Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with  Alexandre Abu-Jamra, co-founder and CMO of Klooks, a leading financial data and analytics company serving major global institutions like S&P Global and the London Stock Exchange Group. Alexandre shares his entrepreneurial journey, from identifying a critical gap in private financial data accessibility in Brazil to building an AI-driven platform that automates data extraction from government sources.

He dives into the early struggles of launching Klooks, including failed SaaS models, long sales cycles, and the pivotal moment when the company pivoted to selling raw financial data. Alexandre also discusses Klooks's revenue streams, customer acquisition strategies, and the technical innovations behind its data-gathering “super crawlers.”

Looking ahead, Alexandre reveals his top priorities for Klooks's future, including expanding internationally, enhancing data quality assurance, and unlocking new revenue streams through advanced data segmentation.

Join us for an insightful conversation on resilience, innovation, and scaling a data-driven business in the competitive financial intelligence space.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Samuel Konzem sits down with Muhammad Zain Amin, the CEO of Apexium 360, a rapidly growing digital marketing and e-commerce growth agency. Muhammad shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting as a solo marketer to building a global company serving clients across multiple industries.

He discusses the early challenges of client acquisition, the effectiveness of cold calling, and how Apexium 360 scaled its operations with a dedicated sales team. Muhammad also highlights his vision for the future, including AI-driven marketing strategies, automation, and expansion into software development.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Muhammad offers valuable advice on leveraging personal skills, starting with freelancing, and embracing business ownership despite financial challenges. His inspiring story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of digital innovation.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Ethan Dowie, founder of Indigo Promotions, to explore his journey in the branded merchandise industry. Ethan shares how his early career experiences exposed problems in the promotional products space—ranging from poor quality to lackluster customer service—and how he set out to build a company that does it better.

Ethan also discusses how his nonprofit, Dow Corp, gave him an early fast track into the business world, shaping his approach to entrepreneurship. He walks us through the evolution of Indigo Promotions, from cold calling to becoming a trusted branding consultant for corporate clients and schools.

The conversation delves into misconceptions about promotional merchandise, the importance of creativity and quality in brand experiences, and Indigo's unique approach to client service. Ethan breaks down his sales process, customer acquisition strategy, and how LinkedIn outreach fuels organic growth.

Finally, Ethan shares his vision for the future, including his "Big Hairy Audacious Goal" of scaling Indigo to $50M while maintaining top-tier quality. He reflects on current bottlenecks, his hiring philosophy, and what he would do if given unlimited resources.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Ed Thompson, founder of Uptimize, to discuss how companies can embrace neurodiversity to drive innovation, productivity, and collaboration. Ed shares his journey—from experiencing a traumatic brain injury to recognizing the need for better workplace inclusion of different thinking styles.

He explains how Uptimize helps teams understand and optimize their diverse cognitive strengths, working with major companies like Google, Microsoft, and J.P. Morgan. The conversation dives into Uptimize’s go-to-market strategy, the challenges of scaling a category-defining company, and the potential of B2C expansion. Ed also shares insights on how businesses can create a culture that supports every brain type.

Whether you're a leader looking to build a more inclusive team or an entrepreneur navigating growth challenges, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Monica Burkoth, a powerhouse sales leader with over a decade of experience in high-ticket closing and leadership development. Monica shares her journey from an unexpected start in sales to becoming a top performer, overcoming doubts, and embracing the power of consistency.

She dives into the importance of self-discipline, mindset shifts, and leveraging rejection as a tool for growth. Listeners will gain valuable insights into building resilience, scaling sales teams, and achieving long-term success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned closer, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to elevate your career.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Oksana Tademy, founder of Legacy Lifestyle Enterprises and The Boss Collective Network. Oksana shares her journey from freelancing during financial hardship to building a thriving branding consultancy that empowers entrepreneurs—especially women—to create impactful, purpose-driven brands.

She dives into the misconceptions around branding, explaining why it’s more than just logos and aesthetics—it's about authority and influence. Oksana also discusses her strategic shift from design work to consulting, the power of strategic partnerships in scaling her business, and her vision for the future, including a brand evolution and the launch of her Legacy Tribe membership.

Listen in as she reveals her biggest growth challenges, the business model that fuels her success, and her long-term vision for a one-stop branding and business hub.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Luke Wiercinski and Dr. Alexis Priola, the founders of Clear Your College Debt, a mission-driven startup tackling the student loan crisis. Luke, an experienced investor, and Alexis, a licensed veterinarian who personally struggled with student debt, share their journey in creating a platform designed to help borrowers regain financial freedom.

They discuss the hidden challenges of student loan repayment, the systemic issues that make debt relief difficult, and how their innovative approach is empowering individuals to navigate loan forgiveness and repayment options more effectively. Tune in for a deep dive into their entrepreneurial journey, the impact they're making, and their vision for a future where student debt is no longer a lifelong burden.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Jeremy Loughnot, co-founder of Talent Keystones, to discuss his journey from a career in design recruiting at major tech companies to launching his own business. Jeremy shares the inspiration behind his entrepreneurial leap, the early challenges of building his company, and the importance of focusing on high-quality client relationships over rapid scaling.

The conversation also touches on the similarities between recruiting and business development, the power of specialization, and the unexpected hurdles of entrepreneurship—like navigating healthcare in the U.S. Jeremy offers insightful advice for aspiring founders, emphasizing the importance of taking calculated risks and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.

Tune in for a candid discussion on the realities of starting a business, the mindset needed to thrive, and why betting on yourself is always worth it.

In this episode of Founders, Future, Elliott Boll sits down with Alvaro Melendez, Co-founder of Crant, to discuss how AI and machine learning are transforming brand building. Alvaro shares his journey from marketing and advertising into the world of AI-driven insights, the challenges of launching Crant in 2019 just before the pandemic, and how his company pivoted from the travel and tourism industry to serving major med-tech clients.

He also breaks down the evolution of Crant from a consulting business into a SaaS platform and the strategic decision to focus on organic growth before incorporating paid media. Alvaro reveals the importance of thought leadership, personal branding, and the role of AI in helping brands measure and amplify brand love. He also touches on the challenges of scaling a high-touch consulting model and the future of AI in brand differentiation.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Lior Arussy, the founder of ImprintCX, to explore his entrepreneurial journey and insights into customer experience transformation. Lior shares how ImprintCX helps organizations build lasting and evolving relationships with customers and employees by fostering adaptability and resilience in a rapidly changing business landscape.

He breaks down ImprintCX’s unique approach to consulting, which prioritizes financial impact, customer relationships, and internal capacity for change. Lior also discusses their diverse client portfolio, from startups to Fortune 500 companies like Delta Airlines, Walmart, and Mercedes-Benz, and how their strategy is designed to drive meaningful business results.

Throughout the conversation, Lior reveals his thought leadership-driven acquisition strategy, emphasizing the importance of content, research, and strategic partnerships, such as co-sponsoring studies with Harvard Business Review. He also shares his experience scaling consulting firms, the challenges of go-to-market strategies, and the importance of nurturing long-term client relationships.