In this conversation, Jeff Helfgott, CEO of Boardroom Salon for Men, shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of values-driven leadership, navigating challenges post-COVID, and the success of a membership model in the upscale men's grooming industry. He discusses the strategic shift towards franchising as a growth strategy and outlines his vision for the next three years, focusing on building relationships and investing in franchise partners.

What listeners will learn:

How to turn stated values into visible leadership behaviors that teams actually experience.
Why a win-as-one team mindset is essential for sustainable growth and culture.
Key lessons from the salon industry’s post-COVID challenges and how to reduce churn.
How membership models can dramatically improve retention and stability.
Why strong relationships with your team are the foundation for lowering turnover.
How franchising can unlock entrepreneurial energy while strengthening community impact.
The power of listening to both clients and team members to continuously improve services.

Connect with Jeff via https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhelfgott/

In this conversation, Shauna Sweeney, founder and CEO of TenderCare, shares her journey from working in tech at Facebook to addressing the challenges of elder care. She discusses her personal experiences with caregiving, the transition to entrepreneurship, and the importance of building a mission-driven company. Shawna highlights the challenges faced in the elder care industry, the pivot towards emergency preparedness, and the creation of a community marketplace for caregivers. She also reflects on the impact of AI on entrepreneurship and shares her vision for the future of TenderCare, aiming to revolutionize how families navigate aging and caregiving.

What listeners will learn:

1. How a personal caregiving experience can spark a mission-driven business, inspired by Shawna’s journey into elder care.
2. Why the elder care industry remains fragmented, outdated, and ripe for innovation.
3. The risks and mindset shifts involved in transitioning from a tech career to entrepreneurship.
4. How to build a strong early team by prioritizing cultural alignment and shared purpose.
5. The challenges of developing products in complex, fragmented industries—and how to navigate them.
6. How emergency preparedness and community marketplaces can significantly improve elder care outcomes.
7. Why the future of aging lies in proactive planning, enabled by AI, and rooted in confidence rather than fear.

Connect with Shauna via https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunas/

In this conversation, Dean Dovolis, founder and CEO of DJR Architecture, shares his journey of establishing a successful architecture firm rooted in community development. He discusses the importance of location, innovative approaches to urban agriculture, and the challenges of expanding from a local to a national footprint. Dean emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and the significance of building a self-perpetuating business through effective leadership and succession planning.

What listeners will learn:

How choosing the right neighborhood can play a critical role in a firm’s long-term growth and impact.

Why deep community engagement leads to more innovative, sustainable, and meaningful projects.

The value of learning directly from local communities to overcome challenges in architecture and development.

How trust, respect, and honoring community voices strengthen business relationships and outcomes.

The ways urban agriculture can revitalize neighborhoods while improving access to local food.

How modular construction can help address labor shortages and housing demands.

Why succession planning and multidimensional talent are essential for building a resilient, future-ready firm.

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-dovolis-aia-1731487/

In this conversation, Alex breaks down why effective teams aren’t built by processes alone - but by intentionally mapping the people doing the work. He explains how clear roles, consistent performance, and disciplined structure create efficient systems that still allow for collaboration and flexibility.

What you’ll learn:

Why mapping people is just as important as mapping processes

How individual performance impacts overall system efficiency

The role of structure in helping teams function smoothly

Why mission clarity is essential for alignment and execution

How clearly defined roles improve accountability

The balance between discipline and flexibility in teams

What strong leadership looks like when authority and collaboration coexist

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderallen1/

The conversation delves into strategic planning for business growth, focusing on setting ambitious targets and preparing for leadership transitions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of succession planning and risk management to ensure the company's stability and continuity.

What Listeners Will Learn :

How setting bold, measurable targets—like reaching $130M by 2028—drives organizational focus and momentum.

Why effective strategic planning must include clear timelines and long-term vision.

The importance of preparing for leadership transitions, especially when a founder or key executive plans to retire.

How succession planning strengthens stability by ensuring every top manager has a capable second-in-command.

