Strap on your Boots

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to founder and entrepreneur Tim Dwyer about how to unlock faster, more sustainable business growth by aligning with the natural rhythms of your company. Tim reveals the key phases every business goes through and why understanding your current growth cycle is critical to avoiding burnout, scaling too soon, or stalling altogether. He shares the framework behind 6x growth without hustle culture, how to use emotional and spiritual intelligence to build long-term impact, and why building legacy isn’t about what you leave behind — but what you build with intention today.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak to change agent and coach Evan Unger about how meetings can either make or break your startup’s culture. Evan reveals how most meetings are shockingly inefficient and how that wasted time impacts leadership, productivity, and team morale. He shares practical tools to transform your meetings from painful time-sinks into high-performing decision-making engines. Whether you’re leading a remote team or building your startup’s culture from scratch, this episode gives you the strategies to make every meeting count.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with attorney and tech law expert Tony Smith about the critical intersection of blockchain law, intellectual property, and startup compliance. Tony shares how entrepreneurs can navigate the fast-changing legal landscape of emerging technologies, offering insight into real-world blockchain regulations, startup compliance best practices, and the protection of valuable IP assets. With years of experience helping businesses tackle legal challenges head-on, Tony unpacks the legal essentials every founder and innovator needs to know to stay compliant, protect their creations, and thrive in the digital economy. This episode is essential listening for anyone building or investing in tech-forward ventures.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with entrepreneur, investor, and Evolution Co-Founder Alex Chompff about redefining venture capital through ethics, inclusion, and long-term impact. From his early days in the military to his time at Kleiner Perkins during the dot-com boom, Alex shares the lessons that shaped his values as a founder and investor. Now at the helm of Evolution Ventures, he explains how ethical venture capitalism can drive regional growth and build meaningful partnerships that go beyond profit. We also explore how personal values like fatherhood and service influence his leadership style, and how initiatives like the Minerva Fund are creating a more inclusive startup ecosystem.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Ali Hafizji, CEO of Wednesday Solutions and an engineer-turned-entrepreneur, about smarter ways to move from MVP to product-market fit without burning out or burning cash. Ali shares insights from building software that handles over a billion customer requests per hour and supporting 10% of India’s unicorns, offering practical advice on how to avoid common post-MVP mistakes, leverage AI and offshore teams, and build high-performing engineering teams that deliver real impact. If you want to learn how to accelerate growth, make better product decisions, and scale smartly in today’s competitive market, this episode is packed with actionable strategies.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with business strategist and mentor Israel Duran about how entrepreneurs can scale their business using speaking, social media, and online platforms. Israel shares how to turn your message into money by getting booked on stages, building a strong personal brand, and standing out in a crowded market. He breaks down proven strategies that have helped his clients generate millions in sales and attract high-paying clients, even without prior speaking experience. If you’re ready to grow fast and position yourself as a leader in your industry, this episode gives you the practical blueprint to make it happen.Get Israel’s online business blueprint for free! Just DM him “blueprint” on Instagram and he will send it at no cost!

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Harvard serial founder Shirish Nimgaonkar about how his company, eBlissAI, is leading a new era of agentic AI through self-healing, autonomous systems. Shirish explains why today’s enterprise IT systems are falling short and how eBlissAI’s platform is transforming endpoint management by combining real-time analytics, predictive insights, and intelligent automation. We discuss how businesses can drastically reduce operational costs, improve user productivity, and gain a superior ROI by adopting AI that not only reacts but predicts and personalizes. With enterprise tech at a tipping point, this episode explores why now is the critical moment to embrace truly autonomous solutions.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with experience designer Geoff Thatcher about how AI is transforming storytelling and the future of immersive experiences. Geoff shares how tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Grok are already changing how experience designers create, but the real revolution is just beginning. We dive into the new GAME ON! AI Experience at the College Football Hall of Fame, which puts guests directly into the story as players, coaches, and fans across 775 college football teams. Geoff explains how AI allows experiences to become more personal, interactive, and human, unlocking levels of immersion never before possible and shaping the next era of storytelling in theme parks, museums, and beyond.

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with Paula Paul, Founder and Distinguished Engineer at Greyshore, about how companies can drive real value from open source software. With over four decades of experience in tech, Paula shares insights on open source supply chain security, the power of community, and how organizations can adopt cloud-native technologies more efficiently. We also explore the shift from “every company is a tech company” to “every company is a SaaS company,” and Paula reflects on her remarkable journey as a woman in tech since the 1980s. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in software innovation, digital transformation, and the future of technology.

In this episode of Zero to CEO I sit down with Paul Scribner, the visionary CEO of Raven Resources Corp whose innovative investment acumen is transforming how business deals are made. Scribner reveals the transformational business approaches that have helped partners multiply their facilities sixfold and increase revenue seven-X. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or business leader, you’ll gain invaluable insights into creative problem-solving and strategic deal-making from “the most integrity-filled man in business” who sees potential where others see problems.