The Start, Scale & Succeed Podcast

In this eye-opening episode, Alexis Sikorsky, Owner of Sikorsky Consulting Ltd, shares how to prepare for a strong private equity exit in stage 5. If you worry about leaving money on the table, fear private equity as the enemy, or feel stuck in growth and decision fatigue, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why private equity is your friend, not your enemy, when you understand how they actually value and buy companies

- How to reverse due diligence on PE firms to avoid bad partners and fish-and-chip tactics

- What assessment and preparation steps dramatically improve your valuation and exit outcome

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Alexis Sikorsky is a strategic advisor to founders who are serious about scaling fast and exiting strong. With a nine-figure private equity exit under his belt, Alexis isn’t speaking from theory—he’s lived the entrepreneurial highs and lows across decades of company building, boardroom negotiation, and international leadership. His flagship book, Cashing Out, lays out the APEX methodology, a four-part framework (Assess, Plan, Execute, Exit) that demystifies the journey to private equity for founders feeling stuck or overwhelmed by growth and decision fatigue.

Want to learn more about Alexis Sikorsky's work at Sikorsky Consulting Ltd? Check out his website at https://www.asikorsky.com/

Connect with Alexis through his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-sikorsky-consulting

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this powerful episode, Chip Scholz, Founder and Owner of Scholz and Associates Inc., shares how stage 5 CEOs must lead transformation or risk managing decline. If you feel worn out, stuck maintaining success, or tempted to coast in your current comfort zone, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why staying in neutral as CEO inevitably leads to stagnation or demise

- How to shift from doing everything yourself to building a people-first, performance-driven culture

- What small intentional decisions create the clarity and energy needed for the next level

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Today’s guest is Chip Scholz — executive coach, storyteller, and author. His fourth book, Small Decisions, Big Shifts: Navigating Life On Your Terms, was released on October 2. His next book, Every Dog Has Its Day, will be released in March 2026, and he is currently working on Handoffs, due out in early 2027. For decades, Chip has helped leaders cut through complexity, find real clarity, and make the small, intentional choices that create massive change. He’s known for turning big ideas into practical moves you can use right away—and for reminding us that the life we want is built one small decision at a time.

Want to learn more about Chip Scholz's work at Scholz and Associates Inc? Check out his website at https://scholzandassociates.com/

Connect with Chip through his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipscholz/

Get his book Every Dog has Its Day on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Every-Dog-Has-Its-Day/dp/1612063993/ and on BN at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-dog-has-its-day-chip-scholz/1149675072

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this verified episode, Sophia Matveeva, Founder and CEO of Tech for Non-Techies, shares how to turn your idea into a validated product without coding in stage 1. If you struggle with shiny ideas that never launch or fear wasting time and money on unproven concepts, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why validating demand matters far more than learning to code or building the perfect product

- How to quickly test your idea with a simple AI mockup and real target users

- What to do when feedback shows your idea won’t work so you can move on fast

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 1 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Sophia Matveeva helps smart people without engineering backgrounds build, lead, and grow tech-enabled businesses. She is the founder and CEO of Tech for Non-Techies, an education company trusted by Oxford University, Techstars, Tamkeen, and global brands such as the Royal Bank of Canada. Through executive education, advisory, and workforce transformation programs, Sophia equips organizations to scale innovation, upskill non-technical leaders, and drive success in the AI economy. The Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes have featured her work, and she has delivered programs at Oxford University, London Business School, and Chicago Booth.

Want to learn more about Sophia Matveeva's work at Tech for Non-Techies? Check out her website at https://www.techfornontechies.co/

Connect with Sophia through her LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-matveeva-556365a/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this strategic episode, Saul Cohen, Partner / CEO of The Expert Eye, shares how to shift from operator to investor mindset for long-term freedom. If you struggle with feeling stuck in daily operations despite success in stage 5, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why your identity as an operator must evolve before you can thrive as an investor.

- How to assess your business monthly like an external investor to gain fresh perspective.

- What team additions (beyond C-suite) help you think in portfolios instead of one business.

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Saul Cohen is an experienced accountant and acquisitions advisor with a career spanning PwC and leadership roles at The Expert Eye. He helps established entrepreneurs transition from business operators to investors by providing strategic financial guidance, including tax planning, acquisitions, and business exits. Saul primarily works with business owners earning £1M+ annually, helping them optimize their wealth, plan successful exits, and achieve long-term financial freedom. He combines technical expertise with practical strategies to empower entrepreneurs to build lasting value, reclaim their time, and create a meaningful legacy.

Want to learn more about Saul Cohen's work at The Expert Eye? Check out his website at https://theexperteye.co.uk/

Connect with Saul through his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cohensaul/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this actionable episode, Shad Tidler, Sales and Leadership/Management at Lushin, Inc., shares how to build repeatable sales systems that scale without founder dependency. If you struggle with inconsistent revenue and every deal requiring your personal involvement in stage 3, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why founder-led selling creates an invisible ceiling that stalls predictable growth.

- How to document and systemize your winning sales process into trainable steps

- What simple scripts and cadences turn average reps into consistent closers fast

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 3 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Shad Tidler has been a seasoned member of the Lushin sales team since 2014. He combines his extensive global business expertise with the disciplined mindset of an Ironman triathlete. As a leading sales transformation consultant, he is known for crafting scalable strategies and processes tailored to client success. Shad's structured approach instills a sense of calm in clients, guiding them past immediate challenges and toward their goals.

Want to learn more about Shad Tidler's work at Lushin, Inc.? Check out his website at https://www.lushin.com/

Connect with Shad through his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadtidler/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this transformative episode, Joe Patneaude, Owner of JP Coaching, shares how to break through the silent ceiling and scale without chaos in stage 2. If you struggle with growth stalling despite effort and feeling trapped doing everything yourself, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why founder heroics create invisible ceilings that block sustainable scaling.

