The Secret World of Luxury: What She Learned Leading Hermès, Godiva, and Burberry | Ep 242 with Virginie Costa
Virginie Costa has quietly shaped some of the most iconic global brands from the inside out. In this powerful conversation, she reveals the hidden mechanics of luxury leadership, how to earn your seat at the table, and why the future of finance is transformational, AI-powered, and human-first.
Key Discussion Points:
What makes the Birkin bag the holy grail of luxury
The biggest myth about retail’s death—and how luxury stores still thrive
From France to the C-suite: how Virginie built her career at Hermès, Godiva, and more
The real traits that define successful CEOs (it’s not what you think)
What aspiring executives must do now to rise faster
Why CFOs are the new storytellers in a data-driven world
How to lead business transformation—and still keep empathy at the core
What AI means for the future of finance (hint: it’s not job loss, it’s reinvention)
Takeaways:
Learn the business before leading it—always start with a listening tour
Success today requires purpose, people, and the courage to transform
The CFO of the future is more than a number-cruncher—they’re a change agent
Great leaders build trust, drive culture, and never stop being curious
Closing Thoughts:From luxury handbags to billion-dollar balance sheets, Virginie Costa has mastered transformation at every level. Her insights will change the way you think about leadership, finance, and the future of work.
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He Took Notes at 200 Board Meetings—Now He’s Warning Founders About This One Mistake | Ep 241 with Marc Stockli
Marc O. Stockli shares the untold truths behind boardrooms, exits, and ego. With over 200 board meetings under his belt and an eight-figure acquisition behind him, Marc breaks down why most founders misunderstand the role of a board—and how to turn it into your unfair advantage.
Key Discussion Points:
Why boardrooms are broken—and how to fix them
The day 9/11 shaped his lifelong obsession with boards
What every founder gets wrong about advisors and governance
How to recruit high-level board members even if “you’re a nobody”
When to reject VC money (and why most founders give up control too early)
The true cost of a bad board—and the hidden benefit of starting early
Behind the scenes of a failed exit… and the Ponzi scheme that almost derailed everything
What founders must do today to prepare for a successful exit tomorrow
Takeaways:
A board's job isn’t control—it’s “support and challenge”
Information asymmetry kills board effectiveness—solve it with proximity and culture
Founders with integrity, humility, and curiosity attract the best board talent
If you're not ready to spar, you're not ready for a board
Closing Thoughts:This episode is a masterclass in long-game thinking. Whether you’re pre-seed or post-exit, Marc’s wisdom reframes the way you see leadership, advisors, and your own ego. Bookmark it. Study it. Revisit it before your next big decision.
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What This Tech CEO Knows About Making Great Decisions Most Founders Don’t | Ep. 240 with Arthur Chang Founder of PanTerra Networks
Arthur Chang, a veteran tech executive and CEO of PanTerra Networks, joins us to talk about the evolution of business communications, why the future is all-in-one, and how AI—done right—frees humans to be more creative. He also shares the leadership values that helped him scale PanTerra into a cutting-edge AI-driven platform.
Key Discussion Points:
Building PanTerra around long-term vision, not trends
Why Streams.AI is built to do it all (and why that matters)
Using AI to assist, not replace, human creativity
Balancing founder life without burning out
How to stand out in a world of 5,000 competitors
The "refine over time" mindset behind great decisions
Takeaways:
Passion is fuel—but balance keeps you in the game
Don’t wait for perfect decisions; make good ones and improve
AI won’t take your job, but it might take your repetitive tasks
Founders should stop chasing trends—and breathe
Closing Thoughts:Arthur Chang proves that visionary leadership is about patience, passion, and evolving with purpose. His story reminds us that the best businesses solve old problems better—by listening more than they talk.
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Inside the Mind of Wall Street’s Father-Son Duo: What Most Investors Get Wrong | Ep. 239 with Ken and Connor Mahoney Founders of MahoneyGPS
Ken and Connor Mahoney, the father-son team behind MahoneyGPS, to unpack three decades of experience navigating Wall Street. They talk market cycles, the AI boom, crypto hype, IPOs, and why compound interest might still be the greatest secret weapon in investing.
Key Discussion Points:
How Ken built a 36-year Wall Street career and stayed relevant through market upheavals
Why AI is still in the early innings—and where institutional money is flowing now
The psychology of crypto and why Gen Z sees it as more than an asset class
Father vs. son: generational differences in investing mindset and portfolio strategy
Why dividend stocks may no longer be the answer for retirees
The future of the dollar, global currencies, and where to stretch your money
Their daily newsletter and media presence across CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox
Takeaways:
Great companies don’t just survive—they reinvest, grow, and reward shareholders
Compound interest is still the most powerful (and underused) investment tool
Technology is the new infrastructure—and the market rewards those who keep up
Crypto remains a high-risk, high-reward trading vehicle—not yet a true currency
The U.S. dollar still reigns, despite temporary global shifts
Closing Thoughts:Ken and Connor Mahoney are living proof that timeless market wisdom and forward-thinking strategy can coexist. Whether it’s riding the AI wave or challenging traditional retirement investing, they’re rewriting the rules while staying grounded in discipline and data.
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From Selling Scribbles at 4 to Leading Multi-Million Dollar Businesses | Ep. 238 with Charles Gaudet Founder of Predictable Profits
Charles Gaudet shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship—from selling crayon drawings at age 4 to building and losing businesses, surviving financial ruin, and finally scaling Predictable Profits into a go-to resource for high-growth founders. He breaks down the mindset that helped him thrive in “bad” economies, why personal branding matters more than ever, and what separates strategic entrepreneurs from the rest.
Key Discussion Points:
Why downturns are actually fertile ground for rapid growth
The “I see you everywhere” strategy for demand creation
Building both a company and founder brand for exponential visibility
From land development to algorithmic trading: his surprising path to success
Mental clarity, fitness, and the birth of Founders Fuel
The one moment he almost gave up—and the breakthrough that followed
Takeaways:
A bad economy punishes average thinking—and rewards strategy
Brand visibility isn’t vanity; it’s leverage
Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart, but those who persist win
Your energy and mental sharpness are your most valuable assets
Closing Thoughts:Charles reminds us that every setback can be a setup—if you have the grit to keep going. His story is a masterclass in resilience, strategic marketing, and building a brand that customers trust and remember.
Founder’s Story” by IBH Media isn’t just a show—it’s a mission. We spotlight extraordinary, iconic, and undiscovered entrepreneurs who’ve built, scaled, and led with purpose. From tech titans to tenacious underdogs, every episode dives deep into the resilience, creativity, and grit that define true leadership.You’ll hear from household names like Gary V, Codie Sanchez, Rob Dyrdek, and Tom Bilyeu—but just as often, you’ll meet the unheard founders doing remarkable things the world needs to know.This is where raw conversations meet real impact. This is Founder’s Story—where the heart of entrepreneurship beats.
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