The Founders Hustle

Judy Swafford
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Founders Hustle shares real stories of entrepreneurship, business growth, and personal success. Each episode features small business owners and founders reflecting on their biggest wins, toughest challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned on the road to building something meaningful. Because every business has a backstory… and we’re here to tell it.  Watch the full video episode on YouTube: @FoundersHustleJoin our email community and never miss a show: https://thefoundershustle.com

  1. MAR 9

    The Startup Playbook Told as a Story: A Founder-Investor-Professor’s Best Lessons (Andrew Ackerman)

    In this episode of The Founders Hustle, host Judy Swafford sits down with Andrew Ackerman, two-time founder, 70+ angel investor, adjunct entrepreneurship professor, and author of The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey—to break down the startup journey in a way most “how-to” books don’t. Instead of preaching a checklist, Andrew explains why the best startup lessons stick when they’re told as a story. You’ll hear the emotional reality between “I have an idea” and “I got funded,” including how brutal the lows can get (and why founders aren’t prepared for the roller coaster). We also get practical, investor-tested wisdom from Andrew’s years in accelerators and angel investing—what separates founders who have a real shot (think: well-reasoned but loosely held opinions, empathy as a business advantage, and treating everything as an experiment).  If you’re building a company right now, thinking about taking the leap, or you just want a clearer picture of what entrepreneurship actually feels like, this conversation is your startup playbook—told in a way you’ll remember. Andrew’s book: The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey can be found on Amazon or purchased direct https://www.andrewbackerman.com/book Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbackerman #Entrepreneurship #Startups #AngelInvesting #StartupFunding #FoundersHustle #BusinessStories Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    54 min

  2. MAR 2

    From Traverse City Kitchen Experiments to a Real Brand: Maria’s Sauce Backstory

    What starts as “just messing around in the kitchen” doesn’t always stay small. In this episode of The Founder’s Hustle, Judy sits down with Maria Leggett, founder and head sauce maker of Maria’s Sauce Co, to unpack how fun kitchen experiments in Traverse City, Michigan turned into a bold, small-batch hot sauce brand—with cheeky retro vibes, unexpected flavors, and a mission to support local farms. Maria shares the real behind-the-scenes of building a woman-owned food brand from scratch: leaving a soul-sucking chef job, learning CPG the hard way, finding mentors through community, and even using AI as a thought partner to help shape her brand when budget was tight. This is the honest version of entrepreneurship—scrappy, creative, and fueled by momentum. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Maria went from culinary school + restaurant life to launching a CPG hot sauce brand The “just start” mindset that helped her break analysis paralysis How community + networking opened doors (even in a small town) What retailers look for when carrying hot sauce brands Why buying local + supporting farmers is part of her mission How TikTok live selling (QVC-style) is helping her grow direct-to-consumer 🌶️ Get sauced + shop Maria’s Sauce: mariashotsauce.com 📲 Follow Maria: @mariashotsauce (TikTok / IG / Facebook) Every Business Has a Backstory. If you’re building something of your own—especially as a small business owner—this one will hit. #SmallBusiness #WomenOwnedBusiness #FounderStory #Entrepreneurship #HotSauce #CPG #TraverseCity #FoodBusiness #StartupJourney #TheFoundersHustle Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    34 min

  3. FEB 16

    From Pouring Concrete to $15M Online Matt Stafford’s Real Founder Story

    In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Matt Stafford, founder of Build Grow Scale, to unpack the real behind-the-scenes story of how he went from pouring commercial concrete at 19 to building multiple businesses—and eventually helping ecommerce brands fix the hidden issues that quietly kill conversions and profit. Matt shares what it was like buying a business as a teenager and leading a team older than him, why communication and “never asking someone to do what you won’t do” shaped his leadership style, and how a Tony Robbins event nudged him toward the world of online business. From there, the conversation dives into ecommerce growth lessons Matt learned the hard way—like how adding too many apps and upsells can tank your Shopify site speed, why “traffic isn’t your problem” is often true, and how learning Google Analytics helped him turn a struggling store around. He also breaks down what his team tracks to improve conversion rates (scroll depth, button clicks, video engagement, and more), and why increasing conversion rate from 2% to 4% can change everything without increasing ad spend. This is a must-watch if you’re building a business, running a Shopify store, or simply love founder stories that are honest about the messy middle. Connect with Matt / Build Grow Scale: Website: buildgrowscale.com Email: matt@buildgrowscale.com Connect with the host, Judy, on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford/ Visit us online at https://thefoundershustle.com Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    25 min

  4. FEB 9

    He Beat a Big Competitor With One Simple Edge: Caring More (Dave Gulas)

