FounderArc: The turning point from grit to glory.
FounderArc dives into the moments that define the entrepreneurial journey. Each episode features candid conversations with founders who share the real stories behind building their businesses—from early struggles and setbacks to breakthroughs and success.
Hosted by Blaine Bertsch, the show uncovers the raw, behind-the-scenes experiences that rarely make the headlines. Guests reflect on the hard lessons, tough decisions, and pivotal moments that shaped their paths as entrepreneurs.
Whether you're a seasoned founder or just starting out, FounderArc offers honest insight, shared struggles, and inspiration from those who’ve lived it—so you can navigate your own journey with perspective and grit.
FounderArc is Produced by Dryrun: Forecasting Software for the Office of the CFO
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Learn more at founderarc.show
Episodes
81 episodes
Building CPG Brands, Reviving Icons & Launching Diabetic-Safe Snacks with Josh Sizemore
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Josh Sizemore, a seasoned entrepreneur in the CPG world, to unpack a career defined by speed, resilience, and reinvention. From selling basketball cards as a kid to reviving a bankrup...
James Oliver of Atlas Bars: From College Startup to Multi-Million Dollar Nutrition Brand
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch talks with James Oliver, founder and CEO of Atlas Bars, about how he turned a college project into a thriving nutrition brand. James shares his journey from selling Cutco knives and mowing lawns to ...
Stephen Sakach of AI CMO: Building Empathy, Emotion & Purpose Into Modern Marketing
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Stephen Sakach, founder of AI CMO and Zero Company, to explore how empathy-driven marketing and purpose-led storytelling are reshaping the way brands connect with audiences. From his ...
Mark Newman on Founder Resilience & Healthcare Innovation at Nomi Health
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Mark Newman, founder of HireVue and current CEO of Nomi Health, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from creating one of the first video interviewing platforms to tackling the mass...
Scott Porter of San Diablo Churros on Entrepreneurship, Startup Lessons & Resilience
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Scott Porter, CEO of San Diablo Artisan Churros, to dive into the inspiring highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey. From co-founding Surf Air, the innovative all-you-can-fly me...
Scaling eCommerce Success with Sabir Semerkant: Strategies for the Future of Online Retail
Join Blaine Bertsch in this insightful episode of Turning Point with Sabir Semerkant, a leading eCommerce strategist and growth expert, as they dive deep into the future of online retail. Sabir shares proven methods for scaling eCommerce busine...
Boost Sales Conversions and Business Growth with Kirstin Carey
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch is joined by entrepreneur Kirstin Carey to unpack her dynamic journey across marketing, public speaking, the restaurant industry, and the wellness space. From launching successful gluten-free restau...
Startup Stress, Burnout, and Resilience with Eli Portnoy of BackEngine
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with serial entrepreneur Eli Portnoy to explore the untold realities of startup life. From launching his first venture in college to scaling companies like Sense360 and now BackEngine, Eli...
Adam Nathan of Blaze: Startup Funding, AI Marketing Automation & Entrepreneur Mindset
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Adam Nathan, CEO of Blaze, to uncover the mindset, strategies, and lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial path. Drawing from his experiences at Apple and in government administration...
Ken MacKenzie of Fresh Victor: Scaling Premium Cocktail Mixers & Entrepreneur Insights
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Ken MacKenzie, founder and CEO of Fresh Victor, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from co-founding Republic Tequila to transforming the cocktail mixer market. Ken shares how pers...
Borja Cuan of Four15 Digital: Scaling Startups, Marketing Insights & Entrepreneur Success
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Borja Cuan, Co-Founder of Four15 Digital, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from selling golf balls as a child to building a thriving digital marketing agency. Borja shares found...
Robert Grazioli of Bread: Entrepreneurship, Product Development & Startup Growth Strategies
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Robert Grazioli, Managing Partner of Bread, a Brooklyn-based digital agency, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship and the challenges founders face when moving from service-bas...
Eric Hui of Terracea: Building an Outdoor Apparel Brand, Kickstarter Success & Entrepreneur Lessons
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Eric Hui, founder of Terracea, to explore his journey from corporate life to launching a premium cold-weather outdoor apparel brand. Eric shares how he identified market gaps in the o...
Tom Schwab of Interview Valet: Podcast Marketing, Entrepreneur Growth & Business Success
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Tom Schwab, founder of Interview Valet, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship and the evolving role of podcasting in business growth. Tom shares his journey of building a compa...
Jon Gillham of Originality AI
In this conversation, Blaine interviews John Gillham, founder of Originality AI, discussing his journey into entrepreneurship, the evolution of content marketing, and the impact of AI on content creation. John shares ins...
Mandi Gunsberger of Nourish Travel
Join host Blaine Bertsch as he sits down with Mandi Gunzberger, a powerhouse entrepreneur with a track record of launching successful ventures like Babyology and Nourish Travel. Mandi dives into her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the early sp...
John and Mark Cronin from John’s Crazy Socks
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch interviews John and Mark Cronin, the father-son duo behind John’s Crazy Socks. In 2016, Mark found himself unemployed at 58, while his son John, who has Down syndrome, was facing the "21-Year-...
Bradley Hamner of Blueprint OS
Bradley Hamner, Founder and CEO of Blueprint OS, shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges he faced in scaling his business. He discusses the importance of sales skills, hard work, and the need for systems and processes to achiev...
Ilya Kroogman of The Digital Panda
In this episode of FounderArc, Blaine sits down with Ilya Kroogman, founder of The Digital Panda, to talk about his entrepreneurial journey and business growth. They discuss the challenges of hiring and the transition to remote work, emphasizin...
Mike Begg from AMZ Advisors
Join us on FounderArc as Mike Begg, co-founder and CEO of AMZ Advisors, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his business. Mike discusses his early experiences, from working at a marina to selling on Amazon and launching his ...
Brandon Gano of Whadif
Join us on FounderArc as Brandon Gano, Co-founder of Whadif, shares his entrepreneurial journey. From starting young to focusing on larger, more profitable clients, Brandon discusses the importance of having a clear mission and vision for susta...
Herb Cogliano from Aspire Growth Advisors
In this episode of FounderArc, Herb Cogliano, Managing Partner at Aspire Growth Advisors, shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights into the employment business. He discusses the early industry days and how his father's company pioneered ...
Adam Levinter from Scriberbase
Adam Leventer, the visionary behind Scriberbase, unveils the narrative of his entrepreneurial voyage. Diving into the intricacies of launching a consulting venture and navigating the turbulent waters of the couponing industry, Adam talks about ...
Zach Coleman from GymMark
Zach Coleman, the owner of creative agencies GymMark and Creatitive, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced in the creative industry. He discusses the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset and the influence of ...
Sam Jenkins from Punchcard Systems
On this episode of FounderArc, Blaine Bertsch interviews Sam Jenkins, CEO of Punchcard Systems. They cover his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on his shift from web design to creating a healthcare analytics platform and the nuances of team ma...