Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

As the year winds down, the pressure to find answers and set massive goals ramps up. But what if the key to a successful new year isn't about finding answers right now, but about asking the right questions? In this special Solo Sunday episode, Brian Lofrumento pulls back the curtain on his personal end-of-year process. He shares a powerful list of reflective questions—sparked by his own conversations with his AI assistant—designed to help you pause, look inward, and gain the clarity you need to make your next year the best one yet. This isn't about planning; it's about percolating. Get ready to uncover the hidden lessons, overlooked opportunities, and mindset shifts from the past year that will fuel your future.✨ Why This Matters for YouThis reflective practice is the foundation for intentional growth:It’s a break from the constant hustle and firefighting, creating space for strategic thought.It helps you identify the limiting beliefs you need to retire and the powerful new ones you need to adopt.It reveals the "invisible wins" and low-hanging fruit you've been overlooking in your business.It provides deep clarity on what truly drained you versus what energized you, so you can build better systems.It ensures your goals for the new year are aligned with who you are becoming, not just who you were.🦃 Thanksgiving Week Reflection QuestionsWhat did this year really ask of me, and how did I respond?What part of my business felt heavy this year, and why?What surprised me — in a good way or a bad way?What am I thankful that I learned the hard way this year?Who helped carry something for me this year, even if it was small?Who am I right now that I wasn’t one year ago?What’s one belief I’m ready to retire going into the new year?What’s one belief I’m finally ready to pick up?What consistently broke this year, and what does that reveal about my systems?What worked so well that I barely noticed it?If I had to run my business next year with 50% less effort, what would I automate and/or eliminate?What’s the biggest opportunity I’m sitting on that I didn’t take seriously enough this year?What would a bold version of next year look like (not necessarily bigger — but bolder)?What am I willing to disrupt in my own world to step into that version?What did life remind me of this year that business sometimes makes me forget?What would make next year feel rich — not just financially, but experientially?If next year was guaranteed to be successful, what would I stop worrying about today?🚀 Put It Into ActionThis week, instead of chasing answers, give yourself the gift of a great question.Scroll down and review the full list of questions Brian shares in this episode.Choose just ONE question that resonates with you the most.Spend some quiet time this week—on a walk, with a coffee, or during your travels—and just let your mind wander on that single question. Don't force an answer; just explore the thought.🔗 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who could use a moment of powerful reflection before the new year rush.

