Founder Talk with Alex Sheridan

Hosted by Alex Sheridan

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Founder Talk Podcast. The show where we have real conversations with founders turning their businesses into assets, not jobs! The show is hosted by Alex B Sheridan founder of Impaxs Marketing and Podcast Builders. If you want honest conversation, practical insight, and a community of founders who are actually doing the work to build a business that runs without them, you are in the right place!

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June 16, 2026Episode 10240 min

Business Law Attorney REVEALS the Legal BLIND SPOTS That Put Your Company at Risk | Chris Lunardini

You built a business worth millions. Now you are getting married. Do you know what your spouse is legally entitled to if it does not work out? Most founders have no idea.Chris Lunardini is a Partner at Spyros Davis LLC (Spydav Law), specializing in business law, family law, and estate planning.00:00:00 Introduction00:01:22 Scaling a law firm to 20 employees and finding the right hires00:05:27 Why responding after hours sets a precedent clients will expect forever00:08:40 The delegation revelation that changed everything00:16:09 Should a business owner get a prenup? Chris Lunardini says yes and explains why00:19:34 How to frame a prenup as a business decision and isolate just the business00:21:43 Why prenups fail in court: unsigned copies and last-minute timing00:24:25 Estate planning basics: wills vs trusts and why trusts give more control00:26:55 Bringing on an equity partner: trial periods, contracts, and exit terms00:33:05 The most valuable skill in any profession: simplifying complex things00:37:12 AI in law: courts sanctioning attorneys for AI-generated briefs with hallucinated citationsSubscribe to Founder Talk so you never miss an episode.🔗 CONNECT WITH Chris LunardiniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-lunardini-a4718a15/Website: https://www.spydavlaw.com/attorneys/christopher-m-lunardiniThe Founders Brief2,500+ founders read this newsletter every week to build businesses that run and grow even when they step away. The Founders Briefing delivers real strategies and tactics from the best Founder Talk conversations, behind the scenes access, and the insights that never made the final cut. Sign up here: https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: https://impaxs.comIf you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/#FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #StartupPodcast

June 10, 2026Episode 10152 min

Crypto Just Changed Forever And Nobody's Talking About It | Zach Lindquist on Founder Talk

Most founders have no idea the financial infrastructure they depend on is about to fundamentally change. And the ones who understand why are already positioning for it.Zach Lindquist is the Founder of Pure Crypto, a crypto hedge fund operating for over eight years. He breaks down what blockchain means for business owners, why stablecoins will eliminate processing fees, and why Bitcoin might be the purest hedge against dollar devaluation.00:00:00 Introduction00:01:35Q: What is crypto and blockchain at the most basic level?A: Zach Lindquist explains that blockchain facilitates transactions between two people without a third party, and Bitcoin was the first proof of peer-to-peer digital payments.00:06:40Q: How does blockchain help business owners?A: Zach Lindquist says stablecoins can eliminate 3.5% processing fees and will be integrated in bank accounts within a year or two.00:20:20Q: How do smart contracts work?A: Zach Lindquist explains smart contracts are self-executing conditional transactions in code, and platforms like Ethereum and Solana function like app stores for financial applications.00:29:21Q: Why is Bitcoin worth anything?A: Zach Lindquist says buying Bitcoin is a bet that the dollar will devalue over time, calling it one of the purest ways to speculate on dollar destruction.00:37:55Q: Where should founders start investing in crypto?A: Zach Lindquist recommends index investing through products like the Bitwise Crypto Index and warns that buying tokens on a friend's tip is not an investment thesis.00:48:15Q: What are Pure Crypto's plans?A: Zach Lindquist says the firm is raising its fourth fund and remains focused on finding the most disruptive ideas from seed-stage to liquid markets.Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.Connect with Zach Lindquist:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-lindquist-124635b5/Website: https://www.pure-crypto.com/The Founders Brief2,500+ founders read this newsletter every week to build businesses that run and grow even when they step away. The Founders Briefing delivers real strategies and tactics from the best Founder Talk conversations, behind the scenes access, and the insights that never made the final cut. Sign up here: https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: https://impaxs.comIf you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests — all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/#FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #StartupPodcast

June 5, 2026Episode 10047 min

Hidden Financial Mistakes Costing Founders Thousands Every Month (Most Miss This) | Hunter Scott

