In this episode, we sit down with Chris, the CEO of Fresh FP&A and Laura to discuss the journey behind Fresh Fresh FP&A company dedicated to providing fractional CFO and advisory services to growing small and medium-sized businesses. Chris shares his background in accounting and finance, detailing how his early experiences managing household finances in a single-parent home shaped his passion for helping businesses build strong financial foundations.

Laura and Chris highlight the critical role of a CFO in startups and growing businesses, emphasizing how Fresh Fresh FP&A's expertise helps companies avoid common financial pitfalls. They discuss their shared passion for making a meaningful impact through finance, not just for profit but to empower business owners with the tools they need to succeed.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll welcomes Lisa-Maree Blumenfeld, co-founder of 11 and CEO of Retain, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the innovative HR solutions she’s building for startups and mid-sized companies.

Lisa-Maree shares how her experience working with startups and accelerators led her to launch Retain, a boutique HR consulting firm designed to provide early-stage companies with the people operations support they need—before crises arise. She also dives into 11, her latest venture, which leverages technology to bridge workplace communication gaps, offering a fresh approach to leadership and team collaboration.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Adam W. Barney, energy coach and author of Make Your Own Glass Half Full. Adam shares his journey from a nonlinear 20-year corporate marketing career to coaching hundreds of leaders on sustainable performance, resilience, and energy management.

The discussion explores why burnout isn’t a badge of honor but rather a sign of mismanaged energy, and how founders can optimize their natural energy rhythms for greater impact. Adam introduces the concept of energy stacking—balancing mental, physical, and emotional energy—and explains why traditional work-life balance is a myth.

He also reveals his big goals for 2025, including writing his second book and launching a new podcast, Founders' Failures, dedicated to the lessons learned from entrepreneurial missteps. Plus, he opens up about his personal growth, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how leaders can avoid sabotaging their own success.

If you’re a founder looking to scale without burning out, this episode is packed with actionable insights

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Bill Dillmeier, founder of Venture Fuel and Aperture Advisors, to explore the challenges and opportunities of scaling a startup. Bill shares the inspiration behind Venture Fuel, a firm that provides fractional executive leadership to help founders bridge gaps in their expertise—whether in technology, sales, finance, or strategy.

He discusses the evolution of the startup landscape, how access to funding has shifted, and what investors now demand from early-stage companies. Bill also highlights the key traits of successful founders, emphasizing self-awareness and the importance of mentorship.

Tune in for insights on navigating today’s startup ecosystem, why founders should focus on their strengths, and how to strategically build the right team to drive long-term success.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Amber Vanderburg, the founder of The Pathwayz Group, a global leadership development organization. Amber shares her journey from working in HR and talent development across healthcare, sports, and academia to launching her own company and scaling it into an internationally recognized team of facilitators and coaches.

She reflects on the challenges of starting as a solo entrepreneur, the unexpected impact of COVID-19 in accelerating global expansion, and the role of relationships in business growth. Amber also provides an exciting look into the company's 2025 initiatives, including a disruptive approach to online learning, their first-ever leadership event, and the launch of new educational resources.

Wrapping up, Amber shares two powerful lessons for entrepreneurs: the importance of continuous learning and intentional decision-making in business growth.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Joshua Driver, the founder and CEO of Selfless.ly, a platform revolutionizing corporate philanthropy. Joshua shares his journey from working in nonprofit tech to identifying a major gap in the market—affordable, accessible corporate giving tools for small and mid-sized businesses.

He discusses the early challenges of launching a business at the onset of the pandemic, the strategies that helped Selfless.ly gain traction, and how user reviews and a strong referral program became key drivers of growth. As the landscape shifts with evolving corporate DEI budgets, Joshua outlines his approach to adapting Selfless.ly's messaging and outbound sales strategy.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Ryan Weller, the founder of Counter Diversion, to explore the complex world of unauthorized sellers, price erosion, and brand protection in e-commerce. Ryan shares his journey from the sporting goods industry to launching a business that helps brands regain control over their distribution channels.

They dive into the challenges companies face with gray market sellers, the impact of Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) violations, and how Counter Diversion provides a scalable solution to monitor, enforce, and protect brand integrity. Ryan also discusses bootstrapping his company, navigating early-stage hurdles, and what the future holds for e-commerce brand enforcement.

If you're an entrepreneur, brand owner, or e-commerce seller, this episode is packed with valuable insights on maintaining pricing power, combating unauthorized resellers, and building a resilient brand strategy.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Nathan Keisler, co-founder and leadership coach, to discuss how his journey from civil engineering to nonprofit work led him to the coaching industry. Nathan shares how he and his team help businesses break down the barriers between personal and professional growth, creating a more engaged and high-performing workforce.

Nathan dives into the importance of company culture, leadership development, and how fostering a workplace where employees feel valued can directly impact business success. He reveals how his firm works primarily through referrals, offering a risk-free trial to showcase their impact. He also opens up about the challenges of standing out in a crowded coaching market and the importance of integrity in sales and marketing.

From working with major brands like Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell to transforming businesses without traditional sales training, Nathan explains how prioritizing people leads to record-breaking performance. Tune in to hear his biggest lessons learned, why slowing down can actually accelerate growth, and why "drinking your own champagne" is the key to long-term success.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Funk Roberts, co-founder of the Tribe Membership, to discuss his journey from online fitness coaching to building a successful membership-based business. Funk shares how he transitioned from selling individual programs to creating "Over 40 Alpha Brotherhood," a thriving membership site designed to help men over 40 improve their health, fitness, and lifestyle.

He opens up about the challenges he faced, including financial struggles, low testosterone, and depression, which ultimately shaped his mission. Funk explains how he achieved a 90% retention rate with over 15,000 members by implementing his "27 tribe secrets," fostering a strong sense of community and identity. He also breaks down key strategies for building and monetizing an audience, such as leveraging email lists, lead magnets, and paid ads to drive consistent revenue.

Laura and Funk discuss the importance of retention, the psychology behind successful memberships, and the power of creating systems that allow entrepreneurs to scale their businesses efficiently. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a sustainable, community-driven business model.

In this episode of Founders Future, Jae Carnacion interviews Greg Gregorian, founder and owner of Lunar Branding, a veteran-owned custom merchandise and promotional products company. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey—from pitching his first product idea for six months to launching his business in 2017 and later rebranding to Lunar Branding in 2018 with guidance from industry leaders.

Greg dives into the importance of customer service, high-quality merchandise, and AI-driven product recommendations to enhance the client experience. He debunks the myth that swag is a waste of money, emphasizing that well-curated promotional products can deliver a strong ROI.

He also reveals a powerful business acquisition strategy—leveraging high-quality business cards and personal outreach, which helped him secure long-term relationships with billion-dollar clients. Greg discusses the three types of clients Lunar Branding serves and how his company tailors solutions to meet their unique needs.

As Lunar Branding grows, scalability and cash flow remain key challenges, prompting Greg to focus on perfecting his infrastructure before scaling aggressively. He shares his strategic approach to growth, including acquiring larger corporate accounts like Warner Brothers, hiring sales reps, and expanding into government contracting.

Greg leaves listeners with one key piece of advice: Take massive action immediately—learning and success come from doing.