A Founder's Life

Leo Gestetner
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join me as I explore the powerful intersection of entrepreneurship, health & wellness, and parenthood. In each episode, I’ll be interviewing inspiring individuals who excel in one or more of these areas, sharing their stories, insights, and lessons. My goal is to provide valuable takeaways that can help you thrive both personally and professionally.

  1. Why Everyone Needs an Entrepreneurial Mindset - Aaron Edwards - S5 - E11

    12/29/2025

    Why Everyone Needs an Entrepreneurial Mindset - Aaron Edwards - S5 - E11

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Aaron Edwards Company: The Charles Group Website: https://www.thecharlesgrp.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronedwards/ Personal Website: https://www.aaroncharlesedwards.com/ Entrepreneurship isn’t a title, it’s a journey. In this episode, Aaron Edwards, Founder & CEO of The Charles Group, shares his path from Manchester to New York City, how he built a global digital agency from scratch, and why he believes entrepreneurship is part of life — not an end goal. We talk about leadership, parenthood, work–life integration, health, passion projects, and the mindset required to build something meaningful without losing yourself along the way. What you’ll learn: • Why entrepreneurship is a journey, not a status symbol • How Aaron built an agency from the ground up • The difference between work–life balance and integration • How becoming a parent reshaped his leadership • Health, longevity, and priorities as a founder • His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    15 min
  2. The Mindset That Helps Young People Succeed - J.D. LaRock - S5 - E10

    12/17/2025

    The Mindset That Helps Young People Succeed - J.D. LaRock - S5 - E10

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – J.D. LaRock Organization: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Website: https://www.nfte.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-d-larock-j-d-ed-d-56765298/ Instagram / TikTok: @NFTE What if entrepreneurship education isn’t just about starting businesses, but about building confidence, agency, and lifelong opportunity? In this episode, J.D. LaRock, President & CEO of NFTE, shares how entrepreneurship education transforms young people from underserved communities, why confidence is often the biggest barrier to success, and how mindset development carries far beyond business ownership. We also talk about family, health, balance, and the pivotal mentors who change lives. What you’ll learn: • Why confidence matters more than credentials • How entrepreneurship education builds agency • The role family and mentors play in long-term success • How health and balance fuel leadership • NFTE’s global impact and future vision ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why Entrepreneurship Requires Support & Confidence 1:32 – J.D.’s Education Journey & Path to NFTE 4:13 – Teaching Confidence Through Entrepreneurship 8:24 – Health, Family & Living a Balanced Life 16:23 – Pivotal Mentors, NFTE’s Growth & Advice for Entrepreneurs LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    27 min
  3. The Founder Skill Nobody Talks About - Heather Udo - S5 - E9

    12/15/2025

    The Founder Skill Nobody Talks About - Heather Udo - S5 - E9

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Heather Udo Company: Shoppable Website: https://www.shoppable.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherudo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherudo1/ What starts as a simple consumer frustration can turn into a multi-year company, if you’re willing to push through rejection. In this episode, Heather Udo, Founder & CEO of Shoppable, shares how she built a universal checkout technology long before the market was ready, how she learned to sell through endless “no’s,” and why persistence, education, and clarity of problem matter more than timing. We also talk about family, health, work–life integration, and what it really looks like to build a business that supports, not replaces, your life. What you’ll learn: • How Heather turned a personal pain point into a platform • Why early rejection is part of the founder process • What selling looks like when you’re educating the market • How family influenced her decision to build a company • Health, routines, and work–life integration as a founder • Her best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – From Consumer Frustration to Founding Shoppable 2:00 – Early Sales, Rejection & Educating the Market 6:53 – Family, Flexibility & Why It All Matters 8:20 – Health, Fitness & Founder Well-Being 12:22 – Pivotal Moments & Advice for Entrepreneurs LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    15 min
  4. How To Rebuild After Losing Everything - Brandon Martini - S5 - E8

