The Conscious Entrepreneur

Jesse Pujji reveals how he builds wildly successful companies from scratch by doubling down on talent, distribution, and the power of bootstrapping.   In this episode, Sarah Lockwood sits down with the serial founder and investor behind Gateway X, a venture studio that launches and scales high-performing companies without venture capital. Jesse shares how he went from Goldman Sachs and McKinsey to building Ampush, one of Facebook’s earliest and most effective performance marketing agencies, which grew to manage over $1 billion in ad spend for top brands like Uber, Peloton, and Dollar Shave Club. That experience became the foundation for how he now builds high-performance teams and scalable businesses through bootstrapping.   Jesse breaks down the core principles that drive his companies: hiring exceptional talent, obsessing over sales and distribution, and staying rooted in profitability from day one. He shares the origin stories of ventures like GrowthAssistant, which connects startups with offshore marketing talent, and explains how each business at Gateway X is shaped by a unique unfair advantage and the right operating partner, not a VC-funded roadmap. From his two-farm model for sourcing ideas and people to his frameworks for knowing when to walk away from a failing project, Jesse offers a rare look into what it really takes to scale without VC.   This is a must-listen for founders ready to trade the unicorn myth for real traction, culture-driven leadership, and sustainable growth on their own terms.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Jesse Pujji’s Entrepreneurial Journey from Ampush to Gateway X 05:01 Core Principles for Bootstrapping and Scaling Without VC 08:48 How GrowthAssistant Scaled to $20M in Revenue 13:32 The Two-Farm Model: Matching Ideas with the Right People 15:00 Knowing When to Kill an Idea and Move On 16:02 Inside Aux: Translating Marketing for Private Equity 21:09 Why Sales and Distribution Matter More Than Product 22:14 The Power of High Performance Teams 27:02 Building Profitable Companies with Operational Rigor 34:30 Managing Attention, Energy, and Leadership Across Startups 38:48 Conscious Leadership and the Value of Coaching   Links Dave Kashen - Startup CEO Coach Book - The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://a.co/d/j4uKz9A   Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/  Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us    Connect with Jesse Pujji: Website Gateway X: https://www.gateway.xyz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepujji/   Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.

Most entrepreneurs aren’t drowning in work because they lack ambition. They’re stuck doing too much of the wrong kind of work.   Sarah Lockwood talks with Julie Johnston, the founder of Rhino Squad, about what it looks like to operate from your zone of genius. They unpack the mindset traps that keep founders stuck in the weeds and walk through how small shifts in delegation can lead to major changes in time management and business growth.   Julie shares what she’s learned helping leaders hire and work with virtual assistants, especially from the Philippines, and how a global workforce can unlock more freedom, better output, and stronger team culture. Are your top people doing high-value work? What could your business look like if they were?     Julie encourages founders to think big and recognize where VAs can support every part of your organization from revenue driving activities to business operations - VAs can do much more than confirm appointments, reschedule meetings or manage your inbox (although that ‘s a great place to start if you haven’t yet)! If you’ve been hesitant to delegate or unsure where to start, Sarah and Julie’s conversation will help you rethink how you’re spending your time and what it’s really costing you.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Julie Johnston and Rhino Squad 02:03 Mindset Shifts for Effective Delegation 06:53 Maximizing Time with Virtual Assistants 10:50 Building a Supportive Team Culture 14:01 10X Thinking and Global Workforce Strategy 24:17 Julie’s Conscious Entrepreneurial Journey 29:49 Core Values Behind Rhino Squad   Links Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/   Connect with Julie Johnston: Website: www.rhinosquad.org  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhinosquad_virtualassistants/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhinojulie/   Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most teams aren’t drowning in work. They’re drowning in distractions.   Sarah Lockwood is joined by Jenna Piché, the founder of First Light Time Management Coaching, for a timely conversation about team productivity, deep work, and sharpening your leadership focus. With the year halfway over, it’s a good moment to stop and ask: Are you making real progress on the goals you set in January or just staying busy?   Jenna shares why so many leaders unintentionally build cultures where busyness is rewarded, and why that’s such a dangerous trap. When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to lose sight of the work that actually moves the needle. What signals are you sending to your team about what matters? Are people clear on what to focus on or are they stuck reacting all day?   They also discuss the psychology of productivity and procrastination, including what’s actually going on in your brain when you put off the hard stuff. And they talk through what it looks like to shift into a culture that values deep work and gives people the space to do their best thinking.   If your team’s attention feels fractured (or maybe your own), Jenna offers a smart reset. The kind that helps you see where time is leaking out of your day, and how to fix it before the second half of the year slips by.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Reflecting on Goals and Productivity 02:53 Misaligned Priorities and the Myth of Busyness 06:14 Creating a Culture of Focus 09:00 Identifying Misalignment in Teams 14:55 Overcoming Procrastination and Fear 18:05 Shifting Mindsets for Deep Work 21:00 Building a Supportive Team Culture 23:56 Setting Seemingly Impossible Goals   Links Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/    Connect with Jenna Piche: Fractured or Focused Attention Assessment: https://eencclvnukx.typeform.com/to/dMYQ67rp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennapiche/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstlightcoach/ Website: https://firstlighthealth.co/womens-health-and-focus-coaching   Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.fm/ Website: https://hivecast.fm   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The Conscious Entrepreneur is the podcast where founders come to sharpen their edge from the inside out - building businesses that are sustainable, aligned, and actually work for their life. It’s about becoming the kind of leader your business needs you to be, and doing it with clarity, connection, and purpose.   We don’t buy into hustle culture. And burnout? It’s not a badge of honor. Here, we believe thriving businesses are built by thriving people.   Hosted by Sarah Lockwood, The Conscious Entrepreneur is where growth starts within.

