Founders Future Podcast | Powered by Closers.io Join us on a journey through the world of entrepreneurship and business growth with the Founders Future podcast, powered by Closers.io. Each episode features an in-depth, one-on-one interview with a visionary founder, exploring their unique path to success and strategies for future expansion. What to Expect In each 25-minute episode, we dive deep into two key areas: 1. The Founding Journey (10-12 minutes) - Discover the inspiration behind groun ...
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1
AI Strategy & Governance: A Blueprint for Businesses
28:22
28:22
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28:22In this episode of Founders, Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Dr. Seth Dobrin, founder and CEO of Qantm AI, a pioneering advisory firm specializing in AI strategy and governance. With a distinguished career spanning molecular biology, Monsanto’s digital transformation, and serving as IBM’s first Global Chief AI Officer, Dr. Dobrin shares his i…
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The Decision-First Blueprint for Startup Survival
23:35
23:35
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23:35In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Jeff Hulett, Founder & President of Personal Finance Reimagined (PFR), who’s bridging the gap between institutional decision-making and everyday financial literacy. A behavioral economist with 30+ years in banking and risk management, Jeff reveals how PFR’s unique "decision-f…
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1
The Human Side of AI Adoption: A Consultant’s Playbook
23:21
23:21
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23:21In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Sabrina Amjad, Founder of Vanbri Consulting, a boutique firm helping organizations navigate digital transformation through human-centric strategy and AI adoption. A former Deloitte and EY consultant with global experience across 5 continents, Sabrina shares how her journey—fr…
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From Tattoos to Tech: The Creative Journey of Defiant Media’s Founder
22:24
22:24
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22:24In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Jason Patison, founder and CEO of Defiant Media, a full-service marketing agency blending creativity and technology to deliver transformative marketing solutions. Jason shares his journey from tattoo artist to television network executive and finally to entrepreneur, detailing how hi…
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1
AI vs. Cyber Threats: How Paxion’s GenAI Tools Are Changing the Game
24:14
24:14
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24:14In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Ed Jalinsky, founder of Paxion Cybersecurity, shares his mission to democratize cybersecurity through consulting, education, and AI-driven SaaS solutions. Inspired by personal experiences—from 9/11 to a family member’s devastating online scam—Ed reveals how Paxion’s three revenue channels (co…
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1
Why Your Brand’s Message Is Its Biggest Bottleneck
29:26
29:26
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29:26In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Talha Siddiqui, founder of Brillionhouse Digital, shares his journey from writing college essays for cash to building a full-service digital marketing agency that transforms brand narratives. What started as a knack for persuasive copywriting evolved into a mission to solve the "messaging …
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1
The $15K Lesson: Why Compliance Can Make or Break Your Business
28:33
28:33
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28:33In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Janneh Wright, founder of PRIMUS Business Management, shares how his consultancy empowers startups and nonprofits with back-office solutions to drive economic empowerment in minority communities. Inspired by post-9/11 challenges in NYC, Janneh reveals how PRIMUS’s "3 C Model" (Compliance, …
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1
How a Filmmaker Became a Top 1% Bubble Developer
21:17
21:17
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21:17In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, JJ Englert, founder of No Code Alliance and top 1% Bubble developer, shares his journey from filmmaker to no-code pioneer. After raising $300K for a failed marketplace startup, JJ discovered Bubble in 2019 and rebuilt his vision—generating more revenue in 6 months than his previous venture…
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The Art of Selling Your Business with Venture Opportunities
16:23
16:23
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16:23In this episode of Founders, Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Rochelle OBrien, President and Owner of Venture Opportunities LLC, a business brokerage firm specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and exit strategies. With over 20 years of experience, Rochelle shares her journey of empowering business owners to maximize their company’s valu…
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1
A Story of Survival: Dr. Elayna Fernández on Homelessness, Healing & Success
51:44
51:44
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51:44In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Ammar Elm, Dr. Elayna Fernández—internationally recognized as The Positive MOM—shares her powerful journey from homelessness and trauma to becoming a certified trauma-informed success coach, award-winning storyteller, and five-time TEDx speaker. She reveals how her darkest moments led to the creation o…
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From Texas Football to Forbes 30 Under 30: Vivek Pandit's Unconventional Journey
21:51
21:51
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21:51In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Vivek Pandit—Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and founder of PeduL and the Quarter Life Crisis Club—shares his remarkable journey from being the only Indian kid on his Texas football team to building a mission-driven coaching business. He reveals how his personal quarter-life crisis led him to …
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1
From Castos to Matter: Scaling a Bootstrapped SaaS Empire
22:56
22:56
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22:56In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the journey of Craig Hewitt, Founder & CEO of Matter Consulting (formerly Castos). Craig shares how he revolutionized podcast hosting by solving key pain points for creators, from dynamic ads to seamless WordPress integration. He discusses the evolving podcasting landscape,…