Tired of back-to-back virtual meetings that drain your energy and feel disconnected? This episode is your solution. We're joined by Robert Glenn, a software consultant turned entrepreneur who is tackling the universal problem of "Zoom fatigue" head-on. Robert shares the journey behind building Kopa AI, an enterprise software that acts as a real-time personal coach during video calls to boost your productivity, awareness, and even your mental health. This conversation goes far beyond basic AI tools, exploring how technology can enhance the human touch instead of replacing it, making every virtual interaction more meaningful and effective. For any entrepreneur tired of inefficient meetings, this is a look into the future of work.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to identify a massive business opportunity in everyday frustrations (like bad meetings) and build a tech-driven solution.Why the next frontier of AI is real-time feedback that enhances human performance, not just post-meeting summaries and transcriptions.The strategic advantage of using smaller, fit-for-purpose AI models to improve efficiency, speed, and data privacy.How to design a tech product that learns from user behavior to deliver a truly personalized experience.A framework for thinking about AI as a tool to fill human connection gaps in a remote-first world.How the discipline of "No Zero Days" can help you build unstoppable momentum, even when you lack motivation.Future applications for real-time AI in high-stakes industries like telehealth and education.📝 About Robert GlennRobert Glenn is a software consultant turned entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Kopacetic. With over a decade of experience specializing in automated infrastructure, software lifecycle management, and cloud-native architecture, he possesses a deep understanding of building scalable tech solutions. Robert channeled his expertise and personal experience with burnout from endless virtual meetings into creating Kopa AI—an innovative platform designed to make online interactions more productive and human-centric. He is a forward-thinker who sees AI not as a replacement for people, but as a powerful tool to enhance our capabilities and well-being.🎯 Robert’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Burn the boats." Once you fully commit to the entrepreneurial journey, eliminate the possibility of retreat. There will be countless days you want to look back or give up, but success requires seeing it all the way through without a safety net.📢 Memorable Quotes“I think AI is a great way to enhance the human touch rather than replacing it.” – Robert Glenn“A lot of it came out of early mornings and late nights burning out and realizing that there has got to be a better way.” – Robert Glenn“There's this concept of... you get to shore and you burn the boats... you just don't look back. There's really no going back once you've set on that journey, you just have to see it all the way through.” – Robert Glenn🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Kopacetic’s WebsiteConnect with Robert on LinkedInFollow Kopacetic on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode, Elke Wong, founder and CEO of TomorrowToday, shares her inspiring journey from pre-med to becoming a serial tech entrepreneur who is now transforming the education landscape. Elke unpacks how a single conversation with a friend revealed a massive operational inefficiency in schools, sparking the idea for a platform that empowers students and educators. This episode is a masterclass in how to build a mission-driven company by focusing on real-world problems. For any entrepreneur struggling to find their niche or innovate in a traditional industry, Elke provides a brilliant roadmap for empathetic product development, strategic growth, and creating a business that solves today’s problems to build a better tomorrow.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to Find a Billion-Dollar Problem: Discover how Elke identified a critical market gap not through complex analysis, but by listening to a friend's everyday professional struggles—and how you can do the same.The "Crawl, Walk, Run" Innovation Strategy: Learn how to introduce groundbreaking technology into slow-moving industries by meeting your customers where they are, rather than overwhelming them with change.Mastering the Customer vs. Consumer Dynamic: Unpack Elke’s strategic approach to serving multiple stakeholders (students, educators, parents, schools) by identifying a core user and expanding organically from there.The Antidote to "Shiny Object Syndrome": Hear why focusing on solving today's urgent problems is non-negotiable for survival and the key to earning the right to build for the future.Empathetic Product Development: Learn how to design solutions that enhance human capability and save time, rather than trying to replace the essential human element in your industry.Leveraging Your Entire Career Path: Understand how every pivot and experience, even from seemingly unrelated industries, can be a unique asset in your entrepreneurial toolkit.📝 About Elke WongElke Wong is the founder and CEO of TomorrowToday, a groundbreaking EdTech platform transforming career readiness for students. The daughter of immigrant parents, Elke's own winding career path—from pre-med to co-founding major ad tech and B2B marketing companies like Madison Logic—inspired her mission. With a deep background in customer success and operational excellence, Elke brings a powerful, human-centric approach to technology. She is an expert at identifying and solving complex operational inefficiencies, building empathetic solutions that empower users and drive real-world impact.🎯 Elke’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Don't just say that you're your student-centric or your customer-centric. I think you need to put it into practice... Be adaptable, be resilient, and try to have a growth mindset."📢 Memorable Quotes“If I don't help solve [today's problems], then I'm not going to have a tomorrow.” – Elke Wong“It's not fair to say that educators are not innovative. They want to be innovative. They don't have the time... It's our responsibility as EdTech entrepreneurs to think about how to be those change agents.” – Elke Wong“It's not about a specific path. It's about growth and adaptability, and when obstacles come, it's about navigating around them to reach that next milestone.” – Elke Wong🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit TomorrowToday’s WebsiteConnect with Elke on LinkedInFollow TomorrowToday on LinkedIn

