Knoodle Founders Hour

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Welcome to Knoodle Founders Hour, the ultimate destination for deep-dive interviews with company founders. Every week, we pull back the curtain on the startup journey, exploring the raw stories behind innovative brands. From the "lightbulb moment" to scaling through the struggle, we talk entrepreneurship, leadership, and the grit required to build something from nothing. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for a business roadmap or a seasoned leader seeking inspiration, join us for tactical advice and powerful founder stories. Watch and listen as we build the future.

  1. 5D AGO

    Soldier's Best Friend Executive Director Mik Milem

    What happens when a rescued dog becomes a veteran’s battle buddy? In this powerful episode of The Founders Hour, Rosaria Cain sits down with Mik Milem of Soldier’s Best Friend, an Arizona nonprofit changing lives by pairing U.S. military veterans living with PTSD or traumatic brain injury with trained service dogs—many of them rescued from local shelters. Mik shares how the program works, why the veteran-dog bond is so transformative, and what it takes for a dog to become a true service animal through months of structured training, public access testing, and deep partnership with its veteran handler. He also opens up about the nonprofit’s mission-driven growth, including expanded services in Tucson, Kingman, and beyond. From helping veterans re-enter public life to giving shelter dogs a renewed purpose, this conversation is a moving look at healing, discipline, leadership, and the life-changing power of a loyal companion. Listen now to hear how Soldier’s Best Friend is serving those who served—and helping both veterans and dogs find a new path forward. Read more and get a full transcript: https://knoodle.com/podcast/soldiers-best-friend-founder-mik-milem/

    26 min

  2. MAY 12

    RSW Founder Mark Sneider

    Why Ad Agencies Hate Going After New Business (And How to Fix It) In this episode of the Knoodle Founder's Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Mark Sneider, founder of RSW, to unpack the often-dreaded task of agency new business development. After a decade in corporate marketing and a stint running domestic operations for a global marketing research firm, Mark recognized a universal truth: marketing agencies do a great job managing their clients' businesses, but they usually struggle to manage their own. Agency principals are often the ones left trying to make time for cold calls—a task they generally despise. That is exactly where RSW steps in, helping agencies find qualified leads, set meetings, and nurture prospects until they are ready to close. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Myth of the Dead Cold Call: Why picking up the phone is still one of the most reliable ways to break through the noise, and why a consistent, multi-channel approach—including physical mail—is essential for standing out.The Impact of AI on Prospecting: How artificial intelligence is increasing productivity for list-building and meeting preparation, but also creating a cluttered market filled with over-promising competitors.The Reality of a New Business Director: Why the role requires a blend of strong sales experience, resilience, and a supportive, non-cutthroat culture to survive constant rejection.Navigating Market Uncertainty: How to handle unpredictable economic times and "marketer over-reactivity" through strategic program development and consistent outreach.The Power of Bringing Value: Inspired by advertising legend Leo Burnett, why giving away your best thinking and providing continuous strategic counsel is the ultimate differentiator in a crowded industry.Whether you're an agency founder, a sales professional, or an entrepreneur navigating market shifts, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, smart prospecting, and building meaningful business connections.

    48 min

  3. MAY 5

    Marketing Forensics Founder Jos Anshell

    We sit down with advertising veteran Jos Anshell, founder of Marketing Forensics and the strategic mind behind the iconic former agency, Moses Anshell. In this episode, host Rosaria Cain peels back the curtain on a career that spans from the disciplined halls of Unilever to the high-stakes world of airline marketing. Jos shares his philosophy on why branding is about the "benefit to the consumer" rather than just selling a product, and why he believes the best strategic breakthroughs happen on a basketball court rather than in a boardroom. In this episode, we dive into: The Power of Consistency: Why a "red Yankee hat" is a branding sin and how subconscious cues like the "Golden Arches" define market leaders.The Human Element: Jos reflects on his legendary partnership with Louie Moses at his former agency, and why mutual respect is the foundation of great work.The Challenger Mindset: Lessons from Peter Piper Pizza, America West Airlines, and how to take on industry giants like Procter & Gamble.Marketing Forensics & The Future: How Jos’s current focus on management and succession planning is helping legacy companies thrive, plus his candid thoughts on how COVID-19, remote work, and AI are reshaping the agency world.A Surprising Finale: Stick around until the very end to hear Jos reveal a hidden talent that leaves Rosaria—and our listeners—speechless.Whether you're a marketing student, a business owner, or an advertising enthusiast, Jos’s insights on running a business and maintaining brand integrity offer a masterclass in longevity.

