Fearless Founders

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/a8/c4/8a/a8c48a5b-2f05-9e64-a870-e606c495641c/mza_193762299950767847.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Fearless Founders

Midland Institute

35 episodes

2 weeks ago

In this special episode, the mic flips — and host, Ashton Shultz takes over! 🎙️ Hear the story behind Ashton Jo Marketing, from a high school CEO student with a dream to a full-time entrepreneur leading brands and mentoring the next generation. Ashton shares real, actionable marketing insights, lessons learned from the journey, and how the CEO Program continues to shape her both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a student, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation is your remi...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Society & Culture,

Self-Improvement

All content for Fearless Founders is the property of Midland Institute and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this special episode, the mic flips — and host, Ashton Shultz takes over! 🎙️ Hear the story behind Ashton Jo Marketing, from a high school CEO student with a dream to a full-time entrepreneur leading brands and mentoring the next generation. Ashton shares real, actionable marketing insights, lessons learned from the journey, and how the CEO Program continues to shape her both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a student, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation is your remi...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Society & Culture,

Self-Improvement

Episodes (20/35)

Fearless Founders

Ashton Shultz - From CEO Student to Founder: The Story Behind Ashton Jo Marketing

In this special episode, the mic flips — and host, Ashton Shultz takes over! 🎙️ Hear the story behind Ashton Jo Marketing, from a high school CEO student with a dream to a full-time entrepreneur leading brands and mentoring the next generation. Ashton shares real, actionable marketing insights, lessons learned from the journey, and how the CEO Program continues to shape her both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a student, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation is your remi...

2 weeks ago

51 minutes

Fearless Founders

Blaine Fuhs - Your Platform Is Not Your Purpose

In this inspiring first episode, we sit down with Blaine Fuhs, CEO Alumni, author, speaker, and creator, to explore what true success really looks like. Drawing from his influential book, Your Platform Is Not Your Purpose, Blaine challenges the belief that influence equals identity. Instead, he reminds us that titles, followers, or recognition don’t measure real purpose—it’s discovered in how we serve, lead, and love in everyday life. Through his work as a writer, speaker, and storyteller, Bl...

1 month ago

1 hour 5 minutes

Fearless Founders

Jason Thomas – Designing a Life of Adventure

Today’s episode features Jason Thomas, Director of Design and Product Development at RiverSmith USA. Jason is more than a designer—he’s an innovator, a creative force, and a true adventurer. With nearly two decades of experience, Jason has shaped some of the country's most cutting-edge outdoor products and climbing environments. He firmly believes that design should be both beautiful and functional—and that the outdoors has the power to connect and inspire us. In this conversation, we explore...

2 months ago

56 minutes

Fearless Founders

CEO Alumni Panel – Grit, Growth, and God-Given Drive

This episode is something special—a panel featuring three incredible CEO alumni who’ve taken their senior-year startup ideas and turned them into thriving businesses. You’ll hear from: Ben Flath, founder of Excursions Automotive in Indiana, Ashley Leman, founder of Revive Coffee & Roasting Company in Illinois, And Alex Eckhardt, owner of Q-Town Kicks sneaker store in Quincy, IL. Each of them shares what it was like starting a business in high school, what they’ve learned through rea...

3 months ago

56 minutes

Fearless Founders

EPISODE 4: Brent Oberlink – Building Businesses That Build Others

In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Brent Oberink, co-owner of Laner Corp and host of The Better Contractor podcast. Brent shared his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a nationwide maintenance contracting business for the oil and gas industry in 2007 to growing it into a 50+ employee company with multiple locations. He also discussed creating a podcast to support contractors and entrepreneurs while building a vertically integrated brand. Tune in to hear Brent’s insi...

3 months ago

59 minutes

Fearless Founders

EPISODE 3: Katie Clark – Sentiment Meets Strategy in Jewelry

In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Katie Clark, founder of Katie Clark Co., a fine jewelry business based in Houston, Texas. Katie shared her journey from working in corporate America at a jewelry store to leveraging her TikTok platform to launch her own custom jewelry company in 2023. She now balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and content creation while building her growing brand. Tune in to hear Katie discuss the lessons she’s learned about time management, prici...

3 months ago

57 minutes

Fearless Founders

EPISODE 2: Casey Capuano Sarai – Disrupting an Industry with Heart

Today, we’re joined by the fearless and inspiring Casey Capuano Sarai—co-founder of CAKES Body- the company completely redefining the traditional bra industry. With just $10,000 and no investor backing, Casey and her sister launched CAKES Body in 2022—and what started as a small product innovation quickly turned into a viral sensation and a $100 million valuation. We’ll talk about what it’s like to leave behind a decade in corporate America, how to turn adversity into innovation, and what it ...

4 months ago

52 minutes

Fearless Founders

EPISODE 1: Anthony Masterlasco – From Boat Cleaning to Brand-Building

In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Masterlasco, founder of Bad Boy Boating — a digital marketing agency laser-focused on the marine industry. Anthony’s entrepreneurial story started not with a business degree or a grand plan, but with a simple boat cleaning business and a strong work ethic. Over time, his passion for boating collided with his love for branding, and that’s when Bad Boy Boating was born. We’ll talk about how he navigated career uncertainty, how he built industry expertise...

4 months ago

55 minutes

Fearless Founders

Episode Seven - What’s Next? Karis Hortin l Owner, Social Media Made Simple, and Austin Brooks l Executive Director, Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship

At CEO, we are a community of people who are always learning and evolving. Life changes, but part of being in the CEO family means celebrating each other’s journeys as it happens! The final episode of this season’s Fearless Founders podcast is a celebration of what’s to come for Karis Bell as she moves on from her role in Fearless Founders and transitions into her next chapter. Join Executive Director Austin Brooks and Karis as they sit down to discuss Karis' reflections on her expe...

