Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

Ever feel like you have too many ideas and not enough time? Multipreneur Andrea Finck is here to show you how to turn that creative energy into a thriving business ecosystem. In this episode, Andrea shares her incredible journey from a corporate career to launching three distinct businesses—Lightsome, Home Watch Madison, and Finding Flow Feng Shui—all unified by a single mission: helping people reclaim their most precious resource, their time.

This episode is a masterclass in strategic entrepreneurship for anyone feeling pulled in multiple directions. You’ll learn how Andrea leverages "take stock moments" to spark...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Jane Alexander, the founder and CEO of Emma Advisor, an AI-powered platform transforming the chaotic college admissions process. Jane shares how her own unconventional journey—from homeschool in rural Idaho to graduate work at Harvard—inspired her to build a tool that makes college guidance accessible to all families, not just the wealthy. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur looking to build a truly user-centric company. You'll learn why listening to your customers is the ultimate business hack, how to strategically build a direct-to-consumer product first, and why AI is most...

In this powerful episode, Troy Fine, co-founder of Fine Assurance, shares his incredible journey from a 15-year career in cybersecurity to launching his own firm. Motivated by a desire to honor his entrepreneurial father and live a life without regret, Troy unpacks the patient, calculated approach he took to build a business that serves his life, not the other way around. He reveals how he turned the "boring" world of compliance into a platform for thought leadership, amassing nearly 40,000 followers on LinkedIn by being authentic and educational. This episode is a masterclass for any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur on how...

Tired of thinking of your business plan as just another piece of bureaucratic paperwork? In this episode, 30-year business veteran and planning expert Claire Pickens flips the script, revealing how your business plan is actually a living, breathing document that holds the key to your success and funding. She breaks down why the passion, story, and "secret sauce" you bring to the table are far more valuable than any AI-generated template.

This episode is a must-listen for any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur who feels stuck in the planning phase or is preparing to seek funding. Claire demystifies the...

Ever wonder if your business could survive, let alone thrive, if you took two weeks completely offline? In this game-changing Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on the single biggest difference between a business that owns you and a business that gives you freedom: systems. He shares a personal story of being totally disconnected from his portfolio of companies, only to find they ran perfectly without him. How? Through a powerful operational framework he’s been refining for years. Brian makes a huge announcement about his new company, Ops+AI, and introduces the OPERATE framework — a 7...

Aubrey Merritt, a serial entrepreneur and financial expert, joins the show to demystify the numbers side of your business. She breaks down why waiting for tax season to look at your finances is a recipe for disaster and reveals how to use your financial data as a strategic tool for explosive growth. This episode is a masterclass in making your finances work for you, not against you. You'll learn the difference between reactive tax prep and proactive financial strategy, how to set up scalable systems from day one, and why understanding your numbers is the key to unlocking sustainable...

From a tenured engineering professor at Caltech to the CEO of a revolutionary deep tech company, Benjamin Shapiro’s journey is a masterclass in calculated risk and strategic innovation. In this episode, Ben pulls back the curtain on Lumenuity, his company that's creating next-generation optics to power everything from our smartphones and drones to AR headsets and self-driving cars.

This isn't just a conversation about cool tech; it's a deep dive into building a high-impact business with a lean, world-class team. Ben reveals the "Nvidia-style" business model that allows his small company to tap into massive global ma...

Ever wonder what separates an ad that gets ignored from one that builds a loyal customer base? It’s not about flashy templates or massive budgets—it’s about psychology and storytelling. In this episode, we dive deep with Tyler Martin, an agency founder who turned a senior-year internship rejection into a thriving advertising business. He breaks down the timeless principles from advertising legend David Ogilvy and shows how they are more relevant than ever in our short-attention-span world. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur who wants to stop wasting money on ineffective ads and start creating powerf...

In this powerful episode, we're joined by Rebecca Dhrimaj and Adine Stone, the dynamic duo behind The Empathy Collective. They share their incredible journey from being laid off from their corporate roles (where Adine was Rebecca's manager!) to co-founding a change management consultancy built on empathy. They reveal why traditional "change management" often fails and how to instead build a resilient "change culture" where your team feels seen, heard, and engaged. For any entrepreneur leading a team through growth, pivots, or uncertainty, this episode is a masterclass in turning resistance into resilience and leading with compassion and confidence.

After nearly two decades in the corporate world of tech and finance, Nitin Gour felt a calling for something more meaningful. He realized that traditional education was failing to prepare youth for the real world, leaving a massive gap between academic knowledge and the essential life skills needed to thrive. In this episode, Nitin shares his incredible journey of leaving a stable director-level job at Citigroup to launch Bloomster, a mission-driven platform designed to equip children with the skills to navigate a rapidly changing, AI-driven future. This conversation is a masterclass in identifying a large-scale societal problem, taking a...

