Founders' Forum

Hosted by Marc Bernstein

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Episodes

178

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Great business stories and great people come together on Marc Bernstein’s Founders’ Forum! Marc Bernstein sits down with business founders across the country to discuss their lives, successes, lessons, and their vision for the future. It’s all about the success they’ve earned and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. These are American success stories and they’re not done yet! Your Host, Marc Bernstein Marc Bernstein is an entrepreneur, author, and consultant. He helps high performing entrepreneurs and business owners create a vision for the future, accomplish their business and personal goals, financial and otherwise, and on helping them to see through on their intentions. Marc recently co-founded March , a forward-looking company with a unique approach to wealth management. He captured his philosophy in his #1 Amazon Bestseller, The Fiscal Therapy Solution 1.0 . Marc is also the founder of the Forward Focus Forum , a suite of resources tailored specifically to educate and connect high performing entrepreneurs, and helping them realize their vision of true financial independence. Find out more about Marc and connect with him at marcjbernstein.com . Are you a visionary founder with a compelling success story that deserves to be shared with our audience? We're on the lookout for accomplished business leaders like you to be featured on the Founders' Forum Radio Show and Podcast. If you've surmounted challenges, reached significant milestones, or have an exciting vision for the future, we'd be honored to have you as a guest on our show. Your experiences and insights can inspire and enlighten others in the business world. If you're eager to share your journey and the invaluable lessons you've learned along the way, we invite you to apply here . Connect with us, and let's discuss the possibility of featuring you in an upcoming episode. Join us in celebrating your success and contributing to the legacy of the Founders' Forum! Securities offered through DFPG Investments, LLC (“DFPG”) Investment Advisory Services offered through Diversify Advisory Services, LLC (“Diversify”). DAS and DFPG are affiliated entities. March is unaffiliated with DAS and DFPG. Member FINRA/SIPC The information provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment advice. The views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Diversify or DFPG.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 17828 min

Matt Bramson: Confidence Isn't the Secret, Vulnerability Is

After 25 years building and scaling technology companies, serial entrepreneur Matt Bramson made an unexpected pivot: walking away from data-driven growth to build a platform that gets people to put their phones down. His new venture, Interact, uses QR code scans to spark real, face-to-face conversations at live events, no data collection, no monetization, just human connection. In this episode of Founders Forum, Matt joins Marc Bernstein to talk about the moment that changed his direction: watching a room full of teenagers sit in silence, scrolling instead of talking. He breaks down how Interact works, why he built it around a psychologist's 36 Questions framework, and how a cash incentive helps strangers break the ice. Matt also opens up about the internal battles every founder faces, from imposter syndrome to the pressure to always seem confident, and why vulnerability has become his most effective sales tool. Key Takeaways: Interact turns two scanned QR codes into a shared conversation starter, with zero data collected or sold The platform is built on a psychologist's 36 Questions method, escalating from light small talk to deep, meaningful dialogue Matt's "aha moment" came from watching a house full of teenagers ignore each other in favor of their phones Confidence and "fake it till you make it" are giving way to honesty and vulnerability as real drivers of trust Sponsors can attach their brand to a conversation moment instead of a data-collecting ad Matt's biggest founder challenge isn't external, it's internal: overcoming self-doubt and comparison About Matt Bramson: Matt Bramson is a serial entrepreneur and revenue architect who has spent 25 years scaling technology businesses — from a global communications platform to a $100M+ energy company — by building the systems and models that drive real growth. He's now co-founder of interACT, a patent-pending live-event platform designed to turn strangers into genuine connections, one face-to-face conversation at a time. Connect with Matt: Website interactforreal.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/mattbramson/ X x.com/MattBramson Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

