Welcome back to The Founder Ride - the podcast that dives deep into what it really takes to build, scale, and transform a business from the inside out. Today, Randy sits down with Kristin DeJohn, co-founder of The Blowout Bar - Columbus’s first blow-dry-only salon and a beloved staple for thousands of women over the past decade. In this episode, Kristin opens up about what it means to grow from scrappy startup operator to confident team builder - and why sometimes the biggest leap is learning ho...
Aug 12, 2025•50 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy Gerber sits down with Ryan Magada, the creative force behind Columbus-based branding studio Brave Little Beast. From freelancing out of his college apartment to launching a bold and unconventional brand agency, Ryan shares the ride of building a business that doesn't just stand out—but stands for something. They dive into what it really means to create with purpose, how Ryan helps founders uncover their brand’s true voice, and why the best branding does...
Aug 05, 2025•47 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of The Founder Ride , we explore one of the most critical mindset shifts for entrepreneurs: learning to work on your business instead of constantly being stuck in it. Randy Gerber unpacks why stepping out of the daily grind is essential for scaling with purpose, building a healthy company culture, and protecting your personal bandwidth. You’ll hear real-world strategies for creating systems, trusting your team, and carving out the space to focus on long-term vision. If you’ve eve...
Jul 22, 2025•7 min•Ep. 25
Welcome back to The Founder Ride —the podcast where we dive deep into the real stories behind entrepreneurship, the pivots, the pressure, and the personal growth that comes with building something from the ground up. Today, we’re joined by a guest who’s no stranger to transformation. Matt Dopkiss is a seasoned tech entrepreneur who made a bold leap from startup life to storytelling. After years of scaling companies, leading teams, and navigating the rapid pace of innovation, Matt traded pitch de...
Jul 15, 2025•58 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of The Founder Ride , we explore a truth that often gets overshadowed in the hustle of building businesses: the greatest investment you'll ever make isn’t financial—it’s relational. As founders, it’s easy to get consumed by growth metrics, bottom lines, and the next big milestone. But what sustains us—what truly adds meaning to the journey—is the quality of the relationships we build along the way. Randy dives into the power of connection, the importance of surrounding yourself w...
Jul 08, 2025•6 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy flips the script and talks not about best practices—but about the pitfalls, missteps, and hard-earned lessons that every founder should avoid. Today, we’re covering the “don’ts” that can quietly derail even the most promising ventures. Listen now to hear Randy's honest insights into the mistakes that cost time, money, and trust—and how to steer clear of them. If you're building a business, this episode is your checklist for what not to do....
Jun 24, 2025•5 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy Gerber sits down to share the real origin story behind Founder Farm—how years of building his own firm led him to confront the quiet isolation so many founders face. From early gut-check moments to the constant pressure of leading without a roadmap, Randy opens up about why he decided to build more than just a business—he built a community. Joined by Kathleen Kneeland, Community Developer at Founder Farm, they unpack what makes this space different: no...
Jun 16, 2025•13 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Samir opens up about the full arc of his journey—growing a company from the ground up, leading it through acquisition, and what came next. We get into the realities of building a business that’s actually sellable, the emotional weight of letting go, and how the right community shaped each step along the way. Samir shares what most founders don’t talk about: how hard the process can be, and why surrounding yourself with the right people matters more than any ...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min•Ep. 20
In this transformative episode of The Founder Ride, Randy dives deep into what happens after you hit that coveted seven-figure milestone. Is it everything you imagined? Or is it just the beginning of a new set of questions? Join us as we explore the intersection of wealth and self-worth—unpacking the emotional and psychological shifts that come with financial success. We talk candidly about the myths of “arrival,” the pressures to keep scaling, and the often-overlooked inner work needed to defin...
Jun 03, 2025•8 min•Ep. 19
On this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy explores one of the most underrated levers of entrepreneurial success: the company you keep. From mastermind groups to informal founder circles, the people you surround yourself with can either elevate your thinking—or anchor your progress. Randy dives into why who you associate with matters more than ever in the high-stakes world of building and scaling a company. We unpack how proximity to ambitious, honest, and values-aligned peers can sharpen your ...
May 27, 2025•12 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy dives into one of the toughest questions entrepreneurs face: when—and how—to disrupt your own business model with innovation. Randy discusses his insights on balancing core stability with bold innovation, recognizing the signals that it’s time to evolve, and navigating the risks of reinventing what already works. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you the tools to lead your bu...
May 20, 2025•9 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of The Founder Ride, we sit down with Cheryl Stauffer, founder and CEO of Crimson Design Group, to explore the intersection of bold design, purposeful leadership, and entrepreneurial grit. Cheryl shares how she built a nationally recognized interior design firm rooted in her personal values, and how her commitment to meaningful relationships and social impact continues to shape the way she leads her team and serves her clients. From navigating early business challenges to definin...
May 13, 2025•53 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy dives deep into the cornerstone of entrepreneurial success: resilience. Every founder faces moments of doubt, failure, and setbacks—but what separates those who thrive from those who fold is the ability to bounce back stronger. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and a candid look at the emotional rollercoaster of building a business, Randy explores how resilience shapes decision-making, leadership, and long-term growth.
May 13, 2025•5 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of The Founder Ride, Randy dives into the mindset that separates thriving founders from the rest—continuous learning. Whether you're scaling your startup or navigating early-stage chaos, staying curious and adaptable is non-negotiable. Randy explores how the most successful entrepreneurs build learning into their routines, the power of feedback, and why the best leaders are always students first. Tune in for practical strategies, thoughts on AI and real stories to help you sharpe...
