The Functional Founder with Themi Stergianos

Themi Sterginaos
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This is the weekly podcast for founders who want to build high-performing teams, handle growth with confidence & scale without burning out hosted by award-winning business coach, Themi Stergianos.

Episodes

  1. FEB 3

    Neuroscience Explains Why You Can’t Stop Micromanaging (And How to Fix It)

    Your need to control isn’t a leadership flaw. It’s a stress response. This episode started with an uncomfortable realisation I see in myself and other founders all the time: the very drive that helped us build our businesses is often the thing that stops them from scaling. I sat down with a fellow founder to unpack why, under pressure, we default to control. Micromanaging feels productive in the moment. Neuroscience shows it’s the opposite. When stress hits, your brain narrows its focus, hijacks your behaviour, and quietly trains you to repeat the same patterns that keep you stuck in the centre of everything. This conversation is about understanding that response — and learning how to interrupt it. What’s inside Why stress hardwires founders to take over instead of letting goThe uncomfortable truth about why awareness alone doesn’t change behaviourA simple pause-and-visualisation technique to stop reactive decisionsHow to replace control with better questions that actually build autonomyPractical ways to retrain your brain without becoming passive or detachedWho this is for Founders and leaders who feel like everything still runs through them — and know that’s not sustainable. If you’re tired of firefighting, decision fatigue, and carrying the business in your head, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening in your brain — and how to lead differently without losing standards or momentum.

    11 min

  2. JAN 27

    The 6 Areas of Life You Must Balance to Be Happy

    realised something uncomfortable: you can look successful and still be completely off-balance. This episode came from that moment. I walk through the exact framework I use to check in on my life when things feel busy, heavy, or directionless. It’s called the Wheel of Life — and it forced me to confront where I was winning, where I was avoiding, and where I was quietly falling behind. This isn’t about motivation. It’s about alignment. Because setting goals means very little if one part of your life is carrying the entire load while the rest collapse. What’s inside Why drifting through life — even a “successful” one — creates quiet dissatisfactionHow I rate my life honestly across six core areasWhy strong finances can’t compensate for neglected health or relationshipsThe danger of chasing goals without balanceHow I give myself permission to reset, refocus, and dream againThe six areas I break down Friends. Family. Fitness. Finance. Faith. Future self. Who this is for Entrepreneurs, operators, and anyone who feels busy but not fulfilled — and knows something is out of sync. If you’ve been pushing forward without checking whether your wheel is actually round, this episode will help you slow down, assess honestly, and move forward with intention.

    6 min

  3. JAN 20

    The Quotes That Changed My Life (And Will Change Yours)

    If you are looking for a sign to change your path, this is it. In this video, I break down the specific quotes and wisdom that completely rewired my mindset for success. These aren't just clichés; these are the powerful lessons passed down from my father and my toughest mentors that helped me navigate leadership, failure, and personal growth. Whether you feel stuck or just need a spark of inspiration, these words have the power to shift your perspective instantly. Motivation, Personal Growth, Mindset, Success Habits, Leadership Skills, Life Lessons, Wisdom, Inspirational Quotes, Self Improvement.

    16 min

  4. JAN 13

    I sold my Land Rover for an entrepreneurship MBA. I’m still deciding if it was worth it.

    This episode is my unfiltered take on what really happens when a founder chooses formal education over pure experience. I break down why I sold my Land Rover to fund my MBA, what the degree genuinely gave me that real-world experience hadn’t — and where structured learning can quietly work against founders if you’re not paying attention. This isn’t about credentials or status. It’s about confidence, instinct, risk, and how education can both sharpen and dull the very traits founders rely on most. What’s inside Why I chose an MBA over keeping the car I built and lovedWhat formal business education gave me that experience alone didn’tHow an MBA changes the way you think — for better and for worseThe hidden danger of over-analysing as a founderWhy speed, intuition, and discomfort still matter more than frameworksWho this is for Founders and operators who are weighing education against experience — or questioning whether they’re already thinking too much and acting too little. If you’re considering further study, or wondering whether experience alone is enough, this episode will help you slow down, zoom out, and make a clearer decision before committing your time, money, and energy.

