The Founderz Lounge

The Founderz Lounge Episode #76 with Chris Wunder.In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Chris Wunder, Founder and CEO of Leap Brands, to talk about executive recruiting, private equity growth, and the realities of building a high-performance company from scratch.Chris shares how he left corporate roles at NBC Sports and Samsung to start his own recruiting firm in 2016, eventually expanding into private equity-backed consumer brands and launching a brokerage arm that has closed over $70 million in deals. The conversation dives into what investors actually look for in founders, why growth and EBITDA matter, and how team quality can make or break an opportunity.They also unpack the pressure of leadership, the myth that money solves everything, and why Chris believes in paying top talent double or triple when it makes strategic sense. From burnout and resilience to breaking into new industries, this episode is a candid look at what it really takes to scale.If you are a founder, operator, or executive navigating hiring, equity, or aggressive growth, this one delivers.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[03:41] From Corporate to Recruiting[06:59] Money Didn’t Fix Everything[08:47] Harder, Smarter, Faster[11:06] Relentless in Sales and Life[13:44] Don’t Burn Bridges in Business[17:21] Why Equity Deals Go Wrong[23:28] The 3–5 Year Career Strategy[27:29] What Private Equity Actually Looks For[28:35] Breaking Into New Industries[30:44] Final Thoughts and Where to ConnectKey Takeaways:  • “I used to be embarrassed to say I’m a recruiter even though I make more money than most doctors and attorneys.” ~Chris Wunder• “I hate LinkedIn. I despise it.” ~Don Varady• Harder, smarter, faster. You cannot have two. You have to have all three. ~Chris Wunder• “Be relentless. We don’t stop at resistance, we push through it.” ~Chris Wunder• “Are we chasing money or are we chasing a lifestyle?” ~Chris Wunder• If you’re only investing in talent you can “afford,” you’re probably underinvesting in the people who could actually move the needle. ~Don Varady• The team is often the most important factor in whether a company can actually scale. ~Steve Bon is theory until there are real payouts on the line. ~Steve Bon• Growth is what private equity looks at first, even before revenue. ~Chris WunderConnect with Chris Wunder:Website: https://leapbrands.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswunderleapbrands/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechriswunder/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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #75 with Nikki Boxler.In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Nikki Boxler, founder of The Maple Farmer, to talk about the truth behind maple syrup, farm entrepreneurship, and what most people don’t realize about how real maple products are made.Nikki shares her journey growing up on a dairy and maple farm in Western New York, leaving for corporate work, and eventually returning home to build her own maple syrup business. The conversation dives into how the maple industry actually works, why most “maple syrup” on store shelves isn’t what people think, and what it takes to turn an agricultural passion into a real business.Along the way, they discuss farming life, branding local products, and the realities of producing something natural in a world driven by mass production.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:58] Nikki Boxler’s Origin Story[04:19] Why Launch a Maple Spin-Off Brand[06:11] How Maple Tapping Actually Works[12:57] Growth Plans for The Maple Farmer[17:45] How Nikki Sets Pricing[20:08] Saying No to Growth Opportunities[26:15] Getting Into the Outdoors[31:29] Plans for Agritourism[34:16] Managing Tree Health and Sustainability[39:01] Where to Find NikkiKey Takeaways:  • “Most of what’s labeled maple syrup in stores isn’t actually maple syrup.” ~Nikki Boxler• Standardizing your product and process early can make shipping, packaging, and scaling far simpler. ~Nikki Boxler• “It means more to me to keep it this size than to grow it just to make money off of it.” ~Nikki Boxler• Selling direct to consumers allows a level of connection and trust that disappears when you hand distribution to someone else. ~Nikki Boxler• “I literally am every single touch point… from tapping the tree to packaging.” ~Nikki Boxler• Nature, craftsmanship, and story are what make small brands memorable in a world of mass-produced products. ~Don Varady• People connect more deeply with products when they know who made them and where they came from. ~Steve BonConnect with Nikki Boxler:Website: https://themaplefarmer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaplefarmer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maplefarmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-boxler/ 