Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

In this game-changing episode, Leila Kaneda, a former professional musician turned AI expert, reveals how to harness artificial intelligence with purpose and intention. She shares her incredible journey from music to machine learning and explains why your unique, non-linear background is your greatest asset in business. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed by the AI hype. You'll learn how to move beyond generic tools like ChatGPT, avoid common pitfalls that damage your brand, and implement AI in a way that saves you time and cognitive energy without losing the human touch. Leila's "teach you to fish" philosophy is designed to empower you to build and maintain your own AI-driven solutions, making this a must-listen for founders who want to innovate sustainably.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
🚀 How to leverage your non-linear career path as a unique superpower in your business.
🧠 The critical mindset shift required to move from AI user to AI innovator and open the "floodgates" of ideas.
🤖 A step-by-step breakdown of how to intentionally integrate AI into your social media workflow to save time without sacrificing brand authenticity.
💰 Why the most effective AI strategy isn't about replacing humans, but about augmenting their skills to achieve 100x results.
🛠️ How to identify the right places to insert AI into your business for maximum ROI and where to avoid it.
🤝 Why you should seek consultants who empower you to be independent, not lock you into expensive long-term retainers.
🎉 The power of "playing" with AI on personal projects to rewire your brain and spark game-changing business ideas.
📝 About Leila Kaneda
Leila Kaneda is the founder of Kaneda Consulting, an AI education and strategic consulting firm. With a Master's in AI and Machine Learning and a background as a professional musician, Leila brings a uniquely creative and human-centered approach to the world of technology. She specializes in cutting through the hype and fear around AI, teaching entrepreneurs how to leverage this powerful technology in ways that align with their values. Her mission is to empower business owners with the knowledge to implement and maintain their own AI solutions, fostering true independence and innovation.
🎯 Leila’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Always figure out what you want to do and why, and make sure that whatever that is, is something that you are excited about and really care about. And then once you have that identified, do everything in your power to make that happen."
📢 Memorable Quotes
"AI at its core is really a tool... behind all of these things, no matter what it looks like, it's just an algorithm. And the more that we can remember that, the more we can take that step back and say, okay, intentionally, what am I trying to do with my business?" – Leila Kaneda
"When you're in the field of AI... it's a mindset shift more than anything... And so once you learn enough to shift your mind, it's like the floodgates open." – Leila Kaneda
"If what you're trying to do is as important to you as you think it is, it'll be equally as important and infectious to the rest of the world. That's what we can do to make a difference." – Leila Kaneda
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Audit Your Workflow Intentionally: Pick one repetitive task in your business (like social media content creation) and map out your current process. Identify where AI can assist with research or drafting, not replace your final, human touch.
✅ Schedule "AI Playtime": Dedicate one hour this week to using an AI tool for a fun, non-business project. Build a trivia game, plan a dream vacation, or write a song. The goal is to learn the tool's capabilities in a low-pressure environment.
✅ Define Your Core Mission: Before you invest in any new technology, write down the core mission of your business and what excites you most about it. Ensure any tool you adopt serves that mission directly.
✅ Empower, Don't Depend: When hiring a consultant or expert, ask them how they plan to transfer their knowledge to you and your team. Prioritize partners who aim to make themselves obsolete.
🔗 Links & Resources
Website: https://www.kaneda-consulting.com
Connect with Leila on LinkedIn
Follow Kaneda Consulting on LinkedIn
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Follow Kaneda Consulting on YouTube

In a world saturated with forgettable digital ads, how do you create a brand experience that people talk about for weeks? Alejandro Guzman of Azul Marketing reveals how he combines behavioral economics, world-class creativity, and the power of gamification to craft truly memorable moments for brands like Coca-Cola. This episode is a masterclass in thinking differently, showing how your unique curiosities—from video games to psychology—can become your greatest business assets. Tune in to learn how to surprise and delight your audience, leverage AI as a creative superpower, and design marketing that makes a lasting impact.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
The Gamification Goldmine: Learn how to apply game mechanics to real-world business scenarios (like turning a corporate convention into a viral trading card game) to drive unprecedented engagement and connection.
AI as Your Creative Exoskeleton: Discover why AI isn't a threat but an incredible tool that augments your abilities, allowing you to prototype, brainstorm, and execute ambitious ideas faster than ever before.
The Power of Being a Generalist: Understand why exploring diverse interests (like Roger Federer did with multiple sports) can give you a broader toolkit and a more innovative approach to problem-solving than hyper-focused specialists.
Reverse-Engineer Your Marketing: Learn how to start with the end-user's psychology and work backward to craft messages and experiences that resonate deeply and drive action.
Escaping "Hedonic Adaptation": Get strategies to combat the natural tendency for audiences to get bored, and learn how to consistently create surprising, memorable moments that stand out.
