Selling your business doesn't mean you've arrived. It means you're starting over. And nobody warns you about the wall you hit on the other side.

In this episode, Marc Bernstein sits down with Chris Donnelly, a former investment banker turned plumbing and HVAC entrepreneur who spent a decade rebuilding his family's business before selling it in 2023. Amy Wicks, founder of Wicks Consulting Group, joins as guest co-host. Chris shares the unfiltered story of leaving Wall Street for a trade shop in Lansdale, how one employee exit forced him to launch an entirely new service line, and the identity crisis that followed a successful exit.

Key Takeaways:

• Losing 30% of revenue overnight can be the push a business needs
• Culture balance: caring deeply about people while staying performance-driven
• Consistent one-on-ones are the simplest way to grow leaders from within
• Know when to develop talent internally and when to hire outside A-players
• Three unsolvable problems became the clearest sign it was time to sell
• Post-exit identity reset is real, and most entrepreneurs don't see it coming

About Chris Donnelly:

Chris Donnelly is a galvanizer who removes barriers to agency for mid-market CEOs. After selling his business in 2023, he's navigating his "second curve"—from operator to advisor—serving as a Vistage chair and strategic advisor. Chris helps stuck CEOs ($30-200M revenue) escape operational quicksand by building systems that solve problems without them. Drawing on frameworks from psychology, strategy, and power dynamics, he transforms decision paralysis into decisive action. He's proof that your next chapter can be more meaningful than your first.

Connect:

Website www.vistage.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/chrisdonnellyvistage

Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more.

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Her son asked her one question that changed everything. How many tons of plastic are you personally responsible for sitting in a landfill right now? For Marta Sylvester, founder and CEO of NuGen Packaging, that moment didn't just sting. It sparked a company.

After 20 years climbing the ranks of the traditional packaging industry, Marta walked away from a VP of Sales role to build something she actually believed in. Today, NuGen Packaging is a leading sustainable packaging solutions provider and the first company in the U.S. to introduce aluminum bottles to the nutraceutical and OTC markets.

Key Takeaways:

• Breaking into B2B sales without a degree
• Why she left a VP role after 20 years in corporate
• Surviving pandemic supply chain chaos
• Convincing skeptical brands to ditch plastic
• Building a learning culture in a lean team
• Her three-year vision for disrupting packaging

Marta also opens up about imposter syndrome, navigating a male-dominated industry as a woman founder, and her plans to support other women in business through WeBank.

About Marta Sylvester:

Marta is the Founder and CEO of NuGen Packaging, a packaging solutions provider changing the way brands think about sustainability. With more than three decades of experience, she brings both expertise and fresh perspective to how packaging can drive impact in today’s market.

Connect:

Website nugenpackaging.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/martasylvester/; linkedin.com/company/nugen-packaging
Instagram @nugen_packaging

This episode is brought to you by NuGen Packaging, Modern Solutions, Sustainable Impact. Go to nugenpackaging.com to learn more.

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What does it really take to build a brand people trust and remember? In this episode of Founders Forum, Amy N. Wicks, P.E. shares how she turns insight into impact and helps founders create meaningful connections that support long term growth.

Joined by guest co-host Chris Donnelly, the conversation explores Amy’s journey through business growth, brand strategy, and staying authentic in a crowded market. She opens up about early challenges, key turning points, and what it really takes to build something sustainable, not just something that launches.

You’ll also hear practical insights on how founders can position themselves more clearly, communicate their value, and stay aligned with their bigger vision as they scale.

Key Takeaways:

• Clear messaging matters
• Authenticity builds trust
• Storytelling strengthens connection
• Growth comes from key pivots
• Positioning sets you apart

About Amy Wicks:

Amy Wicks, P.E., is the Founder and President of Wicks Consulting Group, a civil engineering and planning firm focused on resilient land development and sustainable infrastructure. She specializes in stormwater management, flood resiliency, and helping communities grow responsibly in rapidly changing environments. Amy is passionate about building projects — and teams — that create lasting impact for both clients and communities.

Connect:

Website wickscg.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/amy-wicks-149aa911/; linkedin.com/company/wicks-consulting-group/

Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by Wicks Consulting Group; where innovation meets sustainability in civil engineering. Go to www.wickscg.com to learn more.

📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!

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🎤 Got a success story worth sharing?
We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.

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