Future-Proofed

Jason Reid, a serial entrepreneur and mental health advocate, shares his incredible journey from starting as a house painter to running multiple successful companies. In this episode of the Future-Proofed Podcast, he reveals the power of relationships, the importance of investing in people, and his mission to improve mental health through his foundation, TellMyStory.org. Learn why he believes AI could "steal the soul" of the next generation and how he balances business, creativity, and personal well-being.

⏱Timestamps
00:01 – Introduction to Jason Reid’s diverse entrepreneurial background
02:33 – The philosophy of "builder of people" and long-term partnerships
07:16 – Brutal honesty in CEO coaching: "Sell your business if you hate it"
13:51 – Mental health advocacy after losing his son to suicide (TellMyStory.org)
19:35 – How AI threatens creativity and critical thinking in younger generations
31:30 – The dark side of AI: Job displacement and loss of purpose
35:13 – Creative projects: Documentaries, music, and Ghost Town USA
42:24 – Advice for founders: "Protect your culture, sleep, and invest in relationships"

Connect with Jason Reid:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrreid/
🌐 Website: http://empireworks.com/, http://collegeworks.com/

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#Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #Leadership #AIImpact #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #TellMyStory #FutureProofedPodcast

https://valeogrowth.com/

In this inspiring episode, host Brent Miller sits down with Matt Kolmes, CEO of Supreme Corporation, to unravel a powerful story of transformation, legacy, and innovation in the textile industry.

⏱Timestamps
00:01 – Introduction
00:28 – Matt’s unconventional career path
01:28 – Transition from law to textiles
06:18 – Mentorship under Jim Threlkeld and textile fundamentals
10:33 – Ballistic fabric innovation for military use
18:14 – Solving Oakley’s board shorts drying challenge
23:45 – Yarns that heal: Nanoparticle breakthroughs
31:37 – Conductive yarns and Volt AI’s NASA collaboration
41:20 – Leveraging ChatGPT for business innovation
45:04 – Lessons from failures and the power of passion

Inspired by Matt’s story? Connect with Supreme Corporation to explore their cutting-edge textile solutions:
🌐  Company  Website: supremecorporation.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kolmes-52419b48/

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast
📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

💬 Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

#TextileInnovation #FutureOfFabric #EntrepreneurJourney #WearableTech #STEM #StartupSuccess #HealingTextiles #AIInBusiness #NASAtech #PassionToProfit

https://valeogrowth.com/

Kimmy Powell, the visionary behind Woodhouse Spas and a thriving industrial flooring business, reveals how she scales two radically different companies with the same strategic mindset. From leveraging AI to fill empty spa slots to automating construction estimates, she shares how technology drives profitability in unexpected ways. Plus: Her "build-to-sell" philosophy and why she’s betting big on wellness and "boring" businesses.

⏱Timestamps
00:27 – From teenage coder to multi-industry CEO
03:58 – The surprising similarities between spas and flooring businesses
08:07 – AI’s role: Booking massages vs. grinding floors (and why both need automation)
15:00 – Robotic masseuses? Why she’s cautious about cutting-edge tech
23:30 – Her book A Passion and Purpose Project: Designing Your Life Backward
33:18 – Magic wand growth hack: “Fill slow days, optimize busy ones”

Want Kimmy’s strategies for balancing multiple businesses? Grab her book A Passion and Purpose Project at KimmyKPowell.com and follow her @KimmyKPowell for entrepreneurial insights.

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🎥✨Watch now! 🔗Link in the comments below 👇

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

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📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

#DualEntrepreneur #SpaBusiness #ConstructionTech #AIForGrowth #BusinessStrategy #WomenInBusiness #FutureProofPodcast

https://valeogrowth.com/

Discover how Free Form Fibers is revolutionizing aerospace, defense, and nuclear energy with cutting-edge ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). CEO Shay Harrison shares insights on their unique laser-driven chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) technology, the journey from R&D to commercialization, and their mission to replace metals with lighter, higher-performance materials. Learn why their fibers are unmatched in the industry—and how they’re solving critical challenges, from jet engines to nuclear safety.