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1
From Columbia to Fortune 500: Scaling a Leadership Revolution
19:42
19:42
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19:42In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Dr. Sharon Lamm-Hartman, Founder & CEO of Inside-Out Learning, Inc., a leadership development firm revolutionizing how organizations drive engagement and growth through transformative learning. With a doctorate from Columbia University and decades of experience (includi…
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The Psychology of Resilience: Joseph Harding’s Blueprint for Startup Survival
19:03
19:03
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19:03In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we meet Joseph Harding, Founder & CEO of Insp1re, a revolutionary AI-powered wellness platform that integrates fitness, nutrition, mindset tools, and community into one holistic app. A military veteran with a background in industrial psychology, Joe shares how his own struggles with pur…
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1
Why Trust is the New Currency in Wellness & Business
17:37
17:37
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17:37In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with DeAnna Mangum, Co-Founder & President of CoupleyFit, a mission-driven wellness and consulting brand transforming how couples and businesses approach holistic health. What began in 2017 as a meal-delivery service and fitness bootcamp has evolved into a powerhouse consult…
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Why 90% of Food Startups Fail (And How to Be the 10%)
20:59
20:59
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20:59In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the world of food entrepreneurship with Cesar Cruz, Founder & CEO of Seven Claves, a consultancy revolutionizing how early-stage food and beverage brands navigate the complex journey from concept to shelf. Cesar reveals how his team of food scientists and designers helps fo…
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From $17B in Exits to Coaching CEOs: Kirk Dando’s Unconventional Path
20:33
20:33
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20:33In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Kirk Dando, founder and CEO of Dando Advisors, a seasoned executive coach with nearly 30 years of experience guiding high-growth companies. Kirk shares his unique approach to leadership advisory, emphasizing deep trust-building, actionable insights, and the importance of addr…
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Scaling Impact: How Kareem Scales Bridges Nonprofits and For-Profits
18:57
18:57
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18:57In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Kareem Scales, founder and CEO of Scales Consulting, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in leadership development, community engagement, and strategic capacity building. Kareem shares his unique journey from corporate sales to entrepreneurship, revealing how his h…
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1
AI Meets Import Regulations: The Future of Automated Compliance
19:11
19:11
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19:11In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Bill Jacoby, founder of Comply PRO+, a game-changing SaaS solution revolutionizing compliance management for importers. Bill shares how his 7,000-hour development journey created an AI-ready platform that automates regulatory filings—ahead of the July 2026 mandate requiring 3…
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1
The Future of Wellness: Replacing ‘Sick Care’ with Vitality Hubs
21:06
21:06
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21:06In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Lee Davy, visionary founder of Origen Network and pioneer of regenerative vitality systems. Lee shares his 35-year journey from anxiety-ridden teen to transformational guide, revealing how breathwork, advanced healing technologies, and heart-centered leadership can revolution…
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1
Turning Transaction Fees into Charitable Gold
26:40
26:40
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26:40In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Will Black, founder and CEO of Sharing the Credit, who's revolutionizing philanthropy through credit card processing. Will shares how his "lightning bolt moment" at a Rotary meeting led to creating a system where businesses automatically donate a portion of transaction fees t…
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The Secret Sauce Behind Booking A-List Speakers
23:01
23:01
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23:01In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Brian Palmer, Senior Vice President at Premier Speakers Bureau, shares his remarkable 40+ year journey in the speaking industry—from helping build his father's National Speakers Bureau to merging with Premier in 2024. Brian reveals how Premier connects organizations with top-tier talent…
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From Brain Surgery to Business Revival: Dr. Corinne Green’s Resilience Story
20:31
20:31
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20:31In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Dr. Corinne Green, CEO of HR Mom, LLC, shares her inspiring journey of transforming HR for small businesses. With 20+ years of HR leadership across retail, healthcare, and education, Dr. Green founded HR Mom to bridge the gap between corporate HR strategies and small business needs. She…
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From Marketing to Manufacturing: The Reinvention of Golden Career Strategies
22:11
22:11
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22:11In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, Stacey Bevill, CEO of Golden Career Strategies, shares her inspiring journey of revitalizing a legacy career coaching business with a fresh focus on manufacturing. With certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Zen Leadership, Stacey reveals how she's bridging corporate HR strategies with sm…
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The $250 Game-Changer: How Agent Review is Fixing Insurance Transparency
25:04
25:04