If you feel like you're constantly working in your business instead of on it, this episode is your roadmap to freedom and scale. We're joined by Joel Perso, a 5-time Inc. 5000 COO who has guided companies through triple-digit growth and eight-figure acquisitions. Joel breaks down the critical difference between a good company and a great one, revealing why a lack of focus is the silent killer of execution. This isn't just theory; it's a masterclass in operational excellence from someone who has been in the trenches. You'll learn how to transition from a founder who does everything to a visionary CEO who leads, why fractional leadership is a game-changer, and how thinking about your exit strategy from day one will make your business stronger and more profitable today.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to achieve laser focus by understanding why having more than three priorities means you have none.The next level of delegation that frees up your time: moving from delegating tasks to delegating the management of those tasks.The blueprint for creating a "great" company by establishing clarity in your vision, strategy, and execution.Why fractional leadership is the key to accessing C-suite expertise without the six-figure price tag, especially in the age of AI and VAs.How planning for a future exit forces you to build healthier systems, a stronger team, and a business that isn’t dependent on you.The critical mindset shift from being the doer of all things to becoming the strategic, big-picture thinker your business needs to grow.How to reverse engineer any goal—from taking the leap into entrepreneurship to hitting your next revenue milestone—into actionable daily steps.📝 About Joel Perso Joel Perso is the founder of Growth Centric, a fractional executive company dedicated to helping business owners execute their vision. With a track record that speaks for itself, Joel is a five-time Inc. 5000 COO who has led businesses to triple-digit annual growth and successful eight-figure acquisitions, including a media company sold to Zillow. His unique perspective comes from serving in high-level operational roles, where he learned firsthand what separates thriving companies from struggling ones. Today, he channels that expertise into helping entrepreneurs build businesses that are not only profitable but are also great places to work.🎯 Joel’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Get really clear on the goal and then we can reverse engineer it."📢 Memorable Quotes “If you have more than three priorities, you don't have any.” – Joel Perso“Nobody wants to buy a business where the founder is still crucial to daily operations in our success.” – Joel Perso“A lot of people want to be a part of something special. They want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. But you have to articulate that so that people can come along.” – Joel Perso🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Growth Centric’s WebsiteConnect with Joel on LinkedInFollow Growth Centric on LinkedInFollow Joel on Facebook

Ever feel like you’re flying blind with your business finances? You’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Chris Dargin, founder and CEO of Echelor, a groundbreaking startup building an "agentic CFO" powered by AI. Chris shares his incredible journey from the Navy and working in the trades to building a tech solution that provides real-time financial intelligence to the backbone of our economy: blue-collar businesses. This episode is a masterclass in identifying a real-world problem and taking swift, decisive action to solve it with cutting-edge technology. You'll learn how AI can augment, not replace, human capability, and how to build a business deeply rooted in serving a specific, often-overlooked niche.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 How to transform personal experiences, like seeing a family business struggle, into a powerful, mission-driven startup idea.🤖 The difference between static AI (like ChatGPT) and “agentic” AI that proactively works on your behalf, finding problems and opportunities 24/7.🛠️ Why niching down to a specific audience, like the "physical economy," can be your greatest strategic advantage in a crowded market.🧠 How to move from a reactive business owner to a proactive one by leveraging data and AI to see around corners and anticipate future challenges.💡 The power of rapid prototyping and getting immediate feedback from your ideal customer to validate your idea and build a product people actually need.📈 A founder’s framework for managing a thousand ideas and prioritizing tasks by using a sprint-based approach to maintain focus and drive impact.🤝 Why human-centered design is critical, even when building a complex tech product, to ensure your solution is simple, clean, and valuable to non-tech-savvy users.📝 About Chris DarginChris Dargin is the founder and CEO of Echelor, a Detroit-based startup building the agentic CFO for the physical economy. Drawing from his experience in the Navy, working in the trades, and leading innovation in the corporate world, Chris has a unique ability to connect complex technology with real-world needs. His mission is deeply personal, inspired by watching his mother's small business struggle with finances. Chris is dedicated to closing the financial intelligence gap for everyday business owners, using AI to amplify human capability and empower entrepreneurs in the real economy.🎯 Chris’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"You can't let the fear of just getting started stop you. If you truly believe in what you're building, there's someone out there waiting for your help, and you just have to keep going."📢 Memorable Quotes“The real core strength of AI is augmenting human jobs right now… something has to be in the background kind of having their back, watching out for them and helping them to understand.” – Chris Dargin“A lot of times in a conversation... you're waiting to just talk. You're not actually listening. You're waiting to have a response back... as opposed to actually being present.” – Chris Dargin“I could have a thousand ideas, but it doesn't mean that people necessarily need them or want them. You have to really get close to the people in the field that are doing the work and making sure that you're providing the right features and solutions for them.” – Chris Dargin🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Echelor’s WebsiteConnect with Chris on LinkedInFollow Echelor on LinkedIn

