Founders' Forum

Marc Bernstein
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 3d ago

    Victoria Abadir on Turning Volatility Into Opportunity

    What happens when a former HR professional with zero art background decides to turn a vacant downtown bank space into a 15,000 square foot art gallery? Victoria Abadir did just that, and two years later, Lancaster Art Vault is profitable, thriving, and home to 24 resident artists. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Victoria Abadir, founder of Lancaster Art Vault in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Victoria shares how a "crazy idea" turned into a pop-up test run, then a full gallery launch, all without a business partner or mentor. She opens up about learning permitting and licensing on the fly, figuring out art pricing with no industry background, and building a membership model that lets artists come and go without long-term lease commitments. Key Takeaways: How a vacant bank space became a 15,000 square foot creative hub with 24 resident artistsWhy a membership model (not traditional leases) keeps artists loyal and the business flexibleThe power of community art calls to discover new talent and headline future showsLessons learned from launching early, before construction was even finishedWhy listening to artists and pivoting quickly built trust and stronger community tiesHow Lancaster's broader arts resurgence is fueling growth for spaces like the VaultAbout Victoria Abadir: Victoria Abadir is the founder and owner of Lancaster Art Vault, a 15,000-square-foot art gallery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, featuring 24 resident artists alongside rotating exhibitions. A Lancaster native, Victoria is a dedicated community volunteer with a passion for supporting and uplifting the city she calls home. Having served on various arts and community-focused boards, she saw an opportunity to transform an empty space into a vibrant hub that elevates and supports Lancaster’s creative community. Connect with Victoria: Website LancasterArtVault.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/victoria-garman-abadir Instagram instagram.com/lancasterartvault/ Facebook facebook.com/people/Lancaster-Art-Vault/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by Lancaster Art Vault; a contemporary art gallery and working artist studio space in the heart of downtown Lancaster. Go to lancasterartvault.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.

  2. 4d ago

    Paul Spiegel on Turning an Accidental Pivot Into an Exit

    Paul Spiegel switched majors, took a job he knew nothing about, and turned it into Practical Energy Solutions, a company that worked with over 80 municipalities and eventually caught the eye of an acquirer. On this episode of Founders Forum, Paul joins Marc Bernstein and co-host Justin Tennant to unpack how a chance connection with Walmart pulled him into the energy business, why he had to convince clients to even care about energy audits, and how a "too good to be true" pricing model almost sank his pitch before it ever got off the ground. Paul shares how he built a team that stuck with him for over a decade, why hiring for passion mattered more than experience, and what finally pushed him to sell the business he spent 20 years building. Key Takeaways: How a $1.1 million Walmart contract accidentally launched a new business lineWhy "do you do energy audits" became the pitch that actually workedHow grassroots and municipal demand, not federal policy, has driven the energy efficiency marketWhat made hiring for passion (not experience) pay off long termWhy the acquisition led to Paul's three biggest revenue years, not his lastAbout Paul D. Spiegel, PE, LEED AP: Paul has over 40 years of experience in commercial building design and construction, and energy evaluations of existing buildings. The first 20 years were primarily spent as project manager for quality assurance on large, high profile projects in the Philadelphia area, including the PA Convention Center, Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field, the Kimmel Center, the Borgata Hotel and Casino, Citizens Bank Park, Wyeth World Headquarters, Cira Centre, among many others. The next 20 years were spent providing energy expertise and consulting to commercial building owners, and Practical Energy is providing ongoing support services on over 1,000 buildings in the region.  Connect with Paul: Website www.ssmgroup.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/paul-spiegel Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by SSM Group; a full-service engineering firm helping clients build efficient, resilient, high-performing facilities through energy strategy, infrastructure, and capital planning. Go to ssmgroup.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.

  3. Aug 20

    Matt Bramson: Confidence Isn't the Secret, Vulnerability Is

    After 25 years building and scaling technology companies, serial entrepreneur Matt Bramson made an unexpected pivot: walking away from data-driven growth to build a platform that gets people to put their phones down. His new venture, Interact, uses QR code scans to spark real, face-to-face conversations at live events, no data collection, no monetization, just human connection. In this episode of Founders Forum, Matt joins Marc Bernstein to talk about the moment that changed his direction: watching a room full of teenagers sit in silence, scrolling instead of talking. He breaks down how Interact works, why he built it around a psychologist's 36 Questions framework, and how a cash incentive helps strangers break the ice. Matt also opens up about the internal battles every founder faces, from imposter syndrome to the pressure to always seem confident, and why vulnerability has become his most effective sales tool. Key Takeaways: Interact turns two scanned QR codes into a shared conversation starter, with zero data collected or soldThe platform is built on a psychologist's 36 Questions method, escalating from light small talk to deep, meaningful dialogueMatt's "aha moment" came from watching a house full of teenagers ignore each other in favor of their phonesConfidence and "fake it till you make it" are giving way to honesty and vulnerability as real drivers of trustSponsors can attach their brand to a conversation moment instead of a data-collecting adMatt's biggest founder challenge isn't external, it's internal: overcoming self-doubt and comparisonAbout Matt Bramson: Matt Bramson is a serial entrepreneur and revenue architect who has spent 25 years scaling technology businesses — from a global communications platform to a $100M+ energy company — by building the systems and models that drive real growth. He's now co-founder of interACT, a patent-pending live-event platform designed to turn strangers into genuine connections, one face-to-face conversation at a time. Connect with Matt: Website interactforreal.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/mattbramson/ X x.com/MattBramson Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored 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.