Most founders don't know where they're bleeding cash every month. Neither did some of the most successful business owners Hunter Scott has worked with.Welcome to the 100th episode of Founder Talk! Hunter Scott is a CPA and Partner at Strata Cloud Accountants. In this conversation, he breaks down the top financial mistakes founders make, shares stories of hidden margin killers, and explains why your tax bill might be the best KPI you have.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:22Q: What are the top three financial mistakes business owners make?A: Hunter Scott says most founders barely track their numbers, make gut-based decisions without forward-looking views, and hold onto the illusion they can do it all themselves.00:06:09Q: What is a good profit margin for a B2B service company?A: Hunter Scott says 60% or above, and recommends digging into utilization metrics to find where the gaps are.00:15:05Q: What drove the firm to nearly double in revenue last year?A: Hunter Scott says working with a sales coach and making three to six phone calls a day to build real relationships were the biggest drivers.00:21:36Q: What is an example of a hidden financial problem most founders miss?A: Hunter Scott shares how a restaurant's margin was dropping because the cost of limes went up, resulting in a 10,000-plus monthly impact once fixed.00:28:16Q: Should founders avoid paying more taxes?A: Hunter Scott says the best KPI is how much you pay in taxes because it means the business is growing, and resisting growth to minimize taxes is one of the most expensive mistakes.00:40:08Q: How do you build a lifestyle business that still grows?A: Hunter Scott says you have to stop being scared of the loss of money that comes with delegating, and refuse to make any decision based off fear.Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.Connect with Hunter Scott:Email: hunter@stratacloudaccountants.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-scott-cpa/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strata-cloud/The Founders Brief2,500+ founders read this newsletter every week to build businesses that run and grow even when they step away. The Founders Briefing delivers real strategies and tactics from the best Founder Talk conversations, behind the scenes access, and the insights that never made the final cut. Sign up here: https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3 If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: https://impaxs.comIf you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests—all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/#FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #StartupPodcast

May 29, 2026Episode 9947 min

This Is How a Construction Veteran Builds a Business. It's Not What You Think. | Ryan Quinn on Founder Talk

Ryan Quinn acquired a 30-year-old construction company after the owner said he was either closing the doors or selling. Ryan and his wife Nancy survived year one, and are now rebuilding the business into something new.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:11:55Q: Have construction prices come down since COVID?A: Ryan Quinn says prices have not dropped in six years and owners who waited are still waiting because costs have stabilized at the higher level.00:16:27Q: Why do business owners hide their budget from contractors?A: Ryan Quinn says hiding your budget is an old school tactic that hurts your own project because it prevents realistic guidance.00:27:10Q: What does building a new commercial building actually look like?A: Ryan Quinn describes the journey from a cocktail napkin sketch to a 200-page document to a finished building.00:29:35Q: What is the future of the skilled trades?A: Ryan Quinn says not every kid needs college and the trades are seeing a resurgence as stigma fades and the retiring workforce creates opportunity.00:37:33Q: What is it like to acquire a business someone else built over 30 years?A: Ryan Quinn shares how it happened organically through trust and why an existing foundation made more sense than starting from scratch.00:41:11Q: What is the one piece of advice for new business owners?A: Ryan Quinn says listen more because he and Nancy missed signals early on that could have helped them navigate faster.Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.Connect with Ryan Quinn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-quinn-a44517106/Website: https://qdbi.net/The Founders Brief2,500+ founders read this newsletter every week to build businesses that run and grow even when they step away. The Founders Briefing delivers real strategies and tactics from the best Founder Talk conversations, behind the scenes access, and the insights that never made the final cut. Sign up here: https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3 If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: https://impaxs.comIf you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests—all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/#FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #FounderPodcast

May 21, 2026Episode 981 hr 0 min

The Moment This Dentist Stopped Drilling and Started Building an Empire | Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj

