The Founderz Lounge

Don Varady & Stephen Bon
  • 5.0 (28)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Don Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, and Stephen (Steve) Bon, Co-Founder of Bon's Eye Marketing, met years ago on the franchising scene. Kick back, as they hit on all things business and b******t. Ever grab a drink with friends and blow off entrepreneurial steam or share some successful moves? Well, you just walked into that moment online. Join us for a few minutes... Promise to make you think and laugh.

  1. Business & Bullsh*t: The CEO Playbook Is Broken (EP #80)

    6D AGO

    Business & Bullsh*t: The CEO Playbook Is Broken (EP #80)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #80 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what founders actually face versus what business culture pretends is true. This episode challenges the modern obsession with “CEO mode” and the polished playbook that makes leadership look clean, strategic, and hands-off. In reality, startups are messy. Founders wear multiple hats. And the people building companies are often the ones still in the weeds, solving problems in real time. They dig into the return of “Founder Mode,” the tension between delegation and control, and why empowering a team is harder than simply doing everything yourself. The conversation also explores imposter syndrome in leadership, how AI is changing workload psychology, and why efficiency can sometimes make high performers feel like they’re not doing enough. From there, Don and Steve hit culture and business trends including fast-food fatigue, the next beverage arms race, wearable tech taken to ridiculous extremes, and what business owners consistently get wrong about growth. They close with Hot Takes on local relationship marketing versus digital funnels, why community still compounds faster than clicks, and a Fast Five covering workplace pet peeves, business tasks founders secretly love, and early misconceptions about scaling. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:22] Founderz RoundUp [06:41] Imposter Syndrome in the AI Era [10:22] Random Bullsh*t [11:30] The Next Fast-Food Trend [13:44] Mocktails and the Alcohol-Free Trend [14:14] Wearable Tech That Tracks Flatulence [18:58] Founderz Hot Takes [19:27] The Local Relationship Advantage [22:15] Why Local Marketing Still Wins [24:43] Digital Funnels vs Real-World Presence [25:36] Is In-Person Marketing Making a Comeback? [27:50] Founderz Fast Five Key Takeaways:   • Founder Mode is trending again, but cutting layers just to “get your hands dirty” can be ego-driven rather than strategic. ~Don Varady • Delegation is not about freeing time to relax. It is about freeing time to focus on vision and growth. ~Steve Bon • Empowering a team to own execution is a sign of strong leadership, not softness. ~Don Varady • Many leaders confuse control with quality when stepping back into day-to-day operations. ~Steve Bon • Using AI to become more efficient is adoption, not imposter syndrome. ~Don Varady • Founders often question if they are holding the company back, even when they are the reason it exists. ~Steve Bon • “Local store marketing is just relationship math.” ~Don Varady • Digital reach is powerful, but relationships compound and drive real business. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    38 min
  2. How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)

    MAR 23

    How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #79 with Mike Manzo. What does it take to grow a franchise brand without drifting away from the things that made it work in the first place? In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Mike Manzo, former COO of Jersey Mike’s, to talk about the discipline it takes to build a brand that lasts. From franchisee profitability and operational standards to hospitality, leadership, and long-term thinking, Mike breaks down how Jersey Mike’s stayed focused on what mattered instead of chasing every trend or copying the competition. This conversation gets into the real challenges founders and franchise leaders face as they grow: protecting the brand, supporting operators, avoiding costly distractions, and knowing when to evolve without losing what made the business special to begin with. Mike also shares lessons on owner-operators, culture, training, and why strong brands win by staying true to themselves. If you’re building a franchise company, leading a growing brand, or trying to scale without losing direction, this episode is packed with practical insight. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:51] Mike Manzo’s Jersey Mike’s journey [04:25] How Jersey Mike’s got its name [05:58] Family culture in franchising [06:49] Why hospitality wins [09:14] Surviving the hard years [10:17] Growth pressure and momentum [11:44] Why unit profitability matters [13:38] Brand equity vs quick wins [14:15] Why friendly service matters [18:25] Protecting the brand [20:43] Jersey Mike’s non-negotiables [22:55] How Mike vets franchisees [25:02] Multi-unit growth done right [27:15] When the brand took off [29:21] Avoiding complacency [31:55] From part-time to owner [35:09] Paying and keeping great people [36:41] Holding the standard [39:43] The cost of chasing competitors [41:55] The meatball sub lesson [45:09] When founders need to let go [48:10] Hiring C-suite talent [52:54] Fast Five [53:23] Mike’s top KPI [53:59] Mike’s best advice [55:16] The worst founder advice [57:36] Good vs great franchisees [58:15] What Mike would ban in franchising Key Takeaways:   • “This is hospitality. This isn’t a job.” ~Mike Manzo • Building a franchise brand around hospitality is harder, but it creates stronger operators. ~Mike Manzo • “It’s a constant grind.” ~Don Varady • “Friendly service” is the real experience customers remember. ~Mike Manzo • The experience economy is not just speed. It is what the customer sees and feels. ~Steve Bon • “Complacency has no home here.” ~Mike Manzo • “Stop trying to become your competitors.” ~Mike Manzo • Founders do not have to carry the shovel forever. ~Mike Manzo Connect with Mike Manzo… LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-manzo-89a7549/  Jersey Mike's: Website: https://www.jerseymikes.com/ Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    59 min
  3. Business & Bullsh*t: Revenge Quitting, AI Anxiety, and the Founder Reality Check (EP #78)