Marketing Beyond the Screen: Hear a powerful case for why experiential, in-person marketing creates a stickiness and a human connection that digital ads simply can't replicate.
📝 About Alejandro Guzman
Alejandro Guzman is a creative force with over 18 years of experience working with world-class brands and agencies. As the founder of Azul Marketing, he specializes in creative direction, graphic design, and crafting unique engagement tools. With a Master's in Sustainable Design and a deep curiosity for human behavior and gamification, Alejandro brings a refreshingly different perspective to marketing, transforming standard corporate events and campaigns into unforgettable, immersive experiences.
🎯 Alejandro’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Go work through your ideas, be creative, soak yourself with multiple things... the more concepts you have to you, the more creative you can be."
📢 Memorable Quotes
"AI is just an augmentator of our capacities. So if you're a creative person, AI is just like having an exoskeleton in the space. You have superpowers." – Alejandro Guzman
"You can spend the dollar and having nobody remember what you did the next minute or spend the same dollar and having somebody talking about it to their friends in a week... the second dollar is very well spent." – Alejandro Guzman
"I cannot be creative in a world that I don't know. So the same thing applies for everything. You need to go and test and taste all the foods, taste all the flavors so you can be the best chef ever." – Alejandro Guzman
💡 Actionable Takeaways
Brainstorm a "Gamification" Element for Your Business: Identify one customer touchpoint (e.g., onboarding, a live event, a loyalty program) and think of one way you could introduce a game-like mechanic to make it more engaging.
Use AI for a "What If" Scenario: Spend 30 minutes with an AI tool like ChatGPT or Midjourney to prototype a wild idea you've had. Ask it to generate concepts, visuals, or copy to see how it can accelerate your creative process.
Schedule "Curiosity Time": Block 1-2 hours on your calendar this week to learn about a topic completely unrelated to your work. Watch a documentary, read a book, or listen to a podcast from a different field.
Map Your Customer Experience: Think about a recent brand interaction you had that was truly memorable. What made it special? Now, analyze your own customer journey and identify one opportunity to surprise and delight them.
🔗 Links & Resources
Website: https://www.azulmarketing.co
Connect with Alejandro on LinkedIn
Follow Azul Marketing NA on LinkedIn

As November kicks off and we enter the month of giving thanks, who’s the one person you’ve been forgetting to thank? Your entrepreneurial journey will be filled with people: friends and family, clients, partners, and even a few internet trolls. But only one person will be there for every up, every down, every moment of self-doubt, and every crazy idea. In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian turns a viral social media post into a powerful reminder that you are that person. Drawing on his conversations with thousands of entrepreneurs, he shares why the happiest and most successful founders are always on their own side, and why your high standards can coexist with being gentle, gracious, and kind to yourself.
✨ Why This Matters for You
Being your own biggest champion is a game-changer for entrepreneurs because:
You’re the only person who will experience every moment of your journey.
Not everyone will celebrate your wins, so you need to know how to celebrate them yourself.
Your highest standards don’t have to come at the expense of your self-belief.
Self-kindness gives you a steadier foundation for handling losses, setbacks, and self-doubt.
Happiness is the most important metric of all, and it starts with being on your own side.
📝 Key Takeaways
You’re the Only Constant. Parents, kids, partners, and friends can’t be there for your entire life. You’re the only person who’s there for all of it.
Be the Person You Want in Your Corner. Give yourself what you’d want from someone else: celebration during the highs and encouragement during the lows.
High Standards and Self-Kindness Must Coexist. You can hold yourself accountable and still be your biggest cheerleader. Be gracious with yourself as you pursue your goals.
Your Wins Reveal Who’s Really with You. It’s easy for people to show up during your lows, but your highs can put their own lives under the microscope. Don’t rely on everyone else to celebrate your success.
Self-Belief Takes Practice. Being your own champion doesn’t happen by mistake. You build that belief through how you respond to each win and each loss.
🚀 Put It Into Action
This week, practice being on your own side:
Carve out some time to reconnect with why you believe in yourself and why you started this journey.
Pick one recent win and allow yourself to truly celebrate it.
Think back on a recent loss and tell yourself what you’d want to hear from someone in your corner: “We are doing our best, we are learning, and we are moving forward.”
Make a list of the things you’re thankful to yourself for, including the effort and energy you’ve put into your entrepreneurial journey.
🔗 Stay Connected
Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode
Connect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrian
Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs a reminder to be kinder to themselves

In this special Collab Week episode of Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur, 10 founders come together to answer one deeply personal question:
Tell us about a decision or mistake that haunted you, and how you finally put that ghost to rest.