August 19, 2026Episode 17729 min

Michele Sullivan on Building Accountability Into Giving

Michele Sullivan was born four feet tall in a world that didn't expect much from her, and she went on to lead one of the most respected corporate foundations on the planet. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Michele Sullivan, former President of the Caterpillar Foundation and Director of Social Innovation, at Babcock Ranch. Michele shares how she rose through a male-dominated company over a 30-year career, eventually taking the helm of a foundation that had operated the same way for two decades, and rebuilding it around accountability, impact, and results. She opens up about growing up with a rare form of dwarfism, the confidence her parents instilled in her, and how "looking up" became both a literal and figurative philosophy that shaped her leadership style. Michele also reflects on working alongside global leaders, including a 45-minute meeting in the Oval Office with President Obama, her friendship with Bono, and why she remains passionate about supporting girls, women, and communities facing poverty even after retirement. Key Takeaways: How Michele's parents built the confidence that carried her through a decades-long career at Caterpillar Why she brought GAAP accounting and impact reporting standards to the Caterpillar Foundation, and the resistance she faced The difference between foundation dollars and corporate social innovation dollars, and why the distinction matters What it means to "look up" to everyone, regardless of how the world looks at you Her advice for founders and leaders navigating visible and invisible challenges About Michele Sullivan: Michele is unforgettable — from a young person born with a very rare type of dwarfism, who, in spite of being looked down upon by others, learned to look up: to lead with an elevated view of others, a philosophy that landed her at the helm of one of the world's most prominent philanthropy organizations. With inspiring style, she offers a unique perspective and inspiration for individuals and leaders that attests to the fundamental role one's perspective plays in their life. Connect with Michele: Website michelelsullivan.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/michelelsullivan/ Instagram @followmichelel Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

August 12, 2026Episode 17630 min

Peter Barber on How to Professionalize a Commodity Business

What does it take to turn a college side hustle into a 90-person company with 38 years of staying power? Peter Barber, co-founder and CEO of Two Dudes Painting Company, joins Marc Bernstein to share exactly that. Peter started painting houses as a Franklin & Marshall College student looking to cover tuition. What began as a way to pay for school turned into a full-time commitment when he and co-founder Brian McCaskey decided to go all in, doubling the business in a single year. Today, Two Dudes Painting employs a team of over 90 people across central Pennsylvania, all while staying true to its founding promise: quality work, on time, with zero hassle. In this conversation, Peter and Marc dig into reframing problems using Dan Sullivan's "thinking about your thinking" philosophy, building a service-first company culture in a historically low-perceived-value trade, and how paid volunteer time has strengthened both employee retention and community ties in Lancaster. Peter also opens up about his three-year vision for scaling the business into new markets and what it might look like to eventually step back from day-to-day leadership. Key Takeaways: Why reframing "the problem behind the problem" leads to better decision-making How Two Dudes Painting professionalized a trade seen as low-barrier and low-value The power of paid community volunteer days for culture and retention Lessons on scaling a relationship-driven business into new geographies What it means to plan a leadership transition while staying mission-focused About Peter Barber: Peter Barber, the co-founder, and owner of Two Dudes Painting Company has been the driving force behind the company's success for over 38 years. Starting with just Two Dudes and an iconic orange VW bus, Peter has strategically grown the company to include a team of over 90 employees, all while maintaining a commitment to positively impacting the community. Connect: Website twodudes.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/two-dudes-painting-company/?viewAsMember=true Facebook facebook.com/twodudespaintingcompany Instagram instagram.com/twodudespainting/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by Two Dudes Painting Company, delivering quality painting services with zero hassle across central Pennsylvania. Visit twodudes.com to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

August 6, 2026Episode 17528 min

Lessons on Trust, Team, and Reinventing at Any Age with Susan Jacobson

From running a presidential campaign at 28 to building a Philadelphia PR powerhouse, Susan Jacobson has never stopped betting on herself. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Susan Jacobson, CEO of Jacobson Strategic Communications and Praxtera AI Institute, to trace her path from political operative to PR entrepreneur to AI fluency pioneer. Susan opens up about getting pushed out of a corporate role after a decade, writing her business plan on the back of an envelope with Jack Welch, and building a remote-first PR team years before it was normal. She also shares how a Wharton executive MBA program sparked the idea for Praxtera, her AI training company that just won a National Platinum Pinnacle Award. Key Takeaways: Early belief from a parent can shape a lifelong willingness to take risks Losing a corporate role can be the push needed to finally go independent Building a team around trust and flexibility creates loyalty and better client work Credibility in a service business has to be earned every single week Personal networks and reputation can fund a business from day one Watching where a major industry is headed can reveal the next big opportunity About Susan Jacobson: Sue Jacobson is CEO of Praxtera AI Institute and President of Jacobson Strategic Communications. Praxtera delivers live, two hour AI fluency training sessions on Zoom, co-led by a Wharton trained AI specialist and a senior communications strategist. The company recently won the national Platinum Pinnacle Award for AI Training. A Wharton MBA and former Chair of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Sue is on a mission to make AI fluency accessible and practical for everyone, not just tech insiders. Connect: Website www.praxtera.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/susan-g-jacobson/ ; linkedin.com/company/ai-institute-a-jacobson-company Instagram instagram.com/thesuejway/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by AffinIT, building strong IT partnerships through innovative managed services. Visit affinitmsp.com to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