A dentist who stopped drilling and started building. How a clinician turned CEO quadrupled revenue, scaled to multi-location, and built a team that runs without him.Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj walked into a 4-year-old broken dental practice and quadrupled the revenue in 12 months. He shares how listening to customers, scaling without scaling chaos, hiring with personality tests, and choosing between being the engineer or the orchestrator changed everything.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:03:55Q: What is the biggest bottleneck stopping most businesses from growing?A: Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj explains that founders are often the bottleneck, making assumptions about what customers want instead of listening to them.00:13:16Q: What is the easiest way to stand out from competitors?A: Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj says the bar is shockingly low. Run on time, answer the phones, and walk customers through the process.00:22:55Q: What happens when you scale a business with broken systems?A: Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj warns that you can scale your mistakes and chaos just as easily as you scale your success.00:29:35Q: What is the best interview strategy for hiring great people?A: Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj uses the 80/20 rule: ask 20% of the questions and shut up 80% of the time so candidates reveal who they really are.00:34:40Q: How does tolerating underperformance destroy company culture?A: Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj says when you tolerate missed goals, you allow it. The second time, it becomes a habit your A players notice.00:52:36Q: Should founders stay in their craft or step back to lead?A: Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj says you must decide: be the engineer or the orchestrator of engineers. Trying both keeps you stuck.Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.Connect with Dr. Abhishek Nagaraj:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-abhishek-nagaraj-10a4a88b/ Website: https://www.areodental.com/ The Founders BriefA weekly email where we break down the best Founder Talk conversations into tactics you can use immediately to grow your business and improve your life. You'll get behind-the-scenes access, a chance to submit questions for upcoming guests, and access to the insights that don't make the final cut! https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: https://impaxs.comIf you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests—all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/#FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #StartupPodcast

May 13, 2026Episode 971 hr 36 min

What a 45-Year Tech Veteran Understood About Leadership That We Forgot | Jody Jankovsky

A 45-year tech veteran who watched mainframes become iPhones shares what founders have forgotten about leadership and scaling.Jody Jankovsky has built and run Blackline IT for 30+ years. He breaks down why clarity is the most underrated leadership skill, what "irresponsible delegation" costs you, and how the Moonshot framework can transform a founder-dependent company into a self-scaling organization.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:04:07Q: What does a founder's childhood reveal about their future business?A: Jody Jankovsky's dad started a software company during a recession. It became the greatest opportunity of his life—giving a 12-year-old access to the dawn of computing.00:27:13Q: What does good leadership actually look like?A: It's not command-and-control. It's finding the pathway for each person to fit into your vision.00:31:55Q: What's the biggest leadership shift a founder can make?A: Clarity is the leader's job. If the team is confused, that's the leader's failure, not theirs.00:56:25Q: Why does delegation without domain knowledge fail?A: "Irresponsible delegation"—outsourcing before you understand the domain enough to evaluate the work.01:12:40Q: Why do founders buy tools they don't need?A: They let tool vendors tell them what to buy instead of starting with the outcome they need.01:14:52Q: Is AI replacing jobs or tasks?A: Technology has always automated tasks, not jobs. The human becomes the creative judgment engine.Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.The Founders BriefA weekly email where we break down the best Founder Talk conversations into tactics you can use immediately to grow your business and improve your life. You'll get behind-the-scenes access, a chance to submit questions for upcoming guests, and access to the insights that don't make the final cut! https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: https://impaxs.comIf you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests—all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/#FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #StartupPodcast

May 8, 2026Episode 9641 min

The HIDDEN Truth About Why Founders Stay Stuck (It’s Not Strategy) | Jill Monaco on Founder Talk

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood abuse and trauma.Bestselling author Jill Monaco reveals why your biggest business bottleneck isn’t strategy, it’s what’s happening beneath the surface. Most founders blame hiring, systems, or tactics. In reality, deeper currents of fear, control, and outsourced identity are blocking growth.Jill Monaco is an ICF-certified life coach, founder of Freedom Coaching, and bestselling author who works with high-performing founders. She and Alex Sheridan explore burnout warning signs, the superpower/self-destruction paradox, and the Freedom Framework that rewires beliefs for lasting change.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:02:13Q: What are the early warning signs of founder burnout?A: Jill Monaco identifies grinding without boundaries, imbalanced life buckets, and relational strain as key signals before burnout hits.00:09:00Q: How can founders stay productive without feeling scattered?A: Jill Monaco advocates creating weekly containers, dedicating specific days to specific work to keep promises to yourself.00:14:00Q: How do you stop comparing yourself to other entrepreneurs?A: Jill Monaco shares how the comparison trap made her feel like she was failing. Alex adds that most ultra-successful entrepreneurs wish they cared about the simple things.00:20:47Q: What is the Freedom Framework for founders?A: Jill Monaco presents her model: event, thought, emotion, belief, action. Every action comes from what you truly believe about yourself.00:26:45Q: Can you actually rewire your brain to break limiting beliefs?A: Jill Monaco uses the cornfield analogy. The old neural pathway is worn smooth, but carving a new path through consistency lets the old one grow over. Neuroplasticity is measurable.00:30:41Q: Why is listening more powerful than giving advice?A: Jill Monaco explains that people remember how you made them feel, not what you said. Alex tested this with clients and found deeper results.Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Founder Talk.🔗 CONNECT WITH Jill Website: https://www.jillmonaco.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillmonacoministries/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jillmonacoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillmonaco/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillmonaco/The Founders BriefA weekly email where we break down the best Founder Talk conversations into tactics you can use immediately to grow your business and improve your life. You’ll get behind-the-scenes access, a chance to submit questions for upcoming guests, and access to the insights that don't make the final cut! https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company looking to build your own in-house content team rather than outsourcing to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is the result of a scrappy, nimble internal content team, along with an AI-powered content system and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠Turn your expertise into clients with a podcast that positions you as the go-to brand. We help founder-led B2B companies in Chicagoland launch and grow shows that build trust, deepen relationships, and drive real revenue—without the production headache. Record in our St. Charles studio or set up your own space while we handle strategy, production, editing, and publishing so every episode turns conversations into business. Visit https://podcastbuilders.com/ to start building yours today!Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/ #FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #FounderLessons

