Founders Future

This episode of "Founders Future" features Jonathan Yancey, the CEO of Yancey Consulting, sharing his entrepreneurial journey and insights. Jonathan discusses his inspiration for starting his own consulting firm, initially offering pro bono services during the COVID-19 pandemic before taking the leap to monetize his business. He highlights the importance of building strong relationships and understanding client needs before pitching services, emphasizing that genuine connections drive value. Jonathan reveals his ambitious goals for the next year, including reaching $1-2 million in revenue and expanding his team. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace failure, stay curious, and constantly challenge themselves to grow beyond their comfort zones. Jonathan's story is a testament to the power of hard work, authentic relationships, and a willingness to take calculated risks in pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors.

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Laura Skinner speaks with Jose Gracia, founder and CEO of Bizmoni, a decentralized AI-powered platform that combines life and business management in a single ecosystem. Jose shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his first venture at age 16 to building Bizmoni, a revolutionary tool designed to enhance efficiency, free up time, and even generate income for its users. 

Jose discusses the challenges of creating a comprehensive AI-powered platform that integrates business tools like accounting, procurement, and advertising with personal life management features. He reflects on the difficulties of building a super app from scratch, balancing the complexity of development with the goal of delivering simplicity and ease of use for users. 

The conversation highlights Bizmoni’s unique ability to centralize scattered workflows and leverage AI to reduce manual tasks, effectively turning routine operations into opportunities for creativity and growth. Jose also explains the importance of AI as a tool for democratizing access to business resources, enabling users to build and manage their businesses more effortlessly. 

Looking ahead, Jose shares Bizmoni’s growth strategy, including launching the beta version for its 15,000-strong waitlist and scaling the platform through phased onboarding. His vision for the future of AI in society underscores the potential for transforming lifestyles and fostering a deeper sense of fulfillment for individuals. 

This episode is a must-listen for innovators, tech enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs eager to understand how AI can revolutionize the way we work and live.

This episode of Founders Future dives into the fascinating journey of Shauna Schuh, founder of Evolving Leadership. Shauna shares her unique path to entrepreneurship, revealing how her passion for communication and leadership blossomed from diverse experiences in fashion, entertainment, and corporate leadership. She emphasizes the importance of finding your "why" as an entrepreneur, showcasing how she prioritized coaching as her core business, despite opportunities for scaling and expanding into other areas. Shauna discusses the challenges of building a coaching business, emphasizing the role of word-of-mouth referrals and the importance of understanding your audience's preferred communication platforms. Looking towards the future, Shauna discusses the impact of AI on the coaching industry and the enduring need for human connection and personalized guidance. This episode offers valuable insights into the evolution of a successful coaching business, highlighting the importance of pursuing your passion, adapting to market trends, and staying true to your core values.

This episode of Founders Future features Kate Visconti, Founder of Five to Flow, a company focused on promoting healthier and happier workforces through a unique approach to flow. Kate shares her personal journey leading to the creation of Five to Flow, explaining how a sudden bout of hypervigilance and burnout at her previous job led to the realization that traditional technology implementations weren't addressing the root cause of employee disengagement.

She introduces the concept of "flow" and its application to the workplace, highlighting the importance of aligning five core elements – People, Culture, Processes, Technology, and Analytics – to achieve a state of focus and productivity. Kate emphasizes that these elements need to be considered holistically, not in isolation, to create a positive and sustainable work environment.

The episode delves into the challenges faced by Five to Flow in conveying this complex concept to a wider audience, discussing the struggle to distill it into a 30-second elevator pitch. Kate reveals the company's focus on leveraging AI to streamline these core elements and reduce distractions, ultimately empowering employees to focus on their critical human skills.

Moving forward, Five to Flow aims to implement measurable outcomes related to employee retention, customer retention, and revenue growth. They envision a future where their AI-powered solutions create a happier, healthier workforce, leading to greater productivity and engagement. Listeners are encouraged to learn more by visiting 5toflow.com and taking the free Wellness Wave diagnostic.

In this episode of "Founders Future," host Elliott Boll welcomes Vernon Fleming, the founder of Southside Consulting, to share his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Vernon recounts the challenges he faced while transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him to pivot his business model. Initially focused on helping traditional businesses enter the cannabis industry, he later recognized the pressing needs of nonprofits struggling with bureaucratic hurdles. This realization led him to establish a for-profit, purpose-driven organization aimed at streamlining nonprofit operations and enhancing community engagement. Throughout the conversation, Vernon emphasizes the importance of community prosperity as a foundation for business success and discusses the duality of operating as a for-profit entity while engaging in nonprofit work. He shares valuable insights on overcoming initial challenges, building trust with clients, and the significance of resilience in entrepreneurship. The episode concludes with Vernon offering motivational advice to fellow founders, highlighting the beauty in struggle and the inevitability of breakthroughs through perseverance.