Most entrepreneurs say they want to think bigger, but only a few actually build the systems, community, and habits that make those impossible goals inevitable.   Fresh off the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, Sarah Lockwood and Alex Raymond came home with more than just notes. They came home with decisions. In this episode, they talk through what shifted for them, what they’re already doing differently, and how the right kind of environment can shake you out of survival mode fast.   Alex shares how Dr. Ben Hardy’s session pushed him to commit publicly to growing AMplify into a $3M business in two years. Sarah walks through the behind-the-scenes changes she’s making at HiveCast right away, from automating scattered processes to freeing up time for the kind of work that actually moves things forward. They both reflect on the deeper mindset work sparked by the event, including what it means to lead with intention and how to shrink the timeline between vision and execution.   One of the biggest pieces of post-summit momentum is the launch of the 10X Implementation Circle, which is a year-long, founder-only group for serious entrepreneurs who want accountability, structure, and real community while working toward their boldest goals. Didn’t make it to the summit this year but want in on what’s next? Apply here 👉🏽www.consciousentrepreneur.us   Listen for: 00:00 Post-Summit Reflections and Key Takeaways 01:43 Dr. Ben Hardy on Impossible Goals and Time as a Tool 05:43 Alex Raymond’s $3M Business Commitment 07:06 Rethinking Priorities and Delegating for Impact 10:41 Nervous System Regulation with Marina and Beck 13:07 Entrepreneurial Mindset with Dr. Michael Freeman 17:33 Inside the 10X Implementation Circle   Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/    Connect with Alex Raymond: Website: https://amplifyam.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Connect with Sarah Lockwood: Website: https://hivecast.fm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hivecast.fm/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.   Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most podcasts talk tactics, but The Conscious Entrepreneur turns the spotlight inward.   This episode marks a new beginning for The Conscious Entrepreneur as Alex Raymond passes the mic to Sarah Lockwood, the show’s new host. They reflect on the recent summit in Boulder and the kind of conversations that matter most to this community, the ones that don’t just skim the surface.   Sarah shares why she raised her hand to take on this role and what keeps her so invested in the work. As the CEO of HiveCast, she’s helped hundreds of founders launch and grow their podcasts. But here, she’s stepping into something more personal: creating space for honest conversations about the fears, habits, and thought patterns that shape the entrepreneurial journey.   What happens when we stop comparing our beginnings to someone else’s highlight reel? How do we keep showing up when the pressure to hustle never really lets up? Sarah and Alex unpack these questions and more, with a shared belief that the real growth happens behind the scenes, in community, through vulnerability, and with a little less pretending.   Alex isn’t disappearing; he’ll still be around. But with Sarah at the helm, the podcast enters a new season, one built around thoughtful interviews, lived experience, and ideas you’ll actually want to take back into your life and work.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcome and Summit Recap 01:04 Meet the New Host: Sarah Lockwood 02:30 Sarah’s Entrepreneurial Journey 05:12 The Story Behind HiveCast 08:37 Why Podcasting Matters 17:52 Rethinking Hustle Culture 20:31 Habits and Inspiration for Entrepreneurs 23:40 What’s Next for the Show   Links Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Guarding your joy while leading high-stakes work is not optional. It is the only way to last.   Dr. David Johns sits down with Alex Raymond for a conversation on what it means to lead without losing yourself. What keeps you grounded when the work feels endless? How do you stay in the fight without letting it consume you?    Drawing from his journey, from growing up in Inglewood to serving in the Obama White House and now leading the National Black Justice Coalition, Dr. Johns shares how his leadership is shaped by purpose, community, and a deep sense of responsibility. He talks about centering the voices that are too often excluded, especially in education, and calls out the difference between performative gestures and true accountability. He reflects on the emotional cost of this work, the need for spaces that restore rather than drain, and why joy is something worth protecting at all costs. The episode also touches on his podcast, Teach the Babies, and his belief that love and dignity must be foundational in any conversation about democracy and schooling.   For entrepreneurs trying to lead with both heart and backbone, Alex and Dr. Johns’ conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to choose between ambition and integrity, and that doing the hard thing doesn’t mean doing it alone.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Dr. David Johns 01:58 Who Are You Beneath the Work? 05:14 Purpose, Passion, and Leadership Philosophy 07:10 Centering the Most Marginalized 11:13 Guarding Your Joy and Protecting Your Peace 14:44 The Power of Community 21:18 What It Means to Nourish Yourself 23:48 Why He Launched Teach the Babies 27:10 Education, Democracy, and the Fight for Equity 30:52 Real Allyship vs Performative Action 36:36 From Ally to Accomplice   Links Connect with David Johns: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrdavidjohns/ Website: https://nbjc.org/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Happiness isn’t a finish line; it’s the system you build every day to actually enjoy being alive.   