Tired of leads slipping through the cracks because you’re too busy to follow up? This episode is your solution. We sit down with Fitz Light, a former investment banker and venture capitalist turned AI founder, who became obsessed with solving the universal entrepreneurial problem of dropping the ball. He breaks down how his company, FlightSuite AI, is making advanced, practical AI accessible to small businesses. This isn't science fiction; it's a tool that can handle your inbound calls, texts, emails, and social media messages with context and intelligence, turning inquiries into booked appointments while you focus on what yo...

Do you ever feel like you're pouring money and effort into marketing, only to hear crickets? Do you immediately blame your offer, your copy, or your strategy? In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian shares a crucial perspective shift that could change everything: sometimes, it's not you... it's them. Using a hilarious but powerful example of a completely mistargeted Instagram ad and the famous case study of Febreze's initial flop, Brian breaks down why your marketing might be failing for one simple reason: you're talking to the wrong people. This episode is your official permission slip to stop blaming yourself...

Army veteran and nation-leading mortgage lender Zachary Farkas saw firsthand the chaos of real estate transactions and decided to do something about it. In this episode, he shares the journey behind founding Relos, an AI-powered platform that automates and simplifies the home-buying process for agents and clients. Zach breaks down how he leveraged his deep industry expertise to identify a massive problem hiding in plain sight and is now building the solution. This conversation is a masterclass in turning insider knowledge into a scalable tech company, navigating fundraising with a sales mindset, and why taking imperfect action is the...

Entrepreneurs are idea factories, but even the best ideas are worthless without execution. This episode tackles the massive gap between having a vision and making it a reality. Rebecca Shah, an expert in implementation and strategy, joins the show to break down why so many businesses get stuck in the "idea phase." She reveals the critical, often-overlooked dynamic between the "visionary" and the "integrator" – the two essential roles every successful company needs to thrive. This episode is a must-listen for any founder who feels overwhelmed by their own ideas, struggles with team alignment, or wants to build a sustainable op...

In this episode, we sit down with Alan Hegron, a dual PhD scientist who traded the research lab for the startup world to solve a major problem in the music industry. Alan shares the incredible story behind Rhythmeet, his new platform designed to connect musicians, venues, and teachers. He breaks down how he’s applying a rigorous, scientific approach to building a tech company, from testing ideas and launching an MVP to strategically seeking co-founders to scale his vision. This episode is a masterclass in leveraging a unique background to your advantage, building a community-driven business, and maintaining an ab...

Feeling stuck, burned out, or trapped by the "golden handcuffs" of a corporate job? This episode is your permission slip to design a new future. Guest Jess Lane, founder of The Full Cup Co., shares her powerful story of being laid off from a unicorn tech company and turning that crisis into a catalyst for purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Jess breaks down her concept of "human sustainability design," a framework for creating a career and business that fuels you instead of draining you. This conversation is a masterclass for any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur who wants to build a business that is...

After nearly two decades in the high-stakes tech and finance industries, Mike Conway traded his corporate career for the entrepreneurial grind. He’s now the founder and CEO of Arcodo, a SaaS platform designed to help indie game developers plan, manage, and launch their games. In this episode, Mike shares the raw and real journey of bootstrapping a business, from finding a scalable idea to overcoming the introverted engineer’s fear of marketing and community building. This episode is a masterclass in practicality for any wantrepreneur, revealing why your product doesn't have to be perfect to succeed and how focu...

In this powerhouse episode, revenue growth architect Jen Manswell dismantles the myth that business growth is a game of chance. With the powerful mantra "growth isn't guesswork," Jen shares her framework for building predictable, scalable, and repeatable revenue systems. She reveals why connecting marketing, sales, and finance is non-negotiable for creating a true revenue engine, not just a cost center. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur tired of chasing trends and ready for a sustainable strategy, this episode provides a masterclass in architecting success by focusing on fundamentals, deeply understanding customer psychology, and making decisions with intellect, not just emotion.<...

Ever wonder why some entrepreneurs can launch a podcast, website, or social media channel and see immediate traction, while others do the same things for months or even years with nothing to show for it? In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian Lofrumento dives deep into one of the most common—and costly—misunderstandings in business: the difference between a tool and an engine. Brian reveals that success isn't about having the best tools (like a podcast, a website, or even AI). It's about building a powerful engine around them. This episode will challenge you to stop merely collecting tools and...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Victoria Balkissoon and Matthew Proetsch, the co-founders of NightShift Codes, a software engineering company that started by helping local businesses streamline their operations. They share their incredible journey from working as civilian scientists for the U.S. Navy to building a thriving company that solves real-world business problems with custom code. Victoria and Matt reveal how their complementary skills—her creative front-end expertise and his back-end problem-solving—create a powerhouse partnership. This episode is packed with value for any entrepreneur who feels limited by off-the-shelf software, is curious about leveraging AI, or drea...

