Founders Future

In this episode, Jae speaks with Tammy Alvarez, founder and CEO of Career Winner Circle, about her incredible journey from Wall Street executive to passionate career coach and business leader. Tammy shares how her own experience of feeling stuck in her career inspired her to create a company that helps professionals and leaders thrive through coaching and training programs. She discusses the evolution of her business, including a successful transition from a sales-based model to a subscription-based model, leading to the hiring of seven coaches and a surge in demand. Tammy reflects on the importance of client feedback, her upcoming live event in October, and the launch of her new offering, Amplified 360. The conversation also covers potential collaborations between Tammy’s business and Jae’s network, targeting clients in the 200-employee range to promote the event and expand her reach.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Zoe Bogan, founder and CEO of ZB Agency, a New York-based firm helping women and diverse professionals reach leadership roles through revenue-focused training. Drawing on her 15-year career at KPMG, Zoe shares how she developed a six-part framework to equip women—especially in fields like accounting and law—with the tools to generate revenue and make partner.

Zoe discusses the power of mindset, crafting a compelling pitch, and building 12-month action plans. She also shares her lead-gen strategies via LinkedIn, CPA partnerships, and high-impact events, while highlighting confidence-building activities like golf and the importance of a strong LinkedIn presence. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and revenue.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm interviews Ahmad Jamhour, founder of AMJ Marketing Group, a New Jersey-based digital agency known for its organic marketing, content creation, and SEO strategies. Starting as a teenage photographer, Ahmad turned his passion into a full-service agency helping clients—from luxury brands to car dealerships—grow revenue without relying on paid ads.

Ahmad shares how he overcame imposter syndrome, pivoted from serving restaurants to recession-proof industries, and built a premium brand through content quality and strategic reinvestment in talent. He also discusses scaling challenges, AI tools that streamline operations, and his bold vision for 4x growth by focusing on fewer, higher-value clients.

In this episode of Founders Future, Jae sits down with Michael Brown, co-founder of Insight Leadership Group, to explore how his roots in ministry shaped a mission-driven approach to leadership development. Michael shares how he identified a critical flaw in conventional leadership training—generic content with little lasting impact—and how Insight Leadership Group fills that gap with personalized, transformative programs. From their powerful 360 assessment tool to tailored internal development strategies, Michael discusses how his team drives real behavioral change and measurable business results. He also reflects on the role AI might play in the future of leadership training, while firmly emphasizing that human connection and communication remain at the heart of great leadership. Tune in to hear Michael’s vision for fostering healthier teams, deeper relationships, and sustained growth through values-driven leadership.

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In this episode of Founders Future, Jae speaks with Abi Adamson, founder of The Culture Partnership, a DEI consultancy redefining how companies approach inclusion. Abi shares her journey from corporate disillusionment to building a globally recognized brand that has served clients like Google, Spotify, and the Gates Foundation. With roots in HR and film, Abi explains how authenticity, boundary-setting, and storytelling helped her grow her impact without compromising her values. She discusses the power of word-of-mouth, the challenge of scaling a purpose-driven business, and how she’s preparing for her upcoming TED Talk. A must-listen for founders who want to lead with purpose.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Dr. Doug Gray, founder and CEO of Action Learning Associates. With over 30 years of experience as a business psychologist, Doug shares the origin story of his pioneering work in executive coaching and leadership development. He reflects on the early challenges of defining the role of an executive coach and how the lack of clarity in the industry drove him to establish a company dedicated to outcome-driven leadership transformation. Listeners gain insights into Doug’s proprietary methodologies, the evolution of his business since 1997, and his vision for scaling leadership impact globally. This conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, coaches, and leaders aiming to foster high-performance cultures in any organization.

In this episode, Jae sits down with Noelle, founder of MODRN Education, to trace the firm’s journey from its early days of connecting universities with industry associations to its current role as a full-service strategy partner. Noelle explains how MODRN Education has expanded beyond matchmaking to offer strategy mapping, outreach programs, and relationship-building workshops—all while tackling the challenge of scaling without sacrificing quality. She shares her top priorities for the year ahead: publishing a book, rolling out an expanded workshop series, and democratizing access to key insights in higher education. In a rapid-fire lightning round, Noelle reveals the tools, audiobooks, and affirmations that keep her motivated and advocate for a growth mindset. She closes with powerful advice for entrepreneurs: believe in yourself, focus on what’s working, and harness the power of positive affirmations and continuous learning.

In this episode, Jae sits down with Izabela, founder of Legacy Leaders Institute, to explore the organization's journey since its inception in 2017. With a remarkable 99% project success rate, Legacy Leaders empowers startups, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies through strategic advising, specialized training, and the proprietary Matrix Momentum framework. Izabela emphasizes the power of understanding client needs, leveraging data, and planning for long-term sustainable growth. The conversation touches on the Institute’s evolution, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how an active presence on LinkedIn has fueled growth through word-of-mouth referrals. Izabela also shares her views on the role of AI, the value of diverse advisory teams, and the critical importance of finding the right mentors. The episode wraps with podcast logistics and a scheduled follow-up to explore lead generation collaboration.

In this episode, Jae speaks with Monika, founder of Apex Specialists, a company reshaping leadership in the energy and climate tech sectors. Monika shares the company's evolution from coaching aspiring product managers in 2020 to offering fractional Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Product Officer services starting in 2023. She clarifies the true nature of fractional leadership—emphasizing deep integration into a company’s strategic core—and discusses how Apex grows primarily through referrals and organic connections. Monika outlines her 2025 goals, including doubling revenue and earning a board seat, while reflecting on emerging trends in AI and sustainability. She also offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs: fall in love with the problem, and know what to say yes—and no—to. The episode wraps with plans for a business development conversation and details about podcast promotion logistics.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm welcomes Aleta Maxwell, founder and CEO of Uplifting Leadership. With over 25 years of experience, Aleta shares her journey from leading large teams in high-pressure environments to founding a leadership firm that champions servant leadership. She discusses key moments from her career, how she empowers organizations from within, and insights from her book, Uplifting Leaders: How to Have Difficult Conversations That Motivate and Inspire. This episode is a masterclass in human-centered leadership and authentic communication.