Founders Future
Founders Future Podcast | Powered by Closers.io
Join us on a journey through the world of entrepreneurship and business growth with the Founders Future podcast, powered by Closers.io. Each episode features an in-depth, one-on-one interview with a visionary founder, exploring their unique path to success and strategies for future expansion.
What to Expect
In each 25-minute episode, we dive deep into two key areas:
1. The Founding Journey (10-12 minutes)
- Discover the inspiration behind groundbreaking companies
- Explore pivotal moments and challenges faced by founders
- Uncover valuable lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship
2. Future Growth Plans (10-12 minutes)
- Gain insights into winning business strategies
- Learn about innovative approaches to client acquisition and expansion
- Get a glimpse into the future of various industries from those shaping them
Why Listen?
- Hear firsthand accounts of entrepreneurial triumphs and tribulations
- Gain practical advice for overcoming common business challenges
- Stay ahead of industry trends and future market shifts
- Learn from diverse perspectives on work-life balance and leadership
- Get inspired by the visions and strategies of successful founders
Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, an aspiring founder, or simply curious about the world of business, the Founders Future podcast offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to drive growth and innovation in their field.
Tune in to Founders Future, powered by Closers.io, and join us on a journey of discovery, learning, and inspiration from the brightest minds in the business world.
Available on all major podcasting platforms.
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Founders Future
Why Mid-Sized Companies Are Winning at AI (And How HQ for AI Helps)
In this episode of Founders Future, with host Jae Encarnacion, we dive into the AI revolution with Mike Burger, founder of Headquarters for AI (HQ for AI). Mike shares his journey from corporate consulting burnout to building a consultancy that demystifies AI for businesses through his "Dream, Plan, Build" framework. He reveals how HQ for AI helps clients—especially nimble mid-sized companies (25-500 employees)—navigate AI adoption safely, from literacy workshops to custom AI agent development, while staying platform-agnostic in the fast-moving tech race. Mike’s candid take on the consulting industry’s bloat and his "build with purpose" mantra (testing every AI solution internally first) offers a blueprint for lean, ethical AI integration.
Mike opens up about the challenges of scaling an AI consultancy in a hype-driven market, including his team’s pivot from Fortune 500 targets to grassroots referrals and local nonprofit partnerships. He highlights tools like n8n for workflow automation and the importance of human-centric AI adoption ("automate the crap work so teams can focus on strategy"). With plans to expand cold outreach and double down on AI builders (vs. users), Mike’s advice for aspiring founders is gold: "Line up clients before quitting your job, and assess market timing—we knew AI was inevitable, but it took a year for demand to catch up."