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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #74 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what brands are doing right, what they are doing wrong, and what is changing in culture.This episode kicks off with Taco Bell opening a real wedding chapel in Las Vegas and what it says about owning your brand instead of playing it safe. From there, they jump into brain reading headphones from CES, retail stores disappearing, and why businesses now have to create experiences people cannot get online.They close out with Hot Takes on AI and trust in marketing, plus a Fast Five that blends business pivots with a little old school nostalgia.Tune in to hear more.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:19] Founderz RoundUp[03:44] Premium vs Value Pricing[06:33] Headphones That Track Brain Speed[08:53] Random Bullshit[09:01] Inside the Taco Bell Wedding Chapel[12:18] Why Major Retailers Are Closing Stores[18:17] Founderz Hot Takes[18:22] Stop Gaming AI Search Rankings[21:06] Founderz Fast Five[21:10] What We Are Changing in 2026[23:26] The Biggest AI Marketing Gimmick[27:34] Should Politicians Face Insider Trading Charges[28:38] What Saturday Night Looked Like in 1987[31:22] How We Would Invest $100K in a Startup[33:54] Don’s Startup IdeaKey Takeaways:  • “Some brands want loyalty. Taco Bell wants vows.” ~Don Varady• Taco Bell proved that when a brand fully owns its identity, it creates something people actually want to be part of. ~Steve Bon• “Would you want to know how fast your brain really moves?” ~Steve Bon• “What if it’s moving slower than you think?” ~Don Varady• People are not tired of brands. They are tired of boring, copycat experiences. ~Steve Bon• What’s one thing you plan to change with your business in 2026? ~Don Varady• The businesses that survive are the ones willing to double down on what they do best instead of chasing everything they can do. ~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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #73 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what’s happening in business, what’s changing in culture, and what owners need to stop whining about and start fixing.This one starts light, then gets real fast.They rip through the top menu trends shaping 2025, from boba and Dubai chocolate to Korean flavors, matcha, protein overload, pickles, and the rise of mocktails as younger consumers drink less.Then Steve pulls a weird one from CES. A lollipop that lets you “listen” to music through bone conduction while you eat it. It turns into a bigger convo about why brands have to create experiences people cannot get from a screen.From there, the episode bounces through Black Rock Coffee’s aggressive growth goals and what “Barista First culture” might be doing right, then shifts into theaters reinventing themselves with premium experiences, funnels, and the push toward IMAX and 3D.But the real core of this episode is the Hot Take.“It is kind of the norm now for business owners to complain about staffing issues… When are we gonna stop using it as an excuse? And I feel like we either need to adapt or die.”They unpack why “just pay people more” is not the full answer, how expectations have shifted, why career paths matter more than ever, and what it takes to get people truly engaged. Don shares a direct strategy that has worked for him, and why ownership, not just pay, is what keeps the right people around.They wrap with a Fast Five full of one-liners, old school nostalgia, and a reminder that excuses are expensive.Tune in to hear more...Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:26] Founderz RoundUp[05:39] Music-Playing Lollipop Launch[07:44] Random Bullshit[10:27] Movie Theater Industry Comeback[15:36] Founderz Hot Takes[19:37] Building Career Paths for Employees[24:19] Founderz Fast Five[28:21] Bringing Back Old TechnologyKey Takeaways:  • “It is kind of the norm now for business owners to complain about staffing issues… and I feel like we either need to adapt or die.” ~Don Varady• “The money coming in has to be greater than the money going out. Or why do you own a business?” ~Don Varady• “Where do you want to be here in a few years? What is it that you want? I may not be able to give it to you right now, but let’s build a road to get there.” ~Don Varady• Younger employees expect clearer career paths and faster progress, not just a paycheck. ~Steve Bon• Employees want to feel like they are more than a puzzle piece and that their future inside the company actually matters. ~Steve Bon• “If someone feels underserved, underappreciated, and underpaid, no matter what you do, they are not going to be engaged.” ~Steve Bon• Giving people a sense of ownership beyond salary is what actually keeps them invested. ~Don Varady• The brands and businesses that survive are the ones willing to rethink how they motivate people instead of blaming the workforce. ~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/Bon’s Eye Marketing:Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ 

