Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Joe Fitzgerald sits down with Lee Salz, the founder of Sales Architects and a renowned sales strategist. Lee shares his journey from working in the fitness industry to becoming a leader in sales consulting. He discusses how he built Sales Architects, the challenges he faced in the early days, and the strategies he used to establish his brand, including writing books and leveraging LinkedIn groups.

Lee also dives into the evolving landscape of sales, emphasizing the importance of AI adoption, thought leadership, and continuously redefining the value salespeople bring to clients. He shares insights on how businesses can develop scalable, high-performing sales teams and gives a sneak peek into his upcoming book, The First Meeting Differentiator.

Join us as we explore Lee’s entrepreneurial path, his predictions for the future of sales, and the advice he’d give his younger self about building a successful business.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliot Boll sits down with Susan Taylor, the visionary CEO of Generon International. Susan takes us on a journey back to the early 90s, sharing the story behind the founding of her business—starting as a virtual assistant service long before the industry even existed. What started as a desire to create a more human-centered, nurturing environment for business professionals has since evolved into a thriving company and a mission to help entrepreneurs and leaders find their own sense of purpose.

Throughout the conversation, Susan highlights the importance of trusting your instincts—especially when it comes to entrepreneurship—and how listening to your body can lead you to make bold, impactful decisions. She also shares her deep commitment to mentoring next-gen leaders, encouraging them to define success on their own terms and embrace meaningful, purpose-driven work.

As a business leader who’s seen firsthand how leadership styles and workplace values are evolving, Susan offers valuable insights for today’s entrepreneurs. She dives into the misconceptions around entrepreneurship, emphasizing that the real risk lies in staying on a traditional corporate path that doesn’t fulfill your calling.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Susan’s wisdom on trusting yourself, staying true to your values, and creating work that resonates with your soul will leave you inspired to build businesses that align with your deeper purpose.

In this episode of Founders Future, Laura welcomes Eric, the CEO and founder of Chro Solutions, as the guest. Eric shares his extensive background as a senior HR leader, having worked at major companies such as Ford, Pepsi, and Comcast NBC Universal. He delves into his journey of transitioning from the corporate world to becoming a business consultant and executive coach. Eric explains how he launched Chro Solutions in December 2021, introducing a fractional HR leadership model tailored for small businesses with under 100 employees and less than $20 million in revenue. With a focus on providing strategic HR leadership to companies that lack sophisticated people management, Eric discusses his coaching approach and lead generation tactics, outlining his ambitious goal of achieving $5 million in revenue through coaching services in the coming year.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Rye Finegan, co-founder of Paired, a community-driven platform for senior startup and tech leaders. Rye takes us through the evolution of Paired, starting with the initial concept in 2019 during his involvement with Denver Startup Week. The idea began as a referral-based platform for hiring tech leaders but faced a major setback with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As businesses faced hiring challenges and remote work surged, Rye and his team pivoted, focusing on community-building to address the isolation many professionals felt.

Rye shares how Paired transitioned from a talent marketplace to a vibrant, curated community, offering in-person events and fostering connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and operators in Colorado's growing tech scene. Through this transformation, Paired ultimately attracted attention from Denver Ventures, leading to its acquisition in 2025. Now, Paired continues to thrive under Denver Ventures, offering exclusive networking opportunities to startup leaders while also providing service providers with a platform to engage with the community.

Throughout the episode, Rye reflects on the tough lessons learned during the pandemic and how he discovered that success comes from meeting a real, urgent need in the market. He also shares invaluable advice on how to build a business that resonates deeply with its audience and how adapting to the feedback of your community is essential for long-term success. Rye's journey highlights the importance of flexibility, listening to your users, and knowing when to pivot in business.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Billy Shea, entrepreneur and founder of a coaching business rooted in personal growth and leadership development. Billy shares his transformative journey—from discovering the power of the 3-Minute Survey to overcoming self-doubt and scaling his own business. He opens up about his early struggles, the impact of mentorship, and the driving force behind his mission to help others unlock their potential.

Billy discusses the challenges of entering the competitive coaching industry, the importance of consistency and conviction, and how his experience in sports shaped his mindset for success. His inspiring message of perseverance, self-awareness, and service to others is a must-listen for any entrepreneur looking to push through obstacles and make a lasting impact.