  4. Aug 19

    Michele Sullivan on Building Accountability Into Giving

    Michele Sullivan was born four feet tall in a world that didn't expect much from her, and she went on to lead one of the most respected corporate foundations on the planet. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Michele Sullivan, former President of the Caterpillar Foundation and Director of Social Innovation, at Babcock Ranch. Michele shares how she rose through a male-dominated company over a 30-year career, eventually taking the helm of a foundation that had operated the same way for two decades, and rebuilding it around accountability, impact, and results. She opens up about growing up with a rare form of dwarfism, the confidence her parents instilled in her, and how "looking up" became both a literal and figurative philosophy that shaped her leadership style. Michele also reflects on working alongside global leaders, including a 45-minute meeting in the Oval Office with President Obama, her friendship with Bono, and why she remains passionate about supporting girls, women, and communities facing poverty even after retirement. Key Takeaways: How Michele's parents built the confidence that carried her through a decades-long career at CaterpillarWhy she brought GAAP accounting and impact reporting standards to the Caterpillar Foundation, and the resistance she facedThe difference between foundation dollars and corporate social innovation dollars, and why the distinction mattersWhat it means to "look up" to everyone, regardless of how the world looks at youHer advice for founders and leaders navigating visible and invisible challengesAbout Michele Sullivan: Michele is unforgettable — from a young person born with a very rare type of dwarfism, who, in spite of being looked down upon by others, learned to look up: to lead with an elevated view of others, a philosophy that landed her at the helm of one of the world's most prominent philanthropy organizations. With inspiring style, she offers a unique perspective and inspiration for individuals and leaders that attests to the fundamental role one's perspective plays in their life. Connect with Michele: Website michelelsullivan.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/michelelsullivan/ Instagram @followmichelel Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored 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.

  5. Aug 12

    Peter Barber on How to Professionalize a Commodity Business

    What does it take to turn a college side hustle into a 90-person company with 38 years of staying power? Peter Barber, co-founder and CEO of Two Dudes Painting Company, joins Marc Bernstein to share exactly that. Peter started painting houses as a Franklin & Marshall College student looking to cover tuition. What began as a way to pay for school turned into a full-time commitment when he and co-founder Brian McCaskey decided to go all in, doubling the business in a single year. Today, Two Dudes Painting employs a team of over 90 people across central Pennsylvania, all while staying true to its founding promise: quality work, on time, with zero hassle. In this conversation, Peter and Marc dig into reframing problems using Dan Sullivan's "thinking about your thinking" philosophy, building a service-first company culture in a historically low-perceived-value trade, and how paid volunteer time has strengthened both employee retention and community ties in Lancaster. Peter also opens up about his three-year vision for scaling the business into new markets and what it might look like to eventually step back from day-to-day leadership. Key Takeaways: Why reframing "the problem behind the problem" leads to better decision-makingHow Two Dudes Painting professionalized a trade seen as low-barrier and low-valueThe power of paid community volunteer days for culture and retentionLessons on scaling a relationship-driven business into new geographiesWhat it means to plan a leadership transition while staying mission-focusedAbout Peter Barber: Peter Barber, the co-founder, and owner of Two Dudes Painting Company has been the driving force behind the company's success for over 38 years. Starting with just Two Dudes and an iconic orange VW bus, Peter has strategically grown the company to include a team of over 90 employees, all while maintaining a commitment to positively impacting the community.  Connect: Website twodudes.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/two-dudes-painting-company/?viewAsMember=true Facebook facebook.com/twodudespaintingcompany Instagram instagram.com/twodudespainting/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by Two Dudes Painting Company, delivering quality painting services with zero hassle across central Pennsylvania. Visit twodudes.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.

