Integrity First and Freedom by Design: Finding the Right Franchise, with Richard Potter

Integrity First and Freedom by Design: Finding the Right Franchise, with Richard Potter

What if business ownership didn't mean starting from scratch? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with entrepreneur, franchise consultant, and multi-business owner Richard Potter to explore how professionals can transition from corporate careers into business ownership with greater confidence and less risk. Richard shares how he helps burned-out executives and veterans find franchise opportunities that align with their skills, values, income goals, and desired lifestyle. Drawing from his own journey of building, scaling, and operating multiple businesses, Richard discusses the importance of integrity, long-term thinking, time freedom, financial freedom, and avoiding the costly mistakes many entrepreneurs make. He also reveals why the right franchise can provide the systems, support, and community needed to accelerate success while reducing uncertainty. Whether you're considering entrepreneurship, looking for a better work-life balance, or searching for a path toward greater freedom and legacy, this episode offers practical insights into creating a business designed to support the life you want to live. About Richard Potter Richard Potter is a multi-business owner and franchise consultant who helps burned-out executives and veterans transition from corporate careers into structured business ownership. After more than a decade in corporate sales, he moved into entrepreneurship and has since built, scaled, and exited multiple businesses while continuing to actively operate today. Rather than promoting hype or speculation, Richard helps clients evaluate proven franchise models that align with their strengths, values, and lifestyle goals. His approach focuses on reducing risk, avoiding costly mistakes, and helping people build businesses that create both financial and personal freedom. Connect with Richard Website: https://FranchiseHeroes.co [https://franchiseheroes.co]Schedule a Call: https://meetings.hubspot.com/richard-potter/zoom [https://meetings.hubspot.com/richard-potter/zoom]Email: Rich@QuantumFranchiseGroup.com [Rich@QuantumFranchiseGroup.com]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-potter-533381a [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-potter-533381a]Because true leadership isn't just about building a career. It's about building a life by design.

Nonprofit Mission Drift is Expensive, and Flexible Leaders Don’t Break, with Sharmon Lebby

What happens when organizations chase funding instead of purpose? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with nonprofit consultant, brand strategist, and ethical business advocate Sharmon Lebby to discuss leadership, mission drift, collaboration, and building organizations that create lasting impact. Sharmon shares why many nonprofits and businesses struggle when they lose sight of their core values, how mission drift can quietly damage an organization's effectiveness, and why leaders must prioritize purpose over profit. She also explores the power of community over competition, the importance of strong boundaries, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and how flexible leaders create stronger teams and healthier cultures. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, executive, or business owner, this conversation offers practical insights on leading with integrity, staying aligned with your mission, building meaningful partnerships, and creating sustainable growth without compromising your values. About Sharmon Lebby Sharmon Lebby is the Founder & CEO of Blessed Designs Consulting, a nonprofit and small business consulting agency dedicated to helping social and environmental impact organizations thrive. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofits and launching new initiatives, she helps purpose-driven organizations build strong foundations for long-term success. A former Neuroscience Research Associate and recovering ethical fashion entrepreneur, Sharmon is passionate about equality, equity, and justice, helping turn big ideas into sustainable impact. Connect with Sharmon Website: www.BlessedDesignsCo.com [http://www.blesseddesignsco.com]Facebook: www.facebook.com/blesseddesignsco [http://www.facebook.com/blesseddesignsco]Instagram: www.instagram.com/blesseddesignsco [http://www.instagram.com/blesseddesignsco]Threads: www.threads.com/@justsharmon [http://www.threads.com/@justsharmon]YouTube: www.youtube.com/@sharmonlebby [http://www.youtube.com/@sharmonlebby]

