Fearless Founders

Alumni Panel | Building Their Entrepreneurial Path Post CEO

What does building something after the CEO actually look like? In this episode of Fearless Founders, Ashton sits down with three CEO alumni, Lilly Miller, Leo Krueger, and Levi Zbinden, for an honest conversation about life, business, and growth after the program. Each of them is on a completely different path. Lilly launched her luxury wedding photography business while still in high school and now travels the country capturing elevated, cinematic love stories. Leo is preparing to step into a full-time role with Archer Daniels Midland while continuing to pursue his passion for global business and entrepreneurship in the food and snacking industry. Levi is the owner of Flatland Foam Solutions, building a hands-on service business focused on craftsmanship, efficiency, and serving his local community. Together, they share what it really looks like to take the next step, navigating uncertainty, building confidence, and staying committed to growth even when the path isn’t clear. This episode is a reminder that there is no single timeline or definition of success, just the decision to keep moving forward.

Brock & Mitch Mammoser | From One Product to an $80M Brand

What happens when two small-town brothers take a single product idea and turn it into an $80 million brand in just five years? In this episode of Fearless Founders, Ashton Shultz sits down with Brock and Mitch Mammoser, the brothers behind Frost Buddy, one of the fastest-growing drinkware and lifestyle brands in the country. Raised in Newton, Illinois, Brock and Mitch grew up with a competitive spirit shaped by sports, discipline, and small-town values. In 2020, during one of the most uncertain economic moments in recent history, they decided to take a risk and launch Frost Buddy. What started as a single product quickly evolved into a vertically integrated company with a 150,000-square-foot warehouse, national retail partnerships, and a powerful e-commerce presence. Brock, the company’s CEO, leads brand vision, marketing strategy, and product innovation, while Mitch, as COO, focuses on operations, systems, and scaling the business. In this conversation, they share the real story behind building Frost Buddy, the risks they took, the mindset required to grow quickly, and the lessons they’ve learned while scaling a business from zero to $80 million. For young entrepreneurs and builders alike, this episode is a powerful reminder that big ideas can come from anywhere.

Manda Goldberg | From Layoff to Agency: The Cella Gold Story

In this episode, Ashton sits down with Manda Goldberg, Founder & Chief Strategist of Cella Gold Media, a social media agency based in South Florida serving real estate and service-based brands. After being laid off, Manda chose to build instead of job-hunting, a decision that would lead her to scale beyond 60+ brands and consult with agencies looking to sharpen their strategy and scale smarter. We talk about the shift from freelancing to agency building, the systems that make social media feel effortless for clients, and why founders consistently underestimate social while overestimating trends. Manda shares how to get your first five clients from zero, what she’d do differently, and where she believes social media for brands is heading next. Her mission is simple but profound: giving entrepreneurs back their most valuable asset — time.

Elena DiStefano | Inventing Comfort with the Cozy Clip®

In this episode of Fearless Founders, I sit down with Elena DiStefano, the founder and inventor of the Cozy Clip®—a groundbreaking redesign of the classic claw clip created to eliminate pain and prioritize everyday comfort. After years of loving the look of claw clips but experiencing constant discomfort—especially while driving—Elena realized the solution she needed didn't exist. So, she built it herself. Starting with a 3D printer prototype in her college dorm, Elena transformed a simple problem into a purpose-driven product that is now making an impact on women's everyday lives. Her story is one of creativity and believing in an idea before anyone else could see it. This is a conversation for every builder, dreamer, and doer who is ready to turn inspiration into action. You're going to love this one.

Ashton Shultz - From CEO Student to Founder: The Story Behind Ashton Jo Marketing

In this special episode, the mic flips — and host, Ashton Shultz takes over! 🎙️ Hear the story behind Ashton Jo Marketing, from a high school CEO student with a dream to a full-time entrepreneur leading brands and mentoring the next generation. Ashton shares real, actionable marketing insights, lessons learned from the journey, and how the CEO Program continues to shape her both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a student, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation is your reminder that starting small can still lead to something extraordinary.