Entrepreneurial Excellence Podcast

Jared Gibson breaks down a hard truth most B2B companies are missing, the real problem is not pipeline, it is familiarity. Buyers are no longer waiting for sales calls. They are watching, researching, and forming opinions long before they ever reach out. That means trust is being built in the background, and if you are not showing up consistently, you are already losing. He explains why content is no longer just marketing, it is part of how companies earn attention, build credibility, and stay top of mind in a crowded market. Jared is the founder of Outworks, a company helping B2B leaders turn their thinking into consistent, buyer-facing content that builds trust over time. With a background in sales, marketing, and leadership, he has seen firsthand how buyer behavior has shifted and why executive visibility now plays a direct role in growth, recruiting, and closing deals. His work focuses on building content systems that feel human, not automated, even in a world powered by AI. In this episode, Jared shares why most LinkedIn content fails, how AI should be used without turning your message into noise, and why consistency beats intensity every time. They also talk about the metrics that actually matter, why vanity metrics are misleading, and how a single post with the right audience can drive real business. He also explains how trust compounds over time, why every executive should be creating content, and how companies can build a system that works without turning leaders into full-time creators. Key Topics: -Why most B2B companies have a familiarity problem, not a pipeline problem -Trust is built long before a buyer ever books a call -Executive content can drive sales, recruiting, and long term brand trust -AI can support content creation, but human voice still matters most -The best content strategy is a system that keeps you visible and top of mind Timestamps: 05:12 Why Mental Toughness Matters More Than Your Business Plan 06:41 The Real Reason He Finally Bet on Himself 07:45 The Dumpster Fire Acquisition That Changed Everything 13:32 The Career Hit That Forced Him to Grow 14:13 The Advice That Changed How He Handled Setbacks 16:15 The LinkedIn Problem That Turned Into a Real Business 17:11 Why Buyers Trust Executives Before They Trust Companies 18:13 Trust Is Being Built Long Before the First Sales Call 19:14 Why Most LinkedIn Content Fails to Stand Out 20:08 AI Can Write Posts, But It Still Cannot Build Real Trust 21:42 Why Every Executive Should Be Creating Content Right Now 24:43 Why CEO Content Alone Is Not Enough Anymore 27:11 How They Use AI Without Turning Content Into Spam 31:07 The Truth About ROI on Content That Most Founders Miss 31:49 A Post With 300 Views Can Still Make You Money 35:00 The System That Makes Executive Content Actually Work 38:24 Ads Capture Ready Buyers, Content Wins the Rest 41:20 The Most Underrated Skill Every Executive Still Needs 44:16 Treat Everyone Like a Mentor and Watch What Happens Connect with - Jared Gibson: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jaredoutworks Website: https://www.outworks.io/?utm_source=linkedin-company-page Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Olivier Roth shares why one of the most overlooked assets in business is the network you already have. Not just the people you know, but the relationships you have built over time and the trust behind them. For him, entrepreneurial excellence is not just about execution. It is about building trust that compounds and learning how to turn relationships into real opportunities. Olivier is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of The Swarm, a platform that helps companies map and activate their networks for growth. Before that, he bootstrapped TimeLapse into a seven-figure agency working with startups and brands like Rakuten, Lyft, and Stanford Research Park. His experience gives him a practical view of growth, networking, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. In this episode, Olivier talks about why giving before you ask matters so much, why warm introductions are still one of the most underused growth channels, and how founders can get more value from the network they already have. They also talk about lessons from building and closing an agency, the difference between audience and real relationships, and why AI will make human connection even more important. Key Topics: -Why Your Network Might Be Your Biggest Untapped Growth Channel -What Most Founders Still Get Wrong About Networking -Why Warm Intros Still Beat Cold Outreach -How Great Founders Turn Relationships Into Revenue -What Burnout Taught Him About Building the Wrong Way -Why AI Will Make Human Connection Even More Valuable Timestamps: 04:14 What a Real Network Actually Looks Like 05:12 The Untapped Potential Around Every Entrepreneur 06:08 Give Before You Ask Is the Real Networking Advantage 07:28 Your Audience Is Not the Same as Your Network 08:55 How to Map Your Network Using Real Relationship Data 10:30 How Great Founders Create Value for Their Network First 12:09 How Network-Driven Founders Win in Fundraising, Sales, and Hiring 14:02 How Much Time Founders Should Spend Nurturing Their Network 15:01 How Olivier Bootstrapped TimeLapse from Scratch 18:17 Burnout, Key Hires Leaving, and the Beginning of the End 19:47 Why He Walked Away to Build Something More Scalable 20:33 Why a Co-Founder Could Have Changed Everything 22:55 If He Did It Again, He Would Niche Down Much Earlier 23:28 What The Swarm Actually Does for Companies 25:07 Warm Intros Are Still the Most Underused Growth Channel 26:02 Why Building an Owned Audience Still Compounds 26:43 AI Can Speed Up Content, But Messaging Must Stay Human 28:23 Why AI Noise Will Make Human Relationships More Valuable 29:45 Warm Intros Are Just the Beginning of Network Influence 30:51 Olivier’s Best Advice for Early-Stage Founders 31:51 Why Co-Founder Fit Can Make or Break the Company Connect with - Olivier Roth: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/olivier-roth Website: theswarm.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Andrew D’Souza breaks down what actually defines entrepreneurial excellence today, and it is not hustle, scale, or chasing legacy. It comes down to doing the work only you can do, finding what feels natural to you but valuable to others, and having the self-awareness to step aside when you are no longer the right person for the job. He explains why most founders focus too much on being remembered, and not enough on creating real impact, even if it starts with just one person. Andrew is the co-founder of Clearco, one of the fastest growing fintech companies that pioneered revenue-based financing for founders. Now, as the founder of Boardy, he is building an AI-powered super connector designed to match people with the exact opportunities, relationships, and resources they need at the right moment. His work sits at the intersection of technology, human judgment, and how the future economy will operate. In this episode, Andrew talks about why skill stacking can make you impossible to compete with, how being underestimated can become your biggest advantage, and why conviction matters more than consensus. They also discuss how AI will reshape work, why smaller and more fragmented companies will dominate, and how founders should think about building in a world where intelligence is everywhere. Key Topics: -The best founders focus on work only they can do -Being underestimated can become your biggest advantage -Conviction matters most when the path is still unclear -AI will replace routine work, but not human judgment -Boardy, an AI that connects the right people at the right time Timestamps: 03:22 Chasing Legacy Is the Wrong Founder Goal 04:10 Great Companies Start by Changing One Life 06:14 Why He Left Clearco to Build Bordy 06:42 The Mission to Back People Everyone Else Misses 07:33 How Bordy Finds What Makes You Different 09:00 Trust Still Runs the Entire Economy 10:41 The Founder Bet He Could Not Explain 13:18 The Moment He Knew It Was Time to Let Go 15:13 The Question Every Founder Has to Face 17:06 Would You Still Hire Yourself as CEO 19:28 Skill Stacking Beats Being Best at One Thing 24:30 Why Being Underestimated Became His Edge 26:28 How Long Can You Survive Looking Crazy 27:47 Founders Need a Clear View of the Future 31:27 Why the Next Era Will Create 100x More Founders 32:45 The Future Belongs to Smaller, Faster Companies 34:44 AI Will Replace More Work Than Most People Think 35:24 The Human Advantage AI Still Cannot Copy 39:12 Most VCs Are Using AI Completely Wrong 41:40 The Best Investors Think Like Future Builders 45:40 Chatbots Are Not the End Game 47:40 When AI Stops Assisting and Starts Deciding 53:12 How Clearco Mistook Momentum for Product Market Fit 55:42 The Moment You Know the Market Is Pulling You 59:23 Great Culture Must Match the Customer 01:00:27 If It Matters, Why Are You Waiting 01:05:14 Why Curiosity Now Matters More Than Experience 01:10:45 The Goal Is a Company That Gets Better Without You 01:11:50 Build the Role Only You Can Fill 01:17:45 The Biggest Breakthroughs Happen Across Worlds 01:20:52 Stop Trying to Build Like Someone Else 01:21:51 Find What Feels Easy to You but Valuable to Others Connect with - Andrew D'Souza: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/andrewdsouza X - @andrewdsouza Website: https://www.boardy.ai/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Eric Bahn breaks down what actually drives startup success today, and it is not pattern recognition or polished ideas. It comes down to how fast you move, how you think when things are unclear, and your ability to keep building while others are still trying to figure it out. He shares why the biggest outcomes often start from ideas that do not make sense at first, and why execution speed is becoming the real edge in a world shaped by AI. Eric is the co-founder and general partner at Hustle Fund, a pre-seed venture firm focused on backing early-stage founders. Before investing, he built and exited a company and later worked at Instagram. Today, he looks for founders who move quickly, learn fast, and show real progress over time, not just strong narratives or well-crafted pitches. In this episode, Eric talks about how mission-driven founders think differently, why long-term thinking matters more than short-term wins, and how AI is changing what it means to build and compete. They also discuss why smaller teams can outperform larger ones, how hiring should focus on adaptability, and why the best founders keep building toward what comes next instead of staying attached to one outcome. Key Topics: -Great founders look wrong early, that is often the signal you are onto something -Mission beats money, the strongest builders are driven by something deeper -Speed of execution is now the real advantage, not ideas or resources -The best founders are playing long-term games, not chasing short-term wins -AI raised the bar for everyone, now anyone can build but few can stand out Timestamps: 03:13 The Founder Trait That Beats Chasing Money 06:55 When Money No Longer Motivates You, What Is Left 10:54 You Do Not Need to Destroy Your Life to Win Big 12:19 Stop Counting Hours, Start Measuring This Instead 15:14 Why Founders See the Future Before Investors Do 16:31 Big Wins Start by Betting Against the Obvious 17:02 The Real Thing Investors Are Betting On 18:20 The Startups That Look Dumb First Can Win Biggest 22:00 AI Just Made Startup Investing Way Harder 24:52 Why Early-Stage Startup Investing Is Not for Most People 28:31 Great Founders Think Bigger Than One Company 31:38 The Best Builders Are Always Building Toward the Next Thing 34:32 For Some Founders, Startups Are Their Art Form 38:00 AI Is Not Ending Work, It Is Raising the Bar 39:48 In This New Era, Speed Beats Almost Everything 42:52 In 2026, You Have No Excuse to Not Ship 44:25 The Founder Skillset Has Officially Changed 50:47 The Next Great Founders Will Need More Than Technical Skills 58:28 As AI Grows, Real-Life Connection Becomes More Valuable 01:00:42 Why Lean Teams May Crush Bigger Companies 01:03:31 Teams Win Bigger When Greed Is Not in the Room 01:05:59 Why Playing Long-Term Games Changes Everything 01:10:38 The Leadership Rule That Makes Hard Decisions Easier 01:21:45 Every Human Being Matters, And That Changes How You Build Connect with - Eric Bahn: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ericbahn X - @ericbahn Website: https://www.hustlefund.vc/team Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Dori Yona shows why entrepreneurial excellence is not about looking perfect or always winning. It is about staying in the fight, learning fast, and having the honesty to face