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25:04In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we meet Jonas Roeser, co-founder and CEO of Agent Review—a revolutionary platform bringing transparency to the insurance industry by verifying and showcasing agent credentials alongside consumer reviews. Jonas shares his unexpected journey from professional snowboarder to insurance marketing …
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The Future of Sales Training: AI, Retention & Repeatable Systems
30:55
30:55
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30:55In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Mike Thomas, CEO of Track Selling Institute, shares the journey of reviving and scaling the legendary sales training methodology originally founded by Roy Chitwood. Mike discusses how he and his partner Ron Holm transformed the business from in-person workshops to a virtual-first model, le…
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The Closer’s Dilemma: Scaling Trust in a Fractional HR World
22:49
22:49
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22:49In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Karyn Vadnais, Tiffany Joy Greene, MBA, founder of Mpwr People, shares her journey from surviving homelessness as a teenager to building a purpose-driven advisory firm. Tiffany reveals how education became her lifeline—a theme central to Mpwr People’s mission of empowering small businesses and nonprofi…
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From Actor to Entrepreneur: Aris Federman’s Journey with Blue Oak Productions
22:28
22:28
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22:28In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the journey of Aris Federman, founder of Blue Oak Productions, a video production agency blending high-quality visuals with strategic storytelling. Aris shares how his background in acting and passion for storytelling led him to launch the company, transitioning from narrative fi…
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Branding with Heart: How Hoopla Built a Women-Led Merch Empire
23:15
23:15
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23:15In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we meet Christina Maag, the dynamic founder of Hoopla, a Boise-based marketing merchandise and branded apparel company. Christina shares her journey from being an executive assistant at major corporations to launching Hoopla just before the pandemic—a timing she now sees as serendipitous. Wit…
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From CEO Groups to Team Breakthroughs: Leo Bottary’s Peernovation Blueprint
26:19
26:19
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26:19In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Leo Bottary, founder of Peernovation—a transformative leadership development firm that applies peer advisory principles to elevate team performance. Leo shares his unexpected journey from traditional corporate roles to discovering the power of collaborative learning during…
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Why Most SEO Agencies Fail (And How Tech Titan Delivers Real Results)
19:43
19:43
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19:43In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we meet Jerry Newman, founder of Tech Titan—an SEO and web development agency specializing in helping trades businesses (HVAC, plumbing, construction) dominate their local markets. Jerry shares his unconventional journey from running a virtual assistant business to becoming an SEO expert, …
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Escaping Burnout: Time Boss’s Blueprint for Productive Leadership
23:35
23:35
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23:35In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Andrew Hartman, founder of Time Boss, a productivity consultancy revolutionizing how high-performing leaders manage time and avoid burnout. Andrew shares his personal journey from chronic overwhelm in early-stage startups to developing a transformative framework that helps te…
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Automate or Stagnate: Why Middle-Market Businesses Need AI Now
24:38
24:38
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24:38In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Brantley Davidson, founder of Prometheus Agency, a growth consultancy that bridges enterprise-level strategy with middle-market execution. Brantley shares his journey from leading client strategy at a WPP-owned agency to launching Prometheus, where he helps businesses optimiz…
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Growth Engines Unleashed: IPM’s Blueprint for Predictable Scaling
19:45
19:45
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19:45In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we sit down with Jason Katz, founder of IPM (Intelligent Protection Management), who shares his journey from American Express marketing executive to building a boutique growth consultancy that helps SMBs and startups create bulletproof growth engines. With nearly two decades in digital strate…
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From NYC Media to Colorado Brand Whisperer
19:18
19:18
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19:18In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Leslie Silverman, co-founder of Hive180, who’s shaking up the branding world for architects, lawyers, and consultants tired of "navy blue" conformity. Leslie reveals how her agency’s "Brand Buzz Audit" uncovers clients’ unique differentiators in just one session, follow…
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Scaling Sales Leadership: The Simply Asking Blueprint
23:00
23:00
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23:00In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the journey of Steven Lessard and Nick Turansky, co-founders of Simply Asking. Based in Indianapolis, their company transforms how businesses build scalable sales systems and confident teams. With decades of combined sales leadership experience, they share insights on ethic…
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Purpose Over Profit: A CEO’s Guide to Legacy Building
36:35
36:35
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36:35In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Richard Tyson, founder of CEObuilder, a leadership development firm dedicated to helping CEOs achieve clarity, alignment, and accountability. With over 30 years of experience as a CEO, coach, and author, Richard shares his journey from one-on-one executive coaching to leve…
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Why Delegation is Your Superpower (And How to Master It)
23:05
23:05
