In this episode of Founders' Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald welcomes Don Schin, founder of Franchise Building Experts (FBE), to discuss the world of franchising and how FBE is reshaping the industry with integrity and innovation. Don shares his journey from a successful corporate career to becoming a key figure in franchising, including helping to grow one of the largest small business coaching franchises in the world.

Don dives into FBE’s mission to empower franchisors, franchisees, and brokers through consulting, training, and matching the right candidates to the right opportunities. He addresses the challenges of working with individuals who aren’t fully committed to entrepreneurship and emphasizes the importance of integrity in franchise development.

The conversation explores FBE's new focus on coaching underperforming franchisees, their strategic goals for the next few years, and their commitment to raising the standards of the franchising industry. Don also provides valuable advice for aspiring business owners, highlighting the benefits of franchising as a pathway for first-time entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re an aspiring franchise owner, a seasoned entrepreneur, or curious about the franchise industry, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of mentorship, education, and integrity in business.

In this episode, host Joseph Fitzgerald chats with Will Baggett, co-founder of Monetize Your Message, about his journey in the professional speaking industry and the business behind it. Will shares how a chance encounter with co-founder Darren K. Roberts on Twitter in 2017 blossomed into a thriving partnership focused on helping aspiring speakers turn their passion into a sustainable career.

Will provides a behind-the-scenes look at the growth of Monetize Your Message, now in its third year, including lessons learned in content creation, marketing strategies, and leveraging email campaigns for audience engagement. He dives into their approach to creating “thumb-stopping content,” using tools like lead magnets and newsletters to build credibility and trust with their audience.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of differentiating themselves in a saturated market, the importance of authenticity in speaking, and their efforts to elevate the industry by focusing on quality and impact. Will explains how their annual conference has become a cornerstone of their strategy, offering actionable tools and insights for speakers to refine their craft.

Finally, Will discusses the long-term vision for Monetize Your Message, emphasizing their goal of empowering speakers with the skills, marketing strategies, and storytelling techniques needed to stand out in an increasingly competitive space. He also reflects on how the pandemic reshaped the speaking industry with virtual opportunities and shares advice for adapting to future trends.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald welcomes Marcie Shelton, founder of Give2Lead to explore her journey of disrupting the traditional event marketing model. Marcie shares the inspiration behind her innovative business, which encourages companies to replace wasteful swag with meaningful donations to local nonprofits in exchange for lead generation.

Marcie discusses the challenges of behavior change among small business owners, her grassroots marketing strategies, and her vision to scale Give2Lead across the United States. She also reflects on the balancing act of running two businesses, being a parent, and staying grounded in gratitude and purpose.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Marcie offers invaluable advice on leveraging free resources, crafting a solid business plan, and building a supportive network. Tune in to hear how Marcie is redefining event marketing and paving the way for a more purposeful approach to community engagement

n this episode of Founders, Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Sunita Sinha, a mindset coach and founder of Jijivisha. Sunita shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, starting from her early ventures in import/export and boutique yoga instruction to building her current coaching practice.

Sunita discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including a transformative decision during the pandemic to invest in her passion for coaching. She opens up about the challenges she faced in the early stages of her business, such as finding clients, creating systems, and building self-discipline. Sunita emphasizes the importance of commitment, reflection, and listening to one’s inner voice in overcoming obstacles.

The episode also highlights her vision for the future, which includes expanding into group coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements. Sunita shares practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing the value of self-care, journaling, and setting intentional morning routines.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the mindset required for entrepreneurial success and learn actionable steps to build resilience and clarity in their own ventures.

In this episode, Laura Skinner interviews Jeff Huckaby, CEO and founder of Versalytix, as he discusses the founding and growth of his company. Jeff shares insights into Versalytix’s unique three-pronged approach to analytics, offering practical strategies for companies looking to leverage data for better decision-making. The conversation covers Versalytix's marketing and sales strategies, focusing on how they ensure they’re delivering tangible value to their customers. Jeff also emphasizes the importance of authenticity in client interactions, the value of trusting expertise, and the necessity of consistent leadership in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. This episode provides a valuable look at how one company has carved a niche in the analytics field, while maintaining a commitment to quality and customer success.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner chats with Taylor, the CEO of Uncubed. Taylor delves into the company's fascinating journey, from its origins as an HR software startup to its evolution into hosting career fairs and producing compelling content. Highlighting the critical role of employer branding, Taylor shares insights into creating strategies that resonate with target audiences and ensure long-term impact.

The conversation touches on marketing and sales strategies, emphasizing the importance of persistence and crafting cohesive approaches tailored to client pain points. Taylor outlines plans to refine and develop Uncubed’s employer branding further, ensuring it aligns with client needs and market demands.

This episode offers valuable lessons on adaptability, innovation, and the power of truly understanding your customers in building a thriving business.

In this episode of the Founders Future podcast, host Laura Skinner interviews Natalie Lincolne, the founder of Incredible People, a company dedicated to cultivating extraordinary leaders who build thriving teams. Natalie shares her inspiring journey from her corporate background to entrepreneurship, a transition sparked by her experiences as a single mother.

The conversation dives into the pivotal role leaders play in creating a positive workplace culture and valuing team contributions. Natalie reflects on the challenges leaders face, emphasizing the importance of proper training, support, and boundary-setting to foster both personal and professional growth.

Listeners will also gain insights into Natalie’s strategies for growing her business, including leveraging her network and email list to build her client base. She shares practical advice for balancing the demands of work and life while scaling a business.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald speaks with Chris Thompson, founder of Compear Global Education Network. Chris delves into her journey of establishing a groundbreaking organization rooted in "respectful disruption"—a leadership model aimed at dismantling inequitable systems and fostering inclusion across industries.

Chris shares how pivotal moments in 2020, including the global pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, inspired her to move from her corporate career into entrepreneurship. With just $500 and a bold vision, she launched Compere, which has grown from a small webinar series into a thriving global network, consulting collective, and summit on equity-driven leadership.

Listeners will learn about Chris’ innovative strategies for growth, including her focus on grassroots marketing, cultivating a community-first approach, and building a workplace culture that prioritizes balance with a four-day workweek and unlimited vacation. Chris also offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on finding purpose, leveraging resources, and taking the leap to create meaningful impact.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Kully, founder of Ignition Coaching, to explore her inspiring journey from a career in accounting and audit at Deloitte to becoming a coach and entrepreneur. Kully shares the story behind the creation and growth of her wellness program, Wave, which is dedicated to promoting mindfulness, work-life balance, and mental health for professionals in high-stress environments. Together, they discuss the critical importance of building communities and support systems to navigate workplace challenges, as well as actionable strategies for individuals to prioritize their mental and physical well-being.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Lyndsay Dowd, the CRO of Intry, to discuss her transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship and her insights into startup leadership. Lyndsay shares her experiences with Intry, a cutting-edge startup utilizing patented software to revolutionize resume technology. Together, they explore the company’s four key offerings, the challenges of crafting an effective go-to-market strategy, and the nuanced importance of handling layoffs with empathy and care.

Lyndsay also provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the critical role of feedback, the importance of building a trusted advisory network, and the distinct skill set required for leading in a startup environment. This conversation offers actionable insights for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship and leading with purpose in today’s fast-changing business landscape.