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. 4D AGO

    Building Community Through Wine in Lancaster with Justina Latura

    What happens when passion, community, and entrepreneurship come together? In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Justina Latura, founder and CEO of Vine Bar in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to explore how a personal passion can grow into a thriving local business. Joining Marc as guest co-hosts are Ray Loewe, known as “The Luckiest Guy in the World,” and Deborah Brandt, founder of Fig Industries. Together, they dive into a conversation about Lancaster’s strong sense of community and how it empowers entrepreneurs to build meaningful ventures. Justina’s journey into business wasn’t traditional. She began her career as a nurse and later practiced as an herbalist before discovering a deep appreciation for artisanal wines and the families who produce them. What started as a hobby soon evolved into Vine Bar—a boutique wine café inspired by the Italian enoteca experience, where people gather to slow down, learn about wine, and connect. Today, Vine Bar goes beyond serving wine. Justina and her team work directly with small family vineyards in Italy, importing and distributing sustainable wines while creating a space for education, culture, and community in Lancaster. Key Takeaways: Justina’s path from nurse to wine entrepreneurHow Lancaster’s community supports small businessesTurning a passion into a profitable ventureVine Bar’s model: importing, distributing, and retailing wineFuture plans for growth and new locationsAbout Justina: Justina Latura is a founding partner of Vine Bar LLC, Lancaster’s sommelier-led wine collective & tasting room. Her mission is to educate and excite your palate by introducing and promoting the work of artisanal winemakers whose wines express sustainable farming, tradition, and the artists themselves. Now in its third year, Vine Bar pairs hospitality with education to bring meaningful, small-producer wines to the community. Connect: Website vinebarvino.com Instagram instagram.com/vinebarcollective/ Facebook facebook.com/vinebarcollective/ This episode is brought to you 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.

    28 min
  2. MAR 7

    Jason Sherman on Turning Website Visitors Into Customers

    Success in entrepreneurship rarely happens overnight—it’s often the result of decades of learning, experimenting, and refining what works. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Jason Sherman to explore the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. In this conversation, recorded in July 2025, Jason Sherman—CEO and co-founder of Vengo AI—shares how a childhood filled with music, technology, and curiosity set the foundation for a career building and leading innovative businesses. Over the past two decades, Jason has experimented with different ventures, continuously learning from both successes and setbacks along the way. Jason also discusses the evolution of Vengo AI, a platform designed to turn traditional websites into interactive AI-powered sales engines. By enabling businesses to engage visitors instantly and capture valuable leads, the technology aims to solve a major challenge many companies face: converting website traffic into real conversations and opportunities. Throughout the episode, Marc and Jason dive into the realities of scaling businesses, managing complexity, and finding ways to focus on the work that drives the most impact. Key Takeaways: The importance of continuous learning throughout an entrepreneurial journeyHow AI-powered tools can transform website engagement and lead generationWhy delegating and documenting processes helps businesses scaleThe role of curiosity and creativity in long-term successAbout Jason Sherman: Jason Sherman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vengo AI, a B2B SaaS platform that transforms websites into 24/7 AI sales engines. A seasoned startup founder and Wharton lecturer, Jason has helped companies scale through data-driven growth, product innovation, and storytelling. Connect: Website vengoai.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/vengoai; linkedin.com/in/jasonsherman76/ Instagram instagram.com/vengoaiapp X x.com/vengoaiapp Facebook facebook.com/vengoai YouTube youtube.com/@VengoAIapp Blog blog.vengoai.com Discord discord.gg/WKvn2xGdhV This episode is brought to you by Crossover Capital; make informed decisions about your financial future. Go to crosscapadvisors.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.

    29 min
  3. MAR 4

    How Gui Costin Built Dakota by Helping Others Win

    What if getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to your career? In this episode of Founders Forum, Gui Costin shares how a career setback led him to build Dakota into a company serving thousands of investment firms nationwide. Gui Costin, Founder and CEO of Dakota, shares his journey from losing his job to creating Dakota Marketplace, a powerful database used by over 1,200 investment firms and 6,000 fundraisers. Along the way, he discovered that success isn’t just about sales—it’s about service, systems, and leadership. Gui explains how documenting his proven sales methodology, the “Dakota Way,” helped scale the business, and why a failed product ultimately became his biggest opportunity. At the core of Dakota’s growth is Gui’s commitment to helping others succeed—from his employees to customers and the community. His leadership philosophy centers on building a high-performance culture rooted in kindness, accountability, and continuous improvement.  Key Takeaways: Getting fired pushed Gui to start Dakota and build something better.Systems like the “Dakota Way” helped scale growth and performance.A failed idea led to Dakota Marketplace, now used by thousands.Kind leadership creates stronger teams and long-term success.Growth creates opportunities for employees and the business.About Gui Costin: Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota, a business development and database company for investment firms. Founded in 2006, Dakota has over 60 employees with offices in Bryn Mawr and Philadelphia, PA. Dakota’s eight-person investment sales team has raised over $40 billion for 15 different investment firms. Dakota has also raised over $13 billion in the RIA channel alone. Dakota Marketplace, an institutional investor database, is used by thousands of investment salespeople who use it to source leads of institutional investors. Gui shares the mission of Dakota, which is to make the life of an investment salesperson easier. Each choice and decision Dakota makes daily comes back to that one point, including Dakota’s own sales team. Gui is the author of Millennials Are Not Aliens, a best-selling book on a generation who grew up on the Internet and have fundamentally changed how we buy things. Gui attended the University of Virginia and is married with three kids. Connect: Website dakota.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/dakota-about/mycompany/ YouTube @DakotaRainmakerPodcast; @DakotaLivePodcast This episode is sponsored by Dakota; helping investment firms connect with the right opportunities through the industry’s leading institutional investor database. Learn more at dakota.com. 📅 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.

    28 min
  4. FEB 28

    Turning Burnout Into a Mental Fitness Company with Lissy Alden

    Burnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about lacking the mental systems to sustain performance. In this episode of Founders Forum, Lissy Alden shares how her personal burnout led her to build a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations develop true mental fitness. Co-hosting this episode alongside Marc Bernstein is Nicole Dery, Founder of Allelo Design, who brings thoughtful perspective to the conversation around leadership, culture, and workplace dynamics. Lissy Alden, Founder and CEO of MYNDY Mental Fitness, experienced burnout firsthand while working in fast-paced corporate environments—even when she loved the work. Realizing there wasn’t a comprehensive solution addressing both workplace structure and individual resilience, she pursued research at MIT and developed a model that combines organizational design with daily mental fitness practices. Today, MYNDY helps leaders and teams strengthen mindset, build resilience, and perform at a high level without sacrificing well-being. This conversation explores the realities of founder challenges, the evolving demands of modern workplaces, and why mental fitness is becoming essential for sustainable success. Key Takeaways: How personal burnout inspired Lissy to build MYNDYWhy unclear expectations are a major driver of employee burnoutThe “Stop, Slow, Go” method for building mental resilienceLessons from building a new market as a solo founderWhy mental fitness is key to sustainable performanceAbout Lissy Alden: Lissy Alden is the visionary CEO + Founder of MYNDY, a pioneering company built to combat employee burnout from all angles through her revolutionary Organizational + Mental Fitness model developed over a decade of research beginning at MIT. Recognizing burnout as a multifaceted challenge requiring systemic intervention, she has engineered an innovative platform that addresses psychological, physiological, and organizational factors simultaneously—creating resilient workforces and healthier corporate cultures. She specializes in empowering organizations to achieve their ambitious goals while maintaining employee wellbeing—creating high-performance cultures where teams—and employees—thrive. Connect: Website www.myndy.co LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/myndy/; linkedin.com/in/lissy-alden/ This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum 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.

    28 min
  5. FEB 25

    Reinventing HVAC for a Zero-Energy Future with Grahame Maisey

    What if the future of air conditioning could cut your energy bills by 90%—while helping create cleaner, healthier buildings? In this episode of Founders Forum, Grahame Maisey joins Marc Bernstein, with special guest co-host Dr. Valecia “Dr. V” Dunbar, Founder & CEO of the Center for Confidence and Full Confidence RX. Together, they explore sustainability, innovation, and what it truly means to build for the future. Grahame shares his journey from post-war Leicester, England to becoming a pioneer in energy conservation in the U.S. With over 60 years of HVAC and building performance experience, he’s now launching NEMCO LDAC (Nature’s Energy Machine Company)—a zero-energy HVAC system designed to reduce electric and maintenance costs by up to 90%, eliminate compressors, and deliver sterilized indoor air. At 78, Grahame isn’t retiring—he’s scaling globally. His vision is to license this breakthrough technology worldwide and modernize a 125-year-old air conditioning industry. Key Takeaways: Why traditional HVAC technology is overdue for disruptionHow zero-energy buildings can eliminate net utility costsThe power of “backcasting” to achieve bold goalsWhy sterilized indoor air is the next frontierThe importance of courage and confidence in entrepreneurshipAbout Grahame Maisey: Grahame Maisey is a highly trained British heating, ventilating, and air conditioning engineer with 15 years of experience in the UK and 47 years of experience in the USA in energy conservation in buildings. He has conducted reviews and delivered lectures at architects’ and engineers’ offices. He publishes LinkedIn articles and responds to LinkedIn threads concerning HVAC and building performance. Connect: Website nemcoldac.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/grahame-maisey-61350b15/ This episode is brought to you by NEMCO LDAC; Nature’s Energy Machine Company revolutionizing air conditioning with zero-energy technology that cuts electric and maintenance costs by up to 90% while delivering healthier, sterilized indoor air. Go to nemcoldac.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.

