Leaders from the restaurant industry and travel industry discuss the impact of the pandemic on their businesses and how they're working to address and overcome the challenges. Brett Schulman is the CEO of CAVA , a leading health based, mediterranean inspired fast casual restaurant group and producer of premium fresh dips & spreads sold at Whole Foods and other markets. Brett joins Scott on Founders Focus to delve into how he's addressed the pandemic and the hope he sees for the future. Dive ...
Nov 17, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Clara CFO Group Founder and CEO Hannah Smolinski joins Founders Focus to talk about her entrepreneurial journey and offer advice on what to expect from service providers. Here's a hint: empathy and authenticity are just as important as facts and figures. Hannah explains why it's important for small businesses to focus on their goals as they plan their finances. The Clara CFO Group helps growing small businesses find financial clarity and hosts a YouTube Channel for business owners. Dive deeper i...
Nov 12, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 27
After this discussion with Mike Parkinson on Founders Focus, leaders won't look at how they communicate in the same way. Learn the importance of visual design in communication and how you can improve your chances of success by communicating more effectively. Mike Parkinson is an internationally recognized visual communications expert and APMP Fellow. As principal at 24 Hour Company , he has spearheaded multi-billion dollar projects and created thousands of graphics resulting in billions of dolla...
Nov 05, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 26
How do we honor employees and still get the job done? Amira El-Gawly , Founder and CEO of Manifesta , joins Scott on Founders Focus to talk about the balance between employee needs and making sure businesses are viable and profitable. A radical listener and champion, Amira creates an inspiring and reflective space for leaders to define and design a new future where their culture is thriving, their talents are on fire, and their brand authentically expresses its values internally and externally. ...
Oct 29, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 25
As a winner of The Washington Post's 2020 Best Place to Work award , Storyblocks has done a lot to make its culture what it is today. In this bonus Founders Focus episode, Scott Case interviews TJ Leonard, CEO of Storyblocks, on the who, what, and why of winning the award. Tune in to hear what advice TJ has for other leaders who want their business to be recognized as a best place to work in the future. Connect with TJ Leonard on LinkedIn . Learn more about Storyblocks: https://www.storyblocks.c...
Oct 27, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Being present in your business every day can help you get where you want to go in the future. Tanvir Aman , founder and CEO of Dunyha , has had a dynamic 20 year entrepreneurship, management and business development career. He is a member of Founders Focus and passionate about strategies to live in the present and how it can create a foundation for entrepreneurs and founders. Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/2TdW40E Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foun...
Oct 22, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 23
What are the things you need to be thinking about when you are trying to acquire customers? How do you build a great campaign? Customer acquisition champion Craig Zingerline talks to Founders Focus to answer these questions. Craig is a multi-time founder with a deep background in technology, product management, and B2B/B2C marketing & growth. Craig excels at building and running teams and have been a founding or early member of 6 startups. He is well versed in all aspects of growth and is an...
Oct 20, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Scott talks to vic.ai founder and CEO Alexander Hagerup about how to lead and stay motivated during the isolation caused by the pandemic. These two veteran founders discuss their experiences and strategies to inspire and motivate you. Alexander is a passionate entrepreneur creating the worlds first artificially intelligent accounting platform. Alexander built and sold two tech companies by the age of 30 and has insights for founders on hiring, marketing and supporting employees. Dive deeper into...
Oct 15, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 21
J. Douglas Holladay talks about how to unpack the uncertainty of current times, the difference between happiness and meaning and the notion of creating space to become a better you. Doug is Founder & CEO at PathNorth and author of " Rethinking Success: Eight Essential Practices for Finding Meaning in Work and Life ." Scott and Doug talk about how founders can take actions and be mindful that happiness is fleeting and meaning is enduring. Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/3doi...
Oct 13, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 20
There is no such thing as a simple breakdown of a “wartime vs. peacetime” founder. Experienced founders quickly learn that real life is not an “either or” scenario--it’s both. Day-to-day, often minute-to-minute, you must play defense as new information arises, but you must also play more and more offense as your defense strengthens. Scott is joined by Dane Stangler , Expert Policy Advisor, to unpack what the unescapable recession means for founders like us. Dane has dedicated his career to worki...
Oct 08, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Scott is joined by two founders who have navigated uncertainty like badasses: Angela Ferrante , founder at Laudable and Jeff David , founder at Jeff David Hospitality . They discuss decision-making in uncertain times. Founders need to plow ahead with persistence and with the flexibility to pivot based on new information. Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/30ELWSM Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foundersfocus.com to join the live video sessions, watch pas...
Oct 06, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The pandemic has dramatically changed the world we live in. Learn how the business environment has changed and how your business can plan for the post-pandemic future. Serial entrepreneur and technologist Thor Ernstsson joins Scott to discuss his work at Alpha and talk about how starting a new company in the chaos of now. Scott has an enlightening discussion with the lead architect of Zynga’s Farmville, co-founder of patient engagement platform Rally Health (formerly Audax Health), co-founder of...
Oct 05, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 17
We are all learning to navigate through this pandemic and working to thrive. Founders are taking care of themselves and their teams. On this Founders Focus we explore Susan Kerr's thoughtful, actionable ideas on how we stay strong, motivated and find inspiration. Susan Kerr is CEO of Advancing Inspiration, LLC . Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/33m94XX Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foundersfocus.com to join the live video sessions, watch past session...
Oct 01, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 16
How do you figure out what the riskiest assumption is for your business? There are many experiments you can do to make sure your company is headed in the right direction and David Bland literally wrote the book on it! David Bland is the Founder and CEO of Precoil . Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/3cxg7jp Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foundersfocus.com to join the live video sessions, watch past sessions, and see what topics are up next....
