Founders' Forum

What happens when a White House correspondent trades breaking political news for building a purpose-driven PR agency?In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Ronica Cleary to talk about clarity, intention, and the realities of growing a modern communications business.Ronica Cleary is the Founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, a full-service public relations agency serving leaders and organizations across the U.S. Before launching her firm, Ronica spent years as a television journalist, including covering the first 18 months of the Trump administration as a White House correspondent—an experience that shaped her deep understanding of media, messaging, and storytelling.Ronica shares how she transitioned from journalism to entrepreneurship while raising a young family, why she intentionally avoids a frantic work culture, and how intuition has guided her business decisions. She also discusses building a remote, contractor-based team, maintaining strong culture, navigating client growth and pricing, and adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape—including how SEO and generative engine optimization (GEO) have become unexpected growth drivers.Key Takeaways:Why clarity and intention matter more than hustleLessons from transitioning out of journalism into entrepreneurshipHow to build culture with a remote PR teamNavigating growth, pricing, and evolving media channelsAbout Ronica Cleary:Ronica Cleary is an award-winning publicist and the Founder & CEO of Cleary Strategies, a full-service public relations agency and a two-time Inc. Power Partner Award winner. Cleary Strategies provides public relations, media placements, and crisis management services to leaders and corporations. Cleary Strategies’ clients can be seen on broadcast television, heard on podcasts and radio, and featured in digital and print media. Prior to launching her agency, Ronica worked as a White House Correspondent for Fox 5 in Washington, DC, and hosted a Sunday morning political talk show, Fox 5 On The Hill.Connect:Website clearystrategies.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/company/cleary-strategies/ ; linkedin.com/in/ronica-cleary/Instagram instagram.com/cleary_strategies/; instagram.com/ronicacleary/ Facebook facebook.com/RonicaCleary/YouTube youtube.com/channel/UCBi-DNk7yTqKTrJtdX2DCsgThis episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

What if the biggest risk to your business isn’t technology itself—but your relationship with it? In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Darek Hahn to explore why strong human connection is the missing link in modern IT and leadership.Darek Hahn is the founder and CEO of AffinIT, a relationship-first managed IT services company, and the soon-to-be-published author of Team We. Drawing from decades of experience across startups, acquisitions, and exits, Darek shares how seasons of life, business, and leadership shaped his philosophy around technology, trust, and teamwork. From selling an IT company for $8 million to launching a new venture grounded in empathy and communication, his journey offers valuable lessons for founders navigating growth and change.In this candid conversation, Darek and Marc discuss why many businesses struggle with IT, how “tech debt” quietly erodes opportunity, and why excluding technology leaders from business decisions can cost companies millions. Darek also opens up about vulnerability, recovery, and how personal transformation influenced his leadership style and upcoming book.Key Takeaways:Why underinvesting in technology creates hidden business riskHow poor IT relationships weaken foundations and stall growthWhat “tech debt” really means—and how it impacts revenueWhy technology must be part of strategic business decisionsHow vulnerability and trust strengthen leadership and teamsWhy the future of IT depends on human connection, not just toolsAbout Darek Hahn:A relationship driven technology leader focused on building a team of amazingly talented, customer focused people who understand the importance of the personal connection in all we do. Darek's goal for his new company is to help clients change their relationship to IT, bringing it into the business as a value add rather than a value drag. Tech Debt is real and he can help you see it in your own company.Connect:Website affinitmsp.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/darek-hahn/ ; linkedin.com/company/affinitmsp/This episode is brought to you by AffinIT, helping businesses build better relationships with their technology. Go to affinitmsp.com to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

