Founders' Forum

Most founders don’t start with a clear plan. They start by figuring things out as they go.In this episode, we’re joined by Mitch Gyger, President and Co-Founder of OPS Security Group, with Vera Hempel as guest co-host. Mitch shares how graduating into the 2009 recession led him to take a security guard role, an opportunity that ultimately shaped his entire career. What started as a stopgap turned into a long-term path as he built experience, earned credibility, and eventually co-founded a company from the ground up.Mitch opens up about the early days of entrepreneurship, doing every role, making mistakes, and learning without a playbook. He also breaks down how OPS scaled into a 600+ employee organization by focusing on one key principle, putting employees first. From hiring to pricing, that philosophy drives how they operate, even when it means losing short-term deals.We also explore how Mitch thinks about growth today, from building structured sales systems to staying patient in government contracting, and how he defines success across business, faith, and family.Key Takeaways:Start where you are and build from experienceExpect chaos early, clarity comes laterPay people well to build stronger teamsShort-term losses can create long-term winsStay patient when timing isn’t in your controlPlan intentionally across business and lifeAbout Mitch Gyger:Mitch has over 20 years of experience in the security industry and currently serves as the President of OPS Security Group. Since co-founding the company, he has played a central role in shaping its growth and evolution. In his role as President, Mitch is responsible for setting the company’s strategy, overseeing finance, sales, human resources, and service delivery. His leadership ensures OPS continues to deliver high-quality service while building a culture rooted in integrity and high performance.Connect:Website opssecuritygroup.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/mitchgyger/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.

Success doesn’t always come from a perfectly mapped out plan. Sometimes it starts with simply showing up and sharing what you know. In this episode of Founders Forum, Deanna Robinson reveals how a few pieces of marketing advice and a batch of cupcakes sparked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.As the founder of Social Impression, Deanna walks us through her evolution from working in a male dominated industry to building a full service marketing agency and stepping into a fractional CMO role. Joined by guest co-host Nik Mondo, Founder and CEO of Mondo Media Solutions, the conversation brings added perspective as they explore real-world business challenges and growth strategies. Deanna shares how she scaled her business while raising three kids, why she chose a contractor based team model, and how staying authentic became her biggest advantage. The discussion also dives into real world marketing challenges like aligning sales and marketing teams, choosing the right clients, and using AI without losing your brand voice.Key Takeaways: Be confident and authentic  Start before you feel ready  Build the right team  Align sales and marketing  AI is a tool, not the answer  Protect your time and energyAbout Deanna Robinson:Deanna is the founder of Social Impression, a full-service marketing agency established in 2012 that helps businesses stand out through strategic planning, creative campaigns, and digital marketing. As a Fractional CMO, she combines big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, guiding clients to reach their goals with a unique laddered marketing approach.Connect:Website www.socialimpression.orgLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/deannaleerobinson/Facebook facebook.com/socialimpressionInstagram instagram.com/socialimpressionThis 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.

Commitment can feel heavy, especially when you think it means locking into one path forever. In this episode, Vera Hempel offers a simpler approach: choose a direction, take action, and adjust as you go.We’re joined by Vera Hempel, co-founder of KissUX and Cactus Club Creative. Vera shares the mission driving her work today, helping aging adults and underserved communities access technology in a way that feels simple, secure, and usable. She explains how that purpose shapes everything from product development to long-term vision, including her goal of impacting millions through digital literacy and better user experiences.We also dig into the realities of building two companies at once. Vera talks about the challenge of clearly communicating what they do, especially when combining website and app development with AI-driven user experience and security. She shares how staying committed to the mission, not just chasing funding, helps guide decisions and keep momentum.The conversation also explores company culture and why trust and transparency are essential, not only within teams but also in how users experience technology. Vera emphasizes that what you build should reflect how you want people to feel when they interact with your product.Key Takeaways:Commit to the goal, not just the processFocus on impact over fundingSimplify how you communicate your workBuild trust into both culture and productTake action and adjust as you goAbout Vera Hempel:Vera grew up in Munich, Germany, and has been an entrepreneur since she was 18, helping businesses with their marketing and translating books before moving to the U.S. in 2017. In 2021 she teamed up with UI/UX designer Kuba Kerner to launch Cactus Club Creative, helping startups turn ideas into products and brands. Their work soon revealed a bigger challenge: businesses struggling to prioritize accessibility which lead them to found KissUX in 2023 to help bridge the digital divide with Agentic AI, so everyone can be part of the digital world.Connect:Website cactusclubcreative.com; withkissux.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/vera-hempel/; linkedin.com/company/kiss-ux/; linkedin.com/company/cactus-club-creative/This episode is brought to you by Workshop Strategy; Merging experience, innovation, and purpose. Go to workshopstrategy.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.