what is not working. He explains why failure teaches more than success, why speed is a startup advantage most founders still underestimate, and why the hardest decisions often come when belief, pressure, and reality all collide. Dori is the co-founder and CEO of SimpleClosure. Before that, he co-founded Earny, a consumer fintech company that grew to more than 3.5 million users, and earlier in his career, he also co-founded HashSnap. After going through the painful and confusing process of facing a possible shutdown at Earny, he built SimpleClosure to help founders handle shutdowns with more clarity, less chaos, and more dignity. In this episode, Dori breaks down why founders often tie their self-worth to the company, why shutdown is still a topic many avoid in public, and how the best founders learn by stepping back and facing the real reasons things went wrong. They also talk about when it is time to keep pushing versus when it is time to stop, why trust matters more than optics when handling investors, why revenue matters earlier than most founders think, and why ruthless prioritization may be the most important skill a founder can build. Key Topics: -The founder identity trap and why company failure can feel deeply personal -What failure teaches that success often hides -Speed as a startup advantage and why most teams still move too slowly -The point when revenue needs to become the priority -How great founders figure out what truly moves the business forward -Ruthless prioritization as the skill that keeps startups alive Timestamps 05:18 The brutal boardroom moment, shutdown was on the table before he saw it coming 06:53 Founders fail all the time, they just do not post about it 08:46 The truth most founders learn late, failure teaches more than success ever will 13:29 What felt like speed back then was actually slow 15:47 Sometimes the smartest founder move is shutting down before everything breaks 20:57 Investors may remember how you shut down more than how much money you returned 32:27 Startup speed is a real advantage, and most founders still underestimate it 34:24 The best teams do not wait for perfect, they ship and improve fast 38:08 The lesson too many founders learn late, revenue matters early 39:12 If it does not move the needle, it is a distraction 43:26 Working longer is not the answer, better priorities are 51:25 His one piece of advice for every founder, ruthlessly prioritize Connect with - Dori Yona: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dori-yona-b8369877 Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Warren Shaeffer shows why entrepreneurial excellence is not a vibe or a big idea, it is seeing what is broken, having the agency to act, and executing fast enough to prove it. He explains why original ideas often sound dumb at first, and why the real edge is a bias for action when everyone else is still debating. Warren is a three time founder and a partner at Pear VC. He co-founded Vidme, scaled it fast through organic growth, and later built Knowable, an audio first learning platform acquired by Medium, where he led product and business work. Today, he backs consumer founders and looks for proof over polish, what you built, what changed since the last meeting, and how quickly you can turn a hypothesis into something real. In this episode, Warren breaks down high agency, how great teams ship, test, and iterate like scientists, and why hiring is more about standards and autonomy than titles. They also talk about risk, when the “safe” choice is the expensive one, why founders should take their shot while the window is still open, and why metrics can mislead if you ignore the real costs underneath. Key Topics: -Why the clearest sign your idea is real is that most people call it dumb -How to spot high agency fast, what changed since the last meeting -Why the best founders think like scientists, ship an MVP, test one hypothesis, learn fast -What “contrarian and right” really means, and why you never fully know until you build -Why prototypes beat pitch decks, show what you built, not what you plan -Why ARR can be a trap metric when you ignore COGS and customer acquisition costs Timestamps: 01:56 The cliche that still holds, Steve Jobs had the vision, then executed it 03:02 Great founders see what feels broken, then they go fix it 04:29 The clearest sign your idea is real, most people think it is dumb 05:36 You do not know if you are right, you take the plunge and hear no 50 times 08:49 There is no one place to get great ideas, it comes from everywhere 10:13 The four quadrant truth, see problems plus agency, that is an entrepreneur 11:00 Ask a question, bring a solution too 12:20 The test for agency, does this person get it done 12:45 Between meetings, what changed, that is the signal 14:40 Founders are scientists, ship fast, test the hypothesis, learn fast 15:34 You cannot rewire people, you hire for speed and bias for action 17:41 The fastest filter, show me what you built 18:42 If you have not tried anything, that is a yellow flag 22:24 The advice that hits hard, not taking risks is a risk 30:33 If the crowd runs one way, it is hard to run the other way, but that is where opportunity is 32:41 The window closes, leave before kids, mortgage, and higher opportunity cost 35:23 The painful founder lesson, this is a feature, not a company 38:21 It hit Reddit and grew 10 percent week over week, zero marketing, pure pull 44:05 The fog is real, the AWS bill was 250K a month 55:03 The venture lesson, build growth into the DNA of the product 57:45 Your vision should be so good people would wear it on their shirt 59:32 The humane hard skill, shorten the time between “I should let them go” and doing it 1:10:37 The trap metric, ARR is dangerous if you ignore COGS and acquisition cost 1:12:38 The single advice, be true to yourself, do not chase other people’s ideas or fads Connect with - Warren Shaeffer: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/warrenshaeffer Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Matt Wampler shows why entrepreneurial excellence is not about big ideas or hustle quotes, it is about execution when the stakes are real. He walks through what it feels like to step into a failing Jimmy John’s at 21, fix broken systems, and earn trust while working brutal hours. A big theme is leadership under pressure, when you choose standards over shortcuts, and when you decide not to be held hostage by the wrong people, even if it hurts in the moment. Matt is the CEO and co-founder of ClearCOGS, a prescriptive AI platform helping restaurants make better decisions on demand forecasting, staffing, and inventory. Before tech, he lived the operator life, early mornings, late nights, thin margins, constant people problems, and the kind of daily chaos most founders never experience. That operator empathy shaped how he builds today, he focuses less on shiny features and more on change management, adoption, and delivering guidance in a way restaurant teams will actually use. In this episode, Matt unpacks how he turned a broken store from 400K to 1.2M in 18 months, why culture can beat “perfect training,” and why doing the work yourself is the fastest way to get buy-in. He also breaks down what ClearCOGS really does, predicting what will happen tomorrow so operators can prep, staff, and order with less guessing. They also get into AI’s new reality, build fast, test fast, but do not confuse speed with wisdom, because you can now ship risky mistakes just as fast as good ideas. Key Topics: -Why buying a “broken” business can be the fastest way to learn real entrepreneurship -He turned 400K into 1.2M in 18 months, what actually changed behind the scenes -The leadership moment that matters most, choosing pain over being controlled -Why “culture” can beat a perfect training program in high pressure teams -How ClearCOGS predicts tomorrow, and why restaurants need decisions, not dashboards -Why AI adoption is a trust problem first, and a tech problem second Timestamps: 02:46 The real lesson founders miss, the business you love is not the business that pays 03:33 Entrepreneurial excellence is not a vibe, it is backbone plus execution 04:51 Walking into disaster, broken systems, zero standards, and he still said yes 06:59 The rule that makes bold founders early, take the risk while you can still recover 09:12 A manager tried to corner him, and he chose pain over being controlled 10:25 The moment the team flipped, they stopped watching and started helping 11:46 The turnaround play, stop “changing everything” and win one small fix per day 14:42 From 400K to 1.2M in 18 months, the grind behind the numbers 15:22 After a 22 hour shift, he signed the quit letter, then forgot it existed 18:19 The hiring truth nobody wants, it is easier to reset than to rewire habits 23:23 “Simple” is not “easy”, why franchise playbooks still fail in real life 29:43 Restaurant moneyball, the decision that saves profit before closing time 59:19 The trap metric that makes numbers look good while the brand dies Connect with - Matt Wampler: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler Website - clearcogs.com/ hubs.ly/Q01LLR4X0 Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Mike Milligan breaks down why entrepreneurial excellence in money is not about fancy strategies, it’s about solving real problems and making clear decisions. He explains the “paralysis penalty”, how fear and confusion keep people stuck, and why entrepreneurs need a plan that fits their real life, not a one size fits all template. A big theme is trust, if you can’t trust the person guiding your money, you’ll hesitate, and hesitation quietly becomes the most expensive choice. Mike is the founder of One Oak Financial, a virtual financial planning firm built around the idea that every person’s financial life is “one of a kind.” After working inside big banks and seeing how the system is designed for profit first, he built a firm that listens deeper, says no when it’s not a fit, and helps clients align taxes, cash flow, and long term goals with how they actually live and build. He also shares the founder mindset behind leaving Wall Street, learning to tell a better story, and building a business that can run without you. In this episode, Mike unpacks how to choose a financial planner without getting fooled by titles, why you should ask an advisor to show their own finances, and what “aligned incentives” really looks like. He also gets into focus, long term investing, and why people panic when the stock market is “on sale.” Key Topics: -Why entrepreneurial excellence is simply solving a real problem -What the paralysis penalty is and why it keeps people stuck -How to choose a fiduciary and avoid “fake” trust signals -Why you should ask your financial advisor to show their own finances -Why long term investing fails when fear takes over -How founders should think about retirement, taxes, and building a business that runs without them Timestamps: 02:08 The simplest definition of excellence most founders forget 11:05 The unfair advantage that beats hustle every time 13:17 The money move you should make way earlier than you think 17:10 The hidden cost of doing it all alone 24:46 The 3 ways advisors get paid, and what that means for you 31:48 The “paralysis penalty” that quietly drains your future 38:03 The long game mindset that keeps you rich while others panic 38:34 The weird reason people miss the best buying moments 40:31 What to do when the market “goes on sale” 50:30 The margin rule that keeps entrepreneurs from going broke 51:14 The one thing every business dies without 59:19 The urgency thesis, why saving now changes everything later 1:07:40 The real freedom test for any business owner 1:08:27 The proud moment every founder wants, and how you earn it Connect with - Mike Milligan, CFP®: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp Website - 1oakfinancial.com (Company) mike%20milligan.com (Company) jbpgroup.com (Company) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Vladimir Baranov shares why entrepreneurial excellence is not about perfect technology, but about real human connection. He explains how technically brilliant founders fail when they ignore people, how ego and bias distort decisions, and why market reality always beats technical elegance. Business, he argues, runs on psychology, trends, and the ability to truly listen. A three-time founder turned executive coach and the founder of Human Interfaces, Vladimir exited a wealth management SaaS company and worked across fintech and space tech before focusing on coaching technical founders. Today, he helps leaders overcome misalignment, communication gaps, and hidden cognitive bias that stall growth. In this episode, he unpacks why ideas are less important than people, how action generates the data founders need, and why open-ended questions unlock better sales and stronger teams. He also shares why delegation signals maturity and why success comes from collecting real experience, not just knowledge. Key Topics: -Why great tech fails without human connection -How ego and bias quietly destroy founder decisions -Why action beats overthinking in business -How misalignment kills teams before revenue does -Why people, not ideas, build winning companies Timestamps: 07:10 Why Technical Founders Hit an Invisible Ceiling 08:06 The High Risk Skill Nobody Trains, Human Interaction 10:39 Innovation Needs Therapy Level Understanding of People 17:06 Technical Skill in Isolation Is Just an Art Piece 19:55 Your Job as a Founder, Speak the Market’s Language 23:16 The Ego Trap, Thinking Your Model Is The Truth 27:42 The Question Shift That Kills Bias, Open Ended Over Close Ended 29:11 The Brutal Take, Most People Only Want to Talk About Themselves 37:14 Action Generates Data, The Simple Rule Most Founders Ignore 50:26 The Real Driver, People Buy Emotionally Not Logically 53:01 Market Reality Beats Technical Elegance, Every Time 55:09 The CEO Ego Problem, They Won’t Admit It’s a Bet 1:06:55 The Delegation Rule, Recurring and Schedulable Must Go 1:15:46 The Real Belief Shift, Ideas Are Less Important Than People 1:17:40 The Mushroom Line, Why Smart People Struggle at Business Connect with -Vladimir Baranov: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/vladimirbaranov Website: https://humaninterfaces.co/?utm_source=linkedin-contact Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

