Founder's Framework

Everyone talks about freedom as the ultimate goal of entrepreneurship, but for most founders, it’s not that simple.In this episode of the Founder’s Framework podcast, Mark Abbott sits down with serial entrepreneur and bestselling author Bob Glazer to unpack the real truth about freedom in the founder’s journey.They explore:Why most founders feel less free after starting a businessThe mental shifts required to escape the trap of “building yourself a job”How to delegate, build trust, and scale without burning outWhat true freedom looks like and how to design your business to support itIf you’re a founder wrestling with how to get out of the weeds and back to your vision, this conversation is for you.Subscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

Building an AI assistant sounds like the obvious next move in today’s market—but most tools miss the mark. In this episode of the Founder’s Framework podcast, Mark Abbott talks with Ninety’s Head of AI Products, TJ Kneale, about what it really took to build Maz, Ninety’s AI assistant designed to help teams run better.You’ll learn:→ The internal problem that sparked the idea for Maz→ Why Ninety chose to build a purpose-built AI tool from scratch→ What founders should consider before integrating AI into their productThis episode is full of lessons for founders building AI tools—or thinking about it.Connect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow TJ on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/tjkneale→ Try Maz inside Ninety: https://www.ninety.io→ Subscribe for more conversations on building great companies.Subscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

It’s one thing to start a business. It’s another to intentionally design a company that can grow and evolve beyond your daily effort.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott sits down with Michael E. Gerber, author of The E-Myth, to explore what it really means to build a company. They break down the trap of doing the work, the power of the Dreaming Room, and the eight personas every entrepreneur must grow through to build something that lasts.You’ll learn:→ Why the founder’s role is to design the business, not just do the work→ How the 8 personas of entrepreneurship shape your evolution→ Why clarity of vision matters more than systems aloneResources:→ Learn more about the Dreaming Room→ Read The E-Myth Revisited→ Connect with Michael on LinkedIn→ Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Try Ninety free for 30 daysSubscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

Building a mobile app sounds like a natural step for product-led startups, but it’s not always the right move. In this episode of the Founder’s Framework podcast, Mark Abbott talks with Ninety’s Head of Product, Kyle Phillips, about what it really takes to build and maintain a mobile app.You’ll learn:Why timing matters more than ambition when launching a mobile experienceThe surprising tradeoffs startups face between web and native appsLessons learned from building Ninety’s own iOS and Android appsThis candid conversation is packed with insights for any founder or product leader thinking about investing in mobile.Subscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

In this episode of the Founder’s Framework podcast, Mark Abbott explores the tension between intensity and consistency in high-growth companies. Founders are often wired to push hard, but without consistency, that intensity becomes unsustainable and even damaging. Mark shares insights on how founders can build systems that support sustained growth, prevent burnout, and maintain alignment with their teams.Whether you're in the middle of a growth surge or trying to create more stability, this conversation will help you reflect on how to pace your leadership and guide your team more effectively.Resources:→ Try Ninety free for 30 days: https://bit.ly/TryNinety→ Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework newsletter: https://bit.ly/FoundersFrameworkNewsletterConnect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbottSubscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

Join us on the Founder’s Framework podcast as we dive deep with Mark Abbott, author of “Work 9.0: The Evolution of Work”, exploring the profound shifts shaping our workplaces—and our world. We stand at the intersection of two eras: leaving behind the Age of Information (Work 7.0) and embracing the Age of Understanding (Work 8.0), with our sights set on the transformative horizon of Self-Actualization (Work 9.0).In this episode, Mark unpacks what this transition means for visionary leaders seeking to build enduring, purpose-driven organizations that thrive amidst complexity and uncertainty. We’ll explore how trust, culture, and clarity can guide founders through this critical moment, positioning their companies not only to survive but to significantly matter.This is more than a conversation; it’s an urgent call to action for enlightened leaders ready to shape the future of Work—one defined by deep human fulfillment, meaningful contribution, and lasting impact.What you’ll learn:→ What Work 9.0 is and why it matters→ How to maintain culture as your company scales→ Why clarity, trust, and shared systems are the foundation of great workResources:→ Order the Work 9.0 book: Work 9.0: The Evolution of Work  → Try Ninety free for 30 days: The Leading Cloud-Based Business Operating System | Ninety → Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework newsletter: Founder's Framework | Your Key to Building an Unstoppable Company Connect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbottSubscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

In this engaging discussion, Cole Abbott, a Brand Strategist known for helping companies navigate uncertainty, shares strategies for building anti-fragile organizations. He emphasizes the importance of zero-based budgeting and leadership alignment. Abbott also advocates for a culture of transparency and trust, showing how resilient companies can thrive during downturns. He highlights the need for maintaining core values over mere survival, and how strong customer relations differentiate success between B2B and B2C clients. Prepare for storms and emerge stronger!

Join Cole Abbott, a Brand Strategist at Ninety, as he navigates the chaotic landscape of OS Anarchy in growing companies. Discover how tool sprawl can silently hinder your team’s effectiveness and why alignment is crucial for success. Cole shares insights on building a Unifying Operating System to simplify communication and foster a collaborative culture. Learn about the challenges of procrastination within teams and how regular feedback can boost organizational health. Perfect for anyone aiming to streamline processes as they scale!

Raising money is one thing. Choosing investors who truly align with your company’s values, strategy, and long-term vision is another.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott and Brand Strategist Cole Abbott explore why investor relationships often outlast everything else and what founders need to consider before signing a term sheet. From alignment on Forever Agreements to spotting red flags, this is a conversation about choosing the right partners for the journey ahead.What you’ll learn:→ Why investor relationships often last longer than your founding team→ How to assess compatibility across character, competency, and connection→ The role of Forever Agreements in choosing the right investorsResources:→ Lean more about Forever Agreements→ Explore the Vision Builders Workbook→ Subscribe to the Founder's Framework Newsletter→ Try Ninety free for 30 daysConnect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbottSubscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!

You can’t scale what you can’t define, and few things test that truth more than Brand Drift.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott and Brand Strategist Cole Abbott unpack one of the most common challenges growing companies face: the slow, often invisible slide into brand misalignment. Vision starts clear. Messaging feels right. But as the team expands, the offering matures, and the world shifts, you realize the story you're telling no longer matches the company you're building.So what do you do? Scrap it all? Start over?Not quite. This episode is about how founders can recognize brand drift, re-anchor the business without abandoning its essence, and realign their messaging with the Work that truly matters.What you’ll learn:→ Why Brand Drift is a natural part of company growth and a signal, not a failure→ What changes and what doesn’t as your Vision evolves→ Why consistent messaging starts with internal alignment, not just marketing→ The founder’s role as the Keeper of the Vision, especially in high-growth seasonsResources:→ Explore the Vision Builders Workbook: Vision Builders Workbook  → Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework Newsletter: Founder’s Framework | Newsletter → Try Ninety free for 30 days: The Leading Cloud-Based Business Operating System | Ninety Stay Connected:→ Follow Mark Abbott on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole Abbott on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbottSubscribe for more founder-first conversations every other week.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter→ Subscribe to Ninety’s EOS Newsletter  → Try Ninety free for 30 days!