Practical Business Skills & Tools Episodes

In this episode, Brian sits down with Roger Baldowski, a 16-year creative industry veteran and founder of Wildcraft, a new kind of creative agency built for the AI era. Roger unpacks why creatives and entrepreneurs shouldn't fear AI, but instead embrace it as a revolutionary tool for enhancing talent, streamlining strategy, and telling more powerful stories. He explains how AI is enabling a shift away from bloated, traditional agency models toward leaner, more collaborative, and highly specializ...

Are you drowning in data from countless dashboards but starving for actionable insights? In this episode, we tackle the all-too-common problem of being "data rich but insight poor." Harsha Mokkarala, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience driving 10x revenue growth at companies like Capital One and 2U, breaks down the next evolution of artificial intelligence: agentic AI. He reveals how this technology goes beyond simple prompts to act as a proactive, analytical team member for your ...

Ever feel like you're drowning in data but starving for wisdom? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Lumpkin, a 15-year Microsoft veteran who left the corporate world to build Veritas Maps, a data visualization company on a mission to combat misinformation with truth. Jeff breaks down how he’s making complex data accessible and actionable, transforming overwhelming spreadsheets into insightful, easy-to-read maps. For any entrepreneur or wantrepreneur, this episode is a masterclass in finding a...

Tired of answering the same questions over and over? Frustrated that your team's valuable knowledge gets lost in endless Slack channels? In this episode, Tomas Franc, CEO and founder of the NextKS Framework, reveals how to transform your team's scattered "tribal knowledge" into a powerful, scalable, and searchable asset. Tomas breaks down his journey from identifying a common business frustration to building an elegant, AI-powered solution that works with your team's natural workflow, not agains...

Cybersecurity isn’t just for big businesses anymore—it’s something every entrepreneur, household, and solopreneur needs to think about. In this eye-opening episode, Erik Barnett, founder of HomeSirens, breaks down why we’re all vulnerable and how he created a plug-and-play cybersecurity solution that anyone can use. With a background in the U.S. Marines and deep experience in enterprise security, Erik’s entrepreneurial journey is grounded in mission, impact, and innovation. His insights are esse...

What if AI could find your next customer before you even know they exist? That’s exactly what Anish Chopra is doing with Intently—an AI-powered platform that deploys personalized agents to crawl Reddit, LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and more to detect real-time buying signals. In this episode, you’ll hear how Anish went from coder to founder and built a tool that’s changing the game for B2B sales, SMBs, and even local service providers. We explore the future of agentic AI, the death of cold outreac...

Tired of spending endless hours on proposals that go nowhere? In this episode, multi-time entrepreneur Shelley Simkins shares how a ruined Christmas vacation spent grinding on an RFP was the breaking point that launched her AI company, Proquesto. Shelley breaks down the hidden costs and complexities of the traditional proposal process and reveals how AI is the great equalizer for small and mid-sized businesses. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur who wants to win more business, re...

In this episode, Jack Murphy, founder of Motion 3 Technology, shares his unorthodox path from the nonprofit camping industry to building a tech consulting business that puts humans first. Jack dives deep into why most tech solutions fail not because of bad technology, but because they ignore people and change management. He breaks down the difference between managed service providers and true strategic tech partners, and why being a facilitator, not a dictator, is the future of IT. This conversa...

In this episode, we dive into the mind of Yogesh Nagarkar, the brilliant founder behind UNpkl—a next-gen network device that gives everyday users complete control over their WiFi in real time. With over two decades of experience in software and hardware development, Yogesh is bringing cybersecurity, AI, and simplicity together in one powerful, easy-to-use device. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur building a hardware or AI-integrated product, as well as those navigating the often...

In this episode, Congxing Cai, founder of Synco AI and former engineering leader at Snap and Google, breaks down how real-time AI is transforming job interviews—and what this means for the future of work. From prepping behavioral answers to offering support during interviews, Synco is an AI assistant unlike any other. Congxing shares his entrepreneurial journey, his product development strategy, and how he's thinking far beyond tech to deeply serve everyday people navigating high-stakes moments....

Mike Ali, founder of OnPath Marketing, shares how he’s revolutionizing the cold outreach game with AI-powered voice agents and personalized email systems. Starting with zero capital and a background in finance, Mike bootstrapped his business into a cutting-edge AI automation agency that helps companies scale their marketing without adding headcount. This episode is a masterclass in how to use AI to drive real-world results, build systems that sell, and focus on strategic growth. If you're an ent...

In this episode, Claire Knutson, founder of Bold Minds and creator of Traverzer, shares how they're transforming the way software engineers work by simplifying complex processes and reducing cognitive load. With over 20 years in software development, Claire’s entrepreneurial journey is driven by a desire to build tools that bring joy, speed, and clarity to development teams. You’ll hear how Claire made the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, the philosophy behind their work, and how simplic...

