Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, Karyn Vadnais interviews Saafir Jenkins, founder of Optimum Human-Centered Solutions (Optimum HCS). Saafir discusses how his company customizes HR consulting and technology solutions to align with clients' business goals. He shares insights into their sales process, the challenges of scaling, and how they’re integrating AI and strategic partnerships for future growth. Saafir also offers valuable advice on building a strong foundation for sustainable success. A must-listen for founders looking to optimize their business strategies!

In this episode of Founders Future, Dorothy Enriquez, founder of Elevate, shares her journey in building a leadership development firm focused on culture transformation. She discusses the challenges of scaling a customized approach, how she generates leads through referrals, speaking engagements, and writing, and the lessons learned as a business owner of color. Dorothy also shares her vision for Elevate to become as recognizable as industry giants, while building her personal brand as a thought leader. Tune in for insights on scaling, growth, and evolving as a founder.

In this episode, Don Farrell, founder of Fresh Revenues, shares powerful insights on why loyalty is more important than satisfaction in business, and how delivering unexpected value can turn clients into lifelong advocates. Don also reveals his approach to scaling businesses intentionally, focusing on culture and customized training, rather than just size. From generating leads through bold strategies like "shopping" prospects, to offering a money-back guarantee that builds trust and skyrockets conversions, Don’s strategies will help you build a loyal customer base and scale your business smartly—not just quickly.

In this episode of Founders Future, Makisha Boothe, founder of Sistahbiz Global Network, discusses her innovative approach to empowering Black women entrepreneurs. She shares how she shifted her business model from traditional sales to focus on retention, referrals, and building a powerful community. Makisha dives into the challenges of scaling her business, from developing intentional curriculum to training coaches in trauma-informed, culturally responsive methods. She also discusses the importance of creating micro-communities to deepen engagement and support. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on entrepreneurship, legacy-building, and creating a business that truly serves its community.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Timothy Hughes to explore innovative sales and marketing strategies that have powered their business growth. Timothy, who leads a company with a team of freelance salespeople (working on commission), shares his unique approach to scaling a business without the traditional employee structure. Jae discusses his own journey in building a company from zero to $50 million in just six years, leveraging inbound funnels, social selling, and paid advertising to drive growth.

With insights into how their sales processes and lead generation efforts have evolved, this episode offers actionable tips for entrepreneurs looking to scale, expand their brand, and maximize return on ad spend. The conversation also touches on the importance of adaptability in the face of changing market conditions, and how the right marketing and sales strategies can set a business on a path to sustainable success.

Whether you're looking for fresh ideas on building a high-performance sales team or navigating your exit strategy, Jae and Timothy share valuable advice and stories that will help any founder looking to elevate their business

In this episode of Founders Future, we’re joined by Chris Tveter, the founder and CEO of SRO Consulting Group. With nearly a decade of experience in revenue operations at companies like Amazon and Dynatrace, Chris shares his journey of building a successful consulting business that specializes in scalable RevOps solutions, particularly around HubSpot CRM.

We dive into how Chris’s business has grown primarily through referrals and word of mouth, the challenges he faces as a solopreneur, and his strategy for scaling in the future. Chris shares insights on using AI in revenue operations and discusses his plans for expanding the business by outsourcing lead generation and integrating paid ads, all while keeping a high level of personalization and value for his clients.

Tune in to hear how Chris is tackling the complexities of scaling a consulting firm, managing client fulfillment, and navigating the future of RevOps with automation and artificial intelligence. Whether you're a founder looking to optimize your own sales processes or interested in scaling a consulting business, this episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Melissa Bonner, co-founder of The Hire HR, a people-first HR consulting firm revolutionizing how startups, veteran-owned businesses, and small-to-medium employers navigate human resources and compliance. With over 15 years of experience, including roles in fintech and corporate HR leadership, Melissa shares the real-world challenges that inspired her to launch The Hire HR in 2022.

She discusses the misconceptions around HR for early-stage companies, how her firm offers tailored solutions from audits to offer templates, and how she's scaling the business through referrals, social media, and grassroots marketing. Melissa also opens up about the growing pains of wearing multiple hats, the importance of working on the business versus in the business, and her vision for empowering companies as they grow.

Whether you’re a founder wondering when to implement HR systems or a small business aiming to avoid compliance pitfalls, this episode is packed with practical insights and heartfelt advice from a mission-driven leader.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion talks with James Oliverio, founder and CEO of IdeaBOX, a cybersecurity company helping organizations uncover and mitigate hidden data risks. With decades of Wall Street experience and a Harvard education in risk management, James introduces the concept of Return on Mitigation (ROM)—a groundbreaking way to quantify cybersecurity exposure, especially in unstructured data like spreadsheets and emails.

Learn how IdeaBOX uses cutting-edge tools like Actifile to detect, assess, and protect sensitive information across industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. James shares real-world breach stories, explains why even small businesses are prime cyber targets, and outlines how AI is changing the security game forever.

Whether you're a founder, tech leader, or startup operator, this conversation is your playbook for building a resilient, risk-aware business in today’s digital world.

In this episode of Founders Future, powered by Closersio, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Brynne Tillman, the LinkedIn Whisperer herself and CEO of Social Sales Link. With over a decade of experience in social selling and a 2023 LinkedIn Sales Insider recognition under her belt, Brynne shares how she went from hating cold calls to building a thriving business helping sales professionals turn LinkedIn into a revenue engine. She walks us through her early sales journey, her ah-ha moment with LinkedIn, and how Social Sales Link has evolved to integrate AI-driven tools like Ask SSL to personalize messaging, streamline prospecting, and scale impact. From the power of strategic introductions to a values-first approach to acquisition, Brynne unpacks her unique trifecta model: tools, training, and coaching. Tune in for an inspiring, actionable conversation on redefining sales through authenticity, technology, and deep client empathy.

In this insightful episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Karl Hughes — founder of Draft.dev and the acquirer behind The Podcast Consultant — to unpack how he’s building a modern holding company by acquiring and scaling highly specialized service businesses.

Karl shares his journey from bootstrapping a developer-focused content agency to creating a portfolio of niche companies, each dominating their own vertical. He dives into the operational mindset behind growing a business beyond founder-dependence, the importance of consistent customer acquisition channels, and how being ruthless with time allocation was key to rapid early success.

Whether you’re an agency founder looking to exit or an entrepreneur curious about small-scale acquisitions, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategic thinking.