

The Start, Scale & Succeed Podcast
Scott Ritzheimer
Scale Architects, founder, CEO and Secrets of The High Demand Coach podcast host Scott Ritzheimer has helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and launched and sold his own multimillion-dollar business after leading it through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth) all before he turned 35.
He realized the biggest secret to success is that there is not one secret to success. There are key strategies, tactics, skills, and mindsets needed at each stage of the journey AND they are different in each stage.
He launched the Start, Scale & Succeed podcast to help you know what you need to do RIGHT NOW to create the success you want. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, owner, or CEO or even if you'd like to be. You'll find episodes guiding you to success in all seven stages of your journey from pre-launch to post-exit.
He realized the biggest secret to success is that there is not one secret to success. There are key strategies, tactics, skills, and mindsets needed at each stage of the journey AND they are different in each stage.
He launched the Start, Scale & Succeed podcast to help you know what you need to do RIGHT NOW to create the success you want. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, owner, or CEO or even if you'd like to be. You'll find episodes guiding you to success in all seven stages of your journey from pre-launch to post-exit.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 9, 2025 • 32min
There's Nothing Soft About Being a Steady Leader with Schuyler Williamson (stages 2,3,4) - Ep. 296
In this powerful episode, Schuyler Williamson shares how you can lead steadily through chaos using proven models. If you’re struggling with overwhelm, or if you feel chaos derails your leadership, you won’t want to miss it.You will discover:- Why steady leadership ensures clarity in chaotic growth stages (and how he learned it from a direct hit by an IED)- How to use combat readiness to lead yourself amidst uncertainty- What clear vision communication does to align your growing teamThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 2,3,4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizSchuyler Williamson is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and decorated military veteran who has consistently achieved the highest business and service levels. As the author of The Steady Leader: Leadership Models That Bring Clarity to Chaos, Schuyler provides actionable strategies for leading through uncertainty, drawing from his experience as a Bronze Star Medal recipient and combat officer with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A top West Point and McCombs MBA graduate, Schuyler ranks in the top 1 percent of real estate agents nationwide, with hundreds of millions in sales and ownership of over fifty-five investment properties.Want to learn more about Schuyler Williamson's work at Williamson Group Real Estate? Check out his website at thesteadyleader.com or https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

Jun 9, 2025 • 24min
Branding Strategy that will Supercharge Your Exit Plan with Angelo Ponzi (stage 5) - Ep. 295
In this insightful episode, Angelo Ponzi shares how you can enhance your exit strategy with a strong brand focus. If you’re struggling with market saturation, or if you feel unprepared for a big exit, you won’t want to miss it.You will discover:- Why understanding culture ensures a smoother exit and lasting legacy- How to assess your market size to avoid unrealistic growth goals- What internal data analysis reveals to balance client concentration risksThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizAngelo Ponzi is a fractional and interim CMO, CRO, CSO, and marketing and brand strategist specializing in B2B, B2C, and DTC markets. He is also a keynote speaker, author, and podcast host with extensive hands-on experience across marketing, branding, advertising, research, and sales. With a career spanning diverse industry verticals and brand niches, his portfolio includes engagements with notable brands such as AT&T (formerly SBC Global), Ericsson, Kendall-Jackson, and Disney, among many others.Want to learn more about Angelo Ponzi's work at Craft? Check out his website at https://www.craftmarketingandbranding.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

Jun 9, 2025 • 25min
The Founder’s Guide to Marriage with Dr. Robin Buckley (stages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) - Ep. 294
In this empowering episode, Dr. Robin Buckley shares how you can apply business strategies to strengthen your marriage. If you’re struggling to balance work and relationships, or if you feel overwhelmed by marital challenges, you won’t want to miss it.You will discover:- Why business skills like strategy can enhance your marriage across all stages- How to create a mission statement to align your relationship goals- What 180 thinking does to control negative thoughts and improve communicationThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizDr. Robin Buckley earned her PhD in clinical psychology from Hofstra University, with specialized training in cognitive behavioral methodology and executive coaching. Multiple media platforms featured her work, including Entrepreneur, Chief, Authority Magazine, Nike, and the TED stage. As an international speaker, Robin focuses on applying cognitive behavioral strategies to mental wellness in the workplace and women’s equity and empowerment. As a coach, Robin applies cognitive behavioral tactics to help organizations, couples, and individuals create strategic plans for professional and personal success.Want to learn more about Dr. Robin Buckley's work at Insights Group? Check out her website at drrobinbuckley.com, her company website at https://igcoaching.net/, and her book, Marriage Inc Build a Thriving Relationship with a Business MindsetMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

