Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, Dr. Melissa Patton shares how a sudden layoff sparked the creation of Patton Consulting Group. Host Jae Encarnacion explores Melissa’s journey from executive setback to empowering CEOs through fractional leadership, executive coaching, and strategic growth. Learn how she’s built a lean, high-impact firm and what’s next for her mission to transform workforce development.

In this episode of Founders Future, Mishal Saeed sits down with Clark Willcox, founder of Digital Recruiter, to unpack how he’s revolutionizing the recruiting industry. A former Aerotek recruiter turned entrepreneur, Clark shares how burnout led to breakthrough—combining sales grit, automation, and LinkedIn mastery to help recruiters scale with systems that work. From generating leads on autopilot to building his high-converting bootcamps and sprints, Clark reveals the mindset, model, and marketing behind his thriving coaching business.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Vern Schellenger, President and CEO of Contacts Count, a company transforming how professionals build powerful, authentic networks through research-backed coaching and training. With over 30 years of experience in HR and leadership development—including time at Dunkin’ Donuts and Lee Hecht Harrison—Vern shares the story of how he went from certified trainer to company owner, and how he's honoring the legacy of Contacts Count’s original founders by scaling its impact.

Listeners will learn about the eight competencies that form the foundation of Vern’s networking methodology, how Contacts Count helps individuals and teams grow through personalized assessments and cohort-based coaching, and why the ability to teach and give is at the heart of effective networking. Vern also shares insights into client acquisition, leveraging referrals, social media, and webinars to build momentum, as well as his early plans to scale through ads and additional certified trainers.

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a team leader, this episode is packed with actionable ideas for deepening your professional relationships and unlocking growth through the power of strategic networking.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm is joined by Brad Martineau, CEO of Gneuton, a company revolutionizing the intersection of clean tech and artificial intelligence. Gneuton is transforming oil field wastewater—one of the industry's most challenging environmental byproducts—into a powerful off-grid energy source capable of fueling AI data centers.

Brad shares the compelling backstory of how former NASA rocket scientist Tommy Joseph developed the core technology, initially aimed at solving water access in remote regions. Today, that same innovation is being scaled to tackle a global challenge: cleaning millions of barrels of toxic “produced water” and converting it into both fresh water and electricity using jet turbine engines powered by stranded natural gas.

Tune in to hear how Gneuton’s breakthrough system delivers carbon-neutral, water-positive solutions while addressing the growing power demands of AI—without burdening the public grid. This conversation is a deep dive into frontier innovation with massive environmental and technological impact.

In this episode, Laura Skinner interviews Martina Vincenzi, founder of The Private Jet Coach Academy, a unique coaching business that helps aspiring VIP flight attendants break into the exclusive world of private aviation. From working in the skies to launching her business during the COVID-19 lockdown, Martina shares how she turned industry insight into a growing coaching platform with global reach.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Dr. Noga Gulst, founder and CEO of Noga Business Consultant, a firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners make smarter decisions before they invest time, money, and energy into ideas that may not be viable. 

With a rare blend of academic rigor and real-world entrepreneurial experience, Dr. Gulst shares how she guides nascent founders and growing businesses through market analysis, idea validation, and strategic planning. From her honest assessments that prevent costly mistakes to her one-on-one consulting model built on open-source intelligence, this conversation offers a masterclass in what it really takes to turn an idea into a sustainable business. 

Whether you're a first-time founder or an established entrepreneur looking to pivot, this episode will change the way you think about launching and scaling ventures.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Jeremy Shere, founder and CEO of Spark Catalyst, to uncover why traditional content marketing on LinkedIn often falls flat for solopreneurs and consultants—and what to do instead. With a Ph.D. in content strategy and a background in authentic engagement, Jeremy shares how Spark Catalyst helps service-based founders ditch ineffective tactics and embrace a more personalized, conversation-driven approach to client acquisition.

 Learn why real growth starts with meaningful outreach, what “catalyst content” is, and how to turn your LinkedIn profile from a digital resume into a magnetic lead engine. If you're tired of chasing likes and want strategies that convert, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Jenna Anderson, the founder and CEO of My Friend Jenna, a coaching business helping people build meaningful friendships and navigate social connection in today's disconnected world. Jenna shares the unexpected spark that launched her journey—how a viral TikTok during the pandemic unearthed a silent epidemic of adult loneliness. Drawing from her global experiences and personal knack for making friends, Jenna built a one-on-one coaching program that helps clients overcome social anxiety, establish lasting relationships, and thrive in new environments.

From her organic lead-generation strategies on TikTok and Instagram to her plans for scalable impact through journals and group coaching, Jenna opens up about the challenges of solopreneurship, the balance between freedom and hustle, and her long-term vision of a globally accessible friendship-building platform.

Whether you're someone who's just moved to a new city or a founder thinking about community-led growth, this episode is packed with heartfelt insight, practical frameworks, and inspiration to build the connections we all need.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Cliff Locks — serial entrepreneur, executive coach, and founder of Millionaire Life Services — to explore the intersection of leadership, legacy, and personal growth. With three successful company exits under his belt and a passion for mentoring high-net-worth individuals and family offices, Cliff shares how goal setting, intentional parenting, and holistic coaching shape the lives of leaders across generations. From his early business ventures to co-hosting the Private Equity Profits podcast, Cliff unpacks how he’s empowering the next wave of executives while preserving family values and business continuity. Tune in for actionable insights on building a meaningful, legacy-driven life—one goal at a time.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed welcomes Craige Thompson, founder of Invention2Exit, a platform built to guide inventors and entrepreneurs from their first big idea all the way to a successful business exit. With over two decades of experience as a patent attorney and electrical engineer, Craige brings deep insight into the legal and strategic frameworks that turn innovative ideas into lucrative ventures.

Listeners will learn how Craige’s unique background and passion for innovation led to the creation of Invention2Exit in 2023. He shares stories from the frontlines of patent law, his journey as a published author and podcast host, and how his work is helping startups and tech founders protect their ideas, build value, and ultimately cash out smart.