    53 min

  4. APR 28

    Dentaltown Founder Howard Farran

    In this episode of The Knoodle Founder's Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Dr. Howard Farran, the visionary founder of Dentaltown. Howard shares his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, from launching a pioneering online community for dentists back in 1999 to his current investments in artificial intelligence. Operating at the crossroads of dentistry, technology, and media, Howard explains how Dentaltown was built on a simple but powerful premise: no dentist should ever have to practice solo again. Beyond technology and business strategy, Howard brings a refreshingly candid perspective to the realities of healthcare, the necessity of customer empathy, and his own personal transformation from struggling with high blood pressure to completing three consecutive Ironman triathlons. Whether you are a seasoned business owner or an aspiring founder, Howard's insights offer a masterclass in innovation, resilience, and prioritizing what truly matters. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Spotting the Next Big Thing: How Howard recognized the massive potential of the early internet through AOL and Amazon, and why he believes AI will completely define the next 20 years.The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Why building a successful business relies heavily on sheer persistence and intellectual curiosity rather than just innate brilliance.Leading with Empathy: The importance of understanding that customers (or patients) are often scared and anxious, and why simply listening to them is the best way to predict the future of your industry.Health is the Ultimate Wealth: Howard's wake-up call regarding his physical health, his journey to rewire bad habits—like swapping out his Rocky Road ice cream addiction for Greek yogurt—and the importance of taking care of your body to maintain a sharp mind.Conquering Fear: Why taking the leap into business ownership is best done before you let fear hold you back, and why we shouldn't live our lives guided by anxiety.Tune in for an engaging, high-energy conversation that reminds us all that business, just like life, is a marathon, not a sprint!

    54 min

  5. APR 22

    American Solar and Roofing Matriarch Joy Seitz

    Joy Seitz is redefining what leadership and ethical business mean in the renewable energy sector. In this episode, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Joy Seitz, Matriarch of American Solar and Roofing, to explore her powerful advocacy for women's rights, corporate diversity, and clean energy. This conversation goes far beyond just installing solar panels. Joy explains the deep interconnectedness of women’s equality, community building, and environmental protection. She breaks down the realities of the modern energy landscape, the massive power consumption of new data centers, and why she firmly rejects predatory solar leasing models in order to protect consumers. You’ll also hear Joy’s remarkable career journey, from her early work in lobbying and venture capital to stepping up as Matriarch to right-size her company during difficult times. She shares how navigating childhood trauma fueled her visionary drive, and how she balances that energy with deep humility to build an employee-first company culture. In this episode, you’ll discover: How empowering women with rights and equality directly leads to stronger communities and a focus on Mother Earth. Why Joy took a brave stance against solar leasing models to protect low-income and elderly homeowners from predatory sales tactics. The growing energy demands of data centers and why citizen-owned home solar and storage are critical for grid resilience. How implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and Traction methodologies completely changed her world and gave her a life back. The distinct difference between a visionary leader and an integrator, and why a company absolutely needs both to thrive and scale. Joy’s personal reflections on the importance of self-love, setting strict boundaries with customers, and protecting employee weekends. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an advocate for clean energy, or someone passionate about building diverse and ethical corporate cultures, this episode is packed with insights. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to buck industry trends, lobby Congress for consumer protection, and scale a business with unwavering conviction, this episode is a must-listen.

    46 min

  6. APR 14

    Legend Acres Founder Kristi Kay May

    Kristi Kay May is redefining what dog training really means. In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Kristi Kay May, founder of Legend Acres, to explore a powerful approach to dog and horse behavior built on positive reinforcement, force-free methods, and fear-free training. This conversation goes far beyond sit, stay, and obedience. Kristi explains why many behavior issues, including barking, overstimulation, reactivity, and destructive habits, are often rooted in emotional regulation, not disobedience. She breaks down how animals learn, why so many owners unintentionally miss critical early development windows, and what it really takes to build trust, communication, and lasting behavior change. You’ll also hear Kristi’s remarkable founder journey, from growing up with horses and starting her first business as a kid, to serving in the Army, working in veterinary medicine, and eventually building a business centered on helping both animals and their humans thrive. In this episode, you’ll discover: What positive reinforcement really means, and what most people get wrong about itWhy many dog behavior problems are not obedience issuesHow dogs use behaviors like barking, digging, spinning, and chewing to self-sootheThe critical puppy development gap most owners never realize existsWhy communication with your dog must go both waysHow Kristi built a one-of-a-kind business blending animal behavior, veterinary insight, and entrepreneurshipThe lessons she learned from horses, military service, and building a business from the ground upWhether you’re a dog owner, animal lover, entrepreneur, or someone fascinated by behavior and communication, this episode is packed with insights that will completely change how you think about training. If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog is being stubborn, misunderstood, or simply trying to tell you something, this episode is a must-listen.

