Why Saying “No” Builds Better Businesses - Rusty Fulling - S6 - E13

Language opens doors in negotiation - Kate Liburdi - S6 - E17

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Kate Liburdi Website: https://conversifi.com Platform: https://app.conversifi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateliburdi/ What happens when a project burns through a million dollars and still doesn’t work? In this episode, Kate Liburdi, Co-Founder and CEO of Conversifi, shares one of the most valuable lessons of her career, how a failed software project became the foundation for everything she learned about leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Kate discusses building Conversifi into a platform used by more than 100 universities, helping language learners connect with native speakers around the world through authentic conversations and cultural exchange. We also talk about startups, family, productivity, focus, language learning, and why entrepreneurs often need to remove complexity instead of adding more to their business. What you’ll learn: • The leadership lesson behind a $1 million failure • Why focus is one of the most valuable entrepreneurial skills • How Conversifi is changing language learning • The importance of feedback and collaboration in product development • Why subtraction often creates more growth than addition LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Balance is about knowing when to step back - Mike Schroeder - S6 - E16

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Mike Schroeder Website: https://roundstoneinsurance.com [https://roundstoneinsurance.com/] Company's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roundstone [https://www.linkedin.com/company/roundstone] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaschroeder [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaschroeder] YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/roundstoneinsurance [https://youtube.com/user/roundstoneinsurance] What does it take to build a business that lasts more than two decades? In this episode, Mike Schroeder, Founder and President of Roundstone Insurance, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a childhood fascination with business ownership to building one of the leading health insurance captive programs in the United States. Mike explains how he applied established insurance principles to healthcare, creating a model that gives employers more control, more transparency, and more savings. We also discuss family, accountability, leadership, health, travel, and why entrepreneurs must learn when to push harder—and when to step back. What you’ll learn: • Why ownership creates a different mindset • How Roundstone transformed health insurance through captive structures • Why family often becomes the driving force behind entrepreneurship • The role of fitness, gratitude, and faith in long-term success • Why entrepreneurs must get comfortable with accountability LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Second chances at life are powerful - Sarah Walker - S6 - E15

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife   • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife   • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Sarah Walker Website: https://nuanceinteriors.com [https://nuanceinteriors.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuanceinteriors [https://www.youtube.com/@nuanceinteriors] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahplattwalker/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahplattwalker/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nuanceinteriors [https://www.youtube.com/@nuanceinteriors] Can your home actually improve your health, focus, and quality of life? In this episode, Sarah Walker, Founder and Principal Designer of Nuance Interior Design, shares how a life-changing car accident led her to rethink the relationship between wellness and the spaces we live in. Sarah explains how she helps families and family offices create homes that support longevity, recovery, connection, and overall well-being. We discuss sustainability, healthy living, family life, entrepreneurship, and why our environments have a bigger impact on our health than most people realize. This conversation is a fascinating look at the intersection of design, wellness, and intentional living. What you’ll learn: • How your home impacts your physical and mental health • Why wellness design goes beyond spas and gyms • The role of sustainability in modern living • How family influences business and life decisions • Why entrepreneurs should seek help sooner LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Learn from failure, don't quit - Josh Otero - S6 - E14

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Josh Otero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshotero/ Elanah AI: https://elanah.ai Warrior GMR Foundation: https://warriorgmrfoundation.org What happens when a personal mission becomes a company with the potential to save lives? In this episode, Josh Otero shares his journey from athlete, financial services professional, CrossFit gym owner, and entrepreneur to founding **Elanah AI**, a platform focused on mental readiness and proactive support for veterans, service members, and their families. Josh explains how tragic events during COVID inspired him to launch the Warrior GMR Foundation and eventually create an AI-powered platform designed to provide confidential support when people need it most. We also discuss mental health, resilience, endurance sports, leadership, family, and why entrepreneurs must learn to keep moving forward through failure. What you’ll learn: • How tragedy inspired the creation of Elanah AI • Why mental readiness matters before crisis happens • Lessons from ultra-marathons and Ironman races • How failure helps entrepreneurs grow • Why persistence is one of the most important founder traits LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]

Why Saying “No” Builds Better Businesses - Rusty Fulling - S6 - E13

This episode of A Founder’s Life is brought to you by Thankz, helping founders scale with reliable remote talent. Get $1,000 off your first month by emailing founders@thankz.com with the subject line Founder’s Life. 🌐 Follow A Founder’s Life  • YouTube:   @AFoundersLife    • LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-founder-s-life-podcast/  • Instagram: @afounderslife    • Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/afounderslife 👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Rusty Fulling Website: https://www.fullingmgmt.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustyfulling/ Company's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulling-management-&-accounting What happens when burnout lands you in the hospital? In this episode, Rusty Fulling shares how overwhelming stress and unhealthy work habits pushed him to completely rethink his career and eventually launch his own accounting and fractional CFO business. Rusty opens up about the early years of entrepreneurship, balancing faith, family, and business, and the lessons he learned about saying “no” to the wrong opportunities — even when they looked financially attractive. We also discuss running, health, purpose-driven work, mentorship, and why entrepreneurs should never try to build alone. What you’ll learn: • Why burnout can become a wake-up call • The importance of defining your ideal client • Why saying “no” can protect your business • How purpose improves health and performance • Why entrepreneurs need strong community and support systems LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/leogestetner [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRVMmVCb3JfcmZKTVRMdVl2aVdUbTJWZFBEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuTEVZZ2szMVF3VkNWUkRKN0c0aW9lZlY0anJldnJrTWh0NXEzWkFiQjVHWk9pNXdhcXVueC1mc2ZMOXhfbnI5dl9uMEVXSEh5M3hpdHZCYXZoX19lakluTWVQNXoxWEo5b0ZUb1luVmZ2NGk3YW1ZTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fleogestetner%2F] Website leogestetner.com/leo [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3FVbDA4RUlFOFgtUUpZQ3p6X3Eta052N2ppZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuZEplNmFobWVoZFpOWFc5Mzg3bHZ3NFdNVHc2RWtWNDc0OGxGQ3dsT2ZEamFNUmVDeGkzQUg1eFNmSFllem1YcmVESHo2czRacE5ZZ01Qc2xKNzI5TVR6Z2xoX0xWWVA4bEtIZnhVS0tRYXRfc0F3WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleogestetner.com%2Fleo%2F] Subscribe Now! youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1 [https://youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1]