The Founderz Lounge Episode #72 with Scott Volquartsen.In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Scott Volquartsen of Volquartsen Firearms to unpack what it really takes to scale a legacy business without compromising quality, culture, or craftsmanship.Scott shares the story of growing up in a family-owned company, taking over the business with his brother, and navigating the challenges of expansion in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. The conversation dives into leadership mistakes, accountability, innovation, and why performance always has to come before efficiency.This is a grounded, practical conversation about building a brand that refuses to cut corners, creating real ownership inside a team, and how to grow without losing the standards that made you successful in the first place.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:55] Episode introduction[01:45] Scott’s background and family business[02:44] What rimfire really means[03:37] The craftsmanship advantage[06:21] Scaling without cutting corners[09:07] Growing a second-generation company[11:01] Accountability as a leader[12:23] Marketing in a regulated industry[16:31] Innovation and product philosophy[21:32] Failed launches and hard lessons[22:46] Relaunching and fixing mistakes[25:00] Gun culture and brand perception[30:41] The future firearms customer[33:01] Leadership mistakes[36:26] Staying sharp as a founder[39:05] The moment he almost quit[40:28] Most badass moment[41:15] Common firearm myths[42:04] Life without the business[42:45] Hot take[44:19] Where to find ScottKey Takeaways:  • “Once you teach somebody that cutting corners is acceptable in one place, you’re lowering the standard of what you’ll allow everywhere.” ~Scott Volquartsen• “If it’s not going to improve performance, it’s a no go.” ~Scott Volquartsen• “We don’t have assembly lines. One person builds a firearm from start to finish and signs their name to it.” ~Scott Volquartsen• “There’s no point in launching a product just to put your name on it in a saturated market.” ~Don Varady• “If you never reach out to people, you become an afterthought.” ~Scott Volquartsen• “The foundation of good business is universal. The product changes, but the principles don’t.” ~Steve BonConnect with Scaling Volquartsen:Website: https://volquartsen.com/ Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/scottvolquartsen/ Instagram (brand): https://www.instagram.com/volquartsen_firearms/ 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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #71 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down wins, screwups, and what actually moves the needle, without the corporate fluff.At one point, Quiznos had more than 5,000 locations and was one of the fastest-growing franchise brands in the world. A few years later, it was in bankruptcy. This episode digs into how greed, broken incentives, and poor franchise decisions helped collapse a once-dominant brand, and what current and future franchise owners often overlook as a result. Don lays out hard lessons every franchise buyer should understand before signing a deal.The conversation expands into brand recognition becoming a liability, why naive design is gaining traction as consumers push back on overly polished marketing, and how operators get hurt when corporate decisions drag their name through the mud.Along the way, Don and Steve riff on waterbeds somehow making a comeback, Air New Zealand weighing passengers, entitlement in business, and why showing a little gratitude still matters. The episode wraps with a Founderz Hot Take and a fast-paced Founderz Fast Five.Tune in to hear more...Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:06] Founderz Roundup: Quiznos[04:51] Lessons for franchise buyers[09:02] Naive brand design in 2026[13:03] Random Bullshit[13:28] Waterbeds[15:08] Airline weighing passengers[16:43] Founderz Hot Take[21:02] Founderz Fast FiveKey Takeaways:  • “Franchisors should use their buying power to get you better rates, and not just to make more profit.” ~Don Varady [05:01]• Brand recognition cuts both ways. When a brand fails, even the best operators get hurt. ~Don Varady [08:13]• Show a little gratitude when someone gives up their time to give you knowledge or money.