Jun 9, 2025 • 23min
Bridging the Leadership Gap with Rhiannon Albert (stage 4) - Ep. 293
In this insightful episode, Rhiannon Albert shares how you can align HR strategy to manage growth and reduce overwhelm. If you’re struggling with team misalignment, or if you feel bogged down by HR complexities, you won’t want to miss it.You will discover:- Why partnering with HR aligns your team and mitigates risk in chaos- How to integrate HR into decisions to avoid siloed thinking- What open-mindedness allows you to dream bigger despite HR challengesThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 4 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizRhiannon Albert is the founder of My Trusted HR. It offers fractional and interim HR leadership to businesses across the U.S. With over 23 years of HR experience and dual certifications (SHRM-CP & HRCI-PHR), Rhiannon specializes in guiding CEOs, CFOs, and business owners in strengthening their HR functions, managing risk, and fostering company culture. As a trusted advisor to leaders, she mentors HR teams, helping them elevate from reactive to strategic.Want to learn more about Rhiannon Albert's work at My Trusted HR? Check out her website at https://mytrustedhr.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

Jun 3, 2025 • 26min
How to Turn Words into Wealth with Aurora Winter (stage 2) - Ep. 292
In this transformative episode, Aurora Winter shares how you can turn your story into a powerful brand to grow your business. If you’re struggling to stand out, or if you feel stuck in a job instead of a business, you won’t want to miss it.You will discover:- Why your brand is the story others tell to build trust and credibility- How to use a book to scale beyond local limits and attract clients- What neuroscience tips cut through noise to share your story effectivelyThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 2 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizAurora Winter, MBA, is an award-winning, bestselling author. She is a successful serial entrepreneur, media trainer, creator of the Spoken Author™ method, and founder of Same Page Publishing. Aurora left her lucrative career as a TV executive decades ago to become a full-time author, trainer, and entrepreneur. Using storytelling for business, she created a life of freedom, creativity, and contribution. Now, she helps her clients turn their words into wealth, wisdom, and wonder.Want to learn more about Aurora Winter's work at www.aurorawinter.com/? Check out her website at https://www.aurorawinter.com/ and get a copy of her book, Turn Words into Wealth, at turnwordsintowealth.comMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

Jun 3, 2025 • 25min
Traditional Strategic Planning Doesn't Work with Lee Benson (stages 4,5) - Ep. 291
In this clarifying episode, Lee Benson, CEO of Execute to Win, takes aim at two enormous problems founders face (especially when they hire coaches or consultants).You will discover:- Why traditional strategic planning never works sustainably (leading to Treadmill)- Why your operating system, no matter what it's called or how much you love it, will grow your business (and what will)- A clear definition of success for every CEOThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 4,5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizLee Benson is a value creation expert and CEO of Execute to Win, a firm that helps organizations of all sizes to accelerate the value they create. He founded and led seven companies, including Able Aerospace, which grew from 2 to 500 employees and a 9-figure exit in 2016. He is also a 2x Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Your Most Important Number and Value Creation Kid, which helps parents teach their kids about money and value-creation tactics.Want to learn more about Lee Benson's work at Execute to Win? Check out his website at https://etw.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

May 27, 2025 • 23min
The Secret to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur with Pia Silva (stage 2) - Ep. 290
In this BS free episode, Pia Silva, Owner of No BS Agency Mastery, shares how she went from struggling as an entrepreneur to making $40k+ per month, by doing less things for fewer people. If you are looking to boost your profits as an Entrepreneur (in stage 2) without giving up your time, you won't want to miss this episode.You will discover:- How do overcome the fear of niching down- The one thing that separates the most successful stage 2 entrepreneurs from those that barely scrape by- The most important word in businessThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 2 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizEntrepreneur, speaker, and author Pia Silva is a small branding agency coach, a partner, and a brand strategist at Worstofall Design. She helps small branding agencies go from drained & stretched thin to in-demand specialists with total control over their process. In 2021, she founded No BS Agency Mastery, a training program where she teaches 1-2-person branding agencies how to scale to $30-50k months while reducing their workload by up to 80% without employees. Pia has delivered a popular TED Talk on cultivating true confidence.Want to learn more about Pia Silva's work at No BS Agency Mastery? Check out her website at https://www.nobsagencies.com/. You can get a audio version of her book "Badass Your Brand: The Impatient Entrepreneur's Guide to Turning Expertise into Profit" for free at https://www.nobsagencies.com/secrets or buy a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Fb4cKEMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

