Founders' Forum

Jim Logue didn’t start ThermOmegaTech, he reinvented it. When he stepped in, the company was overly reliant on one industry and struggling with culture. Today, it’s a $35M business with nearly 150 employees, serving sectors from aerospace to railroads—and even space.In this conversation, host Marc Bernstein and returning guest Branden Moyer, founder of Buzz Brands, talk with Jim about the “four pillars” that guided the turnaround: staying relevant, putting customers first, engaging employees, and committing to continuous improvement. Jim opens up about the challenges of scaling, why small wins build trust, and how delegation and culture matter as much as strategy. He also shares how AI and automation are solving labor shortages and reshaping the future of manufacturing.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to diversify and stay relevant in changing marketsWhy employee buy-in is the foundation of growthLessons on scaling from $9M to $35M in revenueThe role of AI and automation in modern manufacturingBeyond the CEO role, Jim’s love of history shines through his work as a Philadelphia tour guide and Union League docent—proof that great leaders never stop learning.About James F. Logue, Jr.:Jim is the President & CEO of ThermOmegaTech, Inc. (“TOT”). TOT provides engineering design, machining, assembly, and testing of specialty temperature control valves and related products. The company also has a division that populates and tests printed circuit boards, primarily for the aerospace and military industries. TOT operates out of a 60,000 sq. ft. facility located in Warminster, Pennsylvania.Connect:Website thermomegatech.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/company/thermomegatechThis 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.

Entrepreneurship is never a straight line—it’s full of zigzags, ups and downs, and lessons learned along the way. In this episode of Founders' Forum, Marc Bernstein sits down with Tatiana Barakshina, PhD, MBA, Managing Partner at Bazis Americas LLC, to explore her remarkable journey from Russia to the U.S. and her path to co-founding a successful healthcare market research firm.Tatiana shares how her educational journey, from earning her MBA in Illinois to completing her PhD in Chicago, shaped her passion for marketing and consumer insights. She also reflects on the challenges of building a business around client demand, the importance of finding the right team, and how her multicultural company culture drives innovation and collaboration.Alongside Marc and returning guest Bobby Reed, Executive Producer at Loaded Pixel, Tatiana discusses resilience in entrepreneurship, the value of mentorship, and why humor and sincerity play an unexpected role in leadership and teaching.Key Takeaways:Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs—every crisis also brings opportunity.Building the right team is critical, especially in people-driven industries like research.A multicultural workplace culture fosters creativity, connection, and shared pride.Having a business partner or mentor provides perspective and support during challenges.Humor and honesty can strengthen both teaching and leadership.About Tatiana Barakshina, PhD, MBA:I am a founding partner at Bazis Americas, a full-service marketing research agency established in 2006. I teach Consumer Behavior and Marketing Communication courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University Chicago. I have four kids, a husband who works in IT, and a fluffy dog.Connect:Website www.bazisamericas.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/tatiana-barakshina , linkedin.com/company/bazisgroupThis episode is brought to you by Bazis Americas; a global healthcare marketing research firm that places patient-centric approaches at the heart of every study. Visit bazisamericas.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.

How do you turn setbacks into fuel for impact? Valecia “Dr. V” Dunbar has made a career out of answering that question.In this episode of Founders' Forum, Dr. V shares her journey as a founder, strategist, and visionary leader. From overcoming personal and professional challenges to creating spaces where leadership and innovation can thrive, she shows us what it means to transform adversity into opportunity. With her unique perspective, Dr. V offers lessons not just in resilience, but in building something bigger than yourself.Listeners will walk away inspired and equipped with practical insights for navigating their own leadership paths.Key Takeaways:How Dr. V turned challenges into steppingstones for growthWhy purpose-driven leadership matters more than everThe role of storytelling in connecting vision to impactStrategies to stay resilient while scaling a mission-driven businessAbout Valecia "Dr. V" Dunbar:Dr. Valecia Dunbar (Dr. V) is the visionary Founder and CEO of The Center for Confidence | Full ConfidenceRX (FCRX), a premier organizational leadership firm specializing in professional, business, and financial coaching for top performers and mission-driven changemakers. With a passion for helping leaders thrive in complex environments, she has become a trusted advisor to executives, entrepreneurs, and institutions across the globe.A subject-matter expert in organizational crisis & leadership, Dr. Dunbar serves on the MBA Advisory Committee at the Forbes School of Business & Technology and has led national research efforts as a Senior Research Facilitator, including groundbreaking studies on the impact of COVID-19 on multicultural businesses. As a Business Advisor with Goldman Sachs’ Black in Business accelerator, she champions women-owned solo enterprises, guiding founders toward long-term financial growth and sustainability.Her latest endeavor, The New LaVilla, is a bold $1 million+ community reinvestment and commercial real estate crowdfunding campaign to convert a historic landmark into modern coworking space and entrepreneurship hub in Jacksonville, FL—reviving a historic neighborhood through innovation, ownership, and collective vision.Follow her work and her series "Lost fortunes" on LinkedIn and across social media @TheTrueDrV.Connect:Website www.fullconfidencerx.com/LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/drdunbar/, linkedin.com/company/the-new-lavilla/Facebook facebook.com/thecenterforconfidenceThis episode is brought to you by Full Confidence RX; helping leaders and teams unlock potential with confidence and resilience. Visit fullconfidencerx.