The ghosts in this episode include a strategy deck that walked out the door, funding turned down at the finish line, a six-figure funnel kept running out of attachment, and friendships that made hard calls even harder. It’s a wide-ranging, refreshingly honest episode, and it’s a reminder that the mistake itself rarely haunts us for long. What haunts us is a lesson we haven’t put into practice yet.
For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur still replaying a decision they wish they could take back, this episode is proof that you’re not alone. Every founder carries a few ghosts, and the ones who grow are the ones who turn those ghosts into guardrails, boundaries, and better instincts.
✨ What You’ll Take Away
In this episode, you’ll take away:
How the “first big check” can cost you far more than it pays
Why how you treat the people building your business deserves as much attention as any strategy decision
How to walk away from a growth path that’s out of alignment, even with funding on the table
Why years of industry expertise don’t automatically make you good at pricing your own work
How to stay generous without letting people build on you instead of with you
Why turning off the marketing isn’t the same as killing your first business
Why every founder’s ghost can become the foundation for how they lead next
🎙️ Meet the Collab Week Contributors
Renée Holder — Janus Management Group
Renée Holder is the Founder, President, and Principal Consultant of Janus Management Group, a New York-based firm specializing in organizational change management strategy, training, and transformation support. A certified change management professional with more than 20 years of experience, Renée helps organizations and their people navigate technology, HR, and ERP transformations, including large-scale systems like SAP, with confidence and success.
Connect with Renée:
https://www.janusmanagementgroup.com/
William McCumber — Rowan Elder Productions & Applied Erudition
William McCumber is the founder of two ed-tech companies, Rowan Elder Productions and Applied Erudition. Rowan Elder is an async faculty development program that upskills professors to build studio-quality online lectures that feel more like YouTube than a lecturer reading slides at the front of the room. Applied Erudition is a platform that measures real capability rather than seat time.
Connect with William:
https://www.rowanelder.com/
https://appliederudition.com/
Sara Reece — Workmind
Sara Reece is the CEO and Co-Founder of Workmind, where she helps organizations use practical, operations-first automation to eliminate friction and grow without increasing headcount at the same pace. For the last seven years, she has designed and implemented automation with organizations ranging from nonprofits and small businesses to franchise systems and Fortune 500 enterprises. Her unconventional career spans journalism, television broadcasting, environmental research, and technology, and she is the author of The Practical Path to Operational Automation.
Connect with Sara:
https://workmind.cloud/
https://www.saralreece.com/
Drew Mehta — ThinkFraction
After more than 20 years in corporate, Drew Mehta founded ThinkFraction to help owner-operated businesses integrate AI into their everyday workflows and processes in a practical, hype-free way. He helps owner-operators grow revenue, lower costs, and improve quality by fixing leaks in their back-end workflows. ThinkFraction pairs advisory with hands-on implementation and education, and Drew teaches clients how AI fits into their business while learning the entrepreneurial ropes himself.
Connect with Drew:
https://thinkfraction.xyz/
Janice Kephart — ZipID
Janice Kephart is a lawyer, identity expert, and the founder of ZipID. She drafted the federal identity theft criminal statute for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, served on the 9/11 Commission, helped architect both REAL ID and the nation’s biometric border entry-exit system, and later developed biometric workflows at MorphoTrak (now Idemia). ZipID brings real biometric identity verification to the Form I-9 process so employers can meet federal requirements with confidence, and Janice is now building ZipID’s ID Fraud Forensic Dashboard for banks, credit unions, casinos, and any business that needs to know an ID is legitimate.
Connect with Janice:
https://www.zipidapp.com/
Anne Gillaspie — Fix & Form
Anne Gillaspie is a global keynote speaker, truth disruptor, and creator of SHARE YOUR FEAR™, a movement that makes fear less scary and truth easier to tell. A 12-year entrepreneur, she is the CEO and founder of Denver-based Fix & Form Branding Firm, host of the top-ranked OnlyFounders podcast, and a brand therapist to founders and executives. Through storytelling, unexpected dance, and radically human experiences, Anne challenges audiences to stop performing and start telling the truth about who they are.
Connect with Anne:
https://theannegillaspie.com/
https://fixandform.com/
Heather Waisanen — Coastal Maverick
Heather Waisanen is the founder of Coastal Maverick, a woman-owned boutique out-of-home advertising agency in Jacksonville, Florida, that helps brands nationwide with advertising strategy, media planning and buying, negotiation, and campaign execution. With more than a decade of experience across the client, agency, and media owner sides of the industry, she launched Coastal Maverick after being laid off from her role as a senior media planner. Now in her fourth year of entrepreneurship, Heather was recognized as a JAX Chamber Small Business Leader of the Year and is a member of the inaugural 2026 Visionaries 200 class.
