Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Dr. Heather Walker, the founder and CEO of Lead with Levity. Heather shares the spark that led her to create a movement around workplace culture—one that balances gravitas with levity to foster connection, motivation, and high performance.

She opens up about her own experiences in the workplace that revealed a disconnect between leadership theories and real-life company culture. Heather explains how leaders who prioritize authenticity, transparency, and psychological safety can transform their teams, and she provides actionable insights on bridging the gap between stated values and actual company culture.

If you're a founder or leader looking to create a more engaging and fun workplace without sacrificing results, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Lindsay, the founder of The Crucible, an innovative leadership assessment designed for investor-backed companies. Lindsay shares the inspiration behind The Crucible, stemming from her frustrations in executive search, where traditional assessments often failed to provide accurate or meaningful insights.

She discusses the rigorous two-year process of developing and validating the assessment to ensure accuracy and eliminate bias. Lindsay also dives into the importance of data-driven decision-making in executive hiring, particularly within private equity and venture capital firms, where a bad hire can have devastating financial consequences.

Laura and Lindsay explore the challenges of scaling a business, including sales strategies, lead generation, and balancing individual versus enterprise-level clients. Lindsay candidly shares her personal journey as a founder—navigating growth, refining her sales approach, and balancing entrepreneurship with life outside of work.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Kenneth Ellington, the founder of Ellington Cyber Academy. Kenneth shares his unexpected journey into cybersecurity, from initially dismissing the field to building a thriving business that generated six figures last year and is on track for half a million in revenue.

He discusses the challenges of transitioning from a technical expert to an entrepreneur, the lessons learned in marketing and sales, and the importance of building a strong team. Kenneth also dives into his expansion into staffing and government contracting, navigating complex bureaucratic hurdles, and how this strategic move ties into his broader vision for the Academy.

The conversation wraps up with insights into AI's impact on cybersecurity, the evolving threat landscape, and Kenneth’s advice for founders: prioritize meaningful work, surround yourself with the right people, and be patient with the entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll welcomes Dr. Laura Suttin, founder of Purposeful MD, to discuss her transition from practicing physician and medical director to full-time entrepreneur and leadership coach. Dr. Suttin shares how her passion for mentoring and coaching physicians led her to launch her business in 2021, the challenges she faced in shifting from clinical work to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

She also dives into the crucial role of coaching in healthcare, the importance of physician well-being, and how investing in personal growth leads to stronger leadership and better patient care. Plus, she offers insights on the evolving landscape of healthcare and how coaching is becoming an essential component of medical organizations.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Henry Stoever, Founder and Managing Principal of Windsor Strategy, as well as a Principal at Brentwood Advisory. Henry shares his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, revealing the driving forces behind Windsor Strategy and how his firm helps nonprofits and private companies accelerate growth and navigate complexity.

Henry breaks down the key challenges many organizations face, from resource constraints to leadership alignment, and explains why a growth-oriented mindset is essential for success. He dives into the four pillars of impactful strategy—building a consequential board, aligning leadership teams, developing outcome-focused strategies, and crafting high-impact communication plans.

Throughout the conversation, Henry also highlights the importance of segmentation, targeting, and positioning (STP) as critical levers for sustainable growth. He shares insights on what makes a great client, why strong CEO-board relationships matter, and his personal philosophy for work-life balance, encapsulated in his "5 Fs": Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Fun.

To wrap up, Henry offers invaluable leadership advice: take care of yourself, cultivate strong partnerships, and always "skate to where the puck will be"—a lesson from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky that applies directly to business strategy in an ever-changing world.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Steven Pearce, founder and CEO of Pearce Sustainability Consulting Group (PSCG), to explore his journey in sustainability consulting and global ESG initiatives.

Steven shares how his early experiences in California, witnessing environmental challenges firsthand, inspired his passion for sustainability. He recounts his work with Tunisian ministries, USAID, and the African Development Bank, helping businesses and governments implement green initiatives.

The conversation delves into key lessons on leadership, the importance of understanding cultural perspectives, and how sustainability consulting is evolving in the face of political and economic challenges. Steven also discusses his future growth plans, including automation, AI-driven ESG solutions, and expanding partnerships with the United Nations and global organizations.

Throughout the episode, Steven emphasizes the financial benefits of sustainability, debunking the misconception that going green is costly. He previews his upcoming book, Make Green by Going Green: The Executive’s Guide to Profitability through Sustainability, which outlines how businesses can increase their profitability through ESG practices.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Jared Scherz, founder of TeacherCoach, to explore the intersection of education, psychology, and scalable impact. Jared shares his journey from clinical psychology to launching TeacherCoach, a platform dedicated to supporting the well-being of educators—whom he sees as the most critical force multipliers in shaping future generations.

Jared discusses the challenges of balancing meaningful, one-on-one interactions with the need for scalable solutions, highlighting his "train the trainer" approach to resilience-building in schools. He also dives into how AI and technology can enhance personal development while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human connection in transformational learning.

For founders and entrepreneurs, Jared distills his approach to goal-setting into three key pillars: thorough research, deep motivation, and structured accountability—a framework that can drive success through inevitable obstacles.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Casey Adams, Co-Owner and COO of LevelUp Pros, to explore her entrepreneurial journey. Casey shares her inspiring founding story, from leaving an unfulfilling job to navigating a challenging business partnership, before ultimately finding the right co-founder and building a thriving HR consulting firm.

Throughout the conversation, Casey provides invaluable insights on recognizing self-worth, setting boundaries with clients, and fostering meaningful business relationships. She emphasizes the importance of aligning with people who share your values, learning from difficult experiences, and prioritizing both business growth and personal well-being.

Casey also discusses her current business priorities, including expanding Level Up Pros' local client base and scaling services efficiently. She shares hard-learned lessons about revenue diversification, sales strategies, and the power of a relationship-first approach to business success.

The episode concludes with Casey’s perspective on emerging trends in HR, including AI's evolving role, workplace culture shifts, and the increasing need for companies to navigate change effectively. Her best piece of advice? Ask how you can give—a philosophy that has guided her business and personal success.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Ryan Hogan, the founder and CEO of Talent Harbor. From launching immersive murder mystery experiences with Hunt A Killer to disrupting the recruiting industry, Ryan shares his entrepreneurial evolution, lessons from past ventures, and insights into scaling a business successfully.

Ryan dives into his early days balancing active military service with startup life, the unexpected pivots that shaped his businesses, and the recruiting model innovation that sets Talent Harbor apart. He also discusses the importance of listening to the market, building a strong foundation before scaling, and why persistence is the key to success.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Yuliya Semenovych, the founder of Elixir Health & Wellness, a cutting-edge longevity and biohacking center. Yuliya shares her journey from a lifelong passion for preventative health to launching her business at the height of the pandemic.

They dive into the challenges of educating the market on biohacking, the unexpected lessons learned in identifying her ideal customer, and the strategies she’s using to grow both her in-person and virtual offerings. Yuliya also discusses the science behind health optimization, from hyperbaric therapy to red light therapy, and the nuances of ice baths and saunas for recovery and wellness.