Founders Future

n this episode of Founders Future, host Joe Fitzgerald sits down with Scott Shute, the founder of Changing Work, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing mindfulness, compassion, and conscious business practices to the workplace. Scott shares his journey from being an executive at LinkedIn, where he was the head of mindfulness and compassion, to founding Changing Work with the mission of changing work from the inside out.

Scott discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity and values while growing a business, particularly when it comes to marketing, scaling, and creating a community-driven organization. He reveals the internal shift he experienced when transitioning from a for-profit to a nonprofit model, and how this change has allowed him to align his work with his values.

The conversation dives deep into the importance of conscious leadership, the balance between ambition and inner peace, and how entrepreneurs must remain true to their beliefs in a world often driven by financial constraints. Scott also explores the value of community and best practices in creating a more conscious workforce, as well as the challenges and growth strategies that come with scaling an organization authentically.

In this episode of Founders, Future by Closersio, host Laura Skinner sits down with Neil Katz, the CEO and founder of Exceptional HR. Neil shares his accidental journey into the world of fractional HR services and how he discovered a gap in the market that led to the creation of his business. Over the past four years, Exceptional HR has grown from a solo operation to a thriving team of 22, offering fractional HR solutions to companies of all sizes.

Neil explains the concept of fractional HR, where his company provides tailored HR support for businesses, covering everything from recruitment and employee relations to compliance and payroll. The goal is to give CEOs and business leaders more time to focus on their core functions by outsourcing these time-consuming tasks.

In addition, Neil dives into the strategies driving Exceptional HR’s growth, including leveraging podcast appearances, networking, and strategic partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of building trust with clients and how referral business plays a critical role in expanding the company. He also reveals key lessons learned in scaling, such as the importance of hiring a sales team earlier, working through the learning curve with sales reps, and perfecting their proposal process to increase close rates.

Looking ahead, Neil shares his plans to introduce new services, including HR project management support and a bundled package for transitioning HR leaders. His vision is to continue scaling and offering even more value to businesses in need of expert HR support.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll welcomes Yogesh Chavda, founder of Y2S Consulting, to discuss his journey from a corporate career to launching his own consulting business. Yogesh shares the inspiration behind founding his practice in 2014 after spending over 20 years in the corporate world with companies like Procter & Gamble, Amway, and Kimberly-Clark. He recounts the early challenges of starting from scratch, including learning how to set up infrastructure, handle legalities, and master business development.

Yogesh dives into the importance of finding a "swim lane" to stand out in a competitive market and how he struggled initially to differentiate himself. He shares valuable insights into the marketing and consulting industry, explaining the challenges of pricing services and competing with large firms like McKinsey. He also touches on the need for building reputation and trust through strategic branding and content creation.

Yogesh highlights his approach to business development, including his active presence on LinkedIn, a consistent newsletter, and starting his podcast series, all aimed at positioning himself as a thought leader in AI and market research. Additionally, he discusses how his work with the University of South Carolina has helped him connect with students and elevate his personal and professional brand.

In the latter part of the episode, Yogesh talks about the next big priority for his business, focusing on AI tools and how they can be leveraged by companies to differentiate themselves. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication of benefits over features and his goal of expanding his team by hiring fresh talent from universities.

In this episode, Neil and Kimberly take center stage as they strategize key outreach initiatives for Ex Judicata's growth and visibility in the legal and corporate sectors. Their efforts are focused on forging meaningful connections with lawyers, law firms, and law schools, all while highlighting Ex Judicata’s role in transitioning legal talent into non-legal roles.

The team works diligently to build credibility by developing case studies showcasing successful lawyer transitions, aiming to increase awareness of the unique value Ex Judicata offers. Additionally, Neil and Kimberly target corporate talent executives to advocate for hiring lawyers in non-legal positions, further expanding the reach of Ex Judicata's mission.

As they navigate limited resources, the team explores creative and cost-effective marketing strategies to maximize impact. They also pursue partnerships with forward-thinking law firms to enhance alumni programs, ensuring long-term success and growth.

Amidst these efforts, Ex Judicata remains vigilant about the approaching "Enrollment Cliff" in 2025, adjusting their approach to meet the needs of employers seeking top talent from law school graduates. Finally, the team aligns with academic initiatives to reshape the perception of the J.D. as a degree in complex problem-solving, weaving this messaging into all marketing and outreach endeavors.

This episode emphasizes proactive planning, relationship-building, and strategic innovation in positioning Ex Judicata for success in a dynamic market.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll speaks with Lynell Shattls, CEO and founder of Leap of Faith Coaching. Lynell shares her journey of transitioning from a successful corporate career in human resources and accounting to launching her own coaching business. The inspiration behind her company’s name comes from a life-altering personal loss, prompting her to take a leap of faith in pursuit of a more fulfilling career path that aligned with her values and family life.