She wanted to work for Merck. They rejected her. Best thing that ever happened—because Theresa Hummel-Krallinger was never meant for a lab.Theresa Hummel-Krallinger, CEO and Chief People Officer of High Five Performance, spent 18 years at Prudential before launching her consulting firm in 2002. But here's the twist: she's also a stand-up comedian, Emmy Award winner, and founder of Meet the Author—ranked #4 for business networking in Philadelphia. For $89 at community college, she learned comedy to enhance her corporate speaking. Now she gets paid for both. Her Meet the Author program started as a 12-person roundtable and grew to 80-100 attendees with 200+ authors.Theresa creates workplaces people love through better managers. Using DISC assessments and curriculum covering motivation, delegation, and coaching, she helps organizations build thriving cultures. Her new book, Make Waves: A Career Pathing Guide, curates 20 years of materials to help job seekers, career changers, and retirees figure out what they want to be. Her philosophy? Play to win, not avoid losing. Squeeze the juice out of life at every moment.Key Takeaways:Financial cushion matters: Two years runway builds without desperationPlay to win: Shift from playing safe to shooting for starsBuild with intention: Pursue opportunities that complement your missionHumor enhances credibility: Comedy makes you a better consultantSqueeze the juice: Make every moment count, don't mail it inAbout Theresa Hummel-Krallinger:Theresa Hummel-Krallinger is a powerhouse culture and leadership expert, stand-up comedian, Emmy Award winner, and award-winning community builder. As President of High Five Performance, she helps organizations create workplaces people love, while her "Meet the Author" program (ranked #4 for business networking by Philadelphia Business Journal) connects leaders in meaningful ways. Her upcoming book, "Make Waves: A Career Pathing Guide to Stand Out, Stay Employable, and Sail Ahead," empowers readers to own their careers for lifelong success — all delivered with her signature humor and heart.Connect:Website highfiveperformance.com ; theresahkcomedy.com ; meettheauthorpc.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tkrallinger/Facebook facebook.com/theresahummel/X x.com/theresahkInstagram instagram.com/treesehk/Youtube youtube.com/@theresahummel-krallinger115This episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

He went to Penn State to become a doctor. But bartending at his stepmother's Irish pub changed everything—and now he's creating memories for Lady Gaga tours and corporate events alike.Josh Funk, President and CEO of TFB Hospitality, discovered he was a math nerd who runs restaurants. After hating pre-med despite a 1400 SAT, one hospitality course showed him restaurants are "chaos math"—probabilities with six different bullseyes. After nine years at the National Press Club managing $10M operations, Josh bought Andy Bailey's in Lancaster in 2012. What followed: seven restaurants in six years, catering for 1,400-person conferences, and becoming Live Nation's caterer for Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and Lady Gaga at Hershey Stadium.Growth wasn't smooth. Opening two unprofitable lunch counters taught him cash is king. COVID shut him down before a $100K St. Patrick's Day, and a $1.9M grant error stung hard. Yet he scaled from $5.6M in 2022 to over $12M in 2023 by taking himself out of the equation—hiring right people, building systems, and focusing on one powerful vision: create five million memories in 10 years. Currently at one million and counting.Key Takeaways:Vision unites teams: "Five million memories" gives purpose beyond profitCash is king: Growing too fast without capital kills businessesTake yourself out: Build systems for the organization, not youHard work matters: Success requires relentless dedicationPeople come first: Take care of your team—they create memoriesAbout Josh Funk:Joshua is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University's Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management program. He brings experience, vision, and cutting-edge strategy to TFB Hospitality's growing portfolio of properties. Previously, he spent nine years at the prestigious National Press Club in Washington, D.C., overseeing operations with total revenues of $10 million in food, beverage, audio/visual, and broadcast, along with a staff of 10 managers and more than 40 full-time and part-time union staff. This experience helped Joshua foster a forward-thinking hospitality company that can thrive across locations and concepts.Connect:Website tfbhospitality.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/joshua-funk-321780/Instagram @tfbhospitality, @conwaysocialclub, @anniebaileys, @perdiemlititz, @docfunk6, @tfbcateringThis episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