    28 min
  6. FEB 21

    Nick Martin on Turning HVAC Into Climate Tech

    What if the key to solving climate change was already sitting on top of every commercial building? In this powerful episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein is joined by guest co-host Matt Wampler, Founder & CEO of ClearCOGS, for a forward-looking conversation with Nick Martin, Co-Founder and COO of Carbon Reform. From AI and emerging tech to climate innovation and legacy thinking, this episode blends cutting-edge insight with deeply personal storytelling. Nick shares how the unexpected loss of both his parents became the catalyst that pushed him fully into entrepreneurship. What followed was a bold mission: transform commercial buildings into high-performance, energy-efficient spaces using modular carbon capture technology. By leveraging existing HVAC systems, Carbon Reform helps reduce energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and remove CO₂—all while building a scalable climate tech company. Key takeaways: Why “AI won’t take your job—but someone using AI will”How personal adversity can shape entrepreneurial resilienceThe business case for carbon capture in commercial real estateWhy manufacturing in America can be a competitive advantageHow to separate “signal vs. noise” when raising venture capitalNick’s 10-year vision for global climate impact and generational wealthAbout Nick Martin: Nick Martin is the Co-Founder & COO of Carbon Reform, a climate tech startup transforming commercial buildings into high-performance spaces through improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and carbon removal. Their modular retrofit technology offers a profitable, sustainable, and scalable solution to the climate crisis—reducing emissions while cutting HVAC energy use. Nick brings a background in chemical engineering and public sector innovation to his work building a healthier, low-carbon future. Connect: Website carbonreform.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nickmartincr/ This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum 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.

    30 min
  7. FEB 18

    Building a Business That Changes Lives with Brad Stephenson

    What if your business wasn’t just about revenue—but about changing lives? In this inspiring episode, Brad Stephenson shares how a people-first mindset transformed his company, his career, and thousands of others along the way. Hosted by Marc Bernstein and guest co-host Ray Loewe, this conversation dives into Brad’s journey from laborer to CEO & Co-owner of Newcastle Lawn & Landscape. Brad opens up about the personal struggles that shaped his leadership style—from growing up in a challenging home environment to overcoming opioid addiction—and how those experiences fueled his mission to impact 100,000 lives. He also shares the pivotal business challenges that nearly derailed his company, how implementing systems helped drive massive growth, and why focusing on people—not profits—is the real key to scaling a company with purpose. Key takeaways: How “life domains” and time blocking create focus and balanceWhy entrepreneurs don’t need more time—just more clarityBrad’s journey from addiction to purpose-driven leadershipThe systems that helped grow his company from $3M to $13MHow a mission to change lives drives culture, growth, and retentionWhy obstacles are often signs you’re on the right pathAbout Brad Stephenson: Brad Stephenson is a passionate leader, entrepreneur, and certified behavioral analysis consultant dedicated to transforming lives and businesses. As the owner, CEO, and Visionary of New Castle Lawn and Landscape, Brad has successfully guided the company to become a thriving enterprise. Through his consulting business, Brad Stephenson LLC – Dream Higher, he empowers small business owners to achieve transformative growth, blending strategy with inspiration to help them dream bigger. Connect: Website newcastle94.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/brad-stephenson94/ Facebook facebook.com/94newcastle/ Instagram instagram.com/94newcastle/ YouTube youtube.com/channel/UC3jqNuvnrcWTlOaHK0Zj_nA This episode is brought to you by New Castle Lawn & Landscape; Transforming Properties and Impacting Lives since 1994. Go to newcastle94.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.

    28 min
  8. FEB 11

    The Mindset Behind Lasting Success with Gal Borenstein

    What if most disappointment comes from unspoken expectations—and the cure is a simple agreement? In this episode, we explore how shifting from assumptions to aligned agreements can transform leadership, teams, and even families. Hosted by Marc Bernstein, with guest co-host Scott Reuter of Product Command Data, this conversation features Gal Borenstein, founder and CEO of The Borenstein Group. Gal shares a remarkable journey—from flying with generals in the Israeli Defense Forces’ media unit to studying communications at Temple University and launching a niche marketing firm with just a few thousand dollars on a credit card. That bold bet on the future of technology became a top B2B branding and marketing agency helping complex tech companies communicate with clarity and confidence. Along the way, Gal opens up about learning sales without formal training, building a competitive advantage as a small agency, and creating long-term client relationships that span decades. Key takeaways: Why replacing expectations with clear agreements improves leadership and resultsThe sales lesson that changed everything: “people buy from people”How niching into technology gave a small agency a powerful edgeThe early thinking behind today’s fractional CMO modelHow to translate complex technical products into compelling storiesWhy self-belief—and sufficient runway—are critical for foundersAbout Gal Borenstein: Gal Borenstein is the CEO and Founder of The Borenstein Group, a top-ranked technology-focused B2B and B2G branding and marketing agency serving technology innovators, cyber and defense contractors, and professional services firms. With over 30 years of experience, Gal is a sought-after speaker and strategic advisor to C-level executives, known for his expertise in digital branding, marketing transformation, and building trust in the age of AI. He is the author of three business books: Activate! How to Power Up Your Brand, What Really Counts for CEOs, and Don’t Believe the Hype. His strategic brand insights help organizations grow with clarity, credibility, and competitive impact. Connect: Website borensteingroup.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/galborensteinexecutiveprofile Facebook facebook.com/borensteingroup/?_rdr X x.com/BorensteinGroup This episode is brought to you by Workshop Strategy; Merging experience, innovation, and purpose. Go to workshopstrategy.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.

    28 min
5
out of 5
9 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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