August 5, 2026Episode 17429 min

Redefining Success as a Team with Jay and Preeti Gohel

From an eight-year-old sweeping up scraps in his father's makeshift dental lab to co-leading a five-location practice with his wife and business partner, Jay Gohel's path into dentistry was anything but planned. In this episode, Marc sits down with Dr. Jay Gohel and Preeti Gohel of Aesthetic Dental Associates, husband-and-wife founders who built one of the largest privately owned dental groups in the Delaware Valley from a single practice they were forced into buying during the 2008 financial crisis. Jay handles the clinical vision; Preeti runs the numbers. Together, they've turned early struggles with no mentorship, a brutal economy, and blurred work-life boundaries into a thriving multi-office operation built on mutual trust and clearly divided roles. Key takeaways: Why success isn't a fixed destination but a state of presence and balance How starting a practice during the 2008 crash with zero mentorship shaped their approach to growth The financial mistakes that quietly sink dental and small business practices Why "work-life balance" may be the wrong goal, and what to pursue instead How dividing responsibilities by strength, not title, built their partnership The books that shaped their thinking on influence, focus, and self-trust Tune in for part one of this two-part conversation, and catch part two for more from Jay and Preeti as the conversation continues. About Jay Gohel DMD BDS: Dr. Jay Gohel, DMD, BDS, is the CEO and Clinical Director of Aesthetic Dental Associates, a five-location dental group and one of the largest privately owned practices in the Delaware Valley. His journey began in his father's makeshift home dental lab, where he learned the craft long before he ever intended to pursue it professionally. Forced into practice ownership during the 2008 financial crisis with no mentor to guide him, Jay built his business through hard-won experience. Today, he focuses on the clinical work he's most passionate about, full mouth rehabilitation and implant dentistry, while mentoring the doctors across his organization. For Jay, success isn't measured by financial reward. It's about being fully present, doing meaningful work, and leaving behind knowledge that helps others thrive. About Preeti Gohel: As the CFO of a multi-location dental group, Preeti Gohel leads financial operations for a growing dental organization with multiple practice locations. She is known for her ability to streamline financial chaos and create clear pathways to profitability. Her mastery lies in showing entrepreneurs how to increase profitability while expanding their net worth with intention, simplicity, and purpose. Preeti's work empowers leaders to build a legacy that endures long after the numbers are calculated. She brings a unique blend of operational expertise, strategic thinking, and values-driven leadership to help entrepreneurs achieve sustainable financial growth. Connect: Website theaestheticdental.com Instagram @thegainsgurl Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by Aesthetic Dental Associates, a Pennsylvania-based dental group dedicated to changing lives through exceptional dentistry, compassion, and community service. Go to theaestheticdental.com or call 610-701-0102 to schedule your appointment. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

July 30, 2026Episode 17328 min

Tim Austin on Building Community One Festival at a Time

From a potluck dinner for Italophiles to a 20,000-person street festival, Tim Austin has turned small-town Lancaster County into a launchpad for big ideas. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with architect and entrepreneur Tim Austin, founder of Colab XYZ and co-founder of Litalia Fest and the new Lancaster Capital Day. Tim shares his path from studying architecture at Cornell and earning a design degree in Milan, to returning home to Lancaster County and building a creative agency, reviving his family's historic Log Cabin Restaurant, and helping grow a neighborhood potluck into one of the region's fastest-growing cultural festivals. He also opens up about launching Lancaster Capital Day, a new festival honoring the city's surprising role in Revolutionary War history as part of the America 250 celebration. Key Takeaways: How a summer studying in Milan shaped Tim's design philosophy and led him back to build a business in Lancaster The entrepreneurial roots behind Colab XYZ, and why architects are natural business builders The story of restoring his family's historic Log Cabin Restaurant, a former Prohibition-era speakeasy How a small potluck for Italian speakers grew into Litalia Fest, drawing an expected 20,000 attendees in its fifth year Why Lancaster played a surprising role as an early stop for the Continental Congress, and how that history inspired Lancaster Capital Day Lessons learned scaling a grassroots event into a major community festival, from staging and sound to permits and vendor partnerships Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

