Shows
Founders' ForumHow Mark Wagner Built More Than a $70M BusinessWhen the housing market collapsed in 2008, many business owners pulled back. Mark Wagner saw an opportunity to pivot, helping transform a small family flooring business into a national industry leader. His journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of long-term thinking. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Mark Wagner, Co-Founder and CEO of RM Interiors, to discuss his path from installing carpet alongside his brother to leading a company that serves customers across multiple states. Mark shares how he navigated economic uncertainty, seized opportunities in the emerging single-family rental m...
2026-06-1029 minFounders' ForumBefore SEO Had a Name: How Susan & Devon McCrossin Built BoomtownSusan McCrossin launched Boomtown Internet Group in 2001, when nobody knew what to call what she was doing. Two decades later, her daughter Devon is running the company and building it into something even bigger.From cold-calling clients in the early days of Google to managing a global team of 25, the Boomtown story is one of timing, grit, and an unexpected family handoff. Susan shares how she and her husband Jim built one of the earliest digital marketing agencies from scratch, and Devon opens up about leaving corporate America to take the reins and chart a new vision...
2026-06-0329 minFounders' ForumThe Exit Nobody Prepares You For with Chris DonnellySelling your business doesn't mean you've arrived. It means you're starting over. And nobody warns you about the wall you hit on the other side.In this episode, Marc Bernstein sits down with Chris Donnelly, a former investment banker turned plumbing and HVAC entrepreneur who spent a decade rebuilding his family's business before selling it in 2023. Amy Wicks, founder of Wicks Consulting Group, joins as guest co-host. Chris shares the unfiltered story of leaving Wall Street for a trade shop in Lansdale, how one employee exit forced him to launch an entirely new service line, and the...
2026-05-2731 minFounders' ForumAmy Wicks on What Sustainable Engineering Really Looks LikeWhat does it really take to build a brand people trust and remember? In this episode of Founders Forum, Amy N. Wicks, P.E. shares how she turns insight into impact and helps founders create meaningful connections that support long term growth.Joined by guest co-host Chris Donnelly, the conversation explores Amy’s journey through business growth, brand strategy, and staying authentic in a crowded market. She opens up about early challenges, key turning points, and what it really takes to build something sustainable, not just something that launches.You’ll also hear practical insights on h...
2026-05-1329 minFounders' ForumHiring the Right Number Two Leader with Alec BroadfootIf you feel like your company can’t grow unless you work harder, you’re not broken. You’re probably missing the right second-in-command. In this episode of Founders Forum, Alec Broadfoot, Founder and CEO of Vision Spark and author of Hiring Your Right Number Two Leader, joins Marc Bernstein and guest co-host Anthony Naccarato to break down how the right leadership hire can completely change the trajectory of a business.Alec shares his journey from a short stint in banking to buying businesses at 25 and the hard lesson that even strong operations fall apart with poor hiring...
2026-04-2929 minFounders' ForumHow A Father And Son Built A National Engineering Firm with Anthony & Pete NaccaratoFamily, trust, and grit are the foundations behind one of the country’s leading structural engineering firms.Anthony and Pete Naccarato share the story behind O'Donnell & Naccarato Structural Engineers, from its early days built on long hours and strong relationships to becoming a national, employee-owned company. Pete reflects on building the firm with deep trust in his partner, while Tony shares his journey from entry-level engineer to CEO, earning his leadership along the way.They talk about embracing new technology, building lasting client relationships, and making bold decisions like transitioning to an ESOP, all while st...
2026-04-2229 minFounders' ForumHow to Scale Your Business Without Doing Everything Yourself with Deanna RobinsonSuccess doesn’t always come from a perfectly mapped out plan. Sometimes it starts with simply showing up and sharing what you know. In this episode of Founders Forum, Deanna Robinson reveals how a few pieces of marketing advice and a batch of cupcakes sparked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.As the founder of Social Impression, Deanna walks us through her evolution from working in a male dominated industry to building a full service marketing agency and stepping into a fractional CMO role. Joined by guest co-host Nik Mondo, Founder and CEO of Mondo Media Solutions, th...
2026-04-0827 minFounders' ForumWhat Smart Entrepreneurs Do in Uncertain Times with Kerry BensonUncertainty is everywhere—but what if it’s actually an opportunity? In this episode of Founders Forum, recorded in July 2025, Marc Bernstein sits down with Kerry Benson, alongside guest co-host Karla Trotman, to unpack how leaders can navigate constant change with clarity and confidence.Kerry, President & CEO of Big Edge Advisors, shares his journey from humble beginnings in Queens to becoming a trusted advisor to executives and boards. With over 35 years of experience in technology, finance, and leadership, he offers a grounded perspective on thriving through disruption—without losing sight of what truly matters.Together, they e...