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 the key to business success is simply letting go? In this episode of Founders' Forum, Justin Currie, Owner of Thema Home Care, founder of Masters of Home Care, and Inc. 5000-recognized entrepreneur, shares how embracing the “Let Them Theory” transformed not only his mindset but also his business.Justin’s entrepreneurial journey took him from the oil fields of Saskatchewan to launching a thriving senior care business in Pennsylvania. Along the way, he faced challenges—like being turned away at the border twice—but refused to let setbacks define him. Instead, he built Thema Home Care (named after his grandmothers Thelma and Jermaine) into a company known for premium, personalized care and a sustainable model that pays caregivers better than the competition.Now, with systems in place and an executive director running day-to-day operations, Justin has achieved the freedom to spend more time with his growing family while continuing to expand into memory care services. His story is a powerful example of how to design a business that serves both your clients and your lifestyle.Key Takeaways:Why “letting go” of control can open the door to growth and freedomHow to build a premium service model that benefits both clients and caregiversLessons from overcoming immigration and startup challengesStructuring a business to thrive without needing you 24/7Smart ways to integrate AI into operations while keeping a human touchJustin’s reminder: “Don’t confuse motion with progress.”About Justin Currie:Justin Currie is the sole owner of Thema Home Care, recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for its rapid growth, and founder of Masters of Home Care, a consulting firm dedicated to helping home care agency owners scale to $5 million in revenue. Originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, Justin now resides in Downingtown, PA, with his fiancée and three dogs.Connect:Website www.themahomecare.com, www.mastersofhomecare.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/justin-currie-958565278/YouTube youtube.com/channel/UCTp9wknIFODgUPEIY8T8WKgNewsletter https://homecaremba.com/This episode is brought to you by Masters of Home Care; helping home care agency owners attract more clients, retain caregivers, and scale with freedom. Visit mastersofhomecare.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 does it take to spot an opportunity before the world even has a name for it? For Scott Reuter, Principal at Product Data Command, the answer lies in curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to reinvent when the market shifts.From launching a computer products buying group in the 1980s, to pioneering one of the first product information management (PIM) systems in the 1990s, to today’s AI-powered solutions at Product Data Command, Scott’s 30+ year journey has been anything but linear. Along the way, he’s faced setbacks—including a deal that fell through at the finish line—and moments where he had to pick up side jobs just to keep his dream alive. Through it all, his focus remained the same: helping companies present their products in ways that boost sales and deliver better customer experiences.Key Takeaways:How Scott turned the idea of a buying group into a profitable venture for resellers in the 1980sThe birth of one of the first commercial PIM systems—and why clean product data mattersWhat happens when a big acquisition deal falls through, and how to recoverHow AI is transforming product information management and giving companies a competitive edgeWhy legacy, kindness, and integrity matter as much as business successAbout Scott Reuter:35+ years of experience in various technology sectors. 30+ years as an entrepreneur, including founding a technology buying group, a computer product manufacturer, and one of the world’s first Product Information Management software companies. Extensive experience in the computer product and automotive aftermarket industries.Connect:Website www.pdcommand.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/scott-reuter/ , linkedin.com/company/product-data-command-llc/Facebook facebook.com/pdcommander/This episode is brought to you by Product Data Command; Boosting Online Sales & Revenue with Expert Product Data Strategies. Go to pdcommad.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 does it take to step into a family business, honor its legacy, and still make it your own?Marc Bernstein welcomes Karla Trotman, President & CEO of Electro Soft Incorporated, to share her remarkable story. From the company’s humble beginnings on her family’s kitchen table to becoming a trusted manufacturer for the defense, aviation, and transit industries, Karla has guided Electro Soft through challenges and growth with vision and grit.Key Takeaways:How doubt can actually be a powerful leadership toolThe difficult—but necessary—family conversations that shaped her pathTaking the reins just before the pandemic, and how she pivoted to keep her team strongWhy strategic planning, community, and adaptability are her keys to successAlong the way, Karla also shares insights from her book Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: Building the Vibrant Future of Manufacturing, and what winning EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award meant to her.This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating leadership transitions, managing change, or simply looking for inspiration from a leader who embraces resilience and authenticity.About Karla Trotman:Karla Trotman is the President & CEO of Electro Soft, Inc., one of the largest independent electronics contract manufacturers in the Philadelphia Tri-State area, serving aviation, defense, and transit industries. She's the author of "Dark Dirty Dangerous" and Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award winner.Connect:Website electrosoftinc.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/karlatrotman/Instagram instagram.com/karlatrotmanYouTube youtube.com/user/electrosoftincThis episode is brought to you by Electro Soft Inc., Trusted in Custom Electronics Manufacturing for Over 35 Years. Go to electrosoftinc.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.

