Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Adam Kimmel, founder of ASK Consulting Solutions shares his journey from chemical engineer to fractional business development leader. With nearly 20 years of R&D experience and 12 global patents, Adam reveals how he bridges the gap between technical expertise and growth strategy, helping industrial and engineering firms scale through strategic planning, lead generation, and content marketing. He discusses the power of LinkedIn for organic lead generation (his top revenue driver), his high-conversion discovery calls (80%+ close rate), and why combining strategy with execution is the future of consulting.

Adam also dives into the challenges of solopreneurship, his vision for scaling to $80K MRR, and how AI tools like ChatGPT enhance—but don’t replace—human-led business development. He emphasizes the importance of deep client conversations to uncover industry trends and advises founders to "get ready to work" while leveraging fractional partnerships for agility. A must-listen for technical entrepreneurs and consultants navigating growth in a scrutinized budget landscape.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Karen Vadnais, we meet Keaton Grider, founder of Steadfast Seminars—a faith-based business leadership and coaching seminar company based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Keaton shares his journey from being a recent business graduate to launching a venture that fills a gap he noticed in Christian professional development. He discusses how Steadfast Seminars goes beyond "sprinkling in Bible verses" to create meaningful, Christ-centered business guidance, blending networking, mentorship, and practical leadership training in a way that glorifies God.

Keaton dives into his vision for scaling Steadfast Seminars, emphasizing the importance of local, relational events where attendees can connect with speakers long-term. He also talks about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time job, his strategies for organic growth through personal networking and Chamber of Commerce involvement, and his goal of expanding the brand’s recognition nationwide—one city at a time.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Karen Vadnais, we welcome Erwan Lacour, founder of Breath Hold Work and a visionary in AI-driven personal development. Erwan shares his journey from childhood entrepreneurship to creating innovative methods like Breath Hold Work—a unique approach to meditation under pressure that enhances neural regulation and emotional resilience. He discusses how his earlier venture, MovNat (a natural fitness movement school), influenced his current work, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-mastery in personal growth.

Erwan dives into the future of personal development, exploring how AI companions and sovereign technology will revolutionize self-improvement. He explains how AI can replicate human coaching, offering real-time, personalized guidance while maintaining privacy—a game-changer for accessibility in wellness and mental health. With an upcoming book and AI-integrated platforms on the horizon, Erwan’s vision blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge tech to help people "feel better, think better, and live better."

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Ben Hankinson, founder of Unity Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in manufacturing leadership and operations. Ben shares his journey from managing operations at a large liquid egg manufacturing plant to launching his own firm, driven by a passion for unifying people and processes to create operational excellence. He discusses the challenges of shifting from traditional, fear-based leadership to a more collaborative and process-focused approach, and how this mindset has transformed workplace cultures in the manufacturing sector.

Ben dives into the core services Unity Solutions offers, including leadership training, performance improvement engagements, and team unification workshops. He explains the importance of focusing on process over results, building strong organizational cultures, and why manufacturing—especially food and beverage—often lags behind in adopting modern leadership practices. Listeners will gain insights into Ben’s vision for scaling Unity Solutions, leveraging AI for efficiency, and his long-term goal of creating a team that shares his passion for driving meaningful change in manufacturing.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we're joined by Karen Yankovich, LinkedIn marketing expert and CEO of Uplevel Media. With 20+ years in IT and marketing, Karen reveals why LinkedIn remains the ultimate "money tree" for high-ticket sales—especially for women transitioning careers or scaling businesses. She shares her proven "flip the funnel" approach that prioritizes $25K+ consulting packages over small transactions, and why building genuine relationships (not spammy outreach) drives 99% of major opportunities. Karen also breaks down her revamped "She's Linked Up" program, which combines profile optimization, PR strategy, and community to help clients land premium clients through what she calls "borrowed credibility" on podcasts and media features.

Karen gets real about LinkedIn's evolution—from battling bots to leveraging AI for content repurposing—and why the platform still outperforms all others for serious business growth. She offers a bold homework assignment: "Write $25K on a sticky note and brainstorm what delivers 10X that value." For founders tired of chasing pennies, this episode is a masterclass in relationship-driven marketing, with actionable insights on turning LinkedIn into a predictable revenue engine. Don't miss Karen's take on why personal branding is the ultimate career insurance in today's uncertain economy.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, Joshua Schulman, founder of Schulman Communications Interactive (SCI), shares how he merged his background in acting with emerging technologies to create a revolutionary approach to communication training. From developing a VR metaverse campus for immersive practice sessions to implementing AI voice cloning for multilingual training modules, Joshua reveals how his business 10x'd during COVID by adapting in-person workshops to virtual formats—all while maintaining the human connection at the core of his methodology.