2026-03-2528 minFounders' ForumBuilding a Design Business Rooted in Community with Rebecca AddingtonEntrepreneurship rarely follows a straight path. For Rebecca Addington, founder of Ville & Rue in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the journey blends farm roots, a passion for design, and a deep belief in the power of community.In this episode of Founders Forum, host Marc Bernstein is joined by co-hosts Ray Loewe, founder of The Luckiest Guy in the World, and Deborah Brandt, founder and CEO of Fig Industries, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and the role community plays in building successful local businesses.Rebecca shares how growing up on a family farm shaped her entrepreneurial mindset...
2026-03-1829 minFounders' ForumBuilding Community Through Wine in Lancaster with Justina LaturaWhat happens when passion, community, and entrepreneurship come together? In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Justina Latura, founder and CEO of Vine Bar in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to explore how a personal passion can grow into a thriving local business.Joining Marc as guest co-hosts are Ray Loewe, known as “The Luckiest Guy in the World,” and Deborah Brandt, founder of Fig Industries. Together, they dive into a conversation about Lancaster’s strong sense of community and how it empowers entrepreneurs to build meaningful ventures.Justina’s journey into business wasn’t traditio...
2026-03-1128 minFounders' ForumJason Sherman on Turning Website Visitors Into CustomersSuccess in entrepreneurship rarely happens overnight—it’s often the result of decades of learning, experimenting, and refining what works. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Jason Sherman to explore the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.In this conversation, recorded in July 2025, Jason Sherman—CEO and co-founder of Vengo AI—shares how a childhood filled with music, technology, and curiosity set the foundation for a career building and leading innovative businesses. Over the past two decades, Jason has experimented with different ventures, continuously learning from both successes and setbacks along the way....
2026-03-0728 minFounders' ForumTurning Burnout Into a Mental Fitness Company with Lissy AldenBurnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about lacking the mental systems to sustain performance. In this episode of Founders Forum, Lissy Alden shares how her personal burnout led her to build a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations develop true mental fitness. Co-hosting this episode alongside Marc Bernstein is Nicole Dery, Founder of Allelo Design, who brings thoughtful perspective to the conversation around leadership, culture, and workplace dynamics.Lissy Alden, Founder and CEO of MYNDY Mental Fitness, experienced burnout firsthand while working in fast-paced corporate environments—even when she loved the work. Realizin...
2026-02-2827 minFounders' ForumReinventing HVAC for a Zero-Energy Future with Grahame MaiseyWhat if the future of air conditioning could cut your energy bills by 90%—while helping create cleaner, healthier buildings?In this episode of Founders Forum, Grahame Maisey joins Marc Bernstein, with special guest co-host Dr. Valecia “Dr. V” Dunbar, Founder & CEO of the Center for Confidence and Full Confidence RX. Together, they explore sustainability, innovation, and what it truly means to build for the future.Grahame shares his journey from post-war Leicester, England to becoming a pioneer in energy conservation in the U.S. With over 60 years of HVAC and building performance experience, he’s now laun...
2026-02-2528 minFounders' ForumNick Martin on Turning HVAC Into Climate TechWhat if the key to solving climate change was already sitting on top of every commercial building?In this powerful episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein is joined by guest co-host Matt Wampler, Founder & CEO of ClearCOGS, for a forward-looking conversation with Nick Martin, Co-Founder and COO of Carbon Reform. From AI and emerging tech to climate innovation and legacy thinking, this episode blends cutting-edge insight with deeply personal storytelling.Nick shares how the unexpected loss of both his parents became the catalyst that pushed him fully into entrepreneurship. What followed was a bold mission...
2026-02-2130 minFounders' ForumBuilding a Business That Changes Lives with Brad StephensonWhat if your business wasn’t just about revenue—but about changing lives? In this inspiring episode, Brad Stephenson shares how a people-first mindset transformed his company, his career, and thousands of others along the way.Hosted by Marc Bernstein and guest co-host Ray Loewe, this conversation dives into Brad’s journey from laborer to CEO & Co-owner of Newcastle Lawn & Landscape. Brad opens up about the personal struggles that shaped his leadership style—from growing up in a challenging home environment to overcoming opioid addiction—and how those experiences fueled his mission to impact 100,000 lives.He also sh...
2026-02-1828 minFounders' ForumThe Mindset Behind Lasting Success with Gal BorensteinWhat if most disappointment comes from unspoken expectations—and the cure is a simple agreement? In this episode, we explore how shifting from assumptions to aligned agreements can transform leadership, teams, and even families.Hosted by Marc Bernstein, with guest co-host Scott Reuter of Product Command Data, this conversation features Gal Borenstein, founder and CEO of The Borenstein Group. Gal shares a remarkable journey—from flying with generals in the Israeli Defense Forces’ media unit to studying communications at Temple University and launching a niche marketing firm with just a few thousand dollars on a credit card. That b...
2026-02-1127 minFounders' ForumHow Tom McEvoy Built a Breakthrough Building ProductHow do you turn decades of corporate experience into something that truly lasts—both in business and in your community?In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Tom McEvoy, CEO and Founder of LumberCon LLC and Founder and Board Chair of the Uptown Theater in West Chester, Pennsylvania.After spending 24 years with Armstrong World Industries—including leadership roles overseas—Tom transitioned into entrepreneurship, helping develop a revolutionary fireproof concrete decking product. At the same time, he turned his focus toward giving back, playing a key role in bringing live performing arts back to his...