Tune in for powerful insights, actionable advice, and a story that proves true growth comes from resilience and purpose.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliot Boll sits down with Rohan Inneh, CRO of T.R.I Consulting, to discuss his transition from a successful career in the Big 4 to entrepreneurship. Rohan shares how his corporate experience shaped his perspective on success, work-life balance, and the importance of operations in high-growth companies.

He challenges traditional notions of work-life balance, advocating instead for maintaining momentum in different areas of life. Rohan also highlights common misconceptions about entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need to unlearn corporate structures and adapt to the resource constraints of startups.

A major focus of the discussion is the evolving role of AI in business operations. Rohan explains how AI can drive efficiency, improve decision-making, and enhance company workflows, cautioning founders against delaying adoption. He stresses the importance of networking and relationship-building over relying solely on content strategies, advising founders to prioritize real connections that open doors to opportunities.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Dr. Nick Eckert, the founder of Safety Reloaded, to dive into his inspiring entrepreneurial journey and discuss the innovative ways his company is empowering individuals with life-saving safety knowledge.

Nick shares the story behind the founding of Safety Reloaded, a company born out of frustration with traditional safety training. Initially starting as a concealed carry instructor, Nick noticed a gap in how safety was being taught and wanted to offer a more holistic approach that included first aid, situational awareness, and non-lethal defense options—not just firearms.

Throughout the conversation, Nick opens up about the challenges of standing out in a crowded market and the importance of focusing on high-quality, personalized training. He also reflects on how he grew his business over nearly a decade, starting part-time while still holding down a 9-to-5 job, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way about leadership and resilience.

Nick discusses his passion for expanding the reach of Safety Reloaded and the importance of making safety training accessible to all, including underserved groups like women. He also touches on the exciting future of safety technology, particularly in non-lethal defense options, and how Safety Reloaded plans to continue evolving with the needs of its community.

Finally, Nick shares invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of action over hope and the value of learning from failure. His message is clear: entrepreneurship is a journey of growth, and every setback is an opportunity to learn and adapt.

Tune in for an episode packed with practical insights, inspiration, and real-world advice for entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful impact.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Crystal Barrow, founder of Shape Your Success Coaching, to dive into her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Crystal, a former prosecutor and Federal law enforcement officer, shares how she transitioned from the legal field to becoming a sought-after career coach, specializing in professional transformation, career transitions, and work-life balance.

Crystal reveals how her legal background equipped her with valuable transferable skills that give her an edge in coaching clients, and she discusses her passion for helping people—primarily women—navigate career changes and discover their true calling. From her early days helping friends with career advice to leaving her law practice in 2019 to build her business full-time, Crystal opens up about the challenges and triumphs along the way.

Crystal also talks about the growth of her coaching business, how she connects with clients through social media and referrals, and the importance of personal touch in sales. She discusses her strategies for finding and nurturing leads, the significance of empathy in her sales process, and how she's looking to scale her business globally in 2025.

Tune in for a candid conversation about the realities of growing a business, overcoming self-doubt, and trusting the process—plus actionable insights for anyone considering taking the leap from side hustle to full-time entrepreneur.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Arnav Kothapally, the 21-year-old CEO and founder of Arakos Media. Arnav shares his journey from being a national-level cricket player in India to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the digital marketing space.

He opens up about the challenges of starting a business at a young age, the hustle required to land his first client, and the lessons he learned about setting clear expectations in client relationships. Arnav also discusses how he carved out a niche in the highly saturated marketing industry by offering high-quality, cost-effective animated video content tailored for IT companies.

Looking ahead, Arnav reveals his strategies for scaling Arakos Media, including leveraging AI, LinkedIn automation, and expanding his sales team. He also shares insights into how AI is transforming the industry, the balance between creativity and automation, and why perseverance is the key to long-term success.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable insights for entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of startup growth.

In this episode, Laura sits down with Scott Leese, the founder of Scott Leese Consulting, to explore his unique approach to business growth and personal fulfillment. Scott shares how he built a $9 million consulting business in five years—without paid ads—relying on referrals, community engagement, and his strong LinkedIn presence. He explains his pre-qualification process for clients and why he prioritizes balance over material success. Laura and Scott also reflect on the evolving challenges of entrepreneurship over the past five years, discussing strategies for adapting to change while maintaining a fulfilling personal life. Tune in for insights on sustainable business growth and redefining success.