Ways to de-risk the organization by planning for unexpected leadership gaps at all management levels.

Why leadership development and building a strong bench are essential for sustaining growth.

How company culture evolves when teams are aligned around shared goals and future readiness.

Connect with Mario on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-smith-4475b32a/

In this conversation, Simon Kay, CEO of Jaguar Freight, discusses the challenges and strategies in the logistics industry, particularly in the context of recent global disruptions. He emphasizes the importance of a resilient company culture, customer centricity, and the ability to adapt to changing trade environments. Simon shares insights on learning from setbacks, the significance of technology and AI in enhancing business operations, and his vision for the future of Jaguar Freight.

Takeaways

International trade is crucial but often overlooked.
COVID-19 brought supply chain issues to the forefront.
A strong company culture is essential for success.
Hiring for attitude and training for skill is key.
Listening to customers is vital for business growth.
Problem-solving is a core competency in logistics.
Diversification can strengthen a business after setbacks.
Maintaining strong client relationships ensures longevity.
Technology and AI can enhance operational efficiency.
Planning for the future is essential for sustained growth.

Connect with Simon on https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmkaye/

In this conversation, Peter and Brittni discuss the impact of Medicaid cuts on therapy services and the importance of diversifying offerings to meet community needs. They emphasize the need for creative solutions and maintaining a balance between insurance and self-pay options.

What Listeners Will Learn

* How Medicaid cuts are reshaping the landscape of therapy services
* Why diversifying service offerings is essential for long-term sustainability
* Creative strategies therapists can use to adapt to funding and insurance limitations
* The importance of balancing insurance-based services with a strong self-pay model
* Ways to assess and respond to evolving community needs
* How collaboration with other providers can expand service reach and impact
* Innovative service models that support flexibility and improved client outcomes
* The role of market awareness in building a resilient therapy practice
* How proactive thinking can drive new opportunities in pediatric and community-based therapy

Connect with Brittni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittni-winslow-27414715/

The conversation explores the transformative impact of AI on various industries, particularly focusing on the potential for AI to replace or enhance business operations. It highlights the future of digital marketing in the face of AI advancements and the necessity for companies to adapt or risk obsolescence.

What the audience will learn:
--Growing broke: how fast growth can crush cash flow and what to do about it
--How customer concentrations can kill a deal
--How to avoid the Messiah trap and make your company self-managing
--Why size matters and the problem with small companies that try to raise capital
--The AI Test that all buyers want companies to clear
--The single most valuable move to make 6-12 months before going to market

Connect with Paul on https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljanson/

In this episode of 'On the Entrepreneur's Journey', Peter Santry interviews Elyssa Goldstein, COO of Ram Law, who shares her unique journey from a music background to leading a personal injury law firm. The conversation covers her rise through the ranks, the challenges of operating a contingency-based law firm, the importance of case selection, and her vision for the future of the firm. Alyssa emphasizes the significance of mentoring, client relationships, and strategic growth in the legal industry.
What you will learn from the podcast:
How Elyssa rose from the front desk to the COO seat
The case-selection discipline that fuels growth (and when to say “no”)
Scaling operations and marketing without billable hours or retainers
Building credibility in a partner-led business
Vision and measured growth for the next 3 years

Connect with Alyssa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elyssa-a-goldstein-clm-phr-shrm-cp-2160b640/

In this conversation, the speaker discusses the essential first steps for founders and their leadership teams as they consider their end game. The focus is on defining what the end game means in their terms, exploring various exit strategies, and understanding the different methods of transitioning ownership in a business.

“What Listeners Will Learn”

How to define your endgame and align business, personal, and financial goals.

When to hire an advisor and why early engagement changes outcomes.

How to identify and close the valuation gap (and what buyers really pay for).

The 2–5 year timeline of exit preparation—and how to shorten it.

How strategies differ in growing vs. plateauing vs. declining industries.

Practical levers to future-proof the business and get investable, not just sellable

Get in touch here :

www.primeraventures.com/landing-page/landing-page-nextstep-business-accelerator