Revenue Without Relationships Is Dead: AI Can't Replace Trust, with Mike Reardon

Is AI helping businesses grow, or is it quietly destroying the relationships that drive revenue? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Mike Reardon, Founder of Be Effective and Fractional CRO, to explore the intersection of leadership, sales, AI, trust, and human connection. Mike shares why relationships, communication, culture, and genuine human intelligence remain the true drivers of business success, even as organizations race toward automation and artificial intelligence. Drawing from decades of sales, business development, and revenue growth experience, Mike explains why most companies don't have a sales problem. They have a revenue operating system problem. He reveals how inefficient systems, poor communication, lack of alignment, and weak leadership can quietly cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue. The conversation explores leadership, employee engagement, sales performance, organizational growth, AI adoption, customer relationships, business strategy, and why trust remains the most valuable asset in today's marketplace. Mike also shares practical insights on building scalable systems, improving team performance, and creating sustainable growth without sacrificing the human element that drives long-term success. About Mike Reardon Mike is currently transforming into a Fractional CRO focused on helping businesses achieve breakthrough growth and scale. His career foundation is rooted in contrarian sales professionalism, successfully selling without conventional industry experience, formal credentials, or extensive business support. His unique perspective has helped organizations uncover hidden revenue leaks and build more effective revenue operating systems. If you're a leader, entrepreneur, consultant, sales professional, or business owner navigating the AI revolution, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, trust, leadership, and the future of business. Connect with Mike here Website: https://beffective.ca/ [https://beffective.ca/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepcreardon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepcreardon/]Phone: +1 (514) 213-5947

Investing in Real Estate, Learning in Community, Overcoming the Fear of Rejection, with Todd Stender

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Todd Stender, Managing Director of Leste's Real Estate Net Lease Strategy, for an insightful conversation about leadership, real estate investing, personal growth, community, and overcoming the fear of rejection. Todd shares his journey from a successful career as a public market real estate analyst to the private investment world, revealing the mindset shifts, calculated risks, and personal development required to make major career transitions. About Todd Stender Together, they explore the power of community, mentorship, resilience, and continuous learning, along with the lessons Todd gained from running marathons, raising investment capital, and stepping outside his comfort zone. The conversation highlights how confidence is built through action, why growth often requires embracing uncertainty, and how meaningful relationships can open doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. Todd also discusses commercial real estate investing, cash flow, risk tolerance, private equity, leadership development, and the importance of helping others succeed. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, he demonstrates how service, education, and giving back can create lasting impact both professionally and personally. Todd has more than 20 years of experience in the net lease real estate sector. Prior to joining Leste, he led Strategy, Planning & Analysis at Irvine Company, one of the largest privately held commercial real estate owners in the United States. Before that, he served as a Managing Director at Wells Fargo Securities, where he led the net lease equity REIT research team and conducted due diligence on REIT IPOs and secondary offerings totaling more than $10 billion. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Todd has coached his son’s and daughter’s youth sports teams across basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and football. He is an active fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Boston Children’s Hospital and is a seven time marathon finisher. Todd holds a Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University and an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, leader, or someone facing a major life transition, this episode offers valuable lessons on overcoming fear, building confidence, taking calculated risks, and creating a life driven by purpose, growth, and community. Connect with Todd here LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stender/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stender/]

The Founder Bottleneck Nobody Wants to Admit, with Prashant Agrawal

In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with founder, investor, and business advisor Prashant Agrawal for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, investing, leadership, and the hard truths many founders avoid. Drawing from his own journey of building and losing businesses starting at just 17 years old, Prashant shares what separates businesses that create real value from ideas that are simply wrapped in flashy presentations and hype. Together, they unpack the biggest mistakes founders make when seeking investment, why investors care more about execution than billion dollar market projections, and how many entrepreneurs become trapped chasing money instead of solving real problems. Prashant explains why “money is not the problem, you are” and reveals what investors are actually looking for when evaluating startups, founders, and scalable businesses. The conversation also explores AI startups, founder mindset, humility, resilience, self awareness, and the importance of building businesses that create tangible impact instead of temporary excitement. Through real world examples and brutally honest insights, this episode offers valuable wisdom for entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, and anyone looking to build something meaningful in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. About Prashant Agrawal Prashant Agrawal is a seasoned operator with more than 25 years of experience across global financial services, venture development, entrepreneurship, strategic transformation, capital sourcing, fundraising, and advisory. A former Senior Vice President within top global banks managing multi billion dollar portfolios across 70 countries, he later transitioned into entrepreneurship, private equity, and venture development. He is the Founder and CEO of Be Pacific Collective, Co Founder of SPStarworks™, Partner at 1cent and w6, and has advised businesses ranging from software and hardware companies to public agencies and growth stage ventures. Known as a storyteller, connector, strategic thinker, and creative problem solver, Prashant combines corporate leadership with entrepreneurial experience, including building and failing his first business at age 17. Connect with Prashant here LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1pka/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/1pka/]Email: p@bepacific.vc