The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
You’re gonna love this DAILY, commercial-free entrepreneur spotlight show. We feature CEOs and founders of 6-9 figure B2B companies. Agencies, coaches, consultants, and other leaders share not only their success stories - but their advice for business leaders focused on business growth. You’re going to hear real stories from real people all in 15-25 minutes time - perfect for your commute. On this podcast, your host, Josh Elledge encourages entrepreneurs to share not only their expertise but their stories and their hearts. We believe that every person has a unique message which can positively impact the world. Even...
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2359 - A Deep Dive into Merchant Services with JELA Payments' Jimmy Estrada
<h1>Human-Centric Merchant Services: Optimizing Payment Systems with Jimmy Estrada</h1><p>In this episode ofThe Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Jimmy Estrada, the Founder and Owner ofJELA Payments Systems, to demystify the complex world of merchant services. Jimmy shares how his firm bridges the gap between massive, faceless payment processors and the independent business owners who often find themselves stranded when technical glitches or funding holds arise. This conversation offers a strategic look at how a high-touch, consultative approach to payment systems can help B2B firms and retailers reclaim their profit margins, mitigate risk...
2358 - Enhancing Marketing and Operations Without Losing the Human Touch with Unlucky Umbrella Studio's Kasandra Murray
<h1>Bridging the Gap: Integrating Marketing and Operations for Scalable Growth with Kasandra Murray</h1><p>In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Kasandra Murray, the Founder and Owner of Unlucky Umbrella Studio, to discuss the critical intersection of lead generation and operational fulfillment. Kasandra shares her expertise on why even the most aggressive marketing campaigns are doomed to fail if a business lacks the back-end systems to support an influx of new interest. This conversation provides a strategic roadmap for entrepreneurs who are tired of "leaky buckets" in their sales funnels and...
2357 - How Passion Fuels Business Innovation with Smartfinds Internet Marketing's Melih Oztalay
<h1>Future-Proofing B2B Marketing: AI, Omnichannel Strategies, and Decades of Wisdom with Melih Oztalay</h1><p>In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Melih Oztalay, the CEO of SmartFinds Marketing, to explore the seismic shifts currently reshaping the B2B landscape. With a marketing career spanning back to 1987, Melih offers a rare perspective on how to bridge the gap between traditional advertising principles and the hyper-accelerated world of AI-driven engagement. This conversation serves as a strategic roadmap for leaders looking to move beyond single-channel tactics and embrace a holistic, 360-degree approach that...
2356 - Riding the Waves of Entrepreneurship with Klipboard's Draven McConville
<h1>Mastering the SaaS Journey: Building, Scaling, and Exiting with Draven McConville</h1><p>In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Draven McConville, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and angel investor, to discuss the high-stakes world of SaaS development and strategic exits. Draven shares his journey of founding Klipboard, a platform that revolutionized the field service industry by digitizing paper-heavy workflows for tradespeople. This conversation serves as a comprehensive guide for founders and investors alike, offering deep dives into the nuances of raising capital, identifying underserved market niches, and navigating the complex emotional and...
2355 - How Powerful Storytelling Builds Authority and Meaningful Connection wth Saved by Story House's Amanda Johnson
<h1>Unlocking Narrative Authority: The Transformative Power of Storytelling with Amanda Johnson</h1><p>In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Amanda Johnson, the Co-Founder and CEO of Saved By Story, to explore how authentic narrative serves as the ultimate differentiator for high-performing leaders. Amanda, often referred to as the "Story Oracle," discusses how entrepreneurs can move beyond the "information dump" of traditional marketing to create deep, emotional connections that establish lasting authority. The conversation provides a roadmap for professionals who feel their message is getting lost in the noise and offers a...
2354 - Essential Insights for Hospitality Businesses with Formula Digital's Adam Hamadache
<h1>The New Frontier of Hospitality: Optimizing for AI and Direct Bookings with Adam Hamadache</h1><p>In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Adam Hamadache, the CEO of Formula Digital, to discuss the radical evolution of how travelers find and book accommodations. As AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity begin to act as digital concierges, traditional SEO is no longer enough for independent hotels to remain competitive. Adam shares his expertise on how hospitality brands can bridge the gap between classic search engine visibility and the emerging world of AI optimization...
2353 - The Transformative Power of Integrity in Leadership with Jim Carlough
<h1>The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: In-Depth Insights from Jim Carlough</h1><p>In this episode, host Josh Elledge speaks with Jim Carlough, founder of Jim Carlough, a veteran leadership coach who helps executives navigate the complex transition from management to true leadership. Their conversation explores the foundational principles of integrity, empathy, and community-building that define high-performing organizations. This post captures the most impactful insights from their discussion, offering a roadmap for leaders who want to move beyond titles and start building teams rooted in trust and accountability within The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast.</p><h3>Mastering the Art of...
2352 - The Key to Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability in Personal Branding with Shaan Rais
<h1>Unlocking the Power of Personal Branding: Expert Insights from Shaan Rais</h1><p>In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge speaks with Shaan Rais, founder of The Leadership Leverage, about bridging the gap between high-level expertise and market visibility. They explore how leaders can overcome the psychological hurdles of self-promotion by utilizing cinematic storytelling and authentic human connection to build authority. Shaan also details his 120-day branding blueprint, providing a strategic roadmap for experts to transform their personal journey into a powerful engine for credibility and profitability.</p><h2>Bridging the Gap Between Competence and...
2351 - Incorporating Joy and Humor into Your Leadership Style with Elizabeth Walker
<h1>How Comedy Builds Trust, Connection, and Stronger Leadership Teams with Elizabeth Walker</h1><p>In this episode, host Josh Elledge speaks with Elizabeth Walker, host of the Dear Business Coach Podcast and a workplace communication expert who helps leaders use humor as a tool for connection and trust. Their conversation explores how comedy—when used intentionally—can break down barriers, improve communication, and create psychologically safe environments where teams thrive. This blog captures the most impactful insights from their discussion, offering leaders a fresh perspective on how humor can elevate leadership effectiveness and workplace culture.</p><h3>Using Humor as a...
2350 - Mastering Business Lessons from Pool Tables to Boardrooms with The Kronos Group's Jerry Brazie
<h1>The Power of Peer-to-Peer Advisory Groups: How Jerry Brazie Helps Entrepreneurs Avoid Costly Mistakes</h1><p>In this episode, host Josh Elledge interviews Jerry Brazie, founder of The Kronos Group, to explore why entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. Jerry shares how peer-to-peer advisory groups provide business owners with trusted insight, accountability, and real-world problem-solving that goes far beyond motivation or surface-level advice. Drawing from decades of experience building and advising companies, Jerry explains why consistent peer engagement can be the difference between costly mistakes and sustained growth.</p><h3>Why Peer-to-Peer Advisory Groups Create Stronger, Sm...