    MAR 16

    Business & Bullsh*t: Revenge Quitting, AI Anxiety, and the Founder Reality Check (EP #78)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #78 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what founders are dealing with right now, what’s changing in business culture, and what most people get wrong about leadership and growth. This episode kicks off with Founderz RoundUp stories from the field, including lessons from high-performance events, founder mindset shifts, and the unexpected conversations that remind you why entrepreneurship is a long game. From there, the conversation dives into the growing wave of revenge quitting and employee burnout, and what it signals for founders trying to build strong teams in a high-stress environment. Don and Steve debate AI anxiety, automation in the workforce, and why removing the human element can quietly break a business. They also tackle the rise of AI-generated content and “AI slop,” why brand trust is eroding, and how founders can stand out by leaning into authenticity instead of volume. They close out with Hot Takes on leadership, LinkedIn guru culture, and franchise advice overload, plus a Fast Five covering entrepreneurship myths, overspending confessions, founder pet peeves, and the realities nobody talks about when building a company. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:26] Founderz RoundUp [04:51] What Is Revenge Quitting? [06:00] Are Employees Quitting Because of AI? [06:35] Can AI Replace Human Workers? [10:46] Random Bullsh*t [11:21] How Should Brands Use AI Content? [14:39] Why Are Companies Paying Employees to Quit? [15:36] Founderz Fast Five [22:15] What Do People Romanticize About Entrepreneurship? [23:17] What Do Founders Overspend On? [24:21] What Actually Bothers You in Business? Key Takeaways:   • Leaders must create real growth paths or burned-out employees will start walking away. ~Steve Bon • AI should support teams, not be used as a threat that makes people feel replaceable. ~Steve Bon • “Too many brands are building noise, not loyalty.” ~Steve Bon • “This idea that just because you can create content easier faster doesn’t mean you should.” ~Steve Bon • Authenticity outperforms polish because audiences want the real people behind a brand. ~Don Varady • “They want to see you. You’re the owner. You’re the face of the brand.” ~Don Varady • Longevity matters more than early hype. Staying in business is the real win. ~Don Varady Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    28 min
  4. Business & Bullsh*t: When Brands Sell Status and Experiences (EP #77)

    MAR 9

    Business & Bullsh*t: When Brands Sell Status and Experiences (EP #77)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #77 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what brands are doing right, what they are doing wrong, and what is changing in culture. This episode kicks off with the business behind GORUCK and how a founder built a massive brand around something most companies try to avoid: pain. Instead of selling convenience, the company built a loyal following around challenge, community, and shared suffering. From there, the conversation shifts into the rise of the experience economy and why consumers increasingly care more about how something makes them feel than what they actually buy. Don and Steve explore why atmosphere can matter more than the product itself, how travel and hospitality brands are leaning into customized experiences, and why human connection still matters in a digital world. They also dive into the strange world of luxury branding, where status and perception can sometimes matter more than the product itself. They close out with Hot Takes on AI, restaurant kiosks, and technology replacing human interaction, plus a Fast Five covering favorite snacks, nostalgia products, the Winter Olympics, and unexpected hotel pet peeves. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [00:43] Founderz RoundUp [01:11] GORUCK and the Business of Shared Suffering [03:07] Why Fitness Got Easier [04:33] The Experience Economy and Emotional Marketing [07:59] Experiences Worth Paying For [09:24] Random Bullsh*t [09:52] “I’ll Give You Back Your Time” Rant [11:19] Luxury Brands, Status, and Pricing Absurdity [14:15] Founderz Hot Takes [14:33] AI, Kiosks, and Broken Business Systems [20:04] Founderz Fast Five [27:45] Outro Key Takeaways:   • Instead of selling easy fitness, he sold shared suffering. ~Don Varady • “It isn’t about being seen. It’s about being felt.” ~Steve Bon • More people than ever are buying a memorable moment over a product or service. ~Steve Bon • The lead into a brand today is how it will make someone feel, not just what it sells. ~Steve Bon • “They’re not selling products anymore. They’re selling inside jokes for rich people.” ~Don Varady • The flex is not quality anymore. The flex is being able to waste money on something others cannot. ~Don Varady • Businesses should clean up their systems before adopting new technology. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    28 min
  5. Stop Chasing Money. Start Building Ownership. w/ Chris Wunder (EP #76)

