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 sits down with Heather Hodges, founder and CEO of Hodges Group International. Heather shares her journey from a corporate career in healthcare organizational development to launching her own business dedicated to leadership development and empowering employee creativity.

She opens up about the challenges of defining her company’s mission, finding her niche, and the importance of loving the work you do as an entrepreneur. Heather also discusses her unique approach to keynote speaking, which incorporates speed painting, and reveals her plans for the future, including growing her leadership training services and expanding into event production through a family-run venture.

Listeners will gain valuable insights on transitioning from a corporate role to entrepreneurship, how to lean into your strengths to build a successful business, and practical advice for turning a concept into reality while maintaining balance.

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 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 Elliott Boll sits down with Carol Kaemmerer, the best-selling author of LinkedIn for the Savvy Executive and renowned executive branding coach. Carol shares her personal journey from corporate downsizing to becoming a leading expert in LinkedIn branding for executives.

She reveals how the economic downturn of 2008 inspired her to help senior-level professionals build their online presence and overcome the challenges that come with job loss and career transitions. Carol discusses how she transitioned from being a technician crafting LinkedIn profiles to an executive advisor, guiding clients on how to express their personal brand powerfully on the platform.

Looking ahead, Carol emphasizes the importance of proactive career resilience, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. She stresses the need for executives to take control of their LinkedIn profiles before crisis strikes, helping them stay prepared for any job changes that may come their way.

Carol also offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs, urging them to be authentic on LinkedIn, sharing not only their services and products but also their passion and personality to build trust and drive business success.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Liz Marion, the founder and owner of Liby Works, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and her mission to transform organizations through effective communication. Liz shares how her diverse experiences—from the film industry to live event production—shaped her understanding of communication as the linchpin for success.

Liz dives into the challenges of identifying her target market, leveraging her network, and transitioning her business to focus on team-wide impact within organizations. She highlights startling statistics on the cost of ineffective communication and offers actionable strategies, including the implementation of communication channel matrices, to improve team alignment and reduce inefficiencies.

With a passion for leadership development, Liz emphasizes the importance of creating more leaders in the workplace and offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: stay curious, embrace evolution, and never underestimate the time it takes to build lasting success.

In this heartfelt episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Jason Tifford, the founder of A Mindful Company, to discuss his transformative journey from personal tragedy to building a business centered on supporting employees through grief and loss.

Jason shares how the loss of his father during his college years reshaped his perspective on life and inspired him to create a purpose-driven business. He recounts his time volunteering with hospice patients and becoming a certified end-of-life doula, experiences that formed the foundation for his company. Today, A Mindful Company provides personalized bereavement support as an employee benefit, offering services like grief counseling, advanced care planning, and legacy project development.

Jason reflects on the challenges of founding a business in an uncharted space, his journey to identify the right problem to solve, and the pivotal moments of mentorship that helped shape his company’s mission. He also offers thoughtful advice to aspiring entrepreneurs about finding their "why" and staying committed to a purpose beyond profit.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone navigating personal loss, this episode is an inspiring testament to the power of purpose and the importance of supporting each other through life’s most challenging moments.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Joe Fitzgerald sits down with Premela Deck, founder of SD Family Services, a unique mental health practice focused on forensic mental health. Premela shares her entrepreneurial journey, explaining how her background in law and social work led her to create a business that blends legal and therapeutic services for families involved in the court system, particularly in divorce and child custody cases.

Premela discusses the challenges of transitioning from a legal practitioner to a business owner, highlighting the importance of evolving leadership and managing a diverse team. She also addresses the shift in her approach to family law, emphasizing a holistic, collaborative method instead of traditional adversarial litigation. With a focus on improving communication and solving conflicts before they escalate, SD Family Services offers a new path for families facing legal challenges.

Throughout the episode, Premela explores her marketing strategies, the significance of word-of-mouth referrals, and the delicate balance of managing legal and mental health services. Looking to the future, she shares her vision for expanding her practice regionally while continuing to educate and train new forensic mental health professionals. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the intersection of law, mental health, and business development in the unique world of family services.

In this episode of Founders Future, Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Kevin Lee, the founder of Did It, to dive into the fascinating journey of his evolving digital marketing agency. From co-founding an SEO technology company in the pre-Google era to transforming his business into a full-service digital marketing agency, Kevin shares invaluable insights on adapting to technological changes and overcoming key challenges along the way.

He discusses the early days of SEO, the evolution of Did It through multiple acquisitions, and the unique ways they’ve integrated cutting-edge technology into their marketing strategies, including a groundbreaking invention in direct mail. Kevin also reflects on his personal growth as a leader, including lessons learned in delegation and balancing innovation with effective management.

As AI continues to shape the future, Kevin explains how his latest project—an AI-powered voice product designed to enhance business development—has not only solved his own challenges but also evolved into a potential game-changing tool for other entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Founders Future, Elliott Boll is joined by Laura Barnard, the founder of Breakthru Brands, and the author of Leadership Types. Laura shares her inspiring journey of founding Breakthru and her vision for changing leadership paradigms. She recounts her transition from a consulting role to creating a business focused on increasing visibility and diversity in leadership, drawing on her experience in branding, psychology, and leadership.

Laura explains how her book challenges traditional leadership stereotypes, offering a new model of leadership that incorporates motivational psychology and archetypes. She highlights the 12 leadership types and how they can be used both for personal growth and team development.

Looking ahead, Laura discusses her strategy for scaling Breakthru, focusing on B2B partnerships with organizations interested in transforming their leadership cultures. She also addresses the challenges of reaching decision-makers and how to approach the slow sales cycle in leadership development.

For entrepreneurs and leaders, Laura’s advice is clear: don't worry, work. By focusing on action and solving problems, founders can navigate obstacles and push their businesses forward. Tune in for actionable insights on leadership, business growth, and the importance of diverse leadership in today's world.