In this episode of Fearless Founders, I sit down with Elena DiStefano, the founder and inventor of the Cozy Clip®—a groundbreaking redesign of the classic claw clip created to eliminate pain and prioritize everyday comfort. After years of loving the look of claw clips but experiencing constant discomfort—especially while driving—Elena realized the solution she needed didn't exist. So, she built it herself.

Starting with a 3D printer prototype in her college dorm, Elena transformed a simple problem into a purpose-driven product that is now making an impact on women's everyday lives. Her story is one of creativity and believing in an idea before anyone else could see it.

This is a conversation for every builder, dreamer, and doer who is ready to turn inspiration into action. You're going to love this one.

In this special episode, the mic flips — and host, Ashton Shultz takes over! 🎙️

Hear the story behind Ashton Jo Marketing, from a high school CEO student with a dream to a full-time entrepreneur leading brands and mentoring the next generation. Ashton shares real, actionable marketing insights, lessons learned from the journey, and how the CEO Program continues to shape her both personally and professionally.

Whether you’re a student, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation is your reminder that starting small can still lead to something extraordinary.

In this inspiring first episode, we sit down with Blaine Fuhs, CEO Alumni, author, speaker, and creator, to explore what true success really looks like. Drawing from his influential book, Your Platform Is Not Your Purpose, Blaine challenges the belief that influence equals identity. Instead, he reminds us that titles, followers, or recognition don’t measure real purpose—it’s discovered in how we serve, lead, and love in everyday life.

Through his work as a writer, speaker, and storyteller, Blaine has helped countless individuals and organizations refine their message, amplify their impact, and discover clarity in their purpose. His wisdom will encourage you to stop living for applause and start living for meaning.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or dreamer, this episode will inspire you to rethink your definition of success and live with deeper intention.

Today’s episode features Jason Thomas, Director of Design and Product Development at RiverSmith USA. Jason is more than a designer—he’s an innovator, a creative force, and a true adventurer. With nearly two decades of experience, Jason has shaped some of the country's most cutting-edge outdoor products and climbing environments. He firmly believes that design should be both beautiful and functional—and that the outdoors has the power to connect and inspire us.

In this conversation, we explore how Jason blends creativity with purpose, the role leadership plays in pushing boundaries, and what it really means to build a legacy of impact in the outdoor industry.

This episode is something special—a panel featuring three incredible CEO alumni who’ve taken their senior-year startup ideas and turned them into thriving businesses.

You’ll hear from:

• Ben Flath, founder of Excursions Automotive in Indiana,
  
  
  
• Ashley Leman, founder of Revive Coffee & Roasting Company in Illinois,
  
  
  
• And Alex Eckhardt, owner of Q-Town Kicks sneaker store in Quincy, IL.
  
  
  

Each of them shares what it was like starting a business in high school, what they’ve learned through real-world experience, and how faith, discipline, and community have shaped their journey. You don’t want to miss this powerhouse panel of young leaders.

In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Brent Oberink, co-owner of Laner Corp and host of The Better Contractor podcast. Brent shared his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a nationwide maintenance contracting business for the oil and gas industry in 2007 to growing it into a 50+ employee company with multiple locations. He also discussed creating a podcast to support contractors and entrepreneurs while building a vertically integrated brand.

Tune in to hear Brent’s insights on embracing risk, the power of mentorship, and balancing a multi-faceted business with personal priorities. Brent shares how his drive for freedom and passion for strategic growth propelled him from quitting a corporate job to building a legacy business. He also offers practical advice on pricing strategies, time management, and the importance of being present in both business and life.

WHERE TO LEARN MORE

• https://brentoberlink.com/

https://open.spotify.com/show/1tjPd8zKXx2oXT8WpjTwir

In this month’s Fearless Founders episode, we spoke with Katie Clark, founder of Katie Clark Co., a fine jewelry business based in Houston, Texas. Katie shared her journey from working in corporate America at a jewelry store to leveraging her TikTok platform to launch her own custom jewelry company in 2023. She now balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and content creation while building her growing brand.

Tune in to hear Katie discuss the lessons she’s learned about time management, pricing strategies, and building trust with clients in the fine jewelry industry. She also shares how she used social media to connect with her audience, turn her passion into a business, and navigate challenges like sourcing materials and setting up operations.

Katie’s inspiring story is packed with insights for CEO participants, including the importance of starting before everything is perfect and taking bold risks when the timing feels right!

WHERE TO LEARN MORE

https://katieclark.co/

Today, we’re joined by the fearless and inspiring Casey Capuano Sarai—co-founder of CAKES Body- the company completely redefining the traditional bra industry. With just $10,000 and no investor backing, Casey and her sister launched CAKES Body in 2022—and what started as a small product innovation quickly turned into a viral sensation and a $100 million valuation.

We’ll talk about what it’s like to leave behind a decade in corporate America, how to turn adversity into innovation, and what it means to grow a mission-driven brand. Casey’s story is proof that impact and business can go hand in hand—and I can’t wait for you to hear it.