Founders Future

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald welcomes Daniel Horgan, founder of CoLabL, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the impact of his organization. CoLabL focuses on empowering early-career talent, particularly those from underrepresented and under-resourced communities, by expanding their networks, skills, and opportunities to achieve their unique definitions of success.

Daniel shares the story behind CoLabL, highlighting its origins in his early work with nonprofit youth organizing and workforce development. He explains how CoLabL bridges the gap between employers and talented individuals by leveraging mentorship, training, and talent development initiatives.

Listeners will gain valuable insights as Daniel reflects on:

1. The importance of authenticity and following your gut as an entrepreneur.
2. Transitioning from corporate success to launching a mission-driven venture.
3. Building a strong foundation through co-creating with partners and refining operations over a decade.
4. Prioritizing customer experiences to foster organic growth and referrals.
5. Leveraging data, technology, and strategic partnerships to scale sustainably.

Daniel also shares actionable advice for entrepreneurs, including focusing on progress over perfection, working on the business (not just in it), and elevating others through partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence, reminding listeners that success is a long-term journey.

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 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.

n this episode of Founders’ Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Kevin Lee, founder and executive chairman of Didit, a company rooted in marketing innovation since 1996. Kevin takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, starting with SEO technology before Google, pivoting to paid search with groundbreaking tools, and evolving Didit into a full-service agency through strategic acquisitions.

Kevin shares insights into his latest venture, VoiceWho, an AI-powered voicemail solution designed to help businesses leave hyper-personalized messages at scale, revolutionizing B2B communication. He explains the go-to-market strategy, including targeting venture capital and private equity firms to create ripple effects across their portfolio companies. Kevin also highlights the importance of combining traditional and digital marketing methods, such as direct mail, social, and programmatic campaigns, to drive predictable scaling.

Listeners will gain actionable tips on ABM strategies, integrating paid media with upper-funnel marketing, and creating a “brand halo effect” to improve ad efficiency. Kevin's philosophy of "drinking your own champagne" is evident as he applies his own marketing expertise to test and refine the effectiveness of VoiceWho.

In this episode of the "Founders Future" podcast, Laura Skinner sits down with Dr. Christina Madison, the founder of a public health pharmacy, as she opens up about her transformative journey from pharmacist to entrepreneur and media personality. Dr. Madison discusses the challenges she encountered along the way, highlighting her passion for improving healthcare communication and patient care, especially in underserved communities. She also shares her commitment to empowering women to reach their full potential in the workplace.

The conversation delves into the significance of personal branding, how public health initiatives shape the future of healthcare, and the need for a more inclusive approach to patient care. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Madison’s vision for the future of healthcare and her work in creating a positive impact for both individuals and communities.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Ben Hippeli, the founder of Benchmark Training, to explore his journey from a high-powered VP of Sales to launching and scaling his own business. Ben shares the story behind Benchmark Training, a company that works closely with vice presidents of sales and operations to help their teams identify and overcome blind spots, ensuring sustained growth and success.

The conversation delves into the challenges Ben faced during his transition, including balancing a demanding full-time role while laying the groundwork for Benchmark Training, and the realities of building brand awareness from scratch. He discusses the unique demands of entrepreneurship, the importance of referrals, and the value of giving back to the organizations and customers you work with.

Listeners will also hear about Ben’s approach to scaling his team, finding the right people for a small business environment, and fostering partnerships with experienced professionals who bring unmatched value to coaching roles. Ben provides actionable advice for those looking to transition from a 9-to-5 to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of having a documented plan, setting milestones, and involving a supportive network.

In this episode, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Lee Black, founder of Antilles Digital Media, to discuss his journey from corporate banking to building a mission-driven digital marketing agency. Lee shares how his personal experiences with addiction in his family inspired him to open a substance abuse treatment facility, which led to the accidental birth of his digital media business.

Listeners will learn how Lee leveraged his knowledge of SEO to help struggling treatment facilities grow during the pandemic, evolving his company into a specialized agency serving over 100 facilities nationwide. He opens up about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, maintaining authenticity in the digital marketing world, and the power of niching down in a competitive market.

Lee offers practical insights into scaling a business responsibly, staying true to your mission, and learning from mistakes without losing sight of your values. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their personal stories into impactful, purpose-driven ventures.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Steven Schneider, co-founder of Trio SEO, to delve into the journey of building a client-first digital agency. Steven shares how his expertise in operations and systems paved the way for a partnership that combines strategic marketing, sales, and seamless processes to deliver exceptional results for their clients.

Steven discusses the early challenges Trio faced, including navigating client nuances and learning from feedback to improve their systems continuously. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and building trust through consistent delivery.

The conversation also touches on the role of AI and generative tools like ChatGPT in reshaping the SEO industry, with Steven offering insights into how businesses can adapt while remaining focused on creating value through in-depth, thought-leadership content.

Steven’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is both practical and inspiring, as he highlights the importance of understanding risk thresholds, starting small, and taking deliberate actions toward success without being paralyzed by fear.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Joe Fitzgerald is joined by Bridget Skeen, the founder of Talent IQ, to discuss her journey of building a business in the talent acquisition space. Talent IQ, launched in 2020, helps organizations enhance their hiring processes through a combination of knowledge, connections, and culture. Bridget shares how her company trains hiring managers, builds communities of practice, and improves onboarding experiences for employees.

Bridget reflects on her transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship during the global pandemic, sharing how the challenges of starting a business during that time ultimately led to a fulfilling venture. She talks about the early struggles, the importance of staying true to her vision despite external opinions, and the lessons she’s learned over the past five years of running her business.

As the conversation unfolds, Bridget highlights the critical role of relationships in talent acquisition, discusses how AI is impacting the recruiting industry, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their business ideas into reality.

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.