Founders Future

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 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, 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 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 Laura Skinner sits down with Anil Yasyerli, founder of a fast-growing recruiting and staffing agency that helps U.S.-based startups hire elite marketing talent from Latin America. Anil shares how his journey from tech marketing leader to entrepreneur was sparked by solving his own hiring challenges, leading to the creation of his agency.

He discusses the realities of scaling a service-based business, the importance of predictable growth mechanisms, and why he believes founders should lead go-to-market efforts until reaching at least $3M ARR. Anil also dives into his strategy for leveraging content marketing, referrals, and cold outreach, as well as the mental challenges of entrepreneurship and the value of surrounding yourself with a strong founder community.

Whether you're a startup founder, a sales leader, or someone navigating the transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with valuable insights on growth, mindset, and sustainable scaling.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with David, the founder and CEO of Effeect Agency, a rapidly growing digital marketing firm. David shares his entrepreneurial journey, from early side hustles to building a full-service agency that specializes in delivering real results for clients.

He discusses the challenges of standing out in a crowded market, the agency’s go-to-market strategies, and the balance between outbound outreach and paid advertising. David also provides insights into their sales process, growth ambitions, and the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity when building a team.

As the conversation wraps up, David reflects on work-life balance and the lessons he's learned in managing both business success and personal well-being. Whether you're a startup founder, marketing professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into scaling a digital agency in today’s competitive landscape.

In this episode, Jae sits down with Seth Adam Cohen, CEO and founding partner of Quantum Impact AI, to discuss the urgent need for small businesses to embrace artificial intelligence. Drawing parallels to the digital revolution of the late '90s, Seth warns that companies slow to adopt AI risk being left behind.

With a career spanning digital video, activism, and technology-driven social impact, Seth shares how his mission to leverage cutting-edge tools for positive change led to the creation of Quantum Impact AI. The company now offers AI strategy, ethical AI solutions, and an upcoming platform designed specifically for small businesses—setting it apart from traditional AI consultancies and development firms.

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 sits down with Dave Siegel, founder and CEO of Siegel Advisory Services, to explore the intersection of business strategy and technology in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Dave shares his journey as a business executive and consultant, helping companies navigate transformational change with a focus on efficiency, profitability, and risk mitigation.

Together, Elliott and Dave discuss the critical mindset shifts leaders need to adopt to stay competitive, especially in the face of AI-driven disruption. Dave provides insight into what differentiates successful executives, the importance of making the right technology decisions, and why businesses must balance innovation with strategic execution.

Listeners will also gain valuable advice on defining their true value, maintaining strong client relationships, and avoiding the common pitfalls that hinder growth. If you’re a founder, CEO, or business leader looking to future-proof your company, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

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.