Episodes | The Founderz Lounge

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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.

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

Business & Bullsh*t: Is the Middle Class Dead? Golden Corral Escape Room, and Zoom Nightmare Stories w/ Don and Steve (EP #65)

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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

Dec 12, 20252 min read

Business & Bullsh*t: Kim Kardashian, The Senior Burger, and Faceless Videos w/ Don and Steve (EP #64)

For the 100th episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve look back at the founder truths, business lessons, mistakes, and hard-earned realities that keep showing up when you are actually building something real.

Dec 8, 20252 min read

Business & B******t Episode 63

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.insta

Dec 1, 20251 min read

Ruben Arriaga

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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 Co

Nov 24, 20251 min read

Business & B******t Ep 61

Nov 17, 20251 min read

Episode 60 PART 2: LIVE Clean Eatz Convention Episode

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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. Connect w/ Don and S

Nov 10, 20251 min read

Episode 59 PART 1: LIVE Clean Eatz Convention Episode

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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. Connect

Nov 3, 20251 min read

Episode 58: Chase Whitehead

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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 maint

Oct 27, 20251 min read

Quinn Newhall.: Clean Eatz Head of Operations

Watch the full episode on Youtube: 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. Connect w/ Don

Oct 20, 20251 min read

Ep 56: Business & B******t

Watch the full episode on Youtube: Ep 56: Business & Bullshit 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. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ I

Oct 13, 20251 min read

Yohance Boulden

Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this episode of Founderz Lounge, we sit down with Yohance Boulden — a visionary creative, cultural strategist, entrepreneur and great friend! We did a deep-dive into the intersections of legacy, leadership, and community impact. Yohance shares his journey from military service to purpose-driven ventures, and how he’s using storytelling, branding, and strategic thinking to empower creatives and coach people to a better version of themselv

Oct 6, 20251 min read

Duncan Butler

Watch the full episode on Youtube: On this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don sits down with Duncan Butler, founder of The Butler Group, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a business that lasts. Duncan shares his journey of starting and growing The Butler Group, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he’s carved out a reputation for excellence. He also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his work with the Zac Brown Band, highlighting how his u

Sep 29, 20251 min read

Two-time Ms. Fitness Olympia and entrepreneur Jen Hendershott

Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don Varady sits down with two-time Ms. Fitness Olympia and entrepreneur Jen Hendershott. Jenn shares her journey from dominating the fitness stage to building a business that inspires others to chase excellence in both life and work. From discipline and resilience to reinventing yourself after success, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to perform at the highest level—on stage, in business

Sep 22, 20251 min read

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