The Amplified CEO

Richard Stroupe
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Amplified CEO is your blueprint for leadership and success. Through real-world case studies, the podcast dives into the core elements of business leadership: strategic decision-making, team building, resilience, and navigating change.Hosted by venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur Richard Stroupe, each episode features accomplished guests—from seasoned CEOs to startup founders—who candidly share their victories, challenges, and defining moments. Their stories offer valuable insights and inspiration for leaders at any stage of their journey.

  1. Matt Cimino | Amped Ventures

    Jun 10

    Matt Cimino | Amped Ventures

    From Teenage Web Developer to Multi-Million Dollar Exit with Matt Cimino What does it take to build, scale, and successfully exit a software company? In this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with Matt Cimino, Managing Partner of Amped Ventures and former founder of Amped, a Wilmington-based software company acquired by Intuit.  Matt's entrepreneurial journey began at just 14 years old building websites for local businesses and eventually led to creating multiple technology companies, scaling teams, navigating product pivots, and closing an eight-figure acquisition. Matt discusses bootstrapping a software business, lessons learned from building products that don't scale, the importance of staying close to customers, integrating into a Fortune 500 organization, and the opportunities AI is creating for the next generation of founders. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcimino https://www.amped.io Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 7m
  2. Chris Capone | Capone & Associates

    May 15

    Chris Capone | Capone & Associates

    What happens when a CPA stops playing it safe and builds something of his own? In this episode, Chris Capone joins Richard Stroupe to share the journey from Deloitte and international finance roles in Switzerland and Bulgaria to launching Capone & Associates in Wilmington. They discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, financial discipline, and how AI is changing the future of accounting and business. Capone & Associates: https://www.caponeandassociates.biz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-capone-287b2521/ Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 12m
  3. Tully Ryan | IQExit

    May 12

    Tully Ryan | IQExit

    In this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with Tully Ryan, CEO of IQExit and Managing Director at Murphy Business, as well as a contributor to the Wilmington Business Journal. Tully shares his journey from launching a tech company during the dot-com era to advising founder-led businesses on growth, transition planning, and successful exits in today’s evolving M&A market. The conversation explores AI’s impact on business operations, acquisition entrepreneurship, private equity trends, and the coming “Silver Tsunami” of business owners preparing to transition or sell their companies over the next decade. Richard and Tully also discuss why so many deals fail before closing — from unrealistic valuations and customer concentration to poor succession planning and lack of diligence readiness — and why business owners should begin preparing years before they intend to exit. For founders, operators, advisors, and entrepreneurs interested in business growth, acquisitions, or exit strategy, this episode offers a practical look at what creates long-term enterprise value and successful transitions. Connect with Tully Ryan: • IQExit: https://www.iqexit.com/ • Murphy Business / Carolina Business Broker: https://carolinabusinessbroker.com/ • Wilmington Business Journal: https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/insights/tullyryan/318 • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tully-ryan-93137268/ Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 8m
  4. Ian Padrick | Ohanafy

    Apr 24

    Ian Padrick | Ohanafy

    Ian Padrick, Founder and CEO of Ohanafy, returns to Amplified CEO to talk about raising the company’s Series A round, scaling after early pivots, and building a repeatable growth engine. Topics include: Series A fundraising Investor readiness Founder pivots Customer success AI and automation B2B technology Wilmington startup growth Building raving fans Scaling without losing focus 👉 Learn more about Ohanafy: https://ohanafy.com/ 👉 Connect with Ian Padrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpadrick/ 👉 Learn more about Amplified CEO: https://www.topsailinsider.com/aceo Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 2m
  5. Andrew Sridhar | The Warrior Poet

    Mar 27

    Andrew Sridhar | The Warrior Poet

    What does it really take to lead under pressure—and why do most people avoid it? In this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with former Navy SEAL Commander and Warrior Poet founder Andrew Sridhar to explore high-performance leadership, decision-making under pressure, and the mindset shift required to move from comfort to growth. From SEAL training and combat experience to Harvard Business School and leading in tech, Andrew shares powerful insights on ownership, resilience, storytelling, and what it truly means to lead when it matters most. https://thewarriorpoet.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsridhar/ Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 30m
  6. Purdue Entrepreneurship Class Q&A with Richard Stroupe

    12/05/2025

    Purdue Entrepreneurship Class Q&A with Richard Stroupe

    In this special episode of Amplified CEO, four Purdue University students from Entrepreneurship 200 interview Richard Stroupe about what it really takes to build, scale, and invest in successful companies. Richard shares candid insights from 30+ years in software, leadership, and venture capital—covering mentorship, investor red flags, product-market fit, ethical growth, founder psychology, and the trends shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a student, an emerging founder, or someone curious about the realities of entrepreneurship, this conversation offers clear, practical lessons and honest reflections from both sides of the table. Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    43 min
  7. Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson (Ret.) | Rafael Systems Global Sustainment

    11/14/2025

    Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson (Ret.) | Rafael Systems Global Sustainment

    Retired Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson joins Richard Stroupe for a candid conversation on leadership, decision-making, and navigating high-stakes environments from the battlefield to the boardroom. Anderson shares lessons from nearly four decades in the U.S. Army—commanding at every level, shaping global operations as Deputy Chief of Staff for G-3/5/7, and leading through some of the military’s most demanding moments. He also talks about his current work in senior leadership at Rafael Systems Global Sustainment and his continued service on nonprofit and corporate boards. This episode offers grounded, practical insight into leading teams, managing complexity, and staying mission-focused in any industry. LinkedIn Rafael Systems Global Sustainment Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 26m
  8. Juan Carlos Pacheco | IDEA Fund Partners

    10/10/2025

    Juan Carlos Pacheco | IDEA Fund Partners

    IDEA Fund Partners is backing bold, early-stage founders from pre-seed to Series A and hunting for the next unicorns. Senior Associate Juan Carlos Pacheco chats with Richard Stroupe, discussing exceptional founders with disruptive ideas, what stands out—grit, self-awareness, real traction—and what kills a deal, from arrogance to shaky numbers. Pacheco also highlights how companies like Wilmington’s SkillMaker are fueling a new wave of tech growth across the region. https://www.ideafundpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jc-pacheco/ Send us a text. Leave your phone number if you'd like a reply. Thanks! Produced by Cape Fear Ventures Edited by Coastal Carolina Network The Amplified CEO Podcast - https://capefear.vc/amplifiedceo/ Elevate CEO Retreat - https://capefear.vc/elevate/ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stroupe

    1h 29m
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Ratings & Reviews

About

The Amplified CEO is your blueprint for leadership and success. Through real-world case studies, the podcast dives into the core elements of business leadership: strategic decision-making, team building, resilience, and navigating change.Hosted by venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur Richard Stroupe, each episode features accomplished guests—from seasoned CEOs to startup founders—who candidly share their victories, challenges, and defining moments. Their stories offer valuable insights and inspiration for leaders at any stage of their journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Richard Stroupe
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Amplified CEO
  • Show Website
    The Amplified CEO

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