Founders' Forum

Marc Bernstein

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.

  1. 1d ago

    Bet on Yourself, Build a Growing Business with Neil Cooper

    What do you do when your company wants to relocate you to Dallas and you’d rather build your own firm? Neil Cooper bet on himself, and it grew into one of the fastest growing law firms in the Philadelphia region. In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein and guest co-host Mary McCorvey talk with Neil Cooper, founding partner of Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld. Neil shares how a family of retail entrepreneurs shaped his path, how he went from software general counsel to founder, and how his firm grew from 8 attorneys to more than 85. He also shares his views on hiring, company culture, and what AI means for the next generation of lawyers. Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurship runs in families. Neil grew up watching his mother and father build their own retail businesses.Lean into your strengths and find partners who are strong where you are not.Protect your culture. Hiring for fit matters as much as hiring for skill.Recruiting is a skill, and strong outside recruiters are persistent and worth the effort.AI will speed up junior work, but new lawyers still need to learn the fundamentals so they can check its output.Stay opportunistic. Neil keeps feeding his entrepreneurial side through new offices, practice areas, and affiliated businesses.About Neil A. Cooper, Esq.: Neil Cooper is a founding partner and Executive Partner of Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld (RCCB), which he helped grow from eight attorneys in 2012 to more than 85 today. He has spent his career advising middle market companies, emerging-growth companies, start-ups, investors, and executives on business formation, fundraising, strategic transactions, and growth.  Neil provides strategic guidance to his clients, and also brings a firsthand perspective on the decisions and leadership demands involved in building a business. Connect: Website rccblaw.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/cooplaw ; linkedin.com/company/royer-cooper-cohen-braunfeld-llc Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, an entrepreneurial law firm that empowers the ambitions of its clients and its own team. Go to rccblaw.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.

  2. Oct 28

    Building a Business on Human Connection with Gabriel Luber

    Moving across the country for a few weeks sounds temporary. For Gabriel Luber, it became a new home, a new marriage-and-business partnership, and a company built on giving. Gabriel Luber, co-founder and Chief Generosity Officer of Lancaster Gift Box, joins Marc Bernstein to share his founder story. He and his wife, Diana, launched a local grocery delivery service in 2020, then pivoted to corporate gifting when demand took off. Gabriel also talks about working alongside your spouse and leading with purpose. Key Takeaways Let your business evolve. Lancaster Gift Box started with groceries and found its calling in gifting.Paint your 10-year vision in vivid detail. The clearer and more emotional it is, the likelier it becomes real.Expect friction when you work with a partner. Shared systems and clear boundaries help.Use a framework like EOS to keep a small business focused and aligned.Go back to your purpose. Enriching human connection guides every decision.Create memorable moments, not just good products.About Gabriel Luber: Gabriel Luber is the Co-Founder and Chief Generosity Officer of Lancaster Gift Box, a Pennsylvania-based company that helps businesses strengthen relationships through thoughtful gifting and high-touch client experience systems. Alongside his wife and business partner, Diana, he champions the idea that generosity is a powerful business strategy and that meaningful human connection remains the ultimate competitive advantage. Through Lancaster Gift Box, Gabriel helps organizations create memorable experiences that leave clients, employees, and partners feeling genuinely seen, appreciated, and valued. Connect: Website lancastergiftbox.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/gabriel-luber 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.

  3. Oct 21

    Hilary Jay on Downsizing Without Losing Your Legacy

    What do you do with a lifetime of treasured things when your kids don’t want them? Hilary Jay has built a career helping people answer that question with heart. Marc Bernstein sits down with Hilary Jay, founder of Department of Better LLC, award-winning journalist, designer, and author. She built a multimillion-dollar jewelry company by age 26, wrote for top design magazines, and now helps older adults downsize, rehome, and honor their collections. Hilary shares how she learned to lean on her strengths, handled a product recall, and why she calls her current work a calling. Key Takeaways Know your strengths. Hilary excels at production and marketing, and she hires for operations.You don’t need formal training to succeed. Follow your passion and find mentors.AI can speed up research, but human judgment still wins in art curation.About 11 million Americans are expected to leave their homes in the next 10 years, and most ask, “What do I do with my stuff?”Emotional attachment is the hardest part of downsizing. Photos can help you keep the memory of what you can’t keep.About Hilary Jay: Hilary Jay is an award-winning journalist, designer, and arts advocate.  She co-founded Maximal Art - an international costume jewelry and watch company - where she was chief designer alongside John Wind. Her accessories can be found in the permanent collections of London's Victoria + Albert Museum, Paris' Musée des Arts Decoratifs, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Hilary’s writing has appeared every major shelter publication including Metropolitan Home, ID magazine, Galerie, and Arts + Antiques. In addition , she wrote a weekly column on interiors, architecture, design, and gardens for the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine.  She was chief curator of the Paley Design Center at Philadelphia University, now Jefferson University, where she mounted exhibitions exploring the intersection of design, art, and culture. She co-founded DesignPhiladelphia, the first American design festival, which became the business model for others across the United States. Hilary has taught professional practices and design business courses at the college level, and led international design conferences and workshops. She launched Department of Better LLC in 2020 to advise private clients, estates, and institutions on the care, curation, and transition of significant collections, and offer design expertise regarding products and spaces. Connect: Website www.departmentofbetter.co LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/hilaryjay Facebook facebook.com/2hilaryjay ; facebook.com/departmentofbetter Instagram @departmentofbetter ; @hilaryjay2 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.

