Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Jim Duggan, founder and CEO of Intrinsic Methods, a climate tech venture revolutionizing the reforestation carbon credit market using blockchain and patented tree-growth technology. Jim shares his journey from executive strategy to launching a mission-driven business, detailing how Intrinsic Methods brings radical transparency to carbon credits while empowering small nurseries and creating ecological impact—one tree at a time.

Jim dives into the company’s three revenue streams, the challenges of disrupting an entrenched industry, and his ambitious goal of planting a billion trees. From leveraging blockchain for verifiable carbon credits to pivoting sales strategies for faster growth, this conversation is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the power of perseverance.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Maria Elena Duron, founder of KLI Brand and a pioneer in digital marketing since the early days of Twitter. Maria shares how she grew one of the world's top 3 Twitter chats (BrandChat) into a thriving agency that’s helped over 12,400 small businesses master visibility—not just on Google, but across AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. She reveals why her "bullseye" clients are exhausted entrepreneurs who’ve hit a wall with DIY marketing, and how KLI Brand’s diagnostic approach (combining SEO, AEO, and GEO strategies) gets them measurable results in weeks.

Maria pulls back the curtain on her unconventional growth playbook—prioritizing email marketing and LinkedIn over ads ("Bandwidth is our bottleneck")—while preparing for a major 2025 rebrand to "Smart Brand System." She offers golden insights on AI’s role in marketing ("It’s not a trend, it’s a transition") and why consistency—not silver bullets—wins the visibility game. For founders feeling overwhelmed by digital marketing’s rapid evolution, Maria’s advice is razor-sharp: "Listen to your clients’ exact words, not what you think they need."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Aaron Hageman, founder of 75x Strategy and serial entrepreneur who scaled an HR tech company to a 2-billion-dollar run rate before selling to Walmart. Aaron shares his unconventional journey from teenage entrepreneur to fractional CEO, revealing how his "puzzle-solving" approach helps 7-9 figure businesses break through growth plateaus. He breaks down his signature 90-day advisory framework—alternating between 1:1 founder sessions and leadership team strategy meetings—and why defeating "Superman Syndrome" is the key to sustainable scaling.

Aaron pulls back the curtain on his boutique advisory model, explaining how he combines live events with AI-powered community building through his new "The Lab" program. He offers golden insights on financial literacy ("Learn to read a P&L like a second language") and why his sweet-spot clients are those stuck at the $8M revenue hump. For founders craving actionable scaling strategies, Aaron shares how he’s leveraging fractional CMOs and his "consigliere" mindset to help businesses systematically remove roadblocks—while keeping his own firm intentionally small but mighty.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we meet Andria McNutt, the unstoppable force behind McNutt Enterprises, a woman-owned vegetation management and disaster response company based in Alabama. Andria shares her raw, inspiring journey—from learning tree work to spend time with her husband to building a multi-million dollar business with 20 employees and a fleet of equipment. She reveals how they went from a single Walmart chainsaw to securing utility contracts across the Southeast, while maintaining an unwavering commitment to their crew ("We pay 15-17% above industry standard") and community empowerment.

Andria pulls back the curtain on her unique growth strategies: dominating Google SEO for residential work, becoming first responders for hurricane recovery (where her team clears debris before power crews can restore electricity), and her mission to uplift "deplorables" by giving at-risk youth life-changing trades. With plans to triple her fleet and expand disaster response operations nationwide, she offers hard-won wisdom: "You knew I was a snake when you picked me up—stay true to who you are." Tune in for a masterclass in blue-collar entrepreneurship and leadership that puts people first.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Dada Nabhaniilananda, the visionary behind The Monk Dude, a revolutionary corporate wellness platform blending ancient meditation practices with modern business needs. Dada shares his deeply personal journey—from losing a brother to suicide to becoming a yoga monk on a mission to combat the mental health crisis in high-pressure industries. He breaks down The Monk Dude’s unique approach, which combines mantra chanting, storytelling, and music to help Silicon Valley executives and teams reduce stress, unlock creativity, and build resilience—backed by 40 years of teaching and testimonials from giants like Google and Meta.

Dada reveals his ambitious plans to scale The Monk Dude, including a soon-to-launch digital platform, corporate retreats, and a holistic lifestyle program. He discusses the misconceptions around mindfulness in business (hint: it’s not just about stress relief—it boosts innovation and teamwork) and his fundraising strategy to build a global community. Tune in for actionable insights on integrating ancient wisdom into modern workplaces and why Dada believes gratitude practices and human connection are the ultimate “secret weapons” for founders navigating today’s chaotic world.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Keshawn Cupid, founder and CEO of Modern Kaizen LLC, a veteran-owned consulting firm specializing in Lean Six Sigma training, AI-driven efficiency strategies, and government contracting intelligence. Keshawn shares his journey from retiring from the Navy to launching multiple ventures, including restaurants, before finding his niche in process optimization. He breaks down Modern Kaizen’s three core offerings—workforce development, process improvement, and their proprietary AI platform, Kaizen Edge—and reveals how his team maintains a full 3-month pipeline by focusing intensely on one ideal client at a time.