2026-02-0428 minFounders' ForumWhat the Media Really Wants: Ronica Cleary on Strategic PRWhat happens when a White House correspondent trades breaking political news for building a purpose-driven PR agency?In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Ronica Cleary to talk about clarity, intention, and the realities of growing a modern communications business.Ronica Cleary is the Founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, a full-service public relations agency serving leaders and organizations across the U.S. Before launching her firm, Ronica spent years as a television journalist, including covering the first 18 months of the Trump administration as a White House correspondent—an experience that shap...
2026-01-2828 minFounders' ForumDarek Hahn on Turning IT Into a Business AdvantageWhat if the biggest risk to your business isn’t technology itself—but your relationship with it? In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Darek Hahn to explore why strong human connection is the missing link in modern IT and leadership.Darek Hahn is the founder and CEO of AffinIT, a relationship-first managed IT services company, and the soon-to-be-published author of Team We. Drawing from decades of experience across startups, acquisitions, and exits, Darek shares how seasons of life, business, and leadership shaped his philosophy around technology, trust, and teamwork. From selling an IT com...
2026-01-2128 minFounders' ForumFrom Marine Officer to Cybersecurity CEO: Building Culture Through Service with Kevin HydeThe son of a serial entrepreneur never planned to start a business. But after 21 years in the Marine Corps, intelligence community, and U.S. Cyber Command, Kevin Hyde learned that service isn’t just a mission—it’s a mindset.Now President of Layer 8 Security, Kevin transitioned from defending national cyber interests at the NSA to helping businesses stay secure and compliant. Launching in 2014–15 wasn’t easy—many companies didn’t yet see the need for cybersecurity. So Kevin and his co-founder adapted, using compliance requirements (FDA, SEC, HIPAA) as the entry point to broader security services.Today, La...
2025-12-1728 minFounders' ForumWhat Sports Taught Me About Winning in Business with Coach Malcolm HairstonWhat happens when life throws you off course? For Coach Malcolm Allison Hairston, CEO of Raku Products LLC and inventor of The Hipsetter, those moments became the training ground for greatness.In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc talks with Coach Malcolm—a leader, educator, and motivator—about how he turned personal and professional challenges into a blueprint for success. Drawing from his experiences in sports and coaching, he shares powerful lessons on discipline, mindset, and leadership that every entrepreneur can apply.From overcoming adversity to helping others unlock their potential, Coach Malcolm’s journey is a m...
2025-10-2228 minFounders' ForumShikha Miglani on Turning Data into Decisions That MatterWhat if scaling your business wasn’t about doing more, but choosing better? In this inspiring Founders’ Forum episode, host Marc Bernstein talks with Shikha Miglani, co-founder of Saarthee, a global strategy, analytics, and AI firm helping enterprises across telecom, media, retail, banking, and healthcare make smarter, fairer decisions with data.From being the only woman engineer on India’s factory floor to leading a respected AI company, Shikha shares a journey that proves you can balance innovation with empathy, and scale without losing authenticity.She opens up about how Saarthee’s mission was built on a tim...
2025-10-1527 minFounders' ForumHow Jim Logue Scaled a Company from $9M to $35MJim Logue didn’t start ThermOmegaTech, he reinvented it. When he stepped in, the company was overly reliant on one industry and struggling with culture. Today, it’s a $35M business with nearly 150 employees, serving sectors from aerospace to railroads—and even space.In this conversation, host Marc Bernstein and returning guest Branden Moyer, founder of Buzz Brands, talk with Jim about the “four pillars” that guided the turnaround: staying relevant, putting customers first, engaging employees, and committing to continuous improvement. Jim opens up about the challenges of scaling, why small wins build trust, and how delegation and cultur...
2025-10-0828 minFounders' ForumWhat Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Challenges with Tatiana BarakshinaEntrepreneurship is never a straight line—it’s full of zigzags, ups and downs, and lessons learned along the way. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Tatiana Barakshina, PhD, MBA, Managing Partner at Bazis Americas LLC, to explore her remarkable journey from Russia to the U.S. and her path to co-founding a successful healthcare market research firm.Tatiana shares how her educational journey, from earning her MBA in Illinois to completing her PhD in Chicago, shaped her passion for marketing and consumer insights. She also reflects on the challenges of building a bu...
2025-10-0124 minFounders' ForumLeading a Legacy Through Uncertainty with Karla TrotmanWhat does it take to step into a family business, honor its legacy, and still make it your own?Marc Bernstein welcomes Karla Trotman, President & CEO of Electro Soft Incorporated, to share her remarkable story. From the company’s humble beginnings on her family’s kitchen table to becoming a trusted manufacturer for the defense, aviation, and transit industries, Karla has guided Electro Soft through challenges and growth with vision and grit.Key Takeaways:How doubt can actually be a powerful leadership toolThe difficult—but necessary—family conversations that shaped h...
2025-09-0328 min