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.

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Bill Sprague didn't wait for the perfect moment — he built one. Starting Risk Averse Insurance in 2015 with no clients and a blank slate, Bill and his childhood best friend turned a bold idea into one of Philadelphia's leading commercial insurance brokerages.

Bill Sprague, President and founder of Risk Averse Insurance, shares how he grew a firm built on proactive service, strategic acquisitions, and a culture of accountability. From saying no to the wrong clients to navigating culture clashes during mergers, Bill gets real about what it takes to scale with intention.

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity is a moving target — stepping back regularly to realign with your vision is essential during rapid growth.
• Moving upstream changes everything — transitioning to larger commercial clients required bold decisions and full team buy-in.
• Organic growth fuels staying power — acquisitions are great, but investing in sales training builds the foundation that lasts.
• Culture is built on accountability — Bill's firm runs on a can-do attitude and a winning mentality.
• Start earlier — Bill's biggest advice to his younger self is that the risk of starting a business never gets smaller.

About Bill Sprague:

Bill is the founder and president of Risk Averse Insurance which is a commercial insurance brokerage serving clients in construction, manufacturing, wholesale, and commercial real estate. In business since 2015, Bill and team have turned Risk Averse into a leading brokerage in the area by providing clients a more proactive approach to protecting their business.

Connect:

Website riskaverseinsurance.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/risk-averse-insurance/
Facebook facebook.com/RiskAverseInsurance/

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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If you feel like your company can’t grow unless you work harder, you’re not broken. You’re probably missing the right second-in-command. In this episode of Founders Forum, Alec Broadfoot, Founder and CEO of Vision Spark and author of Hiring Your Right Number Two Leader, joins Marc Bernstein and guest co-host Anthony Naccarato to break down how the right leadership hire can completely change the trajectory of a business.

Alec shares his journey from a short stint in banking to buying businesses at 25 and the hard lesson that even strong operations fall apart with poor hiring. He explains the “science of hiring,” why data and structured assessments outperform gut feel, and how one costly hiring mistake reshaped his entire approach.

Together with Marc and Tony, the conversation also unpacks EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) in simple terms, from 90-day goals to weekly meeting rhythms, and highlights the critical role of the integrator, the number two leader who turns vision into execution. For founders stuck at a ceiling, this episode offers a practical path to reclaim time, improve decisions, and scale with clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• Why hiring mistakes hold businesses back
• The shift from instinct to data-driven hiring
• A simple breakdown of EOS and how it works
• The role and ROI of a strong number two leader
• How founders can scale without burnout

About Alec Broadfoot:

Alec Broadfoot leads VisionSpark® - a consulting firm that has successfully completed over 200 #2 leader searches for entrepreneurial companies, many of whom run on EOS®, and searches for other leadership roles with a 98% placement rate. VisionSpark® is recognized in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Inc. 5000 lists as one of the fastest growing companies in the country. Alec is a member of Strategic Coach®, a sought-after speaker, and the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller “Hiring Your Right #2 Leader.” In his free time, Alec enjoys playing tennis, collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs, and spending time with his family.

Connect:

Website https://visionsparksearch.com/
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/vision_spark/; linkedin.com/in/alecbroadfoot
Facebook: facebook.com/visionspark/

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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Family, trust, and grit are the foundations behind one of the country’s leading structural engineering firms.

Anthony and Pete Naccarato share the story behind O'Donnell & Naccarato Structural Engineers, from its early days built on long hours and strong relationships to becoming a national, employee-owned company. Pete reflects on building the firm with deep trust in his partner, while Tony shares his journey from entry-level engineer to CEO, earning his leadership along the way.

They talk about embracing new technology, building lasting client relationships, and making bold decisions like transitioning to an ESOP, all while staying true to their values. At its core, this is a conversation about stewardship and building something that lasts.

Key Takeaways:

• Trust builds strong partnerships
• Relationships drive repeat business
• Start from the ground up
• Innovation creates opportunity
• ESOPs support long-term growth
• Leadership is stewardship

About Anthony and Pete Naccarato:

Anthony Naccarato is a lifelong Philadelphia resident and a graduate of Villanova University’s College of Engineering. He has spent his entire career at O’Donnell and Naccarato, working his way up from an entry-level role to now serving as Chairman and CEO.

