Founders Podcast

Ash Lonare

Welcome to Founder's Podcast, This is a show where I interview proven founders and industry experts who share their stories, strategies, and insights to help you build, launch, and grow your business.

  1. 2D AGO

    How a Startup Transformed Data Privacy in Europe’s Regulated Industries

    Most companies struggle to modernize their data infrastructure without risking compliance breaches or massive overhauls—that is, until now. Matt Zoltow reveals how his startup turned the world of regulated industries upside down with a platform that keeps data in its own private cloud, yet delivers seamless AI-powered insights in real time. If your organization faces strict data sovereignty rules but still craves agility and security, this episode is your game-changer. In this eye-opening conversation, Matt shares the origin story of IntelliPaaS and how a narrow focus on regulated enterprises helped pioneer a revolutionary approach to data integration. You’ll discover the key principles that allow global companies—automotive giants, government agencies, and beverage producers—to connect 170 sites across Europe without ever compromising their sovereignty. Matt breaks down how their platform enables enterprises to maintain full control of data while integrating AI, automating supply chains, and ensuring compliance—no matter where they operate. We break down how legacy systems and point-to-point integrations threaten to spiral out of control, creating unmanageable complexity and security risks. Matt shares concrete strategies for avoiding these pitfalls, emphasizing cloud-agnostic, flexible architectures that adapt to changing regulations like the EU AI Act or Korea’s new AI law. You'll learn practical tactics for building trust with regulators, mastering regional data standards, and ensuring your organization stays ahead in the race for secure, compliant data innovation. Failing to modernize your data architecture risks not just security breaches but missed opportunities in AI-driven decision making and supply chain optimization. This episode offers a blueprint to turn compliance constraints into a source of competitive advantage—empowering you to harness data without sacrificing control or flexibility. Perfect for executives, founders, and IT leaders in regulated industries, this is essential listening to future-proof your data infrastructure. Matt Zoltow is the CTO of IntelliPaaS, a leader in secure, compliant data integration solutions for highly regulated sectors. With a background spanning Germany, New Zealand, and Asia, Matt’s entrepreneurial journey is defined by doing what’s impossible—building platforms trusted globally despite complex regulatory environments. His insights combine deep industry expertise with real-world success stories, making this episode a must-listen for anyone aiming to lead with confidence in a data-driven world. Why this works:This episode hooks listeners immediately by addressing a common pain point—balancing compliance with agility—while teasing a groundbreaking solution. It appeals directly to decision-makers in regulated industries who need practical, scalable strategies. The detailed insights, real-world examples, and focus on future regulatory trends create curiosity and provide actionable value, encouraging clicks and sustained engagement.

    57 min
  2. 6D AGO

    Stop Guessing! The ONE MVP Trick That Guarantees Market Validation

    In this engaging conversation, Bobby Glen James shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer wants versus needs, the significance of a unique value proposition (UVP), and the necessity of creating a minimum viable product (MVP) before quitting a day job. He recounts his experiences with startups, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned, while also providing valuable advice for aspiring founders. Bobby's insights into leveraging technology and AI for business growth are particularly noteworthy, as he encourages entrepreneurs to focus on solving real problems for their customers. Takeaways Success is about doing, not just planning. Understanding what customers want is crucial. A unique value proposition can set you apart. Building a business starts with identifying a problem. You don't need to quit your job to start a business. Creating an MVP is essential for validation. Sales are the true measure of a business's viability. Technology should simplify, not complicate. AI can revolutionize how businesses operate. Failures are valuable learning experiences. Titles Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success with Bobby Glen James The Art of Understanding Customer Needs Sound bites "D-O, do." "Do it, don't quit." "Do they want it?" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Motivation 02:50 The Importance of Understanding Wants vs. Needs 06:02 The Journey of a Successful Startup 08:56 The Unique Value Proposition (UVP) Explained 11:47 Bobby's Entrepreneurial Roots and Influences 17:49 Current Ventures and Innovations in Technology 23:45 Advice for Aspiring Founders 26:42 The Importance of MVPs and Market Validation 31:34 Quickfire Round: Insights and Recommendations

