Fountain City Founders

TikTok Won’t Save You: Scott Sullivan on Second Chances, Tax Traps, and the Truth About Business

Scott Sullivan didn’t follow the traditional path to becoming a CPA — he got kicked out of college, rode the mortgage boom, and rebuilt from the ground up. Along the way, he learned what every founder eventually discovers: money tells the truth, whether you want to hear it or not. In this episode, Scott shares his unfiltered journey from failure to financial expertise — and the lessons business owners can’t afford to ignore. We talk about tax myths that go viral for all the wrong reasons, when an S-Corp actually makes sense, and why mixing business and personal spending can wreck your company faster than you think. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re getting the right answers about your business finances — or just the easy ones — this conversation is for you.

Blood, Sweat, and Barre: Beth Anne and Ellen on Building Novo and Nurturing Community

Beth Anne Kennedy and Ellen Cobb didn’t just build a fitness studio — they built a community. In this episode, the sisters behind Novo Fitness share how a one-year lease, $1 classes, and a lot of late nights grew into one of Columbus’s most beloved local brands. From balancing family and business to creating a culture where people feel they belong, Beth Anne and Ellen reveal how Novo became more than a place to work out — it became a movement rooted in connection, confidence, and care.

Riskier Not to Try: Hudson Terrell on Entrepreneurship, Food, & Finding His Path

Opening a restaurant is tough. Keeping it open is even tougher. In this episode of Fountain City Founders, we sit down with Hudson Terrell, owner of The Animal Farm and Gabagool in Columbus, GA, to talk about the realities of life in the restaurant business. Hudson shares his journey from dishwasher to entrepreneur, the lessons he learned from renovating historic buildings, and how he built a culture that keeps his team together. Along the way, he explains why sales “heal everything,” why the so-called safe path can sometimes be the riskiest, and how resilience and leadership have guided him through challenges and growth. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a restaurant regular, or someone chasing your own dream, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone building something that lasts.

Document, Don’t Create: Jake Koehler on Lost iPhones, Found Purpose

Jake Koehler — Scuba Jake — turned lost iPhones and forgotten treasures in the Chattahoochee River into a global audience of 14 million. In this episode, he shares how “document, don’t create” became his mantra, why purpose often shows up in unexpected places, and what it takes to reinvent yourself (and your content) year after year. It’s a conversation about risk, resilience, and finding meaning beneath the surface — in business, in life, and in the river.

Side Hustle to Storefront: Lexiee Campbell on Creativity, Reinvention, & the Business of Flowers

From sweeping flower shop floors to designing luxury weddings, Lexiee Campbell has grown Campbell Creative Floral Co. and Flowers on 10th into two thriving floral businesses. In this episode, she shares how she turned a side hustle into a storefront, built her brand through social media, and reinvented her business to reach the luxury wedding market. It’s a story of grit, creativity, and resilience every entrepreneur can learn from.