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LeverUp ™️  : A podcast on Private Equity and Entrepreneurship

LeverUp ™️ : A podcast on Private Equity and Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Paul W. Swaney III

BusinessInterviews guests

Episodes

26

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to LeverUp ™️ : Empowering Your Entrepreneurial Journey LeverUp™️ is more than a podcast—it's a catalyst for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to redefine the American Dream. While the conventional dream might be homeownership, we believe true fulfillment comes from owning your business and mastering the art of entrepreneurship. Diving deep into the realms of banking, consulting, and private equity finance, LeverUp® is designed to arm you with the knowledge, strategies, and insights needed to navigate the challenging yet rewarding path of entrepreneurship. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your venture, our podcast provides actionable advice, expert interviews, and a treasure trove of resources aimed at accelerating your journey. At the heart of LeverUp® is our commitment to disrupt the prevailing trend of overpriced and underdelivering entrepreneurship courses. Our initiative is founded on the principles of "Inorganic Entrepreneurship," a mentorship-driven approach that democratizes access to essential business knowledge and fosters a community of like-minded individuals. By subscribing to LeverUp®, you'll unlock access to: Exclusive interviews with industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Expert financial advice tailored to the unique challenges of entrepreneurship. Comprehensive resources designed to propel your business forward. LeverUp® is not just a strategic partner for career advancement; it's a movement dedicated to building a new generation of American entrepreneurs. It's time to move beyond the cottage industry of entrepreneurship courses that add no value and embrace a more viable, impactful career path. Subscribe to LeverUp® today and take the first step towards unlocking your potential as an entrepreneur. Let's embark on this journey together and transform your aspirations into reality.

Listen to episodes

26 recent
April 29, 2026Episode 21 hr 23 min

Interview with Jackie Hirsch

Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

February 11, 2026Episode 11 hr 1 min

Stewardship Over Showmanship: What Client First Actually Looks Like With Richard McWhorter

Many people require the services of a financial advisor because they do not know how to spend their money in the most responsible way. Paul Swaney is joined by Richard McWhorter, Managing Partner of SRM Private Wealth and a Private Wealth Advisor for high-net worth families and artists, to share how he is putting the client first to ensure their money priorities are properly considered. Richard explains how he acts as the ultimate “consigliere” for celebrities and pro-athletes to help them navigate impulse purchases, solve the so-called “Entourage problem,” and avoid putting their trust in the wrong individuals. Find out the beauty of putting responsible stewardship over senseless showmanship when it comes to securing your money and spending it right.Follow us on Twitter @paulswaney3 @leverupRT

November 5, 2025Episode 1038 min

Onboarding AI Correctly With Zulfiya Forsythe

AI is certainly one of the hottest topics in the digital world right now, and it is not surprising that every business wants a piece of this action. However, onboarding AI carelessly and without a concrete plan could lead to more losses than wins. Paul Swaney sits down with Zulfiya Forsythe, CEO and Founder of the Omadli Group, who helps businesses integrate AI into their existing systems in the most effective and responsible ways. Zulfiya emphasizes how to prioritize practicality over “sexiness” when adopting AI-powered tools to make the most out of these highly innovative automated tools. She also warns about AI bureaucrats, why aspiring entrepreneurs should not be afraid to start small, and what we can learn from the sweeping success of OpenAI.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

October 29, 2025Episode 948 min

Smarter, Leaner, Faster: The Rise Of AI-Driven Startups With Claudia Richoux

AI-driven startups are reshaping what it means to build, scale, and lead in tech. Co-founder of Supplyco, Claudia Richoux, shares how she’s transforming industrial sales and marketing through AI, running an ultra-lean operation, and redefining startup leadership in a changing economy. From surviving the chaos of early ventures to learning how empathy fuels strong teams, Claudia’s story captures the grit, intellect, and creativity behind modern entrepreneurship — and why embracing AI isn’t just about efficiency, but about building smarter, more human companies.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

October 22, 2025Episode 81 hr 15 min

Small Business Acquisition Made Easy With Janine Subgang

There has been a huge surge in interest in making small business acquisitions, especially in this exciting digital age. Janine Subgang, co-founder of Bizzed Ai, is helping aspiring entrepreneurs buy their desired businesses with less stress and hurdles along the way. Janine joins Paul Swaney in this conversation about how they empower a new generation of entrepreneurs through their AI-guided due diligence and financial modeling. She explains how their service promotes hassle-free business ownership, wealth creation, community impact, and personal freedom. Janine also shares how they monetize their business to keep their work going and deal with the many risky investments lurking out there.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

October 15, 2025Episode 743 min

Inside The Private Equity Hiring Machine: The Playbook For Executive Hires With Jason Blonstein

Understanding the nuances behind effective executive hires is crucial for any organization. Join Paul Swaney as he sits down with Jason Blonstein of Ex-Consultants Agency. Jason shares his unique journey from West Point graduate and military service to the world of executive recruitment. Discover the importance of stakeholder alignment, the challenges of transitioning executives from large corporations to smaller companies, and the benefits of looking outside your industry for top talent. Jason also provides valuable insights on how candidates can effectively network with executive recruiters and navigate the interview process. Get ready to transform your approach to executive talent acquisition!Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

March 5, 2025Episode 658 min

The Fast Eat The Slow: How Execution Speed Drives Entrepreneurial And Private Equity Wins With Laurence Haughton

Execution speed isn't just a tactic — it's the ultimate competitive advantage. In this episode, Laurence Haughton, author of It's Not the Big That Eat the Small...It's the Fast That Eat the Slow, shares how his relentless drive for speed transformed his career — from an engineering tech to a best-selling author. We dive into why moving fast crushes inertia, ignites momentum, and pushes organizations forward, while slow, cautious decision-making keeps teams stuck. If you've ever felt frustrated by "admiring the problem" instead of solving it, this one's for you. Let’s break the speed barrier!Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

February 5, 2025Episode 339 min

Finding Success In Private Equity With Ryan Heckman

Paul Swaney sits down with Ryan Heckman, who shares how he found his way and built success in the world of private equity. He talks about the valuable lessons about leadership and culture that he has gathered along the way, which contributed a lot to him becoming Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and CEO of Rallyday Partners. Paul explains why their firm embraced innovative yet quite controversial practices, from eliminating management fees to focusing on business architecture rather than governance. He also explores why he prioritizes purpose-driven leadership and cultural development more than anything else in his career.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

January 29, 2025Episode 232 min

Mastering Business Restructuring With Lars Vaule

Business restructuring often starts with stabilizing chaos and rallying people behind a shared vision. Paul Swaney sits down with turnaround expert Lars Vaule to explore the art of fixing struggling companies and building a thriving culture. From demoralized teams to cash flow dilemmas, Lars shares actionable insights and inspiring stories about leading through tough times. He also delves into balancing urgency with strategy, the power of creative solutions, and why great leadership means creating opportunities for every team member to grow. If you have ever wondered what it takes to transform a failing business, this conversation is for you.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

January 22, 2025Episode 142 min

Entrepreneurial Insights With Taylor Kenerson

Entrepreneurship thrives at the intersection of passion, purpose, and perseverance. In this engaging conversation, Paul Swaney dives deep into the entrepreneurial insights of Taylor Kenerson, an athlete-turned-business innovator redefining success on her own terms. From lessons learned on the softball field to building startups that embrace creativity and AI, Taylor shares how values like kindness, communication, and authenticity guide her journey. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or navigating your own career pivots, this episode is packed with relatable wisdom and actionable takeaways. Join us as we explore the mindset and strategies behind turning vision into impact.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT

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