Christene Marie shares why entrepreneurial excellence is not about chasing growth, tactics, or outside validation, but about vertical alignment—living and leading from an ideal you consciously choose, not from everyone else’s opinions. She explains why misalignment is so costly, how leaders lose their way when they constantly chase the next strategy, and why the real work begins when you are willing to face uncomfortable truths, especially when the data, the mirror, or your team is telling you something you do not want to hear. Christene is the CEO and founder of The Knowing Group and a thought leader in empathy-driven branding, measurement marketing, and audience psychology. Her agency has worked with global brands such as Toyota, Amazon, and Fortune 50 healthcare companies to clarify identity, understand audiences, and build emotional resonance that drives real business results. She is also part of a 100-plus-year family business, giving her a grounded perspective on legacy, long-term relevance, and what sustains brands across generations. In this episode, Christene breaks down why emotional intelligence is the missing layer behind many leadership and team problems, how brand is really the emotional expectation of an experience, and why the strongest advantage in today’s market is knowing who you are, what you stand for, and how you want people to feel. She also shares practical clarity practices—like writing your eulogy, removing external inputs, and creating daily “no-noise” time—so leaders can stop living horizontally and start leading from their own internal compass. Key Topics • Defining entrepreneurial excellence through vertical alignment • Why misalignment is expensive in leadership, business, and life • Emotional intelligence as a core leadership skill, not a soft one • Brand as the emotional expectation of an experience • Building trust through experience, not just marketing spend • Why clarity of identity is your true competitive advantage • Creating daily space for courage, focus, and real creation 03:08 What Entrepreneurial Excellence Really Means 04:41 Horizontal Living vs Vertical Alignment 05:51 Why Misalignment Is So Costly 09:48 The Mirror Moment Leaders Avoid 10:54 Emotional Intelligence as the Missing Skill 15:43 Legacy Is Built Daily, Not Just Financially 16:57 The Eulogy Exercise for Clarity 20:21 Becoming the Author of Your Own Life 31:52 Psychological Safety and High-Performance Teams 36:53 Brand Defined as Emotional Expectation 50:33 The CEO Habit of Creating Space 1:06:18 The Work Is Not Glamorous, But It Is Real 1:16:12 The One Practice Leaders Need Every Day Connect with Christene Marie LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christenemarie Website: theknowingagency.com Personal Site: christenemarie.com Connect with Entrepreneurial Excellence Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast YouTube: youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok: tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website: levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Lisa Carmen Wang shares how entrepreneurial excellence isn’t about winning early, but about holding a big vision and continuing when failure, rejection, and doubt show up again and again. She opens up about the moments when success still didn’t feel like enough, and why resilience, not talent or credentials, is what actually sustains long-term growth. Lisa is a founder, investor, author, and creator of Bad Bitch Empire, a global brand and movement built to challenge the invisible rules that keep women playing small. With a background spanning elite athletics, Wall Street, venture capital, and now music, she brings a rare perspective on identity, confidence, and what it really takes to build something bold without losing yourself in the process. In this episode, she breaks down how good girl conditioning quietly shapes ambition, why women are judged on past proof while men are rewarded for future vision, and how fear can become a compass instead of a stop sign. Key Topics: -Build entrepreneurial excellence through vision, resilience, and repeated failure -Break free from good girl conditioning that limits confidence and ambition -Redefine confidence by separating self-worth from outcomes and perfection -Use fear and discomfort as signals for growth and expansion -Create impact by aligning your work with identity, values, and truth 01:55 The Question That Instantly Reveals True Entrepreneurial Excellence 02:04 Big Vision With No Quit Even After Repeated Failure 03:31 The Realization She Was Still Playing by Patriarchal Rules 04:22 The 2 Percent Funding Reality That Women Are Expected to Accept 04:35 Good Girl Brainwashing and the Silent Rules That Keep Women Small 06:52 Why Women Are Asked About Past Proof While Men Are Asked About Future Vision 08:24 The Moment She Stopped Chasing Approval From People Who Didn’t Understand Her 11:05 After the Exit Why Success Still Didn’t Feel Like Enough 12:00 The One Question That Redefined Her Identity and Confidence 15:09 Why She Actively Chooses Discomfort as a Growth Strategy 22:11 The Truth Behind Confidence Fear, Breakdowns, and Doing It Anyway 24:15 How She Rewired Her Inner Critic Into a Cheerleader 27:26 The Hard Truth Your Greatest Freedom Is Past Your Deepest Fear 31:22 Why Being Loud, Proud, and Assertive Is Still Punished in Women 1:12:50 The One Line That Defines Entrepreneurial Excellence Focus on Who You’re Becoming Connect with - Lisa Carmen Wang: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/lisacarmenwang Website: https://www.lisawang.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacarmenwang/ Instagram: @lisacarmenwang Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Jonathan Shroyer shares why most “10x ideas” fail in practice, how founders get stuck by protecting ego instead of adapting, and why the biggest growth lever is often customer experience, not more features or funding. Jonathan Troyer is a multi-time founder and customer experience leader in gaming innovation. He’s built and scaled companies across gaming and e-commerce, including Officium Labs, and he’s known for turning CX into a revenue engine through systems, empathy, and smart use of AI. In this episode, he breaks down how to validate a 10x value idea through testing and iteration, what it really takes to build a moat in an AI-first world, and the mindset that separates winners from everyone else, know who you are, stay flexible, and don’t quit. Key Topics: -Build 10x value by solving real problems, not ego -Test fast, iterate, get traction before scaling -Build an AI moat with clear switching value and the right segment -Make CX a revenue driver through speed and issue resolution -Scale with grit, strong systems, and protect 10x work Connect with - Jonathan Shroyer: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/chiefcxofficer Website: foresiteads.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

AJ Cassata shares how resilience gets built through real rejection, why most founders stall because they quit too early or keep switching directions, and how a predictable funnel only works when the messaging, offer, and follow-up are disciplined. AJ Cassata is the founder of Revenue Boost, an outbound agency that helps B2B businesses validate their positioning, generate qualified leads, and turn cold outreach into consistent sales calls without relying on ads or algorithms. In this episode, he breaks down the modern outbound stack, where AI personalization actually fits, why close rates collapse when objections stay hidden, and the one principle that ties everything together, you can’t fail if you don’t quit. Key Topics: -Lead Flow Is the First Domino in Any Business -The Messaging Fix That Makes Outbound Finally Work -Why AI Personalization Replaced “Spray and Pray” Outreach -The Close Rate Problem Is Usually an Unasked Objection -Consistency Wins, Quitting Just Looks Like “Pivoting” 01:25 Defining Entrepreneurial Excellence as “Problem-Solving Without Quitting” 03:34 Resilience Isn’t a Trait, It’s a Muscle 04:31 Motivation Comes From “Why” Plus Daily Habits 05:52 Lead Flow Is the First Domino in Business 08:29 Why Having Leads Beats Having a Perfect Product With No Attention 09:22 Messaging Is Half The Battle in Outbound 10:52 Segment First, Then Craft Specific Pain-Point Messaging 13:06 AI-Enabled SDRs and Personalization at Scale 16:18 The Hidden Cost of Hiring Isn’t Salary 17:40 When SDRs Still Make Sense in an AI World 21:20 Fixing a Weak Close Rate Starts With Funnel Truth 23:18 Sales Is Detective Work, Invite The Objection 24:25 Founder-Led Sales Is Non-Negotiable Early 26:06 Getting Better Fast With Coaches and AI Call Review 28:32 Sales Methodologies Share the Same Four Pillars 30:11 Speed and Follow-Up Signal Customer Experience 32:25 Why AJ Started Door-to-Door and Dropped Out 37:49 The Pivot Into Digital Marketing and First Clients 38:29 Building an Agency From a Sprinter Van 39:24 The Vietnam Move and Making Remote Work Sustainable 42:03 Constraints Breed Creativity in Remote Hiring and Selling 46:02 Marketing Fundamentals Before Channels 47:41 The Three Online Lead Engines Explained 50:33 Minimum Viable Online Presence for Trust 52:10 Outbound Now, Inbound Next for Compounding 54:09 The Growth Ceiling Is Usually Operations 56:38 The One Outbound Tool AJ Would Keep 57:12 Cold Email Isn’t Dead, Bad Cold Email Is 58:03 Cold Calling Still Works, Maybe Better Now 59:35 The One Book Every Founder Should Read on Offers 01:00:42 The Single Metric AJ Tracks Closest to Revenue 01:01:06 Advice to His 19-Year-Old Self 01:02:07 The One Rule That Ties It All Together Connect with -AJ Cassata: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ajcassata Website: revenueboost.net/ facebook.com/groups/b2bsalesandmarketingsecrets Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Nick Mehta breaks down how committing to a real problem before a category exists can shape an entire industry, why founders get stuck at scale, and the mindset shifts required to build something that lasts. Nick Mehta is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gainsight, one of the companies that helped define Customer Success as a core business function. In this episode, he shares hard-earned lessons on founder growth, hiring beyond yourself, stepping back at the right time, and why entrepreneurial excellence has nothing to do with hype and everything to do with long-term conviction. Key Topics: - Why Most Founders Never Reach Real Excellence -The Risky Bet That Built a Category From Nothing -When Stepping Back as CEO Is the Smartest Move -The Hiring Mistake That Quietly Kills Scale -Why Passion Comes After Mastery, Not Before 01:14 Defining Entrepreneurial Excellence Beyond Exits and Valuations 02:38 Why Putting Your Whole Heart In Matters More Than Outcomes 03:39 The Litmus Test That Reveals Who’s Truly Committed 05:18 How Great Founders Stay Sane Without Losing Intensity 06:32 Burnout, Dopamine, and Why Stepping Away Makes You Better 08:17 Why Market Choice Matters More Than Culture or Work Ethic How picking the right space quietly determines long-term success. 