Episodes

In today's episode we sit down with Jake Hartman, an astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur who transformed his personal struggle with depression into a powerful tech solution. Jake shares his incredible journey from studying neutron stars at MIT and working at Google to building q.buzz, an app designed for longitudinal surveys—or, in simple terms, tracking things over time to see real patterns and progress. This episode is a masterclass in how to turn a personal problem into a scalable business ide...

In a truly unique conversation, we sit down with Arville Persons, a multidisciplinary artist who bridges the worlds of tattooing and death doula work. Arville shares her profound perspective on entrepreneurship as a spiritual journey, revealing how embracing impermanence, questioning her identity, and dissolving her ego led to a complete and powerful business rebrand. This episode is invaluable for any entrepreneur feeling stuck or misaligned, as Arville provides a masterclass in trusting your i...

Anissa Bouderraoui, a multilingual mom of three and former CFO, shares her journey of transforming a personal passion into LingoCircle, a cutting-edge bilingual education platform. She reveals how she combines live, human-led classes with personalized AI-powered games to create an engaging learning experience for children. This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs on how to execute a big idea step-by-step, build a mission-driven company, and strategically navigate both B2C and B2B markets....

In this episode, we dive deep into the art and science of sustainable business growth with Cody Gillund, the founder of Grounded Growth Studio. Cody breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get stuck in a cycle of random tactics and explains how to build a powerful marketing engine by starting with strategy first. She reveals that things like brand and messaging aren't just "nice-to-haves" you can focus on later—they are the essential foundation for attracting the right customers and driving meanin...

Ever feel like you’re spending too much time planning, overcomplicating, or waiting for the “perfect moment” to act? This Solo Sunday is extra special — it’s the 9th birthday of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast! I’m sharing nine unconventional entrepreneurial truths I’ve learned from nine years behind the mic — insights that will challenge the way you think about planning, marketing, execution, and even your own identity as a founder. ✨ Why This Matters for You Nine years of running ...

What does it mean to build a business with true care and integrity? Angel Ortiz, founder of Zitro Construction Services, joins us to share his incredible journey from helping rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to leading one of the premier construction companies in the region. This episode is a masterclass in turning a crisis into a mission-driven business, honoring a family legacy, and embedding quality into every aspect of your operations. Angel reveals how he navigates difficult clie...

Ever wonder why some ads get stuck in your head but never make you buy? In this episode, we sit down with Buck Robinson, a serial entrepreneur and audio advertising veteran whose marketing education began with his father, the ad man behind the iconic Ronco brand. Buck cuts through the noise of vanity metrics and shiny new platforms to deliver a masterclass in ROI-driven advertising. He reveals a simple, powerful formula for creating ads that don't just build brand awareness, but actually drive s...

Tired of feeling like you're constantly fighting fires in your business? This episode is your guide to shifting from a reactive founder to a strategic and confident CEO. Leadership expert Kelly Kienzle joins the show to break down her research on the top three challenges every leader faces today: confusion, reactivity, and burnout. More importantly, she provides a clear, data-backed roadmap to move toward clarity, proactivity, and renewed energy. This episode is packed with tangible tools and mi...

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 ...

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with Noelle Curtis, a visionary leader and "connector of dots" who has navigated everything from agriculture and fashion to finance and SaaS. Noelle unpacks the uncomfortable but essential truths about money, mindset, and the universal principles that govern business success, regardless of your industry. This episode is a masterclass in financial discipline, teaching you why your personal budget is the blueprint for your business's success and why "payin...

Ever feel like throwing in the towel after just a few losses? This Solo Sunday, I share what buying Powerball tickets taught me about entrepreneurship, persistence, and why most people quit right before their big breakthrough. ✨ Why This Matters for You The lottery might be luck, but the lessons apply to every entrepreneur: How quickly we let early failures discourage us Why “you can’t win if you don’t play” isn’t just about Powerball—it’s about your business The hidden cost of quit...

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 marketing strategies that feel like you're just throwing money at a wall? This episode cuts through the noise with David Black, founder of Ready Set Search. David breaks down his powerful concept of building a "growth engine" for your business, focusing on sustainable, long-term success rather than just short-term wins. You'll learn how to strategically balance the instant gratification of paid ads with the compounding power of modern SEO. David brings a founder's mindset to marketing, ...

Tired of the soul-crushing complexity of payroll? In this episode, we sit down with Lorenzo Di Stefano, a seasoned entrepreneur who turned his biggest business headache into a revolutionary tech company. After running a multi-location restaurant chain with over 200 employees, Lorenzo experienced the nightmare of manual payroll firsthand—the errors, the time-suck, and the compliance risks. He shares how he channeled that pain into creating GoPayroll AI, an automated platform that saves businesses...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Anthony Brown, a second-generation entrepreneur who is revolutionizing a highly technical and niche industry. Anthony shares the incredible story of growing up in his father’s lubrication systems business and how a strategic partnership led him to launch APEX Lubrication, a tech-forward company using machine learning to solve major industrial problems. This conversation is a masterclass in long-term vision, proving that the seeds you plant today can lead to ...

Feeling anxious, guilty, or just plain confused about your business finances? You're not alone. This episode tackles the money taboo head-on with fractional CFO and financial wellness consultant, Kelly Goode. Kelly breaks down why so many entrepreneurs avoid their numbers and how this avoidance is secretly sabotaging their growth. She provides a clear, shame-free path to understanding your finances, moving beyond surface-level revenue goals, and finally building a business that’s not only profit...

In an era where content is king, video reigns supreme. But how do you cut through the noise and create video content that actually grows your business? In this episode, Brian sits down with Bobby Holbrook, a six-time Producer of the Year and a master storyteller with over 20 years of experience. Bobby breaks down his industry-agnostic approach to creating emotionally resonant videos for brands in every sector imaginable—from construction and legal to tech and finance. This episode is a mastercla...

Ever feel like you’re missing out on the financial stability of a 9-to-5? This episode tackles the often-ignored (but crucial) conversation about long-term financial planning for entrepreneurs. We're not just talking to a financial expert; we're learning from Chris Stemler, a true serial entrepreneur who has built an impressive portfolio of seven different companies, from an event venue to a 3D home printing business. Chris breaks down complex topics like ERISA and 401ks in a way that’s actually...

In this game-changing episode, Rebecca Whitney shares over 30 years of experience helping businesses scale from millions to nearly $100 million. She reveals why the key to explosive growth isn't hustling harder, but slowing down to build powerful, scalable frameworks. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed or stuck, as Rebecca breaks down how to achieve true freedom and scale by shifting your perspective. 💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business 🚀 How to appl...

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...

Financial wellness expert Peter Waitzman joins the show to completely reframe how you think about money on your entrepreneurial journey. He reveals why the generic financial advice we’ve all heard is holding founders back and what to do instead. This episode is a masterclass in building a rock-solid financial foundation that gives you the freedom to experiment, build, and scale your business responsibly. Peter shares powerful insights from his journey of building the profitable, mission-driven c...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Rachel Jackson, an interior designer who has carved out a powerful niche by creating wellness-centered, sensory-friendly spaces. Rachel shares her incredible journey of turning personal experience—navigating her own ADHD and her son’s sensory needs—into a thriving business that supports neurodiverse households. This conversation is a masterclass in finding your unique value proposition, serving an underserved market, and building a business fueled by a power...

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...