Ever feel like you have a million-dollar idea but don't know the next step? Chad Vavra, a designer and developer with over 20 years of experience working with giants like Pixar, Google, and Meta, joins us to solve that exact problem. He breaks down how he’s democratizing the high-level strategies that used to cost companies hundreds of thousands of dollars and making them accessible to everyone. Chad introduces his platform, Chat Agency AI, a virtual consultant designed to help entrepreneurs ...

In this episode of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast, host Brian Lofrumento sits down with Katie Kolon, a certified mediator and conflict resolution expert, to discuss how entrepreneurs can navigate conflict in business and life. Katie shares her unique perspective on turning conflict into opportunity and how understanding the human element can foster healthier workplace dynamics. As a former employment law attorney and founder of Mutual Ground Strategies, Katie's approach blends legal i...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and AI with David Beltran, a 30-year tech veteran and the founder of CypherShield . David shares how his insatiable curiosity led him from dismantling toys as a kid to becoming a cybersecurity architect at IBM, and now, a founder tackling one of the internet's biggest threats: phishing. His journey is both technically brilliant and wildly creative—melding science fiction, digital art, and entrepreneurship into a bold mission for safer...

In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of James McNamara, founder of 8 Penny Labs, who brings a refreshingly practical approach to digital transformation. James shares how he helps mid-sized businesses modernize their systems, improve efficiency, and unlock growth—without the overwhelm. His expertise blends strategic clarity, tech insight, and business pragmatism, making this a must-listen for entrepreneurs navigating tech choices. Whether you're wrestling with outdated tools, thinking abou...

EPISODE STACK : https://stackl.ist/4nsZBFr In this episode, we’re diving into the mind of a three-time CIO and CTO who’s taken his decades of experience leading top 100 firms and brought it straight to small business owners like you. Azunna Anyanwu is the founder of The Agile CIO, where he helps entrepreneurs strategically and tactically harness tech to scale smarter—not just faster. Azunna doesn’t just understand tech—he understands how to align it with business growth. From streamlining operat...

If you're still trying to do everything in your business manually, this episode is for you. Aarti Anand is the founder of Kodenyx AI, where she helps B2B CEOs and founders automate the most time-wasting parts of their business using intelligent AI agents. From lead nurturing to client onboarding, her systems run like a 24/7 team without the burnout, mood swings, or payroll. But this episode goes far beyond tech—it’s about mindset, lifestyle design, and challenging outdated beliefs about entre...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Tom Sprinkle, a longtime technologist and entrepreneur who's been at the forefront of emerging tech since the early days of the internet. Tom shares how he's helping everyday businesses tap into the real power of AI—not just for content creation, but for operations, automation, and customer experience. Listeners will walk away with a grounded, practical understanding of how AI is being used beyond the hype—and how to actually plug it into your own busines...

EPISODE STACK : https://stackl.ist/4kedNPu Chris Johnson is on a mission to make data-driven decision-making easy, affordable, and accessible for small businesses. As the founder of PeerView AI, Chris is transforming what was once costly, manual market research into a streamlined, AI-powered service that gives entrepreneurs revenue estimates, competitor benchmarks, and location-specific insights. In this episode, Chris shares how small businesses can finally harness the power of data without nee...

EPISODE STACK: https://stackl.ist/44pTw4S In this episode, Graeme Crawford shares how he transitioned from a successful corporate career working with Fortune 100 companies like IBM and Capital One to building data-driven businesses that empower smaller companies. Graeme reveals how AI and data intelligence, once the domain of massive enterprises, are now accessible to small businesses—and how he’s helping entrepreneurs harness this power for growth. His journey from intrapreneurship to entrepren...

EPISODE STACK: https://stackl.ist/4nbMvvN In this episode, Justin Coats shares his remarkable journey from the Marine Corps to becoming a leader in AI integration and personal development. Justin's expertise spans across complex systems, from helicopters and UAVs to Amazon businesses and now AI-driven business transformation. He explains why AI integration is the future—and how businesses can harness its power without losing the human element. If you've been wondering how to use AI strategically...

EPISODE STACK : https://stackl.ist/43GZjmm In this episode, Joanne Merrick shares how she’s reshaping leadership development by combining neuroscience with practical management strategies. Joanne, founder of The Leadership Recipe and author of Game On: Is Management Your Best Career Play? , explains why soft skills are actually hard skills — and how to develop them intentionally. Her global experience with companies like Deloitte and Amazon gives her a unique perspective on what makes a great le...

EPISODE STACK : https://stackl.ist/3HH7re7 In this episode, Mark Brennan shares his incredible journey from working at Salesforce to founding Kynoch Labs, where he's pioneering the use of autonomous AI agents for business growth. Mark dives deep into the current state of AI, how businesses can leverage agent-based AI to boost efficiency and customer service, and why the AI revolution is closer than you think. This episode is packed with insights on how to integrate AI into your business and stay...