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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.
Business & B******t
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
Sep 15, 20251 min read
Shaun Vasquez - Founder of Pride Foods
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's episode we sat down with one of the Founders of Sisu Saunas, Pete Nelson. Pete talked about the trials and tribulations of getting Sisu to what it is today. As well as dropping nuggets on the benefits of sauna and cold plunge. His story is incredible and one you will definitely want to hear. www.pridefoods.org https://www.instagram.com/shaun.a.vasquez Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don
Sep 8, 20251 min read
Episode 50: Pete Nelson - Founder of Sisu Saunas
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's episode we sat down with one of the Founders of Sisu Saunas, Pete Nelson. Pete talked about the trials and tribulations of getting Sisu to what it is today. As well as dropping nuggets on the benefits of sauna and cold plunge. His story is incredible and one you will definitely want to hear. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ Li
Sep 1, 20251 min read
Casey Schroeder - From MLB to Clean Eatz
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In today's episode we sat down with Clean Eatz Franchise Partner Casey Schroeder. Casey talked about his transition from MLB to being neck deep in the restaurant business. We discussed what it is like from his vantage point being a franchisee in a Founder lead brand and some of his own struggles he went through in building the 5 locations he currently owns. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/
Aug 25, 20251 min read
Business & B******t Segment
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 Bon, 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
Aug 18, 20251 min read
Episode 47: The AI Revolution
Watch the full episode on Youtube: Viva La Revolution, bitches! Yeah, the guys are talking about the Artificial Intelligence takeover, its break-neck speed of change, and lasting power in business. In case you’re Amish, there’s some crazy machine learning shit dropping in just about every industry. Hear our take on who wins with advanced AI, who’s erased, and why both are important to our survival. And no, this was not written by damn ChatGPT. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don V
Aug 11, 20251 min read
Episode 46: Jonathan Weathington
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's episode, we sat down with Shuck N Shack CEO Jonathan Weathington. We discussed the struggles of hiring Executive Employees. Many brands of all sizes struggle with finding the right fit without over paying or dealing with turn around. There’s a huge lack of trust there. We dove into Don & Jonathan’s experience with this and how they have dealt with it. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don
Aug 4, 20251 min read
Episode 45: Zaidoon A. Al-Zubaidy: Flipping The Finger To Desperation & Hustling For The Dream Life
Watch the full episode on Youtube: What do cross-country vespa races, edgy stand-up comedy, business leadership in a thriving Pharma industry, a children’s book series about a cat, purchasing property to reinvent small town America, and an international travel vlog series have to do with us? Well, it’s how our guest – Zaidoon A. Al-Zubaidy (aka Z) – spent his last 10 years. But it wasn’t always a shits and giggles adventure for this charismatic, dapper SOB! Listen as Z goes b
Jul 28, 20251 min read
Episode 44: Kevin Maurer: A Sit Down With Military NYT Best-Selling Author
Watch the full episode on Youtube: The guys invite New York Times Best Selling Author Kevin Maurer to join them in the studio. Maurer’s acclaimed novels focus on military history, harrowing missions and the stories of humanity that surface on the battlefield. Whether bringing us to the forefront of Seal Team Six’s capture of terrorist Osama Bin Laden in No Easy Day, or sharing the story of one WWII Bomber Pilot’s 25 missions in Damn Lucky, Maurer chats with us about the busin
Jul 21, 20251 min read
Episode 43: Man-Up Marketing: How To Stand Up In A Down Economy
Watch the full episode on Youtube: We wrap up our 3-part marketing series with a topic that’s affecting just about every business right now. Join Don and Steve as they talk about how to keep your brand relevant when the economy is coming up. You’ll walk away from this one with at least 4 tactics on how to make your brand more connected with recession-fearful customers. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www
Jul 14, 20251 min read
Episode 42: Don’t Cross The Streams! OTT Marketing Gaining On Social In 25
Watch the full episode on Youtube: You guys like us... just trying to weed through the best use of your digital marketing spend in the second half of 25? With consumer markets shifting like crazy lately, ole Steve and Don dig into trends they’re seeing in online branding. Hint – Friggin’ 36 percent of businesses are now allocating big portions of their social media ad budget to streaming services (YouTube, Netflix, Etc.). If you ever wondered about the “OTT” game – or just wa
Jul 7, 20251 min read
Who Dis? Does Your Customer Really Know You?
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In the episode, Steve and Don run straight toward a growing reality in business – Brand Blur. In other words, most clients / consumers confuse one brand for another ALL THE DAMN TIME! Lots of pieces are in play to cause this – competitor saturation, content marketing overload, short attention spans… And guess what, it’s only going to become more of a challenge. Join us as we break it all down and serve up some ways to avoid it altogether. Co
Jun 30, 20251 min read
Episode 40: Hitting “500” – Strength Comes From The Shit Times
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's episode, Don shares how he was bullied and picked on for most of his life. Don’t pull out the Kleenex just yet. The challenges he faced as a young man actually molded him into a more confident, unapologetic gent. Listen as he lays out how he tapped into the anger and resentment to become a more determined, authentic individual – both character traits he uses today to get shit done. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Faceboo
Jun 23, 20251 min read
Episode 39: Brittany McNeil RNP “GLPs & Boner Pills”
Watch the full episode on Youtube: Don & Steve (Kramer) sit down with Don’s favorite foul mouthed nurse, Brittany McNeil. Don has been friends with Brittany for over a decade and watched her rise to the top as one of South East North Carolina’s best Hormone Replacement Therapists. In this episode they talk about GLP’s and Testosterone Replacement Therapy. As well as the ever so popular boner pills. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.v
Jun 16, 20251 min read
Lay The Foundation First!
Watch the full episode on Youtube: So you wanna be a franchisor? Cool. Listen to this episode first!! Don & Steve shoot the shit about lessons learned and some unconventional rules of thumb to implement before turning on the switch. Because once it’s on….it’s on YOU. Give yourself a few minutes with us, and hit the franchise scene with a realistic dose of what it takes to go the distance. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ In
Jun 9, 20251 min read
Episode 37: Side Hussle to Full Time
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's short & sweet show, Don & Steve talk about different things to consider and pay attention to before you take your side hustle full time. In other words, hear what you need to know before walking away from a full time job to set up shop. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145
Jun 2, 20251 min read
Episode 36: Conflict Resolution with Franchisees
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's show, Don & Steve (aka. Kramer) shoots the shit on how Don handles objections from within his franchise system, offering up advice to others on how to do the same. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram:
May 26, 20251 min read
Episode 35: Don’t Let Our F-Ups Be Yours!
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's episode, Don talks about common mistakes made by emerging franchises and small businesses. Listen as he covers the missteps made by him and Evonne, and how they ultimately overcame them. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in
May 19, 20251 min read
Episode 32: Anniston Riekstins
Watch the full episode on Youtube: Anniston is a mindset coach, international speaker, and high level executive. She leads in person training, workshops, and empowers professionals to align with their purpose. She is the Co Host of the In Powered Life Podcast with her husband Rudi. In this episode she talks about her new book The Universe is hiring and the power of overcoming limiting beliefs. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady
May 12, 20251 min read
Episode 33: Gen Z’s & Customer Service
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's show, Don & Steve have a conversation about Gen Z mindset and how it can affect your business. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 — Tune in to every episode on your
May 12, 20251 min read
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