~Steve Bon [18:10]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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #70 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down wins, screwups, and what actually moves the needle, without the corporate fluff.It starts with a simple observation. Protein is suddenly in everything.From Sweetgreen’s 106-gram protein bowl to protein water showing up on shelves, Don and Steve question whether this trend is about fueling people or just another marketing arms race. How much is too much, and at what point does “healthy” turn into hype?From there, the conversation shifts to something just as widespread. Our growing inability to sit in silence.They dig into society’s addiction to constant noise and stimulation, especially among younger generations, where background sound is always on and silence feels uncomfortable. In some cases, the absence of earbuds or white noise now triggers anxiety instead of calm.The episode wraps with sharp takes in the Founderz Hot Take and a fast-paced Founderz Fast Five, tying together food, focus, and what happens when everything in modern life gets pushed to the extreme.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:21] Founderz Roundup: Sweetgreen’s protein bowl[03:37] Sound addiction[06:04] Random Bullshit[08:02] Gen Alpha[10:56] Founderz Hot Take[13:46] Founderz Fast FiveKey Takeaways:  • “Humans in general are overstimulated, and they’ve just lost the ability to meditate.” ~Don Varady [05:18]• There was a study done where they were looking at what is basically an audio addiction. About 68% to 73% of people over 12 years old are online to listen to something, whether it’s a podcast like ours or an audiobook. The addiction is getting higher. ~Steve Bon [04:53]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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #69 with Codie Aljets.In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Codie Aljets of Sage Country Customs to unpack a story shaped by adversity, creativity, and grit. After a battle with stage 4 colorectal cancer, Codie was forced to slow down, reassess his priorities, and ultimately rebuild his life around purpose and craftsmanship.Codie shares how his journey from firefighter to full-time metal artist changed not just how he works, but how he thinks. The conversation dives into mindset, authenticity, pricing creative work, earning visibility in a niche market, and why consistency and learning matter more than chasing perfection.This is a raw, grounded conversation about turning hardship into direction, building something real, and doing work that actually reflects who you are.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:04] Catching up[02:45] Getting to know Codie[05:34] Medical struggles[08:30] The lightbulb moment[11:06] The metal art business[13:01] The beginning of craftsmanship[15:31] Turning passion into a business[18:52] Entrepreneurial mistakes[21:39] No more favors[23:25] Balancing quality with profitability[28:30] Marketing a niche business[31:31] Going international[34:36] Building a brand name[37:27] Scaling[41:53] Managing client expectations[45:37] Lessons for younger craftsmen[46:38] Dream collaboration[48:48] Hot take[51:01] Connect with Codie AljetsWebsite: https://www.codiealjetsart.com/[51:51] Codie’s dogKey Takeaways:  • “What you carry in your mind ends up manifesting elsewhere in your body.” ~Codie Aljets [04:25]• “I don’t care if I’m the best, but I want to at least succeed at what I do.” ~Codie Aljets [09:41]• “If you’re not being seen, people aren’t thinking about you.” ~Codie Aljets [27:26]• You’ve got to take those 100 or 200 no’s to get that one yes. ~Codie Aljets [30:02]• “If you’re not learning, you might as well be dead.” ~Codie Aljets [45:43]• If it’s not authentic, nobody’s going to come to you. ~Codie Aljets [46:33]Connect with Codie Aljets:Website: https://www.codiealjetsart.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codie.aljets/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagecountrycustoms/ 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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down wins, screwups, and what actually moves the needle, without the corporate fluff.It starts with a simple question. What is the most you would ever pay for a cup of coffee?That question gets real when a café in Dubai offers a $980 cup made from rare Nido 7 Geisha beans, with only 400 cups available worldwide. Absurd, or brilliant?From there, the conversation opens up into a deeper look at business reinvention, brand fatigue, and the real cost of change. Don and Steve unpack Panera’s return to its “apex,” focusing on value, menu refreshes, and the decision to prioritize food over flashy tech. That leads into a broader discussion about innovation versus human connection, and what brands risk losing when they chase trends instead of trust. Don also shares firsthand challenges from the ongoing Clean Eatz rebrand.The episode wraps with sharp takes on skyrocketing Super Bowl ad costs, shifting brand loyalty among Gen Z, pop culture detours, bourbon mashups, and a fast-paced round of the Founderz Fast Five.