July 29, 2026Episode 17229 min

From Near-Death to Breakthrough: Helen Denise's Founder Story

Helen Denise left the Soviet Union with nothing but a suitcase and a knack for sales, and built a company that changed how women understand their own bodies. On this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with the CEO and Founder of Hilin Life Products, Inc. and inventor of KNOWHEN, to talk about ambivalence, risk, and the traumatic health event that launched a movement. After surviving an ectopic pregnancy in 1999, Helen turned personal crisis into purpose, developing KNOWHEN, the first-ever saliva-based ovulation test kit with a fertility app, and launching one of the world's first fertility tracking apps in 2013. She shares the hard lessons that came with entrepreneurship, from financial missteps to the importance of protecting your ideas early, and opens up about the vision driving her next chapter: a full line of devices designed to transform reproductive medicine for men and women alike. Key Takeaways: Ambivalence isn't apathy. It's the discomfort of being pulled in two directions at once, and learning to recognize it can improve how you communicate and lead. Big transformation often follows crisis. Helen's health scare became the spark for a 27-year mission in women's fertility health. Protect your ideas immediately. Helen's biggest early mistake was delaying a patent on her first device. Have capital and financial guidance in place before you launch. Passion alone won't cover a hungry business. Legacy matters. Helen is building toward a full portfolio of fertility devices and a platform to educate women on reproductive health. Helen's story is proof that setbacks can become the foundation for a life's work. Tune in for a conversation full of resilience, hard-won wisdom, and a founder who refuses to slow down. About Helen Denise: Helen Denise is the Founder and CEO of HiLin Life Products, Inc. and inventor of KNOWHEN®, the FDA-cleared advanced saliva ovulation test and fertility monitor app that originated the saliva ovulation category in the U.S. and remains the leading saliva ovulation test worldwide. Her passion for women's fertility health was born from a near-death experience with an ectopic pregnancy, which led her to develop a saliva-based test with 98.9% accuracy in identifying a woman's five most fertile days. Before founding HiLin, Denise built a successful career at Zepter International, growing a North American sales territory from zero to $20 million, and her work has been featured in TIME, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and NBC News, among others. Connect: Wesbite knowhen.com ; knowhenovulationtest.com ; https://knowhenovulationtest.org/ LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/helen-denise-1273377/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Knowhen Instagram instagram.com/knowhen/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE8oP9U2QXTcAMBMQ2VAl_A Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

July 22, 2026Episode 17129 min

Why Listening Beats Conviction in Business with Dr. Patrick Roth

Most surgeons chase technical mastery. Dr. Patrick Roth built a career on something rarer: listening. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with neurosurgeon Dr. Patrick Roth, co-founder of New Jersey Brain and Spine, to talk about building a specialized medical practice rooted in empathy rather than ego. Pat shares how he went from general neurosurgery to a narrow focus on spine, why he wrote a book that "cannibalized" his own surgical career, and how positive psychology reshaped the way he practices medicine and lives his life. The conversation moves from the business of medicine into something deeper: how influence, uncertainty, and human connection matter more than conviction ever did. Key Takeaways: Don't follow your passion, create it. Passion follows mastery, not the other way around. Narrow specialization, paired with radical profit-sharing among partners, became the foundation of Roth's practice model. Real influence in medicine comes from listening and empathy, not decisiveness. Embracing uncertainty and letting big decisions "stew" often leads to better outcomes. Health care only accounts for about 15% of overall health. The rest comes from social determinants like sleep, stress, exercise, and relationships. Roth's 10 year vision includes redesigning healthcare so treatment depends on a patient's condition, not which provider they happen to see first. Whether you're a physician, entrepreneur, or simply someone rethinking what success looks like, Pat's perspective on specialization, empathy, and building a life you don't want to retire from is worth the listen. About Patrick Roth MD, MHA, FAANS, FACS: Dr. Patrick Roth has been a neurosurgeon for more than 30 years. He founded a large sub-specialized practice, which allowed partners to pursue narrow lanes of interest. He became interested in identifying the pain generator in back pain, and applying technology to solve the problem in a simple, "minimal access" approach. He also became interested in the relationship of mind and body and its impact on pain. Along the way, he went back to school in his late 50s to get a degree in public health, and has become an administrator, teacher, and writer — he's written three books and is finishing a fourth. Connect: Website njbrainspine.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/patrick-roth-md/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

