The Silent Strategist: Chris Werner on High-Stakes $100M Battles, Fractional Leadership, and the Law of Stability

The Silent Strategist: Chris Werner on High-Stakes $100M Battles, Fractional Leadership, and the Law of Stability

In episode 39 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Chris Werner, Founder of Vidar Law & Fractional General Counsel, who shares his insights on transitioning from big law to fractional general counsel, protecting innovative tech companies, and navigating high-stakes litigation. Tune in as we uncover valuable insights into the architecture of protection and the proactive mindset required in the legal landscape. TIMESTAMPS [00:02:15] Mental stamina during long trials. [00:04:31] Health and fitness for lawyers. [00:09:34] M&A exit strategy pitfalls. [00:15:43] Fractional general counsel benefits. [00:18:03] Work-life balance in law. [00:25:28] Guiding founders through uncertainty. [00:26:34] Regulatory environment in AI. [00:30:26] Legal support for tech founders. QUOTES * "It took a lot of work to get there. Right. We had our fights. We had our issues over the years. And we both committed to doing that, to making it work despite that stuff." -Chris Werner * "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission." -Joe Dunaway ========================== Less supplements. More consistency. AG1 every day. SHOP HERE: https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h [https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h] ========================== SOCIAL MEDIA Joe Dunaway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway]  Chris Werner Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/chris_werner/ [https://www.instagram.com/chris_werner/] LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswernerlegalcounsel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswernerlegalcounsel/]        WEBSITE VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/ [https://www.vicifinance.com/] Start-up Generator: https://startupgenerator.biz/ [https://startupgenerator.biz/] Vidar Law: https://www.vidarlaw.com/ [https://www.vidarlaw.com/]

The Business Detox: Andrea Mladin on AI Automation, Minimalist Systems, and Scaling with Clarity

In episode 38 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Andrea Mladin, Founder of Business Detox & AI Workflow Strategist, who discusses her work helping founders detox their businesses through simpler processes, stronger research, and better use of AI. Tune in for a powerful conversation that could redefine your approach to entrepreneurship! TIMESTAMPS [00:02:36] Business detox for startups. [00:06:02] Pet travel execution challenges. [00:13:06] Communication bottlenecks in companies. [00:18:46] Importance of market research. [00:20:36] Market Research Importance. [00:29:32] AI in startup investments. [00:34:17] Founder values and mentoring. [00:39:18] Surviving a major car accident. [00:42:21] Goal-setting methodology. QUOTES * "Most startups don't fail because they lack capital, but because they lack that business detox." -Joe Dunaway * "I don't want to be the smartest person in the room. I'm always searching for communities, for mentors that will push me to be better, to learn, give me some new perspective." -Andrea Mladin * "I believe it is very important to build your company with people who use AI, who know how to use AI." -Andrea Mladin ========================== Less supplements. More consistency. AG1 every day. SHOP HERE: https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h [https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h] ========================== SOCIAL MEDIA Joe Dunaway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway]  Andrea Mladin Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/andreamladin/ [https://www.instagram.com/andreamladin/] LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamladin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamladin/]         WEBSITE VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/ [https://www.vicifinance.com/] Start-up Generator:  https://startupgenerator.biz/ [https://startupgenerator.biz/] Andrea Mladin:  https://andreamladin.com/ [https://andreamladin.com/]

The Architecture of Brand: Jennifer Weber on Engineering Scalable Systems, Military Discipline, and Killing the Chaos of Growth

In episode 37 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Jennifer Weber, Founder & Owner of SDG Promotions, Inc., as she explains how clarity, governance, and planning can reduce waste, protect brand consistency, and create better outcomes for multi-location teams. Tune in for a discussion that connects business systems to leadership, showing how vision and purpose shape organizations' present themselves internally and externally. TIMESTAMPS [00:00:46] Swag problem or process problem?. [00:03:10] Chaos begins when intention is missing. [00:06:19] Brand consistency across locations and markets. [00:11:12] Settling the dust with repeatable systems. [00:16:25] Enterprise stores simplify onboarding and recognition. [00:20:13] Clarity is the biggest mistake in rollout. [00:23:25] Parenting with work ethic and clear expectations. [00:27:32] Faith and family stay first as business scales. [00:33:22] Agriculture, nurture, and building foundations. [00:37:10] Health and hydration support leadership clarity. [00:39:45] Asking the right questions saves money. [00:41:16] Morning gratitude sets the tone. QUOTES * "You're really just throwing money away if there is no purpose or intention behind it." -Jennifer Weber * "Once they realize there's a process in place that they can follow repeatedly, the panic goes away." -Jennifer Weber * “It is hard to grow and scale a business and also make sure that my priorities, in my opinion, are straight and correct, and that would always be faith and family first.” -Jennifer Weber ========================== Less supplements. More consistency. AG1 every day. SHOP HERE: https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h [https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h] ========================== SOCIAL MEDIA Joe Dunaway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway]  Jennifer Weber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtbyjennifer/ [https://www.instagram.com/builtbyjennifer/] https://www.instagram.com/sdgpromotions/ [https://www.instagram.com/sdgpromotions/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-weber-25420444/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-weber-25420444/]        WEBSITE VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/ [https://www.vicifinance.com/] SDG Promotions: https://sdgpromo.com/ [https://sdgpromo.com/]

