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  • Power-Up Your Influence, Thought Leadership, and Personal Brand - with Kelly Schuknecht

    Power-Up Your Influence, Thought Leadership, and Personal Brand - with Kelly Schuknecht
    Feb 17 2026
    In this episode, Sean sits down with Kelly Schuknecht, the founder of 2 Mile High Marketing, to discuss how early-stage entrepreneurs can harness their unique voices to become industry-recognised thought leaders. Kelly shares her personal transition from a 20-year career in publishing and marketing to launching her own agency after a sudden layoff. The conversation dives deep into her strategic four-step framework for building authority, leveraging LinkedIn, podcasting, public speaking, and book publishing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Building thought leadership is most effective through a tiered progression: establishing a presence on LinkedIn, guesting on podcasts, engaging in public speaking, and finally, publishing a book. Podcasting is not just about reaching a new audience; it is a critical tool for entrepreneurs to refine their messaging by learning what questions their market is asking. Kelly admits to a significant fear of public speaking but overcomes it by shifting her focus from herself to the value of the message she is providing the audience. Writing a book is a mountain many entrepreneurs fear, but ghostwriting services allow experts to extract their deep knowledge into a professional format without the time-consuming burden of writing it themselves. Successful entrepreneurship involves leading through the "messy middle," which requires business owners to manage their own stress so it doesn't negatively impact the health and productivity of their team. BEST MOMENTS "I believe that every business leader has an influential voice, you can grow your business by flexing your voice to become a recognised thought leader." "It's really about me refining my message, as you're asking me questions, I learn what people don't know about what I know." "The fear is really just this internal thing that we have to get over because we have so much to share. It's not about you, it's about the message." "A lot of times people have built their business to a certain point and they're like, 'I know I need to do other things to continue growing, I just don't have the time.'" "I have to control my own need to get stuff done and move fast, because sometimes you've got to slow down to make sure you can keep moving forward." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    45 Min.
  • Scaling Your Business Without Chaos. Lessons from Matthew Person, Founder of Town Square Advisors.

    Scaling Your Business Without Chaos. Lessons from Matthew Person, Founder of Town Square Advisors.
    Feb 10 2026
    Today, Sean sits down with Matt Person, founder of Town Square Advisors and author of the upcoming book, ‘The Culture of Alignment: How to Intentionally Design High-Trust, High-Performance Organizations’. Matt shares his personal journey from a high-stakes career in professional sports management to founding his own consultancy. He introduces the Square Management System, a transformative framework designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses while maintaining a healthy, high-performing company culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS This is defined as the known degree to which an employee can action their own ideas within set guardrails; defining this ‘box’ is the essence of corporate culture. True durable success is impossible without alignment across the staff; misalignment is tangible, creates friction, and often leads to organisational failure. Culture happens by default if it isn't designed by intent; without a structured framework, employees will set their own ‘squares’, leading to inconsistent ‘fiefdoms’ across departments. A well-defined culture acts as a screening tool for hiring; 50% of new hires fail within 18 months, often because they were hired for ‘gut feel’ rather than a specific fit for the company's ‘square’. BEST MOMENTS "If you don't actively design and build your company culture, your business will likely never achieve its highest potential." "The degree to which you constrain an employee's independence, is actually corporate culture." "An incomplete square is so common because they haven't figured out how to put the whole thing together. That is how you get fiefdoms and different ways of doing things." "Once you have trust, and I trusted and everyone trusted that they were in the same box, it allows you to not ask questions. You just know." "People don’t start their first day disgruntled, but 50% of them don’t make it 18 months. It’s obviously not working." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    47 Min.
  • Meet Swyvvl. The Disruptors Coming for the Real Estate Giants.