    MAR 2

    Stop Chasing Money. Start Building Ownership. w/ Chris Wunder (EP #76)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #76 with Chris Wunder. In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Chris Wunder, Founder and CEO of Leap Brands, to talk about executive recruiting, private equity growth, and the realities of building a high-performance company from scratch. Chris shares how he left corporate roles at NBC Sports and Samsung to start his own recruiting firm in 2016, eventually expanding into private equity-backed consumer brands and launching a brokerage arm that has closed over $70 million in deals. The conversation dives into what investors actually look for in founders, why growth and EBITDA matter, and how team quality can make or break an opportunity. They also unpack the pressure of leadership, the myth that money solves everything, and why Chris believes in paying top talent double or triple when it makes strategic sense. From burnout and resilience to breaking into new industries, this episode is a candid look at what it really takes to scale. If you are a founder, operator, or executive navigating hiring, equity, or aggressive growth, this one delivers. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [03:41] From Corporate to Recruiting [06:59] Money Didn’t Fix Everything [08:47] Harder, Smarter, Faster [11:06] Relentless in Sales and Life [13:44] Don’t Burn Bridges in Business [17:21] Why Equity Deals Go Wrong [23:28] The 3–5 Year Career Strategy [27:29] What Private Equity Actually Looks For [28:35] Breaking Into New Industries [30:44] Final Thoughts and Where to Connect Key Takeaways:   • “I used to be embarrassed to say I’m a recruiter even though I make more money than most doctors and attorneys.” ~Chris Wunder • “I hate LinkedIn. I despise it.” ~Don Varady • Harder, smarter, faster. You cannot have two. You have to have all three. ~Chris Wunder • “Be relentless. We don’t stop at resistance, we push through it.” ~Chris Wunder • “Are we chasing money or are we chasing a lifestyle?” ~Chris Wunder • If you’re only investing in talent you can “afford,” you’re probably underinvesting in the people who could actually move the needle. ~Don Varady • The team is often the most important factor in whether a company can actually scale. ~Steve Bon is theory until there are real payouts on the line. ~Steve Bon • Growth is what private equity looks at first, even before revenue. ~Chris Wunder Connect with Chris Wunder: Website: https://leapbrands.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswunderleapbrands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechriswunder/ Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    58 min
  6. Why Most “Maple Syrup” Isn’t Maple Syrup w/ Nikki Boxler (EP #75)

    FEB 23

    Why Most “Maple Syrup” Isn’t Maple Syrup w/ Nikki Boxler (EP #75)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #75 with Nikki Boxler. In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Nikki Boxler, founder of The Maple Farmer, to talk about the truth behind maple syrup, farm entrepreneurship, and what most people don’t realize about how real maple products are made. Nikki shares her journey growing up on a dairy and maple farm in Western New York, leaving for corporate work, and eventually returning home to build her own maple syrup business. The conversation dives into how the maple industry actually works, why most “maple syrup” on store shelves isn’t what people think, and what it takes to turn an agricultural passion into a real business. Along the way, they discuss farming life, branding local products, and the realities of producing something natural in a world driven by mass production. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [00:58] Nikki Boxler’s Origin Story [04:19] Why Launch a Maple Spin-Off Brand [06:11] How Maple Tapping Actually Works [12:57] Growth Plans for The Maple Farmer [17:45] How Nikki Sets Pricing [20:08] Saying No to Growth Opportunities [26:15] Getting Into the Outdoors [31:29] Plans for Agritourism [34:16] Managing Tree Health and Sustainability [39:01] Where to Find Nikki Key Takeaways:   • “Most of what’s labeled maple syrup in stores isn’t actually maple syrup.” ~Nikki Boxler • Standardizing your product and process early can make shipping, packaging, and scaling far simpler. ~Nikki Boxler • “It means more to me to keep it this size than to grow it just to make money off of it.” ~Nikki Boxler • Selling direct to consumers allows a level of connection and trust that disappears when you hand distribution to someone else. ~Nikki Boxler • “I literally am every single touch point… from tapping the tree to packaging.” ~Nikki Boxler • Nature, craftsmanship, and story are what make small brands memorable in a world of mass-produced products. ~Don Varady • People connect more deeply with products when they know who made them and where they came from. ~Steve Bon Connect with Nikki Boxler: Website: https://themaplefarmer.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaplefarmer/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maplefarmer  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-boxler/  Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    41 min
  7. Business & Bullsh*t: Some Brands Want Loyalty, Taco Bell Wants Vows (EP #74)

