The Founderz Lounge - Business Podcast

The Founderz Lounge Episode #112 with Addison LaBonte, founder of Sweet Addison’s.One oven. A tiny mixer. A 700-square-foot apartment. Addison LaBonte didn’t have everything figured out when she started her gluten-free cookie business, but she started anyway.Addison joins Don Varady and Steve Bon to share how she built Sweet Addison’s with a $5,000 investment, tested 27 cookie recipes, and learned expensive lessons about packaging and shipping. She breaks down how customer feedback, an engaged online community, and word-of-mouth marketing helped her grow a bootstrapped business while keeping 100% ownership.From baking almost 50,000 cookies herself to building a team of 10, this is the founder story behind the pretty packaging.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[02:03] From College Soccer to Gluten-Free Baking[09:14] Starting Sweet Addison’s With $5,000[12:02] Turning an Online Community Into Customers[13:59] The $5,000 Packaging Mistake[15:48] Would the Cookies Survive Shipping?[19:50] Letting Customers Shape the Product Line[23:33] From Baking Alone to Leading a Team of 10[29:07] Shipping Costs and the Reality of Scaling[32:57] Growing a Bootstrapped Business Past $2 Million[36:20] Getting Featured in Forbes[38:07] Word of Mouth, Social Media, and Food Photography[42:31] What’s Next for Sweet Addison’sKey Takeaways:• “I didn't wanna wait until everything looked perfect before beginning.” ~Addison LaBonte• “All they see is pretty packaging and a pretty website. They don't see everything behind it.” ~Don Varady• “There's no better marketing than word of mouth.” ~Addison LaBonte• “The best marketing is people showing the experience of the food, sharing it.” ~Steve Bon• An online following can help you launch, but a bad product won’t bring customers back. ~Addison LaBonte• “When it comes to food, people eat with their eyes first.” ~Addison LaBonteKeep In Touch with Addison LaBonte:Website: https://sweetaddisons.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organicallyaddisonSweet Addison’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweet.addisons/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@organicallyaddisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/organicallyaddison/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@organicallyaddisonConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #111 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.As your business grows, your circle can change. Who’s there for you, and who just wants access to your connections?Don and Steve get real about outgrowing friendships, one-sided relationships, and the difference between networking and your inner circle. They discuss why chasing popularity can pull your attention away from the people who actually show up for you.Don also shares how a men’s retreat sparked new friendships and business opportunities, and why building new relationships shouldn’t mean neglecting the ones you already have.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:20] Networking, Friendships, and Your Inner Circle[02:57] Stop Chasing the Cool Kids Club[06:03] Why Your Inner Circle Gets Smaller[07:48] How Success Changes Your Friendships[08:40] Dealing With One-Sided Friendships[10:34] How a Men’s Retreat Built Real Connections[15:39] Grow Your Network Without Losing Your People[17:01] Say Yes to Unexpected Opportunities[17:46] Clout Chasing vs. Real Friendship[18:51] Making Time for Friends When Life Gets Busy[21:16] Take Care of the People Who Take Care of YouKey Takeaways:“Know where people stand in your life, appreciate each relationship for what it is, and take care of the people who take care of you.” ~Don VaradyDon’t get so caught up making new connections that you neglect the people who already care about you. ~Don Varady“You're gonna outgrow people, man. That's natural.” ~Don VaradyIt’s hard to build real friendships when your only goal is access to someone’s fame or popularity. ~Steve BonYou can value every relationship without giving everyone the same access to your life. ~Don VaradyThe strongest friendships leave room for life to get busy without holding it against you. ~Steve BonConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #110 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Ready to throw in the towel on your business, or are you just burned out?Don and Steve get real about business owner burnout, losing passion, and what to do before calling it quits. They break down why checking your cash flow, asking for help, and building a realistic turnaround plan matter more than making a permanent decision in an emotional moment.Don shares how a struggling Clean Eatz franchisee started turning things around with local marketing and accountability. Plus, why having an exit strategy can help you stay in the fight, and how to recognize when it’s time to bring in new leadership.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:09] Before You Give Up on Your Business[02:27] Is It Burnout or Financial Trouble?[03:35] Check Your Cash Flow and Build a Plan[06:29] How a Struggling Franchisee Turned Things Around[09:27] Why Business Owners Struggle to Ask for Help[11:03] Do You Still Have the Passion?[12:42] The Cost of Mentally Checking Out[14:23] Why an Exit Strategy Can Keep You Going[16:51] When Your Business Needs New Leadership[19:14] Why Clean Eatz Needed a COO Instead of a CEO[20:50] Don’t Make the Decision to Quit AloneKey Takeaways:“You're gonna lose passion for something when you're struggling. You just are. It's human nature.” ~Don VaradyBefore you give up on your business, figure out whether you’re exhausted or your numbers are telling you you’re in real trouble. ~Don VaradyHaving an exit plan can help you stay in the fight longer. ~Steve BonStaying in your business to recover your investment can backfire if you’ve already mentally checked out. ~Don VaradyThe business doesn’t have to end when you step away. Someone else may be ready to take it further. ~Steve BonBefore you decide to close your business, find someone to talk to. Don’t make that decision in an emotional state. ~Don VaradyConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477 

