The Founders Hustle

Judy Swafford
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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. 1d ago

    Why Playing It Safe Is Killing Your Brand | Rob Genovesi on Branding, Differentiation & Standing Out

    Visit Build Strong Brands: https://www.buildstrongbrands.com/ Most small businesses don’t struggle because they aren’t working hard enough. They struggle because they look and sound like everyone else. In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Rob Genovesi, brand strategist, speaker, and author of Don’t Fear the Brand, to talk about why playing it safe may be the very thing keeping your business invisible. Rob shares how he went from corporate life and website design to helping small business owners build brands that attract the right customers, create trust, and support greater profitability. He explains why a brand is more than a logo, why copying competitors makes businesses forgettable, and why differentiation is one of the most powerful tools a founder can use. This conversation is packed with honest, practical advice for entrepreneurs, small business owners, solopreneurs, consultants, and service-based businesses that want to stop blending in and start becoming known. In this episode, we talk about: Why playing it safe can make your brand invisibleWhat branding really means for small businessesHow to stand out without using gimmicksWhy copying competitors hurts your businessThe difference between a personal brand and a business brandHow focus helps solopreneurs growWhy being real builds more trust than being polishedThe brand question every founder should ask themselves Rob also shares the story behind his book Don’t Fear the Brand and offers listeners a free digital copy. Watch now to learn why playing it safe could be killing your brand — and how to build one people actually remember. Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgenovesi/ Connect with your host, Judy, on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford/ Watch more founder stories at https://thefoundershustle.com/

  2. Jul 13

    Why Most Self-Published Books Fail (and How to Avoid It) | Wiebke Tasch

    Why do so many self-published books fail, even when the author has great ideas? Book a free marketing analysis: https://tidycal.com/digitalauthorsllc/free-market-analysis In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Wiebke Tasch, founder and CEO of Digital Authors, to talk about what it really takes to publish a nonfiction book that builds authority, attracts the right readers, and supports your business. Wiebke shares why writing a book is not just about putting words on a page — it is about strategy, positioning, market research, reader journey, cover design, keywords, and launch planning. She explains how entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and thought leaders can turn their expertise into a professionally published book that actually reaches the people it was meant to help. This conversation also explores the biggest mistakes first-time authors make, why Amazon’s first few launch days matter so much, how to avoid genre confusion, and how AI can support the writing process without replacing your personal voice and lived experience. In this episode, you’ll hear: 1. Why many self-published books struggle to sell 2. How market research can shape your book before you write it 3. Why your book needs a clear reader journey 4. How nonfiction authors can use the hero’s journey framework 5. Why cover design and genre positioning matter 6. How Amazon’s algorithm impacts book visibility 7. Why AI should assist your writing, not replace your voice 8. How a book can become a credibility-builder and client magnet Whether you’re thinking about writing your first book, already have a manuscript, or want to use a book to build your authority as an expert, this episode will help you understand what strategic publishing really looks like. Visit Digital Authors website at: https://www.digital-authors.com/ Connect with Wiebke on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiebke-tasch-%F0%9F%93%9A-43731b164/ Connect with you host, Judy Swafford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford #SelfPublishing #NonfictionBooks #AuthorTips #BookMarketing #ThoughtLeadership #Entrepreneurship #PublishingTips #TheFoundersHustle #DigitalAuthors #Podcast

  3. Jun 29

    Can AI Manage Google Ads Better Than Humans? David Pourquery Explains

    Can AI really manage Google Ads better than a human marketer? In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with David Pourquery, founder of GROAS, an AI-powered platform built to autonomously manage Google Ads campaigns. David shares how GROAS evolved from a simple SaaS tool into a fully autonomous AI agent that can write ads, optimize campaigns, manage budgets, analyze performance, and drive conversions around the clock. He also opens up about his founder journey — from working long hours in private equity while building e-commerce stores at night, to bootstrapping an AI startup in one of the fastest-changing spaces in marketing. This conversation dives into the future of Google Ads, how AI is changing digital advertising, why marketing agencies may need to adapt, and what it really takes to build a profitable AI company without outside funding. In this episode, you’ll hear: 1. How David went from private equity to AI founder 2. Why Google Ads became the problem he wanted to solve 3. How GROAS started as a lightweight SaaS tool 4. What it takes to build fully autonomous AI agents 5. Why customer feedback shaped the future of the product 6. How AI may change marketing agencies and paid advertising 7. Why bootstrapping gave David more freedom as a founder 8. His advice on trusting your gut, choosing customers, and building smarter Whether you’re a founder, marketer, business owner, or simply curious about the future of AI in advertising, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how one entrepreneur is rethinking Google Ads from the ground up. Visit GROAS: https://groas.ai/ Connect with David Pourquery on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttttransformer Connect with your host, Judy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford/ #GoogleAds #AIMarketing #DigitalAdvertising #ArtificialIntelligence #MarketingAutomation #FounderStory #Entrepreneurship #TheFoundersHustle #GROAS #Podcast

