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All Episodes
Welcome to the Founderz Lounge Show Notes Feed.
Founderz Lounge is where Don Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, and Stephen “Steve” Bon, Co-Founder of Bon’s Eye Marketing, kick back and talk all things business and bullsh*t. If you have ever grabbed a drink with friends to blow off entrepreneurial steam, rant about the grind, or share a big win, you just walked into that moment online.
Here in the show notes feed, you’ll find guest links, episode timestamps, and a running list of every conversation so you can dig deeper into the lessons, replay your favorite rants, and catch the moves that might just change how you build. Pull up a seat and stay awhile.
How Game Developers Keep You Playing and Spending Money w/ Scott Balaban (EP #85)
In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Scott Balaban, co-founder of Gameblend Studios, to break down the business of game development, user retention, gamification, and mobile monetization. Scott shares how Gameblend evolved from the CD-ROM era into mobile gaming, how modern game studios think about ads, retention, and in-game purchases, and why keeping a player engaged is often more important than just building a great game.
May 43 min read
How BreakingT Turns Sports Moments Into Million-Dollar Merch w/ Jamie Mottram (EP #84)
In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Jamie Mottram, president of BreakingT, to break down the business of real-time sports merch. Jamie shares how BreakingT built a brand around speed, licensing, and cultural timing by turning unforgettable sports moments, viral quotes, and fan reactions into apparel while the moment is still hot.
Apr 272 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: The Fake Guru Era Has Gone Too Far (EP #83)
The Founderz Lounge Episode #83 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.
Apr 202 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: AI and Fake Experts Are Destroying Businesses (EP #82)
The Founderz Lounge Episode #82 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.
Apr 132 min read
How Authentic Video Outperforms AI Content w/ Matt Davis (EP #81)
In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Matt Davis, founder of LifeStage Films and Harvest Filmworks, to talk about why authentic video is becoming even more valuable in a world full of polished, overproduced, and AI-driven content.
Apr 63 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: The CEO Playbook Is Broken (EP #80)
Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what founders actually face versus what business culture pretends is true.
Mar 302 min read
How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)
How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)
Mar 232 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: Revenge Quitting, AI Anxiety, and the Founder Reality Check (EP #78)
Don and Steve are back with another round of Business & Bullsh*t, where real entrepreneurs break down what founders are dealing with right now, what’s changing in business culture, and what most people get wrong about leadership and growth.
Mar 162 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: When Brands Sell Status and Experiences (EP #77)
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.
Mar 92 min read
Stop Chasing Money. Start Building Ownership. w/ Chris Wunder (EP #76)
Stop Chasing Money. Start Building Ownership. w/ Chris Wunder (EP #76)
Mar 22 min read
Why Most “Maple Syrup” Isn’t Maple Syrup w/ Nikki Boxler (EP #75)
The Founderz Lounge Episode #75 with Nikki Boxler.
Feb 232 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: Some Brands Want Loyalty, Taco Bell Wants Vows (EP #74)
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.
Feb 162 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: Adapt or Die! (EP #73)
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.
Feb 93 min read
Scaling Volquartsen Firearms Without Lowering the Standard w/ Scott Volquartsen (EP #72)
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.
Feb 22 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: The Greed That Destroyed Quiznos and What Franchise Owners Miss (EP #71)
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.
Jan 262 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: Why Everything Has Protein and Everyone’s Overstimulated (EP #70)
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.
Jan 192 min read
Fighting Cancer and Finding Purpose w/ Codie Aljets (EP #69)
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.
Jan 122 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: The $980 Cup of Coffee, Brand Fatigue, and the Cost of Change (EP #68)
Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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
Jan 52 min read
How Clean Eatz Was Built w/ Co-Founder Evonne Varady (EP #67)
Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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 entrepreneurshi
Dec 29, 20252 min read
Business & Bullsh*t: Franchise Growth, Failing Standards, And The Contract That Nearly Ended His Company (EP #66)
Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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 t
Dec 22, 20252 min read
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