Send us Fan Mail

What does it really cost to run a business — emotionally, mentally, and financially?

In this episode of The UN-TRADITIONAL Entrepreneur Podcast, Juming Delmas sits down with entrepreneur Janna Johnson for a real conversation about what business ownership actually looks like behind the scenes. From payroll pressure and delegation struggles to business closures, burnout, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, this episode pulls back the curtain on the reality many founders face but rarely talk about openly.

Janna shares what it takes to operate a successful daycare business, the challenges of scaling, the lessons that came from being fired, and the mindset needed to survive difficult seasons in entrepreneurship. This is an honest, practical, and unfiltered conversation for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the real price of freedom in business.

In this episode, we cover:

• The true financial realities of running a business
• Delegation, payroll, and scaling challenges
• Why some entrepreneurs get stuck in survival mode
• The emotional and mental toll of ownership
• Why businesses close and how owners fight through the drought
• Lessons from COVID-19 shutdowns
• Black business ownership, legacy, and long-term impact
• Education, early childhood development, and the importance of fundamentals
• Marketing, partnerships, and building sustainable systems

Timestamps:
00:00 - Highlights / Teaser
01:22 - Introduction
02:03 - Catching Up
03:08 - Business Financials and Scale
05:52 - The Importance of Delegation
09:22 - Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Reality
11:57 - Overcoming Business Stagnation
13:56 - Black Business Ownership and Heritage
16:31 - Business Failure Statistics
18:03 - Personal History: Being Fired
22:43 - Why Businesses Close
25:51 - Persevering Through the "Drought"
29:11 - COVID-19 Impact and Reset
32:05 - Valuing the Business
33:52 - Location and Digital Presence
37:16 - Education and the "Basics"
45:34 - Early Intervention and Relationships
49:37 - Marketing and Partnerships
52:20 - Conclusion

Become a sponsor:
Email: juming@jdelmasstudios.com

Subscribe for more conversations on entrepreneurship, business strategy, mindset, culture, and real-world growth.
Be sure to like, comment, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you

Support the show

Support us by Joining Patreon.
Also, Stay Connected on Socials:

The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur

Produced by Juming Delmas Studios
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300

Send us Fan Mail

What does it really take to build a business without losing yourself in the process?

In this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur, Juming Delmas sits down with Sylvester Thompson for an honest conversation about the entrepreneur mindset, founder burnout, healthy obsession, leadership, legacy, and the pressure that comes with building something that lasts.

They break down the difference between obsession that fuels growth and obsession that destroys balance, why so many founders struggle to truly switch off, and why work-life integration may be more realistic than the traditional idea of work-life balance. The conversation also digs into the emotional weight of entrepreneurship—from sacrifice and strained relationships to the responsibility of making payroll and carrying a vision other people depend on. Themes like burnout prevention and work-life integration are especially resonant in current entrepreneurship coverage.

Juming and Sylvester also tackle the deeper issue of representation in tech and the ongoing barriers facing Black founders. That angle is highly relevant right now: Crunchbase reported that startups with a Black founder or co-founder received about $730 million, or 0.4% of all U.S. startup funding in 2024, a multiyear low.

If you’re interested in:
entrepreneurship, startup mindset, business leadership, founder psychology, Black founders, tech entrepreneurship, creator economy, discipline, success habits, and building legacy—this episode is for you.

Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a business, or trying to understand the real mental and emotional cost of entrepreneurship, this conversation delivers practical insight and real perspective.

Topics covered:
healthy obsession, entrepreneur mindset, founder burnout, Black founders in tech, startup leadership, work-life integration, business sacrifice, payroll pressure, legacy building, discipline, representation in entrepreneurship

#Entrepreneurship #FounderMindset #BusinessLeadership #StartupLife #BlackFounders #TechEntrepreneurship #FounderBurnout #WorkLifeIntegration #Leadership #Legacy

Support the show

Support us by Joining Patreon.
Also, Stay Connected on Socials:

The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur

Produced by Juming Delmas Studios
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300

Send us Fan Mail

Creators and entrepreneurs get real insight and authenticity in this episode of The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur as Juming sits down with Tommy D, founder of Tommy D’s Juice Entertainment, to unpack his 15-year David-vs-Goliath legal battle against Live Nation—and what it’s cost him personally and professionally.

From hustling in the New Jersey club scene as a teenager to building one of the East Coast’s most influential EDM brands, Tommy breaks down how he turned raw grind into real opportunity long before he had resources, connections, or a safety net.

This conversation dives deep into what it actually means to operate in survival mode as an entrepreneur—how it impacts your confidence, your relationships, and your decision-making. Tommy opens up about staying in the fight, refusing to back down, and continuing to build even when the odds are stacked against him.

If you’re a creator or entrepreneur who feels like you’re battling systems, setbacks, or situations bigger than you, this episode is a real look at what it takes to keep going when quitting would be easier—and why resilience is often the real advantage.

Support the show

Support us by Joining Patreon.
Also, Stay Connected on Socials:

The Un-Traditional Entrepreneur Social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImJustHereToListenPod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utepodcast?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untraditionalentrepreneur
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuntraditionalentrepreneur

Produced by Juming Delmas Studios
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumingdelmasstudios/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdelmasstudios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdelmasstudios/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jumingdelmasstudios3300