1 year ago

20 minutes

Fearless Founders

Episode Six - Anne Beiler l Founder, Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels

In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with Anne Beiler, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who founded the world's largest pretzel franchise, Auntie Anne’s®. For years, she has inspired audiences with her authentic stories about nearly losing everything, finding purpose in the pain, and rising to a new level of success, and last week with our students was no different. Tune in to hear the story behind Anne's journey from a young woman with no formal education past...

1 year ago

51 minutes

Fearless Founders

Episode Five - Bethany Leonardo l YouTuber & Entrepreneur

In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with internationally recognized style mastery coach and content creator, Bethany Leonardo. Known for her YouTube channel, Dearly Bethany, Bethany commands a following of over 1 million and has accumulated over 68 million views. Tune in to hear how Bethany reshaped the fashion landscape on YouTube, her journey to becoming a successful content creator, and the advice she'd give to herself looking back. Learn more through her ...

1 year ago

57 minutes

Fearless Founders

Episode Four - CEO Alumni Panel featuring Ashley Leman l Owner, Revive Coffee Roasters, Ashton Hemminger l Owner, AJ & CO, and Drake Roach l Owner, SI Pressure Washing, LLC

In this month's Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with a special panel of alumni business owners who shared their insight into individual business creation with current CEO participants. Tune in to hear what advice they have to give to students as they venture on their entrepreneurial journeys this year and beyond. More about our guests: Ashley Leman, 2022 Woodford County CEO, Owner, Revive Coffee Roasters Revive Coffee and Roasting Company is a small-batch, artisan co...

1 year ago

51 minutes

Fearless Founders

Episode Three - Amanda Owen l Author & Founder, Puzzle Pieces

In this Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with author, founder, and advocate, Amanda Owen. As the founder of Puzzle Pieces, Amanda always knew her life would involve caring for and opening doors for those with disabilities. Little did she know, however, the journey this mission would take her on. Tune in to hear how she has transformed her own story into a business that helps others, the challenges she overcame along the way, and what advice she would give to herself looking...

1 year ago

55 minutes

Fearless Founders

Episode Two - Kevin Miller l Podcast Host & Author

In this week’s Fearless Founders conversation, we sat down with podcast host and author, Kevin Miller. As a former pro athlete turned personal development guide, Kevin is no stranger to pivoting his life's direction and finding new opportunities along the way. Tune in to hear Kevin's perspective on how to do just that, as well as his advice on the most important thing to consider when aspiring for success. Drawing from his own experience conducting interviews with some of today's most...

1 year ago

1 hour

Fearless Founders

Episode One - Derek Laliberte l Founder & CEO, Distrupur

In this interview, we sat down with disrupter, founder, author, and creator, Derek Laliberte. As the brains behind the brand engagement agency, Disruptur, Derek gave us a glimpse into how he's shaking up the world of sales & marketing. Tune in to hear Derek's perspective on what is needed to challenge the status quo, the importance of authenticity in the business world and beyond, and some of the best advice he'd give himself looking back. To learn more about Derek and his journey, ...

1 year ago

50 minutes

Fearless Founders

How to Leverage CEO l Emma Schoth & Nick Smith

The CEO experience is one that is incredibly unique. It leaves its participants with tools and skills that many of their peers don't have. So how do they use those skills to the max? In this episode, we’re joined by two successful CEO alumni, Nick Smith (Sangamon CEO) and Emma Schoth (Land of Lincoln CEO), to hear how CEO has helped them get to where they are today. Find Emma and Nick on LinkedIn: Emma Schoth https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaschoth/ Nich Smith https://www.linkedi...

2 years ago

47 minutes

Fearless Founders

Dan Chancellor l Co-founder, So iLL

In this week's conversation with Dan Chancellor, co-founder and owner of So iLL climbing, we peel back the curtain into what it takes to build a product-based company completely from scratch. From insight into the value of selling direct to consumer to the importance of building a positive team around you, Dan walks us through the ups and downs that brought his business to where it is today, a now multi-million dollar international company making waves in the climbing space. Be sure t...

2 years ago

55 minutes

Fearless Founders

Lindsay Boccardo l Speaker l Millennial Coach l Drummer

In this conversation, Lindsay Boccardo, a professional drummer turned millennial coach, shares her journey of how she got to where she is today. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways - from insights into how to find your passion at a young age to practical tips for identifying the direction you want to take in your life, and everything else in between. Be sure to follow Lindsey on all platforms! Website: www.lindsayboccardo.com Facebook/TikTok/Instagram: @LindsayBoccardo Link...

2 years ago

53 minutes

Fearless Founders

Sam Rowen & Sam Abrahamson l Founders, Onomy

In this conversation, Sam Rowen & Sam Abrahamson, founders of Onomy, share why they're so passionate about demystifying the "secrets" of adulthood by creating the educational content "we all wish we had growing up." From free courses to podcasts, Onomy is teaching millions of young adults personal finance, career-readiness, and more - all taught by the best content creators on the planet. Hear how they're taking the next generation by storm and helping them build their best lives. ...

2 years ago

52 minutes

Fearless Founders

Dan Miller l New York Times Bestselling Author l Podcast Host

Dan Miller, world-renowned author of 48 Days do the Work and Life You Love, joined us for this episode to share how he created a life and work that he loved - from the ground up. Expect to hear insight from Dan about what he has seen to be the most predictive of an individual's success, the value of a growth mindset over a fixed mindset, and one of the most important tools that helped catapult him from a farm boy in Ohio to a New York Times Best-Selling Author and a nationally recognized care...

2 years ago

53 minutes