  4. Oct 14

    7 Lessons on Mentorship and Legacy from Jay & Preeti Gohel

    What if your greatest success isn’t what you build, but who you help along the way? Jay Gohel (CEO) and Preeti Gohel (CFO) of Aesthetic Dental Associates return to Founders’ Forum to share the story behind Thrive 360, their new venture to mentor dentists and entrepreneurs. They talk about how COVID gave them a deeper purpose, why they involve their kids in the mission, and how they want to leave a lasting legacy. Key Takeaways: Progression over perfection: Growth should feel natural. Plan where you want to be in 1, 3, and 10 years.Lead with service: COVID showed the Gohels they were supporting their team and their families, not just themselves.Know if you’re coachable: Mentorship works best for people who see themselves as lifelong learners.Ownership isn’t for everyone: Being a great dentist doesn’t mean you should buy a practice. Define what success means to you.Pair a visionary with an implementer: Entrepreneurship starts as chaos, and the right partner brings structure.Build a whole-person path: Thrive 360 covers clinical mentorship, financial clarity, teen health, and becoming an adult.Practice gratitude: Choose which thoughts you keep, and start each day with thanks.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.

  5. Oct 7

    Joe Trave's Hardest Deal: Letting Go of His Own Business

    What does it take to turn a 400-square-foot backyard wood shop into a 125-employee, nationally recognized cabinetry powerhouse, and then walk away from it? Joe Trave has an answer, and it's not what you'd expect. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Joe Trave, founder and CEO of Village Handcrafted Cabinetry in Lansdale, PA. Joe shares how he built his business from the ground up after losing his father to cancer, survived the brutal 2008 to 2010 recession, and rode the COVID-era boom, all while learning to let go of control and build a leadership team he could trust. Now, 27 years in, Joe is weighing an acquisition strategy that could set the stage for his eventual exit. Key Takeaways: Growing up around entrepreneurial parents shaped Joe's drive to build something of his ownThe 2008 to 2010 recession left lasting scars, deeper than anything COVID broughtBuying an existing business (and inheriting a mentor) accelerated Joe's growth in the kitchen cabinet industryBuilding a strong executive leadership team is key to stepping back without losing momentumCompany culture and hands-on leadership matter even at 125+ employeesJoe is exploring acquisitions and an eventual exit, while learning to trade time for freedom, not just moneyAbout Joseph Trave: Joe started as a small 400 sq. ft. wood shop in his parents' backyard, growing into a world-class, highly custom cabinet manufacturer employing over 125 skilled craftspeople. Connect: Website villagehandcrafted.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/joe-trave Instagram instagram.com/village_handcrafted Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum to learn more. Marc maintains a personal account relationship with CamaPlan. The advisor does not solicit, recommend, or endorse CamaPlan’s products or services in his capacity as an investment advisor, and receives no compensation or other benefit in connection with this relationship. Diversify Advisory Services and DFPG Investments has no affiliation with CamaPlan. 📅 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.

