The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur | Insight for Creators & Culture in Startup Reality

Founders Under Pressure PART #2: Fair Hiring vs. Founder Instinct with Dom Finetti

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur, host Juming Delmas sits down with Dom Finetti, founder of Parrot, a SaaS platform designed to make the hiring process more fair, skills-based, and transparent. The conversation explores one of the most difficult realities founders face: when you are building a company, should you hire the person you know and trust, or should every candidate be judged through the same merit-based process? Dom explains how Parrot aims to reduce bias in hiring by anonymizing candidate information and using AI to evaluate skills, experience, and qualifications. His argument is that traditional hiring often rewards personal connections, referrals, and familiarity, leaving other qualified candidates at a disadvantage before they ever get a fair shot. Juming pushes back from the founder’s perspective, arguing that business owners often hire people they know because familiarity, reliability, and trust matter when the pressure is real. If a founder has worked with someone before and knows how they perform, is it wrong to choose that person over a stranger with a strong resume? The discussion moves into the limits of resumes, interviews, and judgment. A resume may get someone in the room, but personality, traits, work ethic, communication style, and character often determine whether they are actually the right fit. The challenge is figuring out how to evaluate those qualities fairly when you do not already know the person. Juming and Dom also debate how past experiences shape hiring decisions. If a business owner was burned by a previous employee, is it unfair to be cautious when a new candidate reminds them of that situation? Or is that simply part of the judgment founders are forced to make? This episode raises important questions for entrepreneurs, founders, hiring managers, and job seekers about fairness, bias, AI, trust, referrals, resumes, and the human side of hiring. Listen to The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur on all major podcast platforms. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/support] Support us by Joining Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/imjustheretolistenpod]. Also, Stay Connected on Socials: The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@ijhtlpodcast] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/imjustheretolistenpod/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur [https://youtu.be/ORiK65EDYPM?si=vm8CGFT3CsIiA2Un] Produced by Juming Delmas Studios Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/ [ https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios [https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/ [https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300 [https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300]

Business & Bullsh** Part 6: AI Is Moving Faster Than the Rules with Ashok Mittal

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/fan_mail/new] n this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur, host Juming Delmas sits down with Ashok Mittal, CEO and Founder of Fintech Global Center, for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, and the future of business. Ashok brings a rare long-view perspective to the AI conversation. Originally from India, he moved to the United States 40 years ago and earned a master’s degree in artificial intelligence in 1986 — long before today’s generative AI boom. Before building a career in global finance and trading systems, he also worked with the Indian Space Research Organization, India’s equivalent to NASA. Together, Juming and Ashok explore how AI has evolved from early neural networks, natural language processing, and limited computing power into today’s fast-moving world of generative AI. Ashok explains why the ideas behind AI are not new, but the compute power, scale, accessibility, and speed of modern systems have changed everything. The conversation also gets into the larger question entrepreneurs and business leaders are asking: is AI a tool, a threat, or both? Ashok compares artificial intelligence to nuclear technology, arguing that it is not inherently good or bad. Its impact depends on who controls it, how it is used, and whether it is applied to solve problems or create harm. Cybersecurity becomes a major part of the discussion as Juming and Ashok examine the risks of advanced AI systems being used for hacking, automated attacks, and digital disruption. They also discuss why regulating AI is so difficult. Unlike nuclear technology, AI can be developed almost anywhere by anyone with enough computing power, making global oversight far more complicated. The episode also looks ahead to the future. Juming brings up predictions that AI could surpass combined human intelligence within the next decade, while Ashok offers a more measured and optimistic view. He explains that human intelligence is constantly being redefined and that society will likely develop new checks, balances, and systems as the technology advances. Along the way, Ashok shares a nostalgic look at the early days of computing, from IBM PCs with 512K memory and floppy drives to bulletin board systems, modems, and the pre-internet era of file sharing. This episode is for entrepreneurs, tech leaders, fintech professionals, business owners, and anyone trying to understand how artificial intelligence may reshape business, finance, cybersecurity, and society. Listen to The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur on all major podcast platforms.  #UnTraditionalEntrepreneur #BusinessAndBullshit #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #AIinBusiness #Fintech #Cybersecurity #Entrepreneurship #AIRegulation #FutureOfAI #TechPodcast #BusinessPodcast  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/support] Support us by Joining Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/imjustheretolistenpod]. Also, Stay Connected on Socials: The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@ijhtlpodcast] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/imjustheretolistenpod/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur [https://youtu.be/ORiK65EDYPM?si=vm8CGFT3CsIiA2Un] Produced by Juming Delmas Studios Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/ [ https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios [https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/ [https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300 [https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300]