    46 min

  7. APR 7

    Exceptional Sales Performance Founder Connie Kadansky

    Why do so many smart, capable people struggle with sales—and what’s actually holding them back? In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Connie Kadansky, a globally recognized sales expert and coach specializing in call reluctance and prospecting psychology—the hidden barriers that stop even experienced professionals from picking up the phone and growing their business. Connie breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in modern business: that content, automation, or inbound leads can replace the fundamentals of selling. Spoiler—they can’t. Instead, she reveals what truly drives sales success—and why it starts with mindset, not tactics. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why prospecting is still the #1 driver of sales growth—and why most people avoid itThe real reason behind call reluctance (and how to overcome it)How “untrue assumptions” quietly sabotage your ability to sellWhy content marketing alone will never replace direct outreachThe 5 characteristics of a truly qualified prospectHow to use simple but powerful techniques like “no questions” and labeling to improve conversationsWhy sales is really just negotiation—and how to master itThe mindset shift that turns prospecting from fear into a repeatable systemConnie also shares her own unexpected journey—from becoming call reluctant herself to building a decades-long career helping others break through the same barriers. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, salesperson, or business leader, this episode will challenge how you think about selling—and give you practical tools to start closing more deals immediately. If you’ve ever hesitated before making a call, avoided outreach, or felt stuck trying to generate new business—this episode will change how you approach sales forever. Listen now and learn how to get your “ask” in gear—and finally turn opportunity into revenue. More Info and Full Transcript: https://knoodle.com/podcast/exceptional-sales-performance-founder-connie-kadansky/

    47 min

  8. MAR 31

    Sweet Dee's Bakeshop Founder Danielle O'Day

    What if a bakery wasn’t just about desserts—but about creating unforgettable experiences? In this episode of Knoodle Founders Hour, host Rosaria Cain sits down with Danielle O’Day, founder of Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop, to explore how creativity, storytelling, and relentless execution turned a passion for baking into a thriving, multi-dimensional brand. Danielle isn’t just a pastry chef—she’s a creator in every sense of the word. From cactus-shaped macarons flavored with roasted corn and mesquite honey to interactive desserts you can paint or dip, her work blends art, flavor, and emotion into something customers don’t just eat—they remember. In this conversation, Danielle shares how her process starts not in the kitchen, but in a journal—where ideas evolve into fully immersive experiences, seasonal pop-ups, and completely original creations that keep customers coming back. You’ll hear: How Danielle transforms creativity into a repeatable business systemWhy her goal is to create a full sensory experience—not just a dessertThe power of “whimsy” and originality in standing out in a crowded marketHow interactive and customized desserts create emotional connections with customersThe story behind building Sweet Dee’s during one of the most pivotal moments in her lifeWhy mastering gluten-free, vegan, and inclusive baking became a competitive advantageWhat it really takes to be a founder—from mindset and discipline to managing chaos and creativityDanielle also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—early mornings, long days, and the mental discipline required to turn vision into execution—while staying grounded in purpose and creativity. Her superpower?“I can create my way into anything—and out of anything.” If you’re a founder, creative, or anyone trying to turn passion into a business, this episode is a masterclass in building something people don’t just buy—but feel. Listen now and discover how creativity, intention, and a little bit of whimsy can turn a simple idea into an unforgettable brand.

    43 min
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About

Welcome to Knoodle Founders Hour, the ultimate destination for deep-dive interviews with company founders. Every week, we pull back the curtain on the startup journey, exploring the raw stories behind innovative brands. From the "lightbulb moment" to scaling through the struggle, we talk entrepreneurship, leadership, and the grit required to build something from nothing. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for a business roadmap or a seasoned leader seeking inspiration, join us for tactical advice and powerful founder stories. Watch and listen as we build the future.

Information

  • Creator
    Knoodle
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Knoodle
  • Show Website
    Knoodle Founders Hour