her unique "full-stack recruiting" approach—blending HR expertise, global candidate sourcing, and cultural alignment—to solve the critical pain point of early-stage startups: costly mis-hires that can derail growth.

Hana dives into Snatch UP’s referral-driven growth engine, her philosophy of "gut-driven" talent matching, and how she’s tripled revenue by niching into emerging tech sectors like PropTech and FoodTech. She also drops hard-won wisdom on today’s job market, urging candidates to avoid undervaluing themselves and founders to invest in hires who’ll drive real revenue—not just fill seats. With plans to expand into new verticals while maintaining her 3-5 high-touch client onboarding per month, Hana’s insights are a masterclass in scaling a people-first recruitment powerhouse.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Tova Feldheim, the founder and CEO of York Effect, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to empowering executives and organizations to create meaningful, measurable impact through strategy, leadership development, and cultural transformation. Tova shares her journey of over 20 years in leadership roles across Fintech, enterprise software, and startups, and dives into how York Effect helps leaders catalyze internal transformation to drive scalable external results. She also discusses her unique approach to helping early-stage founders and entrepreneurs refine their value propositions, identify their ideal customers, and achieve sustainable revenue growth.

Tova breaks down the core offerings of York Effect, including their sprint-based engagement model, and shares her vision for the future of the company, which includes productizing their methodologies into a scalable digital experience. The conversation also explores the importance of human engagement in a hybrid digital world and how York Effect is helping leaders bridge the gap between ideation and paying customers.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the journey of Dustin Keeslar, the visionary founder of Creative Cat, a bold and unconventional creative agency specializing in brand storytelling, design, and high-conversion strategies. Dustin shares how he transitioned from working at an agency to building his own business, emphasizing the importance of marrying marketing and sales for cohesive brand strategies. He also discusses how Creative Cat has evolved into a strategic powerhouse, helping service-based businesses like roofing and construction companies scale through innovative lead generation systems and AI-driven processes. Dustin’s insights into controlled growth, the role of AI in modern businesses, and his vision for the future of Creative Cat make this a must-listen for entrepreneurs looking to stand out in crowded markets.

Dustin also explores the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of strategic thinking in an AI-driven world, and his plans to potentially expand Creative Cat’s offerings to help other agencies integrate AI into their workflows. From his philosophy on balancing creativity with strategy to his thoughts on the future of marketing and sales alignment, Dustin provides actionable advice for business owners and agency leaders alike. Whether you’re a startup founder or an established entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on building a scalable, impactful business.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the inspiring journey of David Zybin, founder of Market Magnetics Media Group. David shares how his agency was born out of a mission to empower small businesses often overlooked by larger firms, while also creating opportunities for youth aging out of foster care. With over 15 years of experience in marketing technology, David discusses how Market Magnetics leverages SEO, web design, and geo-targeting advertising to double leads for service businesses in just 30 days. He also provides insights into the evolving digital marketing landscape, the impact of AI, and how his agency is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation.

David unpacks the challenges and opportunities in the industry, including the shift from traditional SEO to AI optimization, and the importance of staying ahead of trends like Google’s core updates. He emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt to AI-driven tools and shares how Market Magnetics is helping clients navigate these changes. From developing scalable systems to offering compliance solutions, David’s vision for Market Magnetics is both innovative and impactful. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and marketers looking to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Mark Graham, President and CEO of The Performance Coach Biz, to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and his mission to transform small businesses into champions. Mark shares his unique blend of experience as a college baseball All-American, certified professional business coach, and creator of the first bankruptcy prediction model for small businesses. He dives into the core of his ASK methodology—Assessments, Strategic Deployment, and Keen Accountability—and explains how his data-driven approach helps businesses boost profits by at least 47%. Mark also discusses his vision for scaling The Performance Coach Biz through partnerships, automation, and a focus on empowering small business owners to achieve financial freedom.

Throughout the episode, Mark emphasizes the importance of vision and a unique selling proposition (USP) in driving business success. He highlights the evolution of the coaching industry, including the growing role of AI and the shift toward group masterminds and DIY resources. With a passion for helping small businesses grow, Mark provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to refine their strategies, build stronger teams, and achieve long-term prosperity.