From growing up on a dairy farm to leading a successful packaging machinery company, Dick DeNenno’s story is one of faith, resilience, and entrepreneurship. As founder and president of Reliant Packaging Machinery, Dick has spent 35+ years in the industry and built a reputation for being knowledgeable, attentive, reliable, and likable.In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein talks with Dick about his unexpected journey—from teaching in Rome and pursuing ministry to navigating financial struggles and ultimately creating a thriving business serving the food and pharmaceutical industries. Through challenges big and small, Dick shares how integrity, persistence, and faith guided his path.Key Takeaways:Entrepreneurship is often about seeing a need and finding a way to meet itIntegrity and relationships matter more than quick winsFaith and perseverance can carry you through the hardest seasonsWhy building a business is also about building a legacyDick’s story is a reminder that success is less about the straight path and more about staying true to your values no matter where the road leads.About Dick DeNenno:Dick is the Founder and President of Reliant Packaging Machinery, LLC, an industry leading manufacturer’s representative agency in the Northeast. Reliant Packaging Machinery are brokers for Product Inspection Equipment, Packaging Machinery, and Automation equipment predominately for the food and pharmaceutical industries. He has a wife of nearly 40 years, 3 children with spouses, and 6 grandchildren.Dick grew up on a dairy farm outside of Philadelphia, received a BS in Education from the University of Colorado and then a Bachelor of Theology degree. While his original intent was to become a full-time minister, the ministry of which he was a part, changed direction and he had to pursue a secular career. He has been in the packaging machinery industry for the last 35 years and has visited over 3,000 manufacturing facilities in the US and abroad. Prior to founding Reliant Packaging Machinery, Dick worked as a Regional Sales Manager for 2 manufacturers for over 10 years, covering most of the 50 states at one time or another. He is about to visit his 50th state next month when he and his wife, Charlotte, celebrate their 40th anniversary on an Alaskan Cruise.Dick’s sales philosophy is to be KARL – Knowledgeable, Attentive, Reliable, and Likeable. My life motto is: “Self-sacrifice is the passion of great men.”Connect:Website reliantpackaging.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/dick-denenno-93b1938/This episode is brought to you by Reliant Packaging, Providing All Your Packaging Machinery Solutions. Go to reliantpackaging.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.