  6. Oct 1

    The Magic of Focus in Business with Tyler Jensen

    Ever wondered why a magic trick can hold your attention more than your own to-do list? Business strategist and keynote speaker Tyler Jensen joins Founders' Forum to explain what magic, focus, and top performance have in common, and why distraction might be costing you more than you think. In this episode, Marc Bernstein and co-host Steve Berardi sit down with Tyler, KSL's 2025 Business Coach of the Year, to unpack his journey from corporate IT trainer to insurance agency owner to founder of Top Performance Group. Tyler shares how a near financial disaster in his own agency pushed him to study what separates top performers from everyone else, and how that research became a repeatable framework for business owners. Key takeaways: Why "optimism" originally meant best, not just positive thinkingThe four pillars of top performance: optimism, systems, power, and focusHow Tyler helped agents hit 90%+ client retention by selling on education, not priceThe three complacency traps that quietly derail business ownersWhy Tyler and his wife built FocusGate, a classroom app tackling phone-driven distraction in schoolsThe "silly, sour, sweet" family habit that keeps Tyler focused on everyday magicAbout Tyler Jensen: Tyler Jensen is a nationally recognized business strategist and speaker who helps individuals and teams achieve top performance through systems, focus, and optimism. He was named KSL 5's Business Coach of the year in 2025. He combines real-world experience with practical frameworks to help people grow their business and lead with confidence. Connect: Website tylerjjensen.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tyler-jensen/ Facebook facebook.com/TylerJJensen Instagram instagram.com/tyler_j_jensen/ YouTube youtube.com/@TylerJJensen 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.

  7. Sep 24

    Gary Pudles Lost His Job and Built a 1,200-Person Company

    A signed term sheet, a fax machine mix-up, and a lost job. That was the day Gary Pudles' entrepreneurial journey really began. Gary Pudles, president and CEO of AnswerNet, joins Marc Bernstein on Founders' Forum to share how he went from a young lawyer to the founder of a company with 1,200+ employees across 42 states and five Canadian provinces. He talks about buying a small Allentown answering service, growing through acquisitions, and leading his team through major technology shifts. He also shares how he built a people-first culture and how he sees AI and humans working together. Key Takeaways: How to turn a career setback into a business opportunityWhy he wrote down what he loved and hated in a business before buying oneHow he helped his managers embrace change with "Welcome to the Evolution"How core values and a mascot named Pat the Fat Duck shape his cultureWhy "human in the loop" is the future of customer communication and AIHow a disciplined morning routine keeps him centeredAbout Gary Pudles: Gary Pudles founded AnswerNet in 1998 with a straightforward mission: helping businesses communicate in ways that directly drive client profitability. Over the last 25+ years, he has scaled the company from a small startup into an agile organization that employs over 1200 people across 42 states and five Canadian provinces. Under his leadership, AnswerNet’s rapid growth earned the 21st spot on the Inc. 5000 list, and Gary was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. A graduate of Syracuse University and American University (JD), Gary also spent years teaching entrepreneurship at Wharton, sharing real-world operational mechanics with the next generation of business leaders.  Connect with Gary: Website www.answernet.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/answernet; www.linkedin.com/in/garypudles Facebook www.facebook.com/AnswerNet/ 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.

  8. Sep 23

    Phillip Gonzales on Systems, Faith & Staying the Course

    Phillip Gonzales didn't set out to become a growth strategist. He started out running a mall cart selling personalized kids' music CDs. That first job taught him a lesson that would shape his entire career: the power of systems. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein and co-host Susan Egan sit down with Phillip Gonzales, founder and CEO of Adriel Partners Growth Agency, to talk about his path from Texas transplant to Babcock Ranch entrepreneur. Phillip shares how early mentorship, a season as a pastor, and years of building websites and coaching business owners all fed into the same mission: helping leaders grow their business, family, and faith. He opens up about imposter syndrome, the discipline of saying no, and why a clear vision is the only real defense against distraction. Key Takeaways: Learning systems early from a mentor taught Phillip how to scale and repeat successImposter syndrome doesn't disappear, but you can learn to act despite itSaying no isn't about the good versus the bad, it's about protecting the bestA strong team culture starts with trust, respect, and valuing people beyond their outputStaying the course requires daily choices, not a single big decisionTrue success is becoming the best version of who you were made to bePhillip's story is a reminder that consistency and clarity of vision matter more than chasing every new opportunity. Whether you're building a team, weighing a pivot, or wrestling with self-doubt, his approach offers a grounded, faith-driven perspective on sustainable growth. About Phillip Gonzales: Phillip Gonzales is a professional communicator whose passion is to help people unlock their next level of success in their business, family, and faith. He’s the founder of Adriel Partners Growth Agency, helping leaders grow their business, faster, healthier, and more profitably through coaching, consulting, and creative services. He is an ordained minister, musician, and author, and lives with his wife and 3 children in Babcock Ranch, Florida, the first solar-powered town in America. Connect with Phillip: Website adrielpartners.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/phillipadrielgonzales Facebook facebook.com/phillipgonzales Instagram instagram.com/phillipgonzales X x.com/phillipgonzales TikTok tiktok.com/@phillipgonzales YouTube youtube.com/@phillipgonzales 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.

5
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11 Ratings

About

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.

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