  4. Jun 15

    How to Set Clear Expectations Without Micromanaging Your Team | Michele Mollard

    In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Michele Mollard, an EOS leadership coach, to talk about one of the most overlooked skills in leadership: setting clear expectations without becoming a micromanager. Michele shares why “clear is kind,” how unclear expectations can quietly break team culture, and why great leaders don’t manage personalities — they manage process, accountability, and alignment. Using real-world business examples and even a few soccer-field analogies, Judy and Michele unpack what it really means to put the right people in the right seats, create guardrails your team actually wants, and build a culture where accountability feels supportive instead of controlling. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, team lead, or emerging leader, this conversation will help you rethink how you communicate expectations, give feedback, and lead people with more clarity and confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. Why clear expectations prevent micromanagement 2. How to create accountability without damaging trust 3. What “right people, right seats” really means 4. Why scorecards and KPIs can empower teams when used well 5. How unclear roles create confusion, frustration, and turnover 6. Why hard conversations are easier when you’ve built trust first 7. How good leaders create space for people to grow Because at the end of the day, strong teams don’t need more control — they need clarity. Connect with Michele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemollard/ Connect with your host, Judy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyswafford/ Watch more episodes of The Founders Hustle: @foundershustle #Leadership #TeamCulture #ClearExpectations #EOS #Micromanagement #BusinessLeadership #FoundersHustle #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #ManagementTips

  5. Jun 1

    He Built the Podcast Theater No One Else Was Creating | Jeff Revilla’s Founder Story

    What do you do when an idea won’t leave you alone? In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Jeff Revilla, founder of Poduty Live, a one-of-a-kind live podcast theater just outside of Pittsburgh. Jeff shares the story behind building a business that blends podcasting, livestreaming, theater, digital media, and community into an entirely new kind of creator experience. This isn’t just a podcast studio. It’s not just a live event space. And it’s not just a theater. Poduty Live was built to give podcasters and creators a place to perform live, connect with an in-person audience, livestream to the world, and walk away with content, community, and even revenue. Jeff opens up about what it took to bring this idea to life after years of thinking about it, refining it, and wondering whether it could really work. He talks about the creative spark behind the business, the early experiments that shaped the concept, the scrappy way he launched it, and the very real lessons he’s learned about entrepreneurship, promotion, and building something people don’t immediately understand. In this conversation, you’ll hear:  how Jeff turned a long-held idea into a real business  why he believes live podcasting is a major opportunity for creators  the challenge of promoting a new concept in a local market  why local networking matters more than online reach  how meetups helped him build momentum and attract talent  what it feels like to start over creatively in midlife  the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship  why creators need to stop overthinking and just begin  Jeff also shares some of the most memorable events hosted at Poduty Live, including immersive live podcast experiences that combine storytelling, audience connection, catering, themed entertainment, and digital distribution. His vision is bigger than one venue — he sees a future where podcasters can tour cities the way comedians and musicians do. This episode is packed with insight for entrepreneurs, podcasters, content creators, live event producers, digital marketers, and anyone sitting on a business idea they haven’t acted on yet. If you’ve ever had a creative idea that felt too unusual, too niche, or too early — Jeff’s story will remind you that sometimes the best ideas are the ones nobody else fully sees yet. Step into the spotlight at Poduty Live LLC! Are you a podcaster looking to elevate your show? Imagine recording your next episode live, with all the professional flair of a staged event, but NONE of the usual risks! Then check this out: https://poduty.com The Founders Hustle: 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

  6. May 18

    Find Your Opposite - Kenny Leonard’s Best Advice for Entrepreneurs

    What’s one piece of advice Kenny Leonard would give any entrepreneur? Find your opposite. In this episode of The Founders Hustle, Kenny shares how complementary strengths helped him and his business partner build Element 22 into a thriving commercial lending company. But that’s just one of many lessons packed into this conversation. Judy and Kenny dive into the realities of launching a business, including the financial risks, the early uncertainty, the importance of team trust, and why great leaders must be willing to make hard calls. This episode is especially valuable for founders, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want honest insight into what sustainable growth actually looks like. You’ll hear: 1. how Kenny identified a gap in the market 2. why he bet everything on the business 3. what nearly caused them to quit 4. how to know when it’s time to let someone go 5. why relationships still matter more than technology A thoughtful, practical episode for anyone building a business with intention. Connect with Kenny on Linedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-leonard-mba-4b884a6/ #EntrepreneurMindset #FounderAdvice #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessOwner #TheFoundersHustle #Element22 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Judy Swafford
  • Show Website
    The Founders Hustle