    16 min

  5. JAN 7

    The Exact Simple AI Stack I Use In My Business

    In this podcast, I share my personal journey and insights on using AI tools like Chat GPT and Grok to enhance creativity and business efficiency. I discuss how these tools help me organise thoughts, generate ideas, and improve communication, while emphasising the importance of balancing technology with traditional methods. I also explore the potential of AI in business growth and the need for founders to remain resourceful and adaptable. Keywords: AI tools, Chat GPT, Grok, creativity, business efficiency, technology balance, founders, resourcefulness, adaptability, business growth Takeaways: * Don't rely too much on AI; balance it with traditional methods. * Use AI tools like Chat GPT and Grok to enhance creativity. * AI can help organise thoughts and generate ideas. * Balance technology with moments of quiet reflection. * AI tools can improve communication and correspondence. * Founders should remain resourceful and adaptable. * AI can spearhead creativity rather than hinder it. * Use AI to cross-reference and challenge your thinking. * AI tools can assist in structuring emails and correspondence. * Explore new AI platforms to stay ahead in business. Sound Bites: * AI enhances creativity * Balance tech with tradition * AI organises thoughts * Founders need resourcefulness * AI improves communication * AI spearheads creativity * Cross-reference with AI * AI structures emails * Explore new AI platforms * Stay ahead with AI Chapters * 00:00:00Introduction to AI Tools * 00:03:00Balancing AI and Traditional Methods * 00:06:00Using AI for Business Growth * 00:09:00Resourcefulness and Adaptability

    9 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    The Stop-Start-Continue Model: Simple Ways To Transform Your Business

    As a fellow functional founder, I find myself at the Breede River, seeking inspiration and renewal after a challenging year. This video captures my reflections on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, from cash flow issues to hiring challenges. It's a candid look at my journey to recalibrate and renew my energy, insights, and principles for the coming year. I emphasise the importance of my ecosystem, which includes my team, clients, suppliers, family, and you, the listener. Through tools like the Stop-Start-Continue model and the Wheel of Life, I aim to become a better version of myself, both personally and professionally. Join me as I share insights and learnings from my experiences, hoping to inspire and grow alongside you. Takeaways - It's important to reflect on the challenges faced in entrepreneurship. - Calibrating for the future involves renewing energy and insights. - Growing more leaders within a team can create a bigger impact. - The Stop-Start-Continue model is a useful tool for self-assessment. - Focusing on what to stop doing is crucial for progress. - Entrepreneurship requires a strong mindset and focus. - Learning from others in larger environments can inspire growth. - The Wheel of Life helps visualise balance in different life areas. - Regular self-reflection can lead to significant personal development. - Building a supportive community is essential for entrepreneurial success. Sound bites "It's been a challenging year." "We need to sharpen our axe." "What do we need to stop doing?" Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Challenges and Growth 03:52 Calibrating for the Future 06:01 The Stop-Start-Continue Model 10:22 The Importance of Focus 11:47 Using the Wheel of Life for Reflection 15:42 Encouraging Community and Support

    16 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    Mastering Sales Metrics for Business Success

    In this podcast episode, Themistocles Stergianos shares insights into the journey of growing his business, Waterproof Lab, from its early days to a more structured and scalable operation. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from being the sole salesperson to building a team and implementing systems that allow the business to function without his constant involvement. Themistocles emphasises the importance of measuring key metrics like conversion rates and average sales to drive business growth and efficiency. He also highlights the significance of letting go and empowering others to take on responsibilities, which is crucial for any functional founder aiming to scale their business. Takeaways - Transitioning from solo operations to a team-based approach is crucial for growth. - Measuring key metrics like conversion rates is essential for business efficiency. - Letting go and empowering others is a significant challenge for founders. - Implementing systems can help manage sales performance effectively. - Delegating tasks allows founders to focus on strategic growth. - Understanding industry benchmarks helps in setting realistic goals. - Regularly reviewing sales metrics can identify areas for improvement. - Building a team requires trust and clear communication. - Empowering team members leads to a more scalable business model. - Continuous learning and adaptation are key to business success. Sound bites "Transitioning from solo to team-based is crucial." "Measuring key metrics drives business growth." "Letting go is a significant challenge for founders." "Implementing systems manages sales performance." "Delegating tasks allows focus on strategic growth." "Understanding benchmarks sets realistic goals." "Reviewing metrics identifies improvement areas." "Empowering team members leads to scalability." "Continuous learning is key to success." "Building a team requires trust and communication." Chapters 00:00:24 Introduction to the Podcast 00:00:36 Early Challenges and Growth 00:01:39 The Importance of Letting Go 00:02:27 Implementing Systems and Metrics 00:03:38 Conclusion and Call to Action

    10 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    The Secret to Sustainable Business Growth