Sep 25, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Until we get through the acute crisis phase, it’s very hard for founders to pay attention to how to take advantage of the uncertainty of now. Historical data indicates that the rebuilding phase will be critical to our nation’s economic recovery, but wrapping a founder’s mind around where to begin is as daunting as ever. Especially with an imminent recession in front of us. Scott is joined by C’pher Gresham , CEO, and Duane Rollins , VP of Impact and Research, at the prominent social impact incub...
Sep 22, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 14
National public speaker Dr. Paula Stone Williams' Ted talks on being a transgender woman have gone viral. She is a national public speaker who specializes in Gender Equity, LGBTQ Inclusion, Executive Leadership, and American Religion. She joins Scott to talk about her journey as a founder and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. Dr. Paula Stone Williams is Chair and CEO of RLT Pathways, Inc . Paula is also Pastor of Preaching and Worship at Left Hand Church . Dive deeper into the episode her...
Sep 15, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Companies need to innovate especially during times of crisis. The pandemic is increasing that pressure and accelerating the need for change. Find out how to really innovate during the chaos and figure out a path to winning. Scott is joined by two-time Georgetown entrepreneurship professor of the year and founder/CEO of the Creator Institute, Eric Koester. Scott and Eric share their insights on wartime vs peacetime innovation and discuss their thoughts on how companies can succeed in this new env...
Sep 11, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Highly sought-after Clifton Strengths expert, Michael Dauphinee believes people drastically underestimate their abilities and the mark they can make on the world. Join us for a discussion on how truth, compassion, stability and hope are anchor points in realizing potential. Michael Dauphinee is CEO and Principle Consultant of The Dauphinee Group . Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/2FfJJW1 . Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foundersfocus.com to join the l...
Sep 09, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Businesses across the US and the world are handling COVID-19 and looking for ways to survive and succeed. Founders are looking for tools to help them navigate the new normal and thrive. In this Founders Focus episode, Scott is joined by Carol Roth , internationally recognized business expert and frequent media contributor. Carol tells it like she sees it and has advised would-be entrepreneurs, startups and large companies and brands. Make the most of actionable advice and insights from a noted s...
Sep 03, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Founders Focus welcomes back Amos Winbush III for a session where founders ask questions of Amos and his experience as a Tech Founder. As a Black man, he’s also experienced some other challenges that may be familiar for some entrepreneurs and eye opening for others. Amos Winbush III is CEO of AW3 Media Group and Co-Founder of Forbes8 . Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/3bfIUIN . Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foundersfocus.com to join the live video se...
Sep 01, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
As months pass by during this pandemic, we are starting to realize culture matters more than ever. Co-founder and CEO of SHIFT and best-selling author Joe Mechlinski has stories from his past and ideas on how to overcome doubts and reconnect with your passions. Joe joins Scott on Founders Focus to discuss actionable strategies and tools to help you lead more effectively. Dive deeper into the episode here: https://bit.ly/3lzexBU . Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit founder...
Aug 27, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception of an individual by positioning them to be trusted and provides credibility to future investors, employees and partners. Dave Carroll , musician, speaker, and author behind United Breaks Guitars, joins Scott to talk about building a personal brand and compassionate design. Have feedback? Connect with Scott Case on LinkedIn . Visit foundersfocus.com to join the live video sessions, watch past sessi...
Aug 25, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Founders who led through the last financial crisis know that surviving this crisis can set you up for success. For many founders, this is their first time facing a contextual challenge - something truly out their control. Find out what those experienced in living through chaos think about this mess and what you can learn from their experience. Andrew Hoag , founder and CEO of Teampay , joins Scott Case on Founders Focus to discuss scars they sustained in battle and how founders can learn from th...
Aug 20, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 6
The global pandemic has quickly altered the landscape for businesses in America and around the world. Communities across the nation are deeply broken. The chaos we feel and the challenges we face are not at all random or disconnected. They are, in fact, very interconnected. The brokenness is complex and systemic. As we look to recover from the economic fallout of the shutdown and new reality, there are ways for startups and small businesses to beat the odds and survive and thrive. Donna Harris ,...
Aug 18, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Startup podcasts often focus on success and how companies make it big. The reality for some founders is that sometimes it just sucks, like really sucks. We all have ups and downs, and sometimes it is daunting. Being a founder can be a very lonely place, and most folks don’t realize that others go through it as well because they just don’t talk about it. Scott Moody , CEO and chief member advocate of K4Connect , joins Scott on Founders Focus discussing how hard it is to be a founder and some of t...
Aug 13, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
As companies have shifted to work-from-home during this pandemic, they have found employee productivity is up, but the increased productivity has come with the dual expense of employee burnout and changes to company culture. In March, many thought we’d be back to normal in a couple of months and now people are realizing many companies might not go back to “normal” until next summer. In this podcast, Kari Clark , Co-Founder and CEO of Breakout , joins Scott Case on Founders Focus to talk about su...
Aug 11, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Underrepresented entrepreneurs face challenges that other entrepreneurs do not. Join us for a true conversation on morals, ethics, access to opportunities, and breaking down institutions that are historically unavailable to black and brown. Because businesses have measurable outcomes, the entrepreneurship and startup space is a good place to start improving what’s broken in America. Sekou Kaalund and Amos Winbush III join Scott Case on Founders Focus to discuss how we are all in this together, d...
Aug 07, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 2
While the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is still accepting loan applications, nearly 5 million small businesses have received and used loans. Now the challenge is taking advantage of the Forgiveness part of the program. While the SBA has been consistent that the loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs (60%), interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Sounds easy, until you dig into the forms, the document requirements - even your bank isn’t totally sure how this ...
Aug 05, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