Brian Dubow had the career, the money, the validation, and none of it made him feel fulfilled. So he stepped off the path, studied the science of happiness, and rebuilt his life from the inside out. In this episode, he joins Alex Raymond to share what he learned along the way and how entrepreneurs can stop chasing success and start creating lives that feel good to live.   Brian breaks down the “MAGIC” framework (mindfulness, activity, gratitude, inspiration, and connection), and explains how simple daily habits can have a bigger impact than any external win. Could feeling better have less to do with getting more, and more to do with doing less of what drains you? Is your energy, not your output, the real measure of progress?   Alex and Brian’s conversation also touches on the role of discipline in happiness, why mood follows action, and how small systems can keep you aligned when the pressure ramps up. For anyone who’s ever looked successful on paper but felt off inside, this episode offers a reset and a practical way forward.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Brian’s Journey from Corporate to Happiness Coaching 08:23 The Science Behind Happiness 10:17 Happiness as a Choice and the Power of Discipline 13:32 Redefining Happiness: Enjoying the Passage of Time 18:00 Mood Follows Action and the Role of Systems 19:35 The MAGIC Framework Explained 21:00 Mindfulness and Managing Distractions 24:10 Movement and Physical Energy 29:03 Rewiring Your Mind with Gratitude 37:09 Finding Daily Inspiration 42:41 The Power of Meaningful Connection   Links Connect with Brian Dubow: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-dubow/ Website: https://hitofhappiness.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/   HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most entrepreneurs want exponential growth. Few pause long enough to ask what’s quietly getting in the way.   In this episode, Alex Raymond shares what’s ahead for the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, happening May 28th and 29th in Boulder, Colorado. This is the one event built entirely around the well-being of entrepreneurs, and it’s designed for those who are serious about scaling both their business and their inner capacity to lead.   Sarah Lockwood, the founder of HiveCast and longtime member of the community, joins Alex to ask the questions many potential attendees are already thinking. Is it worth stepping away from the day-to-day? What’s different about this event? And how does a theme like “10x Growth” apply to someone who isn’t chasing vanity metrics?   They walk through what to expect, from the small, curated outdoor workshop with Dr. Benjamin Hardy to the larger summit day packed with speakers like Michael Freeman, Brad Feld, and Rachel Romer. The lineup covers both the internal and external work of growth, with plenty of space for connection, reflection, and actual momentum.   If you’re ready for clarity, challenge, and community, all in one place, this is why the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit belongs on your calendar: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/#tickets    Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Conscious Entrepreneur Summit Overview 02:32 How the Agenda Is Personalized 04:04 Theme of the Year: 10x Growth 06:16 Dr. Benjamin Hardy Workshop and Keynote 12:06 Regulating the Nervous System for Growth 14:23 Michael Freeman on 10x Personal Growth 16:06 Fireside Chat with Brad Feld 18:13 Rachel Romer’s Story of Resilience 20:26 Jim Dieters on Building Boldly 22:58 Expressive Movement with Shine Living Community 26:31 Tickets, Community Dinners, and Integration   Links The Conscious Entrepreneur Summit: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/   Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Building a business is one thing; holding your vision steady through growth, pressure, and uncertainty is something else entirely.   Alex Raymond sits down with John Sampogna, the co-founder and CEO of Wondersauce, to talk about what the entrepreneurial journey really demands once the excitement wears off. John shares how he built a 100-person agency, why he created a “mental balance sheet” to manage the emotional costs of leadership, and what he learned from selling his company while staying true to its original vision. How do you scale without losing yourself in the process? How do you know when a business opportunity is truly right for you, not just financially but personally?   John also digs into the realities of leadership that rarely get talked about: why bottlenecks are your best feedback loop, why approachability matters more than you think, and why a thriving business culture starts with making space for mistakes. He challenges entrepreneurs to rethink what scale really means in the age of AI and shares why lasting success depends on more than just growth metrics.   If you are building a business and want to do it with intention, resilience, and clarity, this conversation will give you a much-needed shift in perspective.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Holding a Long-Term Vision Through Growth and Uncertainty 03:49 Selling Wondersauce and Choosing the Right Partner 09:01 How the Founder Role Changes After Acquisition 10:02 Navigating Earn-Outs, COVID, and the Rise of AI 12:10 Building a Mental Balance Sheet for Emotional Resilience 15:00 Scaling a Business Without Burning Out 19:25 Bottlenecks as a Signal for Operational Change 22:05 Creating Psychological Safety and Strong Leadership 25:59 Smart Marketing and True Differentiation for Entrepreneurs 32:44 How AI Is Redefining the Idea of Scale   Links Connect with  John Sampogna: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsampogna/ Website: https://www.wondersauce.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://amplifyam.com/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm