Founders Future

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Kaleem Khan, CEO of Adlytic AI, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his AI-powered video analytics company. Kaleem shares insights into the transition from his first startup, Omno AI, to building a funded, rapidly scaling company focused on retail surveillance, security, sports analytics, and smart cities.

He delves into the challenges of market expansion, particularly navigating European regulations and the importance of building trust with enterprise clients. The conversation explores customer acquisition strategies, including word-of-mouth referrals, attending industry events, and leveraging channel partnerships. Kaleem also reflects on the role of paid ads, the long B2B sales cycle, and strategies to reduce the need for product trials.

With ambitious goals for growth in the European and North American markets, Kaleem shares key takeaways on focus, perseverance, and strategic execution—essential lessons for any founder looking to scale a high-tech business.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Mason Cosby, CEO and Founder of Scrappy ABM, to explore his journey from in-house marketer to entrepreneur. Mason shares the inspiration behind launching Scrappy ABM, the challenges of transitioning from a one-man operation to leading a growing team, and the lessons he learned about hiring, delegation, and scaling a service-based business.

Mason also dives into the fundamentals of Account-Based Marketing (ABM), emphasizing why companies should focus on strategy before investing in expensive tech solutions. He discusses the importance of aligning sales and marketing, defining an ideal customer profile, and developing systematic processes for long-term success.

Looking ahead, Mason outlines his vision for Scrappy ABM, including building a scalable framework for clients, refining internal processes, and driving thought leadership in the ABM space. He also shares valuable advice for founders looking to make 2025 a breakthrough year.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Jm Ryerson, CEO of Let’s Go Win, to discuss the keys to success in business and life. They explore their journeys through corporate work, financial services, and consulting, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, work-life balance, and intentional growth.

Jm shares insights on leveraging social media for brand awareness, the challenges of modern marketing, and why authenticity drives real results. The conversation also delves into self-care, mindfulness, and personal development—cornerstones of Jm’s upcoming project, Self, which aims to help individuals cultivate a healthier mindset.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on balancing ambition with well-being, and learn strategies to elevate both your personal and professional life.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Effenus Henderson, President and CEO of HenderWorks, to explore his incredible journey from corporate leadership to becoming a global advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Effenus shares insights from his extensive career at Weyerhaeuser, where he helped shape inclusive business strategies on an international scale. He discusses the inspiration behind founding HenderWorks, his work co-developing the ISO 30415 standard for DEI, and his latest project—SPINE, a framework designed to help organizations integrate inclusion into their core business strategy.

The conversation delves into the evolving role of AI and social media in shaping workplace culture, the importance of inclusive leadership, and how businesses can prepare for the next generation of talent.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll speaks with Olivier Egli, founder of Be, Like an Apple Tree. Olivier shares his transformative journey from a high-stakes corporate career in Switzerland to starting a purpose-driven venture in Los Angeles.

Faced with burnout and dissatisfaction, Olivier left behind a life of conventional success to reconnect with his true self. His story underscores the importance of embracing intuition and authenticity in leadership and entrepreneurship. Drawing inspiration from nature, Olivier challenges traditional business paradigms that prioritize transactions and profit over genuine value and fulfillment.

Through passionate storytelling, Olivier advocates for a shift from "entrepreneurship" to "intopreneurship," where intuition and self-awareness guide decision-making. He emphasizes the significance of overcoming personal crises, such as the "midlife crisis," as a necessary step to rediscover purpose and authenticity.

Listeners will be inspired by Olivier's vision of building businesses that thrive like ecosystems, fostering personal growth and positive impact. His thought-provoking insights invite entrepreneurs and leaders to embrace their natural essence, prioritize sustainability, and redefine success beyond material achievements.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Zoila Reyna, the founder of Public Health Hired, to explore the journey of building a business that empowers public health professionals to take control of their careers. Zoila shares the inspiration behind launching Public Health Hired during the pandemic and how her own experiences—navigating career pivots, overcoming financial challenges, and taking calculated risks—shaped the mission of her company.

Zoila, a first-generation Latina with a background in public health, discusses the hurdles she faced transitioning from full-time roles at organizations like Kaiser Permanente to becoming an entrepreneur. She reflects on her decision to go all-in on her business and the excitement and challenges that came with it. Through her platform, Zoila is helping individuals land jobs in the public health sector by offering career readiness resources, resume workshops, and mentorship.