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[01:03] Founderz Round Up: Panera[05:40] Super Bowl Commercials[08:17] Pop Culture: Nicki Minaj[10:05] Jeffrey Epstein[11:29] Social Media Update[11:56] Lululemon Stock[15:06] Strange News[17:07] Weekly Mashup[20:41] Hot Takes: Modern Heritage[26:18] Founderz Fast FiveKey Takeaways:  • Gen Z is cutting spending by 13% this year. Four out of five wait for sales. Brand loyalty is dead. 81% switched brands last year, not for something better, but because loyalty itself feels like they’re getting played. ~Don Varady [12:26]• Rebranding a brand is very difficult, especially in the food space and even more so in a franchise system. ~Don Varady [24:52]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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #67 with Evonne Varady.In this episode, hosts Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Evonne Varady, co-founder and partner at Clean Eatz, for a real look at how the brand was actually built. Evonne shares her journey from small-town farm life to helping create a purpose-driven company powered by grit, instinct, and relentless problem-solving.Don and Evonne reflect on their unconventional path to entrepreneurship, opening up about early struggles, creative hustles, and the lessons learned while scaling Clean Eatz from the ground up. They dive into what it really takes to be partners in business and life, the disagreements, the complementary strengths, and the moments that nearly broke them, along with how trusting their instincts kept them aligned and moving forward.This episode is packed with candid stories, sharp insights, and hard-earned wisdom for founders and partners building something together. Tune in for an honest conversation about what it really takes to grow a business that lasts.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[02:00] Entrepreneurship background[11:42] Evonne’s breaking point[14:29] Light bulb moment[16:35] Unbelievable moments[21:25] Don and Evonne’s business partnership[23:38] Strengths and weaknesses[24:34] Disagreements[30:31] Husband and wife partnership mistakes[37:13] Female founder stereotypes[39:01] Leadership style evolution[41:36] Passion projects[45:12] Founders Fast Five[48:03] Hot take[51:30] Connect with EvonneKey Takeaways:  • “Everything can look good on paper, but until you go and live it, then you don’t know.” ~Evonne Varady [11:49]• “You have to be very secure with going with your gut, even if everyone else around you is telling you something different.” ~Evonne Varady [26:38]• “If the emotion based decision doesn’t work out, you’re going to have to answer to people and explain the rationalization behind it.” ~Steve Bon [28:28]• “One thing that has kept you and I going so long and so strong, and we will always do that, is picking a lane and sticking to it.” ~Don Varady [32:11]• “I’m not going to throw a turd in the punch bowl unless I’ve got a ladle in my hand.” ~Don Varady [35:59]• “It is so much easier to say fewer words and make them impactful than to spew out words and spend a day, a week, or a month apologizing for them.” ~Evonne Varady [39:40]Connect with Evonne Varady:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evonnevarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evonne-varady-461243a5/ Podcast: https://www.rebelrootzshow.com/ 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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477

The Founderz Lounge Episode #66 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Don and Steve are back with another round of “Business & Bullsh*t,” where real entrepreneurs talk wins, screwups, and what actually moves the needle in business without the corporate fluff.They kick things off with camping like “homeless men” and wild childhood clubhouse stories, then pivot into why U.S. franchise chains are growing faster internationally than at home and what that really says about brand strategy. From there, they get brutally honest about restaurant standards, why most places lose customers to complacency instead of competition, and the consulting contract that almost ended Don’s company and completely changed how he looks at legal protection.Along the way, they hit everything from DoorDash quietly exploding with Boomers and Gen X to Stiller’s Soda, strange news, and a rapid-fire round of business lessons, bad decisions, and hard-earned perspective.Hit play for a straight shot of real talk on growth, risk, and what happens when your standards drift before your sales do.