Uncertainty is everywhere—but what if it’s actually an opportunity? In this episode of Founders Forum, recorded in July 2025, Marc Bernstein sits down with Kerry Benson, alongside guest co-host Karla Trotman, to unpack how leaders can navigate constant change with clarity and confidence.Kerry, President & CEO of Big Edge Advisors, shares his journey from humble beginnings in Queens to becoming a trusted advisor to executives and boards. With over 35 years of experience in technology, finance, and leadership, he offers a grounded perspective on thriving through disruption—without losing sight of what truly matters.Together, they explore how today’s uncertainty—driven by global shifts, AI, and economic changes—differs from the past, and what leaders can do to stay steady in the chaos.Key Takeaways: Why uncertainty feels more intense today  The power of having a constant anchor  How early hustle shaped Kerry’s path  Lessons from scaling and transformation  The “Seeds and Seasons” life framework  Why people-first leadership mattersAbout Kerry Benson:Kerry is a seasoned technology executive, business advisor, private investor, board member, and mentor who has built a 35+ year career driving digital transformation and enterprise value. As former Chief Information Offer of PFM and now President and CEO of Big Edge Advisors, he helps senior executives, business owners, and boards solve complex challenges through leveraging his expertise, strategic partnerships, and powerful network. Known for his leadership, operational excellence, and people-first approach, Kerry is a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and colleagues alike.Connect:Website bigedgeadvisors.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kerry-benson-a5417aThis episode is brought to you by Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association; empowering people with disabilities through adaptive outdoor recreation. Visit glasa.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.

Entrepreneurship rarely follows a straight path. For Rebecca Addington, founder of Ville & Rue in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the journey blends farm roots, a passion for design, and a deep belief in the power of community.In this episode of Founders Forum, host Marc Bernstein is joined by co-hosts Ray Loewe, founder of The Luckiest Guy in the World, and Deborah Brandt, founder and CEO of Fig Industries, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and the role community plays in building successful local businesses.Rebecca shares how growing up on a family farm shaped her entrepreneurial mindset and how her experiences in retail and design helped her discover her true calling. After working with both major brands like Pottery Barn and independent retailers, she gained the knowledge and confidence to launch her own business.She opened Ville & Rue in late 2019—just months before the pandemic. What followed was a true test of resilience. Thanks to strong community support in Lancaster, Rebecca was able to navigate the challenges and continue growing a business focused on thoughtful design, high-quality furniture, and personalized service.Key Takeaways:How farm life shaped Rebecca’s entrepreneurial mindsetLessons learned from corporate and small business retailThe power of community support during challenging timesWhy creating meaningful customer experiences mattersRebecca’s advice to entrepreneurs: stay encouragedAbout Rebecca Addington:Born and raised in the Susquehanna Valley, I later moved around the region—from Baltimore to the Lehigh Valley—before settling in Lancaster.I hold a B.A. in Communications, an AST in Interior Design, and a real estate license.I opened my business in 2019, and although it’s been a rollercoaster, I’ve loved every day.I currently live in the city with my husband, Wes, our Bernese Mountain Dog, Maverick, and our Maine Coon cat, Søren.Connect:Website villeandrue.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/rebecca-addington-63638b35/Facebook facebook.com/villeandrueInstagram instagram.com/villeandrue/This episode is brought to you by Ville & Rue, contemporary interior design styled for your life. Go to villeandrue.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 happens when passion, community, and entrepreneurship come together? In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Justina Latura, founder and CEO of Vine Bar in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to explore how a personal passion can grow into a thriving local business.Joining Marc as guest co-hosts are Ray Loewe, known as “The Luckiest Guy in the World,” and Deborah Brandt, founder of Fig Industries. Together, they dive into a conversation about Lancaster’s strong sense of community and how it empowers entrepreneurs to build meaningful ventures.Justina’s journey into business wasn’t traditional. She began her career as a nurse and later practiced as an herbalist before discovering a deep appreciation for artisanal wines and the families who produce them. What started as a hobby soon evolved into Vine Bar—a boutique wine café inspired by the Italian enoteca experience, where people gather to slow down, learn about wine, and connect.Today, Vine Bar goes beyond serving wine. Justina and her team work directly with small family vineyards in Italy, importing and distributing sustainable wines while creating a space for education, culture, and community in Lancaster.Key Takeaways:Justina’s path from nurse to wine entrepreneurHow Lancaster’s community supports small businessesTurning a passion into a profitable ventureVine Bar’s model: importing, distributing, and retailing wineFuture plans for growth and new locationsAbout Justina:Justina Latura is a founding partner of Vine Bar LLC, Lancaster’s sommelier-led wine collective & tasting room. Her mission is to educate and excite your palate by introducing and promoting the work of artisanal winemakers whose wines express sustainable farming, tradition, and the artists themselves. Now in its third year, Vine Bar pairs hospitality with education to bring meaningful, small-producer wines to the community.Connect:Website vinebarvino.comInstagram instagram.com/vinebarcollective/Facebook facebook.com/vinebarcollective/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.

