Bolder Business with Paul Fontanelli

Bolder Stories | Paul on the Henry Ford Mindset Shift

Paul shares one of his favorite quotes from Henry Ford and why mindset is often the starting point of everything you build. A lot of people decide they can’t do something before they’ve even tried. They focus on what they lack, whether it’s time, money, or the right circumstances, and that belief alone becomes the reason they stay stuck. In this mini episode of Bolder Stories, Paul explains why you may be much closer to your goals than you think. Instead of chasing a distant and overwhelming version of success, it’s about breaking things down into smaller, realistic steps and moving forward one decision at a time. Because sometimes, the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn’t as big as it seems. And in the end, it comes back to a simple truth. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.

Ep 009: From $15/Hour to Leading at 20 — The Mindset Behind His Rise

In this episode of Bolder Business Podcast, Paul sits down with one of Bolder’s rising stars, 20-year-old manager Gustavo Escobar — known for his electric energy and relentless positivity. From earning $15 an hour at Walgreens to stepping into leadership at Bolder Adventure Park, Gustavo shares how a move from New Jersey to Texas reshaped his mindset, how a life-altering car accident tested his resilience, and how choosing positivity helped accelerate his growth. Paul pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build and sustain a business; from the five-year journey of launching Bolder, to navigating financial challenges, to leveraging partnerships with creators like Unspeakable to drive awareness. Together, they talk about standing out in the workplace, handling difficult customers, building strong networks, and why doing just a little more than what’s expected can separate you from everyone else. This episode is about resilience, leadership, and building something bigger than yourself, in business and in life.

Ep 008: From One Struggling Kid to a $13M Mission

In this episode of the Bolder Business Podcast, Paul sits down with Ryan DeJoy to talk about the unexpected path that led from helping one struggling student to building Windham Woods School — a mission-driven organization that has grown through trust, community, and purpose. Ryan reflects on nearly two decades in education, the decision to step into uncertainty, and how one conversation opened the door to something far larger than he ever imagined. Together, they explore what it means to recognize opportunity when it doesn’t look like a traditional business plan, why focusing on strengths changes outcomes, and how real growth is built through people, not systems. The conversation also touches on fundraising, leadership, and the realities of building something meaningful without losing sight of why you started. It’s an honest look at entrepreneurship, education, and life — and a reminder that progress often begins by listening to the signal telling you it’s time for something different.

Ep 007: Scaling with Trust and Leading the Right Way

In this follow-up conversation, Paul Fontanelli and Todd Jenkins reflect on how leadership changes as a business grows. Drawing from experiences in both a multi-generation legacy company and a young, fast-moving business, they explore the balance between caring deeply and letting go, using parenting as a lens for what it really means to lead. The discussion moves into practical ground, covering how leaders can communicate more intentionally, adapt to different personalities, and think more clearly about brand marketing and measurement. Rather than chasing perfect data, they focus on building clarity, alignment, and capability across the team. The episode also touches on how AI fits into modern leadership, not as a replacement for people, but as a tool that removes friction and creates leverage. Throughout the conversation, one idea stays constant: sustainable growth comes from trust, clear communication, and leaders who build people, not dependency.

Ep 006: Taking Over a 50-Year Family Business Overnight and Scaling It the Right Way

In this episode, Paul sits down with Todd Jenkins to explore what it takes to step into a 50-year family business overnight and lead it forward the right way. Todd shares how his background in insurance, Fidelity Investments, and a high-end lead generation startup shaped the systems-first approach he brought into Jenkins Roofing after his father’s passing. They break down how modern process; from digitizing handwritten records to implementing Salesforce and building clean handoffs between sales and operations, can strengthen a legacy rather than replace it. The conversation also covers why waiting to hire, measuring what matters, and letting values guide decisions are critical to sustainable growth. If you’re navigating leadership, legacy, or the challenge of scaling without losing trust, this episode offers a clear framework for building something that lasts.