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:50] Founderz Roundup: International franchising[02:53] DoorDash[04:16] Pop Culture Bull Sh*t: Stiller’s Soda[05:21] Social Media Update[06:41] Strange News: PepsiCo[07:43] Weekly Mash-Up[07:46] Netflix and Ring Doorbell[09:03] Founderz Hot Take[10:11] Founderz Fast Five[10:17] Childhood memories[11:06] Devil’s Night[11:26] Clubhouse in the woods[12:21] Business lesson[13:28] Partnership[14:56] Strangest things seen while driving[16:35] Movie titleKey Takeaways:  • 2024, U.S based chains that expanded outside of the U.S. posted a 4.8% cumulative international growth versus 1.4% domestically. ~Don Varady [01:13]• “Your product isn’t the problem. Your standards are.” ~Don Varady [09:27]•  “Most restaurants don’t lose customers because the food changes. They lose them because of consistency.” ~Don Varady [09:37]• “Get a good attorney and never sign anything you don’t fully understand.” ~Don Varady [12:28]•  “Sometimes words hold less weight than actions.” ~Steve Bon [13:22]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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

The Founderz Lounge Episode #65 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.This week, Don and Steve tackle a big question with real bite. Is the middle class dead, or just being redefined? They break down what that shift means for marketers, brands, and everyday buying behavior.Then they go fully Business & Bullsh*t with the fun stuff. A Golden Corral escape room idea that somehow makes too much sense, plus Zoom nightmare stories that prove remote work still has no rules. They wrap with the always-popular Founderz Fast Five.Tune in for an unfiltered conversation.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:50] Founderz Roundup: Cava and their merch store[02:37] Vanishing middle class[06:25] Pop Culture Bull Sh*t: Bruce Dickinson’s aviation company[08:38] Social media update[11:32] Strange news: Return of skulls in branding[12:57] Weekly Mashup: Golden Corral[16:17] Founderz Hot Takes: Reach and delivery in marketing[19:55] Founderz Fast Five: Most embarrassing entrepreneurial moment[22:26] The weirdest buy[23:32] Dumbest things ever believed in business[24:07] Most annoying business phrase[25:26] Zoom call chaosKey Takeaways:  • “Just because you drop money on a position doesn’t mean it’s going to equate to sales.” ~Steve Bon [17:07]• “You can do a lot to get in front of the right people, but if you’re dead on arrival with your identity and personality, it doesn’t matter.” ~Steve Bon [19:39]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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477 

The Founderz Lounge Episode #64 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.Don and Steve are back with another edition of “Business & Bullsh*t.” These are no-fluff, straight-shooting conversations where real entrepreneurs break down the wins, the losses, the headlines, and the hard truths behind building something from nothing.In this episode, they dive into everything from innovative marketing trends in the restaurant industry to the impact of social media shopping. They explore campus reward programs, impulse buys on Instagram, celebrity side hustles with a focus on Kim Kardashian, plus pop culture moments and wild food stories like the legendary “Senior Burger” that has survived untouched for 30 years and still looks almost exactly the same.Tune in for an unfiltered conversation about business, brand, and the bullsh*t behind restaurant life.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:57] Founderz Roundup[02:12] Social media shopping[03:44] Pop Culture Bullsh*t[03:49] Kim Kardashian[05:23] Social Media Updates: YouTube faceless strategies[06:58] 30-year-old burger[08:04] Weekly Mashup[09:44] Founderz Hot Take[11:49] Founderz Fast Five: Brisket versus bacon[13:27] Corporate meetings[14:56] DMV vs. TSA[16:02] Employee’s worst excuse[17:18] Staffing challengesKey Takeaways:  • “Kids these days want two things; recognition and money.” ~Don Varady [18:18]• Lately, because of food costs, when people go into a restaurant, they’re almost more miserable than if they had just decided not to go. ~Steve Bon [19:32]• What's your favorite part of the corporate meetings and why? ~Steve Bon“The end”. ~Don Varady [12:50]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:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon’s Eye Marketing: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/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477  

