Beyond the Big 4: Reinventing Consulting with Evolved Thinking

Founders Future

#Entrepreneur #Business #Closers.io

34:01

I think you could probably go back and track the stages of grief, probably that is what I went through. But I think if you do it right, you end up at acceptance. And that's where I ended up. And that's not to say that I've fully accepted the idea that the golden toad is extinct. Personally, I do still hold out hope that it could still be out there in those forests." - Trevor Ritland This conversation is with Trevor Ritland, who—along with his twin brother Kyle—authored The Golden Toad . The book chronicles their remarkable journey into Costa Rica’s cloud forest, once home to hundreds of brilliant golden toads that would emerge for just a few weeks each year—until, one day, they vanished without a trace. What began as a search for a lost species soon became something much more profound: a confrontation with ecological grief, a meditation on hope, and a powerful call to protect the natural world while we still can. Links: SpeciesUnite.com Kyle and Trevor: https://kyleandtrevor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventureterm/ Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222249677-the-golden-toad Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Toad-Ecological-Mystery-Species/dp/163576996…

about a year ago 41:16

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In this episode of Founders, Future, host Mishal Saeed, sit down with Joseph Braithwaite, founder of Evolved Thinking, to explore what it truly means to approach consulting differently. After years working in traditional consulting environments, including time with the Big 4, Joseph saw the shortcomings of the industry firsthand—transformation initiatives that didn’t stick, clients left with binders of strategy but no way to act, and a focus on deliverables over outcomes. Choosing to walk a different path, Joseph built Evolved Thinking around long-term relationships, hands-on collaboration, and authenticity that can't be faked. In our conversation, he shares how his values show up in every client interaction, how he leverages LinkedIn to create real, trust-based connections, and why expanding beyond Toronto is not just about growth, but about learning from diverse industries and people. For consultants, founders, and leaders navigating a world that often rewards surface over substance, Joseph’s journey is a reminder that doing things differently—on purpose—can be your greatest advantage.

1229 episodes

Beyond the Big 4: Reinventing Consulting with Evolved Thinking

Founders Future

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

1229 episodes

#Entrepreneur #Business #Closers.io

All episodes

Founders Future

1
The “SEO Power Hour”: Tiger29’s No-BS Approach to Proving Value Upfront 20:45

3 hours ago20:45

20:45

In this episode of Founders Future , host Ammar Elm sits down with Pete Kleinjan, founder of Tiger29, a Sioux Falls-based SEO agency specializing in helping local service businesses dominate their Google rankings. Pete shares his unconventional journey from working at a digital marketing agency to launching his own firm after becoming a father—a move enabled by his former boss becoming his first client. He reveals why Tiger29 focuses exclusively on small, privately-owned brick-and-mortar businesses (like HVAC companies and law firms) and how they measure success by one key metric: phone calls generated through Google Business Profiles. Pete pulls back the curtain on Tiger29’s unique "SEO Power Hour"—a paid consultation where they make real-time website improvements to prove their value upfront. He also discusses the challenges of scaling an SEO agency in an AI-driven world, emphasizing that human relationships and reliability (like simply "doing what you say you’ll do") are becoming even more valuable differentiators. For fellow agency owners, Pete offers hard-won advice: treat your clients the way you’d want to be treated as a customer, because in the end, authenticity and consistency trump flashy promises.…

Founders Future

1
The 70% Denial Rate Problem: Counter’s Mission to Transform Disability Benefits 25:01

3 hours ago25:01

25:01

In this episode of Founders Future , host Ammar Elm sits down with Charlee Wilson, the dynamic co-founder of Counter—a financial tech startup revolutionizing disability claims through AI and human support. Charlee shares how Counter was born from personal tragedy when co-founder Cameron Brown lost his ability to walk in 2021, exposing the broken bureaucracy of disability systems. With their proprietary algorithm (built in-house by CTO Kaylin Maynor), Counter streamlines claims, avoids the 70% denial rate plaguing applicants, and charges a fraction of traditional attorney fees—all while offering financial wellness tools. Charlee also reveals how Counter partners with insurers like Northwestern Mutual to embed their solution into employer benefits, creating a safety net for gig workers and underserved communities. Beyond Counter, Charlee wears multiple entrepreneurial hats, from running Thunder Horse Outfitters (featured in Nat Geo) to equestrian recruiting. She opens up about the challenges of scaling a mission-driven startup—broker education, awareness gaps, and maintaining lean operations—while staying true to Counter’s "people over profit" ethos. For aspiring founders, Charlee’s advice is refreshingly human-centric: "Find a team that’s got your back when the dice are down," and don’t quit your day job too soon. With plans to expand into pet insurance and other sectors, Charlee’s vision is clear: use tech to make financial systems fairer, one claim at a time.…

