The Founder Ride

Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate, but is it also changing what customers expect? In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy Gerber explores how entrepreneurs should rethink their products and services in an AI-driven world. From identifying new opportunities to evolving existing offerings, Randy discusses why business owners need to look beyond simply using AI to improve efficiency and start considering how it can reshape the value they deliver. Discover how to stay competitive, anticipate changing customer needs, and position your business for long-term success without losing the human connection that sets you apart.

What started as a business school project became a recognizable Columbus brand. In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy Gerber welcomes Nate DeMars, founder of Pursuit, a modern suit company that has reimagined the traditional shopping experience through personalized service, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to its community.

Nate's entrepreneurial journey is anything but conventional. From leaving the corporate world to launching a business in an industry where he had little experience, Nate has learned that building something successful requires more than a great idea. It takes adaptability, resilience, and the willingness to rethink your approach when things don't go according to plan.

Through Nate's story, we explore the challenges of growing a business, the importance of building a strong team and authentic brand, and why success isn't always measured by how big your company becomes. It's about creating something meaningful, staying true to your vision, and building a business you genuinely love.

Tune in for an inspiring look at entrepreneurship, leadership, and what it really means to pursue success on your own terms.

What do you do when some people on your team are giving it everything they have and others simply aren’t?

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy explores one of the more frustrating realities of leadership: managing a team when effort isn’t equal. He discusses how founders can recognize the difference between a temporary dip and an ongoing performance problem, address accountability without damaging culture, and avoid allowing their strongest employees to carry the weight for everyone else.

Because leadership isn’t about expecting everyone to work exactly the same way, it’s about setting clear expectations, having the conversations that need to happen, and building a team where everyone understands what it means to contribute.

As your business grows, the leadership team that got you here may not be the team that takes you to the next level. But making changes at the top can be one of the most difficult decisions a founder faces. In this episode, Randy shares how to evaluate leadership objectively, navigate necessary transitions with integrity, and protect the culture that makes your business unique. 

Learn how to make tough leadership decisions in a way that builds trust, strengthens your organization, and positions your company for long-term success.

Building a successful business is only half the equation. Protecting the wealth it creates is an entirely different challenge and one many founders underestimate.

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy explores the common mistakes entrepreneurs make once their business begins generating significant wealth. From keeping too much of their net worth tied up in the business to overlooking tax strategies, estate planning, and risk management, founders often focus so intently on growing their company that they neglect the plan for preserving what they've built.

Tune in as Randy shares practical insights on how business owners can think beyond accumulation, reduce unnecessary risk, and create a strategy that protects both their business and their family's future. Because building wealth is an achievement, but keeping it requires intention.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate, but that doesn't mean every new tool deserves a place in your budget.

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy explores how founders should think about investing in AI without getting caught up in the hype. From identifying where AI can create real value to deciding what it's actually worth to your business, this conversation is about making strategic decisions instead of reactive purchases. If you're wondering how much is enough when it comes to AI spending, this episode will help you build an approach that aligns with your goals, your team, and your bottom line.

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy sits down with Alex Johnson, founder of Mixt Solutions, to discuss what it really takes to build a business around solving meaningful problems. Alex shares the story behind Mixt Solutions, the lessons he learned growing the company, and why understanding your customers' biggest challenges is the foundation of sustainable success.

Together, they explore entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and the mindset required to navigate growth without losing sight of what matters most. Whether you're just starting your business or leading a growing team, this conversation offers practical insights on creating value, building trust, and staying adaptable in an ever-changing marketplace.

Entrepreneurship isn't just a career path, it's a culture. It's a world that celebrates ambition, resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of growth. 

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy explores the culture of entrepreneurship and how it shapes the way founders think, lead, and live. 

Whether you're in the early stages of growth or reflecting on years of business ownership, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the mindset, values, and realities that define the entrepreneurial journey.

Every founder feels it, the pressure to hit this month’s numbers, solve today’s problems, and respond to the latest challenge demanding attention. But the businesses that endure aren't built on short-term reactions. They're built on long-term thinking.

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy explores the tension between immediate demands and strategic vision. He discusses why founders often get trapped optimizing for the next quarter instead of the next decade, how short-term decisions can quietly undermine long-term goals, and what it takes to stay focused on the bigger picture when pressure is mounting.

If you've ever felt pulled between what needs attention today and what will matter most tomorrow, this conversation offers a framework for making decisions that create lasting value, not just temporary relief.

What if getting dressed was about more than just clothes?

In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy sits down with Elizabeth Bean Smith, founder of Wardrobe Therapy, to explore the powerful connection between personal style, confidence, and identity. Elizabeth shares how she built a business around helping people align the way they present themselves with who they truly are, and why wardrobe choices can have a profound impact on both personal and professional success.

The conversation dives into entrepreneurship, building a purpose-driven business, navigating growth, and helping clients show up authentically in every stage of life. Whether you're a founder, leader, or simply someone looking to feel more confident in your own skin, this episode offers valuable insights on the relationship between self-image and success.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, authenticity, and the transformative power of wardrobe therapy.