The Founderz Lounge

Don Varady & Stephen Bon

Don Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, and Stephen (Steve) Bon, Co-Founder of Bon's Eye Marketing, met years ago on the franchising scene. Kick back, as they hit on all things business and b******t. Ever grab a drink with friends and blow off entrepreneurial steam or share some successful moves? Well, you just walked into that moment online. Join us for a few minutes... Promise to make you think and laugh.

  1. Business & Bullsh*t: The Fake Guru Era Has Gone Too Far (EP #83)

    1D AGO

    Business & Bullsh*t: The Fake Guru Era Has Gone Too Far (EP #83)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #83 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Everyone’s an expert now. Everyone’s a guru. Everyone has advice. And somehow, half of it sounds like it came from the same recycled LinkedIn post. In this episode of Business & Bullsh*t, Don and Steve dig into the fake guru era, unsolicited business advice, personal brand echo chambers, and why so many people are trying to position themselves as experts before they have actually earned it. What starts with AI assistants in fast food headsets, zero-click search, and companies rehiring humans after failed automation turns into a bigger conversation about business noise, credibility, customer experience, and the growing gap between real operators and people just talking about it. They also get into Taco Bell’s birthday cake empanada, assistants managing calendars, business calls from questionable places, wasted money trying to look successful, and the kind of ridiculous “next big thing” pitches every entrepreneur eventually hears. If you are tired of fake experts, AI hype, unsolicited advice, and business content that all sounds the same, this episode is for you. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer and Intro [01:10] Founderz Roundup [01:23] Burger King’s AI assistant [02:15] AI in employee headsets [02:50] Zero-click search [04:33] Google reviews and AI results [05:03] SEO as a pay-to-play game [06:03] How AI search may get monetized [07:52] AI layoffs and rehiring humans [09:45] Taco Bell and Milk Bar collab [11:21] Don’s Krispy Kreme wedding cake [12:41] Founderz Hot Take [12:43] The fake guru era [13:44] Unsolicited business advice [14:13] Stop giving advice and start giving praise [14:50] Finding the good in operations [15:17] Don on LinkedIn and business feedback [15:56] Reach out to my assistant [17:29] Character is your business [17:59] Founderz Fast Five [18:11] Fake LinkedIn kid stories [19:24] Personal brand echo chambers [20:09] RTD oversaturation [20:37] Trading businesses with famous founders [22:28] Wasting money to look successful [24:14] Weirdest place for a business call [25:03] Ridiculous “next big thing” pitches [28:20] Online coaching apps Key Takeaways:   • Google SEO became a pay-to-play game where smaller businesses struggled to compete with brands spending millions. ~Don Varady • AI search may feel like a level playing field now, but it will likely get monetized just like SEO did. ~Steve Bon • Companies going all in on AI automation may end up rehiring people when the systems break. ~Steve Bon • “Everyone’s an expert. Everyone’s a guru.” ~Steve Bon • The business community needs less unsolicited advice and more positive recognition. ~Steve Bon • “The rare commodity is finding the good in operations and letting people know about it.” ~Steve Bon • If someone asks for your time, they should not make you schedule it through their assistant. ~Don Varady • The personal-brand echo chamber is making too much business content sound exactly the same. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Bon’s Eye Marketing: Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/

    29 min
  2. Business & Bullsh*t: AI and Fake Experts Are Destroying Businesses (EP #82)