09:41 The “10-Year Overnight Success” Myth Explained 10:11 Why Nick Joined a No-Revenue Company in a Non-Existent Category 11:09 How Customer Success Became a Category, Not a Feature The early insight that turned churn into a board-level priority. 13:00 Why Founders Stepping Back Can Be a Strength, Not a Failure 15:00 From Extreme Shyness to CEO Presence 18:01 Why Childhood Patterns Shape Leadership Style 20:08 Self-Awareness, Coaching, and the Enneagram for CEOs 23:06 What Investors Optimize For vs. What Founders Should 25:29 How to Filter Advice Without Getting Starstruck 27:47 Why Nick Chose Operating Over Venture Capital 29:35 Why “Follow Your Passion” Is Often Bad Advice 32:05 How Getting Good at Something Creates Passion Over Time 34:09 How Family Sacrifice and Regret Shaped Entrepreneurial Drive 36:28 Choosing the Wrong Path First—and Correcting It 38:09 How Gainsight Built a Category Through Community First 39:41 The Accidental Meetup That Sparked a Movement 42:30 Why Community Became a Durable Competitive Advantage 43:22 Why Founders Shouldn’t “Scale Themselves Out” Too Early 44:57 Being a “Micro-Learner,” Not a Micromanager 46:25 The One Decision That Kills Companies Quietly 48:40 How to Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome as a CEO 50:34 What Real Company Culture Actually Is 53:27 “Human First” as a Competitive Advantage 54:23 Why Speed Is the New Differentiator in SaaS 56:21 The Hidden Cost of Over-Protecting Employees 58:03 When CEO Involvement Becomes a Bottleneck 59:20 Where Founders Should Actually Micromanage 01:00:22 Why Delegation Isn’t About Time, It’s About Context 01:02:03 The Brewery Lesson Every Founder Should Learn 01:03:25 What a “Founder-Only” Company Really Looks Like 01:05:36 Why Hiring Is More Expensive Than Founders Think 01:07:02 Why Investor Advice Often Doesn’t Apply Connect with - Nick Mehta: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/nickmehta Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Scott Kelly, Founder and CEO of Black Dog Ventures, shares what actually separates founders who build real companies from those who stay stuck chasing capital. He talks openly about why fundraising is often mistaken for progress, why execution beats ideas every time, and why many startups fail not because of the market—but because founders don’t know when to let go, delegate, and lead. Scott breaks down what investors really look for, how trust is built long before money is involved, and why consistent momentum matters more than a perfect plan. He explains how strong teams are formed, why most founders underestimate the cost of doing everything themselves, and how small wins every two weeks compound into real traction. As technology makes it easier for anyone to build, Scott shares what still creates a true edge: relationships, credibility, and the willingness to keep moving forward when the answer is “no.” This conversation pulls back the curtain on venture, leadership, and what entrepreneurial excellence really looks like when the cameras are off. Key Topics: - Fundraising as a false signal of entrepreneurial success - Execution and delegation as the real drivers of scale - Trust and relationships as the foundation of venture outcomes - Traction over storytelling in winning investor confidence - Leadership built on humility, learning, and momentum Quote From The Episode: “Most entrepreneurs shouldn’t be raising money. They should be building their business.” - Scott Kelly Timestamp: [00:20] Fundraising Is a Vanity Metric—and Most Founders Get Excellence Wrong [11:09] Real Founders Let the Market Decide Instead of Scaling Too Early or Chasing Capital [20:58] How Relationship Capital Turns Simple Coffee Meetings Into Eight-Figure Deals [29:58] Trust Is the Ultimate Advantage in Venture—and the Fastest Way to Control Deal Flow [40:12] Winning Investors Without Raising Money: The Power of Relentless Progress Updates [50:18] The Founders Who Win Every Two Weeks Obsess Over Time, Delegation, and Speed [1:01:24] Building Defensible Moats in a World Where AI Makes Everyone Equal [1:13:25] Outro Connect with - Scott Kelly: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/blackdogceo Websites -blackdogventurepartners.com facebook.com/blackdogventurepartners/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, we sit down with a leader who walked away from a $7B role to start again in a kitchen with two young founders. He shares the raw truth about what makes great founders win, why most people who “work hard” never achieve real outcomes, and how to see the world differently when the stakes are high. We go deep into the moments that shaped billion-dollar fintech moves — including the split-second choice that saved $700M during the SVB meltdown, and the internal mistake that triggered one of the toughest days of his life. You’ll hear how he recruits top talent without relying only on money, why curiosity matters only when aimed at the right things, and what it means to truly understand the details that run a business. He also shares the childhood lesson that shaped his leadership style and gave him the courage to ask the questions others avoid. Tune in to hear the thinking, the risks, and the uncommon moves behind true entrepreneurial excellence. Key Topics: - The hidden traits that separate great founders from everyone else - Real meaning of hard work and why most people get it wrong - Decisions that saved Brex during high-stakes crisis moments - Truth about recruiting A players B players and building the right team - Mindset shift needed to grow fast and lead through massive change Quote From The Episode: “When something doesn’t make sense, a lot of people are afraid to ask. I don’t have that fear.” - Michael B. Tannenbaum Timestamp: [00:20] Why a $7B CRO Walked Away to Start in a Kitchen — And What He Learned About Founders Who Win [11:04] The Harsh Truth About “Hard Work” — And Why Most People Never Produce Real Outcomes [20:05] How Brex Survived the SVB Meltdown—And the One Decision That Saved $700 Million [30:41] Inside the Decision That Nearly Broke Brex—And the Leadership Blind Spot No One Saw Coming [41:28] The Childhood Lesson That Turned a CFO’s Son Into One of FinTech’s Boldest Leaders [52:50] Outro Connect with - Michael B. Tannenbaum: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/michaeltannenbaum Website - www.figure.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Wagner, a college dropout who built an eight-figure business by doing the opposite of what most founders do. From risking everything at 20 years old to helping nearly 5,000 authors turn their ideas into influence, Tyler shares the raw truth behind failure, focus, partnerships, and the real value of writing a book in the AI age. Tyler opens up about the mindset shift that changed his life, why he ran toward failure instead of avoiding it, and how he turned one book into a multi-million-dollar company. He talks about ego, legacy, freedom, and the lonely part of reaching “success” that no one prepares you for. He also breaks down why partnerships beat ads, why most entrepreneurs quit too early, and why many founders still fear writing their first book. Tune in to learn the shifts that helped Tyler turn one book into an empire—and how you can shift your journey too. Key Topics: -The mindset shift that turns failure into a pathway to success -How writing a book becomes a real tool for influence and credibility -Why partnerships outperform ads for long-term business growth -The hidden challenges of reaching time freedom as an entrepreneur -The ego, legacy, and emotional drivers behind why founders publish books Quote From The Episode: “I actually like failure, because the more I fail, the closer I know I am to succeeding.” - Tyler Wagner Timestamp: [00:20] The Mindset Shift That Turns Dropouts Into Industry Leaders [12:15] How a 20-Year-Old Bestseller Exposed the Secret Value of Publishing [23:13] How Entrepreneurs Turn a $50K Book Into a Seven-Figure Funnel [34:40] How a College Dropout Scaled to Eight Figures by Doing the Opposite of Everyone Else [45:59] Conferences vs. Digital: The Surprising Truth About Where Real Relationships Are Built Today [56:38] How AI Is Quietly Killing Ghostwriting as We Know It [1:08:34] Why Partnerships Beat Ads, Content, and Virality—Every. Single. Time. [1:14:30] Outro Connect with - Tyler Wagner: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/tylerbwagner Website - authorsunite.com/ partnerprofits.io Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, we go inside the real mind of a founder with Jason Johnson — the builder behind August smart locks and now CEO of DOMA. Jason shares what most people never hear: why founders burn out, why teams break, why distribution kills more startups than bad ideas, and why you must protect your time like your life depends on it. He talks openly about losing a company at 29, rebuilding himself at Dolby, firing fast, trusting his gut, and giving his team radical responsibility. Jason also explains why small teams win, why outsourcing is the future, and why believing in yourself is not a motivational quote — it’s survival. Tune in to hear the truth about failure, hunger, and why your toughest years might be your edge. Key Topics: -Radical ownership and fast decision making -The real cost of mis-hiring and early firing -Why small teams outperform large organizations -Outsourcing as a strategic edge for modern founders -The mindset required to survive repeated failure Quote From The Episode: “You have to radically believe in yourself.” - Jason Johnson Timestamp: [00:19] The One Skill Every Founder Needs—but Almost No One Talks About [11:07] Why the Best Founders Win Before They Even Build the Product [21:11] The Practice Habit That Separates Average Founders from Icons [31:11] The Brutal Truth About Why Founders Quit—and Why Jason Johnson Never Did [41:19] The Outsourcing Rule Founders Ignore—and It’s Wasting Their Time [50:31] The New Blueprint: Why the Future Belongs to Tiny Teams [1:00:25] The Hardest Decision Founders Avoid—And Why It Destroys Their Companies [1:06:32] Outro Connect with - Jason Johnson: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jcjohnson Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Adam sits down with Mitch Joel — one of the sharpest minds in business, storytelling, and the future of work — for a conversation that exposes the real truths about entrepreneurship. Mitch shares powerful insights from decades of interviewing top thinkers, building companies, and staying ahead in a world that never stops shifting. He breaks down why success is the anomaly, why most founders fail long before their idea does, and how “the market is brutal” in ways people rarely talk about. We go deep into the things most leaders avoid: why fear can become a superpower, how timing shapes outcomes more than talent, why your network is your net worth, and what it really takes to stay curious when everyone else gets comfortable. Mitch also reveals how AI changes the game, why many people will get left behind, and how to protect your edge when the world moves faster than your habits. 🎧Tune in — this conversation might be the unlock you didn’t know you needed. Key Topics: - Mindset shift from speed to direction and momentum - Real value of storytelling and why most founders overlook it - Power of nuance when finding product fit and evolving a message - Truth about delegation and knowing when you’re the bottleneck - Rise of AI and how curiosity becomes a competitive advantage Quote From The Episode: “Most people won’t do it. And that’s the opportunity.” - Mitch Joel Timestamp: [00:16] Why Only a Few People Actually Win in Business [18:20] Timing Will Make or Break You—And You Can’t Control It [29:13] The Hidden Reason Your Brand Gets Ignored [40:17] The Tiny Discipline That Builds Million-Dollar Networks [54:13] The Silent Trap That Destroys Early-Stage Startups [1:07:51] Most Founders Fail Because They Can’t Let Go [1:19:23] Your Network Is Your Net Worth (But Almost No One Acts Like It) [1:34:18] Outro Connect with - Mitch Joel: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mitchjoel Website - mitchjoel.com sixpixels.com thinkersone.