Success in entrepreneurship rarely happens overnight—it’s often the result of decades of learning, experimenting, and refining what works. In this episode of Founders Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Jason Sherman to explore the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey.In this conversation, recorded in July 2025, Jason Sherman—CEO and co-founder of Vengo AI—shares how a childhood filled with music, technology, and curiosity set the foundation for a career building and leading innovative businesses. Over the past two decades, Jason has experimented with different ventures, continuously learning from both successes and setbacks along the way.Jason also discusses the evolution of Vengo AI, a platform designed to turn traditional websites into interactive AI-powered sales engines. By enabling businesses to engage visitors instantly and capture valuable leads, the technology aims to solve a major challenge many companies face: converting website traffic into real conversations and opportunities.Throughout the episode, Marc and Jason dive into the realities of scaling businesses, managing complexity, and finding ways to focus on the work that drives the most impact.Key Takeaways:The importance of continuous learning throughout an entrepreneurial journeyHow AI-powered tools can transform website engagement and lead generationWhy delegating and documenting processes helps businesses scaleThe role of curiosity and creativity in long-term successAbout Jason Sherman:Jason Sherman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vengo AI, a B2B SaaS platform that transforms websites into 24/7 AI sales engines. A seasoned startup founder and Wharton lecturer, Jason has helped companies scale through data-driven growth, product innovation, and storytelling.Connect:Website vengoai.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/company/vengoai; linkedin.com/in/jasonsherman76/Instagram instagram.com/vengoaiappX x.com/vengoaiappFacebook facebook.com/vengoaiYouTube youtube.com/@VengoAIappBlog blog.vengoai.comDiscord discord.gg/WKvn2xGdhVThis episode is brought to you by Crossover Capital; make informed decisions about your financial future. Go to crosscapadvisors.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 getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to your career? In this episode of Founders Forum, Gui Costin shares how a career setback led him to build Dakota into a company serving thousands of investment firms nationwide.Gui Costin, Founder and CEO of Dakota, shares his journey from losing his job to creating Dakota Marketplace, a powerful database used by over 1,200 investment firms and 6,000 fundraisers. Along the way, he discovered that success isn’t just about sales—it’s about service, systems, and leadership. Gui explains how documenting his proven sales methodology, the “Dakota Way,” helped scale the business, and why a failed product ultimately became his biggest opportunity.At the core of Dakota’s growth is Gui’s commitment to helping others succeed—from his employees to customers and the community. His leadership philosophy centers on building a high-performance culture rooted in kindness, accountability, and continuous improvement. Key Takeaways:Getting fired pushed Gui to start Dakota and build something better.Systems like the “Dakota Way” helped scale growth and performance.A failed idea led to Dakota Marketplace, now used by thousands.Kind leadership creates stronger teams and long-term success.Growth creates opportunities for employees and the business.About Gui Costin:Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota, a business development and database company for investment firms. Founded in 2006, Dakota has over 60 employees with offices in Bryn Mawr and Philadelphia, PA.Dakota’s eight-person investment sales team has raised over $40 billion for 15 different investment firms. Dakota has also raised over $13 billion in the RIA channel alone. Dakota Marketplace, an institutional investor database, is used by thousands of investment salespeople who use it to source leads of institutional investors.Gui shares the mission of Dakota, which is to make the life of an investment salesperson easier. Each choice and decision Dakota makes daily comes back to that one point, including Dakota’s own sales team. Gui is the author of Millennials Are Not Aliens, a best-selling book on a generation who grew up on the Internet and have fundamentally changed how we buy things.Gui attended the University of Virginia and is married with three kids.Connect:Website dakota.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/company/dakota-about/mycompany/YouTube @DakotaRainmakerPodcast; @DakotaLivePodcastThis episode is sponsored by Dakota; helping investment firms connect with the right opportunities through the industry’s leading institutional investor database. Learn more at dakota.com.📅 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.

Burnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about lacking the mental systems to sustain performance. In this episode of Founders Forum, Lissy Alden shares how her personal burnout led her to build a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations develop true mental fitness. Co-hosting this episode alongside Marc Bernstein is Nicole Dery, Founder of Allelo Design, who brings thoughtful perspective to the conversation around leadership, culture, and workplace dynamics.Lissy Alden, Founder and CEO of MYNDY Mental Fitness, experienced burnout firsthand while working in fast-paced corporate environments—even when she loved the work. Realizing there wasn’t a comprehensive solution addressing both workplace structure and individual resilience, she pursued research at MIT and developed a model that combines organizational design with daily mental fitness practices. Today, MYNDY helps leaders and teams strengthen mindset, build resilience, and perform at a high level without sacrificing well-being.This conversation explores the realities of founder challenges, the evolving demands of modern workplaces, and why mental fitness is becoming essential for sustainable success.Key Takeaways:How personal burnout inspired Lissy to build MYNDYWhy unclear expectations are a major driver of employee burnoutThe “Stop, Slow, Go” method for building mental resilienceLessons from building a new market as a solo founderWhy mental fitness is key to sustainable performanceAbout Lissy Alden:Lissy Alden is the visionary CEO + Founder of MYNDY, a pioneering company built to combat employee burnout from all angles through her revolutionary Organizational + Mental Fitness model developed over a decade of research beginning at MIT. Recognizing burnout as a multifaceted challenge requiring systemic intervention, she has engineered an innovative platform that addresses psychological, physiological, and organizational factors simultaneously—creating resilient workforces and healthier corporate cultures. She specializes in empowering organizations to achieve their ambitious goals while maintaining employee wellbeing—creating high-performance cultures where teams—and employees—thrive.Connect:Website www.myndy.coLinkedIn linkedin.com/company/myndy/; linkedin.com/in/lissy-alden/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.

What if the future of air conditioning could cut your energy bills by 90%—while helping create cleaner, healthier buildings?In this episode of Founders Forum, Grahame Maisey joins Marc Bernstein, with special guest co-host Dr. Valecia “Dr. V” Dunbar, Founder & CEO of the Center for Confidence and Full Confidence RX. Together, they explore sustainability, innovation, and what it truly means to build for the future.Grahame shares his journey from post-war Leicester, England to becoming a pioneer in energy conservation in the U.S. With over 60 years of HVAC and building performance experience, he’s now launching NEMCO LDAC (Nature’s Energy Machine Company)—a zero-energy HVAC system designed to reduce electric and maintenance costs by up to 90%, eliminate compressors, and deliver sterilized indoor air.At 78, Grahame isn’t retiring—he’s scaling globally. His vision is to license this breakthrough technology worldwide and modernize a 125-year-old air conditioning industry.Key Takeaways:Why traditional HVAC technology is overdue for disruptionHow zero-energy buildings can eliminate net utility costsThe power of “backcasting” to achieve bold goalsWhy sterilized indoor air is the next frontierThe importance of courage and confidence in entrepreneurshipAbout Grahame Maisey:Grahame Maisey is a highly trained British heating, ventilating, and air conditioning engineer with 15 years of experience in the UK and 47 years of experience in the USA in energy conservation in buildings.He has conducted reviews and delivered lectures at architects’ and engineers’ offices.He publishes LinkedIn articles and responds to LinkedIn threads concerning HVAC and building performance.Connect:Website nemcoldac.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/grahame-maisey-61350b15/This episode is brought to you by NEMCO LDAC; Nature’s Energy Machine Company revolutionizing air conditioning with zero-energy technology that cuts electric and maintenance costs by up to 90% while delivering healthier, sterilized indoor air. Go to nemcoldac.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.