The Founderz Lounge Episode #109 with Meaghan Dennison.What if student loans were tied to real career outcomes?In this episode, Meaghan Dennison joins Don and Steve to explain how The Forward Fund is building a different financing model for career training, trade programs, and other nontraditional education paths.They get into why traditional student lending leaves so many borrowers behind, how repayment is tied to successful employment and minimum salary thresholds, and why adults changing careers need better access to training.Meaghan also shares how The Forward Fund grew to more than $2.5 million in lending and why better student outcomes can still create a real business opportunity.If you are a founder, business owner, educator, or anyone interested in student loans, career training, workforce development, or alternative education, this episode is for you.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:15] Meet Meaghan Dennison[02:32] What Is The Forward Fund?[04:14] $2.5M in Lending in 18 Months[04:43] Career Paths Beyond the Trades[06:43] The Career Training Trap[07:19] Financing Adult Learners[10:34] How Outcomes-Based Student Loans Work[13:26] High-Wage Career Paths[21:10] What Happens If Students Change Careers?[22:38] Building The Forward Fund[25:03] Lending to Borrowers Others Won’t[26:37] Career Training Meets Clean EatzKey Takeaways:• “Our average pre-program credit score is 520. No one is lending to the borrower demographic that we’re lending to.” ~Meaghan Dennison• “If we’re not gonna do it, no one else is.” ~Meaghan Dennison• “The only difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit business is a tax code. The cash flow still matters, personnel, figuring out how to grow, how to market.” ~Meaghan Dennison• “We have to rethink student financing.” ~Meaghan Dennison• “What’s the quickest viable path to some meaningful wages?” ~Meaghan DennisonConnect with Meaghan Dennison:The Forward Fund:⁠ https://theforward.fund/⁠LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghan-dennison/⁠Connect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/⁠ Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145⁠ Steve Bon:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/stevebon8⁠ Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: ⁠https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G⁠ Apple Music: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349⁠ The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website:⁠ ⁠⁠https://cleaneatz.com/⁠Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/⁠ Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/⁠ Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA⁠ Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: ⁠https://bonseyeonline.com/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477⁠  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #108 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.What nobody tells you about franchising is how much control you give up once you start scaling.In this episode, Don and Steve break down the dark side of becoming a franchisor, why growing too fast can expose weak systems, and why Clean Eatz intentionally stopped selling franchises for a year to fix the foundation.They also get into franchisee performance, leadership, systems, and why slowing down can sometimes be the smartest move a founder makes.If you are building, scaling, or franchising a business, this is the operator truth behind the growth.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[02:00] Is Franchising Actually a Good Business Model?[05:04] Why Franchising Works and What You Give Up[08:52] When Franchise Growth Gets Dangerous[10:46] Why Clean Eatz Slowed Down[15:22] Where Franchise Royalties Really Go[17:50] The Ugly Truth About Managing Franchisees[25:01] Losing Touch With the Business[26:21] You’re Not in the Same Business Anymore[30:01] Systems Before Franchise Growth[32:38] The Most Important Trait for a FranchisorKey Takeaways:• “Growth can kill you just as fast as it can be successful.” ~Don Varady• “Franchisees are not customers. They are strategic partners.” ~Don Varady• “You’re not in the business that you franchised anymore.” ~Don Varady• “Whether you’re a restaurant, a gym, med spa, doesn’t matter, you’re now a management company as soon as you franchise.” ~Don Varady• “You have to have a certain type of personality to franchise.” ~Steve Bon• “Your mindset has to be a little ambitious to franchise, but then you have to train yourself the patience of dealing with other ambitious people.” ~Steve Bon• “You buy into more than just a product, you buy into the culture.” ~Steve Bon• “You gotta have a lot of patience.” ~Don VaradyConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #107 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.What business advice do founders hear all the time that sounds smart but falls apart in the real world?In this episode, Don and Steve call bullshit on some of the most common business myths they used to believe, from work-life balance and “fake it till you make it” to thinking you need every detail figured out before you start.They break down why founders need to stop waiting for perfect conditions, why respect has to be earned instead of manufactured, and why building a strong team does not mean leadership suddenly gets easy.They also get into intentional sacrifice versus neglect, knowing enough to move without being reckless, and why your job as a founder is not to have every answer. It is to build a team around you that is better than you.If you are a founder or business owner trying to grow without getting trapped by bad advice, comparison, perfectionism, or outdated business rules, this episode is for you.