The Founder's Growth Show

John (AKA Small Mountain) Hill | The Founder's Growth Show

Learn how to grow and scale a business without losing your way. Most business podcasts promise "10x growth," "overnight hacks," and "crushing the competition." But for the founder in the thick of it, those words often feel like more noise in an already loud room. Real growth isn't about moving faster; it's about taking intentional steps built around processes, culture, and leadership. Every week, John (AKA Small Mountain) Hill interviews Founders, Creators, Coaches, and Industry Leaders who have done the work, made the mistakes, and learned how to achieve lasting, sustainable success. No silver bullets or quick fixes; we talk about how they overcame the unsustainable systems, the leadership bottlenecks, and the mental shifts required to build a business that actually serves your life. If you are a founder who feels like you're working harder but gaining less ground, this is your space. No lectures or fluff—just the experienced insights you need to build a resilient, impactful business. New episodes every Thursday. Available in video on YouTube and audio on all major podcast platforms.

  1. The Strategic Unlock of Brand and the Trap of Scaling Too Fast with Michael R. Hunter

    3d ago

    The Strategic Unlock of Brand and the Trap of Scaling Too Fast with Michael R. Hunter

    What is the true difference between building a scalable business and simply monetizing a personal skill set? In this episode of The Founder's Growth Show, host John SmallMtn sits down with Michael R. Hunter, the co-founder of Spiffy Checkouts and PersonalBrand.com, to unpack the hidden mechanisms behind sustainable business growth and leadership alignment. Michael shares his evolutionary journey from running a growth marketing agency to bootstrapping a fintech software company to an eight-figure valuation. Together, they pull back the curtain on how to identify true product-market fit, why a defined brand reduces friction in your sales pipeline, and the necessity of managing team capacity at 85% to protect against burnout. Michael also drops a powerful reframe on operational patience, relationship communication with co-founders, including one who is also his spouse, and navigating a macroeconomic "trust recession" by building a resilient operational foundation. If you want to stop forcing hollow milestones and design a personal definition of success, this episode offers an essential roadmap. Notable Topics Discussed: Distinguishing between starting an enterprise and monetizing expertise. Redefining brand as consumer consensus rather than content marketing distribution. The 4 Fs framework (Fame, Freedom, Fortune, and Fun) for high-ticket client alignment. Blending vision work and abstract brand alignment to elevate sales team conversions. Embracing imperfect action, active patience, and setting strict constraints under modern AI environments.   Connect with Michael R. Hunter: YouTube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@sixfigpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrhunter/ Website: https://agency.personalbrand.com/   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch

    1h 10m
  2. Unlocking Your Unfair Second Act Advantage with Jay Samit

    Jun 4

    Unlocking Your Unfair Second Act Advantage with Jay Samit

    Is AI a threat to your livelihood, or the ultimate tool to scale your next venture? In this episode, host John Hill, AKA Small Mountain, sits down with tech pioneer, former NASDAQ company CEO, and international bestselling author Jay Samit to dissect how seasoned professionals can claim their "Second Act Advantage." Jay pulls back the curtain on his newest book, sharing insights gained from raising nearly a billion dollars in Silicon Valley, launching foundational internet systems with the White House, and advising global brands like McDonald's and Coca-Cola. We dive deep into actionable founder-centric topics, including: The "Zombie Idea" stress-test framework,  How to deploy zero-cost AI toolsets to rapidly prototype businesses, The psychological mechanics of the Pygmalion effect on team performance, And strategic alternatives to toxic credit card debt when funding a startup.  Jay also lays out a practical framework for the historic multi-trillion-dollar boomer wealth transfer, explaining how everyday entrepreneurs can acquire cash-flowing brick-and-mortar operations using government-backed SBA structures. Whether you are a corporate executive looking to exit the matrix or a young founder seeking sustainable business frameworks, this episode delivers the hard-earned wisdom required to future-proof your trajectory.   Connect with Jay Samit: Website: https://jaysamit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysamit Newest Book: The Second Act Advantage   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch

    1h 4m
  3. The Reality of Y Combinator: Rejection, Pivots, and What It Takes to Go All-In with Edward Haryono

    May 28

    The Reality of Y Combinator: Rejection, Pivots, and What It Takes to Go All-In with Edward Haryono

    What happens when the world's foremost startup accelerator rejects your business idea—not once, but twice? For most founders, it's where the dream stalls out. For Edward Haryono, it was the exact friction required to build a resilient, high-growth enterprise. In this episode of The Founder's Growth Show, host John Hill, AKA Small Mountain, sits down with Edward Haryono, co-founder of Saudara (an AI-native international sourcing broker), to explore the raw reality of entrepreneurial perseverance. Edward opens up about the grueling journey behind his acceptance into the Spring 2026 Y Combinator cohort, detailing how his team handled back-to-back rejections, stripping away ego to find genuine founder-market fit, and the pivotal decision to quit their stable corporate careers months before funding was ever guaranteed. We dive deep into the immersive, fast-paced environment of a 200-company YC batch in San Francisco and unpack what it truly looks like to bring your whole self to a mission. Edward shares vital leadership insights on building an absolute ownership culture, balancing coachability with heavy conviction, and the psychological necessity of "burning your boats" to give your vision the commitment it deserves to succeed. We also break down the complexities of scaling international manufacturing across multiple factories, the logistical vulnerabilities of chasing the cheapest production costs, and why founders "observe" their potential clients rather than seeking empty validation. Edward shares a masterclass on how operators should filter startup advice, the necessity of absolute commitment over halfway execution, and how to deeply felt passion can push yourself further, even through rejection.   Connect with Edward Haryono: Website: Saudara.ai LinkedIn: Edward Haryono   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch

    59 min
  4. Psychology of the Pivot: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & The Power of Permissionless Action with Dr. Corey Wilks

    May 25

    Psychology of the Pivot: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & The Power of Permissionless Action with Dr. Corey Wilks

    In this episode of The Founder's Growth Show, John Hill, AKA Small Mountain, sits down with Dr. Corey Wilks, a Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Creator Alchemy, to bridge the gap between deep psychological insights and practical business growth. Corey shares his journey from clinical addiction treatment in rural Appalachia to executive coaching for high-level creators like Ali Abdaal. We discuss: The Craftsman Mentality: How to labor your way to excellence even without "innate" talent. Liminal Tension: Reframing Imposter Syndrome as a necessary signal for growth. Permissionless Action: A tactical breakdown of how to land major opportunities by solving problems before you're even asked. The AI Trap: Why founders risk losing their competitive edge by outsourcing their core thinking. Founder Resilience: Using the reality of mortality to cut through business friction and fear. Whether you're a newer founder struggling with the "professional veneer" or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to rediscover your authentic voice, this conversation offers a grounded guide to building a business that lasts.   Connect with Corey Wilks, PsyD: Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/ LinkedIn: Corey Wilks, PsyD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsyd   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch

    1h 13m
  5. Moving from Producer to Leader and the Reality of Sales-Led Growth with Leslie Venetz

    May 21

    Moving from Producer to Leader and the Reality of Sales-Led Growth with Leslie Venetz

    Transitioning from a top-tier individual producer to a resilient organizational leader requires a radical shift in mindset, clarity, and execution. In this episode, John sits down with Leslie Venetz, a 3-time Head of Sales, award-winning sales expert, USA Today Bestselling Author, SKO Speaker, and the Founder of the Sales-Led GTM Agency. Bypassing standard corporate jargon, Leslie shares her grounded journey from scaling a bootstrap startup as employee number one to turning down a massive multi-six-figure corporate offer to build her own sustainable consulting practice. John and Leslie pull back the curtain on the functional mechanics of founder-led growth and sustainable leadership. They dive into deeply tactical topics, including: Knowing what content and IP to share freely on social media, gatekeep behind a form, or sell to clients, Navigating the personal identity shift required when managing teams,  And avoiding the trap of overvaluing shortcuts and undervaluing your SDRs and salespeople. Additionally, they explore the realities of the modern B2B SaaS landscape, why full-cycle sales proficiency remains a foundational requirement for newer founders, and the critical importance of building communities to sustain professional resilience. If you're a founder confused about what to share without "giving it all away for free," or still haven't unlocked the right leadership balance for your team, this interview is a must! Connect with Leslie Venetz: Company: The Sales-Led GTM Agency LinkedIn: Leslie Venetz Buy Her Book: Profit Generating Pipeline: A Proven Formula to Earn Trust and Drive Revenue   Connect with John: LinkedIn: John Blane Hill Website: Adapted Growth Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Buy His Book: Selling From Scratch

    1h 19m
  6. Turning Experience and Expertise Into a Global Legacy and 26 Years of Founder Alignment with Andrea Donsky

    May 7

    Turning Experience and Expertise Into a Global Legacy and 26 Years of Founder Alignment with Andrea Donsky

    What does it take to turn 26 years of deep subject matter expertise into a global brand and a lasting legacy? In this episode, we sit down with Andrea Donsky, Nutritionist and Co-Founder of Morphus, to explore the evolution of a founder who has successfully navigated three distinct businesses with the same partner for over two decades. Andrea shares the vulnerable reality behind her 13-year journey to publish her latest book, Nourishing Menopause. We discuss the shift from being "done" with writing to realizing that true expertise requires a season of seasoning before it can be shared with the world. This conversation is a masterclass in founder alignment—balancing health, partnership, and professional purpose without succumbing to the "hustle culture" traps of friction and burnout. Key Topics Discussed: The Legacy Blueprint: Why Andrea's new book, Nourishing Menopause, is the culmination of 26 years of research and personal experience. Founder Alignment: The internal mechanics of a 20+ year partnership and how to maintain mutual respect across multiple ventures. The Mindset Shift: Overcoming the "Expert's Resistance" to move from promoting other brands to becoming the face of your own. Health as a Growth Lever: How addressing "The Silent Bottleneck" of hormonal health and nutrition can unlock a founder's focus and resilience. The Evolution of a Brand: Navigating the transition from bootstrapping and "coupon books" to outside investment and a global supplement line. Guest: Andrea Donsky, Nutritionist, Author, and Co-Founder of Morphus. Websites: https://andreadonsky.com/, https://wearemorphus.com/ Book: Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch

    50 min

About

Learn how to grow and scale a business without losing your way. Most business podcasts promise "10x growth," "overnight hacks," and "crushing the competition." But for the founder in the thick of it, those words often feel like more noise in an already loud room. Real growth isn't about moving faster; it's about taking intentional steps built around processes, culture, and leadership. Every week, John (AKA Small Mountain) Hill interviews Founders, Creators, Coaches, and Industry Leaders who have done the work, made the mistakes, and learned how to achieve lasting, sustainable success. No silver bullets or quick fixes; we talk about how they overcame the unsustainable systems, the leadership bottlenecks, and the mental shifts required to build a business that actually serves your life. If you are a founder who feels like you're working harder but gaining less ground, this is your space. No lectures or fluff—just the experienced insights you need to build a resilient, impactful business. New episodes every Thursday. Available in video on YouTube and audio on all major podcast platforms.