Shows
The Founders HustleThe 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, i...
2026-03-0953 minThe Founders HustleFrom Traverse City Kitchen Experiments to a Real Brand: Maria’s Sauce BackstoryWhat 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, a...
2026-03-0233 minThe Founders HustleFrom Pouring Concrete to $15M Online Matt Stafford’s Real Founder StoryIn 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 t...
2026-02-1625 minThe Founders HustleHe 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...
2026-02-0928 minThe Founders HustleUnstoppable Together: Beth Fisher on Support, Confidence, and Building Stronger TeamsOrder Beth's Book: Selection Process https://tinyurl.com/5e4h522cWhat 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.
2026-02-0238 minThe Founders HustleThe 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...
2026-01-2621 minThe Founders HustleHow to Sell Your Business (Without Leaving Money on the Table) | Exit Strategy Deep DiveMost 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 eve...
2026-01-1952 minThe Founders HustleGet Comfortable Being Uncomfortable The EOS Playbook for Entrepreneurial GrowthGrowth 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 showIf you’d like to toss a one-time “thank you” or grab a GRIT Happens sticker, you can do that...
2026-01-1227 min
The Founders HustleThe 20-Year Journey From Basement Studio to Full-Service Digital Agency | KzoomIn this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Dan Martin, founder and CEO of KZoom, a full-service digital marketing agency that started in a basement with no camera and has grown into a 15-person creative powerhouse serving brands across the nation.Dan opens up about his unexpected firing at 23, how that moment pushed him to start his own company, and what it really takes to survive — and thrive — in business for over 20 years. From burning DVDs in 2003 to managing SEO-driven campaigns in 2025, Dan shares the highs, lows, and lessons of entrepreneurship, creativity, and grit...
2026-01-0544 min
The Founders HustleThis Business Broker Helps Founders Sell Their Business The Smart Way | The Founders HustleIn this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Brad Scoffin, co-founder of Advanced Business Brokers — better known as “Bowtie Brad.” Brad helps entrepreneurs buy and sell companies the right way: with heart, foresight, and purpose.From selling Jolly Ranchers in middle school to helping founders retire on their own terms, Brad shares what he’s learned about building wealth that lasts — not just in dollars, but in memories. He opens up about faith, flexibility, and fulfillment; why most founders wait too long to plan their exit; and how the younger generation is changing the way bu...
2025-12-2933 min
The Founders HustleWhy Authenticity Is The Secret to Speaking With Confidence with Melanie Spring | The Founders HustleIn this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Melanie Spring, brand strategist, international speaker, and creator of Speak With Confidence, to talk about what it really means to embody your true self as a leader, speaker, and entrepreneur.Melanie shares her journey from running a branding agency to becoming a sought-after speaker and “brand muse” for high achievers. She opens up about overcoming the fear of public speaking, how to align who you are on the inside with how you show up in business and life, and why authentic embodiment is the missing piec...
2025-12-2237 min
The Founders HustleThe Power of Just Pressing Record with Voiceover Artist Anthony Gettig | The Founders HustleIn this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Anthony Gettig, a professional voiceover artist who has spent over four decades turning his passion for sound into a purpose-driven business.Anthony shares how his journey began in a high school radio station, how a single mentor changed his life’s direction, and what it really takes to stay relevant through the rise of AI and digital disruption. His story is packed with lessons on grit, gratitude, and starting before you’re ready — from creating his own demo when everyone told him not to, to voicin...
2025-12-1532 min
The Founders HustleHow Saying “Yes, And” Built a Business | Dann Sytsma of Crawlspace ComedyIn this episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Dann Sytsma, founder of Crawlspace Comedy Theater and Improv Effects, to explore how he went from analytical chemistry to building a creative business that’s transforming how people connect — on stage and in the workplace.Dann shares his journey from lab experiments to laughter, how one “yes, and…” moment sparked a 20-year passion project, and how improv became a powerful tool for leadership, communication, and confidence.From growing a local comedy theater with his wife Tara to teaching Fortune 500 companies the power of play, Dann...
2025-12-0824 min
The Founders HustleHow Serial Entrepreneur Ben Ipema Built The Friendly Pickle - His 12th Business and Biggest DreamIn this episode of The Founders Hustle, host Judy Swafford sits down with Ben Ipema, serial entrepreneur and founder of The Friendly Pickle, Kalamazoo’s newest indoor pickleball club designed for community, comfort, and connection.Ben shares how his entrepreneurial journey began at 13, picking blueberries and painting cottages, and how that same work ethic carried him through 12 different businesses — from IT consulting to paddle manufacturing — before creating the business that blended all his passions: The Friendly Pickle.He opens up about the real lessons of entrepreneurship — missing payroll by $2, learning from failure, and why the greatest...
2025-12-0129 min
The Founders HustleFrom $777 to 30 Years of Success: How Hilary Olney Built Trips Ahoy Travel AgencyIn this inspiring episode of The Founders Hustle, Judy Swafford sits down with Hilary Olney, founder of Trips Ahoy Travel, who started her business in 1995 with just $777 and a borrowed office — and turned it into a thriving, 30-year success story.Hilary opens up about how she built her travel agency from the ground up, the impact of the internet on her business, and how she survived global challenges like 9/11 and COVID — coming out even stronger. She shares lessons in resilience, adaptability, and freedom, and the importance of creating experiences that last a lifetime.If you’ve eve...
2025-11-2528 min
The Founders HustleFrom $0 to a Waitlist: How Dr. Carrie Sands Built Her Dream PracticeEvery business has a backstory and Dr. Carrie Sands’ journey is all about grit, reinvention, and purpose.In this episode of The Founders Hustle, host Judy Swafford sits down with Dr. Carrie Sands, a sports chiropractor who’s built seven successful practices without outside investors, without shortcuts, and without giving up.From opening her first office at 25 with a borrowed paint roller to becoming a waitlisted practitioner in a small Michigan town, Carrie shares:- How she scaled and sold multiple clinics on her own terms- The biggest lessons about money, scal...
2025-11-1731 minThe Founders HustleTrailer - The Founders HustleThe Founders Hustle is a podcast that explores the journey of entrepreneurship — the vision, the grind, and the growth that defines every founder’s story. Hosted by Judy Swafford. Support the showIf 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.co...
2025-11-0201 min
WhysAdvice™ with FatDagAlice in OnderdlandTake the next step as a Wingman! Join them - become a Patron! Thank you! GENERAL Jeanne Blankenship CHIEF Jennifer Cunningham | Stella COLONEL Amy Wallack | Denise Metcalf | Diane Musachio | Donna cutting | HEATHER D MORSE | Karen Maddox | Kim Bixel | Lisa Hensarling | Mitzi Daggett | Pam Goepfarth MAJOR Amy Gilbert | Andrea Moore | Carie Sauders | Christie Eller | Danielle Rocco | David Marquez | Gayle Stetson | Karen Antczak | KeithNY | Kim Morris | Leigh M Meeks | Lorie Saito | Melanie C Weitz | Michelle Rhodes | Mike Daggett | Rebecca Hargis | Tammy...
2018-03-0535 min