Founders Future

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Wayne Dunn, founder of CSR Training Institute, to discuss his inspiring journey in building a company dedicated to aligning business, social, and environmental value. With over 30 years of experience in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, Wayne shares his unique perspective on how businesses can simultaneously drive profit and positive impact. 

Wayne recounts the origins of CSR Training Institute, from his early days negotiating agreements between indigenous communities and mining companies to working with organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. His career has been defined by a commitment to finding innovative ways for businesses to create shared value for their stakeholders, communities, and the environment. 

The conversation explores key challenges Wayne faced as an entrepreneur, including resisting conventional business models in favor of hands-on consulting and problem-solving. He also discusses his decision not to scale his business traditionally but to focus instead on creating meaningful impact through his projects and clients. 

Wayne offers practical advice for entrepreneurs, including his “Ready, Fire, Aim” philosophy, encouraging individuals to take action, learn from mistakes, and refine their approach as they move forward. He also shares insights into the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors for businesses and how customer preferences are increasingly influenced by transparency and impact. 

This episode is packed with lessons on how to build a purpose-driven business, create stakeholder value, and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of sustainability and corporate responsibility.

In this episode of "Founders Future," host Joe Fitzgerald welcomes Stacy Savage, the founder of 0 Waste Strategies, an environmental consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses and institutions reduce waste and implement sustainable practices. Stacy shares her journey from growing up in the oil and gas industry in Southeast Texas to becoming a passionate advocate for environmental justice and sustainability. She discusses the services her company offers, including waste audits, building assessments, and true zero waste facility certification, emphasizing the financial and environmental benefits of waste reduction. Stacy reflects on her transition from employee to entrepreneur, highlighting the mindset shift required to value her expertise appropriately. The conversation also touches on the importance of social media in acquiring clients and the goal of changing the way businesses operate to view waste as a valuable resource. Stacy encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to educate themselves and engage with her for guidance, particularly emphasizing the need for more women in the waste management sector. This inspiring episode showcases Stacy's commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and empowering others to join the movement toward sustainability.

In this episode of "Founders Future," host Laura Skinner engages in an insightful conversation with Tim Fullerton, the CEO of Fullerton Strategies, a digital marketing agency he founded in March 2023. Tim shares his unique journey, highlighting over 20 years of experience in both political and business marketing, including his role in President Obama's first campaign and his tenure at WeWork. He discusses the dual nature of his agency, which offers fractional CMO services and creative marketing solutions, catering to smaller and mid-sized companies. Tim reflects on the challenges of establishing a go-to-market strategy, revealing that most of his initial business came from organic leads on LinkedIn. As he looks to scale, he emphasizes the importance of diversifying client acquisition methods, including content creation and outbound efforts, while maintaining a focus on sustainable growth. The episode delves into the intricacies of marketing, the need for specialized roles, and the balance between personal and professional life as an entrepreneur. Tim's passion for helping businesses navigate their marketing challenges shines through, making this episode a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and marketers alike.

In this insightful episode of Founders, Future, host Joe Fitzgerald sits down with Mike Schindler, co-founder of Vuca Max, to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative principles driving his leadership development company.

Mike shares the origin of the term "VUCA" (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) and how he and his team have transformed it into a guiding framework for leadership in the modern era, focusing on its positive counterpart: Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Adaptability. From his early work in the military and film industry to the creation of Vuca Max, Mike discusses the challenges of launching the company, adapting to the rapid rise of AI, and helping leaders and organizations navigate today's complex and fast-evolving marketplace.

Key highlights include:

1. The story behind Vuca Max and how it transitioned from a documentary project into a global leadership development company.
2. Insights on leveraging AI as a tool for efficiency, while maintaining a human-centric approach to leadership.
3. Mike's strategies for balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with personal priorities.
4. The launch of the Rise of Humanist podcast, aimed at addressing how humans can thrive in a rapidly transforming, AI-driven world.
5. Mike’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: embrace discipline and curiosity to overcome challenges and succeed.

Listeners will leave inspired by Mike’s vision for helping individuals and organizations rediscover what it means to be human in an increasingly digital and automated world.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Joe Fitzgerald welcomes Kedeisha Bryan, the founder of Data in Motion, a transformative organization dedicated to helping career changers launch six-figure careers in data analytics without the need for traditional schooling. Kedeisha shares her inspiring journey from being a college dropout and Navy veteran to successfully pivoting into the tech industry.

Listeners will learn about the challenges Kedeisha faced while transitioning from military life to civilian employment, including the misconceptions she had about job opportunities and corporate culture. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey, the importance of validating business ideas, and the strategies she employed to build her brand and community on LinkedIn.

Kedeisha also highlights the significance of webinars and video content in attracting clients, while candidly addressing the challenges of running ads and the limitations of relying solely on social media for customer acquisition. As she outlines her goals for scaling Data in Motion to a million-dollar business, Kedeisha emphasizes the need for consistent cash flow and the importance of finding unique ways to stand out in a competitive market.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to make a career change or start their own business. Kedeisha's advice on quickly validating ideas and identifying market gaps serves as a motivating call to action for anyone on the fence about launching their entrepreneurial journey. Tune in to discover how Kedeisha Bryan is making a difference in the lives of others and paving the way for future career changers in tech.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Joe Fitzgerald sits down with Isabelle Bart, the founder of Impact Innovator, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping individuals and startups unlock their potential and create meaningful impact in the world. Isabelle shares her personal journey of transformation, detailing her transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire for greater fulfillment and purpose.