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:58] Business Advice We Used to Believe[01:53] Stop Waiting to Have It All Figured Out[04:26] Start, Fail, Learn[07:25] You Can’t Know Everything[07:48] Don’t Become the Founder Bottleneck[08:46] The “Fake It Till You Make It” Myth[09:39] Work-Life Balance Is Bullsh*t[10:10] What Deserves the Most of You Right Now?[14:17] Intentional Sacrifice vs Neglect[16:58] Let Experts Do What They Do Best[18:33] Earn Respect, Don’t Manufacture ItKey Takeaways:• “Know enough that you're not being stupid, but then start and figure it out while you're moving.” ~Don Varady• “If I'm the smartest one in the room, I'm in the wrong room.” ~Don Varady• “Your job isn't to have all the answers. Your job is to build a team around you that is better than you.” ~Don Varady• “The founder who still has to approve and answer every question, you're gonna be a bottleneck.” ~Don Varady• “What deserves the most of me right now?” ~Don Varady• “There's a major difference between intentional sacrifice and neglect.” ~Don Varady• “You gotta earn respect, not manufacture it.” ~Steve Bon• Giving control to people who can do things better can help the business grow faster. ~Steve BonConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #106 with IFBB Pro John Rivas.What does bodybuilding teach you about business?In this episode, John Rivas joins Don and Steve to talk about the mindset, discipline, risk, and obsession behind both high-level bodybuilding and entrepreneurship.John shares how strength training gave him a direct connection between effort and results, what it took to chase bodybuilding at a professional level, and why hitting a major goal can still leave you asking, “What do I do now?”They also get into leaving a steady paycheck, opening a gym, building multiple businesses, learning entrepreneurship the hard way, and how relationships with other business owners helped John see what was possible.From competing at the highest level to owning Pro Strength Gym and building businesses around fitness and supplements, John’s story is a look at what happens when discipline in one part of life starts shaping everything else.If you are a founder, entrepreneur, business owner, athlete, or anyone trying to understand the mindset behind high performance, this episode is for you.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:53] Meet IFBB Pro John Rivas[04:26] Competitive From a Young Age[09:19] First Bodybuilding Show[14:43] Why Weightlifting Clicked[18:17] Powerlifting to Bodybuilding[26:04] The Cost of Chasing Records[31:23] Leaving Corporate to Bet on Himself[33:23] From Trainer to Business Owner[37:41] What Bodybuilding Teaches About Business[40:32] Bodybuilding Rapid Fire[42:06] Creatine and Overrated SupplementsKey Takeaways:• Big risk. Big reward. ~John Rivas• “You’ve gotta be wired just a little bit differently.” ~John Rivas• The effort you put into strength training comes directly back to you. ~John Rivas• Chasing a major goal can cost time with family, career opportunities, and even your health. ~John Rivas• Reaching the goal does not always give you the feeling you expected. ~John Rivas• High performance requires discipline 24/7 because eventually the work you skipped shows up. ~John Rivas• The same discipline that drives bodybuilding can translate directly into business. ~Steve Bon• In business, process matters just like form does in bodybuilding. Doing it the right way keeps you from getting hurt or wiped out. ~Steve Bon• “I was always just average, right? Until I found weightlifting and bodybuilding.” ~Don VaradyConnect with John Rivas::Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john.c.rivas/?hl=enPro Strength Gym: https://www.instagram.com/the_prostrengthgym/?hl=enGym Sign Up: https://psg.gymmasteronline.com/portal/signup?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaf2pDmH8MPlpqqh4fi5FwKm66bwDbvlB5rcp0N210ppb-ZSyTaZ_n3nW4MB2w_aem_PxdijEpwdCVwAodGID2CuwTroponin Supplements: https://www.instagram.com/troponinsupplements/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL00qsZ6bVOxRwucO-vJgCQConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ 

The Founderz Lounge Episode #105 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.What would a franchisor with 100+ units do if he had to start a franchise from scratch today?In this episode, Steve puts Don through a full reset of Clean Eatz and asks what he would keep, what he would change, and what he would never do again after more than a decade of building and scaling a franchise brand.Don breaks down why he would invest in operations earlier, why product still comes before identity and team, why communication matters more than most operators realize, and why a skilled franchise attorney is non-negotiable from day one.They also get into starting with almost no money, choosing the right leadership hires, avoiding bad consultants, growing too fast, and the lesson Don would give himself if he could go back to the beginning: take your damn time.If you are a founder, franchisor, business owner, or entrepreneur thinking about starting a franchise, scaling a franchise business, or building stronger operations from the start, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons from someone who has already made the mistakes.