She was babysitting to pay rent while building a business. But that 27-year-old had something her 44-year-old self admires—fearless grit.Renee Patrone Rhinehart, founder and CEO of Events by Renee and Party Host Helpers, started event planning in 2007 when the economy crashed. Working part-time jobs for eight years, she went full-time in 2015. When clients kept asking for bartenders and servers, Renee launched Party Host Helpers in 2013, expanding nationwide within two years. Today, 40,000 gig workers power events from birthday parties to PGA tournaments.COVID hit hard. With zero events, Renee worked at a wine store while pregnant and buying a house. Post-COVID demand skyrocketed her business. Now managing 10 employees nationwide, she builds her brand, streamlines technology, and expands internationally while serving on EO and NAWBO boards. Her secret? Show up, get involved, and ask "what can I do for you?"Key Takeaways:Grit over perfection: Side jobs teach resilience you can't learn elsewhereSpot the pattern: Client requests reveal opportunitiesGet involved: Networking and service build business naturallyTech aids, doesn't solve: Streamline but expect new challengesVision boards work: Write it down, visualize it, make it happenAbout Renee Patrone Rhinehart:Renee Patrone Rhinehart is the founder and CEO of Party Host Helpers, a nationwide event-staffing company, and Events by Renee, an award-winning wedding and corporate event planning firm. A natural connector and leader, she’s known for making hosts feel like guests at their own parties while empowering her team across the country to deliver exceptional hospitality. Renee frequently appears on TV and speaks at industry events, inspiring others through her passion for people, leadership, and celebration.Connect:Website partyhosthelper.com, eventsbyrenee.netLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/reneepatronerhinehart/Instagram @partyhosthelpers, @events_byrenee, @reneepatronerhinehart This episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

What if a cup of coffee could do more than wake you up? Matt Ramsay, founder and co-owner of Denim Coffee, shares how a late-night campus job sparked a mission to build cafés that are about people first, not transactions.While working 11 PM shifts, Matt noticed students weren’t coming in just for drinks—they were lonely. With over 40% of college students experiencing extreme loneliness, he saw coffee shops as modern “third spaces” where connection matters. The road to building Denim Coffee was anything but smooth: 39 bank rejections, a roaster supplier collapse, and years of barely breaking even alongside his partner, Tony Diehl.Today, Denim Coffee operates seven locations (with an eighth on the way), employs 80 team members, and lives by a clear philosophy: hire for warmth, train for craft, and define “better coffee” as care for both the customer and the farmer. Matt also dives into the tough economics of coffee—price volatility, sustainability, and why long-term farmer relationships are about justice, not branding.Innovation plays a role too, from flash-chilled coffee brewed hot and cooled in under 30 seconds to scalable systems that reduce waste while expanding reach. Growth, for Matt, only matters if the mission grows with it.Key Takeaways:Coffee shops as third spaces can combat lonelinessJustice in coffee starts with supporting farmersHire warmth, train skill—personality can’t be taughtHard innovations create real differentiationScale the mission, not just the revenueAbout Matt Ramsay:Matt Ramsay is a former college minister who, along with his wife Kristin and business partner Tony Diehl, has built a coffee roasting business, a bakery, and seven coffee shops across central PA and is currently building their eighth location. Denim helps new coffee shops open and is also uniquely bringing flash-chilled coffee to the market. Matt cares about justice, great coffee, and hospitality.Connect:Website denimcoffeecompany.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/matthew-ramsay-06452660/Facebook facebook.com/DenimCoffeeInstagram instagram.com/denimcoffeeX x.com/DenimCoffeeYouTube youtube.com/@denimcoffeeTikTok tiktok.com/@denimcoffeeThis episode is brought to you by Denim Coffee; Pennsylvania specialty coffee roaster with cafés across Central PA—Make Better Coffee. Go to denimcoffeecompany.com to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

