What fuels a leader's journey? It's a question many founders and CEOs ponder daily.

The answer might surprise you: it's all about mindset, integrity, and putting people first.

In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, host Kevin Bailey sits with David Mann, a military veteran, entrepreneur, and investor. David shares his insights on values-driven leadership, emphasizing the importance of genuinely caring about people professionally and personally to create a desirable company culture that leads to great results. He also discusses the challenges and lessons learned from his journey, including overcoming his ego, the impact of his faith, and transitioning leadership experiences from the Navy to the business world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Suffering and Growth – David shares how adversity fueled his personal development, highlighting faith as a guiding force.
2. Humble Leadership – David outlines transitioning from arrogance to humility, stressing that the best leaders empower their teams.
3. Abundance Mindset – Focusing on what you can give rather than what you can get can unlock endless opportunities and build stronger, more sincere connections.

Resources

• Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:55) From Navy to private equity

(04:35) Navigating high-stakes challenges with integrity

(08:25) Why core values matter more than numbers in private equity

(11:44) Building people-first cultures

(19:46) Faith and abundance mindset

(25:44) Why daily routines matter

(28:38) Importance of humility in leadership

What drives success? It’s an answer we’re all searching for.

And the answer is simpler than you think: Embrace your journey, make tough decisions, and find balance in professional and personal life.

In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, host Kevin Bailey sits down with Daniel Hershberg, founder and CEO of the Amateur Golf Society of America. Daniel opens up about the challenges and rewards of his 16-year entrepreneurial journey.

Kevin and Daniel also discuss the importance of making hard decisions, maintaining work-life balance, and the benefits of choosing the right partners in business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Family & Business Dynamics – Daniel talks about drawing a boundary between family life and business, and why it’s best to build a business with people you’re not close to.
2. Lean Startup Strategy – Making lean, tough choices for the sustainable growth of your startup.
3. Founder Wellness – Daniel emphasizes health and balance through yoga, family time, and managing stress to avoid burnout.

Resources

• Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders

Timestamps:
(00:00) Managing joy and entrepreneurship

(00:41) Golf on your terms with Amateur Golf Society

(01:54) Challenges of founding a business with family

(06:18) Importance of lean startup and funding strategies

(11:37) Balancing work and personal life as a founder

(114:39) Empowering leaders to connect at the Amateur Golf Society

Ready to uncover the secrets of founding a successful startup? Spoiler alert: It’s all about choosing the right partners.

In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, host Kevin Bailey sits down with Clayton Thompson, seasoned founder, and CEO of multiple thriving SaaS startups. Clayton shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of clear boundaries and wise partner choices.

From the pain of parting ways with a friend-turned-cofounder to the joy of raising millions in funding, Clayton’s stories are raw, real, and incredibly insightful.

Key Takeaways:

1. Choose Your Partners Wisely – Clayton's journey taught him a hard lesson about mixing friendship with business.
2. Build Your Support Network – Clayton emphasizes the importance of networking and seeking mentorship, which can accelerate your growth and keep you from feeling isolated.
3. Master the Art of Adaptability – Clayton talks about evolving from a lifestyle business to a high-growth company, proving that flexibility and learning from mistakes are key to long-term success.

Resources

• Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders

Timestamps:
(00:00) How to set clear boundaries in business partnerships

(02:11) Major challenges of starting a business with friends

(06:08) Practical advice for early-stage founders

(08:09) Why networking and mentorship are crucial for startups