From Disney custodian to bold brand strategist, Branden Moyer’s journey proves that knowing your story can transform your business. In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein talks with Branden, founder of Buzz Brands, about creating unforgettable, story-driven identities and why authentic branding starts with self-awareness.Branden shares how his time at Disney shaped his approach to customer experience, how a cleaning company with the wrong name taught him the value of clear messaging, and how beekeeping brought clarity during personal and professional challenges. His ventures—Made to Bee Clean, The Sticky Badger, and Crew 1912—showcase his commitment to blending storytelling with immersive brand experiences.Key Takeaways:Why founders should never fully outsource strategyHow rebranding can instantly change public perceptionThe role of storytelling in standing out from competitorsBranden’s vision to help 100 companies embrace experiential branding in three yearsWhether you’re building a new brand or reimagining an existing one, this episode offers practical insights to help your story connect and resonate.About Branden Moyer:Branden Moyer is a bold brand strategist, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Buzz Brands a powerhouse agency known for building unforgettable, story-driven identities. With a passion for transforming ideas into movements, Branden specializes in creating immersive brand worlds that fuse design, storytelling, and disruption. He’s the driving force behind ventures like The Sticky Badger, Maid to Bee Clean, and Crew 1912, each built to challenge the ordinary and make a lasting impact.Connect:Website BrandtoBuzz.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/branden-moyer-13b9a9234/Facebook facebook.com/share/1At1fAdsLW/?mibextid=wwXIfrThis 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 restaurants could predict exactly who would walk through their doors tomorrow? Matt Wampler, CEO and co-founder of ClearCOGS, has made this vision a reality by leveraging AI to solve the restaurant industry's biggest challenges. In this episode, Matt shares his journey from a struggling Jimmy John’s franchisee to an entrepreneur transforming the restaurant landscape.Key Takeaways:Struggles and Turning Point: Matt took over a failing Jimmy John’s franchise in DC, transforming it through hard work and dedication.From Franchisee to Tech Founder: After selling his restaurants, Matt taught himself programming and data science, realizing AI’s potential in forecasting demand.ClearCOGS and AI Innovation: Matt co-founded ClearCOGS, using AI to help restaurants predict demand, optimize staffing, and improve operations.Transforming the Industry: ClearCOGS now serves 100+ brands globally, providing predictive analytics that benefits restaurants of all sizes.The Future Vision: Matt aims to create a "restaurant co-pilot" that equips operators with the insights they need for success.Matt's innovative approach to AI in restaurants is reshaping the industry by giving operators tools that were once only available to the largest players. Discover how AI is revolutionizing the restaurant business and learn why Matt believes that predicting demand is not just a wishful thought—it’s a practical solution that technology can deliver.About Matt Wampler:Matt is an ex-operator turned tech-founder.  He spent close to a decade as a Jimmy Johns franchisee winning awards for Highest COMP and Highest Sales Increase in the chain.  Matt is currently the CEO of ClearCOGS with the mission to empower restaurants with the information they need to run more smoothly and profitably.  He's deeply passionate about the industry and is hyper-focused on bridging the gap between the potential of AI and the everyday realities of running a restaurant.In addition to work, I'm a proud father of two daughters, a woodworker, make my own maple syrup, and bake a hell of a sourdough loaf of bread.Connect:Website www.clearcogs.comLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler/Twitter @w_a_m_p_l_e_rThreads @matthew.wamplerInstagram @matthew.wamplerTikTok @matt.wamplerThis 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.

What if your resume didn’t matter as much as your actual skills? In this episode, Marc Bernstein sits down with Sandesh Sukumaran, the self-funded Founder and CEO of Outcome Logix, to explore how the hiring landscape is evolving—and how tech, transparency, and a bit of fishing zen can lead to smarter staffing.Sandesh opens up about his entrepreneurial journey from Mumbai to Pittsburgh, from Y2K hiring days to leading an AI-powered staffing firm. He also shares the personal risks he took to build Outcome Logix, the importance of responsible AI in recruitment, and why he's doubling down on innovation with specialized candidate categories like “Strivers” and “Elite 10.” Key Takeaways:Matching talent with purpose: Sandesh explains how screening for competencies—not just keywords—can dramatically improve retention rates.Innovation in staffing: Outcome Logics is building tools and interfaces for everyone involved—recruiters, clients, vendors—to optimize the hiring experience.Early-stage talent: His platform includes a dedicated “Strivers” segment for professionals with under 5 years of experience to shine authentically.On entrepreneurship: Self-funding a startup post-exit isn’t easy—he credits his wife’s unwavering support as a cornerstone of his success.About Sandesh Sukumaran:Sandesh Sukumaran is the Founder and CEO of Outcome Logix, a tech-enabled staffing firm recognized as a Tech 50 Finalist by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. With over two decades of experience in technology recruitment and enterprise talent solutions, Sandesh has built Outcome Logix around speed, precision, and innovation—leveraging proprietary tools like ScreenedTalent to deliver expert-vetted candidates faster. A self-funded entrepreneur, he’s passionate about transforming hiring through competency-based screening and has worked with major clients in Retail, Banking, Mortgage, utilities industries. Sandesh is also an advocate for responsible AI in hiring and is actively building peer networks for senior IT and business leaders.Connect:Website www.outcomelogix.comLinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/sandeshsukumaran/Instagram www.instagram.com/outcomelogix/This episode is brought to you by Outcome Logix; A Tech Enabled Staffing Services and Product Company. Go to outcomelogix.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.