Founders Future

1
How Authenticity Transformed Joshua Evans’ Speaking Career 21:24

1 day ago21:24

21:24

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Joshua Evans, a renowned keynote speaker and author, to explore his journey from a corporate sales role to building a thriving speaking business. Joshua shares the pivotal moment that inspired his career shift—a frustrating encounter with a disengaged coworker—and how it led him to write a bestselling book and eventually step into entrepreneurship. He opens up about the challenges of self-promotion, the importance of authenticity, and the strategies he uses to book high-value speaking engagements, including leveraging LinkedIn and building trust with event planners. Joshua also reflects on the lessons learned from a difficult consulting experience and his vision for scaling his business, including doubling revenue and expanding his team. He emphasizes the power of staying true to oneself, as his decision to embrace his authentic appearance post-Covid unexpectedly boosted his bookings. For aspiring speakers and entrepreneurs, Joshua’s story is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the value of doing the hard work to stand out.…

Founders Future

1
Why Your Website Still Matters: Navigamo’s Blueprint for Digital Resilience 22:21

1 day ago22:21

22:21

In this episode of Founders Future , host Ammar Elm sits down with Blas Giffuni, Co-Founder & CEO of Navigamo, to explore his journey from running a flower shop to building a cutting-edge digital consultancy. Blas shares how his early struggles with online marketing for his own business led him to master SEO and digital transformation, eventually founding Navigamo to help startups and enterprises "navigate the digital waters." He reveals why he focuses on B2B industrial clients—companies excelling in their fields but often lagging in digital presence—and how Navigamo bridges that gap by refining value propositions, optimizing websites (which he calls the "core of communication strategy"), and guiding AI adoption without losing the human touch. Blas dives into Navigamo's unique approach: blending consultancy with hands-on testing through their innovation lab (like their AI-generated pet portal experiment). He also teases their upcoming SaaS platform, Nemo, designed to help businesses create custom AI agents—a project born from his belief that AI should augment human work, not replace it. Along the way, Blas shares hard-won lessons about referral-based growth, the pitfalls of over-automation, and why he’s betting on "old-school" relationship-building even in an AI-driven world.…

Founders Future

1
Breaking the IoT Noise: Hegemony’s Fix for Overwhelmed Operations Leaders 19:09

1 day ago19:09

19:09

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Jae Encarnacion , we sit down with Sridhar Ravula , founder of Hegemony AI , to explore how his company is bridging the gap between raw manufacturing data and actionable business decisions. Sridhar shares how his background in anthropology, finance, and AI led him to create an "operational co-pilot" for mid-market manufacturers—solving critical pain points like supply chain disruptions and quality control with real-time AI analysis. He reveals why traditional sales approaches fall short in this space and how warm introductions from happy clients are driving their growth. Sridhar dives into the unique challenges of AI adoption in manufacturing, where the cost of failure is high but the appetite for innovation is growing. He discusses Hegemony’s "information architecture in a box" approach and their research into domain-specific language models that could put them 18 months ahead of competitors. For founders, he offers a golden nugget: "Push AI tools to their limits—but know where they break."…

Founders Future

1
Scaling Creative Agencies: Emylee Holdcroft’s Blueprint for Success 21:56

1 day ago21:56

21:56

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm , we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Emylee Holdcroft, the co-founder of Vanta Creative, a full-service creative agency specializing in bridging the gap between brands and creators. Emylee shares her transition from a UGC content creator to agency founder, her mission to support startups and smaller brands with high-quality, scalable creative solutions, and the challenges she faces in client acquisition and high-ticket sales. Emylee also discusses the importance of personal branding, her flexible approach to client packages, and her vision for Vanta Creative—helping brands elevate their presence through strategic design, UGC, and ad optimization. She offers insights into her sales process, lead generation strategies, and her goals for scaling the agency to consistent $20K+ months while maintaining a hands-on, high-touch client experience.…