    The discussion focuses on building a business that operates profitably without the constant involvement of its founders. Key topics include the importance of rebranding, setting key performance indicators (KPIs), and the concept of resilience in business. The conversation also touches on the significance of having the right team and creating an organisation that can thrive independently. Keywords business growth, rebranding, KPIs, resilience, team building Takeaways - Do you believe you can build your business to work profitably without you? - The concept taught is building businesses profitably without you. - A total rebrand of our business. - Work on some numbers and KPIs, key KPIs in our business. - It's not how hard we fall, it's how quick we get up. - To the next level is not how, it's who. - The first element is to find a way to rate your employees. - An organisation that will work profitably without us. - How do you get A players on board? - Building a business that operates independently. Sound bites - Do you believe you can build your business? - Building businesses profitably without you. - A total rebrand of our business. - Work on some numbers and KPIs. - It's how quick we get up. - To the next level is not how, it's who. - Find a way to rate your employees. - An organisation that works without us. - How do you get A players on board? - Building a business that operates independently. Chapters 00:00:34 Introduction to Business Independence 00:01:56 Rebranding and KPIs 00:03:37 Resilience and Team Building 00:06:05 Creating a Self-Sustaining Organization

    10 min

  9. 12/02/2025

    How business owners can escape the chaos loop thats stopping your business from growing

    In this conversation, Themistocles Stergianos discusses the challenges faced by founders in growing their businesses. He emphasises the importance of recognising oneself as the bottleneck in business growth and the need to shift from a mindset of control to one of delegation. The discussion covers the chaos loop that leads to burnout and the necessity of strategic vision and team building to create a sustainable business. Themistocles shares personal experiences and insights on how to effectively lead and empower teams, ultimately aiming to build a legacy beyond oneself. Takeaways - The bottleneck in business growth often lies with the founder. - Recognising the need for delegation is crucial for growth. - Founders often experience burnout due to the chaos loop. - Control can feel safe, but hinders effective delegation. - Your calendar reflects how you spend your time as a founder. - Shifting from chaos to clarity is essential for success. - Leaders should focus on creating more leaders within their teams. - Building a legacy requires letting go of control. - Investing time in strategic vision is vital for business sustainability. - Effective delegation can lead to a healthier work-life balance. Sound bites "The bottleneck is you." "Letting go is so important." "Your calendar is a mirror." Chapters 00:00 Identifying the Bottleneck: The Founder’s Mindset 02:14 The Chaos Loop: Understanding Founder Burnout 04:50 The Operator’s Trap: Delegation and Control 10:36 Building a Strategic Vision: From Operator to Architect 16:44 Creating Leaders: The Role of a Chief Energising Officer 22:38 Universal Principles for Founders: Growing Together founder mindset, business growth, delegation, burnout, chaos loop, leadership, entrepreneurship, strategic vision, team building, operational efficiency

    21 min

  10. 11/25/2025

    Surrounding yourself with A players & building a business that doesn't need you in it

    In this episode, Themistocles Stergianos discusses the importance of building a business that operates independently of the founder. He shares his journey from being the sole salesperson to creating systems and hiring key people to manage sales. Themistocles emphasises the need for founders to measure key metrics like conversion rates and average sales to ensure business growth. He also talks about the challenges of letting go and the significance of surrounding oneself with A players to drive the business forward. Takeaways * Functional founders should aim to build businesses that operate without them. * Measuring conversion rates and average sales is crucial for business success. * Hiring A players can significantly enhance business performance. * Letting go of control is a major challenge for many founders. * Creating systems and processes is key to sustainable growth. * Coaching and training sales teams can improve conversion rates. * Founders should focus on strategic roles rather than operational tasks. * Building a business with capital value requires stepping back from daily operations. * The importance of having tough conversations with underperforming team members. * Sharing metrics with the team can drive accountability and improvement. Sound bites "Functional founders should aim to build businesses that operate without them." "Measuring conversion rates and average sales is crucial for business success." "Hiring A players can significantly enhance business performance." "Letting go of control is a major challenge for many founders." "Creating systems and processes is key to sustainable growth." "Coaching and training sales teams can improve conversion rates." "Founders should focus on strategic roles rather than operational tasks." "Building a business with capital value requires stepping back from daily operations." "The importance of having tough conversations with underperforming team members." "Sharing metrics with the team can drive accountability and improvement." Chapters * 00:00:00 - Introduction to Functional Founders     * Themistocles Stergianos introduces the concept of functional founders and the importance of building businesses that can operate independently. * 00:03:00 - The Journey from Solo Sales to Team Success     * Themistocles shares his personal journey from being the sole salesperson to developing a team and creating systems for sales management. * 00:09:00 - The Importance of Metrics in Business Growth     * Discussion on key metrics like conversion rates and average sales, and how they are crucial for tracking and ensuring business success. * 00:15:00 - Building a Business with A Players     * Insights into the significance of hiring A players and how they contribute to driving the business forward. * 00:21:00 - Letting Go and Creating Systems     * The challenges of letting go of control and the necessity of creating systems and processes for sustainable growth.

    17 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

This is the weekly podcast for founders who want to build high-performing teams, handle growth with confidence & scale without burning out hosted by award-winning business coach, Themi Stergianos.

Information

  • Creator
    Themi Sterginaos
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Functional Founder with Themi Stergianos