Lynell discusses the early challenges of starting her business, from refining her niche to overcoming self-doubt, and how she eventually found her true calling: helping mid-career leaders navigate the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. She emphasizes that leadership isn’t about knowing everything but about creating space for growth and embracing vulnerability.

The episode highlights the importance of community, accountability, and energy management in leadership. Lynell also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs—seek mentors who understand the entrepreneurial journey, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or share the load. As Lynell looks toward the future, she’s focusing on expanding her group coaching offerings, creating a sense of shared experience, and normalizing the struggles that leaders often face.

Listeners are left with a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is about collaboration and growth, and success often comes from building strong support networks and staying true to one’s own path.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Jake Trumper, the CEO and founder of Shift, a company that blends business strategy and human-centered design to help organizations achieve their full potential. Jake shares his journey from a career consultant to entrepreneur, detailing the challenges he faced in starting Shift, including navigating client acquisition and building meaningful partnerships.

He discusses the importance of relationship-building in entrepreneurship and the misconceptions about the life of a founder, emphasizing that success doesn’t come just from doing great work—it also requires the development of sales and relationship-building skills. Jake also opens up about the evolving landscape of Shift, as the company works on diversifying its offerings and expanding its client base through new initiatives, including a coaching program aimed at upskilling practitioners.

Throughout the conversation, Jake touches on leadership, offering insights into the servant-leadership approach that guides his management style. He also shares his advice for aspiring founders, highlighting the importance of staying authentic, building relationships, and maintaining humility.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll is joined by Erica Rivera, the Career Ologist and founder of Career Diva Coaching. Erica shares the story behind her business, which began as a social media brand and evolved into a global coaching enterprise. She explains how her personal experiences navigating career changes and her background in recruiting inspired her to create a platform for helping individuals take control of their careers.

Erica opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the early burnout she faced from not establishing a solid business structure, and the important lessons she learned about working on the business, not just in it. She also reflects on the misconception of work-life balance, sharing her own approach to managing both the demands of entrepreneurship and personal well-being.

Looking ahead, Erica discusses her ambitious plans to scale her movement globally, write a book for those at a crossroads in their careers, and create more accessible resources for individuals worldwide. She concludes with invaluable advice for entrepreneurs: take the leap, do it anyway, and always reach back to help others on their journey.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to take charge of their career and life.

In this episode of Founders Future, Elliott Boll sits down with Caroline Dowd-Higgins, an executive coach, consultant, author, and speaker, to discuss her transformative journey from opera singer to full-time entrepreneur. Caroline shares how she pivoted from a career in music to establish a coaching and consulting business, navigating the challenges of transitioning from a side hustle to a full-time hustle.

Throughout the conversation, Caroline reveals the key lessons she's learned, including how to overcome a scarcity mindset, the importance of listening as a leader, and the significance of being discerning about the clients you choose to work with. She also touches on the growing demand for coaching, drawing parallels between professional coaching and athletic training, and emphasizes the value of community and visibility in business growth.

As a seasoned coach and consultant, Caroline highlights the power of intuition in decision-making and shares the science behind trusting your gut as an entrepreneur. If you're a founder looking for advice on navigating growth, leadership, and self-trust, this episode offers a wealth of valuable insights.

In this episode of Founders, Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Clayton Joyner, the innovative CEO of MODRN Digital . Clayton shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting his first marketing agency to building MODRN Digital  into a thriving business.

Listeners will hear how Clayton transitioned from a successful career in sales to a marketing entrepreneur, overcame challenges like growing pains and misaligned partnerships, and learned the importance of focusing on results-driven strategies. He shares insights into the balance between scaling a business responsibly and ensuring excellent client experiences.

Clayton also emphasizes the value of staying mission-driven and the importance of focusing on impact over growth at all costs. With honesty and passion, he outlines his current priorities for Modern Digital, including building a strong team, enhancing client satisfaction, and scaling sustainably.

This episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses while staying true to their values. Tune in to hear Clayton's story and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

In this inspiring episode of Founders Future, host Elliott Boll sits down with Lori Darley, the founder and CEO of Conscious Leaders. Lori shares her fascinating journey from a professional dancer to a renowned leadership coach, emphasizing the power of self-awareness and purposeful impact. With a career spanning dance, corporate consulting, and social impact, Lori delves into the lessons she's learned about transforming mindsets and maximizing leadership potential.

From her early influences in modern dance to her groundbreaking work with organizations like the BNSF Railroad and Conscious Capitalism, Lori highlights the value of deliberate practice and authentic self-expression. She discusses her vision for the future, including initiatives like the Conscious Leaders Wisdom Circle and Growth Lab, aimed at democratizing transformation and fostering generational impact.

Tune in to discover Lori’s unique perspective on entrepreneurship, her strategies for scaling purpose-driven businesses, and her advice for leaders to invest in their personal development. Whether you're a founder, CEO, or aspiring leader, this episode offers valuable insights to help you expand your awareness and elevate your impact.