Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Alexander Veselak-Kingdon, founder of Global Guide Group, who shares how he’s revolutionizing luxury travel by connecting discerning travelers with a curated network of 50+ world-class private guides. From his roots as a Berlin tour guide to building a membership model that bypasses traditional middlemen, Alexander reveals how his platform delivers hyper-personalized cultural experiences—whether it’s accessing hidden gems, navigating museums, or dining at local hotspots—while empowering guides to thrive independently.

Alexander dives into the challenges of scaling authenticity in a crowded market, balancing AI tools with human expertise, and why "algorithm fatigue" is driving demand for his human-centric approach. He also shares insights on the future of experiential travel, his unconventional lead-gen strategies (like leveraging professional networks for referrals), and why he believes the best travel advice still comes from real people—not chatbots.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Dr. Eric Charles Maass, founder of Six Sigma Experts and one of the original architects of Six Sigma methodology at Motorola. With 30+ years at Motorola and 11 years at Medtronic, Eric shares how he transformed his corporate expertise into a consulting business that helps engineering teams optimize product development and manufacturing processes through Lean Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) training. He reveals why he launched Six Sigma Experts during the 2008 financial crisis, how his "retirement hobby" became a thriving consultancy, and his unique approach to integrating Bayesian networks and causal AI into process improvement.

Eric discusses the future of manufacturing in America, his innovative "OptMM" platform that goes beyond traditional Lean Six Sigma, and why enthusiasm is the secret weapon for entrepreneurial success. He also tackles the role of AI in quality engineering, explaining how his stochastic engineering methods (featured on his STOCHED.com platform) solve real-world problems that deterministic models miss. For founders, Eric's journey offers masterclass lessons on transitioning from corporate to consulting, monetizing expertise, and building credibility through thought leadership (including his books Flawless Launches and Applying Design for Six Sigma).

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Prajwal Paudyal of Quallsai shares his journey from PhD computer scientist to AI entrepreneur revolutionizing qualitative research. He reveals how his time at P&G—spending hundreds of hours analyzing customer interviews—inspired him to leverage AI for faster, scalable insights. Prajwal breaks down Quallsai’s three core offerings: AI research agents that conduct interviews autonomously, analysis "lenses" that extract framework-driven insights, and synthetic AI personas for rapid market validation—all designed to help startups and brands nail product-market fit.

Prajwal discusses the delicate balance of scaling an AI-native business, from maintaining quality at volume to strategically selecting early adopters who align with Quallsai’s vision. He predicts a near future where 98% of qualitative research is AI-driven, freeing humans for high-value ethnography while democratizing access to deep consumer insights. For founders, his advice cuts through imposter syndrome: "Wear multiple hats—what feels ‘not your role’ often just needs the right mindset and resources."

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Wendy Caverly of Crusaders Networking shares her inspiring journey from award-winning networking facilitator to founder of a transformative business connection platform. Wendy reveals how the pandemic’s disruption sparked her mission to teach professionals that networking isn’t just an activity—it’s a foundational skill for long-term success. She discusses her unique Landscape Assessment tool, which helps individuals identify their natural networking style, and her vision for scaling through online courses, live events, and a book series titled The Currency of Connection.

Wendy also dives into her philosophy of "connecting without expectation" and how sincere relationships—not transactions—drive multi-year business growth. She highlights her upcoming Crusaders Connection Event and plans to expand it nationally, while emphasizing the power of collaboration and strategic partnerships. For entrepreneurs and sales teams alike, Wendy’s insights redefine networking as a measurable, results-driven skill—one that turns conversations into opportunities and transforms how professionals build their futures.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Mona Reza, founder of Stellar 5 Legal, LLC and Stellar 5 Consulting. Mona shares how personal challenges—like managing her husband’s medical practice and uncovering financial inefficiencies—led her to establish two distinct yet complementary businesses. Stellar 5 Legal focuses on tax and estate planning for female founders, while Stellar 5 Consulting provides healthcare professionals with scalable financial solutions through courses and training. Mona discusses the importance of delegation, organic growth, and refining her sales approach while balancing family and business.