Keshawn also opens up about the challenges of balancing visionary ideas with execution, emphasizing the importance of staying focused to scale effectively. With ambitious revenue targets and a new subscription-based model in the works, he discusses how Modern Kaizen leverages data science, AI, and deep industry knowledge to help businesses and government agencies streamline operations. Tune in for actionable insights on client engagement, lead generation, and the mindset needed to thrive as an entrepreneur in the consulting space.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Amar Elm, Suzanne Turner—founder and CEO of ICE Consulting, LLC—shares her journey from document management in clinical trials to becoming a leading expert in Trial Master File (TMF) compliance. With 12 years of experience, Suzanne reveals how her niche consultancy helps pharmaceutical sponsors and CROs maintain inspection-ready documentation through her "Inform, Connect, Engage" framework. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from corporate security to entrepreneurship, including navigating payment delays and convincing clients of her unique team-based consulting model that blends high-level strategy with hands-on TMF management.

Suzanne opens up about the realities of scaling a hyper-specialized consultancy in the clinical research world, where recruiters often act as gatekeepers. She highlights how she’s breaking through by positioning herself as a TMF thought leader—through LinkedIn, industry conferences, and her podcast Heart of the Trial. For aspiring founders, Suzanne’s advice is golden: "You’re worth more than you realize." Her story is a masterclass in niching down, leveraging expertise, and the power of saying "yes" to scary opportunities that lead to growth.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Amar Elm, Jody Harris—government funding expert, economic development consultant, and competitive pit master—shares her multifaceted entrepreneurial journey. After retiring from a 20-year federal career, Jody channeled her passion for helping businesses into strategic consulting, helping clients optimize finances and secure funding. She also reveals how her love for barbecue led to launching the Rib Cookoff Association, the fastest-growing competitive barbecue sanctioning body, which blends community-building with economic impact through events across the U.S. and internationally.

Jody dives into her unique approach to consulting—prioritizing client compatibility and financial strategy—while explaining why she’s shifting focus to scale the Rib Cookoff Association to 100,000+ members. She shares insights on bootstrap funding for startups, the power of social media in growing niche communities, and her mission to make competitive barbecue more accessible and fun. For listeners, Jody’s story is a masterclass in balancing multiple ventures, leveraging expertise across industries, and turning personal passions into thriving businesses.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Amar Elm, Jaris Tucker—founder of Real One On One Consulting LLC and creator of the #ThinkersAtWork movement—shares his unconventional journey from factory supervisor to sought-after business consultant and thought leader. Jaris reveals how his "dance with the devil" in corporate America led him to build a consultancy rooted in authenticity, intentional networking, and spiritual alignment, helping businesses from startups to Fortune 500s refine their operations, marketing, and team dynamics. With a philosophy of "observe first, act second," Jaris breaks down his client engagement process—where 30-day minimum collaborations often blossom into lifelong partnerships—and why saying "no" to misaligned opportunities has become his superpower.

Jaris opens up about the eight-year grind that transformed his hustle into a self-sustaining reputation economy, where referrals and word-of-mouth now fuel his seven-figure ambitions. He discusses the pivotal mindset shift from chasing revenue to prioritizing purpose—explaining why his next chapter revolves around public speaking and thought leadership. For entrepreneurs, Jaris’ advice is gold: "Trust the process, add value without expectation, and remember—your network becomes your net worth when relationships outlast transactions.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Amar Elm, Nicole Donnelly—founder of AI Smart Ventures and an OG in applied AI since 2015—shares her journey from solving diaper rash with BabyLegs to revolutionizing business workflows with AI. Nicole reveals how her agency helps companies reclaim 30-80% of their time through AI-powered automation, from onboarding clients to data analysis, while training over 10,000 professionals globally. She breaks down her tiered offerings, from $197 self-serve courses to high-touch 12-month AI transformation strategies, and explains why live classes (like "AI Your Agency") are unlocking unprecedented efficiency for businesses crossing the $1M revenue "valley of death."

Nicole dives into the power of community-driven growth, with AI office hours and expert labs helping entrepreneurs overcome roadblocks. She shares why speaking engagements outperform ads for lead gen and her vision for 2025: scaling AI education as tools evolve. For founders, her golden advice? "Ask questions relentlessly—you don’t need to know everything, but you need to know who does." With AI democratizing innovation, Nicole’s mission is clear: equip businesses to dream bigger by automating the mundane and focusing on human-AI synergy.