Connect with Heather:
https://www.coastalmaverick.com/
Kacy Webster — Profit Quiver
Kacy Webster is a Business Transformation Strategist and Certified AI Consultant with 30+ years of executive leadership across higher education, workforce development, and enterprise transformation. Through Profit Quiver and The PrecisionX System, she partners with mid-market manufacturers, B2B leadership teams, colleges, and workforce organizations to adopt AI in a way their people can actually trust. Her framework, the 12 Domains of Human-First AI Adoption, gives leaders a structured path to transformation that starts with culture, alignment, and readiness before technology.
Connect with Kacy:
https://www.profitquiver.com/
Erik Berglund — The Language of Leadership & Loominary
Erik Berglund is the founder of The Language of Leadership and Loominary, and host of the I Have Some Questions podcast. His companies help people practice difficult conversations before they have to have them in real life. The Language of Leadership offers a framework for leadership communication, and Loominary builds custom skill simulation systems that give businesses a way to reinforce those skills across their teams.
Connect with Erik:
https://www.languageofleadership.io/
https://www.loominary.io
Jane Alexander — Emma Advisor
Jane Alexander is the founder and CEO of Emma Advisor, an AI platform that helps students and families navigate the path from high school to college with more clarity, strategy, and confidence. Her own path was unconventional: she was homeschooled in rural Idaho, started at community college, transferred to a private university, completed graduate work at Harvard, and spent more than a decade advising leaders at over 200 colleges and universities. She built Emma Advisor so that opportunity doesn’t depend on social capital, connections, or the ability to hire expensive consultants.
Connect with Jane:
https://emmaadvisor.ai/

In a world grappling with the rise of AI, how do we protect the invaluable human skills of critical thinking, creativity, and authenticity? Jordan Wolff, a former educator turned founder, is tackling this challenge head-on. In this episode, Jordan shares his journey from the classroom to launching Typed by Hand, an EdTech company designed to champion authentic student work, not police it. This isn't just a conversation about education; it's a masterclass in building a purpose-driven, bootstrapped, and globally-distributed company. For any entrepreneur passionate about solving real-world problems, Jordan’s story provides a powerful blueprint for turning deep industry expertise into a thriving business that values humanity over automation.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
🌍 How to successfully build and manage a global team by leaning into trust, delegation, and a shared mission.
👨‍🏫 Why the skills honed as a teacher—managing chaos, wearing multiple hats, and staying calm under pressure—are a secret weapon for entrepreneurs.
🤝 How to build customer relationships based on partnership and trust, rather than an adversarial "policing" model.
💪 The strategic advantages of bootstrapping your startup to maintain your mission and avoid the pressures of VC funding that can dilute your vision.
❤️ Why embedding "pride" and "humanity" into your product can be a powerful differentiator in an increasingly automated world.
🎯 How to leverage your deep industry experience to identify and solve a critical problem that others overlook.
📝 About Jordan Wolff
Jordan Wolff is the CEO and founder of Typed by Hand, an education technology company focused on protecting authentic student writing in the age of AI. Before launching his company, Jordan spent over a decade as an ELA teacher, school leader, and consultant across the United States and internationally. His hands-on experience in the classroom shaped his powerful belief that the future of integrity isn't about policing students, but about empowering them to take pride in their own work. Jordan brings a unique and essential perspective, blending the heart of an educator with the strategic mind of a global entrepreneur.
🎯 Jordan’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Keep calm and cool." In entrepreneurship, you are constantly putting out fires. A teacher’s ability to calmly manage a chaotic classroom—whether it's kids fighting or a mouse in the corner—is the same skill set needed to navigate the daily challenges of a startup.
📢 Memorable Quotes
“It's not always the outcome. It's also the process, the beautifully ugly process that we have to value and, you know, what it means to be human.” – Jordan Wolff
“Teachers, I mean, these are intelligent human beings that studied how to teach other human beings. They know when someone is a fake.” – Jordan Wolff
“I think we all need to take a second to breathe. We need to embrace moments of reflection and relaxing and, you know, appreciate ourselves.” – Jordan Wolff
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Identify a problem in your own industry that you understand better than anyone else. Your insider knowledge is your greatest competitive advantage.
✅ When building a remote team, make your company’s mission the central pillar of your culture to keep everyone aligned and motivated across time zones.
✅ Instead of trying to "catch" customers or users doing something wrong, build systems that encourage and reward authenticity and trust.
✅ Before seeking outside funding, explore bootstrapping to prove your concept and retain full control over your company's direction and values.
✅ Acknowledge your ability to handle pressure. The next time you face a "fire" in your business, channel the calm composure of a seasoned teacher.
🔗 Links & Resources
Website: https://www.typedbyhand.com
Try Typed by Me for free
Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn
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