Mona also reveals her vision for Stellar 5 Legal—a distributed law firm model that empowers attorneys, especially working parents, with flexible, high-level practice opportunities. She emphasizes the value of mentorship, strategic marketing, and reinvesting in talent to scale sustainably. From leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to navigating bootstrapping challenges, Mona’s insights offer a roadmap for entrepreneurs turning adversity into opportunity.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Richard Douglas Buckingham (Rick) of RDB Mentors shares his inspiring journey from alumni interviewer to founder of a transformative mentoring platform. Rick discusses how his passion for guiding students and young professionals led him to create RDB Mentors, offering Zoom classes, live events, and one-on-one coaching to help them unlock their potential. He emphasizes the power of community, personalized learning, and the joy of witnessing "the light go on" in his mentees' eyes.

Rick also unveils his vision for scaling RDB Mentors through an innovative online portal, designed to provide 24/7 access to mentorship and resources. He reflects on the evolving mentoring landscape, blending education with entertainment, and leaves listeners with actionable advice: cultivate positive habits, seek inspiration beyond the classroom, and embrace lifelong learning.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Paul D'Souza, founder of The D'Souza Group and advisor at Labyrinth.ai, to explore his unconventional journey from selling million-dollar enterprise software deals to pioneering a holistic approach to business growth. After walking away from a $250K unpaid commission in 2003, Paul reinvented himself by blending martial arts philosophy ("The Way of Harmony") with business strategy—now helping startups and SMBs align leadership, systems, and purpose. He reveals why he prioritizes engagement over marketing, conversion over sales, and how his free "Small Business Fight Club" community (where "you're not alone anymore") has become his secret weapon for authentic deal flow.

Paul shares hard-won lessons on qualifying clients ("only solve funded problems"), why investors increasingly back people over pitches, and his "opt-in close" philosophy for high-trust consulting. From his horse ranch in Colorado to advising AI-powered regulatory startups, Paul’s approach—rooted in self-awareness and strategic patience—offers a masterclass in building businesses that serve you, not the other way around.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Lindsay Tramel-Jones, Army veteran and founder of Fierceified Creative & Consulting, to explore how she’s transforming customer experience (CX) for purpose-driven brands. Lindsay shares her journey from military service to entrepreneurship, sparked by a moment of discrimination that made her realize the need to carve her own path. She breaks down Fierceified’s unique "Bold Power CX" framework, which blends empathy, data, and storytelling to help scaling founders and nonprofits design authentic, high-converting customer journeys—without losing their humanity in the process.

Lindsay opens up about her three-tiered service model (audits, full builds, and fractional CXO support), why she prioritizes lean operations and AI tools for scalability, and her mission to empower marginalized entrepreneurs. From the challenges of delegation to her vision for a SaaS platform that democratizes CX insights, this conversation is packed with raw advice on staying true to your voice while building a business that makes an impact.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Dr. Kimberly Jackson, MCC, founder of Coach Kimberly International and pioneer in executive leadership coaching. With 33 years in business and mentorship from legends like Dr. Stephen Covey, Kimberly shares her journey from corporate America to building a global coaching empire that’s worked with Tesla, the CDC, and the Department of Defense. She reveals how she’s democratizing coaching through AI, her "fail forward" philosophy, and why she’s on a mission to transform coaching from a "perk or punishment" into a must-have for leaders navigating today’s mental health and burnout crises.

Kimberly dives into her legacy-focused vision—advancing women in leadership, bridging the gap between human potential and AI, and her Coachpreneur School for coaches who want to think like CEOs. From her $100K+ lessons in scaling (and scaling back) to why referrals outperform social media growth, this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom for founders who want to build businesses that outlast them.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Patrick Spychalski, co-founder of The Kiln, an agency revolutionizing go-to-market strategies through AI-powered automation, data-driven design, and revenue operations. Patrick shares his journey from freelance marketing to building a high-ticket consultancy that helps mid-market and enterprise businesses streamline their sales and marketing workflows using cutting-edge tools like Clay. He dives into The Kiln’s unique, bespoke approach to solving client problems—why they avoid rigid offerings and how they’ve scaled to $2.5M ARR in just 18 months through inbound leads and referrals.

Patrick unpacks the massive opportunity in AI-driven sales efficiency, why most companies struggle to implement these tools effectively, and his vision for The Kiln as a leader in the AI consultancy space. From the challenges of maintaining quality at scale to his contrarian advice for new entrepreneurs (hint: focus obsessively on adding value), this episode is packed with insights for agency owners and tech-forward founders alike.