    APR 13

    Business & Bullsh*t: AI and Fake Experts Are Destroying Businesses (EP #82)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #82 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. AI is everywhere, fake experts are multiplying, and somehow modern business keeps rewarding noise over real execution. In this episode of Business & Bullsh*t, Don and Steve break down what happens when AI hype, white-labeled apps, surface-level business advice, and instant-expert culture start replacing actual experience, judgment, and doing the work. What starts with sugar regulation, robot maids, and AI assistants quickly turns into a bigger conversation about business buzzwords, shallow expertise, leadership, execution, and why too many people are trying to teach before they have built anything real. They also get into why business owners need more than tactics to lead well, why consuming content is not the same as building something, and how easy it has become to package ideas before earning the right to sell them. Along the way, they mix in the usual Business & Bullsh*t chaos with burger debates, terrible movies, and the kind of random side roads that make these episodes what they are. If you are tired of AI noise, fake gurus, and business advice from people who have not actually done the work, this episode is for you. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer and Intro [00:51] Founderz Roundup: [03:27] Robot maids [05:47] Would you want a robot at home? [07:42] Annoying business buzzwords [10:07] What is “raw dogging life”? [12:03] Founderz Hot Take [12:10] Stop launching coaching apps [13:53] Founderz Fast Five [14:02] Why experts teach too soon [16:20] Leadership is more than tactics [17:32] Leaders are still learning [18:04] Fast food burger wars [19:55] Weirdest thing seen on the road [21:15] What ruins a sandwich instantly [22:41] Best bad movie debate Key Takeaways:   • “Be comfortable being bored.” ~Steve Bon • “Unless you’ve got a really big platform built, it’s not a million dollar business.” ~Don Varady • “I think there are way too many content consumers and creators and not enough doers.” ~Don Varady • “(Online Experts) A lot of them have never built a damn thing.” ~Don Varady • Two years of owning a business does not make you an expert, even if you can learn a lot in that time. ~Don Varady • Leadership takes more than a conference, a book, or a few tactics. It takes emotional intelligence, communication, and time. ~Steve Bon • “Leaders are learners.” ~Steve Bon  Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    25 min
  3. How Authentic Video Outperforms AI Content w/ Matt Davis (EP #81)

    APR 6

    How Authentic Video Outperforms AI Content w/ Matt Davis (EP #81)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #81 with Matt Davis. What actually makes video work now that everyone has a camera, content is everywhere, and AI can fake almost anything? In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Matt Davis, founder of LifeStage Films and Harvest Filmworks, to talk about why authentic video is becoming even more valuable in a world full of polished, overproduced, and AI-driven content. Matt shares how he built his career around real stories, natural moments, and human connection, first through weddings and then through brand films for companies that want to show their culture, mission, and heartbeat in a way people actually connect with. They get into why businesses still get video wrong, why people do not want to be sold to, how better questions lead to better stories, and why authentic content cuts through when everything online starts to feel fake. Matt also talks about scaling a creative business, navigating team turnover, building trust with clients, and why Legacy Films may be the most meaningful work he has ever done. If you care about storytelling, marketing, content, sales, trust, or building a brand people actually feel connected to, this episode is packed with practical insight. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer and Intro [02:23] Matt Davis’ background [02:46] Wedding video origin story [05:22] Launching Harvest Filmworks [07:19] Why Matt avoids scripted commercials [08:17] Why authentic video is not for everyone [09:30] Finding the heartbeat of a business [11:47] Why video calls sell better [13:41] Why AI makes real content stand out [15:40] Authenticity in a fake world [17:57] Better questions get better stories [19:51] Legacy Films [21:03] Scaling a creative business [22:34] Scale it or it is a hobby [23:06] Team turnover in creative work [26:52] Why trust beats competition [27:51] The $5K vs $50K video conversation [29:27] When clients should trust the expert [30:14] People want connection, not a pitch [31:08] Great partners do not sell you [34:08] Why Legacy Films work [38:59] Capturing real moments on camera [40:19] Wild camera setups [42:13] How Matt uses AI [43:06] What is next for Matt Key Takeaways:   • “People want to do business with people they trust and care about.” ~Matt Davis • Video works better when people feel connected to the person behind the brand. ~Don Varady • “People wanna see the real stuff.” ~Matt Davis • “Your job is finding authenticity in a moment that is so cluttered with fakeness.” ~Steve Bon • “When I wanna get to the heart of things, I ask authentic questions that no one’s asked before.” ~Matt Davis • The best partners create value without making it feel like a sales pitch. ~Don Varady • “Scale your business. Otherwise it’s just an expensive hobby.” ~Matt Davis Connect with Matt Davis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt.c.davis/ LifeStage Films: Website: https://www.lifestagefilms.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifestagefilms/ Harvest Filmworks: Website: https://harvestfilmworks.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvestfilmworks Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    45 min
  4. Business & Bullsh*t: The CEO Playbook Is Broken (EP #80)