May 4, 2026Episode 9551 min

The Legal Mistakes Most Founders Don't Even Know They're Making | Ana Casanueva on Founder Talk

Most founders think they're covered legally. They're not. Ana Casanueva, Founder of Casanueva Law PLLC, reveals the legal mistakes that will cost you money, deals, and peace of mind.Whether you're relying on handshake deals, using AI to draft contracts, or thinking about selling your business someday, this conversation breaks down what every founder needs to know to protect themselves and grow smarter.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:03:52Q: Why do most founders skip contracts and rely on handshakes?A: Ana Casanueva explains that the friendly handshake doesn't survive growth. AI-generated contracts from ChatGPT look like term sheets but lack the legal clauses that protect you.00:06:30Q: What documents should you send to every new client?A: Ana Casanueva recommends a Master Services Agreement plus supporting documents like statements of work under that umbrella agreement.00:13:53Q: What will a buyer look for when purchasing your business?A: Ana Casanueva explains that buyers do due diligence on corporate governance, client agreements, vendor agreements, and accounting to determine how much to offer.00:25:35Q: Should you convert your LLC to a corporation before selling?A: Ana Casanueva shares that converting makes M&A deals easier because buyers prefer shares, which offer more flexibility in deal structure and equity.00:27:32Q: Can you have an LLC taxed as a C corp?A: Ana Casanueva explains that business structure and tax treatment are two different things. You can be an LLC and be taxed as a C corp.00:36:18Q: Can AI replace lawyers?A: Ana Casanueva says no. Lawyers are sometimes like therapists. Founders need human trust and accountability that AI cannot provide.Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.🔗 CONNECT WITH Ana CasanuevaPersonal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casanueva-law-pllc-fractional-general-counsel/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/casanueva-law-pllc/ Website: https://www.casanuevalaw.com/ The Founders BriefA weekly email where we break down the best Founder Talk conversations into tactics you can use immediately to grow your business and improve your life. You'll get behind-the-scenes access, a chance to submit questions for upcoming guests, and access to the insights that don't make the final cut! https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠If you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

April 30, 2026Episode 941 hr 5 min

This AI Agent Builder REVEALS the Secrets to Creating Business Efficiencies and Opportunities