He was born and raised in the Tacony section of Philadelphia, where he lived for over five decades, and now resides in Bella Vista with his wife, Kathee, who he’s been with for 40 years and married to for 35. Together, they have two children, Pete and Grace, and are proud grandparents to Anthony, Declan, and Amelia.

Pete Naccarato is the co-founder of O’Donnell and Naccarato, a nationally recognized structural engineering firm. With decades of experience in the industry, he helped grow the company from a three-person startup into a trusted partner on major projects across multiple markets. Known for his strong work ethic, commitment to client relationships, and values rooted in family and trust, Pete played a key role in building a firm designed for long-term success. He later helped guide the company through its transition to an employee-owned structure, ensuring continuity for both its people and its legacy.

Connect:

Website www.o-n.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/anthony-naccarato-04371a6
Facebook facebook.com/odonnellandnaccarato/

Marc Bernstein's Founders' Forum is brought to you by March Forward, LLC, and this episode is sponsored by O’Donnell and Naccarato, a national structural engineering firm. Visit o-n.com to learn more.

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Most founders don’t start with a clear plan. They start by figuring things out as they go.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mitch Gyger, President and Co-Founder of OPS Security Group, with Vera Hempel as guest co-host. Mitch shares how graduating into the 2009 recession led him to take a security guard role, an opportunity that ultimately shaped his entire career. What started as a stopgap turned into a long-term path as he built experience, earned credibility, and eventually co-founded a company from the ground up.

Mitch opens up about the early days of entrepreneurship, doing every role, making mistakes, and learning without a playbook. He also breaks down how OPS scaled into a 600+ employee organization by focusing on one key principle, putting employees first. From hiring to pricing, that philosophy drives how they operate, even when it means losing short-term deals.

We also explore how Mitch thinks about growth today, from building structured sales systems to staying patient in government contracting, and how he defines success across business, faith, and family.

Key Takeaways:

• Start where you are and build from experience
• Expect chaos early, clarity comes later
• Pay people well to build stronger teams
• Short-term losses can create long-term wins
• Stay patient when timing isn’t in your control
• Plan intentionally across business and life

About Mitch Gyger:

Mitch has over 20 years of experience in the security industry and currently serves as the President of OPS Security Group. Since co-founding the company, he has played a central role in shaping its growth and evolution. In his role as President, Mitch is responsible for setting the company’s strategy, overseeing finance, sales, human resources, and service delivery. His leadership ensures OPS continues to deliver high-quality service while building a culture rooted in integrity and high performance.

Connect:

Website opssecuritygroup.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/mitchgyger/

This episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more.

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Success doesn’t always come from a perfectly mapped out plan. Sometimes it starts with simply showing up and sharing what you know. In this episode of Founders Forum, Deanna Robinson reveals how a few pieces of marketing advice and a batch of cupcakes sparked the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey.

As the founder of Social Impression, Deanna walks us through her evolution from working in a male dominated industry to building a full service marketing agency and stepping into a fractional CMO role. Joined by guest co-host Nik Mondo, Founder and CEO of Mondo Media Solutions, the conversation brings added perspective as they explore real-world business challenges and growth strategies. Deanna shares how she scaled her business while raising three kids, why she chose a contractor based team model, and how staying authentic became her biggest advantage.

The discussion also dives into real world marketing challenges like aligning sales and marketing teams, choosing the right clients, and using AI without losing your brand voice.

Key Takeaways:

• Be confident and authentic
• Start before you feel ready
• Build the right team
• Align sales and marketing
• AI is a tool, not the answer
• Protect your time and energy

About Deanna Robinson:

Deanna is the founder of Social Impression, a full-service marketing agency established in 2012 that helps businesses stand out through strategic planning, creative campaigns, and digital marketing. As a Fractional CMO, she combines big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, guiding clients to reach their goals with a unique laddered marketing approach.

Connect:

Website www.socialimpression.org
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/deannaleerobinson/
Facebook facebook.com/socialimpression
Instagram instagram.com/socialimpression

This episode is brought to you by CamaPlan, A Different Way to Invest. Go to camaplan.com/foundersforum to learn more.

Marc maintains a personal account relationship with CamaPlan. The advisor does not solicit, recommend, or endorse CamaPlan’s products or services in his capacity as an investment advisor, and receives no compensation or other benefit in connection with this relationship. Diversify Advisory Services and DFPG Investments has no affiliation with CamaPlan.

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