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if everything you believe about “great customer service” is actually wrong? In this episode, we sit down with Rick DeLisi — a 20-year expert on customer experience, bestselling author of The Effortless Experience, and lead researcher behind a landmark study on how over 1,000 business leaders are using AI in customer service. Rick breaks down why real customer loyalty has nothing to do with delight, fancy gestures, or “wow moments.” It comes from something far simpler — making people feel smart for choosing you and giving them an experience that feels way easier than expected. We also dive into how the next generation of AI will reshape support, why replacing humans is the wrong move, and how the best companies create a balance between automation and human connection. Tune in to learn the hidden psychology behind effortless experiences and why it’s the real edge every founder needs right now. Key Topics: -How effortless experiences build real customer loyalty -Why thinking like your customers changes everything -The new empathy that creates faster and better solutions -How AI and humans should work together in customer service -The leadership mindset that keeps companies truly customer centric Quote From The Episode: “Entrepreneurial excellence is thinking like your customers, not about them” - Rick DeLisi Timestamp: [00:20] Why Most Leaders Are Flying Blind — And Don’t Even Know It [11:16] The Hidden Habit That Destroys Customer Loyalty Overnight [22:30] The Psychology Trick That Turns Angry Customers Into Lifelong Fans [33:54] The Fatal Mistake Companies Make When ‘Fixing’ Customer Problems [45:28] AI Won’t Save You—But This One Shift Will Transform Your Customer Experience [55:54] The New Empathy: Why ‘I’m Sorry’ Is Killing Your Customer Experience [1:07:02] Why Employee Effort Is the Hidden Metric That Predicts Customer Loyalty [1:27:30] Outro Connect with - Rick DeLisi: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/rick-delisi-1122257 Website - glia.com Email: [email protected] Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, investor and ecosystem builder David Fogel reveals what he’s learned from working with over a thousand founders across the globe — the wins, the failures, and the tough lessons that define true entrepreneurial excellence. David shares why most startups fail long before they run out of money, how founders can learn to adapt fast, and why falling in love with your problem matters more than falling in love with your product. He opens up about the mission behind Alma Angels, a $1 trillion movement backing women founders, and the hidden biases still shaping the world of venture capital. If you’re a founder, investor, or leader searching for what it really takes to build something that lasts, this conversation will change the way you see success. 🎧 Tune in to discover how great founders turn pain into progress, why self-awareness beats perfection, and what it truly means to play the infinite game in business and life. Key Topics: -Why problem obsession matters more than product obsession -How bias and warm intros shape who actually gets funded -Building companies not just products as you scale -Choosing and stress testing the right co founder -Leading with empathy while making hard decisions Quote From The Episode: “Pain is learning — the difference between a good entrepreneur and an excellent one is their willingness to feel it.” -David Fogel Timestamp: [00:19] The Hidden Truth Behind Why Startups Fail — And How Great Founders Turn It Around [12:13] The Unspoken Truth About Bias, Power, and the $1 Trillion Mission to Back Women Founders [24:41] Inside the $1 Trillion Network Powering the Next Generation of Women Founders [33:48] The One Trait That Separates Great Founders From Everyone Else [44:43] Warm Intros, Cold Truths: How Great Founders Turn “No” Into Momentum—and Guard Their Time [53:50] How to Choose the Right Co-Founder—Before It’s Too Late [1:04:46] Why the Best Leaders Make Tough Calls—with Heart [1:18:36] Outro Connect with - David Fogel: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/fogeldavid Website - alma-angels.com/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Kasim Aslam reveals the 7 Steps to true entrepreneurial greatness. From running 17 companies to hiring rockstars instead of babysitters, Kasim exposes the uncomfortable truth behind why most leaders will never scale — they don’t trust anyone but themselves. This isn’t another “delegate better” talk. It’s a full mindset teardown. Kasim walks us through The Black Box of Delegation — a system that turns chaos into clarity, builds ownership instead of oversight, and frees you to work on what actually compounds. He explains why paying 10% more gets you 100x results, how the wrong kind of “management” kills top talent, and why mediocrity is the default setting for most modern businesses. 🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to stop working in your business and start architecting the people, systems, and leverage that make it unstoppable. Key Topics: -The Black Box of Delegation -Why Overpaying Attracts 100x Talent -Building Leverage Through People, Not Processes -Escaping the Trap of Mediocre Leadership -The Founder’s Shift from Control to Clarity Quote From The Episode: “I believe every human is a miracle.” -Kasim Aslam Timestamp: [00:20] Why Most “Entrepreneurs” Aren’t Actually Entrepreneurs [14:17] The Only Skill That Matters in a Post-AI World [23:04] The 7 Secrets to Hiring Talent That Changes Everything [32:52] The Real Reason Your Team Isn’t World-Class Yet [42:21] The Black Box of Delegation: How to Let Go Without Losing Control [51:50] Traffic First. Talent Next. Scale. [1:04:51] Build Authority Or Be Invisible [1:25:17] Outro Connect with - Kasim Aslam: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kasimaslam Website - ParetoTalent.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if success wasn’t the finish line — but the launchpad for who you’re meant to become? In this episode, Joshua Litwack shares how he went from a lower-middle-class kid in Canada to building and selling a company — only to realize the real work began after the exit. Josh breaks down how true entrepreneurs think differently: they see patterns no one else does, they reinvent instead of retire, and they measure success by how much meaning and community they create. 🎧 Tune in to discover what the post-exit journey really looks like — and why the secret to lasting success is learning to trust yourself, redefine greatness, and stay endlessly curious. Key Topics: -Reinventing success after selling a company -Building resilience and trust in yourself -The power of community and connection -Goal setting as a foundation for growth -The mindset of optimism and purpose-driven leadership Quote From The Episode: “The exit is perceived as this like ending point. But it's really just the beginning point of the next part of your life.” - Joshua Litwack Timestamp: [01:39] Willpower, Innovation, and the Future of Work: How Visionaries Create Opportunity in a Changing World [14:37] From Lower-Middle-Class Kid to Global Leader: The Hidden Compounding Power Behind Reinvention [25:14] The Goal-Setting Blueprint That Changed My Life: How One Bold Decision Sparked a Lifetime of Reinvention [35:22] The Obsession with Greatness: How One Founder Turned Risk, Reinvention, and Exit Lessons into His Life’s Best Work [46:15] Beyond the Exit: The Real Lessons on Deals, Success, and Redefining Greatness in the Age of AI [58:25] The Art of Storytelling: How the Most Positive Founder Turns Life Experience Into Magnetic Leadership [1:09:47] Why the Best Founders Are Outcasts: The Goal System and Community That Fuel Relentless Success [1:21:57] The One Trait That Separates Great Founders From the Rest [1:27:04] Outro Connect with - Joshua Litwack: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/joshualitwack Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, we go deep into what separates founders who grow from those who stall. It’s not a lack of skill — it’s ego, control, and the fear of letting go. You’ll hear insights on why real leaders stop trying to do everything, trust the people they hire, and focus on what truly moves the company forward. We talk about why massive goals force you to evolve, how to spot when your ego is quietly slowing you down, and why entrepreneurship will always feel uncertain — because it’s supposed to. Tune in if you’re ready to face the truth every founder must learn: you can’t scale your business until you learn to get out of your own way. Key Topics: -Breaking free from your own limits -Ego the silent business killer -How real leaders let go to grow -The mindset shift that scales companies -Why thinking bigger changes everything Quote From The Episode: “If you don't evolve and change, your business will disappear, no matter what it is.” -Shawn Freeman Timestamp: [00:00] The Hard Truth About Why Most Founders Fail (And How to Finally Get Out of Your Own Way) [09:22] Why Playing It Safe Kills Growth (And the One Mindset Shift Every Founder Needs) [18:55] The Real Reason Your Business Plateaus (And Why It’s Always the Founder’s Fault) [37:15] The Hidden Cost of Outdated Tech (And How Smart Founders Future-Proof Their Teams with AI) [46:39] Stop Hiring “Good Enough” People — The Real Secret to Building an Unstoppable Team [49:41] Outro Connect with - Shawn Freeman: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/shawnfreeman- Website - https://shawnfreeman.com/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode of Entrepreneurial Excellence Podcast, we sit down with a founder who has done what most dream of — building and selling multiple startups in just three years each. Shreesha Ramdas shares how he keeps winning by staying optimistic when others quit, how he codified culture into a system that breeds excellence, and why delegation, not control, is the real key to scaling a company. From his early days leaving India for Silicon Valley to leading a fast-growing SaaS company today, Shreesha reveals the startup fitness framework that helps founders survive chaos and build companies that endure. Tune in to learn how to build a culture that refuses mediocrity, lead with optimism, and turn every challenge into momentum. Key Topics: -The secret behind the -Building a culture that rejects mediocrity -The startup fitness mindset for lasting success -Turning optimism into a leadership advantage -Scaling through delegation and trust -Creating products customers help design Quote From The Episode: “Tough situations won’t last, but tough founders will.” -Shreesha Ramdas Timestamp: [00:02] The Mindset That Turns Tough Founders Into Industry Builders [14:06] Inside the Startup Culture That Refuses to Settle for Average [26:30] From Delhi Dreams to Silicon Valley Success: How One Founder Beat the Odds [38:17] The 56-Hour Flight That Changed Everything: From Cold Calls to Category Creation [49:14] The $0-to-Acquisition Blueprint: How One Founder Outsold Giants Like Marketo and Won Big [1:02:11] Why This CEO Builds Companies Investors Can’t Stop Buying [1:25:29] Outro Connect with - Shreesha Ramdas: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/shreesharamdas Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, you’ll hear the story of what it takes to turn instability, sacrifice, and irrational bets into lasting success. From living on $50,000 for years and building through sheer persistence, to catching the iPad wave before anyone else, this conversation dives into the mindset, discipline, and daily habits that create real momentum. We dig into how to survive the early days, why scaling requires a whole new way of leading, and how today’s AI wave mirrors the mobile revolution. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually feels like to build something enduring, this episode will change how you think about entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn why relentless focus, small daily improvements, and the willingness to bet on yourself are the real game-changers in building companies that last. Key Topics: -The power of irrational persistence in building companies -The sacrifices and tradeoffs founders make in the early years -How timing and bold bets can create breakthrough moments -The fragile reality of co founder dynamics and trust -The discipline of daily improvement as a path to excellence Quote From The Episode: “You have a million problems running a startup, until you have one health problem — then you only have one.” - Daniel Kivatinos Timestamp: [00:18] Why Most Founders Quit Too Soon (And How Daniel Kivatinos Beat the Odds) [13:53] The Irrational Persistence That Builds Billion-Dollar Startups [24:29] The Hidden Reason Most Startups Fail (And How to Avoid It) [37:54] The Brutal Tradeoffs That Separate Startup Survivors from Quitters [48:45] From Ramen to Relevance: The Startup Gamble That Actually Paid Off [1:02:18] The Unseen Discipline That Turns Struggling Startups Into Industry Leaders [1:13:39] The Relentless Mindset That Transforms Struggle Into Startup Success [1:23:54] Outro Connect with - Daniel Kivatinos: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kivatinos Website - https://linktr.ee/kivatinos https://www.justpaid.ai/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Most founders chase growth at all costs — but what if that’s the very trap that stops great companies? In this episode, we uncover the hard truths behind building businesses that actually endure. From firing friends to rejecting VC money, from scaling remote teams before it was cool to pulling companies out of financial freefall — this conversation reveals the parts of entrepreneurship you rarely hear about. You’ll learn why the “perfect” number of employees might be zero, why owning 100% is often the smartest path, and how to survive the painful cuts that keep a company alive. If you want unfiltered lessons on profit, control, freedom, and what it truly takes to win long term, this episode is the one you don’t want to miss Key Topics: -Building companies that last over hype-driven growth -The real cost of taking venture capital -Why owning 100 percent creates freedom and control -Turning unprofitable teams into cash flow machines -Defining your five year outcome as a founder Quote From The Episode: “Founders should never think about an exit when times are bad—sell when times are good.” - Zack Onisko Timestamp: [00:16] From Bootstrapping to Billion-Dollar Lessons: Zack’s Journey in Building Enduring Businesses [13:21] Why Zach Walked Away from a Rocketship Startup to Lead an 8-Person Team [24:52] When Bootstrapping Beats Venture Capital: The Hard Truth About Growth and Control [36:30] How a Remote-First Team Scaled from Garage Hustle to 20 Million Users Without VC Money [48:56] The Untold Truth About Selling Your Company: Timing, Bankers, and Broken Cap Tables [1:00:24] The Brutal Reality of Turning Around Failing Companies (and Staying Focused as a Leader) [1:12:11] The One Question Every Entrepreneur Must Answer Before Building a Business [1:21:35] Outro Connect with - Zack Onisko: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/zack415 Website - zack415.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Cheryl Sew Hoy, multi-time entrepreneur and CEO of Tiny Health, proves that conviction can be stronger than credentials. From selling her first startup to Walmart Labs, to leading a $30M initiative in Southeast Asia under President Obama, to now serving over 80,000 families with gut health testing—her journey is anything but ordinary. Cheryl opens up about the hard truths of building in health tech: why prevention is a tough sell, what founder-market fit really means, and how integrity and resilience kept her going even when she faced corruption, politics, and personal threats. If you’ve ever wondered what separates great founders from the rest, Cheryl lays it bare: obsession, execution, and the courage to learn fast. This is not a polished Silicon Valley success story—it’s raw, real, and packed with lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear. Key Topics: -Founder market fit and why conviction matters -The challenge of selling prevention versus solving urgent pain -Building trust without credentials through science and transparency -Hiring early employees and shaping culture from the start -Resilience and integrity in the face of threats and setbacks Quote From The Episode: “Sometimes the best founders aren’t experts at the start, but they’re willing to do anything to become one.” -Cheryl Sew Hoy Timestamp: [00:15] Nobody Wanted Prevention (So I Built a Company That Changed Everything) [15:34] How a Founder Without Medical Training Built a Health Company From Scratch [27:26] Why The Best Founders Don’t Rely on Expertise—They Build It [38:23] From Death Threats to Breaking Silence: How One Founder Refused to Back Down [50:52] The Hardest Lessons I Learned About Hiring and Culture as a Founder [1:02:26] How I Built a Startup While Raising Three Kids and Reading 10,000 Customer Emails [1:12:58] The Single Superpower Every Founder Needs to Succeed [1:17:56] Outro Connect with - Cheryl Sew Hoy: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/cherylyeoh Website - https://www.tinyhealth.com/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Most CEOs believe they are data driven, but Charles Gaudet II proves that two thirds of them are flying blind. In this raw and eye-opening conversation, the CEO Whisperer breaks down the hidden traps that cost entrepreneurs millions and the exact systems that create unstoppable momentum. We go deep on why the best founders obsess over numbers, how to spot when your culture is slipping, and the uncomfortable truth that comfort is the fastest way to kill growth. This is not a theory. These are the frameworks that turn fragile businesses into resilient ones that scale past seven and eight figures. Tune in now if you’re ready to see the blind spots in your company and learn what top performers already know about building predictable, repeatable profits. Key Topics: -Two thirds of marketing runs blind without context -Variation is the enemy of excellence -Top performers embrace numbers while low performers hide from them -Consumption is the real driver of conversion -Comfort is the million dollar mistake that kills growth Quote From The Episode: “Variation is the enemy of excellence.” -Charles E. Gaudet II Timestamp: [00:19] The Hidden Formula CEOs Use to Turn Chaos Into Predictable Growth [13:03] Why ‘Variation’ Might Be Quietly Killing Your Business [24:06] Why Top Performers Crave KPIs—and the Busy Ones Don’t [36:25] The KPI Secret That Builds a High-Performance Culture [48:36] The 96% Rule: How Consumption Turbocharges Your Sales [1:04:58] From Rogue Waves to Rocket Ships: How Founders Survive Disruption [1:15:06] The Million-Dollar Mistake Every Founder Must Avoid [1:27:34] Outro Connect with - Charles E. Gaudet II: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/charlesgaudet Website - PredictableProfits.com (Company) youtube.com/channel/UCvNG-gs5lsgJZ_Mv2f5k1HQ (Other) predictableprofits.com/beyond-7-figures/ (Blog) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if the stories you’ve been told about Silicon Valley excellence are wrong? In this episode, Mike Del Ponte pulls back the curtain on what real success looks like and it has nothing to do with chasing someone else’s playbook. From near startup collapse to selling Soma, Mike reveals the hard truths most founders only learn the painful way. We explore why vision, team, and resources decide the fate of every company, and why so many CEOs fail at one of them. Mike shares how culture is built in the handoffs between people, why honesty is a superpower, and how reinvention every six months may be the only way to survive as a founder. This isn’t just about startups — it’s about what happens when coaching, faith, family, and billion-dollar ambitions collide. 👉 Tune in to discover why the real measure of excellence is nothing like you’ve been taught. Key Topics: -Defining excellence through values and authenticity -The difference between wants and true commitments -Vision team and resources as the foundation of leadership -Coaching as a catalyst for growth and survival -Balancing ambition with faith family and personal freedom Quote From The Episode: “Show me how you spend your time, and I’ll show you what you actually value.” - Mike Del Ponte Timestamp: [01:57] The Hidden Truth About Excellence: Why Most Founders Get It Wrong [11:19] Why Vision, Values, and Persistence Define Real Entrepreneurs [20:56] How Almost Losing It All Turned Me Into a Better CEO [30:52] The Coach That Saved My Startup and Changed How I Lead Forever [41:15] Can AI Replace Your Coach? The Founder’s Dilemma on Optimization and ROI [51:36] Reinvent or Be Replaced: The Founder’s Real Job Every 6 Months [1:02:44] The Hard Question Every Founder Avoids: Job or Family? [1:16:21] The One Trait That Separates Great Founders From the Rest [1:26:27] Outro Connect with - Mike Del Ponte: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mikedelponte Website - mikedelponte.co Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

From Wall Street spreadsheets to cannabis smoke-filled rooms. What does success really mean? Is it hitting your first million, chasing a billion, or waking up every day doing something you love? In this episode, David Kram takes us inside the raw side of entrepreneurship — from being broke in San Francisco to building a business in the Hollywood Hills. David shares how chasing wealth brought both freedom and noise, why believing your own bullshit can sometimes be the edge you need, and the harsh truth that money alone doesn’t buy happiness. He opens up about cannabis as a proving ground for resilience, the power of conviction, and why storytelling and people are the real currencies of entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make it and why most people get it wrong — this conversation will change the way you think about success. Key Topics: -Redefining success from money to meaning -Believing your own story to create conviction -The role of cannabis in shaping resilience and risk -Storytelling and people as the real drivers of entrepreneurship -The hard truth that success takes time and consistent work Quote From The Episode: "If I dream it, I can achieve it. - David Kram Timestamp: [01:04] The Truth About Success, Wealth, and Why $500 Million Still Isn’t Enough [09:42] From Broke in San Francisco to a Mansion in the Hills: The Brutal Plan That Changed Everything [19:32] From Banking Spreadsheets to Cannabis Hustle: Why Conviction (and a Little Bullshit) Builds Empires [29:01] Storytelling and Billion-Dollar Deals: The Real Playbook of Entrepreneurs [35:58] The Valuation Mirage: How Entrepreneurs Fool Themselves (and Their Bankers) [45:36] The Hidden Skill Every Great Founder Masters (and Why Money Alone Won’t Drive Your Team) [53:53] The One Truth About Success Nobody Wants to Hear: It Takes Time [1:06:58] Outro Connect with - David Kram: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/davidkram Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What really drives founders — is it passion, obsession, or hidden insecurity? In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of an entrepreneur who built and sold a company for a massive exit and is now reshaping what success actually means. You’ll hear the raw truth about chasing billion-dollar dreams, why “enough” is never really enough, and how founders can avoid burning themselves out on the startup treadmill. From the birth of seed-strapping to the culture clash between obsession and balance, this conversation uncovers the unfiltered realities behind building companies that last. We also explore powerful lessons on timing exits, staying in the game when the odds are stacked against you, and redefining fulfillment beyond external validation. Tune in to discover why staying in the game might just be the ultimate founder advantage. Key Topics: -Redefining success and knowing when enough is enough -The rise of seed strapping and capital efficient growth -Obsession as both a strength and a dangerous fuel -The importance of timing and resilience in the founder journey -Balancing identity, fulfillment, and the realities of entrepreneurship Quote From The Episode: "You just have to ask yourself, when is enough enough?" - Josh Payne Timestamp: [02:16]: When Is Enough… Enough? The Hidden Game Behind Startup Success [11:10] AI, Obsession, and the Culture Clash Every Founder Faces [20:19] The Dark Fuel Driving Founders—and Why It Burns Out Fast [30:46] From Obsession to Ownership: The Real Rules of Delegation and Focus [40:05] The 10-Year Grind, the Exit Gamble, and Why Timing Is Everything [51:19] Stay in the Game: The Founder’s Real Secret to Winning [1:05:36] Outro Connect with - Josh Payne: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jnpayne Websites: medium.com/@jnpayne Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

