LEVEL TWO: Workplace Culture Expert on Why Bad Employees Are Built By Bad Leadership

LEVEL THREE: Marketing Veteran on Why Most Founders Burn Out and How to Avoid It

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] Level 3: $3-$8M DELEGATION AND EARLY LEADERSHIP  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Phil Ohren, Founder and CEO of Intender, a growth marketing agency on a mission to make advertising useful, not annoying.  Like many founders, Phil spent years chasing growth, building teams, serving clients, and pushing for the next milestone. But behind the scenes, he found himself facing something he never expected: burnout so severe it left him with writer's block, strategy block, and a growing realisation that his identity had become tied to external validation.  In this episode, Phil shares the lessons that came from that experience, including why he believes many entrepreneurs are unknowingly people-pleasers, how learning to let go transformed his leadership, and the advice from a mentor who told him he was operating like "a genius with a thousand helpers". A mindset that simply doesn't scale.  Let’s dive in, With Phil Ohren:  • Why founder burnout often starts with seeking validation from others   • The leadership shift required to stop being the bottleneck   • Why Phil would build a CRM before writing vision and values   • The power of accountability frameworks inside growing businesses   • How being "neuro-spicy" became one of his biggest strengths as a founder   • Why curiosity is a competitive advantage in business   • The future of AI and why Phil believes robots will transform advertising   • How small, consistent wins compound into massive growth over time  Whether you're trying to scale a business, build a stronger leadership team, or avoid the mistakes that lead many founders to burnout, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections from someone who's lived through it.  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses  High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL FOUR: Global Entrepreneur on What the World's Most Successful Founders Have in Common

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] LEVEL 4: $8M - $20M GROWING PAINS AND OPERATIONAL COMPLEXITY  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Skye Blanks, Chief Operations Officer at the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and founder of Herman Todd Consulting Group, to unpack what it really takes to grow a business beyond founder hustle and into something that can scale sustainably.  At this stage of the game, the challenge isn’t just getting customers or staying busy, it’s about building systems, delegating effectively, creating strategic partnerships, and turning a founder-dependent business into one that can operate without you in the room.  In this conversation, Skye shares how he built credibility as a young executive operating on the global stage, what small business owners consistently get wrong when they hit a growth plateau, and why the businesses that scale fastest are the ones willing to think beyond their industry, their local market, and their own four walls.  Lets dive in, with Skye Blanks:  * Why most growth plateaus are strategy problems, not market problems  * The role SOPs play in scaling without chaos  * How strategic partnerships can unlock growth faster than more marketing  * Why founders need to stop building businesses that collapse without them  * What Skye has learned from advising businesses across industries and countries  * The mindset shift from doing everything yourself to leading through trust and delegation  If you’re a founder trying to move from being the person who does everything to the person who leads a business that can grow, this episode will give you a clear look at what needs to change next.  Connect with Skye Blanks: Website: https://icsb.org/ [https://icsb.org/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks/]  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL THREE: An Inventor on Exiting Seven Companies, Holding 100 Patents, and Building With AI

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] LEVEL 3: $3M - $8M   DELEGATION AND EARLY LEADERSHIP   On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re joined by Mark Vange, founder and CEO of Autom8ly, a serial tech entrepreneur who has built and sold seven companies, holds more than 100 patents, and has spent decades building at the edge of software, gaming, fintech, and now AI.  In this episode, Mark unpacks what founders are getting wrong about AI, why most businesses are still using it far too narrowly, and how leaders should think about implementing AI as a true productivity partner rather than just another shiny tool. From the rise of “cooperative AI” to the risks around security, compliance, and trust, this conversation is a practical look at what business owners need to understand if they want to stay competitive as AI reshapes the way companies operate.  Let’s dive in, With Mark Vange:  * Why Mark believes AI should be treated like a new team member, not just a piece of software  * The biggest mistakes businesses make when trying to adopt AI too quickly  * How founders can use AI to remove friction and reclaim time without losing the human element  * Why trust, compliance, and security are becoming the real battlegrounds in AI adoption  * What Mark has learned from building, scaling, and exiting multiple tech companies across different industries    Connect with Mark Vange: Website: https://autom8ly.com/ [https://autom8ly.com/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/markvange [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markvange/]    If you’re trying to work out how AI fits into your business in a practical, strategic way, and what the next wave of innovation might mean for founders, we made this episode for you.  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL SIX: Pharma Innovator On Franchising, Bootstrapping and Long Term Success

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] LEVEL 6: $50M – $150M  GOVERNANCE, DATA & SERIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Barry Patel, Founder and CEO of Galt Pharmaceuticals, a company redefining how pharmaceutical businesses are built, scaled, and distributed.  Starting with no outside investors and bootstrapping his way through one of the world’s most heavily regulated industries, Barry shares how he built a pharmaceutical company using an unconventional franchise model, why he believes founders should avoid raising capital for as long as possible, and the surprising leadership lessons that came from realizing he had become the bottleneck in his own business.  We also dive into the realities of scaling in healthcare, navigating FDA regulations, building systems that create competitive moats, and what it takes to lead a company where every decision carries significant financial and human consequences.  Whether you're building your first business or leading a company through rapid growth, Barry’s insights on leadership, resilience, systems, and long-term value creation offer a masterclass in playing the business game at a high level.  Let’s dive in, with Barry Patel:   • How Barry bootstrapped a pharmaceutical company without investors  • The unconventional franchise model powering Galt Pharmaceuticals  • Why founders often become the bottleneck to growth  • The hidden challenges of scaling in highly regulated industries  • Building systems, structure, and competitive moats  • Why creating value matters more than chasing money  • Barry’s philosophy on leadership, stoicism, and long-term success  If business truly is a game, Barry Patel’s approach to winning might surprise you.  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88 [https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88]  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

LEVEL 2: Veteran Business Strategist on Why Following Your Competitors Is the Fastest Way to Fail

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/fan_mail/new] LEVEL 2: $1M – $3M FIRST TEAM, FIRST SYSTEMS  Most founders think scaling is about working harder... but Michael Barbarita learned the opposite.  In today's episode of The Business Game, Michael shares lessons from more than 30 years building and operating businesses across retail, manufacturing, finance, and service industries. From growing a retail company from $2.5 million to $8 million in under five years to serving as a CFO, Treasurer, board member, and business advisor, he's seen what actually drives sustainable growth.  We discuss delegation, systems, the 80/20 Rule, strategic partnerships, and why many founders accidentally become the biggest obstacle to their own growth.  Whether you're building your first team or trying to create a business that can grow without relying on you for everything, this episode is packed with practical insights.  Let’s dive in  with Michael Barbarita:  • Why most founders struggle with delegation  • The 80/20 Rule in business  • How to stop being the bottleneck  • Systems that support growth  • Strategic partnerships and joint ventures  • The biggest scaling mistakes business owners make  • Lessons from building and advising multiple companies  Connect with Michael:  Website: www.nextstepcfo.net [http://www.nextstepcfo.net/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbarbarita/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbarbarita/]  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379864/support] Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessGamePodcast], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebusinessgamegroup], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-business-game-podcast], Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com [http://www.thebusinessgamepodcast.com] It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.