    MAR 30

    Business & Bullsh*t: The CEO Playbook Is Broken (EP #80)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #80 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what founders actually face versus what business culture pretends is true. This episode challenges the modern obsession with “CEO mode” and the polished playbook that makes leadership look clean, strategic, and hands-off. In reality, startups are messy. Founders wear multiple hats. And the people building companies are often the ones still in the weeds, solving problems in real time. They dig into the return of “Founder Mode,” the tension between delegation and control, and why empowering a team is harder than simply doing everything yourself. The conversation also explores imposter syndrome in leadership, how AI is changing workload psychology, and why efficiency can sometimes make high performers feel like they’re not doing enough. From there, Don and Steve hit culture and business trends including fast-food fatigue, the next beverage arms race, wearable tech taken to ridiculous extremes, and what business owners consistently get wrong about growth. They close with Hot Takes on local relationship marketing versus digital funnels, why community still compounds faster than clicks, and a Fast Five covering workplace pet peeves, business tasks founders secretly love, and early misconceptions about scaling. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:22] Founderz RoundUp [06:41] Imposter Syndrome in the AI Era [10:22] Random Bullsh*t [11:30] The Next Fast-Food Trend [13:44] Mocktails and the Alcohol-Free Trend [14:14] Wearable Tech That Tracks Flatulence [18:58] Founderz Hot Takes [19:27] The Local Relationship Advantage [22:15] Why Local Marketing Still Wins [24:43] Digital Funnels vs Real-World Presence [25:36] Is In-Person Marketing Making a Comeback? [27:50] Founderz Fast Five Key Takeaways:   • Founder Mode is trending again, but cutting layers just to “get your hands dirty” can be ego-driven rather than strategic. ~Don Varady • Delegation is not about freeing time to relax. It is about freeing time to focus on vision and growth. ~Steve Bon • Empowering a team to own execution is a sign of strong leadership, not softness. ~Don Varady • Many leaders confuse control with quality when stepping back into day-to-day operations. ~Steve Bon • Using AI to become more efficient is adoption, not imposter syndrome. ~Don Varady • Founders often question if they are holding the company back, even when they are the reason it exists. ~Steve Bon • “Local store marketing is just relationship math.” ~Don Varady • Digital reach is powerful, but relationships compound and drive real business. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    38 min
  5. How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)

    MAR 23

    How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #79 with Mike Manzo. What does it take to grow a franchise brand without drifting away from the things that made it work in the first place? In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Mike Manzo, former COO of Jersey Mike’s, to talk about the discipline it takes to build a brand that lasts. From franchisee profitability and operational standards to hospitality, leadership, and long-term thinking, Mike breaks down how Jersey Mike’s stayed focused on what mattered instead of chasing every trend or copying the competition. This conversation gets into the real challenges founders and franchise leaders face as they grow: protecting the brand, supporting operators, avoiding costly distractions, and knowing when to evolve without losing what made the business special to begin with. Mike also shares lessons on owner-operators, culture, training, and why strong brands win by staying true to themselves. If you’re building a franchise company, leading a growing brand, or trying to scale without losing direction, this episode is packed with practical insight. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:51] Mike Manzo’s Jersey Mike’s journey [04:25] How Jersey Mike’s got its name [05:58] Family culture in franchising [06:49] Why hospitality wins [09:14] Surviving the hard years [10:17] Growth pressure and momentum [11:44] Why unit profitability matters [13:38] Brand equity vs quick wins [14:15] Why friendly service matters [18:25] Protecting the brand [20:43] Jersey Mike’s non-negotiables [22:55] How Mike vets franchisees [25:02] Multi-unit growth done right [27:15] When the brand took off [29:21] Avoiding complacency [31:55] From part-time to owner [35:09] Paying and keeping great people [36:41] Holding the standard [39:43] The cost of chasing competitors [41:55] The meatball sub lesson [45:09] When founders need to let go [48:10] Hiring C-suite talent [52:54] Fast Five [53:23] Mike’s top KPI [53:59] Mike’s best advice [55:16] The worst founder advice [57:36] Good vs great franchisees [58:15] What Mike would ban in franchising Key Takeaways:   • “This is hospitality. This isn’t a job.” ~Mike Manzo • Building a franchise brand around hospitality is harder, but it creates stronger operators. ~Mike Manzo • “It’s a constant grind.” ~Don Varady • “Friendly service” is the real experience customers remember. ~Mike Manzo • The experience economy is not just speed. It is what the customer sees and feels. ~Steve Bon • “Complacency has no home here.” ~Mike Manzo • “Stop trying to become your competitors.” ~Mike Manzo • Founders do not have to carry the shovel forever. ~Mike Manzo Connect with Mike Manzo… LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-manzo-89a7549/  Jersey Mike's: Website: https://www.jerseymikes.com/ Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    59 min
  6. Business & Bullsh*t: Revenge Quitting, AI Anxiety, and the Founder Reality Check (EP #78)

