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The Founder’s Evolution
One Journey. Seven Stages
Every founder’s journey has 7 stages—from dreaming to exiting. I’m Scott Ritzheimer, and I created the Founder’s Evolution to help you conquer each stage with the right strategies.
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- Disatisfied Employee: You haven’t started yet, but you’re wrestling with the idea that there must be a better way! These episodes will help you find, test, and launch it.
- Startup Entrepreneur: You’ve hung your shingle and realized it’s a lot harder than you thought. These episodes will help you get the momentum you need to succeed.
- Reluctant Manager: No one launches their organization to be a manager, but to grow, you have to figure out what’s wrong with these people. These episodes will show you how.
- Disillusioned Leader: You’ve had success and found that problems scale faster than profits. These episodes will help you eliminate those problems and get your vision back on track!
- Chief Executive: Every founder calls themselves founder. Few make it this far. These episodes will help you understand who you are, how to scale, and how to find a successor.
- True Owner: You’ve achieved the goal of owning an not running your business. These episodes will help you keep this good thing going (and make more money than ever).
- Visionary Founder: The most fulfilling occupation in life is found in helping others. These episodes will help you build the legacy you want to leave behind!
Stage 1: The Dissatisfied Employee
Dreaming of starting your own business but stuck in a job that’s draining you? You’re asking, ‘Isn’t there a better way?’ (see all episodes)
Frustrated with your job? Should you stay, switch, or start? with Tony Leonard – Ep. 49
In this highly personalized episode, Tony Leonard, a career coach for creative professionals shares how over years he developed a coaching model for helping individuals enjoy a more fulfilling career.
You’ll discover how to navigate the most …
It’s Time to Go Big with Donnie Boivin – Ep. 94
In this no-bs episode, Donnie Boivin, Founder and CEO of Success Champions, shares how he helps his clients identify and create the strategies that will catapult their business to the next level and help them remove the head trash that is keeping …
The Secret to Selling Luxury with Elizabeth Solaru – Ep. 98
In this deluxe episode, Elizabeth Solaru, Founder of Luxury Business Emporium, shares how she, through creativity and sheer hard work, built her company up into a world-renowned luxury brand and how she can help you do the same thing for your …
Stage 2: The Startup Entrepreneur
You’ve launched, and it’s exciting—but chaotic! You’re wondering, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ (see all episodes)
The 7-Figure Expert Formula with Dr. Noah St. John – Ep. 264
In this expert episode, Dr. Noah St. John, Founder of St. John Executive Coaching, shares how he has helped 1000s of founders and CEOs break the 7 figure barrier and make over $1M in a single year.
You will discover:
– The formula for profitably …
How to Double Your Revenue by Charging the Right Price with Robin Waite – Ep. 247
In this immensely practical episode, Robin Waite, Founder of Fearless Business, shares how he empowers coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs to double their income and happiness while significantly reducing their client load.
You will discover:
– …
The Broken Cookie Effect with Patty Block – Ep. 76
In this meaningful episode, Patty Block, Founder & President of The Block Group Inc., shares how she has empowered women business owners who are experts in their fields to turn up their power to price, sell, and run their business on their own terms …
Stage 3: The Reluctant Manager
You’re hiring a team and building systems, but it’s exhausting. You’re asking, ‘What is wrong with these people?’ (see all episodes)
CEO Sales Strategies with Doug C. Brown – Ep. 117
In this sales-focused episode, Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies, shares how he passes on his knowledge and experience which he obtained through four decades of studying and applying sound sales strategies for business success.
You will …
The One Phase That Traps Every Entrepreneur with Rodric Lenhart – Ep. 145
In this evolutionary episode, Rodric Lenhart, President of Million Dollar Flipflops, shares how he failed in the pursuit of success, hit reset and built the business he loved multiple times over.
You will discover:
– Where to find the answers when …
Don’t Wing Sales. Win Sales through Stories with Kyle Gray – Ep. 147
In this plot-rich episode, Kyle Gray, CEO of The Story Engine, shares how he has helped hundreds of startups and small businesses create scalable content marketing strategies.
