Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Brian Limis, founder of Paid to Breathe, to explore his journey in empowering professionals and teams to align their work with their unique strengths. Brian shares how his early experiences in political organizing and Fortune 500 coaching led him to create a transformative approach to leadership and organizational health. He dives into the core of Paid to Breathe, explaining how the Working Genius assessment helps individuals and teams identify their genius zones, reduce burnout, and optimize productivity. Brian’s vision for the future includes scaling his impact by creating the “Uber of Org Health,” connecting certified practitioners with leaders seeking organizational transformation.

Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes the importance of building strong foundations in teams, particularly for startup founders navigating the challenges of growth and retention. He highlights how his methodologies, rooted in Patrick Lencioni’s frameworks, are helping leaders create cohesive, high-performing teams. From virtual leadership sessions to in-person offsites, Brian’s strategies are designed to make success feel as natural as breathing. His passion for aligning work with individual strengths shines through as he shares his mission to help professionals thrive in their genius zones while achieving their big, hairy, audacious goals.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Daniel Paulson, founder of XCXO, to explore the world of fractional leadership and its impact on businesses. Daniel shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, highlighting how his experience led him to identify the growing need for fractional executives in today’s market. He explains how XCXO helps businesses fill critical leadership roles on a part-time basis, enabling companies to access top-tier talent without the cost of full-time hires. Daniel also dives into the challenges businesses face during succession planning and how fractional leadership can maximize business value while preparing for a seamless transition.

Daniel provides a detailed look at the ideal client for XCXO, focusing on privately held companies in the $5M–$50M revenue range, particularly in industries like manufacturing, construction, and logistics. He outlines the process of matching businesses with fractional executives, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit and strategic alignment. Daniel also discusses the shifting demographics in the workforce and how XCXO addresses the gap left by retiring Baby Boomers and underprepared younger leaders. With a mission to eventually step away from day-to-day operations, Daniel envisions XCXO as a turnkey solution that empowers businesses to thrive independently.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Kurt White, the owner of Hunter Hub, a premier professional power washing company based in Omaha, Nebraska. Kurt shares his journey from working in the refrigeration and transportation industry for over two decades to taking the leap into entrepreneurship by becoming the first franchisee of Hunter Hub. He discusses the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the unique aspects of the power washing industry, and how he’s built a thriving operation by focusing on both residential and commercial services. Kurt also opens up about the importance of customer education, the strategies he’s used to grow his business, and his vision for reaching $1 million in revenue within five years.

Kurt dives into the details of what it takes to run a successful franchise, from the initial investment to the operational systems that keep Hunter Hub running smoothly. He emphasizes the value of building relationships, leveraging marketing strategies like email campaigns and Google Ads, and the importance of adapting to market demands. Whether you’re considering franchise ownership or simply looking for inspiration from a hands-on entrepreneur, Kurt’s story offers valuable insights into the dedication and vision required to build a successful business from the ground up.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with John Mann, the visionary founder of White Rock Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through fractional CFO services, business strategy, and executive coaching. John shares his unique journey from a 17-year career in ministry to becoming an entrepreneurial leader, driven by a passion to help others navigate the complexities of starting and scaling businesses. He emphasizes the importance of combining financial health, organizational optimization, and leadership development to unlock the full potential of mission-driven ventures.

John delves into the core offerings of White Rock Strategies, explaining how he supports entrepreneurs at every stage—whether they’re just starting out or feeling stuck in their growth journey. He highlights the significance of staying consistent and confident while balancing entrepreneurship with personal well-being and family priorities. With insights into the evolving consulting industry and the rise of fractional services, John paints a picture of a future where entrepreneurs can thrive without losing their passion or purpose.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Melissa Rae Mentele, the Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at 605 Cannabis, LLC, a pioneering medical cannabis company based in South Dakota. Melissa shares her incredible journey from being a nurse to becoming a key advocate for cannabis legalization in her home state. She delves into her personal story of how a workplace injury led her to explore cannabis as a treatment, eventually sparking her mission to legalize it. Melissa recounts the challenges of changing public perception in a deeply conservative state, the legislative battles she faced, and the historic moment when South Dakota became the first state to pass both medical and recreational cannabis measures on the same ballot in 2020.

