top of page
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.
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
Episode 31: The Table
Watch the full episode on Youtube: In this week's episode Don lays out his table analogy for four non-negotiable leadership practices that he uses daily in all of the brands he is involved in. 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.co
May 12, 20251 min read
Episode 34: Zakk Plocica
Watch the full episode on Youtube: Description: Zakk is the owner of Extreme Outfitters in Jacksonville NC. Zakk shares his story of how his family bought the business, struggled, almost lost everything, and now has built a solid brand based on customer service and standing out against the competition. Don & Zakk share their history in fitness and how those disciplines translate over into running a business. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook
May 12, 20251 min read
Missy Blacker
Watch the full episode on Spotify: On this episode of Founderz Lounge, Don sat down with Clean Eatz Franchise Partner Missy Blacker. Missy and her husband Eric own the Dayton Ohio territory. She also works for the largest franchisee in the Great Clips brand with over 85 locations. Her experience and background with brands was an interesting conversation. Missy understands the dynamic relationship between franchisee/franchisor and what that means to be successful. Connect w/ D
Nov 21, 20241 min read
The Power of Quitting
Watch the full episode on Spotify: Welcome to the first Quick Fire Episode of Founderz Lounge. In this episode Don talks about the power of quitting things that do not serve you in order to open doors for things that do. 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 Ins
Oct 31, 20241 min read
Humble Beginnings with Danielle Saintard Valiente
Watch the full episode on Spotify: In this episode I sat down with "DSV". Danielle is a close personal friend of Evonne and I's. She is an incredible human with a ton of passion and a big heart. Danielle is a Founder of multiple businesses, An accomplished author, A public speaker, A small business consultant and if she didn't have anything else to do, she's a real estate investor. Her story is incredible and very inspiring. Her passion and purpose is helping others. I am ver
Aug 8, 20241 min read
Ep 27: Foz & Michaela
Watch the full episode on Spotify: In today's Episode we sit down with two awesome radio personalities and Entrepreneurs FOZ & Michaela. These two are very well known in South East North Carolina for their work on the radio. But many folks don't know they are also founders and entrepreneurs themselves. We got into a lot. From honing in on great public speaking skills. As well as their businesses and how they got started. This episode was a blast to record. It will keep you la
Aug 1, 20241 min read
Episode 26: Hot Takes Volume 2
Watch the full episode on Spotify: Back for another round of Hot Takes, Don & Evonne give their perspective on hot takes like AI & Robotics, Instant Gratification, and pessimism. This is a quick "on the way to work" listen with great insights from two people who have seen, heard and learned a lot over the ten years of building a nationwide brand. Connect w/ Don and Steve: Don Varady: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarad
Jul 25, 20241 min read
bottom of page