The Founder Mindset That Most People Get Wrong Success in entrepreneurship is rarely about following a blueprint. Auren Hoffman believes there is no single path to becoming a great founder, but there is one trait almost every successful one shares — persistence. In this episode, he opens up about why chasing the “safe” career path can secretly hold you back and how cutting your team size might be the fastest way to grow. We explore why the ability to choose and manage vendors is the most underrated skill in business today and why mastering it can give you an edge most competitors will never see coming. If you are ready for founder advice that challenges the usual startup playbook and forces you to rethink how you build, scale, and lead, this conversation will change how you approach your business. Key Topics: -Persistence as the defining trait of successful founders -Why working at large companies can slow personal growth -The power of selecting and managing vendors effectively -How lean teams can accelerate company growth -Avoiding overhiring and focusing on high value work Quote From The Episode: "The only thing that successful founders almost always have in common is persistence." - Auren Hoffman Timestamp: [01:59] Why Persistence Beats Every Other Founder Trait [10:38] Why Playing It Safe Can Be the Riskiest Career Move [20:44] The Counterintuitive Truth About Building a High-Performance Team [31:39] The Most Overlooked Skill That Defines Great Hires [42:57] Mastering the Underrated Skill That Gives Founders an Unfair Edge [51:14] Why Fewer People Can Mean Faster Growth for Your Company [1:00:47] The Simple Rules That Make or Break Entrepreneurs [1:12:36] Outro Connect with - Auren Hoffman: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/auren Websites: SafeGraph.com (Company) summation.net/ (Blog) twitter.com/auren (twitter) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if the biggest risk to your company is that it depends on you? In part 2 of this sharp conversation, Adam Spector reconnects with Ari Meisel to explore the mindset shift founders avoid the most—becoming truly replaceable. This is not about doing less for the sake of it. It is about building something that can grow without breaking you. Ari shares the patterns he sees behind broken delegation, co-founder tension, and why most systems fail quietly. He explains why experts often make the worst teachers, how process is the missing piece in most startups, and why founders must stop solving every problem themselves. This is not a how-to guide. It is a mirror for any founder who feels needed, burned out, or unsure what letting go should actually look like. Tune in to rethink what leadership means when you are no longer the bottleneck. Key Topics: -Why delegation is the true test of leadership -How broken processes quietly limit company growth -The danger of skipping optimization before automation -What co-founder misalignment teaches about vision and roles -Building a business that does not rely on the founder Quote From The Episode: "I don’t want people to work an hour a day… I want them to be able to work an hour a day.” - Ari Meisel Timestamp: [00:29] Why Great Founders Make Themselves Replaceable [08:36] Fix Your Broken Systems: Why Process Is the Silent Killer of Scaling Startups [17:32] Automate the Right Way: Processes, Co-Founder Breakups, and the Real Cost of Scaling [24:38] Delegation Is True Leadership: Why Founders Fail to Let Go (and How to Fix It) [32:58] Don’t Hire for Loyalty—Build for Scalability: Process-First Companies [39:34] Outro Connect with - Ari Meisel: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/productivity-coach-entrepreneur Websites: lessdoing.com (Business Productivity Coach) medium.com/@arimeisel (Entrepreneur Productivity Blog) itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2 (The Less Doing Podcast ) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if the very thing holding your business back... is you? In this episode, We sit down with Ari Meisel, author, productivity expert, and founder of Less Doing — to talk about what truly defines entrepreneurial excellence. Ari shares hard-earned lessons on why most founders fail to scale, not because of bad ideas, but because they refuse to let go. We talk about building processes that don’t break, why overtraining is a sign of broken systems, and the surprising cost of being “the only one who knows how things work.” From optimizing your day to outsourcing tasks at home, Ari breaks down his signature framework — Optimize, Automate, Outsource — and explains why becoming replaceable is the key to long-term growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck working in your business instead of on it, this episode will change how you lead, delegate, and grow. Key Topics: -Why delegation isn’t about trust — it’s about clarity -How to stop micromanaging without dropping the ball -The mindset shift every founder needs to scale beyond $1M -Why great processes matter more than great people -How to build a team that moves fast — even while you sleep Quote From The Episode: "My job is to protect the entrepreneur’s team from the entrepreneur’s mind" - Ari Meisel Timestamp: [00:14]: Replace Yourself to Scale: Ari Meisel on Why Founders Must Let Go to Grow [08:36] Why Founders Fail at Delegation: Mastering Systems [16:05] Stop Doing It All: Build Processes That Run Without You at Work and Home [26:06] The Real Reason Your Team Drops the Ball: Ari Meisel on Delegation, Trust, and Speed [35:02] Don’t Hire for Loyalty—Build for Scalability: Process-First Companies [42:50] Replace Yourself or Stay Stuck: Ari Meisel’s Ultimate Framework for Entrepreneurial Freedom [53:32] Outro Connect with - Ari Meisel: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/productivity-coach-entrepreneur Websites: lessdoing.com (Business Productivity Coach) medium.com/@arimeisel (Entrepreneur Productivity Blog) itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ari-meisel-less-doing/id605938952?mt=2 (The Less Doing Podcast ) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Sharmin opens up about the real cost of ambition. She left a Google offer to join a startup, grew Mu Sigma from 3 people to $300M ARR, and built one of India’s most powerful content platforms before selling it to a Bollywood studio. She then raised $200M for her next AI company, partnered with Oxford, and worked with brands like P&G and Unilever. But beneath the wins: therapy, depression, burnout, betrayal, and survival. Tune in to hear how Sharmin Ali made risk her superpower, and what she’s building next. Key Topics: -Betting everything on vision—with no backup plan -Outsmarting gatekeepers and closing million-dollar deals -Creating content in 10 Indian languages before it was cool -Selling at the right time before burnout wins -And learning how to breathe again after everything crashes Quote From The Episode: "Confidence is everything. It trumps every other skill as an entrepreneur." - Sharmin Ali Timestamp: [04:22]: She Turned Down Google on Day One. What Happened Next Will Blow Your Mind. [11:49] She Closed a $1M Deal by Saying Nothing. Here’s How Listening Changed Everything. [21:39] How $500 Interns and Free Booze Built a $300M Startup [32:19] No Plan B. No Backup. Just Ruthless Belief and a Billion-Dollar Bet. [43:02] The Shameless Strategy That Landed Her Millions and a Viral Media Empire [54:37] The Ruthless Hiring Strategy Behind a Media Startup’s Viral Success [1:01:59] How a Brutal Founder Sold Her Media Company and Launched an AI Startup with 70M Data Points [1:22:45] The Brutally Honest Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything [1:39:19] Outro Connect with - Sharmin Ali: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sharmin-ali Websites:sharminali.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, Dave Durand shares how he scaled his business from $500K to millions — not by doing more, but by building smarter systems, delegating deeply, and respecting what others overlook. We talk about why leading independent contractors take the highest level of leadership, the secret behind building a world-class sales team (even if you hate sales), and the real reason print media wasn’t dead — it just needed the right mindset. Dave also reveals the one question every founder should ask: What are you really building toward? If you're a founder, leader, or builder — this episode will challenge how you think about growth, leadership, and legacy. Key Topics: -Building systems that scale with delegation and trust -Leading independent contractors with high-level leadership skills -Respecting sales without needing to love it -Creating value by solving overlooked problems in dying industries -Redefining success through purpose and eternal impact Quote From The Episode: "Leading independent contractors is the highest form of leadership skill." - Dave Durand Timestamp: [00:23]: The 9-to-5 Safety Net Is a Lie: Why Risk Is the Real Career Security [10:00] Why Great Entrepreneurs Obsess Over the Details—Then Let Go [22:51] Why the Best CEOs Don’t Micromanage—And Still Win Big [30:43]Why the Best Founders Build Culture, Not Control — And Scale Without Burning Out [43:00] How Top CEOs Lead Without Micromanaging and Build Cultures That Actually Scale [54:28] How to Build a High-Performing Company That Practically Runs Without You [1:06:12] The CEO Blueprint: Culture, Delegation, and Building a Business That Runs Without You [1:18:44] From Burnout to Billion-Dollar Breakthrough: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Scaling with Virtue, Vision, and Grit [1:29:59] Build It Right or Burn Out: How to Scale, Let Go, and Lead With Eternal Purpose [1:46:46] Outro Connect with - Dave Durand: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/davevdurand Websites: bestversionmedia.com (Best Version Media) facebook.com/durandleadershipgroup (Facebook) davedurand.com (Durand Leadership Group) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What happens when your business stops working but your life isn’t over? In this raw and powerful conversation, we go deep with multi-time founder Andrew McConnell to talk about what most entrepreneurs won’t admit out loud. From building startups that raised millions, to facing identity loss, health scares, and hard personal choices, Andrew shares what it really means to let go of success as your identity and build a life with meaning. He talks openly about the cost of tying your self-worth to a job title, what true leadership looks like, and how journaling, mindset work, and values helped him rewire everything—from his business to his brain. You’ll hear why most people get stuck chasing the wrong dream, how to build teams rooted in shared values, and why letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means growing up. Tune in if you're ready to rethink what success actually looks like—and why time, not money, might be your most important asset. Key Topics: -Letting go of your identity as a founder -Redefining success and personal values -Balancing mindset tools with emotional honesty -Learning from failure and bad timing -Building culture through aligned values and leadership choices Quote From The Episode: "You need to figure out what success means to you." - Andrew McConnell Timestamp: [01:20]: The Dangerous Trap of Conviction: Why Most Entrepreneurs Miss the Real Signal [11:11] Why Clinging to the Wrong Dream Could Cost You Everything [21:33] The Founder’s Ultimate Test: Letting Go, Leveling Up, and Living Without Regret [31:35] The Founder’s Survival Code: Rethink Success, Reclaim Your Mind, and Let Go Before It’s Too Late [42:04] From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Mindset Shift Every Founder Needs Before It's Too Late [55:36] Build Boldly, Let Go Fast: The Mindset Shift That Saved My Career (and Life) [1:03:44] When Your Startup Fails—and You Don’t: Redefining Success, Identity, and What Really Matters [1:20:24] Outro Connect with - Andrew McConnell: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mandrewmcconnell Websites:mandrewmcconnell.com/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