Tune in to hear about Zoila's vision for the future of Public Health Hired, the changing landscape of public health careers, and how she’s tackling the demand for workforce development in the industry. You’ll also gain insights into the importance of community, boundaries, and feedback as she continues to build and expand her business. If you're interested in making an impact in public health or any industry, this episode is filled with valuable advice on navigating career transitions and building a purpose-driven company.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Ashley Gross, founder and CEO of AI Workforce Alliance. Ashley shares her journey of leveraging AI to optimize her workweek, which ultimately led to the creation of her company. AI Workforce Alliance helps businesses align their operations based on revenue impact by auditing tech stacks, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing AI-driven solutions.

Throughout the conversation, Laura and Ashley explore the challenges of educating the market on AI, the importance of personalized communication in customer acquisition, and the structure and scalability of Ashley’s business model. They also discuss the significance of responsible business scaling, maintaining control while growing, and enhancing fulfillment for both businesses and customers.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner interviews Thomas Helfrich, CEO of InstantlyRelevant creator of the "Never Been Promoted" podcast. The conversation explores Thomas's entrepreneurial journey, his unique approach to building communities, and his insights on personal and professional growth.

Key Topics DiscussedProfessional Background & Business Evolution

1. Thomas transitioned from corporate roles (including Chief Innovation Officer at a billion-dollar company) to entrepreneurship after experiencing multiple layoffs
2. Founded InstantlyRelevant.com to solve lead generation and conversation challenges in marketing
3. Created the "Never Been Promoted" podcast, which gained 1 million YouTube subscribers in 31 days through strategic advertising ($24,000 investment)

Business Strategy & Growth

1. Developed an interconnected business model combining:
2. InstantlyRelevant (marketing services)
3. Never Been Promoted podcast (top-of-funnel content)
4. Cut The Tie mastermind community
5. Uses podcast interviews strategically to identify potential clients and community members
6. Employs a team of 8 people to manage content production and social media
7. Recorded 363 shows in 2024, releasing 5 podcasts per week

Cut The Tie Initiative

1. Upcoming book and mastermind community focused on helping entrepreneurs overcome limitations
2. Addresses the "fear-excuse cycle" that holds people back
3. Creates peer-led mastermind groups of 4-10 people
4. Focuses on breaking patterns that prevent personal and professional growth

Notable Insights

1. The importance of building genuine communities before launching products
2. The value of reinvesting in content and advertising for growth
3. The need for entrepreneurs to find balance between passion, proficiency, and profit
4. The significance of focusing on one core business area and doing it exceptionally well

Key Business Lessons Shared

1. Focus on the intersection of:
2. Passion (what energizes you)
3. Proficiency (what you're good at)
4. Impact/Profit (market demand)
5. Maintain focus on core business objectives
6. Build a team to scale effectively
7. Use strategic hiring in different resource markets
8. View failure as a pivot opportunity rather than an endpoint

Personal Perspectives

1. Discussed challenges with ADHD in entrepreneurship
2. Shared views on higher education and student debt
3. Emphasized the importance of practical skills over traditional education
4. Stressed the value of learning through early-stage startup experience

The episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable businesses while overcoming personal and professional challenges.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Meghan Calhoun, co-founder of Giveriver, to explore her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Meghan shares the story of Giveriver's beginnings as a platform encouraging acts of kindness during the pandemic and its strategic pivot into HR software aimed at creating more fulfilling workplaces.

Listen in as Meghan discusses the challenges of building tech with a self-funded team, the importance of microlearning and gamified employee engagement, and the innovative ways Giveriver is addressing top workplace challenges. She also dives into the future of HR and the growing focus on personal wellness and skill-based development in professional environments.

Meghan wraps up with a heartfelt piece of advice for founders: how confronting burnout and building self-trust can empower personal and professional growth.

Tune in to learn how Meghan is redefining workplace culture and leading her company into an exciting future!

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Matthew Proctor, founder and CEO of Narrative Bent, to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his content marketing agency. Matthew shares his path from an English Literature graduate dabbling in SEO and blogging to a career in advertising and eventually leading successful growth efforts at startups like Homelight and Kickoff. Inspired by the rise of AI, Matthew founded Narrative Bent as a fractional content marketing team specializing in real estate and finance tech startups.

The conversation delves into the challenges and successes of starting a business, including Matthew’s initial reliance on his network to secure clients and his current top-of-funnel strategies, such as cold email outreach and LinkedIn branding. Matthew also discusses the importance of scaling responsibly, avoiding the pitfalls of hyper-growth, and maintaining a clear focus on a niche market.

With candid insights into client acquisition, lead generation, and future growth plans, Matthew shares key lessons about narrowing focus and creating a sustainable business model. This episode is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to build and scale their businesses while staying grounded in their values.