The son of a serial entrepreneur never planned to start a business. Then 21 years in the Marine Corps, intelligence community, and U.S. Cyber Command taught him something powerful—service isn't just a mission, it's a mindset.Kevin Hyde, President of Layer 8 Security, went from defending American interests against cyber threats at the NSA to co-founding a cybersecurity firm that helps businesses stay protected and compliant. After spending decades in a world of strict hierarchy and standard operating procedures, Kevin made the leap to entrepreneurship where there's no manual—just problems to solve and clients to serve. The transition wasn't easy. Starting Layer 8 in 2014-15 meant convincing companies they needed cybersecurity before most understood the threat. Kevin and his co-founder pivoted, focusing on compliance requirements (FDA, SEC, HIPAA) as the gateway to security services. Today, with 30 employees, Layer 8 celebrates wins, invests in training, and scales quality service without dilution.Kevin's philosophy comes straight from the Marines: What have you done today to make life better for someone around you? He balances a demanding business with parenting while his wife travels, proving that work-life balance isn't about rigid schedules—it's about being present when it matters and logging back on at 10 PM when needed.Key Takeaways:Service drives everything: From military to business, leading means making life better for those around youTrain your people: Invest in employees' growth even if it makes them marketable—keep them at their bestAdapt to market conditions: Pivot from what you want to sell to what clients actually needScale without dilution: Growth means nothing if you sacrifice service qualityBe present in the moment: Progress over perfection, whether in business, parenting, or golfAbout Kevin Hyde:Kevin is a cybersecurity expert with more than two decades of experience building cyber operations for both private industry and the U.S. government. During his 21 years of service in the Marine Corps, Intelligence Community, and U.S. Cyber Command, he helped create and deploy cyber maturity models and training programs for allied nations. In the private sector, he has led business growth across technology, consulting, and e-commerce—bringing a rare blend of national security and business expertise to the cybersecurity world.Connect:Website layer8security.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/khyde/This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

Retirement? That's not in Ray Loewe's vocabulary. At an age when most slow down, Ray's launching his most meaningful venture yet.Ray Loewe, founder of The Luckiest Guy in the World, LLC and host of Changing the Rules podcast, has spent decades helping people design lives on their terms. After selling his financial planning business and running a podcast for six years with 200+ episodes, Ray discovered something powerful: everyone has incredible stories, but they're not telling them. Living in a retirement community with people who ran submarine fleets and $200 billion companies, he realized these legacies were being lost. So he's building Legacy Private Podcasts—a platform that lets people record stories in their own voice, share them selectively with family or future generations, and create cascading conversations across time.Ray believes the key isn't starting with "I was born on..." but with compelling taglines like "Did I ever tell you about the day the cop pulled a gun on me?" These short stories evoke questions and reveal who you are. His vision includes storytelling festivals, private podcast spaces, and using the platform to raise money for charities.Key Takeaways:Stories worth preserving: Your voice matters to family and generations not yet bornTaglines hook listeners: Start with compelling one-liners that spark curiosityFollow fascination: Build around passion and purpose, not just moneyUse your skills: Leverage lifetime talents in new venturesKeep designing life: Retirement means refire, rewire, aspire—never stop creatingAbout Ray Loewe:Ray Loewe is founder of The Luckiest Guy in the World, LLC, host of the Changing the Rules podcast, and creator of Legacy Private Podcasts. As a serial entrepreneur and self-described "rule breaker," Ray has spent decades helping people design lives on their own terms. His latest venture empowers individuals to preserve their stories in their own voice for family and future generations.Connect:Website theluckiestpeopleintheworld.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/raymond-loewe-b71589123/This episode is brought to you by ThermOmegaTech; a leader in innovative temperature control solutions for industrial, plumbing, aerospace, and defense markets. Visit thermomegatech.com to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