Are You Building a Life You’ll Regret or Reinventing One You’ll Love? What if everything you thought was “safe” — your job, your path, your partnerships, was actually holding you back? In this powerful episode, Scott D. Clary opens up about what it really takes to become future-proof in a world where AI is replacing jobs, comfort is killing progress, and success means learning to constantly disrupt yourself. From shutting down VC deals and broken partnerships to leading with radical candor, Scott shares bold insights on how to build relationships with people who move mountains, make decisions that protect your peace, and why sticking with the wrong thing might be worse than quitting. Tune in to learn how to unlearn outdated paths, pick the right partners, and fly closer to the sun — without getting burned. Key Topics: -Why playing it safe is the biggest risk in today’s world -The real reason AI is eliminating traditional jobs -How obsession and identity can destroy entrepreneurs -What it means to disrupt yourself before someone else does -The mindset shift from employee to intrapreneur Quote From The Episode: "You have one shot at this life. Go do the thing. Even if it doesn’t work out, you're not gonna get burnt" - Scott Clary Timestamp: [01:53]: The 9-to-5 Safety Net Is a Lie: Why Risk Is the Real Career Security [13:34] Kill the Noise: Why Chasing Alignment Beats Playing It Safe [23:40] If You Died Tonight, Would You Still Choose This Life Tomorrow? [31:18] Stop Moving the Goalpost: Define Success Before It Defines You [44:13] Entrepreneurial Excellence Is Not a Number — It’s the Life You Design [52:38] Entrepreneurial Excellence Is Trusting Yourself to Build the Life You Actually Want [1:07:48] The Hidden Weight of Winning: When Success Isn’t Enough [1:17:49] When Obsession Becomes Identity: The Hidden Cost of Building Big [1:27:56] You Won’t Get Burned: Why the Only Risk Is Standing Still [1:45:29] Outro Connect with - Scott Clary: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/scottdclary Websites: stan.store/scottdclary scottdclary.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What if the secret to building billion-dollar ideas isn’t experience but curiosity? In this episode, we dive into the mind of a founder who built 15 companies, reads over 1,000 article headlines a day, and believes AI, clean food, and remote teams will shape the future of business. From freeze-dried strawberries to why unhappy employees kill culture, this conversation is raw, real, and wildly insightful. We explore why fast learners beat seasoned pros, how junior hires can build world-class products, and what makes a team truly unstoppable in the age of automation and AI agents. You’ll also hear his bold take on corporate life, remote work, and why your workday probably only has 4 real hours of productivity. Tune in to learn how founders can think bigger, ship faster, and stay true to what really matters. Curiosity, culture, and creating something that truly helps others. Key Topics: -The power of curiosity and rapid learning -Remote-first teams and global talent -Managing AI agents as future teammates -Building culture with junior high performers -Reinventing food as real medicine through tech Quote From The Episode: "I believe our faith plan things bigger than we can dream of" - Sahin Boydas Timestamp: [02:51]: Why True Entrepreneurs Don’t Chase Ego—They Build for Millions [12:35] The Jobs AI Can’t Replace and the One Skill Future Entrepreneurs Must Master [20:59] Why the Best Founders Bet on Obsession, Not Market Size [30:00] Why Feeding Your Curiosity Might Be the Greatest Startup Strategy Ever [41:50] How One Founder’s Obsession with Clean Food, Daily Rituals, and AI Is Reinventing Health from the Soil Up [51:15] Why Fast Learners, Smiley Teams, and MVPs Win: The Startup Culture No One Talks About [1:01:14] Why Remote Teams, Smiling Cultures, and AI Agents Will Crush the Old Way of Working [1:09:53] You’re Not in Control—And That Might Be the Founder’s Superpower [1:23:52] Outro Connect with - Sahin Boydas: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sahinboydas Websites: instagram.com/sahin twitter.com/sahin sahin.press Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this revealing episode, Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media, shares the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to build and keep running a company you love. From turning voice recordings into a bestselling book now taught at Columbia and NYU, to leading a multimillion-dollar agency through economic downturns, Erik’s story isn’t just impressive, it’s deeply relatable for every founder chasing both growth and freedom. Erik dives into the three core pillars of all great marketing and unpacks why trust is the piece most companies fail to build. He talks about the realities of ambition, burnout, and how founders accidentally trap themselves in businesses they no longer want to run. This episode is a must-listen if you want real insights from someone who’s actually in the arena. Key Topics: -Building a company you actually want to run -The three pillars of great marketing -Turning knowledge into a bestselling book -The power of work-life integration -Why high locus of control defines entrepreneurial success Quote From The Episode: "Work like most won’t so you can live like most can." - Erik Huberman Timestamp: [01:20]: From Beanie Babies to Billion-Dollar Ambition: The Truth About Building a Real Empire [11:26] Why Playing It Safe Will Keep You Broke: The Brutal Truth About Ambition, Risk, and Building a Real Legacy [21:16] Build Fast, Hire Hard, and Tell the Brutal Truth: Inside the Culture of Hawk Media [30:33] Brutal Truths, Real Leadership: How Eric Huberman Builds Culture That Wins [41:26] No Plan B: Eric Huberman on Focus, Culture, and Playing the Long Game in Business [53:22] Ambition Over Everything: Eric Huberman on Sales, Grit, and Winning in the AI Age [1:05:13] What It Takes to Be an Excellent Entrepreneur Today [1:25:36] Outro Connect with - Erik Huberman: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman Websites: hawkemedia.com erikhuberman.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, we sit down with Cecilia Ziniti, Founder & CEO of GC AI, to explore the raw truth behind leadership, legal tech, and what excellence really looks like today. From representing Apple in the early smartphone wars to helping launch Alexa, Cecilia has seen tech evolve from every angle, law, operations, and now AI. She opens up about what it means to scale with heart, embrace feedback, delegate with intention, and why parenting might be the best metaphor for building startups. We go deep into how AI is transforming law, why resilience matters more than ever, and what founders get wrong about success. If you’ve ever wondered whether greatness requires being tough or vulnerable, this conversation is for you. Tune in to hear why the future of legal work won’t replace you with AI but it might, if you don’t evolve. Key Topics: -Building high standards without burning out your team -Why AI-powered lawyers will lead the future -Letting go of outdated success metrics -Hiring people you'd actually work for -Delegating to people and AI with intention Quote From The Episode: "It’s not always perfect progress, but good things are happening, and you get to learn every day." - Cecilia Ziniti Timestamp: [01:32]: From Law to Alexa: How a Tech Lawyer Helped Shape the Future of AI [10:47] Why Manifesting Isn’t Magic, It’s Momentum. [20:14] You Can’t Return the Baby: The Raw Reality of Startup Resilience [31:10] Same Chaos, New Growth: Parenting, Founding, and the Power of Feedback [40:12] Do You Need to Be Tough or Tender to Build a Billion-Dollar Company? [52:29] From Courtroom to Code: Why Smart Lawyers Are Embracing the AI Era [1:01:09] Is This As Good As It Can Be? The Relentless Standard Behind Entrepreneurial Excellence [1:14:26] Outro Connect with - Cecilia Ziniti: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ceciliaziniti Websites: getgc.ai ceciliaziniti.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

In this episode, we dive deep into the real journey of building and scaling companies—from sleeping on the office floor to managing multiple businesses with clarity and purpose. Connor Tomkies shares honest lessons on delegation, hiring, culture, EOS, and the mental shifts founders must make to avoid burnout and build smarter. We talk about why fundraising isn't always the answer, how to spot the wave you should ride, and what it means to lead with systems—not stress. You’ll hear how small habits, like aiming to be just 1% better, can change the entire game. This episode is packed with stories, strategies, and mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to hear! Key Topics: -Building systems that scale -Hiring people who’ve done the work -Culture that keeps people around -Choosing to bootstrap over fundraising -Growing through 1% daily improvements Quote From The Episode: "Focus on getting 1% better — every day, every week, every month, every year." - Connor Tomkies Timestamp: [01:32]: From Dorm Room Hustles to Running 6 Companies: How This Founder Outsmarted Burnout and Scaled Like a Pro [12:42] What Scaling to 6 Companies Taught Me About Leadership, Burnout, and Remote Teams [21:19] Why Most Startups Fail at Hiring—and What to Do Instead [31:37] Why Most Founders Waste Time—and How Systems Thinking Can 10x Your Focus and Scale [41:05] The Hidden Habits of High-Performing Founders: How to Think, Hire, and Scale Like a Pro [1:00:33] Founder’s Edge: How to Spot Big Waves, Avoid the Fundraising Trap, and Build Smarter [1:00:19] What Makes a Founder Great? The Real Lessons No One Teaches You About Building, Scaling, and Living Well [1:23:56] Outro Connect with - Connor Tomkies: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/connortomkies Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What Makes Founders Succeed (And Why Most Get It Wrong) What separates the 5% who actually raise capital from the rest who never make it past the pitch? In this episode, we go deep into the truth behind startup success — and it's not just about having a great idea. We talk about the hidden cost of lazy fundraising, the myth of the perfect pitch, and how obsession, focus, and hustle play a much bigger role than most people admit. You’ll hear raw stories about rejection, team dynamics, culture-building, and the dark side of startup life. We also explore how AI is changing fundraising forever, and why generosity might be the founder's most underrated trait. Tune in if you want to raise better, lead smarter, and build with clarity in a world full of noise. This one’s for every founder trying to make it — and willing to do the real work. Key Topics: Why most founders fail to raise capitalThe role of hustle and momentum in successful fundraisingHow the best founders build trust and relationshipsWhat AI is changing in the future of fundraisingThe personal toll and mindset behind founder life Quote From The Episode: "You’re not trying to convince people — it’s a search for believers." - Nathan Beckord Timestamp: [01:10] Only 5% Raise Startup Capital—What’s the Brutal Truth Behind the Rest? [12:10] Why Most Founders Flop at Fundraising—And What the Winners Quietly Do Differently [20:16] Broken Pitch Decks, Lazy Hustlers, and the Cold Reality No One Tells Founders [31:45] Startup Victory Formula: Is It Hustle, Heart, or Ruthless Focus That Actually Wins? [41:05] Obsessed vs. Average: The Psychology of Founders Who Actually Raise Capital [52:00] What It Really Takes to Build Something Big—And Why Most Can’t Handle It [1:04:00] The Grit Factor: Why Some Founders Build Empires and Others Just Burn Out [1:11:11] Too Young to Go Big? Why Betting Early Might Be Your Boldest—and Smartest—Move [1:15:45] Outro Connect with - Nathan Beckord: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/nathanbeckord Websites - fundingstack.com blog.foundersuite.com youtube.com/@Foundersuite/videos Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence

What does it really take to build a billion-dollar company before 30? In this episode, Emil Barr shares the bold truth behind entrepreneurship—starting from earning $70K in high school to building multi-million dollar businesses and aiming for a billion-dollar exit. He opens up about the mental and physical cost of going big, the real reasons people don’t chase their dreams, and why most entrepreneurs get stuck thinking too small. We dive deep into what sets high-impact founders apart: clear superpowers, relentless curiosity, and a willingness to fail fast. Emil breaks down why reading billionaire biographies changed his mindset, how he uses discomfort to grow, and why having big ambition isn’t crazy—it’s necessary. Tune in to hear how Emil is building companies with 99% margins, finding mentors in unlikely places, and why he believes aiming for massive impact is the best strategy—even if you fall short. Key Topics: -Why big goals lead to bigger results -The power of knowing your strengths and building around them -How curiosity fuels entrepreneurial growth -What most people get wrong about mentorship and success -Why America's system gives entrepreneurs an edge Quote From The Episode: "Set your sights on a big target, because even if you fail, it could still be a life-changing outcome for you." - Emil Barr Timestamp: [01:09] Why Building Big Is Easier Than You Think [13:10] The Billion Dollar Vision Starts With Belief Not Just Sales [21:01] Why Self-Aware Founders Hire for Strengths They Don't Have [30:46] Why Knowing Your Superpower Is the Ultimate Founder Advantage [40:49] Why Thinking Different in College Led to Millions Before Graduation [50:53] Why Most People Don't Become Entrepreneurs Even If They Want To [1:00:52] How Relentless Curiosity and Big Bets Shape the Most Successful Founders [1:11:33] Why Going Big Young Might Be the Smartest (and Hardest) Move You’ll Ever Make [1:21:44] Outro Connect with - Emil Barr: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/emil-barr Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence