Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with DeVanté Snell, founder of Black Oak Solutions, a rising consulting firm based in Montgomery, Alabama. DeVanté shares his unique journey into the world of entrepreneurship, rooted in his deep experience in project management and stakeholder engagement. From collaborating with institutions like MIT and the Air University Innovation Accelerator, to diving into complex domains like wargaming and AI, DeVanté unpacks how Black Oak Solutions is carving out a niche in the defense and tech space. Tune in to hear insights on innovation, leadership, and the strategic vision driving a small but mighty firm into the future.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Mishal Saeed sits down with Thomas Chappell, a U.S. Army veteran turned entrepreneur and the visionary behind Breakthrough Strategies Group. With a background in network engineering and a deep curiosity about how people make decisions, Thomas founded his consultancy in Stafford, Virginia in 2019 to help leaders—from government agencies to startups—navigate complexity through tools like the Foresight Matrix.

Thomas shares the origin story of Breakthrough Strategies, how his military background shaped his approach to leadership, and the ways his firm is revolutionizing decision-making with a human-centered, data-driven lens. Whether you're a strategist, entrepreneur, or just fascinated by the science of choice, this episode offers a thoughtful look into building a consultancy that thrives on clarity, context, and impact.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Mishal Saeed chats with Keyonna L. Taylor, the powerhouse founder and virtual Chief Strategy Officer of Key Focus Group. With over 20 years of experience leading global customer success teams and managing over $100M in revenue, Keyonna shares the insights behind her data-driven, results-oriented consultancy.

Since founding Key Focus Group in 2017, Keyonna has helped clients reduce churn by 30% and boost adoption by 20%. In this conversation, she opens up about her early career at Rackspace, what “fanatical support” taught her about customer loyalty, and how she helps businesses align strategy with experience to drive long-term value.

In this episode of Founders, Future &, host Jae Encarnacion chats with Amanda Stonerock, founder of Stone Rock Business Solutions (SBS). Based in Billings, Montana, Amanda launched SBS in 2021 with a vision to help small businesses and nonprofits unlock funding through strategic planning and expert grant writing. With a background in political science and public relations, Amanda has led her team to raise over $131 million—boasting an 82% grant approval rate. Tune in as Amanda shares how she blends passion with precision to fuel community-driven impact and why empowering others is at the core of her entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of Founders, Future &, host Jae Encarnacion welcomes Ryan Schneider, seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Thrive25. With over two decades in venture capital and startups—raising $30 million and scaling a company to $40 million in revenue—Ryan now turns his focus to a deeply personal mission: longevity. He shares how Thrive25 blends data-driven wellness insights with entrepreneurial discipline to help individuals lead healthier, more vibrant lives. Discover how Ryan is building a movement that merges startup grit with sustainable health, all while staying energized for the people who matter most—his family.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Philippe Bouissou, the seasoned CEO and founder of Blue Dots Partners, LLC. With over 30 years of experience in Silicon Valley—including scaling Apple’s e-commerce operations to $350 million and investing $43 million as a venture capitalist—Philippe shares his insights on sustainable business growth. Listeners will learn how Blue Dots Partners, founded in 2014, is helping mid-market tech and service companies scale using their unique A4 Precision Alignment Methodology. Tune in for a compelling conversation about strategy, innovation, and the future of business growth.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion welcomes Stephan K Thieringer, the visionary CEO and founder of Human Innovation Garage. A 2023 Top 30 Global Coaching Guru and seasoned executive coach, Stephan shares how he’s redefining leadership development through the power of psychological safety and authentic human connection. With over a decade of experience and a passion for unlocking human potential, he discusses how his boutique firm empowers leaders and teams to thrive in today’s evolving business landscape. Tune in to discover practical insights on coaching, leadership, and building resilient, people-first organizations.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Dr. Jeff D. Standridge, co-founder and general partner of Cadron Capital Partners, as well as co-founder of Innovation Junkie. With over 30 years of global business leadership—including his tenure as Vice President at Axiom Corporation—Jeff shares his insights into reshaping early-stage tech investing. From his work in academia to his innovative approach to deal structuring, Jeff reveals how Cadron Capital Partners is fueling startups in Arkansas and beyond. Don’t miss this episode packed with leadership wisdom, venture capital insights, and practical strategies for founders navigating the early stages of growth.

In this inspiring episode of Founders, Future, host Mishal Saeed welcomes Franklin Buchanan, founder of Post Up Careers, a career coaching business that's helping professionals land dream jobs and thrive in career transitions. With a background in recruiting and business development, Franklin shares how his unexpected journey into resume writing and coaching turned into a purpose-driven venture.

Listeners will hear how Post Up Careers, based in Aiken, South Carolina, is redefining the job search experience with standout strategies in resume writing, interview prep, and career coaching. Franklin also opens up about the real-world results his clients are achieving—and his mission to make career development more human, personalized, and effective.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Steven Davis, the founder and CEO of Renaissance Solutions Inc., a renowned executive leadership and career coaching firm. With a rich background spanning technology and consulting—including time at JPMorgan Chase—Steven shares his journey from corporate leader to influential coach. He opens up about the challenges of building credibility in the coaching world, the shifts in career development post-COVID, and his insights on preparing leaders for roles at top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Whether you're an aspiring executive, a career changer, or an entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, strategic growth, and the future of leadership.