    MAR 16

    Business & Bullsh*t: Revenge Quitting, AI Anxiety, and the Founder Reality Check (EP #78)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #78 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what founders are dealing with right now, what’s changing in business culture, and what most people get wrong about leadership and growth. This episode kicks off with Founderz RoundUp stories from the field, including lessons from high-performance events, founder mindset shifts, and the unexpected conversations that remind you why entrepreneurship is a long game. From there, the conversation dives into the growing wave of revenge quitting and employee burnout, and what it signals for founders trying to build strong teams in a high-stress environment. Don and Steve debate AI anxiety, automation in the workforce, and why removing the human element can quietly break a business. They also tackle the rise of AI-generated content and “AI slop,” why brand trust is eroding, and how founders can stand out by leaning into authenticity instead of volume. They close out with Hot Takes on leadership, LinkedIn guru culture, and franchise advice overload, plus a Fast Five covering entrepreneurship myths, overspending confessions, founder pet peeves, and the realities nobody talks about when building a company. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [01:26] Founderz RoundUp [04:51] What Is Revenge Quitting? [06:00] Are Employees Quitting Because of AI? [06:35] Can AI Replace Human Workers? [10:46] Random Bullsh*t [11:21] How Should Brands Use AI Content? [14:39] Why Are Companies Paying Employees to Quit? [15:36] Founderz Fast Five [22:15] What Do People Romanticize About Entrepreneurship? [23:17] What Do Founders Overspend On? [24:21] What Actually Bothers You in Business? Key Takeaways:   • Leaders must create real growth paths or burned-out employees will start walking away. ~Steve Bon • AI should support teams, not be used as a threat that makes people feel replaceable. ~Steve Bon • “Too many brands are building noise, not loyalty.” ~Steve Bon • “This idea that just because you can create content easier faster doesn’t mean you should.” ~Steve Bon • Authenticity outperforms polish because audiences want the real people behind a brand. ~Don Varady • “They want to see you. You’re the owner. You’re the face of the brand.” ~Don Varady • Longevity matters more than early hype. Staying in business is the real win. ~Don Varady Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    28 min
  7. Business & Bullsh*t: When Brands Sell Status and Experiences (EP #77)

    MAR 9

    Business & Bullsh*t: When Brands Sell Status and Experiences (EP #77)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #77 with Don Varady and Steve Bon. Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what brands are doing right, what they are doing wrong, and what is changing in culture. This episode kicks off with the business behind GORUCK and how a founder built a massive brand around something most companies try to avoid: pain. Instead of selling convenience, the company built a loyal following around challenge, community, and shared suffering. From there, the conversation shifts into the rise of the experience economy and why consumers increasingly care more about how something makes them feel than what they actually buy. Don and Steve explore why atmosphere can matter more than the product itself, how travel and hospitality brands are leaning into customized experiences, and why human connection still matters in a digital world. They also dive into the strange world of luxury branding, where status and perception can sometimes matter more than the product itself. They close out with Hot Takes on AI, restaurant kiosks, and technology replacing human interaction, plus a Fast Five covering favorite snacks, nostalgia products, the Winter Olympics, and unexpected hotel pet peeves. Tune in to hear more. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [00:43] Founderz RoundUp [01:11] GORUCK and the Business of Shared Suffering [03:07] Why Fitness Got Easier [04:33] The Experience Economy and Emotional Marketing [07:59] Experiences Worth Paying For [09:24] Random Bullsh*t [09:52] “I’ll Give You Back Your Time” Rant [11:19] Luxury Brands, Status, and Pricing Absurdity [14:15] Founderz Hot Takes [14:33] AI, Kiosks, and Broken Business Systems [20:04] Founderz Fast Five [27:45] Outro Key Takeaways:   • Instead of selling easy fitness, he sold shared suffering. ~Don Varady • “It isn’t about being seen. It’s about being felt.” ~Steve Bon • More people than ever are buying a memorable moment over a product or service. ~Steve Bon • The lead into a brand today is how it will make someone feel, not just what it sells. ~Steve Bon • “They’re not selling products anymore. They’re selling inside jokes for rich people.” ~Don Varady • The flex is not quality anymore. The flex is being able to waste money on something others cannot. ~Don Varady • Businesses should clean up their systems before adopting new technology. ~Steve Bon Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    28 min
  8. Stop Chasing Money. Start Building Ownership. w/ Chris Wunder (EP #76)