- How to shift from operator to leader by building repeatable systems early.

- What mindset and structure changes turn daily firefighting into strategic freedom.

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Joe Patneaude is an executive coach and business scalability strategist who helps founders break through the “silent ceiling” that stalls growth after early success. With more than 25 years in financial services, Joe built his career from the mailroom to the C-suite, serving as Director of Technology, COO, and Chief Compliance Officer before building and selling multiple businesses of his own. He is the creator of the STAR Scalability℠ Method. This framework aligns Strategy, Team, Assets, and Rewards to eliminate operational drag and help leaders reclaim time, restore clarity, and scale with confidence.

Want to learn more about Joe Patneaude's work at JP Coaching? Check out his website at https://jpcoachingnow.com/

Connect with Joe through his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepatneaude/

Follow him on his Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jpcoachingnow

Follow him on his Facebook at https://www.instagram.com/star_scalability_expert/

Check out his YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@JPCoachingNow

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this uniform episode, Todd Schuchart, Founder of Razor Ridge Leads, shares how to master consistent lead generation and sales without burning out in stage 2. If you struggle with feast-or-famine revenue and relying on referrals alone, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- How to build repeatable outbound systems that fill your pipeline predictably

- Why consistent daily prospecting beats sporadic "big swings" every time

- What simple scripts and follow-up cadences turn cold outreach into warm conversations

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 2 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Todd Schuchart is an expert in life insurance sales and lead generation, leading Razor Ridge Leads. With a deep understanding of the industry, he focuses on developing innovative solutions for agents, including conversational sales training and AI-driven CRM tools, to help life insurance professionals streamline their processes, improve client connections, and boost conversions. Todd is known for his commitment to simplifying the sales process, his levity to everyday situations, and his agent-first approach, creating high-quality resources that empower agents to succeed in a competitive market.

Want to learn more about Todd Schuchart's work at Razor Ridge Leads? Check out his website at https://razorridge.com/

Connect with Todd through his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddcharles/

Check out his Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/razorridgeleads

Check out his other work at Sales Chowder at https://saleschowder.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this Encouraging episode, Weronika Sobolak, Owner of Weronika Sobolak Consulting, shares how to evolve from overwhelmed operator to strategic CEO in stage 5. If you struggle with constant firefighting, team dependency on you, and stalled personal freedom, you won't want to miss it

You will discover:

- Why over-involvement in operations kills strategic thinking and growth.

- How to systematically hand off day-to-day decisions to trusted leaders

- What mindset and structure shifts create true CEO-level leverage

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Weronika Sobolak is a Certified Executive and Life Coach and a former global executive from Facebook/Meta. She brings 18 years of international experience and a foundation in high-stakes global operations to her practice. During her 13-year tenure at Meta, she managed initiatives driving over $0.5 Billion in revenue while leading strategic partnerships and operations across 30+ countries. Weronika translates this deep operational expertise—honed while living across three continents and teaching at Fordham University's School of Business—into actionable strategies for her clients. Weronika is helping leaders, founders, and teams navigate change and transition.

Want to learn more about Weronika Sobolak's work at Weronika Sobolak Consulting? Check out her website at https://www.weronikasobolak.com/

Connect with Weronika through her LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/weronikasobolak/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this eye-opening episode, Dylan Bost, Co-Founder and CEO of Sunny HQ LLC, shares how to break free from the disillusioned leader trap and reclaim personal profitability. If you struggle with growing revenue but shrinking take-home pay and constant burnout in stage 4, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why owner compensation often gets sacrificed first during scaling.

- How to structure pay so the business rewards you, not just employees.

- What mindset and systems shift profit from the company to your life.

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

Dylan Bost is a designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Sunny HQ, a fully managed WordPress hosting and support company serving B2B brands, agencies, and service-based businesses. With over 30 years of experience in design, systems, and digital operations, Dylan has led teams, built companies, and helped hundreds of founders simplify and scale their backend operations. His first business, a creative agency, taught him the hard way what happens when growth outpaces clarity. After a complete reset, he built Sunny HQ around simplicity, service, and sustainable systems.

Want to learn more about Dylan Bost's work at Sunny HQ LLC? Check out his website at https://sunnyhq.io/

Connect with Dylan:

Website: https://dylanclaytonbost.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanbost/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DylanClaytonBost

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanclaytonbost/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz

In this empowering episode, Daria Rudnik, Team Architect and Owner of Daria Rudnik Coaching & Consulting, shares how to shift from founder-led decisions to empowered team ownership in stage 4. If you struggle with being the bottleneck in leadership meetings and slow decisions, you won't want to miss it.

You will discover:

- Why constant founder input kills team confidence and slows scaling.

- How to create psychological safety so your team speaks up first

- What structured questions train leaders to own outcomes independently

This episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quiz

With a proven track record of guiding leaders and teams through global challenges, Daria Rudnik is a Team Architect and Executive Leadership Coach. She is a former Chief People Officer and ex-Deloitte professional, bringing over 15 years of international executive experience in tech and telecom. Throughout her career, she has helped leaders from fast-growing startups navigate global financial crises, wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Daria supports busy leaders in building high-performing teams. Her approach blends team and leadership coaching, organizational consulting, and assessments. She also developed an AI-powered coaching tool to further enhance her clients' success.

Want to learn more about Daria Rudnik's work at Daria Rudnik Coaching & Consulting? Check out her website at https://dariarudnik.com/

You can get her book Clicking at https://www.amazon.com/CLICKING-Building-Strategy-Overloaded-Stronger/dp/1968318054

Connect with Daria through her LnkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariarudnik/

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz Today

If you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.

Founder's Quiz