May 20, 2025 • 25min
The Blue Collar of Scalable Success with Ritavan (stage 5) - Ep. 288
In this transformative episode, Ritavan shares how you can reignite growth by leveraging your data-driven edge with the SLASOG framework. If you’re struggling with stagnant growth despite past success, or if you feel left behind by tech-driven competitors, you won’t want to miss it.You will discover:- Why your legacy business gives you an unfair edge to outshine tech competitors- How to stop spray-and-pray data strategies to focus on what works- What scarcity mindset shift unlocks new growth in a data-driven worldThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizRitavan is an entrepreneurial technology leader with a decade of experience focused on data-driven business impact. He has authored peer-reviewed papers, given invited talks at global conferences, and holds an international patent. Known for his first principles approach to building and scaling data-driven solutions across industries, Ritavan combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision and an execution-focused mindset. His latest book offers actionable insights to accelerate data-driven value creation for non-software native businesses.Want to learn more about Ritavan's work at www.ritavan.com? Check out his website at https://www.ritavan.com/Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

May 20, 2025 • 26min
How to Only Market to Your Best Customers with James Hipkin (Stages 2, 3) - Ep. 289
In this successful episode, James Hipkin, CEO and Founder of Inn8ly, shares how he helps founders achieve extraordinary success, by mastering digital marketing.You will discover:- Why every startup entrepreneur needs to excel at digital marketing- How to figure out which digital channels you should be on- The biggest mistake brands make when defining who they market toThis episode is ideal for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stages 2 and 3 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizJames Hipkin is a seasoned marketing expert with over 40 years of experience helping brands build meaningful, lasting connections with their customers. Starting his career with global giants like Apple, Visa, and Toyota Today, as the CEO of Inn8ly, he empowers small and medium-sized businesses with AI-driven marketing tools and website solutions designed to simplify digital growth. His innovative tool, Marketing Sage, enables business owners to create detailed customer avatars and journey maps, transforming data into actionable insights for targeted, customer-centric marketing.Want to learn more about James Hipkin's work at Inn8ly? Check out his website at https://inn8ly.com/ VIPChatWithJames.com or MarketingSageAdvantage.com. You can also get a copy of his book "Journey to Success: Digital Marketing for Small Business Owners" on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4bA1F8JMentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz

May 20, 2025 • 26min
Becoming a True Owner with Mark L. Vincent (Stage 5) - 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 new CEO to replace you- A clear sign you're waiting to long to start planing your succession- How much you should be involved as an ownerThis episode is ideal for for Founders, Owners, and CEOs in stage 5 of The Founder's Evolution. Not sure which stage you're in? Find out for free in less than 10 minutes at https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/quizChad E. Cooper is a renowned author, speaker, and coach recognized for empowering individuals and organizations to achieve legendary lives. A retired Fortune 500 executive, his expertise spans leadership, philanthropy, and personal development. His mission is to help people align their actions with their values, fostering a legacy of impact and excellence. Through his engaging workshops and coaching, Chad inspires others to lead purposeful lives and create meaningful change.Want to learn more about Chad Cooper's work at chadecooper.com? Check out his website at https://www.chadecooper.com/ where you can get the audio versio of his book for free. If you'd like to support Chad you can also pick up a copy of his book Time Isn't the Problem, You Are and leave him a 5 star review at https://amzn.to/4brrlo5.Mentioned in this episode:Take the Founder's Evolution Quiz TodayIf you’re a Founder, business owner, or CEO who feels overworked by the business you lead and underwhelmed by the results, you’re doing it wrong. Succeeding as a founder all comes down to doing the right one or two things right now. Take the quiz today at foundersquiz.com, and in just ten questions, you can figure out what stage you are in, so you can focus on what is going to work and say goodbye to everything else.Founder's Quiz