The Blueprint for Scaling: Jaben Makings on Real Estate Mastery, Team Synergy, and the Discipline of Growth

In episode 36 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Jaben Makings, Founder of Onnix Investments, as he shares how responding quickly and setting expectations can become a real competitive advantage in a market shaped by automation and weak follow-through. Tune in for a conversation that centers on leadership, accountability, and the shift from trying to be the “cool boss” to creating clear expectations, consequences, and a peer-driven culture. TIMESTAMPS [00:02:38] Revenue growth from $100K to $400K. [00:03:10] Why being the cool boss backfired. [00:05:28] Negotiation starts with better questions. [00:07:00] Speed and communication build trust. [00:08:49] Deal lost by missing buyer follow-up. [00:10:10] Interview process screens for fit. [00:13:04] Quitting drinking changed everything. [00:17:03] Faith and marriage reshaped his why. [00:19:24] Burnout requires seasons of rest. [00:21:01] Do right by everybody, always. [00:22:54] Scaling requires delegation and systems. [00:24:14] Faith, family, fitness, finance recap. QUOTES * "Show them what winning actually looks like. Show them what the definition of done is." -Jaben Makings * "The biggest thing investors get wrong ... is not having all the information upfront." -Jaben Makings * "The four pillars, work on each one of them, keep moving them forward, and keep balance." -Joe Dunaway ========================== Less supplements. More consistency. AG1 every day. SHOP HERE: https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h [https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h] ========================== SOCIAL MEDIA Joe Dunaway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway]  Jaben Makings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaben.makings/ [https://www.instagram.com/jaben.makings/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaben-makings-518876199/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaben-makings-518876199/]   Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/JabenMakings [https://www.zillow.com/profile/JabenMakings]    WEBSITE VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/ [https://www.vicifinance.com/] Onnix Investment: https://onnixinvestments.com/ [https://onnixinvestments.com/]

The Maternal CEO: Kelly Jedele on Scaling a $2.4M Empire, Beating Burnout, and the Art of Having It All

In episode 35 of The VICI Code, Joe Dunaway interviews Kelly Jedele, Founder & CEO of Let Kelly, as she explains how her leadership style empowers women, delivers consistent results, and proves that success is scalable without burning out. Tune in, get inspired, and start building your victory code! TIMESTAMPS [00:00:02] Meet Kelly Jedele [00:02:30] Lessons from Mary Kay: Leadership roots and team-building foundations [00:03:58] Building a caring, high-retention company culture and team [00:06:20] Starting with WHY: Uplifting women and empowering choice [00:07:36] Burnout, systems, and the first steps to freedom for mom-founders [00:11:05] The delegation dilemma: Why high achievers struggle to let go [00:13:50] Salsa, running, and finding creative clarity outside the boardroom [00:20:19] Family, faith, and supporting big dreams in New York City [00:24:41] Core faith beliefs that fuel the journey QUOTES * "I really, really lean into caring for my team and coaching them in a way that inspires them to want to be their best and be loyal to the company." – Kelly Jedele * "You start with the why, then you work on the how." – Joe Dunaway * "When I feel that loving nurture in my life as a woman, then I'm allowed to be in my feminine. The magic of who I am and what happens just blossoms." – Kelly Jedele ========================== Less supplements. More consistency. AG1 every day. SHOP HERE: https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h [https://click-myl.ink/2p8hck3h] ========================== SOCIAL MEDIA Joe Dunaway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/ [https://www.instagram.com/thejoedunaway/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dunaway]  Kelly Jedele Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyjedele/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/kellyjedele/?hl=en]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyjedele/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyjedele/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetKelly [https://www.facebook.com/LetKelly]        WEBSITE VICI Finance: https://www.vicifinance.com/ [https://www.vicifinance.com/] Let Kelly: https://www.letkelly.com/ [https://www.letkelly.com/]