Founders Future

1
Why Marcus Chan Walked Away from B2C to Build a B2B Sales Powerhouse 28:51

1 day ago28:51

28:51

n this episode of Founders Future, with host Ammar Elm , we sit down with Marcus Chan, Founder & CEO of Venli Consulting Group, a sales systems powerhouse that has helped clients close over $950M in revenue. Marcus shares his unexpected journey from nearly getting fired as a rookie sales rep to becoming a top-performing sales leader managing a 110-person team. He reveals how embracing a growth mindset, investing in coaches, and taking radical ownership transformed his career—and ultimately led him to launch his consulting business to help others replicate his success. Marcus dives deep into the evolution of Venli Consulting, from its early days as a B2C online course to its current focus on diagnosing and fixing revenue leaks for enterprise sales teams. He discusses the pivotal moment when he realized his true impact lay in working with organizations rather than individuals, and why he recently made the bold decision to sunset his profitable B2C arm to go all-in on B2B consulting. Along the way, Marcus shares invaluable lessons on listening to market needs, structuring high-impact offers, and why getting help early is the ultimate cheat code for entrepreneurs.…

Founders Future

1
Sales Doctor Is In: Elite Closer University’s Prescription for Revenue Growth 23:39

1 day ago23:39

23:39

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Jae Encarnacion , we sit down with Alexander Pizzani , founder and CEO of Elite Closer University , to unpack his unconventional journey from natural-born salesperson to building a consultancy that transforms companies’ revenue potential. Alex reveals how he grew his business entirely through referrals and networking—with zero social media presence—by delivering undeniable results for clients across industries. He breaks down his "doctor-like" approach: diagnosing sales inefficiencies, implementing AI-driven strategies, and forging powerful partnerships to help businesses scale from 6 to 7 figures and beyond. Alex shares hard-won lessons on leadership, including why he prioritizes hiring and training a razor-sharp team over rapid expansion. He also drops golden advice on avoiding social media distractions, emphasizing: "Disconnect to reconnect." From speaking at Fortune 50 events to crafting custom AI tools for clients, Alex’s story is a masterclass in authenticity, strategic patience, and leveraging technology without losing the human edge in sales.…

Founders Future

1
Culture Starts at the Top: Leadership Lessons from a Team-Building CEO 27:17

1 day ago27:17

27:17

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with James Bennett, CEO and co-founder of Firefly Team Building Events , to explore how he transformed a bachelor party startup into a thriving corporate team-building empire. James shares how Firefly not only survived but thrived during the pandemic by pivoting to virtual experiences—including an RV-based escape room—and grew from 80 to 500+ annual events. He reveals the secret sauce behind their "golden guest experience" philosophy and how they balance fun with meaningful connection for clients like Dell and Ingram Micro. James dives into Firefly’s next phase of scaling, from DIY team-building kits to hands-on creativity workshops, while staying true to their core belief: AI can’t replace the human touch . He also drops invaluable leadership wisdom, emphasizing that culture starts at the top, and reflects on industry shifts—like shorter events and niche competitors—that are reshaping corporate team building.…

Founders Future

1
Why Influence Trumps Authority—Tami Reiss on Modern Leadership & Strategic Growth 22:58

2 days ago22:58

22:58

In this episode of Founders, Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the inspiring journey of Tami Reiss, founder and CEO of Leader Within. Tami shares how her 15 years of product leadership experience led her to identify a critical gap in executive development—transforming product managers into influential leaders. She discusses her scalable approach, from executive coaching to corporate training and keynote speeches, and her vision for empowering leaders through her unique frameworks like "Life’s a Pitch" and the MAP framework for influence. Tami also opens up about her strategies for growth, including leveraging AI for personalized outreach and her upcoming projects like an executive presence course and a children’s book on product management. With infectious energy, she emphasizes the importance of influence over authority and playing the "long game" in business. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or aspiring leader, Tami’s insights on scaling impact and building relational—not transactional—connections are invaluable. Tune in for a dynamic conversation packed with actionable wisdom!…

