Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Nick Cicciari, Kevin Hayes (a lead generation expert and founder) discusses the evolving landscape of digital marketing and the power of human-centric problem-solving. Based in British Columbia, Kevin shares his expertise in building high-performance sales teams and implementing "pay-per-lead" models that drive sustainable growth for modern agencies. The conversation explores the intersection of AI and localized operations, the importance of educational content marketing, and how to maintain high-intent lead flow in a competitive market. Nick and Kevin dive into the technical nuances of sales operations, the value of "sandbox" learning for new technologies, and a roadmap for founders to transition from manual outreach to scalable, automated systems that deliver consistent results and long-term business value.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Natalie Borovska, we’re joined by Daria Tilikanova, a customer acquisition coach, Venture Fellow at Winner Capital, and Co-Director of Startup Grind Toronto. Daria shares her journey from building and selling an offline English school in Russia to transitioning into online education and coaching, driven initially by financial necessity and later by a passion for entrepreneurship. Now based in Toronto, she works closely with service providers, agencies, and increasingly startup founders, helping them build scalable customer acquisition systems and sustainable businesses.

Daria dives into her approach to lead generation through personal branding, LinkedIn, and in-person networking, emphasizing the importance of relationships in today’s digital-first world. She also reflects on her current transition into the startup ecosystem, her focus on learning and adapting to rapidly evolving technologies, and the challenges of keeping pace with constant change—especially in the age of AI. With a strong belief in continuous growth, Daria highlights how coaching allows her to both guide clients and deeply understand market dynamics while exploring future business opportunities.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Olivia Sammons, Maurice Thibodeau (a high-performance coach and transformation specialist) discusses his mission to guide high achievers through the "pain of transition" in mid-to-late life. Based on an 80-acre property north of Winnipeg, Canada, Maurice shares his expertise in helping retired or transitioning professionals find clarity and purpose as they embark on their next chapters. The conversation explores the behavioral patterns of high achievers, the importance of creating a safe space for personal growth, and how to navigate the mental and emotional shifts that accompany major life pivots. Olivia and Maurice dive into the power of authentic storytelling, the value of resilience in the face of uncertainty, and a roadmap for founders to transform their professional success into long-term personal fulfillment and a lasting legacy.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Nick Cicciari, Jen Rogers (a podcast strategist and launch expert) discusses the strategic power of podcasting for high-level professionals and business owners. Jen shares her expertise in helping successful founders navigate the "10-week wall"—the critical point where many new podcasts fail—by building sustainable systems and clear brand alignment. The conversation explores why many professionals "kill their podcasts quietly" due to a lack of structure and how to avoid the negative impact of a failed launch on a personal brand. Nick and Jen dive into the nuances of modern content strategy, the importance of authentic storytelling, and a roadmap for founders to leverage podcasting as a high-impact tool for lead generation, authority building, and long-term business growth.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Olivia Sammons, Angela Heath shares how an unexpected setback—being fired early in her career—became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey. From navigating uncertainty to building her second company, TKC Incorporated, Angela discusses how she leveraged her visibility, expertise, and network to establish herself as a consultant, speaker, and business strategist. She also dives into how she now helps professionals turn their knowledge into scalable, revenue-generating opportunities in the modern knowledge economy.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Olivia Sammons, Vanessa Sotomayor shares her powerful transition from a 20-year high-pressure career in the construction industry to becoming a life and leadership coach. After experiencing burnout and being unexpectedly fired, Vanessa reflects on how she rediscovered her identity, rebuilt self-trust, and chose a more intentional path. She now helps high-achieving women and leaders break free from burnout, reconnect with their inner voice, and make aligned, sustainable career and life decisions through coaching, speaking, and workshops.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Olivia Sammons, Hayley Bendzik shares how she built YYC3 from a solo freelance venture into a thriving digital marketing collective. Starting her career in traditional marketing, Hayley recognized early the shift toward digital and carved her own path by blending strategy, storytelling, and systems. She discusses how evolving her business model—from hiring employees to building a flexible network of specialists—allowed her to scale sustainably while empowering women and working professionals. Hayley also highlights the power of referrals, the importance of processes, and her vision to expand into education, mentorship, and strategic leadership roles.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Olivia Sammons, Jeff Rothenberg shares his journey from leading high-growth fintech companies to launching his own coaching business, A Path That Calls. Drawing from both major successes and personal setbacks—including being fired before a major life event—Jeff discusses how failure, burnout, and career uncertainty can become catalysts for meaningful career transitions, and how he now helps professionals rediscover purpose, clarity, and confidence.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Milan Kohut, BigLee Murali shares his journey from being a competitive bodybuilder to becoming a transformation coach specializing in clients with metabolic and serious health conditions. He discusses how he built his coaching business through referrals and trust from medical professionals, and how he is now scaling his impact through a fitness education academy aimed at training the next generation of coaches. With a strong focus on localization, affordability, and practical application, BigLee Murali explains his mission to educate thousands of trainers across India, emphasizing that long-term impact and credibility matter more than short-term revenue.

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Milan Kohut, Emmett Lynch shares his journey from working across various health sectors to specializing in sleep coaching after recognizing how deeply insomnia impacts mental and emotional well-being. He explains his evidence-based, personalized approach using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI), highlighting his “Sleep Rescue” program designed to help clients rebuild a healthy relationship with sleep. Emmett also discusses how he grows his practice through community partnerships, referrals, and authentic education-driven content, while staying grounded in his mission to prioritize impact over profit and cut through the misinformation surrounding sleep health.