    MAR 2

    Stop Chasing Money. Start Building Ownership. w/ Chris Wunder (EP #76)

    The Founderz Lounge Episode #76 with Chris Wunder. In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Chris Wunder, Founder and CEO of Leap Brands, to talk about executive recruiting, private equity growth, and the realities of building a high-performance company from scratch. Chris shares how he left corporate roles at NBC Sports and Samsung to start his own recruiting firm in 2016, eventually expanding into private equity-backed consumer brands and launching a brokerage arm that has closed over $70 million in deals. The conversation dives into what investors actually look for in founders, why growth and EBITDA matter, and how team quality can make or break an opportunity. They also unpack the pressure of leadership, the myth that money solves everything, and why Chris believes in paying top talent double or triple when it makes strategic sense. From burnout and resilience to breaking into new industries, this episode is a candid look at what it really takes to scale. If you are a founder, operator, or executive navigating hiring, equity, or aggressive growth, this one delivers. Timestamps: [00:00] Trailer [03:41] From Corporate to Recruiting [06:59] Money Didn’t Fix Everything [08:47] Harder, Smarter, Faster [11:06] Relentless in Sales and Life [13:44] Don’t Burn Bridges in Business [17:21] Why Equity Deals Go Wrong [23:28] The 3–5 Year Career Strategy [27:29] What Private Equity Actually Looks For [28:35] Breaking Into New Industries [30:44] Final Thoughts and Where to Connect Key Takeaways:   • “I used to be embarrassed to say I’m a recruiter even though I make more money than most doctors and attorneys.” ~Chris Wunder • “I hate LinkedIn. I despise it.” ~Don Varady • Harder, smarter, faster. You cannot have two. You have to have all three. ~Chris Wunder • “Be relentless. We don’t stop at resistance, we push through it.” ~Chris Wunder • “Are we chasing money or are we chasing a lifestyle?” ~Chris Wunder • If you’re only investing in talent you can “afford,” you’re probably underinvesting in the people who could actually move the needle. ~Don Varady • The team is often the most important factor in whether a company can actually scale. ~Steve Bon is theory until there are real payouts on the line. ~Steve Bon • Growth is what private equity looks at first, even before revenue. ~Chris Wunder Connect with Chris Wunder: Website: https://leapbrands.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswunderleapbrands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechriswunder/ Connect with Don and Steve… Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145  Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon  Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8  Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:  Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G  Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349  The Founderz Lounge is Powered By: Clean Eatz: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/  Website: https://cleaneatz.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA  Bon’s Eye Marketing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing  Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/  Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

    58 min
See All (167)

5
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Don Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, and Stephen (Steve) Bon, Co-Founder of Bon's Eye Marketing, met years ago on the franchising scene. Kick back, as they hit on all things business and b******t. Ever grab a drink with friends and blow off entrepreneurial steam or share some successful moves? Well, you just walked into that moment online. Join us for a few minutes... Promise to make you think and laugh.

Information

  • Creator
    Don Varady & Stephen Bon
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Don Varady & Stephen Bon
  • Show Website
    The Founderz Lounge

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