⏱Timestamps
00:01 – Introduction to Shay Harrison and Free Form Fibers
02:19 – The evolution of LCVD technology and company origins
06:09 – How CMCs outperform metals in high-stress applications
13:38 – Free Form Fibers’ exclusive silicon nitride fiber (the only one in the world!)
19:46 – Real-world impact: Preventing nuclear accidents like Fukushima
22:28 – Weight savings and fuel efficiency in aviation
26:24 – AI’s role in scaling manufacturing efficiency

🔗 Connect with Shay Harrison!
🌐 Website: fffibers.com 
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shay-harrison-9153268

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🎥✨Watch now! 🔗Link in the comments below 👇

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

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📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller


#AdvancedMaterials #AerospaceTech #NuclearSafety #Innovation #CeramicComposites #FutureOfManufacturing #Engineering #FreeformFibers #CMCs #TechPodcast

https://valeogrowth.com/

Tom Rauen, CEO of 1-800-T-Shirts.com, shares how he transformed a basement side hustle into a thriving apparel business serving everyone from Little Leagues to Fortune 500s. 

Discover how Tom:
✅ Achieves 20% year-over-year growth for 20+ years
✅ Partners with mega-brands like Carhartt and North Face for co-branded apparel
✅ Leverages AI for mockups, sales analytics, and decision-making
✅ Navigates print-on-demand and "Amazon Effect" challenges
✅ Plans to automate production while keeping the human touch


⏱Timestamps
00:00 - From Basement Beginnings to 20% YOY Growth
05:18 - Game-Changer: Partnering with Carhartt & North Face
11:07 - The "Amazon Effect" & Print-on-Demand Revolution
14:00 - AI in Apparel: Mockups, Data & Emotional-Free Decisions
17:46 - Future Trends: Automation & Talent Crunch Solutions
20:15 - Tom’s AI "Second Brain" for Business Strategy
22:45 - Magic Wand: Solving the #1 Growth Challenge (Staffing!)

A must-watch for e-commerce founders, apparel entrepreneurs, and anyone scaling a product business!

Visit 1-800-T-Shirts.com
Call 1-800-T-SHIRTS
Follow on social: @1800TShirts

💡 "AI is my emotion-free 'second brain' for business decisions." — Tom Rauen

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🎥✨Watch now! 🔗Link in the comments below 👇

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

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📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

#EcommerceGrowth #CustomApparel #PrintOnDemand #AIForBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #1800TShirts #BusinessScaling #AmazonEffect #DTCTrends

https://valeogrowth.com/

Lonnie Schwimmer, serial entrepreneur and founder of Nootie, shares his journey from selling fireworks as a kid to revolutionizing pet care with vet-inspired shampoos, supplements, and Koha Pet Food. Learn how Nootie's solution-based products address real pet health issues, why Lonnie champions local pet stores over e-commerce, and how AI helps scale this purpose-driven brand. Packed with customer success stories and industry insights—perfect for pet lovers, founders, and retail innovators!

⏱Timestamps
00:00 - Intro & Lonnie’s Unconventional Entrepreneurial Beginnings
05:18 - The Birth of Nootie: How a Dog Shampoo Sparked a Business
07:01 - Why Pet Stores Are the Heart of Nootie’s Strategy
12:24 - Industry Predictions: Pet Retail Shakeups & DTC Challenges
17:42 - AI’s Role in Scaling Nootie’s Marketing & Operations
23:22 - Customer Success Stories: Transforming Pets’ Lives
25:46 - Lonnie’s Magic Wand: Educating Store Teams for Growth

🐾 Try Nootie’s Products:
Shop at Nootie.com (vet-quality shampoos & supplements)
Explore KohaPet.com (limited-ingredient pet food)
📍 Support Local Pet Stores: Use Nootie’s Store Locator to find retailers near you!
💡 "People don’t just buy products—they buy solutions that work." — Lonnie Schwimmer

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update!

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

💬 Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

#PetCare #Entrepreneurship #PetHealth #Nootie #KohaPetFood #RetailStrategy #SmallBusiness #FutureProof #BrandStory

https://valeogrowth.com/

Ron Kamen, founder of EarthKind Energy Consulting, shares how his company is revolutionizing energy efficiency with solar, geothermal, and AI-driven solutions. From slashing costs for businesses to pioneering sustainable community initiatives, discover how cleantech can deliver positive ROI while saving the planet. Perfect for entrepreneurs, developers, and eco-conscious leaders!

⏱Timestamps
00:00 - Intro & Ron’s Journey from Accounting to Clean Energy
05:18 - EarthKind’s Origin: From Starfire to Sustainable Consulting
08:07 - Case Study: How a Developer Achieved 40% ROI with Solar + Heat Pumps
12:24 - Geothermal vs. Air Source Heat Pumps: Efficiency Explained
19:00 - Vision for the Future: 100% Clean Energy Communities
25:01 - AI’s Role in Scaling Energy Solutions & Streamlining Projects
30:28 - Westchester’s Lighthouse Initiative: A Model for Sustainable Cities
33:38 - Ron’s Magic Wand: Scaling EarthKind’s Impact

Ready to cut costs and carbon with clean energy?