    49 min
  3. 6D AGO

    How ONE Simple Delegation Hack Turned Kay  &  Ana into a 7‑Figure Talent Empire

    In this power‑packed episode, host Chris Nolte pulls back the curtain on his entrepreneurial journey and the birth of Kayana, a game‑changing talent‑management company. From the moment he spotted a glaring problem in the market—talent being commoditized—to the relentless pursuit of the right solution, Chris shares the hard‑won lessons that turned a simple idea into a thriving business that not only scales profitably but also makes a real difference for clients and their families. What you’ll learn Why understanding the real problem is the #1 driver of business growth – and how to avoid chasing the wrong one.The hidden opportunity in talent commoditization and how Kayana turned it into a competitive advantage.Delegation is the real magic – practical frameworks for handing off work without losing control, boosting productivity and freeing you to focus on strategy.How market research can uncover untapped demand – Chris walks through the exact steps he used to validate Kayana’s niche.Success stories that prove the impact of great client relationships – hear real‑world examples of businesses transformed by Kayana’s approach.Personal development hacks – from learning an instrument to sharpening your entrepreneurial mindset, discover why continuous learning fuels lasting success.The power of sharing ideas – why protecting your concepts can hold you back, and how open collaboration accelerates growth.Key Takeaways *Do well and do good – profit and purpose can coexist.Solve the right problem – it’s the cornerstone of sustainable growth.Delegate strategically – multiply your output without burning out.Leverage market research – turn data into decisive action.Share, don’t hoard – ideas grow stronger when they’re shared.Whether you’re an early‑stage founder, a seasoned CEO, or anyone curious about building a talent‑focused business, Chris’s candid storytelling, actionable insights, and inspiring anecdotes will leave you equipped to tackle your own entrepreneurial challenges. Listen now* to discover how the right problem, smart delegation, and relentless learning can transform a vision into a thriving enterprise. 🎧🚀

    44 min
  4. FEB 10

    How Not to Ruin Your Startup Valuation

    Summary In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Ash (Herschelle) interviews Shayne Adler, who shares his journey from an unexpected founder to an expert in data privacy and compliance. The conversation delves into the importance of planning, the challenges startups face regarding data privacy laws, and the necessity of building a defensible narrative for compliance. Shayne emphasizes the evolving landscape of AI regulations and the importance of aligning with established frameworks to ensure data protection. He also discusses the costs associated with compliance and offers practical advice for startups to navigate these challenges effectively. Takeaways Planning is crucial for founders to navigate uncertainties. Understanding compliance is essential for startup success. Data privacy laws can significantly impact company valuation. Building a defensible narrative is key for attracting investors. Startups should align with established compliance frameworks. Compliance costs can vary significantly based on company size. It's important to have a clear data management policy. Founders should be proactive in understanding regulations. Collaboration between departments is vital for data governance. There is always hope for startups to recover from compliance issues. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes 02:01 The Journey to Foundership 05:53 Understanding Compliance and Data Privacy 09:41 Navigating Compliance Challenges 11:48 Frameworks for Data Protection 17:39 The Cost of Compliance 29:40 Practical Steps for Startups 38:35 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