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23:05In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Tyler Mounce, founder of AMPLIS, a marketing agency revolutionizing lead generation for small to mid-sized service businesses. Tyler shares his unexpected journey from being fired as Head of Marketing at a fitness company to bootstrapping AMPLIS with a mission to delive…
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The 24-Hour Rule: How Innovative Events Captures Leads
19:02
19:02
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19:02In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Amy Slater, CEO and founder of Innovative Events, a Denver-based company transforming how MSPs and service businesses create high-impact experiences. Amy shares her journey from recognizing a gap in authentic business relationships to launching her full-service event an…
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Why 93% of Franchises Fail Before 100 Units
23:26
23:26
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23:26In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Donald Schin, founder of Franchise Building Expert, who brings 25+ years of franchising wisdom to help brands scale ethically. Don reveals how he’s disrupting an industry where 93% of franchises have under 100 units—by offering affordable coaching, fractional sales team…
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AI, Biometrics & Global Trade: The Future of SMEs
20:47
20:47
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20:47In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Enrique Mesones, President of APESOFT (Peruvian Association of Software Technologies and Digital Economy), shares his journey from executive search consultant to tech visionary. With a mission to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Peru and beyond, Enrique discusses APESOFT’s innov…
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From FBI to Founder: M.K. Palmore’s Blueprint for Boutique Cybersecurity
22:22
22:22
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22:22In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, M.K. Palmore, founder of Apogee Global RMS, shares his journey from 32 years in government service (including the FBI) to building a boutique cybersecurity and leadership advisory firm. With deep expertise from Fortune 500 roles (Google Cloud, Palo Alto Networks), M.K. reveals how Apogee d…
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Scaling Authenticity: Lori Leavitt’s Journey from Consulting to SaaS
23:47
23:47
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23:47In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Lori Michele Leavitt, President of Abrige Corp, shares her journey from corporate "intrapreneur" to founder of a leadership transformation firm. With her Aligned Momentum System, Lori helps organizations create vibrant workplaces through a unique blend of consulting, peer groups, and leade…
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How THE ARK NPS is Revolutionizing Financial Advisory
34:58
34:58
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34:58In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, we sit down with Dr. Lilly Mbinglo, CPA, founder and CEO of THE ARK NPS, a nationwide accounting and coaching firm empowering businesses and nonprofits with financial clarity and strategic growth. Dr. Lilly shares her inspiring journey from focusing solely on nonprofits to expanding into s…
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How a Teen Founder Built ContentaAI—The Future of Content Automation
23:02
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23:02In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Pranav Jajapur, the young founder of ContentaAI. Pranav shares how he launched his AI-powered content automation platform while still in high school, helping startups and marketing teams streamline their content creation with AI-driven clipping, SEO…
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The Grand Slam Offer: Table Turnerr’s No-Risk Marketing Play for Hawaii Eateries
20:13
20:13
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20:13In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we meet Nooh Ali Hassan and Hashaam Zahid, the 20-something Pakistani founders behind Table Turnerr, a digital marketing agency specializing in Hawaii restaurants. The duo shares their unconventional journey—from dropping out of university (and in Nooh's case, getting married) to pivoting fro…
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The Human Side of Change: Why Culture & Clarity Drive Business Success
23:57
23:57
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23:57In this episode of Founders Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Christopher Smith, founding principal of Change Smith, shares his journey from federal consulting to building a human-centric organizational health firm. Inspired by a poignant moment early in his career—watching a colleague struggle with technological change—Chris reveals how his 18 years…
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Why Even Executives Need Coaching: Christin Webb's Leadership Playbook
21:14
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21:14In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, we're joined by Christin Webb, founder and CEO of Greater You Leadership, a boutique leadership development firm with a mission to "build leaders from the inside out." Christin shares her inspiring journey from corporate procurement to entrepreneurship, revealing how a small 6-person pilot pr…
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The Unwritten Rules of Work: Finally Written Dow
24:08
24:08
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24:08In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Mishal Saeed, Jillian Ferry and Anh Lee, co-founders of DME Onboarding, share their mission to bridge the gap between education and the workforce by equipping young professionals with the "unwritten rules" of corporate success. Drawing from their combined 35+ years in HR and corporate learning, they re…
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From Corporate HR to Entrepreneur: Shaara Roman’s Journey
21:14
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21:14In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm, Shaara Roman, CEO of The Silverine Group, shares her journey from corporate HR leadership to building a culture and leadership firm that transforms workplaces. She discusses her proprietary SPARK framework for organizational change, the challenges of scaling a high-touch consulting business, …
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