Explore EarthKind’s Services: 🌐 http://www.earthkindenergy.com/
Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronkamen/
Join the Clean Energy Movement: Attend Westchester’s upcoming conference (details on EarthKind’s site)!

"The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use—and the cleanest is the energy you create yourself." — Ron Kamen

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

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📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

#CleanEnergy #SolarPower #Geothermal #AIforGood #Sustainability #ClimateTech #EarthKindEnergy #FutureProof #GreenBusiness #ROI

https://valeogrowth.com/

Discover how Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO of Agritecture, is transforming agriculture with AI, IoT, and urban farming solutions. From helping global farmers adapt to climate change to launching the world’s first farm-planning software, learn how his consultancy bridges tech and sustainability. Whether you're in agtech or just curious about the future of food, this episode is packed with insights!

00:00 - Intro & Henry’s Founder Journey
02:20 - How Agritecture Evolved from Blog to Global Consultancy
05:18 - AI & IoT in Farming: The Hops Project Case Study
09:02 - Measuring Impact: Farms Saved & Lessons Learned
13:45 - Scaling with Software: Introducing Agritecture Designer
19:31 - The Role of AI & Automation in Agriculture’s Future
25:28 - Pivoting After Industry Downturns & Future Goals
28:32 - Henry’s AI Tips for Founders & Content Creation

Ready to plan your own farm or explore Agritecture tools?
Free Farm-Planning Software: design.agritexture.com (Use code PLANYOURFARM for free access)
Follow Henry’s global farm tours on Instagram: @theagritecht
Subscribe to his LinkedIn newsletter: The Agritecht Chronicles
For consulting inquiries, visit: agritexture.com

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🎥✨Watch now! 🔗Link in the comments below 👇

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

💬 Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

#AgTech #UrbanFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FutureOfFood #AIinFarming #SustainableAgriculture #Agritecture #FarmTech #VerticalFarming #Entrepreneurship

https://valeogrowth.com/

Joseph Cufari, CEO of MONARC Holdings, Inc., shares his journey from pioneering cellular technology to revolutionizing material science with energy-dispersing armor. Discover how MONARC’s US-made innovations protect military personnel and athletes, the role of AI in accelerating product development, and the future of lightweight, adaptive safety solutions. Learn how MONARC balances lethality and safety across defense, law enforcement, and sports industries.

⏱ Timestamps
00:01 – Introduction to MONARC Holdings and Joseph’s career evolution
02:19 – MONARC Holdings' focus on material science and hidden injuries in armor
09:11 – Transition to sports applications (e.g., NFL safety pads)
13:45 – Impact of AI on product innovation and feedback loops
20:10 – Future trends: Global expansion and multi-industry safety solutions
27:53 – Leadership insights: AI as a CEO tool for continuous learning

Connect with Joseph Cufari and MONARC Holdings:
🌐 Website: https://monarcgroup.net/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-cufari-4307592/

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🎥✨

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

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📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

#MaterialScience #DefenseTech #AIInnovation #FutureProofPodcast #MilitarySafety #SportsTech #USManufacturing #CEOInsights #EnergyDispersion #StartupJourney

https://valeogrowth.com/

What makes a startup truly investable? In this episode, venture capitalist and author Fred Haney shares insider insights into how venture capitalists (VCs) think, what they look for in founders, and the key ingredients to startup success. Whether you're an entrepreneur or just fascinated by the world of venture capital, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

🎙️ Topics Covered:
🔹 The biggest myths about venture capital
🔹 What investors really want to see in a startup
🔹 Common mistakes founders make when pitching
🔹 How to assemble a winning startup team
🔹 Fred Haney's personal experiences in the VC world

⏳ Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
02:15 – Fred Haney’s background and journey into venture capital
07:30 – The startup traits that attract investors
15:45 – What founders misunderstand about VC funding
22:10 – How to pitch like a pro
30:25 – The role of team dynamics in startup success
38:40 – Fred Haney’s biggest lessons from investing

📘 Get Fred’s Book: The Fundable Startup
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredhaney/
💡 Join Monday Club: Submit your deck at fredhaney.com/monday-club

🔔  Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🎥✨

📌 Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@FutureProofedPodcast

💬 Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

📲 Follow me on social media: www.linkedin.com/in/brentmuller

https://valeogrowth.com/