July 15, 2026Episode 17029 min

Bootstrapped to a $40M Exit with Justin Tennant

At 47, Justin Tennant is only two years removed from selling the medical supply company he bootstrapped from nothing, and he's already found something he didn't expect: it's harder to walk away from a business than it was to build one. Justin Tennant grew up in a second-generation steel mill family in Weirton, West Virginia, where he learned that nothing is given, it's earned. After working full-time since age 16 and putting himself through the University of Pittsburgh, he spent five years inside the post-merger chaos of Bank of New York Mellon before deciding he was done grinding for someone else's paycheck. In 2009, he co-founded Surgical Product Solutions, an independent distributor that gave hospitals a smarter way to offload surplus, still-sterile medical devices before their shelf life expired. Fifteen years, 80 employees, and $40 million in annual revenue later, Justin exited through a sale to a Chicago private equity firm, and is now figuring out life on the other side of entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways: Why understanding what your customer actually values (not what you assume they want) is the real foundation of trust-based selling How investing early in high-quality people created a "winning culture" that has outlasted ownership changes The hidden challenge of competing against giants like Johnson & Johnson without becoming a target Why timidity, not risk, is the biggest threat to a startup's early decision-making What it really feels like to transition out of a business you built from your kitchen table About Justin Tennant: Justin Tennant is an entrepreneur, investor and business advisor who specializes in helping founders navigate the entire business lifecycle, from boot-strapped launch to institutional exit. Drawing from his own journey as a start-up entrepreneur…building and selling his company, Surgical Product Solutions, to private equity in 2024, Justin now focuses on capital redeployment, asset consolidation, and teaching entrepreneurs how to build scalable systems that maximize enterprise value. Connect: Website www.tennantent.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/justintennant Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC , and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

July 8, 2026Episode 16929 min

Building a Legacy of Inclusion with Judith Creed

When experts told Judith Creed that her son would never walk, talk, or live independently, she refused to accept that as his future. Instead, she turned one family's challenge into a movement that has transformed hundreds of lives. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Judith Creed shares her remarkable journey from speech-language pathologist and entrepreneur to founding JCHAI, a nonprofit dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve meaningful, independent lives. Inspired by her father's entrepreneurial spirit and driven by her determination to create opportunities for her son Jonah, Judith challenged outdated beliefs, overcame community resistance, and built an organization that now serves more than 300 individuals while supporting countless families. Judith also reflects on the entrepreneurial mindset that fueled her success. She explains why entrepreneurs must trust their instincts when others say "no" and continue finding better ways to serve people. Her story is a powerful reminder that lasting impact often begins with one person willing to challenge the status quo. Key Takeaways: How one mother's determination became the foundation of a life-changing nonprofit Why entrepreneurs must learn to push past rejection and resistance The importance of creating opportunities instead of accepting limitations How independent living empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities What it takes to build a mission-driven organization that creates lasting impact and legacy About Judith Creed: Judith was Director of Speech-Language Pathology at Moss/Magee Rehab Facility for many years until she left the field after having three children, one of whom was born with a serious developmental disability. The doctors told her to place Jonah in an institution because he was severely intellectually disabled and would never walk or talk. She didn't listen to them. Instead, she kept Jonah at home and, using her SLP skills, taught him herself. Judith then started and ran her own film production company, DuPertuis-Creed Productions, which produced TV commercials and documentaries. After about 10 years, she returned to the field of speech-language pathology, where she combined her video expertise with her clinical background to develop and patent a video medical device that evaluated swallowing disorders at the bedside instead of using barium. Swallow Vision, Inc. was Judy's second business venture. She licensed her patent to Pentax Corporation, which then hired her to evaluate ENT and GI physicians' medical inventions, as well as sell medical equipment. During this time, Judith was raising her children while also dedicating herself to volunteer philanthropy. She helped found the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, the Philadelphia chapter of Operation Smile, and what would become her lasting legacy, JCHAI. Connect: Website jchai.org ; judithcreedart.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/judith-creed-a85a7950/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by JCHAI, helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities envision and build meaningful, independent lives. Visit jchai.org to learn more. 📅 New episodes every Wednesday— hit “Subscribe” now! 💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here —your feedback helps us grow! 📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook 🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast. 📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.