Business & BullSh** Part 5: Hope Is Not a Business Strategy with Benoy Tam

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur, host Juming Delmas sits down with business mentor and coach Benoy Tam for a direct conversation about entrepreneurship, cash management, sales, work-life balance, and why “hope” can become one of the most dangerous traps in business. Benoy shares insight from his experience starting seven businesses and explains why entrepreneurs need more than motivation, optimism, or a good idea. One of the biggest themes of the episode is that hope can slow a founder down when it keeps them from looking at problems with clinical accuracy. In business, the numbers, systems, cash flow, sales process, and customer value have to be faced honestly. The conversation also explores Benoy’s “four burners” theory: family, work, health, and social life. While different seasons of life may require one area to receive more attention than another, Benoy argues that no burner should ever be completely turned off. Juming and Benoy discuss why entrepreneurs often sacrifice too much in the name of growth and how maintaining boundaries can actually protect the quality of your business, product, and service. Cash management becomes another major focus of the episode. Benoy explains why poor cash management is one of the most common reasons businesses fail and why founders have to understand the movement of money inside their company. As he puts it, cash is king for a reason. Without cash, even a great idea or strong product can run out of room to grow. The episode also gets into sales as a survival skill. Benoy makes the point that if a founder cannot sell their product, explain its value, or communicate why someone should buy, they may not be ready to start or scale a business. Sales are not optional — they are the engine that creates the cash needed to keep a company alive. Juming and Benoy also break down the difference between a consultant, mentor, and coach. A consultant is brought in to solve a specific problem. A mentor gives advice based on personal experience. A coach helps you think through decisions, evaluate options, and become a stronger leader for yourself. This episode is for entrepreneurs, founders, business owners, and leaders who need a clear reminder that growth requires honesty, structure, boundaries, sales, and disciplined cash management — not just hope. Connect with Benoy Tam at techceocoach.com, where you can also download his free digital book on business effectiveness. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/support] Support us by Joining Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/imjustheretolistenpod]. Also, Stay Connected on Socials: The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@ijhtlpodcast] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/imjustheretolistenpod/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur [https://youtu.be/ORiK65EDYPM?si=vm8CGFT3CsIiA2Un] Produced by Juming Delmas Studios Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/ [ https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios [https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/ [https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300 [https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300]

CEO Confessions: What It Really Means to Be a Hard Ass

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur, host Juming Delmas takes on a leadership label that is often treated like an insult: being a “hard ass.” Juming argues that demanding people are not always cruel, unreasonable, or impossible to work with. In many high-performance environments, the person who refuses to lower the standard may be the same person pushing a team, athlete, employee, or entrepreneur toward a level they would not have reached on their own. The conversation explores what a healthy hard ass actually looks like. According to Juming, strong leaders hold the line when excuses, discomfort, and temporary emotions threaten the bigger goal. They care enough to correct people, expect follow-through, and remain willing to be disliked in the moment when the long-term result is growth. But the episode also draws a necessary line between demanding leadership and toxic behavior. A healthy hard ass pushes people because they believe in their potential and care about the outcome. A toxic hard ass uses pressure to control, embarrass, dominate, or break people down. Juming makes it clear that being demanding does not require constant yelling, public humiliation, disrespect, or emotional coldness. Using Kobe Bryant and the “Mamba Mentality” as a central example, Juming examines how elite standards can sharpen the people around a high performer. Bryant’s intensity forced teammates to confront whether they were truly committed to the goal or simply attracted to the idea of success. His approach was not comfortable, but comfort was never the standard. The episode also looks at what people can gain from learning to function under demanding leadership. Those who can receive correction without collapsing often develop thicker skin, greater discipline, better emotional control, and the ability to perform when pressure is high. In that sense, hard leaders naturally separate people who are serious about growth from those who only want encouragement without accountability. For leaders, the final lesson is not to become softer or abandon high standards. It is to sharpen the way those standards are communicated. Strong leadership should challenge people without degrading them, build resilience without destroying confidence, and create better performers rather than frightened followers. This episode is for entrepreneurs, coaches, managers, athletes, and anyone trying to understand the difference between accountability and control. It asks a hard but important question: are demanding people holding you back, or are they refusing to let you remain below your potential? Listen to The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur on all major podcast platforms or visit utodcast.com. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/support] Support us by Joining Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/imjustheretolistenpod]. Also, Stay Connected on Socials: The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@ijhtlpodcast] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/imjustheretolistenpod/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur [https://youtu.be/ORiK65EDYPM?si=vm8CGFT3CsIiA2Un] Produced by Juming Delmas Studios Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/ [ https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios [https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/ [https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300 [https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300]

Business & BullSh** Part 4: Phone Sex, Polyamory & the Business of Being Untraditional

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur, host Juming Delmas sits down with Cidney Green, an author, phone sex operator, trainer, and adult-industry entrepreneur, for a candid conversation about making money in unconventional spaces, building a business from lived experience, and challenging the social rules many people take for granted. Cidney shares how she entered the world of professional phone sex at 21 and eventually turned her experience into a training and certification business for others interested in the industry. She discusses the business side of phone-based adult entertainment, including income potential, customer psychology, performance, character work, and why she sees the industry as more resilient than many traditional career paths. The conversation also explores the performance aspect of the work, including Cidney’s use of a “secret voice” and character-based interactions with clients. Juming and Cidney discuss how fantasy, confidence, communication, and emotional intelligence all play a role in what outsiders may misunderstand as a simple or one-dimensional business. From there, the episode moves into a deeper philosophical conversation about monogamy, polyamory, religion, emotional regulation, and human nature. Cidney challenges the idea that monogamy is the natural default for everyone, arguing that many relationship structures are shaped by history, culture, and social expectations. She also explains her view of polyamory, “organic monogamy,” and why nontraditional relationships require a high level of honesty, vulnerability, and communication. Juming and Cidney also debate whether people can control their feelings. While they acknowledge that emotional reactions can be automatic, Cidney makes the case that people can do the inner work needed to understand triggers, regulate themselves, and change long-term emotional patterns. This episode is a bold, unconventional conversation about adult-industry entrepreneurship, personal freedom, relationship structures, trauma, communication, and what it really means to build a business outside the lines. Listener discretion advised: this episode includes mature themes and adult-industry discussion. Connect with Cidney Green on Instagram at @CidneyGreen or visit allthreeandme.com. Watch or listen to The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Visit utpodcast.com for more. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359339/support] Support us by Joining Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/imjustheretolistenpod]. Also, Stay Connected on Socials: The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/ [https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@ijhtlpodcast] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur [https://www.instagram.com/imjustheretolistenpod/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur [https://youtu.be/ORiK65EDYPM?si=vm8CGFT3CsIiA2Un] Produced by Juming Delmas Studios Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/ [ https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios [https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/ [https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300 [https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300]