    FEB 16

    Business & Bullsh*t: Some Brands Want Loyalty, Taco Bell Wants Vows (EP #74)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #74 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what brands are doing right, what they are doing wrong, and what is changing in culture. This episode kicks off with Taco Bell opening a real wedding chapel in Las Vegas and what it says about owning your brand instead of playing it safe. From there, they jump into brain reading headphones from CES, retail stores disappearing, and why businesses now have to create experiences people cannot get online. They close out with Hot Takes on AI and trust in marketing, plus a Fast Five that blends business pivots with a little old school nostalgia. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:19] Founderz RoundUp [03:44] Premium vs Value Pricing [06:33] Headphones That Track Brain Speed [08:53] Random B******t [09:01] Inside the Taco Bell Wedding Chapel [12:18] Why Major Retailers Are Closing Stores [18:17] Founderz Hot Takes [18:22] Stop Gaming AI Search Rankings [21:06] Founderz Fast Five [21:10] What We Are Changing in 2026 [23:26] The Biggest AI Marketing Gimmick [27:34] Should Politicians Face Insider Trading Charges [28:38] What Saturday Night Looked Like in 1987 [31:22] How We Would Invest $100K in a Startup [33:54] Don’s Startup Idea Key Takeaways:   • “Some brands want loyalty. Taco Bell wants vows.” ~Don Varady • Taco Bell proved that when a brand fully owns its identity, it creates something people actually want to be part of. ~Steve Bon • “Would you want to know how fast your brain really moves?” ~Steve Bon • “What if it’s moving slower than you think?” ~Don Varady • People are not tired of brands. They are tired of boring, copycat experiences. ~Steve Bon • What’s one thing you plan to change with your business in 2026? ~Don Varady • The businesses that survive are the ones willing to double down on what they do best instead of chasing everything they can do. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    38 min
  8. Business & Bullsh*t: Adapt or Die! (EP #73)

    FEB 9

    Business & Bullsh*t: Adapt or Die! (EP #73)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #73 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what’s happening in business, what’s changing in culture, and what owners need to stop whining about and start fixing. This one starts light, then gets real fast. They rip through the top menu trends shaping 2025, from boba and Dubai chocolate to Korean flavors, matcha, protein overload, pickles, and the rise of mocktails as younger consumers drink less. Then Steve pulls a weird one from CES. A lollipop that lets you “listen” to music through bone conduction while you eat it. It turns into a bigger convo about why brands have to create experiences people cannot get from a screen. From there, the episode bounces through Black Rock Coffee’s aggressive growth goals and what “Barista First culture” might be doing right, then shifts into theaters reinventing themselves with premium experiences, funnels, and the push toward IMAX and 3D. But the real core of this episode is the Hot Take. “It is kind of the norm now for business owners to complain about staffing issues… When are we gonna stop using it as an excuse? And I feel like we either need to adapt or die.” They unpack why “just pay people more” is not the full answer, how expectations have shifted, why career paths matter more than ever, and what it takes to get people truly engaged. Don shares a direct strategy that has worked for him, and why ownership, not just pay, is what keeps the right people around. They wrap with a Fast Five full of one-liners, old school nostalgia, and a reminder that excuses are expensive. Tune in to hear more... Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:26] Founderz RoundUp [05:39] Music-Playing Lollipop Launch [07:44] Random B******t [10:27] Movie Theater Industry Comeback [15:36] Founderz Hot Takes [19:37] Building Career Paths for Employees [24:19] Founderz Fast Five [28:21] Bringing Back Old Technology Key Takeaways:   • “It is kind of the norm now for business owners to complain about staffing issues… and I feel like we either need to adapt or die.” ~Don Varady • “The money coming in has to be greater than the money going out. Or why do you own a business?” ~Don Varady • “Where do you want to be here in a few years? What is it that you want? I may not be able to give it to you right now, but let’s build a road to get there.” ~Don Varady • Younger employees expect clearer career paths and faster progress, not just a paycheck. ~Steve Bon • Employees want to feel like they are more than a puzzle piece and that their future inside the company actually matters. ~Steve Bon • “If someone feels underserved, underappreciated, and underpaid, no matter what you do, they are not going to be engaged.” ~Steve Bon • Giving people a sense of ownership beyond salary is what actually keeps them invested. ~Don Varady • The brands and businesses that survive are the ones willing to rethink how they motivate people instead of blaming the workforce. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Bon’s Eye Marketing: Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/

    31 min
See All (164)

5
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Don Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, and Stephen (Steve) Bon, Co-Founder of Bon's Eye Marketing, met years ago on the franchising scene. Kick back, as they hit on all things business and b******t. Ever grab a drink with friends and blow off entrepreneurial steam or share some successful moves? Well, you just walked into that moment online. Join us for a few minutes... Promise to make you think and laugh.

Information

  • Creator
    Don Varady & Stephen Bon
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Don Varady & Stephen Bon
  • Show Website
    The Founderz Lounge