Welcome to The Leading Peers Podcast

Purpose, Persistence, and the Details That Matter

In this conversation, Leo Popik and Matthew Dernis explore the journey of entrepreneurship, focusing on Matthew's experiences in financial planning. They discuss the importance of having a purpose, building trust with clients, and the challenges of starting and growing a business. Matthew shares insights on navigating partnerships, the significance of persistence, and the non-negotiables in client service. The conversation emphasizes the value of reflection and learning from experiences in achieving success.Chapters00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y] Introduction and Personal Updates03:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=187s] The Journey of an Entrepreneur05:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=358s] Early Influences and Financial Awareness09:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=595s] Finding Purpose in Financial Planning14:52 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=892s] Starting a Financial Practice18:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=1085s] Building a Business and Client Relationships24:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=1445s] Navigating Partnerships and Growth30:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=1807s] Success Metrics and Business Philosophy33:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=2031s] Ideal Client Profile and Trust39:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=2398s] Team Building and Non-Negotiables45:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HX7YVhB4Y&t=2748s] Reflections on Key Decisions52:05 Final Thoughts and Advice#entrepreneurship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurship] #financialplanning [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/financialplanning] #businessgrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/businessgrowth] #clientrelationships [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/clientrelationships] #trust [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/trust] #partnerships [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/partnerships] #successmetrics [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/successmetrics] #teambuilding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/teambuilding] #personaldevelopment [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/personaldevelopment] #financialawareness [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/financialawareness] #CEO [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ceo]

How to Build a Marketing Agency That CEOs Trust

What happens when two creative entrepreneurs turn a global crisis into a thriving agency built on empathy, strategy, and storytelling? In this episode, Steve Dobbins and Jason Leon-Baptista, co-founders of The Dobbins Group, share how they transformed challenge into opportunity — redefining what it means to build a people-first marketing company that helps CEOs grow with purpose. From a journalism background and a career in YPO to founding a full-service agency during the pandemic, Steve and Jason’s journey blends business strategy with human connection. They’ve worked with visionary CEOs, global organizations, and thriving brands — all while staying grounded in one simple truth: we’re all humans first. -- 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ How Steve and Jason built a resilient agency through the pandemic ✅ The leadership philosophy that guides The Dobbins Group’s culture ✅ Lessons from working with global CEOs and YPO leaders ✅ Why “storytelling” is the most powerful tool in business today ✅ How they partner with Leading Peers to create lasting impact -- 📌 Chapters 00:00 – Meet Steve & Jason: From Friends to Founders 05:14 – Turning Crisis Into Opportunity During COVID 10:35 – The Power of Storytelling in Leadership 17:20 – Building a Human-First Team Culture 22:05 – Partnering with Leading Peers: Strategy Meets Trust 33:45 – The Future of Marketing & AI’s Role in Creativity 38:20 – Gratitude, Growth & Leaving a Legacy --- 🎙 Hosted by Leo Popik, Founder & CEO of Leading Peers 🔥 Subscribe for more stories of growth-minded leaders who build with purpose. 📢 Learn more at www.leadingpeers.com [https://www.leadingpeers.com/] #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Storytelling #MarketingStrategy #CEOCommunity #BusinessGrowth #LeadingPeers

How to Build, Scale, and Exit a $650M Startup

What does it take to scale an idea from a small startup to a $650M exit — and then shift gears into building a nonprofit that changes lives? Felipe Sommer’s journey from Argentina to Silicon Valley, from Accenture to Nearpod, and now to Bloom, is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, leadership, and purpose. His story blends resilience, strategy, and heart in ways few founders openly share.Felipe began his career in economics and consulting with Andersen (Accenture), later moving to California during the dot-com boom. After launching several ventures in Miami, he co-founded Nearpod, one of the most successful edtech platforms of its time, ultimately serving tens of millions of students and exiting in a landmark $650M acquisition. Today, Felipe mentors entrepreneurs, advises companies, and leads Bloom, a nonprofit empowering neurodiverse young adults.In this episode of the Leading Peers Podcast, you’ll learn:✅ How Felipe recognized the “hay algo” moment that sparked Nearpod’s success✅ The role of co-founders in surviving the entrepreneurial roller coaster✅ Why he chose to build a fast-growth company with an exit in mind from day one✅ The frameworks and mindset shifts that helped him navigate luck, timing, and the pandemic✅ How purpose and impact now drive his leadership philosophy through BloomIf you’re a CEO, founder, or leader seeking inspiration and actionable insights, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.🎙 Hosted by Leo Popik on the Leading Peers Podcast🔥 Subscribe for more leadership journeys and growth lessons📢 Learn more at www.leadingpeers.com#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #ExitStrategy #PeerLearning #EdTech #StartupGrowth #LeadingPeersPodcast

Leaving Corporate to Empower Family Businesses

Franck’s story is anything but ordinary. Born in France and raised between South Africa and the Congo, he went from working with Cartier, Tiffany, and Pandora to building his own advisory firm dedicated to helping family businesses grow, transition, and leave a legacy. In this deep and inspiring episode of the Leading Peers Podcast, Franck opens up about: ✅ What he learned from political uprisings, family factories, and corporate boardrooms ✅ Why he walked away from high-level corporate roles to reclaim control of his life ✅ How EOS and exit planning became the tools for his mission ✅ The power of peer accountability and the moment that changed everything ✅ What it means to lead with high standards—and a heart If you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or leader thinking about your next chapter—this episode is for you. 🎙 Hosted by Leo Popik 🔥 Subscribe for more stories from the leaders who lead with heart. 📢 Learn more at: https://www.leadingpeers.com/ [https://www.leadingpeers.com/] #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #EOS #FamilyBusiness #Legacy #PeerBoards #CEO

From Undocumented Foreigner to Leading Immigration Attorney: Larissa Salvador’s Unstoppable Journey

From undocumented teen to law firm founder and Pan-American jiu-jitsu champion—Larissa Salvador’s story is about grit, purpose, and leadership with heart. In this episode of The Leading Peers Podcast, host Leo Popik sits down with Larissa to explore her journey from the slums of Rio to becoming a U.S. citizen, business owner, mother of two, and resilient leader. She opens up about: * The trauma and clarity that came with discovering her undocumented status at 16 * Building Salvador Law after unexpectedly losing her job * Facing the chaos of the pandemic with a newborn and a new business- Leading her team like a soccer captain—through vision, ownership, and trust * Her unwavering belief in family-first leadership and faith-driven purpose Whether you're a business leader, a parent, or someone in transition—Larissa’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends. #TheLeadingPeersPodcast #LarissaSalvador #Leadership #WomenFounders #ImmigrationLaw #BusinessWithPurpose