What if your next customer never touches a search results page? That's the reality David Sonn spotted early—and it's transforming digital marketing.David Sonn, Founder and President of Arc Intermedia, launched one of Philadelphia's first digital-only customer acquisition agencies in 2010. People now learn about brands inside AI assistants, asking longer questions and trusting comprehensive answers over traditional search. By early 2024, Dave retooled his SEO practice into "organic visibility and AI" programs. The results? More qualified leads from AI platforms than Google.Dave's journey spans from a 90s web startup to a modern agency with zero layoffs in 15 years. AI forced a return to fundamentals: revenue, pipeline quality, and close rates. With limited AI analytics, success now means rising brand searches and higher-intent visits. His philosophy: treat people like family and focus on balance sheet results—not vanity metrics.Key Takeaways:AI is new search: More qualified leads from AI than GoogleCulture starts at top: Treat people like family for stabilityResults over metrics: Focus on balance sheet impactSales is lifeblood: Prioritize funding and sales from day oneThink like owner: Make decisions as if it's your businessAbout David Sonn:As one of the first digital-only, customer acquisition agencies in the Philadelphia area, Dave launched Arc Intermedia in January 2010. Arc was built to deliver measurable results, not vanity metrics, and he structured the company for long-term stability, creating a culture of trust and accountability, with zero layoffs since day one. His role within the agency is to lead sales and business operations with a responsibility of attracting and supporting highly talented digital experts that provide the agency’s clients with the best solutions.Dave has the belief that every initiative must begin with a clearly defined business goal, ensuring every dollar spent supports tangible growth. His recommendations to clients come easily as he approaches every decision as if each business were his own: his money, his staff, his responsibility, guiding him to bring a practical, real-world perspective to strategy, execution, and performance. Under Dave’s leadership, Arc Intermedia continues to drive consistent results for clients across many industries, as a successful agency they can count on in the future.Connect with David:Website arcintermedia.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/davidsonn/This episode is brought to you by Arc Intermedia; A proven digital marketing agency increasing customer acquisition for companies seeking growth since 2010. Go to arcintermedia.com to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.

Starting a business in 2017 meant navigating COVID supply chain nightmares and now tariff challenges. But for Nik Mondo, bootstrapping through chaos became the ultimate test of creativity and integrity.Nikolas Mondo, founder and CEO of Mondo Media Solutions, built a thriving commercial AV and technology integration company from the ground up—no private equity, no shortcuts, just grit and word-of-mouth growth. From his early days working on a Lancaster farm to running live events at the White House, Nik's journey took him through a failed first partnership before he found his footing in Philadelphia. Today, his company serves clients from New York to Florida with 36 employees and nearly 80 total team members, providing everything from security cameras to conference room systems as a single-source solution. By slowing down to upgrade systems and staying laser-focused on integrity and quality control, Nik positioned his company for explosive growth—including landing the largest privately held company in the United States as a client.Key Takeaways:Integrity drives growth: Zero marketing spend—all growth from word-of-mouth built on keeping promises and fixing mistakesSlow down to speed up: Spent 13 months overhauling systems to create the foundation for scaling to $70MBootstrap creatively: Limited resources demand innovation, like forming peer networks during COVID shortagesValues guide hiring: Lead with core principles to ensure culture alignment during rapid expansionBalance your life: Success includes personal goals—Nik's prioritizing his pilot's license and getting back to cyclingAbout Nikolas Mondo:Nikolas Mondo is an entrepreneur and founder of Mondo Media Solutions, a Philadelphia-based commercial A/V and technology integration company. With a passion for both business growth and building strong client relationships, he focuses on delivering innovative solutions that bring people, spaces, and technology together.Connect with Nikolas:Website www.mmsproav.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nikolasmondo/, linkedin.com/company/mmsproav/Instagram instagram.com/mmsproav/Facebook facebook.com/mmsproav/X x.com/mmsproavThis episode is brought to you by Mondo Media Solutions; Your total technology partner for IT, security, and conference room solutions. Go to mmsproav.com to learn more.📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein: ➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook🎤 Got a success story worth sharing? We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.