Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Aaron Cerrone, co-founder of Herstel Health, shares his journey from martial arts instructor to holistic wellness entrepreneur. He discusses how merging metabolic and mental health creates lasting transformation, why most chronic diseases stem from poor gut health, and the dangers of modern medicine’s symptom-focused approach. Aaron also reveals why he prioritizes working himself out of a client’s life—equipping them with sustainable tools rather than fostering dependency.

Aaron dives into the philosophy behind Hurstel Health’s 3-phase recovery system and why referrals (not ads) drive their business. He challenges entrepreneurs to define success before scaling, warning against the trap of “more is better” at the expense of happiness. The conversation shifts to practical health tips—like cutting processed foods and sugar—and why CEOs neglect wellness coaching despite its impact on performance.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Steve and Melissa Fultz, co-founders of The Fultz Group, a consultancy dedicated to helping family businesses navigate succession planning and operational transformation. The couple shares their unique journey—Melissa’s corporate background in healthcare automation and Steve’s experience growing up in a multi-generational family business—and how they merged their expertise to address a critical gap: baby boomer entrepreneurs struggling to transition their life’s work. They reveal their "practical profitability" framework, which combines AI-driven process automation with relationship-focused strategies to help business owners systematize their operations and prepare for sale or succession.

The Fultzes also dive into their community-first approach, offering free resources alongside paid digital products (like their $497 video course) to democratize access to succession planning. They discuss the challenges of balancing their own businesses while building this passion project, and why they prioritize organic growth through LinkedIn, YouTube, and intimate retreats over hard sales pitches. For founders navigating family dynamics, exit strategies, or scalability, Steve and Melissa’s story is a masterclass in aligning purpose with profit—and proving that chaos isn’t a sustainable business model.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Garry Lee, founder of Thirty Three Percent, a UK-based consultancy specializing in operational efficiency and strategic growth for first-time founders and service-based businesses. Garry shares his journey from leading a tech company through rapid scaling (8M to 15M in 5 years) to launching his own venture, driven by a passion for helping entrepreneurs navigate the loneliness and challenges of business ownership. He reveals how his consultancy evolved from informal mentoring to developing a structured advisory model that functions like a "mini board of directors" for solopreneurs and small teams.

Garry dives into his unique approach of blending hands-on workshops with long-term advisory relationships, emphasizing the importance of solving the "founder loneliness" problem. He discusses his upcoming formalized offer, plans to build a community for first-time founders, and why he maintains a remarkable 50% conversion rate through highly targeted LinkedIn outreach. Listeners will gain insights into transitioning from side hustles to full-time businesses, the power of strategic partnerships, and why enjoying your work is the non-negotiable foundation for entrepreneurial success.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Elizabeth Edwards, founder and CEO of Volume PR, an award-winning communications agency that bridges behavioral science with strategic messaging. With 24 years of experience and a background working with NASA contractors and Ogilvy PR, Elizabeth reveals how she's pioneering "resonant influence" - an ethical approach to communication that moves beyond fear-based marketing tactics. She shares fascinating insights about the "dashboard of human behavior" and why understanding psychological triggers allows brands to build authentic connections rather than manipulate audiences.

Elizabeth dives into Volume PR's three service pillars: bespoke consulting for complex tech/science brands, training teams in neuroscience-based communication, and AI integration for scalable messaging strategies. She discusses her vision for making behavioral science more accessible through digital courses and books while maintaining work-life balance as a mother of young children. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on ethical marketing, AI implementation (including crucial privacy considerations), and why she predicts 30-40% growth as she brings her expertise online.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Chris Ewing, the visionary founder of Rev&, a multifaceted venture that accelerates commercialization for startups through a unique trifecta of services: a venture studio, a cost-effective agency, and Community Beta—a collaborative platform for entrepreneurial ecosystems. Chris shares his journey from leading market entry strategies at Early Charm to launching Rev&, driven by his passion for helping startups scale efficiently while maintaining capital efficiency. He dives into the challenges of fragmented entrepreneurial ecosystems and how Community Beta unifies founders, advisors, and investor networks under one digital roof.