Melissa also provides insights into the operations of 605 Capital LLC, which now supplies 90% of the dispensaries in South Dakota. She discusses the company’s patient-focused approach, the challenges of navigating a highly regulated industry, and her plans to transition into consulting and public speaking to further educate and advocate for cannabis. Melissa’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of standing up for what you believe in, even in the face of immense opposition.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Shiv Panjwani, co-founder and CEO of Agilow, a transformative platform revolutionizing team management through voice-driven AI and agile coaching. Shiv shares his journey from aerospace engineering at Collins Aerospace to becoming a James R. Schwartz Entrepreneurial Fellow at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. He delves into the inspiration behind Agilow, highlighting the challenges teams face with outdated project management tools and how Agilow’s innovative approach makes agile workflows accessible, efficient, and even joyful for startups and creative teams. Shiv also discusses Agilow’s core offering—a 4-week AI-powered Scrum bootcamp—and his vision for scaling the platform into a self-service SaaS tool.

Shiv provides valuable insights into the future of team management, emphasizing the role of AI agents in streamlining workflows and reducing inefficiencies like status meetings and constant check-ins. He shares his thoughts on the evolution of the agile software industry, the importance of customer discovery, and how Agilow is staying ahead by integrating voice technology and multi-agent systems. Shiv also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of having a strong “why” and building a solid company culture from the start. Tune in to learn how Shiv and Agilow are shaping the future of team collaboration and productivity.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Candyce Edelen, founder and CEO of Propel Growth, a revenue acceleration consultancy helping B2B companies align sales and marketing strategies. A serial entrepreneur with 5 ventures under her belt—including a fintech company that landed on Deloitte’s Fast 50 list—Candyce shares her journey from scaling businesses to pivoting during Covid, when she lost 80% of her revenue overnight. She reveals how she transformed adversity into opportunity by repurposing a LinkedIn prospecting methodology into a high-converting training program, only to pivot again in 2024 as market dynamics shifted.*

Candyce dives into her latest evolution: a hybrid "done-with-you" service blending LinkedIn content creation and audience growth to warm leads before outreach. She unpacks her philosophy on balancing scalability with authenticity, why she’s intentionally capping client slots, and how she maintains an 80% close rate with a transparent, low-pressure sales process. For founders navigating post-pandemic business realities, Candyce offers hard-won lessons on resilience, the dangers of over-automation, and why sometimes the best growth strategy is working less—not more.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with B. Kim Barnes, CEO of Barnes & Conti Associates, a leadership development and organizational consulting firm with over 40 years of experience working with Fortune 1000 companies and global enterprises. Kim shares the origins of her company, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how she scaled her consulting business globally. She also discusses the challenges of navigating economic uncertainty, the power of relationship-based sales, and her advice for new consultants—emphasizing the value of diverse partnerships and long-term client trust.

Kim dives into her most popular programs, including Exercising Influence and Strategic Thinking, and explains why emerging leaders are her favorite audience. She reflects on the future of her company, the role of AI in consulting, and how she’s adapting to a virtual-first business model. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or just starting out, Kim’s insights on building a resilient, relationship-driven business are invaluable.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Kapil Patel, founder of Inspiring Happiness at Work, a consultancy dedicated to transforming workplace culture through emotional well-being and engagement. A former IT professional who turned his own struggle with workplace dissatisfaction into a mission, Kapil shares how his journey from misery to purpose led him to help organizations boost productivity by 12-13% through happiness-centric strategies. He reveals why he pivoted from a lucrative tech career to focus on helping employees "make Mondays magical" and how his research-backed approach creates measurable impact for small to mid-sized companies.*

Kapil dives into his 3-tiered service model—keynotes, workshops, and 6-12 month culture transformation programs—and why the long-term engagements drive the most meaningful change. He discusses the challenges of launching a happiness-focused business in an economic downturn, the surprising sectors showing the most demand (IT, healthcare, and education), and his ambitious 3-year goal to positively impact 10,000 employees. For entrepreneurs balancing purpose and profitability, Kapil offers hard-won advice on starting part-time, building financial runway, and why happiness at work isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity for the AI era.*

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Tara Payne, CEO of Mavens Meet, a boutique leadership development and coaching consultancy that connects CEOs with top-tier support professionals. Tara shares her entrepreneurial journey—from launching her first business during the pandemic to winning a pitch competition that transformed Mavens Meet into a thriving double-sided marketplace. She breaks down her four-tiered service model, emphasizing the power of alignment-based hiring and the surprising revenue driver behind her mastermind program.

Tara dives into her strategies for scaling through referrals, LinkedIn, and Clubhouse, while candidly discussing the challenges of delegation and avoiding founder bottlenecks. She offers golden advice for new entrepreneurs—hire before you think you need to—and reflects on the mindset shift that helped her embrace failure as learning. Whether you're a CEO looking to scale or a support professional seeking the right fit, Tara’s insights on authentic leadership and strategic networking are a masterclass in building a values-driven business.