    12/12/2025

    How To Rebuild After Losing Everything - Brandon Martini - S5 - E8

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Brandon Martini LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmartini Stratus Financial: https://stratisfinance.com Aviation Mentors Podcast: Available on YouTube & Spotify What happens when your entire team walks out, takes your clients, and nearly destroys the company you built from nothing? In this episode, Brandon Martini shares one of the most intense entrepreneurial stories we’ve heard on the show, a coup inside his flight school that pushed him to the edge… and how he rebuilt his businesses, launched Stratus Financial, and went on to become one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. We also talk about parenting, happiness, health transformations, aviation, scuba diving, breathwork, relationships, and what balance really looks like for a founder. 🔥 What you’ll learn: • How a full staff betrayal nearly collapsed Brandon’s business • Why trusting people can be both a strength and a weakness • How he lost 100 lbs and rebuilt his health • His philosophy on happiness vs. contentment • Family, breathwork, aviation, scuba diving & passions • The ONE mindset every entrepreneur must learn CHAPTERS  0:00 – The Flight School Coup That Nearly Broke Him 1:29 – Brandon’s Entrepreneurial Journey & Early Lessons 4:20 – Family, Parenting & Defining Happiness 6:01 – Health Transformation: Losing 100 lbs & Daily Discipline 9:03 – Passions: Flying, Scuba, Wine & Chasing Fears 13:47 – Work–Life Integration & Relationships 15:49 – Pivotal Moments: Betrayal, Pain & Resilience 18:17 – Advice for Entrepreneurs & How to Find Brandon LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    20 min
  5. Entrepreneurship Is Not for the Weak - Ed DeAngelis - S5 - E7

    12/10/2025

    Entrepreneurship Is Not for the Weak - Ed DeAngelis - S5 - E7

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Ed DeAngelis Website: https://www.edacontractors.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-deangelis-eda-contractors/ What does it really take to build a successful company and why do so many founders burn out before they get there? In this episode, Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, shares the honest truth about entrepreneurship: the grind, the breakdowns, the resilience, and the long, painful journey of building something meaningful. From delivering newspapers at 11, to working construction, to leading a 450-person company, Ed’s story is a masterclass in commitment, balance, and emotional intelligence.   🔥 What you’ll learn • Why the first 10 years of business feel like survival mode • The role resilience plays in every founder’s journey • How Ed rebuilt his health after hitting a breaking point • What balance really looks like (and why it’s not constant) • How to prepare your kids and team for leadership • Why “humanity as a strategy” drives long-term success Chapters: 0:00 – Meet Ed & His Paperboy-to-CEO Journey 1:07 – Working 9 Years Before Starting EDA Contractors 3:28 – The Reality of Fear, Survival Mode & Resilience 8:12 – Family, Balance, Mistakes & Leadership Growth 15:04 – Health, Marathon Mindset & Long-Term Wisdom LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    21 min
  6. Why Most Founders Fail to Diversify - Ajay Gupta - S5 - E6

    12/08/2025

    Why Most Founders Fail to Diversify - Ajay Gupta - S5 - E6

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife Connect with today's Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajay-gupta-24255366/ Website: https://www.stirista.com/ Stirista's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stirista-global/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Stirista Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stirista/ Growing a business without funding takes resilience, especially when your two biggest clients disappear overnight. In this episode, Ajay Gupta, Founder & CEO of Stirista, shares the real story of building a data-driven marketing company from scratch, surviving massive setbacks, and creating a culture where people feel like family. Ajay’s journey is anything but traditional: from creative writing major → political campaigns → accidental marketer → CEO of a thriving data company trusted by major brands. His story is a powerful reminder that passion, persistence, and adaptability are far more important than a perfect career path. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this conversation: • How Stirista survived losing its biggest clients during COVID • Why every founder should diversify earlier than they think • The importance of passion in building a business • How Ajay created a family-like culture while scaling • Staying healthy while running a bootstrap company • The surprising link between creative writing & entrepreneurship 👇 Chapters 0:00 – Meet Ajay & His Journey Into Entrepreneurship 2:12 – From Creative Writing to the World of Data 4:58 – Building Stirista & Finding Early Clients 7:33 – Culture, Family Influence & Staying Connected 10:45 – COVID Pivot, Resilience & Ajay’s Advice to Founders 👉 Subscribe for more conversations like this. 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    14 min
  7. From Overwhelm to Actual Balance - Candy Messer - S5 - E5