Apr 29, 2025•4 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy chats about the less glamorous side of success—the moments when your business is thriving, but your personal life is quietly falling apart. From strained relationships to burnout and the guilt of not being present, this conversation gets real about the emotional cost of chasing growth. Randy has been there, so follow along as he unpacks ways to rebuild balance, protect your well-being, and redefine what "winning" really means. Because a booming busines...
Apr 22, 2025•6 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked power of vulnerability in leadership and entrepreneurship. Drawing on his own experiences, Randy opens up about the challenges and lessons he's learned along the way, sharing how embracing vulnerability has been a game-changer in his journey as a founder. Through candid reflections, Randy discusses how being open about failures, uncertainties, and imperfections not only fosters deeper connections with teams b...
Apr 15, 2025•5 min•Ep. 12
This week on The Founder Ride , we’re shaking up the old notion of "balance" and diving into why integration is the key to thriving as an entrepreneur. Forget the pressure of trying to juggle work, life, and personal goals in perfect harmony – it’s time to embrace a more fluid, integrated approach. In this episode, Randy explores how blending the different aspects of your life, rather than balancing them, can lead to greater productivity, fulfillment, and growth. Don't forget to "like" and "subs...
Apr 08, 2025•6 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Burt, the founder of Eclipse Creative, a leading commercial photography studio known for its innovative and high-quality work. Jeff shares his journey from starting Eclipse Creative to building a successful business in the competitive world of commercial photography. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of leading a creative team, how he stays ahead of industry trends, and the importance of collaboration in bringing clients' visions to life. Whether you...
Apr 01, 2025•51 min•Ep. 10
In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of business owners shifting from an active operating role to a more passive investor-focused role. We dive into the key challenges, mindset changes, and strategic decisions involved in making this shift. Randy shares his personal experiences and insights on how to successfully transition out of daily operations, delegate effectively, and harness the power of investing for long-term growth and financial freedom. Whether you're a business owne...
Mar 25, 2025•6 min•Ep. 9
Welcome to The Founder Ride , the podcast where we dive into the highs, lows, and twists of the entrepreneurial journey. This week, we’re talking about one of the most pivotal moments in any founder’s journey— succession . How do you ensure your business continues to thrive after you’ve stepped down? What are the challenges, and how can you prepare the next generation of leaders? We’ll explore these questions relating to internal succession for your people and organizational succession as a whol...
Mar 18, 2025•4 min•Ep. 8
Podcast Episode: Strategy – Without It, You’re Lost In this episode, Randy dives deep into the power of strategy and why having a clear plan is the foundation of every successful business. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, a solid strategy helps you navigate the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship. We’ll explore the importance of having a roadmap for your business, how to develop a strategy that aligns with your goals and practical tips on how to start crafting your own str...
Mar 11, 2025•14 min•Ep. 7
Join us for our first entrepreneur guest interview with Jason Carpenter, founder of Environmental Pest Management! From starting out in the basement and growing into a 12,000 square foot space, Jason talks about the many years of playing defense in his business to FINALLY playing offense. Randy and Jason chat about the trials and tribulations of scaling a business and continuing to innovate in the pest management space. Listen until the end....you may also learn more than 1 way to kill a cockroa...
Mar 04, 2025•49 min•Ep. 6
In this episode of The Founder Ride we dive into the critical skill of firing bad employees quickly and effectively. We explore the importance of addressing performance issues head-on, the impact of keeping under-performers too long, and actionable strategies for handling these tough conversations with confidence. Tune in for expert advice on how to protect your team’s culture and keep your organization running smoothly by making swift, decisive decisions when it matters most.
Feb 25, 2025•9 min•Ep. 5
Looking to improve your company's enterprise value? One way to do so is by focusing on your team. Is your team full of A players or on the struggle bus with C players who are content with their work? Listen in to today's episode to hear more about A, B and C players and which ones are crucial for a team to thrive. Look at continuing to invest in your training and culture from a time and content perspective to help your B team get to the A player level. Get the right people in the right seats!...
Feb 18, 2025•10 min•Ep. 4
In today's episode, Randy talks about the trickiness of relationships as an entrepreneur. It's so tricky that he's even written a book called "The Integrated Entrepreneur " about it! He also shares how the "intoxicating stage" of your journey, which is consuming for you because you are so excited to be an entrepreneur and grow your business, but your friends and family are a little tired of hearing about it. The ownership of navigating these different relationships and evolutions lies solely wit...
Feb 11, 2025•12 min•Ep. 3
In this episode of The Founder Ride , Randy Gerber takes us on a candid ride through his unexpected entrepreneurial journey. From starting out with no blueprint to building a business, Randy asks, "How the hell did I get here?" With his signature blend of wit and wisdom, he shares the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and surprising twists that led him to where he is today. Whether you're just starting your own business or already on the ride, Randy's story is a powerful reminder that the path t...
Feb 04, 2025•10 min•Ep. 2
Join us for our very first episode where Randy Gerber, founder of Gerber, LLC and Founder Farm, talks about the loneliness of being a first-generation entrepreneur and his journey to entrepreneurship straight out of college. Randy talks about the evolution of his business, from firing some of his first clients to surviving the Founder Ride of emotions along the way. Be sure to share this podcast with any entrepreneur who can benefit from hearing about these trials and tribulations!...
Jan 22, 2025•14 min•Ep. 1