    47 min
  5. FEB 3

    Transforming Frustrations into Opportunities in Healthcare

    In this episode of Founders Podcast, Donovan Pyle shares his journey from a professional musician to a successful entrepreneur in the healthcare industry. He discusses how frustrations in the healthcare system can be transformed into opportunities for businesses. Donovan emphasizes the importance of unbiased advice in navigating healthcare costs and shares real-world case studies demonstrating significant savings for companies. He also highlights the role of fiduciary responsibility in managing healthcare benefits and promotes his book, 'Fixing Healthcare,' as a guide for executives looking to improve their organizations' healthcare strategies. Takeaways Frustrations can lead to significant business opportunities. Understanding the healthcare market is crucial for executives. Unbiased advice is essential in healthcare decision-making. Fiduciary responsibility can protect businesses from financial loss. Innovative solutions can save companies millions in healthcare costs. Personal experiences shape entrepreneurial journeys. Tenacity is a key trait for successful founders. Healthcare costs are a major concern for businesses. Case studies illustrate the impact of effective healthcare strategies. Executives have the power to solve healthcare challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes 01:00 Transforming Frustrations into Opportunities 02:44 Early Life and Influences 05:19 Transitioning from Music to Insurance 09:33 The Journey into Entrepreneurship 13:31 Understanding the Healthcare Industry 17:27 Launching Health Compass 18:26 Identifying Market Opportunities 21:31 Case Studies and Real-World Applications 25:23 The Importance of Unbiased Advice 29:36 Final Thoughts and Book Promotion 32:22 Quickfire Round

    36 min
  6. JAN 27

    Your Business is a Human, who Breaths, Eats and Drinks

    In this episode of the Founders Podcast, Jeff Luther shares his journey as a founder, discussing the emotional and practical challenges of running a business. He emphasizes the importance of treating businesses as living entities, facing difficult conversations head-on, and understanding accountability in leadership. Jeff also shares success stories, lessons learned from setbacks, and practical advice for founders on recognizing dependency and overcoming challenges. The conversation culminates in a quickfire round where Jeff shares insights on productivity, empathy, and personal experiences. Takeaways Treat your business like a living entity. Difficult conversations are essential for maintaining control. Avoidance of hard decisions leads to greater emotional damage. Accountability in leadership is crucial for business health. Recognizing dependency on the founder can be a liability. Success often comes from focusing on existing clients rather than chasing new ones. Empathy is a key trait for successful founders. Understanding financials is critical to avoid hidden costs. Postponing hard conversations can damage organizational culture. Every founder should learn from their setbacks to grow. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Motivation 01:13 Facing Business Challenges 06:06 The Importance of Hard Conversations 10:03 Organizational Culture and Leadership 13:19 The Dilemma of Kindness vs. Dignity 17:22 Treating Business as a Living System 23:26 Signs of Founder Dependence 25:31 Framework for Overcoming Challenges 28:16 Lessons Learned from Setbacks 30:51 Quickfire Round and Final Thoughts

    35 min
  7. JAN 20

    How to create a million dollar Voice Chat Business with no money

    In this conversation, Albert Howard shares his journey as a founder in the fintech space, focusing on his company MiniBranch, which provides communication solutions for credit unions. He discusses the importance of learning from failures, understanding customer needs, and the significance of emotional connections in business. Albert emphasizes the need for founders to identify their niche, adapt to digital transformation, and develop effective pricing strategies. He also highlights the impact of MiniBranch on credit unions and the future trends in remote banking. Takeaways If you're not losing, you're not winning. Founders often feel they should be further ahead. Building a product with customer input is crucial. The credit union ecosystem is unique and collaborative. Pricing strategy can significantly impact sales. Emotional connections enhance customer loyalty. Digital transformation is essential for survival. Simplicity in pricing can attract more customers. Success stories highlight the product's impact. Future trends will focus on AI and voice capabilities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Inspirational Quotes 02:49 The Journey of a Founder 06:00 The Birth of MiniBranch 08:57 Understanding the Credit Union Ecosystem 11:58 Building a Product with Customer Input 14:50 Navigating the Competitive Landscape 17:58 The Importance of Pricing Strategy 21:08 Adapting to Digital Transformation 23:47 The Role of Emotional Connection in Business 26:55 Success Stories and Impact 29:59 Future Trends in Remote Banking 33:05 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    50 min

About

Welcome to Founder's Podcast, This is a show where I interview proven founders and industry experts who share their stories, strategies, and insights to help you build, launch, and grow your business.