Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, Nicholas Rustad, founder of CoreTactic LLC, shares his inspiring journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. With over 25 years of executive experience, Nicholas discusses how a layoff became the catalyst for launching his coaching business, emphasizing the importance of personalized career and business coaching. He dives into his unique approach—avoiding cookie-cutter solutions—and highlights the power of AI tools like Claude and HighLevel in scaling operations while maintaining a human touch.

Nicholas also explores his vision for CoreTactic’s future, including competitive intelligence, recruiter partnerships, and expanding support for displaced workers. He offers invaluable advice for aspiring coaches, stressing the need for niche specialization, community building, and leveraging referrals. Throughout the conversation, his passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion shines, making this a must-listen for founders and professionals navigating career transitions or business growth.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Monique Hodges, the visionary founder and CEO of GEBANAH, a consulting firm revolutionizing workplace culture through strategic charitable giving. Monique shares her journey from leading the Westport Young Women’s League to launching GEBANAH in 2021, driven by a mission to bridge the gap between corporate values and actionable impact. She reveals how her unique approach—aligning mission, messaging, and community engagement—helps businesses transform culture into a measurable KPI, all while generating revenue.

Monique opens up about the challenges of scaling as a solopreneur, her reliance on word-of-mouth referrals, and her plans to automate services through her Global Executive MBA program at IESE. With a focus on integrity, authenticity, and compassion, she discusses her vision for GEBANAH’s future, including expanding into national and international markets. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on redefining corporate culture, the power of strategic philanthropy, and the resilience required to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the journey of Evan Jennings, founder of Quantify Consulting. Evan shares how his passion for transforming raw data into actionable insights led him to start his consultancy, helping small and medium businesses leverage sophisticated analytics without the need for full-time hires. From automating manual processes for contractors to building advanced data strategies for SaaS startups, Evan breaks down his core offerings and discusses the challenges of scaling a data-driven business while staying nimble in a rapidly evolving industry.

Evan also opens up about his acquisition strategies, emphasizing the power of targeted outreach and LinkedIn over generic cold emails. He reveals his plans to niche down further into manufacturing, construction, and SaaS, aligning his services with industry-specific pain points. With AI reshaping the analytics landscape, Evan highlights the growing importance of automation and operational efficiency—and leaves listeners with actionable advice: find the intersection between what you love, what clients need, and how AI can amplify your impact. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of data-driven decision-making.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Nick Brose, the driving force behind TMC Marketing, a full-service digital agency revolutionizing online presence through data-driven strategies. Nick shares the unexpected journey that led him from running a podcast network to building a thriving marketing agency during the pandemic. He reveals how TMC's unique package approach – combining SEO, paid ads, and content creation – helps clients scale while avoiding the pitfalls of fragmented marketing efforts, and discusses the delicate balance of growing his team in sync with revenue.

Nick opens up about the agency's referral-driven growth, their strategic shift toward building an in-house sales team, and why he believes human-created content will make a comeback in the AI-dominated marketing landscape. From leveraging tools like SEMrush and Motion to his "three months past the breaking point" philosophy for entrepreneurs, Nick offers invaluable insights for founders scaling service-based businesses in today's rapidly evolving digital world.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we dive into the journey of Chris Latham, founder of Fire For Effect Marketing, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, and high-impact video production. Based in Tennessee, Chris shares how his corporate experience and pandemic-driven pivot led him to identify a critical gap in how technical and manufacturing companies communicate online. He reveals his unique approach—blending creative storytelling with data-driven strategies—and how offering free custom videos as a lead magnet has driven high-ticket client conversions.

Chris also opens up about scaling challenges, from training his team in client acquisition to leveraging AI for efficiency without losing authenticity. With plans to expand video services (projected to become 70-80% of revenue), he emphasizes the power of organic marketing and relationship-building over quick wins. Tune in for actionable insights on balancing creativity with tech, building a flexible contractor network, and why underpromising and overdelivering remains his north star in a crowded industry.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Jordan Dahlquist, founder of Free the Founder and serial agency builder. From scaling his first marketing agency to $10M before acquisition to launching a viral content startup that hit $1M in 90 days, Jordan reveals how he helps service-based businesses implement AI-powered systems through his signature "90-Day Sprint" - freeing founders from operational chaos while boosting efficiency. He shares hard-won lessons on ethical scaling, why most CEOs are "faking it till they make it," and how he leverages custom GPTs and automation tools like Read AI to run multiple businesses simultaneously.

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the inspiring journey of Naila Jackson, the visionary behind Network Navigator. Naila shares how the pandemic sparked her passion for supporting minority entrepreneurs in Birmingham, leading her to create a platform that connects small business owners with vital resources, funding, and partnerships. She discusses the challenges of scaling her mission, the importance of relationship-building, and her vision to expand Network Navigator statewide—and eventually nationwide—to bridge gaps in entrepreneurial ecosystems everywhere.

Naila also opens up about the hurdles of capacity constraints as a solopreneur and her philosophy on failure as redirection rather than defeat. With heartfelt advice for aspiring founders, she emphasizes the power of collaboration, resilience, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge and uplift you. Tune in for a candid conversation on ecosystem building, advocacy, and the road ahead for Network Navigator.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we dive into the world of executive recruiting with Justin Dixon, founder of Hire Tomorrow. Justin shares how his decade-plus experience at Comcast and other firms led him to create a boutique recruiting agency that helps startups and private equity firms compete for top-tier talent against corporate giants. He reveals his unique approach blending fractional retainers, equity deals, and "recruiting as a service" – all while maintaining a white-glove, founder-led experience in an industry dominated by impersonal big firms.

Justin opens up about the challenges of scaling a recruiting business while staying hands-on, including his innovative solutions like AI-powered applicant tracking and offshore operations support. He discusses his vision for 2025 – systematizing processes to onboard sales talent, doubling down on private equity niche relationships, and growing his podcast as a strategic business development tool. For any founder struggling with hiring or considering launching a service business, Justin offers golden advice on niching down, protecting "thinking time," and why human connection still beats AI in high-stakes recruiting.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Karyn Vadnais sits down with Cheri Dove, founder of CDove HR Consulting Group, who shares her passionate mission to transform the HR space into a supportive, trustworthy partner for both employees and employers. Cheri breaks down the stigma often associated with HR and highlights the importance of creating a safe, dependable environment where employees feel cared for and empowered. Through her focus on employee relations, consistency, and an open-door approach, she emphasizes how small businesses can harness HR as a resource not just for professional, but personal support as well.

Cheri also opens up about the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, particularly the importance of overcoming fear, staying consistent, and investing in oneself. She credits tools like LinkedIn and building her own website as game changers for growing her business and connecting with mentors willing to help along the way. This episode offers inspiring insights for founders looking to build meaningful relationships within their teams and scale their ventures with heart and purpose.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Melissa Whitaker, founder and CEO of Melissa Whitaker International (MWI), to explore her 30-year journey in sales and leadership. Melissa shares how MWI’s holistic approach—centered on seeing, hearing, and understanding people—sets it apart in the sales training and coaching space. She delves into her founding story, revealing how personal challenges, like balancing motherhood and career, led her to entrepreneurship, and discusses MWI’s scalable programs, including 12-month training and coaching initiatives designed to drive peak performance.

Melissa also opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from the pivotal moment in 2015 when her business faced unexpected setbacks to her resilient comeback and the lessons learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of strategic networking, automation, and asking the right questions to build trust and scale impact. Listeners will gain insights into MWI’s client acquisition strategies, the power of servant leadership in sales, and Melissa’s vision for leveraging AI and systems to further grow her organization’s reach and influence.