In a world saturated with general AI tools like ChatGPT, Eshan Chordia is carving a new path for entrepreneurs. As the founder and CEO of Impulse AI, he's on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence and make it a powerful, accessible tool for everyone—no coding skills required. This episode dives deep into the world of custom AI, explaining why specialized models trained on your own data can solve business problems that generic tools can't touch. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur looking to gain a competitive edge, this conversation is a masterclass in leveraging next-gen technology to automate tasks, cr...

Tim Cassidy shares his incredible journey from a 14-year career as a "clipboard commando" for the federal government to co-founding Online CE Credits, a seven-figure online education platform. Tim gets brutally honest about the realities of scaling a business, detailing the inflection points, the mental toll, and the near-crippling fear that comes with downturns after periods of massive success. This episode is a masterclass in perseverance, revealing how Tim’s company experienced 350% revenue growth in its first year and grew into a multi-million dollar business, while also exposing the critical strategic mistakes made along the way. For any entrepreneur fe...

Tired of only talking to your accountant during the stressful tax season? Garrett Paul is here to completely change your perspective. With a powerhouse background in sales, Garrett brings a unique, growth-oriented mindset to the world of accounting as the co-founder of a CPA and Business Advisory firm. He reveals how pairing complementary skills—like sales and technical expertise—can create an unstoppable business partnership.

This episode is a masterclass in building a business that thrives on genuine relationships and smart, data-driven strategy. You'll learn why viewing your financials as a monthly "story" is critical for making game...

Every business, regardless of size, struggles with a costly disconnect between their sales and finance systems. This gap leads to revenue leakage, delayed payments, and poor business visibility. In this episode, Sandra Bustos, founder and CEO of Meshly, breaks down how she’s tackling this universal problem head-on. She shares her journey from being a "dot connector" in major tech companies to building a solution that acts as a "Google Translate" between go-to-market and finance teams. This episode is packed with insights on how to leverage technology to build trust, why a solid data foundation is more critical than ch...

From firefighter and paramedic to the CEO of a multi-location lighting company, Chris Rios shares the gritty details of how he turned a simple side hustle into a thriving, multi-service business. His journey with Ultra Shine Holiday Lights is a masterclass in grit, strategic growth, and the power of continuous learning. This episode is packed with value for any entrepreneur feeling stuck, as Chris breaks down how he navigated pricing a premium service in a small town, leveraged technology to manage a massive seasonal sales influx, and expanded his services to create year-round revenue. Get ready to learn from...

Ever had a no-show for a big call, a proposal go unanswered, or a launch fall flat, leaving you feeling utterly frustrated? In this raw and real Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain after a frustrating no-show experience of his own. Instead of just venting, he reveals how these moments of annoyance are actually powerful trigger points for massive growth. He shares the exact mindset shift that turns frustration into innovation, and walks through real-life examples from his businesses—from fixing a broken sales process to solving the "no one visits our website" problem. This episode is yo...

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Brian sits down with DevRaj Patel, the first-generation Indian American founder behind Jivati, the first Indian-inspired beverage brand in the US. Dev shares the unfiltered story of Jivati's creation, from the initial idea to navigating massive hurdles, including a formulator who disappeared with $10,000, and having his product rejected by federal regulators. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, scrappy problem-solving, and the power of building a brand that is a true extension of your personal story. For any entrepreneur facing setbacks or struggling to find their unique angle, Dev's journey proves that your...

Tired of the constant pressure to be "salesy"? This episode flips the script on traditional sales by revealing how a hospitality-first mindset can create sustainable, long-term growth. Sales expert Shelley Mann shares her unique journey from the hotel industry to sales consulting, offering a fresh perspective that prioritizes service, relationship-building, and genuine understanding over aggressive closing tactics. This episode is a must-listen for any founder struggling with the feast-or-famine cycle, as Shelley breaks down how to build a repeatable and scalable "commercial engine." You'll learn a practical, non-sleazy framework for sales that feels authentic and gets powerful results.

This episode features a truly unique and inspiring story: the mother-daughter duo behind Corporate Coach & Co. (C3), a business that’s been thriving for over 32 years. Carrie Mayers, the "accidental entrepreneur" founder, shares her journey of building a powerhouse consulting firm purely on referrals, while her daughter, Sam Mayers, explains her intentional leap from the hyper-structured corporate world of PwC to join the family business. This conversation is a masterclass in blending decades of experience with fresh, systematic thinking. For any entrepreneur, this episode is packed with invaluable wisdom on building sustainable client relationships, identifying the real problems inside a...

Matthew Halfacre, a 25-year trading veteran and multi-time entrepreneur, joins the show to completely demystify the world of Bitcoin and digital assets. He breaks down the complex shift of Bitcoin from a volatile, speculative asset into a Treasury-style reserve asset, much like digital gold. Matthew explains why the boat for crypto investing hasn’t sailed yet—in fact, it’s just leaving the shore. This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs on how to gain a competitive edge through deep macroeconomic research, leverage new technologies like AI, and apply historical market lessons to today’s opportunities.

💡 What You'll...