At 47, Mark Delaney walked away from comfort and security to find what truly mattered—purpose. Known as The Purpose Guy, Mark helps people stop living problem-focused lives and instead chase the bold, fulfilling path they’re made for. In this conversation, he shares how to move from hiding to freedom, why purpose—not perfection—is the cure for feeling stuck, and how helping others helps you find yourself. You’ll walk away inspired to live freely, love authentically, and take your next step toward purpose.

Australian financial coach Sloan Wilkins (Executive Financial Coaching; Everyday Money Live) shares how professionals and business owners can move from financial stress to financial confidence by aligning money with purpose. After 30 years in banking and wealth management, Sloan blends practical systems with a mindful, Buddhist-inspired approach. We cover seven life areas (finances are just one), building a strong foundation (spending plan, buffers, eliminating unproductive debt), planning for retirement, and why “life happens outside the spreadsheet.” You’ll learn how to give money clear instructions, strike the “enjoy today vs. fund tomorrow” balance, and define financial freedom as the power to choose.

Negotiation strategist and author Derrick Chevalier (H-C; Evolve or Be Slaughtered) unpacks why most “win-win” advice fails in business, how to negotiate people rather than transactions, and the real difference between persuasion and influence. He shares SMAC-style strategy, the antidote to any tactic, and why harmony beats balance for founders. We cover closing more deals without feeling salesy, when to split the difference (and when not to), and how to use empathy as a cooperative tool—not a weapon. If you’ve ever left a deal “feeling good” and later regretted it, this one will recalibrate your approach.

In this eye-opening episode, Virginia chats with Tim O’Hearn, author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media, about what really happens behind the curtain of today’s biggest platforms. Tim shares how his journey as a software engineer and entrepreneur led him to uncover the hidden mechanics that drive engagement, visibility, and influence online. He reveals what he learned from operating in the “black hat” marketing world, how those lessons translate to authentic brand growth today, and why understanding social media’s design can help you reclaim your digital presence. Entrepreneurs will walk away with a deeper understanding of how social algorithms shape behavior—and how to leverage that knowledge to build a more genuine, sustainable online presence.

Executive coach and author Dr. Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau shares how leaders and entrepreneurs can move beyond “old power” mindsets to lead with authentic, embodied presence. We cover her Smart Power Method, why clarity and communication beat force, the difference between stubbornness and relentless purpose, and practical ways to manage energy across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Sylvia also explains how her arts background shaped her approach to leadership, why vulnerability strengthens authority, and simple practices listeners can use today to regulate emotions and lead with more ease and impact.

Fred Meyers, founder of Queensboro (founded in 1982), joins Virginia to share how a dorm-room idea became a 125+-person company serving everyone from local small businesses to household names. Before fax machines and 800 numbers, Fred spotted a gap in premium polos and built a supply chain from scratch. Today, Queensboro markets B2SMB (small/medium businesses) primarily through paid search and social, wins via trust, and backs it with a standout guarantee (no-return replacements and first-order $4.95 intro offer). Fred unpacks hard-earned lessons from multiple economic cycles, why he moved HQ to Dallas (while maintaining Wilmington, NC operations), and how expansion planning now includes a West Coast facility. He also shares Queensboro’s 4 P’s people framework—Principled, Positive, Proactive, Productive—and why he’d rather run a great small company than a bad big one. You’ll hear pragmatic advice on brand-building, clear logos, authentic culture, and staying focused without becoming the bottleneck. It’s a candid look at resilience, customer care, and operational excellence that SMB owners can apply today. Listen: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/fredmeyers

Uganda-based strategist Prima Jope shares how she built a global brand without ads or a big following by focusing on buyer-ready moments — the “house on fire” points where prospects urgently need help. She explains why many founders don’t have a visibility problem; they have a buyer identification problem. We unpack her House on Fire Marketing framework, the difference between leads and buyers, self-leadership and spiritual discipline, and how conviction and integrity power sustainable growth. If you’ve felt like the “best kept secret,” this episode gives you a short sword to get in the door — and stay there. Episode link: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/primajope Guest links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primajope Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prima_jope YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0PQhPk4Hr1RNSXEC05ZdEQ Site: https://www.the2kClientsystem.com

Musician, author, and entrepreneur Cliff Beach has spent more than 20 years performing live, recording award-winning music, and sharing his story to help others find their own rhythm in life and business. From getting kicked off American Idol to releasing 10 albums in 10 years, Cliff’s nonlinear journey proves the power of curiosity, persistence, and saying “yes” to new opportunities. In this conversation with host Virginia Purnell, Cliff opens up about staying upbeat through setbacks, building work-life harmony, and coaching others toward health, creativity, and purpose. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or someone in transition, Cliff’s story reminds us that growth is never a straight line—it’s a flow.

Virginia Purnell sits down with Steve Fales, entrepreneur, author, mentor, and endurance athlete, to explore how persistence, core values, and true friendships fuel long-term success. Steve shares his journey from starting an ad agency in a spare bedroom to scaling and selling it, and why his mission today is helping people live by their values and learn to be better friends.