Listeners will gain insight into Isabelle's experiences of feeling "stuck" in a seemingly successful career and how a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis in 2020 propelled her to pursue her true passions. She discusses the importance of aligning personal values with professional endeavors and how her upbringing in a community-focused culture shaped her entrepreneurial spirit.

Isabelle elaborates on her dual role as a coach for individuals seeking to make significant life changes and as a consultant for early-stage startups addressing pressing global challenges, particularly in climate and social impact. She emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to happiness, where personal and professional lives are interconnected.

Throughout the episode, Isabelle offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the importance of patience, building a support network, and the benefits of starting small while maintaining a steady income. She also reflects on the evolving landscape of work post-COVID and the cultural shift towards seeking meaningful careers.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that encourages listeners to embrace their entrepreneurial calling, take risks, and pursue their passions with confidence. Isabelle Bart's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact one can have when they align their work with their values.

In this episode of Founders Future, host Laura Skinner sits down with Jeff Hassemer, co-founder of Firestarter Marketing, to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative solutions his company offers to small businesses. With over 30 years of experience in the software and marketing technology space, Jeff shares valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs he has faced throughout his career.

Jeff recounts his early experiences in the marketing technology industry, highlighting how he witnessed the evolution of digital marketing from its inception. He discusses the inspiration behind Firestarter Marketing, which arose from his desire to help small business owners who often struggle with complex marketing strategies. Jeff reveals how he automated the marketing process for a friend’s business, leading him to realize the vast potential in providing accessible marketing solutions for the 30 million small businesses in the U.S.

Listeners will learn about Firestarter Marketing's unique "push button marketing" approach, which simplifies the marketing process for solo entrepreneurs. Jeff explains how the platform generates comprehensive marketing plans, including social media content, email campaigns, and local search engine optimization, allowing business owners to focus on their passions rather than the intricacies of marketing.

Throughout the episode, Jeff emphasizes the importance of building a strong network and leveraging partnerships to reach a broader audience. He shares his vision for the future of Firestarter Marketing, including plans for affiliate marketing and community building to support small business owners.

Join us for an engaging conversation that highlights the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship. Jeff Hassemer's insights will inspire listeners to embrace innovative solutions in their own businesses and empower them to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of marketing.

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Laura Skinner interviews Erik Lien, founder and CEO of C2, a groundbreaking platform specializing in orchestration solutions for robotic process automation (RPA). Erik shares his journey from a business development professional to launching C2, inspired by the need to solve scalability challenges in RPA implementations. 

C2 addresses the weaknesses of traditional RPA systems, offering a robust orchestration solution that enables businesses to optimize automation processes across their operations. Erik discusses how C2 has evolved since its founding in 2019, scaling from a local consulting business to a global company with 52 team members across 13 countries. 

The conversation highlights key lessons from C2’s growth journey, including overcoming pricing missteps, navigating procurement processes, and adopting a land-and-expand strategy to maximize customer value. Erik shares insights into the company’s go-to-market strategy, which includes leveraging partnerships, industry events, and direct outreach while building a community around automation orchestration. 

Erik also offers advice for founders, emphasizing the importance of acting decisively, learning from mistakes, and trusting one’s instincts. His reflections on the entrepreneurial process provide invaluable lessons for anyone building or scaling a SaaS business. 

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and professionals in automation, SaaS, and business innovation, offering actionable insights and inspiration for navigating the challenges of building a high-growth startup.

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Joseph Fitzgerald sits down with Diana Stepner, co-founder of Product Gold, a company dedicated to empowering product teams and leaders through coaching and training. Diana shares her entrepreneurial journey, leveraging years of experience as a product leader at startups and global organizations to create a platform that upskills product teams and helps them succeed in a fast-paced business environment. 

Diana reflects on the challenges of transitioning from corporate roles to launching her own business, including the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. She emphasizes the need for structure, prioritization, and intentionality in running a startup, lessons drawn from her product management expertise. 

The conversation delves into Product Gold’s mission to partner with companies rather than replace their internal teams. Diana explains how her company tailors its coaching and consulting services to meet clients where they are, fostering authentic growth and development. She also shares insights on navigating industry challenges, such as the rise of AI, and the enduring importance of human connection and empathy in business. 

Listeners will gain actionable advice on starting a business, including the importance of testing ideas before committing fully and using weekends or evenings to validate concepts. Diana’s pragmatic and inspiring approach makes this episode a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and product leaders alike.

In this episode of *Founders Future*, host Laura Skinner sits down with Richard Palmer, founder and CEO of Palmer and Co., to discuss his incredible journey from engineer and inventor to building an innovative brand powered by storytelling and ingenuity. 

Richard shares the fascinating backstory of his most notable invention, a revolutionary material with transformative properties. Initially developed while experimenting with dilatants (materials that change their viscosity under stress), Richard created a polymer that is flexible under normal conditions but hardens upon impact—ideal for applications such as protective gear. Despite its technical brilliance, Richard quickly realized the key to success wasn’t just the product itself but the story behind it. 

Richard recounts the challenges of transitioning from inventor to entrepreneur, from struggling to license his material to creating a brand that resonated with consumers. Through strategic branding and creating a narrative that showcased the material’s “magic,” he built D3O into a globally recognized product, used by brands like The North Face and Scott Sports. 

The conversation also explores Richard’s insights on building a strong brand, the power of storytelling, and the value of embracing unconventional ideas. He shares lessons from his post-D3O ventures, including his work in innovation consulting and his latest project—a groundbreaking invention in the coffee industry. 

This episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice for inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators looking to turn ideas into impactful businesses.