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:56] Starting Clean Eatz From Scratch[01:52] Starting With Almost No Money[04:13] Building Better Systems Earlier[16:36] Operations and Finance First[19:00] Product Before Identity and Team[20:03] Growing a Franchise Regionally[22:54] The Risk of Outside Consultants[26:51] Why You Need a Franchise Attorney[28:11] Take Your Damn TimeKey Takeaways:• “You can be the best operator of anything, but if you don't like to talk, you're done.” ~Don Varady• “Product has to go first or what do you got?” ~Don Varady• “You gotta trust your gut, man.” ~Don Varady• “I would never do this again without an attorney. Ever.” ~Don Varady• “Take your damn time.” ~Don Varady• “Quality over quantity in franchising, that is life or death.” ~Don Varady• “The franchise is your product. You gotta put the time and the quality into it.” ~Steve BonConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #104 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.When does the founder become the bottleneck holding the business back?In this episode, Don and Steve break down the warning signs that show up when founder leadership turns into control, micromanagement, and too many decisions running through one person.They get into why every important decision needing your approval is a red flag, how “nobody can do it like I can” slows growth, and why founders have to learn the difference between staying involved and refusing to let go.Don and Steve also talk delegation, teaching your team how to think critically, empowering leaders to make decisions, and the ego that can make founders hold onto control long after the business has outgrown it.If you are a founder or business owner trying to scale a business, build stronger leadership, improve business systems, or figure out whether you are the one slowing growth down, this episode is for you.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:04] When the Founder Becomes the Bottleneck[01:54] Founder Bottleneck Warning Signs[04:07] Leadership vs Control[06:38] Working More as the Business Grows[08:09] When Your Team Stops Making Decisions[13:31] Letting Leaders Challenge You[15:56] Signs You’re Slowing the Business Down[18:38] Micromanager vs Absentee Founder[19:16] Perfectionism vs Speed[19:57] Firing and Delegation[21:04] What Your Executive Team Really ThinksKey Takeaways:• “Is it leadership or control?” ~Don Varady• “We were too scared to let go.” ~Don Varady• A founder who will not delegate can become the biggest thing slowing the business down. ~Don Varady• Micromanagement kills growth faster than an absentee founder because the team never gets room to move. ~Don Varady• “Every department’s waiting on you” is one of the clearest signs you have become the bottleneck. ~Don Varady• If the team is not thinking critically, the founder still has to ask why they were not taught or empowered to do it. ~Steve Bon• “It’s never gonna be perfect. Move.” ~Steve Bon• At some point, founders have to let other people hold the “brand baby” and learn how to lead without controlling everything. ~Don VaradyConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #103 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Do you really need a CEO, or are you hiring the title because it feels like the next step?In this episode, Don and Steve break down executive leadership through the lens of founders who have actually made the hires, gotten some right, and learned from the ones that did not work.Don shares why Clean Eatz hired a CMO before the brand was ready, what went wrong with a later CEO hire, and why experience on paper does not automatically mean someone will fit your culture or leadership team.They get into when to hire C-suite leadership, why founders should hire slow and vet beyond the highlight reel, how to build trust with new executives, and when a strong Director of Operations may be more valuable than jumping straight to a CEO.They also talk about delegation, staying connected to legal, finance, and growth, and the balance every founder eventually has to figure out: giving leaders enough room to run the business without completely losing touch with it.If you are a founder or business owner building an executive leadership team, scaling a company, or trying to get out of the day-to-day without losing the culture you built, this episode is for you.Come for the banter. Leave thinking more like a founder.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:01] Building Trust With Executive Leadership[02:25] Hiring a CMO Too Early[03:58] Hire Slow, Fire Fast[06:16] When Executive Hires Go Wrong[08:15] Do You Really Need a CEO?[13:49] The Leadership Hire Don Would Make First[14:57] How to Vet C-Suite Candidates[19:03] Executive Experience vs Culture Fit[19:39] What Founders Should Never Fully Delegate[27:53] Can the Business Run Without You?[28:40] Executive Leadership Red FlagsKey Takeaways:• Hire slow, fire fast. ~Don Varady• The right executive hire can still be wrong if the business is not ready for the role. ~Don Varady• A strong Director of Operations can be the founder’s right hand. ~Don Varady• “Don’t hire on a highlight reel.” ~Don Varady• Experience on paper means nothing if the leader cannot get adoption from the team. ~Steve Bon• Founders can delegate responsibility without completely removing themselves from the parts of the business that matter most. ~Don VaradyConnect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477