Founderology
Welcome to Founderology – Built to Breakthrough, the ultimate podcast created by Founders, for Founders. Hosted by Kathleen Wood—Founder and CEO of Kathleen Wood Partners and creator of the Founders Growth Summit. Founderology is your go-to resource for actionable insights and proven strategies to propel your business and yourself to new levels of success.
Kathleen brings over 20 years of expertise, working side-by-side with Founders to turn small businesses into award-winning concepts, national expansions, and billion-dollar brands. Each episode is designed to speak the unique language of Founders and address the challenges, opportunities, and triumphs of the Founder journey.
What you’ll gain from Founderology:
- Inside track insights from successful Founders who have broken through.
- Proven strategies and practical solutions to grow your business.
- Tools and resources to strengthen yourself, your team, your business and your bottom line.
- Expert advice on building your net worth through developing powerful networks.
- Competitive insights to help you dominate your market and breakthrough.
This isn’t just another business podcast—it’s a Founder’s inside track for success. Join us on Founderology – Built to Breakthrough and get inspired, motivated, and equipped to take your business—and yourself—to the next level.
Founderology
From Teen Entrepreneur to Hospitality Powerhouse - Daniella Senior’s Mission to Scale the Colada Shop
What if the key to scaling a great brand was reconnecting with your roots?
This week on Founderology, I sat down with powerhouse entrepreneur Daniella Senior — the Founder and CEO of Colada Shop, Bresca, Serenata and Zumo. You'll hear Daniella share how her journey began at just 13 years old, when she launched a holiday bakery business out of her parents' home in the Dominican Republic. That business didn't just take off — it funded her college education at the Culinary Institute of America.
Today, Daniella leads some of the most celebrated restaurants in Washington, D.C. and is on a mission to expand her beloved Colada Shop brand nationwide.
Here's here are just a few highlights from my conversation with Daniella:
- How early hustle fuels long-term growth. Listen as Daniella shares how a high school bakery taught her the fundamentals of entrepreneurship — from operations to marketing to managing a team — and how that experience shaped the visionary leader she is today.
- Why focus is a Founder's secret weapon. Despite leading multiple award-winning restaurants, Daniella explains why she's intentionally focusing her energy on scaling Colada Shop — and how that discipline is driving her next phase of growth.
- How to design experiences that make people feel something. Daniella shares her philosophy behind the four pillars of Colada Shop: coffee, cooking, cocktails and Cubanism — the spirit of hospitality that welcomes every guest like family. She reminds us: when you create connection, customers return.
- Why some of the boldest moves happen in the toughest times. Hear how Daniella leaned into expansion during the pandemic, trusted her instincts, and made decisions that positioned her brand for lasting growth — even when the world was telling her to slow down.
- How staying connected keeps the vision alive. From jumping behind the bar to adjusting layouts on the fly, Daniella talks about the power of founder visibility — and why the details still matter, no matter how big the brand gets.
Daniella's story is a powerful reminder that the path to scaling isn't linear — yet it is possible with purpose, clarity and courage. If you're a Founder ready to turn vision into velocity, this episode is packed with wisdom, strategy and inspiration.