Mike Seitz, CEO of the EarthWise Pet Family of Brands, shares how he helped grow a three-store regional concept into a 200+ unit national franchise platform—and where it’s going next. Mike unpacks EarthWise’s “total pet care” strategy (storefronts + mobile grooming + e-commerce), the critical role of pet nutrition (including their in-house, three-level Pet Dietitian certification), and why they built an AI dietitian to expand access—especially in rural markets. We dive into what makes an ideal franchisee (hint: grit and alignment), how regional buyer behavior changes marketing, and why personal touch still wins in a digital world. Mike opens up about the realities of M&A, the culture shift required to scale from owner-operator stores to multi-unit franchisees, and the leadership mindset that survives sleepless nights and tough calls. Whether you’re a pet-industry founder, a franchise operator, or an entrepreneur eyeing multi-location growth, this candid conversation is packed with strategy, structure, and heart.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell talks with award-winning brand strategist and author Doug Zarkin about how entrepreneurs can transform their marketing by “thinking human.” Doug shares lessons from his journey leading major brands like Victoria’s Secret PINK, Avon, and Pearle Vision, and dives into his new book Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone. He explains how to build lasting consumer connections, balance revenue with relationships, and avoid letting perfection stall progress. Tune in for insights on crafting brand narratives that resonate, practical advice on standing out in a crowded marketplace, and why “thinking human” is the key to long-term business growth.

Becky Freemal, Emmy Award-winning journalist turned best-selling author and growth strategist, joins Virginia to talk about the power of brand voice in business. With decades of storytelling experience, Becky helps leaders and teams connect data with people through evidence-based storytelling. As founder of The Market Exec and author of Brand Voice: People Plus Data, Drives Results, she shares how to uncover your organization’s true voice, build trust with customers, and avoid wasting resources on ineffective marketing tactics. Becky also opens up about her transition from journalism to entrepreneurship, the importance of curiosity, and her goals of expanding her impact through speaking.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell talks with SEO expert Nick Musica, founder of Optics In. Nick has been practicing hands-on SEO since 2003, leading strategies for companies like Highpoint Insurance and Rocket Lawyer before launching his own agency in 2019. With a background in publishing and web usability, Nick brings a clear, no-fluff approach to helping small businesses in sectors from finance to technology get found online. He shares his early career story, common SEO mistakes that create “funk,” his 3+1 SEO framework, and why you should never let Google decide what page to rank. Nick also offers insights into client acquisition, goal setting, and the importance of controlling the controllables in business.

In this inspiring episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell sits down with Diane Wyzga, founder of Quarter Moon Story Arts and host of Stories from Women Who Walk. With a background as a U.S. Navy nurse, lawyer, litigation consultant, and now story doula, Diane shares her unique journey of courage, resilience, and reinvention. Together, they explore how to find your true voice, make choices without fear of consequences, and build confidence through storytelling. If you’ve ever felt stuck or longed to rewrite your story, this conversation will give you the tools and inspiration to take that first step—and the next one, even if you fall down along the way.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell chats with Andy Seeley, CEO of Creatively Disruptive — a marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. Andy lays out practical, no-fluff advice that’s especially valuable for gym owners and children’s activity centers. He breaks down common mistakes, how to pick the right platforms, and why doing less better is the key to consistent growth. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by marketing or unsure where to start, this episode gives you simple, effective strategies you can put into action today.

Transformational growth leader Siew Ting Foo joins Virginia Purnell to discuss how she builds brands and businesses with soul. With over 25 years of global marketing experience at companies like Unilever, Mars, and HP, Siew Ting shares how purpose-driven strategies, emotional intelligence, and human-centric leadership shape modern brands. Get inspired to lead with vision, empathy, and lasting impact.

What if your engineering team could work faster and feel happier doing it? In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell sits down with veteran software engineering leader Thanos Diacakis to talk about optimizing software teams in startups and growth-stage companies. With over 25 years of experience—including roles at Uber and Included Health—Thanos now helps early-stage teams (2–20 engineers) boost quality, iterate faster, and create a sustainable engineering culture that aligns with business goals. They explore the root causes of burnout, the myth of “more engineers = faster delivery,” and how Thanos' 4-part model (Iteration, Quality, Complexity, and Planning) helps transform how engineering teams function. He also shares his views on bottlenecks, productivity, and the hidden cost of skipping technical investment. If you lead or manage software teams—or plan to—this episode is packed with practical wisdom you can use right away.

In this episode, Virginia chats with Kash Fadaie, founder of Fadaie Insurance, about how he built an $11 million insurance agency through a unique integration of spiritual practice and business strategy. Kash shares how Transcendental Meditation, fasting, cold plunges, and deep inner work have helped him not only grow his company but also empower other agents to thrive. With a mission to franchise Fadaie Insurance to 1,000 locations in five years, Kash’s insights into risk, authenticity, and leadership are game-changing for any entrepreneur seeking both outer success and inner fulfillment.

In this powerful episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell talks with international business and life guide Mel McSherry about what it really means to be profitable—mentally, emotionally, and financially. Mel shares her journey from fitness trainer and overwhelmed new mom to top-performing coach, John C. Maxwell-certified guide, and human design practitioner. Together, they explore how entrepreneurs can honor their energy, stop forcing strategies that don’t fit, and finally trust themselves again. Mel breaks down human design’s foundational pieces and how knowing your chart can radically simplify decision-making and growth. Whether you're stuck in a hallway between life’s doors or burnt out by “shoulds,” Mel’s insights are the breath of fresh air you didn’t know you needed.

In this powerful episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, host Virginia Purnell speaks with Jhana Li, founder of Spyglass Ops, about how entrepreneurs can scale their businesses without sacrificing their sanity. From her van-life beginnings to coaching hundreds of 7- and 8-figure founders, Jhana shares battle-tested insights into operational systems, team building, intrinsic leadership, and visionary discipline. Whether you’re stuck in chaos or planning your next level, Jhana’s practical wisdom helps you plug the leaks and grow with freedom.