In this episode of the Founders Future podcast, host Joe Fitzgerald welcomes Steven Morris, founder of Matter Consulting, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his business. Stephen shares insights from his extensive experience in the marketing and branding industry, including the lessons learned from running a successful agency for over two decades before selling it in 2017. He elaborates on the unique approach of Matter Consulting, which integrates brand, culture, and business strategy to create a harmonious and impactful organization. Stephen emphasizes the importance of leadership development and self-awareness in fostering a thriving workplace culture. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the challenges faced in the early days of his consulting business, the significance of testing business concepts in the real world, and the value of content marketing in building relationships with clients. As the episode unfolds, listeners gain valuable perspectives on the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of adaptability, and the pursuit of meaningful impact in business.

In this episode of "Founders Future," host Joe Fitzgerald welcomes Chessa Eskandanian-Yee, co-founder of Advisorey, a full-cycle human capital consulting firm. Chessa shares her unique journey into the world of entrepreneurship, which began at a young age under the guidance of her mother, who is also her co-founder. The conversation delves into the inception of Advisorey, highlighting its focus on talent acquisition, development, and organizational growth for companies of all sizes. Chessa reflects on the challenges faced during the early stages of the business, particularly in the coaching sector, and emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the core mission of building great organizations. As the discussion unfolds, Chessa offers insights into her leadership style, the misconceptions surrounding entrepreneurship, and the marketing strategies that have proven effective for Advisorey. Looking ahead, she expresses a commitment to expansion and innovation within the talent marketplace. The episode concludes with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to take action and seek their first clients rather than getting bogged down in planning. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical insights and a glimpse into the future of Advisorey.

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Joseph Fitzgerald speaks with Shirley W. Chow, founder of Wing Resilience Success Coaching, a practice dedicated to helping individuals develop emotional intelligence, social skills, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving world. Shirley shares her journey from a 30-year career in the performing arts to launching her coaching practice in 2021, inspired by her own challenges with perfectionism, self-doubt, and the desire to create lasting impact. 

Shirley explains how Wing Resilience fills the gaps left by traditional education by teaching vital life skills, such as communication, relationship-building, and grit, to thrive in the AI age. Her work extends beyond coaching sessions, involving collaborations across the globe, from joint seminars to exploring mental wellness initiatives in the metaverse. 

The conversation highlights the transition Shirley made from a successful opera coaching career to life coaching, reflecting on her decision to focus on helping parents as her priority for the next two years. She discusses the challenges of building a new business, including overcoming imposter syndrome, learning marketing, and navigating constantly evolving platforms and tools. 

Looking ahead, Shirley outlines her plans to expand her reach in Southeast Asia and mainland China, using her experiences to refine her offerings and identify her ideal clients. She also shares actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: start showcasing your ideas on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, connect with your audience authentically, and embrace the power of video to build relationships and share your vision. 

This episode offers invaluable insights on personal growth, resilience, and entrepreneurship, making it a must-listen for anyone navigating professional transitions or building a purpose-driven business.

In this episode of "Founders Future," host Laura Skinner welcomes Laurie Carey, the CEO of Nebula Academy, to discuss her inspiring journey in the tech education sector. Laurie shares her unique founding story, which began during her tenure at Microsoft, where she recognized a significant skills gap in the tech industry. This realization led her to create a program aimed at providing essential training for individuals, particularly women and underrepresented groups, to thrive in tech careers. Throughout the conversation, Laurie elaborates on the evolution of Nebula Academy from a nonprofit initiative to a for-profit organization focused on impactful education. She highlights the challenges of cash flow, especially when working with government contracts, and the importance of a solid financial strategy. The episode also delves into Nebula Academy's innovative approach to training, emphasizing the integration of AI and cognitive neuroscience in their teaching methods. Laurie discusses their marketing strategies, including a unique RV tour to increase brand awareness, and the importance of clear messaging in attracting customers. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the significance of adaptability, the power of diversity in tech, and the necessity of leveraging technology to enhance business operations.

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Elliott Boll interviews Cash Riley Jr., CEO of The Machine Agency, a company dedicated to supporting e-commerce sellers by managing their Amazon operations and helping them grow their businesses. Cash shares his inspiring journey from professional baseball to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire for freedom and the opportunity to build something on his own terms. 

Cash explains how The Machine Agency started as a way to fill a gap he experienced firsthand as a seller on Amazon, evolving into a comprehensive service that helps clients strategize, optimize, and scale their e-commerce ventures. He reflects on the challenges of leadership, emphasizing the importance of delegation, building strong teams, and focusing on the core strengths that drive business growth. 

The conversation delves into the realities of entrepreneurship, including overcoming the fear of taking the first step, learning from bad customer experiences, and continuously adapting to industry changes. Cash also discusses the importance of resilience and flexibility in the face of unexpected challenges, such as the impact of natural disasters on e-commerce operations. 

Looking ahead, Cash outlines his plans for 2025, which include doubling down on customer-centric strategies, refining the company’s vision, and expanding their impact within the e-commerce space. He offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: be ready to take calculated risks, align your business with your passions, and stay committed to your vision, even when faced with adversity. 

This episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration for anyone navigating the e-commerce world or considering the leap into entrepreneurship.