Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, hosted by Jae Encarnacion, we’re joined by Maria Gracia, the CEO and founder of Golden Circle, a company transforming how underrepresented early-stage startups access capital and connect with investors. Maria, with her extensive background in venture capital and entrepreneurship, shares the founding story of Golden Circle and how it bridges the gap for founders, especially from Latin America and other underserved regions, who often struggle to navigate the complex world of fundraising.

Maria discusses the evolution of Golden Circle from a side project to a fully-fledged business, offering services like fundraising strategy development, investor outreach, and diagnostic sessions for early-stage founders. She shares her approach to client acquisition through referrals, organic content, and in-person connections at global tech events. Additionally, Maria talks about the challenges of scaling her business, balancing client service with constant travel, and her vision for the future, which includes the development of an online course for early-stage founders to prepare for venture capital.

In this inspiring episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion welcomes Brent Dowlen—known to many as David B. Dollin—the founder of The Fallible Man LLC and host of Driven to Thrive. From his early career as a writer to his time in youth ministry, Brent shares the personal experiences that led him to build a movement dedicated to helping men live with purpose, growth, and integrity. Operating out of Quincy, Washington, his work through podcasts, books, and transformational events like The Phoenix Conference is reshaping how men approach self-development and leadership. The conversation dives deep into Brent's founding story, the power of authenticity, and his bold vision for empowering men everywhere to become better fathers, husbands, and individuals.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed welcomes productivity coach and keynote speaker Mridu Parikh, founder of Life Is Organized, LLC. Known as the "Stress Squasher," Mridu shares her entrepreneurial journey from overwhelmed professional to the creator of a thriving coaching business that empowers women to reclaim their time and energy. She opens up about the challenges of building a values-driven company, the systems she uses to help clients gain back 10+ hours a week, and her mission to help ambitious women lead with clarity and calm. From solopreneur struggles to scalable success, this episode delivers practical insights for anyone looking to turn their passion into purpose.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Dr. Victoria Mattingly, the founder and CEO of Mattingly Solutions. As an industrial-organizational psychologist and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) expert, Dr. V shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and how her woman-owned firm is changing the way organizations build inclusive workplaces. Listeners will hear about her groundbreaking book Inclusify, how data-driven, human-centered approaches are helping reshape corporate cultures, and the challenges and triumphs she’s encountered as a founder. Dr. V also offers insights into the future of workplace inclusion and her bold vision for scaling impact across industries.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Matt Johnson, co-founder of Optimize CEC, a company at the forefront of transforming customer experience through a people-first approach. With over two decades of leadership experience, Matt shares his entrepreneurial journey, including what inspired him to start Optimize CEC, how the company has evolved, and the challenges he’s faced in maintaining a strong culture while scaling. From leadership philosophies to future ambitions, this episode is packed with insights for anyone passionate about customer-centric business growth and authentic team leadership.

On this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion welcomes David Hershfield, the global business executive and driving force behind Fideseo, a Florida-based consulting firm revolutionizing how companies scale. Founded in 2022, Fideseo delivers fractional expertise through its proprietary "Fidelity Model," helping clients optimize technology, finance, and risk management—without the overhead of full-time hires.

With over 17 years of board leadership at Unity Care and a deep commitment to fostering learning cultures, David shares his entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind Fideseo, and how his team is reshaping access to top-tier talent. Tune in to discover insights on scaling lean, the power of fractional leadership, and the future of agile consulting.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Jo Stapleton, co-founder and CEO of Exeo Advisor and Exit Engine. With over three decades of experience in mergers, acquisitions, and entrepreneurship, Jo shares valuable insights into exit planning for small business owners. He dives into how his firms are transforming the way businesses approach valuation, transition strategies, and profitable exits. The conversation offers founders a practical roadmap for thinking ahead, navigating challenges, and preparing for long-term success.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Jonathan Buckley, founder and principal consultant of The Artesian Network. With a rich background in branding, marketing, and customer success, Jonathan shares how his consultancy is helping early to mid-stage B2B tech startups—especially in enterprise data and cybersecurity—navigate the complex path of growth and differentiation.

Jonathan dives into his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of clarity in messaging, and how The Artesian Network acts as a catalyst for companies seeking to stand out in the saturated SaaS and B2B tech markets. From crafting positioning strategies to scaling customer experience, this episode delivers insights for founders ready to level up their go-to-market approach.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Rick Meekins, the seasoned founder and fractional Chief Growth Officer of Aepiphanni Business Consulting. With over three decades of entrepreneurial experience and more than 100 podcast appearances under his belt, Rick shares invaluable insights into what it takes to help small businesses stabilize, scale, and thrive. They dive into the challenges founders face, the strategic mindset needed for sustainable growth, and how Rick’s firm, Aepiphanni Business Consulting, plays a pivotal role in guiding businesses through transformation. Whether you're an early-stage entrepreneur or a scaling startup, this episode delivers powerful takeaways on growth, clarity, and leadership.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Kevin Parker, the founder of Mind Training Matters, a firm dedicated to empowering leaders through mindfulness and executive coaching. Kevin shares his journey from ministry work to corporate coaching, highlighting the turning points that led him to launch a mission-driven venture focused on mindful leadership. Drawing from over two decades of experience, he discusses the growing importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, the challenges of transitioning careers, and the power of inner awareness in driving outer success.

Listeners gain insights into how Kevin integrates mindfulness practices with business strategy, and why he believes the future of leadership lies in presence, purpose, and personal transformation.