Joshua provides an honest look at the challenges of scaling a service-based business where he is the primary product, explaining why he continues hands-on coaching rather than delegating to conventional trainers. He breaks down his "SOS" framework (Systemize, Optimize, Scale) and shares his unique whiteboard technique for turning ideas into actionable plans. For education and coaching entrepreneurs, Joshua emphasizes preserving the "joy factor"—ensuring your work remains fulfilling even as you integrate cutting-edge technology. This episode offers invaluable insights on building a passion-driven business that successfully balances innovation with authentic human engagement.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, we meet Roger Kitchen Jr., founder of Power Mental Performance, who helps athletes and high-performing professionals excel under pressure. Roger shares his unconventional journey from training NASA teams to becoming a mental skills coach for NCAA athletes, revealing how a chance encounter with a sports psychologist sparked his passion for performance psychology. He discusses his signature "Do Hard Well" methodology, which helps clients overcome adversity, boost confidence, and adapt to stress—techniques he first tested on himself during his return to competitive powerlifting after a 24-year hiatus.

Roger opens up about building his business through organic growth and referrals in the competitive sports world, working with teams ranging from high school volleyball to Division I basketball programs. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in his client intake process and customized mental training plans. For fellow entrepreneurs, Roger stresses perseverance ("on the other side of hard is everything you want") and shares hard-won lessons about valuing your services appropriately—including how doubling his prices actually increased client conversions. Tune in for insights on turning a passion into a sustainable business while making a real impact.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Victoria Lynne Hannu, founder of Heart and Soul CEO, shares her journey from corporate disillusionment to pioneering a "soul-first" coaching model for entrepreneurs. With 18+ years in corporate and two decades as an entrepreneur, Victoria reveals how her signature Leadership and Business Alignment Review helps clients merge strategy with spirituality, creating businesses that reflect both purpose and profitability. She also discusses her firm stance on working only with coachable clients—even when it limits scalability—and why aligning a business with personal values is the key to sustainable success.

Victoria opens up about the challenges of standing out in the saturated coaching industry, from refining lead generation to launching innovative offerings like executive roundtables and cohort-based programs. She offers blunt advice for new entrepreneurs ("Stop overpreparing—go make sales!") and her vision for training other coaches in her methodology. For founders feeling disconnected from their work, she reframes the entrepreneurial journey: "Your business is a spiritual expression of you—but it must become an independent entity." This episode is a deep dive into building a company that thrives financially while staying true to its core mission.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, we meet Nicole Craveiro, founder of Crave HRO, who's transforming HR for small businesses with her people-first philosophy. After leaving a toxic HR position that valued company valuation over employee wellbeing, Nicole built her consulting firm offering tiered services from basic compliance ($150/month CraveWave software) to full "HR Presence" solutions. She reveals how local networking groups like BNI and HIA helped her triple her business in 3 months and replace her corporate salary within a year, all while developing innovative educational tools like children's HR books to reshape perceptions of the profession.

Nicole shares her journey of creating multiple revenue streams through digital products like a "How to Hire Compliantly" course, while maintaining a client-focused approach through tiered service packages. She offers invaluable advice for service-based entrepreneurs: the critical importance of building a strong professional network before going solo, and the mindset shift required to properly value your offerings in competitive markets. For founders looking to make an impact in professional services, Nicole's story demonstrates how to balance principled work with sustainable growth.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, K.C. O’Rourke, founder of KCLO Communications, shares her journey of building a lean, high-impact virtual agency that delivers executive-level marketing and PR strategy without the overhead of traditional firms. With 25+ years of experience at top agencies like Weber Shandwick and Edelman, K.C. reveals her unique "audit-first" approach, the shift from hourly retainers to outcome-driven packages, and how she leverages LinkedIn to generate 20+ monthly meetings—all while maintaining a focus on intentional growth and strategic partnerships with senior creatives.

K.C. dives into her scaling philosophy, emphasizing how automation and AI allow her to focus on client strategy rather than execution. She discusses her $30K/month revenue goal and the importance of positioning marketing as a revenue driver rather than a cost center. For fellow founders, she underscores the power of trust, consistency, and building a nimble, referral-driven agency that punches above its weight. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to create a high-value, low-overhead service business in the competitive world of marketing and PR.