  6. Aug 6

    Lessons on Trust, Team, and Reinventing at Any Age with Susan Jacobson

    From running a presidential campaign at 28 to building a Philadelphia PR powerhouse, Susan Jacobson has never stopped betting on herself. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Susan Jacobson, CEO of Jacobson Strategic Communications and Praxtera AI Institute, to trace her path from political operative to PR entrepreneur to AI fluency pioneer. Susan opens up about getting pushed out of a corporate role after a decade, writing her business plan on the back of an envelope with Jack Welch, and building a remote-first PR team years before it was normal. She also shares how a Wharton executive MBA program sparked the idea for Praxtera, her AI training company that just won a National Platinum Pinnacle Award. Key Takeaways: Early belief from a parent can shape a lifelong willingness to take risksLosing a corporate role can be the push needed to finally go independentBuilding a team around trust and flexibility creates loyalty and better client workCredibility in a service business has to be earned every single weekPersonal networks and reputation can fund a business from day oneWatching where a major industry is headed can reveal the next big opportunityAbout Susan Jacobson: Sue Jacobson is CEO of Praxtera AI Institute and President of Jacobson Strategic Communications. Praxtera delivers live, two hour AI fluency training sessions on Zoom, co-led by a Wharton trained AI specialist and a senior communications strategist. The company recently won the national Platinum Pinnacle Award for AI Training. A Wharton MBA and former Chair of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Sue is on a mission to make AI fluency accessible and practical for everyone, not just tech insiders. Connect: Website www.praxtera.com LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/susan-g-jacobson/ ; linkedin.com/company/ai-institute-a-jacobson-company Instagram instagram.com/thesuejway/ Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by AffinIT, building strong IT partnerships through innovative managed services. Visit affinitmsp.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.

  7. Aug 5

    Redefining Success as a Team with Jay and Preeti Gohel

    From an eight-year-old sweeping up scraps in his father's makeshift dental lab to co-leading a five-location practice with his wife and business partner, Jay Gohel's path into dentistry was anything but planned. In this episode, Marc sits down with Dr. Jay Gohel and Preeti Gohel of Aesthetic Dental Associates, husband-and-wife founders who built one of the largest privately owned dental groups in the Delaware Valley from a single practice they were forced into buying during the 2008 financial crisis. Jay handles the clinical vision; Preeti runs the numbers. Together, they've turned early struggles with no mentorship, a brutal economy, and blurred work-life boundaries into a thriving multi-office operation built on mutual trust and clearly divided roles. Key takeaways: Why success isn't a fixed destination but a state of presence and balanceHow starting a practice during the 2008 crash with zero mentorship shaped their approach to growthThe financial mistakes that quietly sink dental and small business practicesWhy "work-life balance" may be the wrong goal, and what to pursue insteadHow dividing responsibilities by strength, not title, built their partnershipThe books that shaped their thinking on influence, focus, and self-trustTune in for part one of this two-part conversation, and catch part two for more from Jay and Preeti as the conversation continues. About Jay Gohel DMD BDS: Dr. Jay Gohel, DMD, BDS, is the CEO and Clinical Director of Aesthetic Dental Associates, a five-location dental group and one of the largest privately owned practices in the Delaware Valley. His journey began in his father's makeshift home dental lab, where he learned the craft long before he ever intended to pursue it professionally. Forced into practice ownership during the 2008 financial crisis with no mentor to guide him, Jay built his business through hard-won experience. Today, he focuses on the clinical work he's most passionate about, full mouth rehabilitation and implant dentistry, while mentoring the doctors across his organization. For Jay, success isn't measured by financial reward. It's about being fully present, doing meaningful work, and leaving behind knowledge that helps others thrive. About Preeti Gohel: As the CFO of a multi-location dental group, Preeti Gohel leads financial operations for a growing dental organization with multiple practice locations. She is known for her ability to streamline financial chaos and create clear pathways to profitability. Her mastery lies in showing entrepreneurs how to increase profitability while expanding their net worth with intention, simplicity, and purpose. Preeti's work empowers leaders to build a legacy that endures long after the numbers are calculated. She brings a unique blend of operational expertise, strategic thinking, and values-driven leadership to help entrepreneurs achieve sustainable financial growth. Connect: Website theaestheticdental.com Instagram @thegainsgurl Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by Aesthetic Dental Associates, a Pennsylvania-based dental group dedicated to changing lives through exceptional dentistry, compassion, and community service. Go to theaestheticdental.com or call 610-701-0102 to schedule your appointment. 📅 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.

  8. Jul 30

    Tim Austin on Building Community One Festival at a Time

    From a potluck dinner for Italophiles to a 20,000-person street festival, Tim Austin has turned small-town Lancaster County into a launchpad for big ideas. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with architect and entrepreneur Tim Austin, founder of Colab XYZ and co-founder of Litalia Fest and the new Lancaster Capital Day. Tim shares his path from studying architecture at Cornell and earning a design degree in Milan, to returning home to Lancaster County and building a creative agency, reviving his family's historic Log Cabin Restaurant, and helping grow a neighborhood potluck into one of the region's fastest-growing cultural festivals. He also opens up about launching Lancaster Capital Day, a new festival honoring the city's surprising role in Revolutionary War history as part of the America 250 celebration. Key Takeaways: How a summer studying in Milan shaped Tim's design philosophy and led him back to build a business in LancasterThe entrepreneurial roots behind Colab XYZ, and why architects are natural business buildersThe story of restoring his family's historic Log Cabin Restaurant, a former Prohibition-era speakeasyHow a small potluck for Italian speakers grew into Litalia Fest, drawing an expected 20,000 attendees in its fifth yearWhy Lancaster played a surprising role as an early stop for the Continental Congress, and how that history inspired Lancaster Capital DayLessons learned scaling a grassroots event into a major community festival, from staging and sound to permits and vendor partnershipsMarc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored 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.

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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Marc Bernstein
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Founders' Forum
  • Show Website
    Founders' Forum

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