You will discover:
– The three stories that will sell your product or …
Stage 4: The Disillusioned Leader
Growth is rapid but messy, leaving you feeling beat up and asking, ‘Is this as good as it gets?’ (see all episodes)
How to Avoid Being Trapped by Your Own Success with Les McKeown – Ep. 2
In this fascinating episode, Les McKeown Founder and CEO of Predictable Success, shares how he went from Chartered Accountant (CPA) to serial entrepreneur to startup incubator to one of the highest demand coaches in the US today.
Along the way, he …
How to Scale You as a Founder with Rachel Turner – Ep. 43
In this truly tremendous episode, Rachel Turner, Co-founder and Principal of VC Talent Lab, shares how she turned her own struggles scaling her businesses into a powerful tool for Founders.
You’ll learn what it means to scale yourself while you …
It’s Not Enough to Just “Figure it Out” with Eric Crews – Ep. 53
In this tactical episode, Eric Crews, Founder and CEO of Crews & co, shares how he guided 100+ organizations to increased and sustainable profitability.
You will learn the value of great business coaching in entrepreneurship and the characteristics …
Stage 5: The Chief Executive
You’re scaling profitably, but now exploring, ‘Who am I, apart from my business?’ (see all episodes)
The Only Three Things Every CEO Must Do with Daniel Marcos – Ep. 129
In this irrepressible episode, Daniel Marcos, co-founder and CEO of Growth Institute, shares the wisdom he’s gained in building a several hundred million dollar business in 4 years, losing it all in his next venture, and going on to coach and impact …
Scaling from Chief Executive to Chief Architect with Jim Schleckser – Ep. 255
In this lazy episode, Jim Schleckser, CEO of The CEO Project, shares how he and his team have helped thousands of CEOs create exponentially more success by doing less. If you are CEO of a business or nonprofit with more than 50 employees, this …
When to Exit Your Business with Michael Vann – Ep. 14
“In this super-practical episode, Michael demystifies growing and selling your business and provides real-world advice for real owners and their businesses. Michael Vann is the president of the Vann group, a strategic consulting and transactional …
Stage 6: True Owner
You’ve completed your exit—selling or stepping back—and are asking, ‘Now what do I do?’ (see all episodes)
Transforming from Owner to Investor with Keith Blackborg – Ep. 239
In this high-roi episode, Keith Blackborg, Owner of Financial Journey, LLC, shares how you can make the leap from founder/owner to investor and put your wealth to work for you all in the context of a community of fellow founders and investors.
You …
Becoming a True Owner with Mark L. Vincent – Ep. 287
In this elite episode, Mark L. Vincent, Executive Advisor of Teall Vincent Enterprises, shares how he has helped hundreds of founder/CEOs become True Owners so they can own their business without having to run it!
You will discover:
– How to find a …
Embracing a Vision for Your Most Rewarding Journey Yet with Achim Nowak – Ep. 119
In this dramatic episode, Achim Nowak, Founder and President of BRILLIANT BEST, shares how he helps successful leaders embrace their fourth act and all the joy that it brings.
You will discover:
– What to do when you’re done and ready to sell your …
Stage 7: Visionary Founder
Post-exit, you’re reflecting on your legacy, asking, ‘What do I want to leave behind?’ (see all episodes)
Overcoming the Retirement Trap with Jeff Kikel – Ep. 268
In this insightful episode, Jeff Kikel, President of Freedom Day Wealth Management, LLC, shares how he helps founders exit their business with tremendous success.
You will discover:
– Why traditional retirement planning is failing us
– How to …
Mentoring Social Entrepreneurs with Ryan King – Ep. 121
In this inspirational episode, Ryan King, CEO of Ardent Mentoring, shares his passion for seeing lives, communities, and nations transformed by the love of Christ and a desire to be hands on with people making a difference.
You will discover:
– Why …
Embrace Pain to Avoid Suffering with Brian Bogert – Ep. 20
In this stunning episode, Brian Bogert shares how a tragic accident in his past led to the discovery of the most impactful secret of living the life you desire.
Brian is a Keynote Speaker, Business Leader, and Human Behavior & Performance Coach. His …
Meet your Host
Scott Ritzheimer
Founder and CEO of Scale Architects
Scott helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and, with his business partner, started and led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth), all before he turned 35.
He founded Scale Architects to help businesses across the country identify the right growth strategies and find the right guides to get them on the fast-track to Predictable Success and stay there as long as possible.