Ever feel like your brand’s incredible story is trapped inside your head? Adam Belmont, the founder of A to B Strategies, is here to show you how to unleash it. After 15 years in the big agency world, Adam took the leap into solopreneurship to help brands of all sizes create “scroll-stopping” campaigns that forge genuine connections with customers. This episode is a masterclass in modern communications, breaking down how to think like a PR pro even if you’re just starting out. You’ll learn why authenticity is your greatest asset, how to create your own newsworthy moments, and why embracing your journey as a founder is the ultimate marketing advantage.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business 📢 How to shift from a reactive PR mindset (waiting for a crisis) to a proactive one that consistently builds brand equity. 🧠 The secret to making your brand messaging resonate: focus on what your customers care about, not just what your company cares about. 🚀 How to embrace the “nimbleness” of being a solopreneur and turn it into a powerful competitive advantage. ✨ How to create “ownable brand moments” by leaning into your authentic story and unique differentiators. 📈 A brilliant, simple framework for creating engaging LinkedIn content that builds a loyal following by being a positive force. 🤖 How to use AI to become “bigger, faster, stronger” in your business without sacrificing the essential “human sniff test.” 💪 The mindset shift required to step out from behind your brand and shine the spotlight on yourself as a founder.📝 About Adam Belmont Adam Belmont is the founder of A to B Strategies, a communications consultancy where he merges his big-agency experience with the nimbleness of a solopreneur. After a successful 15-year career at top firms like Ogilvy, Adam bet on himself to launch his own venture. He specializes in helping brands craft scroll-stopping creative campaigns and ownable brand moments that make consumers truly get who they are. Adam's expertise lies in his ability to act as a strategic, senior PR counsel while remaining hands-on, making him a powerful partner for brands ready to make an impact.🎯 Adam’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Commit to yourself in whatever way that speaks to you or the way that you interpret it. And go all in in whatever you believe in and follow the intuition. And with that, you can't go wrong."📢 Memorable Quotes“People care about what they care about. And they don't really care about what brands care about. So the whole point is trying to figure out…how can you translate what the company cares about in a way that the general public consumers at large care about their life?” – Adam Belmont“You gotta be true to who you are as a brand…Nobody else can replicate what you do in the way you do it. That's what makes you unique. And that's what you need to leverage.” – Adam Belmont“AI makes me bigger, faster, stronger, all day, every day… It's always got to pass the human sniff test. And I always give it one to make sure that no matter how I incorporate AI into my workflow, that at the end of the day, the AI-ness doesn't come through. It's got to be human.” – Adam Belmont🔗 Links & ResourcesConnect with Adam on LinkedInFollow A-to-B Strategies on LinkedIn

Rafsan Bhuiyan, Founder and CEO of OrionQ, shares his expertise on leveraging agentic AI for revenue operations. He explains the leap from simple chatbots to AI that takes real actions, enhancing automation in sales and customer service. Rafsan emphasizes how AI streamlines processes and improves ROI, making it essential for modern businesses. He also outlines strategies for onboarding AI responsibly while maintaining trust and the human touch. Lastly, he advises entrepreneurs to prioritize well-being for long-term success.

Ever felt trapped by your own success? Discover the concept of the Finisher’s Trap, where the very skills that made you valuable can stifle your business growth. Brian shares a life-altering experience from a snowy Christmas Eve that pushed him to reevaluate his role. Learn how to shift from being the bottleneck to becoming the architect of your business. This episode reveals the vital transition that separates a self-employed individual from a true CEO, unlocking the door to entrepreneurial freedom.

Robert Yeager, founder of Fusion Data Company, transformed from notorious hacker to innovative entrepreneur. He shares how his prison experiences honed his customer service skills and entrepreneurial instincts. Learn how AI and automation revolutionize small business solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding client pain points. Robert advocates for incremental learning and leveraging unique life experiences as business assets. His insights on using conversational AI for client interactions and the imperative of adapting to technological advancements are particularly enlightening.

In this insightful conversation, marketing expert Lindsay Kingsley, founder of King William Marketing, shares her journey from psychology to mastering review generation. She discusses why many entrepreneurs struggle to ask for reviews and how to turn it into an enjoyable process. Lindsay introduces the 'Goodwill' strategy of donating meals for reviews and reveals why a 4.7-4.9 star rating appears more trustworthy than a flawless five. Plus, she emphasizes the importance of responding to all reviews and offers tips on reactivating past clients for a review boost.