Chris also breaks down Rev&’s innovative model, where industry-specific "Mavericks" (advisors) work in teams to guide startups, eliminating the chaos of conflicting advice. He emphasizes the importance of founder-client dialogue and staying adaptable in the fast-moving startup world. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or ecosystem builder, Chris’s insights on scalable commercialization and the future of venture-building offer a fresh perspective on turning early-stage ideas into market-ready successes.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Colleen DelVecchio, founder and principal of Maxady LLC, a leadership development firm transforming workplace cultures through trust-based coaching and team performance strategies. Colleen shares her journey from recognizing the critical gap in managerial training—where high-performing employees get promoted but lack leadership skills—to building Maxady’s signature "Confident Manager" program, which pairs participants with mentors (even from competing organizations) for real-world guidance. She dives into why human connection remains irreplaceable in leadership training, especially in an AI-driven world, and how her focus on actionable skills—like running effective meetings—sets Maxady apart.

Colleen also opens up about scaling her business, revealing that 73% of clients come from referrals and how she’s leveraging TikTok (yes, TikTok!) to reach unexpected audiences. She discusses her plans to systematize sales, hire a dedicated business development lead, and double down on LinkedIn ads—while staying true to her core belief: leadership isn’t about scripts or AI, but about fostering genuine human collaboration. Whether you’re a founder, HR leader, or aspiring manager, Colleen’s insights on outsourcing wisely, playing to your strengths, and the future of leadership development offer a masterclass in growing a purpose-driven business.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Ken Daniel Jr., the visionary founder and CEO of Northstar Network, a boutique consulting agency specializing in talent strategy, DEIB, and organizational transformation. Ken shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Detroit as a first-generation college student to climbing the corporate ladder at Stellantis, where he became the youngest regional head of digital marketing in company history. He delves into how his passion for social impact and authentic multicultural engagement led him to launch Northstar Network, helping businesses build equitable cultures and future-ready leadership teams.

Ken also discusses the challenges of navigating the current business landscape, particularly in DEI and culture-driven marketing, while outlining his ambitious revenue goals for Northstar Network. He emphasizes the power of leveraging culture—not just race—in business strategy and shares insights on how his agency helps clients convert brand messaging into meaningful consumer action. Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or changemaker, Ken’s story offers valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the importance of building legacy through purpose-driven work.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Victoria Dials, founder and principal consultant of Opex Advantage, a firm bridging the gap between operational excellence and customer experience. Victoria shares her journey from recognizing how misaligned brand promises erode customer trust to building a "practical profitability" framework that integrates financials, operations, marketing, and CX. She reveals how her pivot from pure CX consulting to a four-pillar approach (born from a Johns Hopkins program) helped her land clients—and why she now offers "low-risk" diagnostic engagements to prove value upfront.

Victoria also gets candid about the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship, from wearing every hat to nearly running out of cash before refining her messaging. She discusses her plans to systemize proposals, hire a business developer, and leverage partnerships with fractional CFOs—while staying true to her core belief: operational success isn’t just about efficiency, but about fostering cross-functional collaboration. For founders struggling with siloed teams or inconsistent customer experiences, Victoria’s story is a masterclass in adapting your offer, embracing financial realism, and scaling a consultancy with intention.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Alison Mullins, founder and CEO of Rep Methods LLC, a sales training firm revolutionizing workforce development in male-dominated industries like construction and building materials. Alison shares her 20+ year journey from mastering commission-based sales to launching her own venture, driven by a mission to bridge the gap between high-performing employees and effective leadership—especially for those without traditional degrees. She reveals how her "Manifestation Selling" method and "Magic Number" system help clients quantify success, while her philanthropic internship programs create pathways for underrepresented talent.

Alison also dives into her boots-on-the-ground growth strategy, where 73% of clients come from word-of-mouth and speaking engagements—proving the power of human-centric selling in an AI-driven world. She discusses the challenges of balancing two businesses, her "slow and steady" scaling philosophy, and why she prioritizes in-person connections over digital ads. For founders navigating sales, leadership development, or workforce gaps, Alison’s story is a masterclass in building a purpose-driven business that thrives on authenticity and relentless outreach.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Edward Simberg, founder of Engagely, a full-service agency specializing in high-converting websites and AI-powered marketing for high-ticket service businesses. Edward shares his journey from sales roles to entrepreneurship, emphasizing his passion for blending cutting-edge AI tools with strategic storytelling to help clients stand out. He dives into his agency’s unique approach—using advanced prompts and AI-generated content to craft websites that drive leads—and why most DIY or cheap freelancer-built sites fail to convert.

Edward discusses his vision for Engagely, including ambitious revenue targets and his focus on quality over rapid scaling. He also reveals his innovative plans to deploy AI agents for lead qualification and sales, alongside his nomadic lifestyle as a digital entrepreneur. Listeners will gain insights into niche targeting, the future of AI in web design, and why educating clients on the value of a high-performing website is key to closing deals.