In this episode, Alex Sheridan sits down with Andy Sharma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Flowtogen, a company that builds and deploys AI agents for businesses. With 20 years at Accenture, Andy breaks down the difference between efficiency AI and opportunity AI, a framework every founder needs before making their next AI investment.Key takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:14:55Q: Is a computer science degree still worth it in the age of AI?A: Andy Sharma reveals that 40% of CS grads are currently unemployed, including graduates from top programs like the University of Illinois.00:18:42Q: What is the difference between efficiency AI and opportunity AI?A: Andy Sharma breaks AI into two categories. Efficiency AI automates the mundane. Opportunity AI creates new revenue streams. Founders should focus on operating at the top of their license.00:34:01Q: How should founders evaluate AI consulting companies?A: Andy Sharma explains Flowtogen's model of advisory, research, and engineering. Not every problem is an AI problem, and a good partner will walk away if it doesn't deliver ROI.00:43:42Q: Why is there so much fear around AI right now?A: Andy Sharma compares AI companies to pharmaceutical commercials run in reverse. They lead with fear instead of benefits.00:50:00Q: What careers will still matter as AI advances?A: Andy Sharma and Alex Sheridan identify three buckets: working in AI, deep human connections, or working with your hands. There is no "next level up" this time.01:01:06Q: What advice should parents give their kids about AI?A: Andy Sharma tells his own kids to learn the tools and stay relevant. "If you don't like change, you're gonna like irrelevance even less."Subscribe to Founder Talk so you don't miss what's next.🔗 CONNECT WITH Andy SharmaCompany LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowtogenPersonal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-sharma-aa315a2/Website: https://www.flowtogen.comThe Founders Brief A weekly email where we break down the best Founder Talk conversations into tactics you can use immediately to grow your business and improve your life. You’ll get behind-the-scenes access, a chance to submit questions for upcoming guests, and access to the insights that don't make the final cut! https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3 If you are a B2B company that wants to build your own in-house content team instead of outsourcing your content to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is a result of a scrappy, nimble, internal content team along with an AI-powered content systems and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠If you want to start a podcast that helps you win clients and become the go-to brand in your industry, Podcast Builders can help! https://podcastbuilders.com/Podcast Builders is a podcast production and strategy company based in St. Charles, Illinois that helps founder-led B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. The company provides podcast strategy, studio production, editing, and distribution services for businesses across the western Chicago suburbs including St Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elgin, and more.Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/

April 26, 2026Episode 9359 min

The Watch Founder Who Built Demand Through Nostalgia and Emotion (ft. Adam Hodge)

In this episode of Founder Talk, Alex Sheridan sits down with Adam Hodge, founder of Farr and Swit, to unpack how a microbrand watch company grew in a saturated market by competing on identity, nostalgia, and meaning instead of pure utility.Key Takeaways:00:00:00 Introduction00:06:30 Why do people still buy watches when phones and smartwatches already tell time?Answer: Adam argues the best watches are not about utility alone; they signal identity, create conversation, and become “magnets for memory.”00:09:15 Can a premium brand launch cheaper products without damaging its positioning?Answer: Adam says it can work when the lower-priced line has a clear role, distinct design language, and still reinforces the broader brand mission.00:17:55 What makes an affordable product feel differentiated instead of generic?Answer: Design originality, emotional resonance, and a strong story can make even a low-cost product feel memorable rather than commoditized.00:24:30 How can founders use scarcity without faking demand?Answer: Limited runs, waitlists, and real stock constraints can validate interest, increase urgency, and reveal whether the market truly wants the offer.00:31:25 What do founders misunderstand about brand?Answer: Many treat brand like decoration instead of building it around a real differentiator, customer outcome, and consistent experience.00:41:45 Does brand story actually matter for conversion?Answer: Yes, when the story connects to the customer’s mission, it gives the brand a point of view and makes the buyer feel part of something bigger.00:49:30 How does a founder build a business that runs without becoming the bottleneck?Answer: Adam shares that better inventory systems, support operators, and stronger financial oversight are the next steps to free him up for design, sales, and brand building.Watch the full episode and subscribe for more authentic founder interviews, and go watch Joe Barron’s guesting on the Founder Talk here! https://youtu.be/ebMGuJaesns 🔗 CONNECT WITH Adam Website: https://www.farrandswit.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AFHodge/ https://www.facebook.com/FarrSwitLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamfhodgeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/farrandswit/reels/The Founders BriefA weekly email where we break down the best Founder Talk conversations into tactics you can use immediately to grow your business and improve your life. You’ll get behind-the-scenes access, a chance to submit questions for upcoming guests, and access to the insights that don't make the final cut! https://podcastbuilders.activehosted.com/f/3If you are a B2B company looking to build your own in-house content team rather than outsourcing to a marketing agency, we may be a fit for you! Everything you see in our podcast and content is the result of a scrappy, nimble internal content team, along with an AI-powered content system and process. Check out pricing and services here: ⁠https://impaxs.com⁠Turn your expertise into clients with a podcast that positions you as the go-to brand. We help founder-led B2B companies in Chicagoland launch and grow shows that build trust, deepen relationships, and drive real revenue—without the production headache. Record in our St. Charles studio or set up your own space while we handle strategy, production, editing, and publishing so every episode turns conversations into business. Visit https://podcastbuilders.com/ to start building yours today!Head to our website to stream every episode on your favorite platform, join the Founder Talk community, and submit questions for future guests–all in one place: https://foundertalkpodcast.com/ #FounderTalk #EntrepreneurPodcast #FounderLessons