Business & Bullshit Episodes are your no-fluff, straight-shooting podcast where real entrepreneurs talk real business—with a side of BS. Hosted by Don Varady and Steve, these episodes dive into the wins, losses, headlines, and hot takes that matter to founders, franchisees, and anyone bold enough to build something from scratch.https://instagram.com/donvarady https://instagram.com/stevebon8https://instagram.com/thefounderzlounge https://instagram.com/founderzlounge Clean Eatz - http://www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - http://www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - http://www.thefounderzlounge.com

Ruben Arriaga, originally from Houston, Texas, is the owner of Clean Eatz College Station in College Station, Texas. After graduating high school in 1996, Ruben enlisted in the U.S. Army and began his career in the infantry. He later attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection, earning his Green Beret after two years of rigorous training.Ruben spent 20 years with the 5th Special Forces Group, arriving as a Sergeant and retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. Over his distinguished career, he deployed on 10 combat tours, including operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Business & Bullshit Episodes are your no-fluff, straight-shooting podcast where real entrepreneurs talk real business—with a side of BS. Hosted by Don Varady and Steve, these episodes dive into the wins, losses, headlines, and hot takes that matter to founders, franchisees, and anyone bold enough to build something from scratch.

We did a remote location show at the Clean Eatz National Convention in Wrightsville Beach NC. We talked to four Franchise Partners in the brand that shared their experiences in the beginning and gave a few nuggets of wisdom to other Clean Eatz Partners but they also translated to anyone in any business. The event was the 10yr Anniversary of Clean Eatz being a Franchise brand and was an amazing event. One of the best yet. https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/https://instagram.com/donvarady https://instagram.com/stevebon8https://instagram.com/thefounderzlounge https://instagram.com/founderzlounge Clean Eatz - http://www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - http://www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - http://www.thefounderzlounge.com

Description: We did a remote location show at the Clean Eatz National Convention in Wrightsville Beach NC. We talked to four Franchise Partners in the brand that shared their experiences in the beginning and gave a few nuggets of wisdom to other Clean Eatz Partners but they also translated to anyone in any business. The event was the 10yr Anniversary of Clean Eatz being a Franchise brand and was an amazing event. One of the best yet. https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/https://instagram.com/donvarady https://instagram.com/stevebon8https://instagram.com/thefounderzlounge https://instagram.com/founderzlounge Clean Eatz - http://www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - http://www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - http://www.thefounderzlounge.com

Description: In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don Varady sits down with Chase Whitehead — multi-unit franchisee of both Clean Eatz and Orangetheory Fitness — to talk about what it really takes to build multiple successful brands in the health and wellness space.Chase opens up about the lessons he’s learned balancing two powerhouse franchises, his leadership philosophy, and how he develops teams that perform at a high level while maintaining culture and community impact.https://www.instagram.com/chase_whitehead/Clean Eatz - www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - www.thefounderzlounge.comhttps://instagram.com/donvarady https://instagram.com/stevebon8https://instagram.com/thefounderzlounge https://instagram.com/founderzlounge Clean Eatz - http://www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - http://www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - http://www.thefounderzlounge.com

In this episode we brought in a fellow knuckle dragging Operations guy, Clean Eatz Head of Operations, Quinn Newhall. Quinn came to Clean Eatz back in June. He brings a wealth of knowledge in the food business and has been on both sides of the isle in Franchising as a Franchisee and working on Executive Teams in multiple food brands his entire career. He is a great leader and we are lucky to have him in the Clean Eatz Family. https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-newhall-bb182a38/Clean Eatz - www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - www.thefounderzlounge.comhttps://instagram.com/donvarady https://instagram.com/stevebon8https://instagram.com/thefounderzlounge https://instagram.com/founderzlounge Clean Eatz - http://www.cleaneatz.comBonseye Marketing - http://www.bonseyeonline.comFounderz Lounge - http://www.thefounderzlounge.com