    12/05/2025

    From Overwhelm to Actual Balance - Candy Messer - S5 - E5

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Candy Messer Website: https://affordablebookkeepingandpayroll.com/ Podcast: Biz Help For You LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candymesser/ Most entrepreneurs start their business dreaming of freedom — yet quickly become the bottleneck, overwhelmed, overloaded, and unable to step away. Candy Messer, founder of Affordable Bookkeeping and Payroll Services and certified Fractional COO, knows this story intimately. For over 20 years, she has helped overwhelmed founders delegate better, build systems, free up their time, and finally take a real vacation without checking email. In this conversation, Candy shares her journey from accidental entrepreneur → 11-person team → COO strategist helping founders reclaim their life. She opens up about boundaries, burnout, family, aging parents, health, baking sourdough, and finding real balance by empowering others.   🔥 What you’ll learn in this conversation: • Why founders become bottlenecks — and how to fix it   • How to delegate even when “it’s faster to do it yourself” • What real balance looks like in deadline-driven businesses • How entrepreneurs should approach health, nutrition & burnout • Why passion matters more than trends • The moment that pushed her to go all-in on entrepreneurship • How she built a team that can run the business without her 👉 Subscribe for more founder stories, real lessons, and honest conversations about growth, family, health, and meaning. Chapters: 0:00 – Meet Candy & Her Entrepreneurial Beginning 1:00 – Why Founders Become Bottlenecks 3:00 – Systems, Delegation & Building a Self-Running Business 7:00 – Family, Aging Parents & Designing Work Around Life 12:00 – Health, Burnout & Finding Personal Balance 20:00 – Candy’s Philosophy on Passion & Her Advice to Founders LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    13 min
  8. The Real Reason AI Isn’t Boosting Productivity - Charlie Cole - S5 - E4

    12/03/2025

    The Real Reason AI Isn’t Boosting Productivity - Charlie Cole - S5 - E4

    This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz — helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Charlie Cole LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliecole Email: charlie.cole@xgen.ai Company: XGen.ai What happens when a lifelong e-commerce operator becomes a late-onset entrepreneur right at the moment AI is rewriting the rules of the internet? In this episode, Charlie Cole, CEO of XGen.ai, shares his nonlinear path from math major → realestate.com analyst → Lucky Brand → Toomey → Samsonite → and now running an AI-driven commerce company. Charlie breaks down how generative AI is reshaping personalization, data, search, and productivity and why the next era of commerce will be defined by agentic experiences, not traditional websites. He also opens up about fatherhood, loss, balance, sleep, fitness, and the personal philosophy he uses to decide whether he’s living “a good day.”   🔥 What you’ll learn in this conversation: • Why “late-onset entrepreneurship” can be a superpower • How he stumbled into e-commerce through pure accident • The real impact of AI on personalization & search (beyond the hype)   • How he teaches his team to embrace AI before it replaces them • What balance actually means and why it’s more internal than external   • His health routine: sleep, volleyball, cooking, travel & energy optimization   • The moment that changed his life at 23 (losing his mother) • Why knowing what you aren’t good at is a founder superpower   👉 Subscribe for more founder stories, honest conversations, and grounded insights on business, family, health, and meaning. Chapters: 0:00 – Balance, Purpose & Charlie’s Background 1:00 – How Charlie Fell Into E-Commerce by Accident 3:00 – The Rise of AI & the Future of Commerce 7:00 – Personalization, Data & Responsible AI Use 12:00 – Family, Health & Living a Grounded Life 20:00 – Defining a “Good Day” & Charlie’s Advice to Founders LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner Website leogestetner.com/leo Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1

    27 min
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5
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About

Join me as I explore the powerful intersection of entrepreneurship, health & wellness, and parenthood. In each episode, I’ll be interviewing inspiring individuals who excel in one or more of these areas, sharing their stories, insights, and lessons. My goal is to provide valuable takeaways that can help you thrive both personally and professionally.

Information

  • Creator
    Leo Gestetner
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A Founder's Life
  • Show Website
    A Founder's Life