Founders Future

1
SEO for Scientists: How D3 Digital Gets Healthcare Companies Found 29:41

2 days ago29:41

29:41

In this episode of Founders, Future , with host Ammar Elm , we sit down with Don Davis, founder and CEO of D3 Digital Media Marketing, an agency specializing in strategic marketing for healthcare and life science companies. Don shares his journey from frustrated client ("I spent a lot of my own money on ineffective digital marketing") to agency founder, revealing how his team delivers measurable results through SEO, content creation, and web design—with an 84% client retention rate. He breaks down his "start-to-finish" approach to generating qualified leads, emphasizing the importance of aligning content with what audiences actually search for, not just what clients think they need.** Don also opens up about scaling challenges, including his reluctance to fully delegate sales ("I don’t like the ‘manipulative’ side of closing") and his counterintuitive advice for new agency owners: Master the service you’re selling before hiring . With D3 on track to hit $1M in revenue by September, Don shares hard-won lessons on client onboarding (6-month retainers only), team culture (his core team has stayed since day one), and why LinkedIn content—not cold outreach—fuels his referral-driven growth. For founders tired of "vanity metric" marketers, this episode is a masterclass in accountability-driven agency building.…

Founders Future

1
From Music to Mushrooms: How Kieve Huffman Scales Taboo Wellness Brands 23:36

2 days ago23:36

23:36

In this episode of Founders Future , with host Ammar Elm , we dive deep with Kieve Huffman , founder of Engager Labs , a boutique consultancy helping alternative wellness brands (from cannabis to psychedelics to functional mushrooms) scale beyond 7 figures. Kieve shares his unconventional journey from music/tech to becoming LinkedIn’s "Top Voice" in wellness entrepreneurship, revealing how his "plant-over-pills" philosophy drives his mission to disrupt Big Pharma. He breaks down his 3-month brand acceleration framework—from competitive analysis to investor-ready decks—and why protecting founder energy is the most underrated scaling strategy. Kieve also opens up about the challenges of marketing regulated wellness products, his organic LinkedIn lead-gen engine (with zero cold outreach), and why he vets clients through a "vibe check" before engagements. Listeners will walk away with tactical advice on balancing hustle with energy management, plus Kieve’s non-negotiable morning routine (hint: never check your phone first!). For founders in taboo or regulated industries, this episode is a masterclass in building authentic cultural brands while navigating platform landmines.…

Founders Future

1
Digital Decluttering: Fix Your Email, Files & Focus 27:59

2 days ago27:59

27:59

In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Miriam Ortiz y Pino, founder of More Than Organized, a consultancy helping entrepreneurs declutter their physical and mental spaces to create more time, space, and money. Miriam shares her unique 5-D Framework (Dream, Declutter, Design, Develop, Delight) for simplifying life and business, along with practical tips for organizing digital chaos, streamlining workflows, and building sustainable habits for entrepreneurs. Miriam also discusses her journey from corporate inventory control to entrepreneurship, the power of consistency in lead generation, and her upcoming membership community focused on aligning work, home, and mindset. Whether you're drowning in unread emails or struggling with business systems, this episode offers actionable insights to reclaim clarity and productivity.…

Founders Future

1
Human vs. AI: Karl Klausewitz on Preserving Connection in Modern Entrepreneurship 17:36

2 days ago17:36

17:36

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we sit down with Karl Klausewitz, founder and CEO of Success Marketing, to explore his journey from IT expert to empowering entrepreneurs through holistic coaching. Karl shares how his 20+ years of experience shaped his mission-driven approach, blending mindset work, brand clarity, and AI strategy to help leaders and coaches achieve long-term success. He dives into the evolution of his business, the challenges of scaling authentically, and why human connection remains irreplaceable in an increasingly digital world. Karl also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of AI tools in modern coaching, and his vision for creating immersive retreats that bridge personal growth with professional strategy. Listeners will gain insights on standing out in a saturated market, building from personal truth (not trends), and why coaching requires both depth and adaptability in today’s fast-changing landscape. Potential title suggestions:…

Founders Future

1
The Coaching Pivot: How Frank Lockwood Bridges UX Design & Leadership 21:03

2 days ago21:03