The Founders Hustle

Judy Swafford
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING

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: @FoundersHustle Join our email community and never miss a show: https://thefoundershustle.com

  1. MAY 4

    How Cecily Built a Travel Business While Working Full-Time

    Starting a business is hard. Building one while working full-time and raising a family takes another level of determination. In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy sits down with Cecily North-Rudow to talk about her entrepreneurial journey, from feeling stuck in her career to launching Traveling North Agency and creating a business around customized, high-touch travel planning. Cecily shares the real behind-the-scenes story: booking her first client, making mistakes, struggling to get traction, stepping away, and eventually coming back with more clarity about marketing, networking, and who she actually wanted to serve. This episode is a great listen for anyone who wants to start a business but feels like life is already full. Cecily’s story proves that growth does not have to look perfect to be real. You’ll hear about:  Building a business alongside a full-time job  Why word of mouth alone was not enough  How content and local marketing helped her grow  The value of community and ongoing education  Why niche clarity can change everything  Every business has a backstory — and Cecily’s is full of lessons for entrepreneurs learning to build with patience and purpose. Visit: https://travelingnorthagency.com Support the show 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

    20 min

  2. MAY 4

    The Cash Flow Mistake That Kills Small Businesses | Cherise Lloyd

    What do you do when your business is growing, your bills are stacking up, and cash gets tight? In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy sits down with Cherise Lloyd, author of The Shortfall Solution and founder of a financial content and consulting agency, to talk about one of the biggest challenges business owners face: cash flow shortfalls. Cherise brings a rare perspective to the conversation. With experience at the Federal Reserve during the financial crisis and later managing a $1.5 billion leveraged finance portfolio, she now helps small business owners understand the financial blind spots that can quietly put their businesses at risk. This episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to build wisely, stay financially prepared, and avoid the mistakes that can turn a temporary gap into a serious crisis. In this episode, you’ll learn:  The biggest mistake business owners make when cash gets tight  How to recognize the warning signs of a shortfall early  Why “information avoidance” can hurt your business  Cherise’s 7-day, 20-day, and 13-week framework for recovery  What every founder should understand about cash, credit, and business survival  This is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders who want to grow with more confidence and fewer financial surprises. Connect with Cherise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherise-lloyd-w-2ls/ Support the show Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoundersHustle  Connect with the host, Judy Swafford, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford  Get on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3fwb7bny

    27 min

  3. APR 6

    From Living Room Startup to 135 Employees: A Father Daughter Business Story (Visiting Angels)

    What does it really take to start a business from scratch — with no prior experience, plenty of uncertainty, and a whole lot of heart? In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy sits down with Denny and Ellen of Visiting Angels Southwest Michigan, a father-daughter team who built their business from one employee in a living room into a thriving company with 3 offices and 135 employees. This conversation is full of honest lessons for anyone who wants to start a business, grow through the hard seasons, and learn from founders who have actually lived it. From cash flow pressure and burnout to imposter syndrome, leadership growth, and building a company people trust, this episode is a real look at what entrepreneurship requires behind the scenes. If you’re dreaming about starting something of your own, this episode will remind you that you do not need to have it all figured out to begin — but you do need resilience, humility, and a willingness to grow. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How they started their business with no prior industry experience - What helped them grow from 1 employee to 135 - The hard lessons they learned in the first year - How Ellen overcame imposter syndrome to become an owner - Why support systems, community, and adaptability matter in business Every business has a backstory — and this one is packed with practical wisdom and inspiration for founders at every stage. Connect with Visiting Angels: https://www.visitingangels.com/southwestmichigan/home 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

  4. MAR 23

    From Corporate to Entrepreneur: How Mark Stern Built a Million Dollar Business

    What does it really take to leave corporate America and build a business of your own? In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy sits down with Mark Stern, founder and CEO of Custom Box Agency, to talk about the mindset shifts, hard lessons, and personal growth that helped him go from corporate high performer to successful entrepreneur. Mark shares how he built his business during COVID, why he had to stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like a founder, and how niching down helped his company grow from zero to one million dollars in its first year through word of mouth. This conversation is packed with wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a business, scale with intention, and learn from someone who has faced the fear, uncertainty, and pivots that come with building something from scratch. In this episode, you’ll learn: -Why corporate success does not automatically translate to entrepreneurship -The mindset shift founders need to make to grow -How niching down can unlock business growth -Why mentorship matters more than most entrepreneurs realize -How trusting your gut can protect your business and your team If you’ve been thinking about starting a business, this episode is a powerful reminder that success starts when you stop trying to play by someone else’s rules. Connect with Mark Stern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marustern/ Visit Custom Box Agency: https://customboxagency.com/ Connect with your host, Judy Swafford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford visit https://thefoundershustle.com for more founder stories. 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

    33 min

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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: @FoundersHustle Join our email community and never miss a show: https://thefoundershustle.com

Information

  • Creator
    Judy Swafford
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Judy Swafford
  • Show Website
    The Founders Hustle