    Dave Gulas went from pharma sales to co-founding EZDC 3PL—and he did it by leaning into one underrated advantage most founders forget: caring more than the big guys. In this episode, Dave breaks down why there’s never been a better time to be a small business, how he’s won clients away from legacy competitors who got complacent, and what “high-touch customer service” actually looks like when your team is an extension of your customer’s business. We also get real about the internal battle: Dave’s #1 thing holding entrepreneurs back isn’t money, strategy, or timing — it’s self-doubt… and the fear of what other people will think. In this conversation: - What a 3PL is (and when it’s time to outsource fulfillment) - The bold first steps Dave took to launch in a new industry - The “wrong client” lesson that forced the business to level up - Why content (LinkedIn + podcasting) became a growth engine - Dave’s simple philosophy: “If you care, you win.” Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegulas/ Website: https://ezdc3pl.com/ Podcast: Beyond Fulfillment https://beyondfulfillmentpodcast.com/ Connect with your host, Judy Swafford - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford/ Interested in being a guest on the show? We'd love to here from you: https://thefoundershustle.com/contact #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Leadership #Logistics #CustomerService #PersonalBrand #FoundersHustle Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    28 min

  5. FEB 2

    Unstoppable Together: Beth Fisher on Support, Confidence, and Building Stronger Teams

    Order Beth's Book: Selection Process  https://tinyurl.com/5e4h522c What happens when you stop trying to do it all alone—and start building the kind of support system that actually makes you stronger? In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Beth Fisher for a powerful conversation about confidence, leadership, and the real impact of lifting others up. Beth shares the mindset shifts that help leaders build stronger teams, create healthier work relationships, and show up with more clarity—especially during seasons when life and business feel heavy. If you’re a founder, manager, or small business owner trying to lead well without burning out, this one will hit home. In this conversation, you’ll learn: - How encouragement becomes a leadership advantage - Why community accelerates growth (and isolation slows it down) - Practical ways to build trust, confidence, and stronger teams - How to stop shrinking and start leading with intention Beth said it best: “When we lift each other up, we are unstoppable.” If this resonates, like, subscribe, and drop a comment: Who’s been unstoppable support for you—and how do you pay it forward? Connect with Beth Fisher at https://www.bethfisher.com/ #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #TeamBuilding #SmallBusiness #FoundersHustle Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    38 min

  6. JAN 26

    The Delegation Mistake That Nearly Broke His Business (And What Fixed It)

    A lot of founders don’t fail because they’re not good at what they do… they fail because they try to do everything. In this episode, Paul Wirth (Custom Wirth) shares the biggest early mistake he made: taking on too much work and delaying delegation—plus how SOPs, training, and trusting a team helped him build a stronger, more scalable company. Along the way, we get the real backstory: leaving a high-demand IT job to prioritize family and building a business through referrals. Key moments: Starting without business experience“Trading time for money” and hitting the ceilingSOPs + training as the unlockAI: speed vs creativity vs relationshipLeadership: trust your gut + trust your teamSupport the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    21 min

  7. JAN 19

    How to Sell Your Business (Without Leaving Money on the Table) | Exit Strategy Deep Dive

    Most business owners wait until they’re ready to be done and that’s usually when they realize their business isn’t actually sellable. In this deep divem conversation, Judy sits down with Brad Scoffin (Advanced Business Brokers) to break down what it really takes to prepare for a successful business exit, whether you plan to sell to a buyer, transition to family, or hand it off to employees. We talk about the biggest value killers (like being owner-dependent), what buyers are looking for today, why only 20–30% of listed businesses actually sell, and the simple framework Brad says every owner should focus on: People, Process, Profit. If you’re thinking “I’ll sell in a few years,” this episode is your runway. Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    52 min

  8. JAN 12

    Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable The EOS Playbook for Entrepreneurial Growth

    Growth doesn’t feel good while it’s happening...and that’s the point. In this episode we talk with Michele Mollard, an EOS Implementer, about how to keep moving when growth feels uncomfortable, uncertain, and messy. They unpack the mindset traps that stall founders (from “getting ready to get ready” to imposter syndrome/head trash) and how EOS creates traction through clarity, accountability, and execution, so you can scale without losing your mind. Support the show If you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that by clicking the "Support The Show" link above or visit: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefoundershustle Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle Listen & Join our email community: https://www.thefoundershustle.com Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    28 min
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Founders Hustle shares real stories of entrepreneurship, business growth, and personal success. Each episode features small business owners and founders reflecting on their biggest wins, toughest challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned on the road to building something meaningful. Because every business has a backstory… and we’re here to tell it.  Watch the full video episode on YouTube: @FoundersHustleJoin our email community and never miss a show: https://thefoundershustle.com

Information

  • Creator
    Judy Swafford
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Founders Hustle
  • Show Website
    The Founders Hustle