Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, AI business strategist David W. Gwynn shares his 30+ years of entrepreneurial journey—from Wall Street to pioneering AI consulting. David dives into how his company, AI Advisors, helps fintech, insurance, and healthcare businesses integrate AI for growth, emphasizing ROI-driven strategies, scalable implementation, and the future of agentic AI. He also discusses the challenges of vetting clients, building capacity, and why deep industry expertise beats a broad approach.*

David highlights emerging AI trends like voice and visual interfaces, the rise of AI agents, and the importance of starting small with high-impact use cases. He also reveals his favorite AI tools, including custom GPTs and Gamma, while offering insights for aspiring AI entrepreneurs on navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Dr. Jason William Johnson, the innovative founder behind SoundStrategies—a Chicago-based consulting firm transforming business education through music, storytelling, and AI. Dr. Johnson shares his journey from delivering rap-infused keynote speeches to building a scalable digital platform that helps entrepreneurs and organizations learn through interactive, music-driven modules and AI-powered coaching. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from in-person workshops to a tech-enabled solution, the surprising effectiveness of his method (with 85% of users calling it the best learning platform they’ve used), and his ambitious $1.8M revenue target for the next year.

Dr. Johnson also opens up about the tensions of scaling versus maintaining work-life balance, his bootstrap approach to growth, and the unique enterprise licensing model that fuels Sound Strategies. From targeting CSR departments and foundations to exploring Gen Z professional development, he reveals how he’s leveraging his extensive network while building predictable lead generation for colder audiences. Listeners will walk away with insights on blending creativity with technology, the realities of founder-led sales, and the tough decisions facing visionary entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Michael Joesten, founder of Michael Joesten Human Capital Consulting. Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey—from his early days in hostile work environments to successfully selling two businesses before pivoting to leadership development. He discusses his passion for creating healthier workplace cultures, his scalable group coaching model, and the importance of curiosity in both leadership and sales.

Michael dives into his ideal client profile, the challenges of predictable lead generation, and his vision for scaling his consulting firm. He also offers invaluable advice for new entrepreneurs, emphasizing the power of faith, allowing success to unfold organically, and avoiding the trap of forcing outcomes.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Jasmine Fluker, founder and CEO of The Pivotal Paradigm Project, a consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jasmine shares her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship—from being tracked into a technical program in Alabama to becoming a classroom teacher and eventually launching her own DEI consultancy. She discusses how her early experiences with systemic inequity fueled her passion for creating inclusive workplaces and the pivotal moment when a friend’s request for DEI training sparked her business.

Jasmine dives into her boutique consultancy model, which focuses on schools, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations, offering strategic intensives, long-term DEI roadmaps, and retainers. She opens up about the challenges of scaling her impact, her innovative approaches to lead generation (like LinkedIn storytelling and speaking engagements), and her vision for the future—including digital products and retreats for DEI leaders. Jasmine also shares hard-won lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of resilience and diversifying revenue streams early on.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we welcome Susan Lunning, founder and CEO of The Whole Health Way. Susan shares her transformative journey from cardiac care nurse to holistic wellness entrepreneur, blending her medical expertise with energy healing and life coaching to help clients align mind, body, and spirit. She reveals how personal tragedies—including the sudden loss of her husband—reinforced her mission to empower others to live intentionally, using principles of gratitude, visualization, and nervous system regulation to create lives they truly love.

Susan breaks down her unique approach, which focuses on four pillars of well-being (health, relationships, vocation, and financial freedom) and her scalable programs, including VIP coaching and vision workshops. She emphasizes the power of "living as if" your goals are already achieved and discusses her ambitious vision for The Whole Health Way Foundation—a sanctuary for transformation. Along the way, Susan shares profound insights on overcoming fear, rewiring limiting beliefs, and the importance of trusting yourself to manifest abundance.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we meet Crystal Corbin, the spirited entrepreneur behind The Liquor Connoisseur. What began as casual tastings with friends evolved into a mission to transform how we experience alcohol—emphasizing education, storytelling, and mindful drinking. Crystal shares how she and her husband turned their passion for spirits into a podcast, merch line, and tasting events, all while debunking myths (like why you shouldn’t fear high-proof tequila) and spotlighting underrated brands.

Crystal dives into her unique business model—from merch sales to corporate tastings—and her vision for launching their own spirit brand. She also gets candid about challenges like cracking the podcast algorithm and securing capital in a competitive industry. Along the way, she drops gems on the history of spirits (including Oklahoma’s distilling scene) and her mantra: "Drink to remember, not to forget." For aspiring entrepreneurs, her advice is simple: "Just start—perfection can wait."

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Leahanne Hobson, founder and CEO of Alinea Partners, a Vienna-based global IT consultancy. Leahanne shares her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, detailing how she built a boutique, lifestyle-focused business by productizing consulting services—like their unique B2B "secret shopper" program—to deliver clear value for clients like Microsoft and IBM. She also discusses the power of referrals, LinkedIn for demand gen, and her philosophy on AI adoption (like Microsoft Copilot) as an enablement tool rather than a sales pitch.

Leahanne opens up about scaling challenges, maintaining a "liquid" team structure, and her focus on AI, cybersecurity, and compliance for 2025. She leaves listeners with a golden nugget: "Focus on people power, not position power." A must-listen for founders balancing growth with intentionality in high-tech consulting.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Neil Mackinnon , founder of Neil Mackinnon Coaching, shares his journey from professional musician to leadership coach. Rooted in the creative industries, Neil specializes in helping ambitious individuals find clarity and purpose. He discusses the relational nature of his coaching practice, the power of referrals, and his philosophy of non-directional coaching that fosters authentic growth.

Neil also opens up about the challenges of building a sustainable coaching business, emphasizing the importance of patience and long-term thinking. He reflects on his vision for the future, including expanding his impact while staying true to his relational approach. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Neil offers wisdom on embracing the journey rather than expecting overnight success.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the inspiring journey of Elian Haan-Bakke, transformation coach and founder of Elian Haan, LLC, with over 40 years of experience in fitness, wellness, and executive coaching. Elian shares how her holistic approach—combining somatic healing, trauma-informed practices, and mindfulness—helps executives, leaders, and midlife women move from feeling "stuck to unstoppable." She discusses her unique revenue streams, from one-on-one coaching to speaking engagements, and her vision for scaling her impact through corporate partnerships and her upcoming book.

Elian also opens up about her organic, relationship-driven sales process, emphasizing alignment over aggressive marketing. She highlights the importance of daily action, persistence, and self-care for entrepreneurs, while reflecting on her own routines that keep her energized. Whether discussing her TV show, podcast, or community-building efforts, Elian’s passion for empowering others shines through, offering listeners actionable insights for personal and professional growth.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Catherine Knabb, founder of Knabb Consulting and franchisee of Network In Action Memphis & Virtual. With over 30 years of corporate and cost accounting experience, Catherine shares her journey from optimizing global projects to empowering entrepreneurs through franchise consulting and premium networking groups. She dives into her mission of ethical franchise matching, the importance of relationship-driven networking, and how she’s building systems to scale her dynamic business while staying true to human connections.

Catherine discusses the challenges of balancing automation with personalization, her strategies for client acquisition, and her vision for the future of franchise consulting. She also reflects on the lessons learned from transitioning out of corporate, the power of storytelling in business, and her advice for aspiring founders—emphasizing the value of aligning passion with purpose.