    Meet Swyvvl. The Disruptors Coming for the Real Estate Giants.
    Feb 3 2026
    In this episode, Sean O'Hara sits down with Chad Link and Rob Brower, the co-founders of Swyvvl. Swyvvl is a revolutionary real estate marketplace designed to disrupt the traditional industry model by putting money back into the pockets of homebuyers and sellers. Chad and Rob share their entrepreneurial journeys, including the personal and professional challenges they’ve overcome, such as Chad’s experience of sleeping in his office and car to keep his first brokerage afloat. They dive deep into how Swyvvl eliminates high referral fees charged by corporate giants like Zillow and Redfin, allowing real estate agents to compete by offering a portion of their commission back to their clients. KEY TAKEAWAYS Swyvvl is a nationwide home search platform that connects buyers and sellers with agents who compete by offering a portion of their commission, often ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, back to the client. The platform aims to eliminate the 30-50% referral fees that agents typically pay to large corporate platforms like Zillow and Redfin, redirecting that money to consumers to help with down payments and closing costs. Chad Link shares a powerful story of sleeping on his office floor and in his car for over a year during a divorce to ensure his business survived, emphasising that entrepreneurs must be willing to make extreme sacrifices. The success of Swyvvl relies on the synergy between Chad’s 20 years of real estate expertise and Rob’s background in technology and digital media. Swyvvl uses a blind ‘Share Experience’ bidding process where agents bid to represent clients based on home data without seeing personal details, ensuring a fair and competitive environment. BEST MOMENTS "If you're going to be an entrepreneur, you are going to walk that razor's edge more often than you want, whether that's financially, mentally, time-wise, or family-wise." "You better have that type of tenacity, if you're not willing to do it, don't start it, don't do it, because you're going to be one of these people that are going to wash out." "We are creating a new marketplace that allows homebuyers and sellers to be able to negotiate with real estate agents regarding that commission, rather than sharing it with a company that has absolutely nothing to do with the actual transaction." "It's almost like a marriage. We've got to respect each other's opinions, we've got to be able to trust one another." "You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable, there's not really a school for it, and they can be brutal on you." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    56 Min.
  • Live Like an Energetic Millionaire - Tim Thomas (Part 2).

    Live Like an Energetic Millionaire - Tim Thomas (Part 2).
    Jan 27 2026
    In this episode, Sean welcomes back former MMA fighter and Special Forces soldier Tim Thomas. Their discussion centers on the transformative power of breathwork, particularly its role in optimising recovery, enhancing sleep, and managing PTSD. Tim shares his personal journey from hitting rock bottom, facing undiagnosed PTSD, severe fatigue, and relationship breakdowns, to discovering how breathwork could rebuild his life and performance. Sean also reveals the results of his own challenge to implement Tim’s techniques, discussing how prioritising sleep and simple breathing exercises significantly improved his energy, mental acuity, and overall quality of life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Quality sleep isn't a luxury; it's a non-negotiable biological necessity. Sleep deprivation severely impacts mental health, increasing the likelihood of issues by 200-300% and hindering the body's ability to clear waste products from the brain. Engaging in simple breathwork exercises can interrupt the body's stress response (‘survival mode’), helping to regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and transition the body into a state of rest and recovery. True high performance is built on a base of rest, recovery, and healing. Focusing solely on output (business goals, targets) without a solid foundation of recovery leads to burnout and diminishing returns. A simple ‘biohack’ for calming the nervous system involves splashing cold water on your face. This triggers the mammalian dive reflex, which instantly lowers heart rate and signals the body to conserve energy and reduce stress. You don't need hours of meditation. Consistent, small actions, like 15 minutes of breathwork before bed or taking three deep breaths during a stressful workday, can lead to massive improvements in sleep quality, mood, and mental clarity over time. BEST MOMENTS "Sleep is the soil that everything in your life is nourished in and grows from." "I was one of those guys who built his life on pushing hard, cashing in my tomorrows to live today, and eventually my tomorrows started catching up to me." "I realised if my team's having a bad day, I'm having a bad day. So simply by accessing breath, accessing better sleep. All of a sudden everything just became a whole lot more workable." "True high performance is built on a base of rest, recovery, and healing art forms. The top looks nothing like the bottom." "If you think life is hard, it's possibly hard to be around you. You're possibly the one in a crappy mood." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    50 Min.
  • Say Yes, Figure It Out Later: The Creative Path to Breakthrough Opportunities - with Paul Pape.

    Say Yes, Figure It Out Later: The Creative Path to Breakthrough Opportunities - with Paul Pape.
    Jan 20 2026
    Today, Sean sits down with Paul Pape, a creative powerhouse known as the ‘Santa for Nerds’. Paul shares his incredible 20-year journey from inventing pop-out architectural furniture to creating viral custom collectibles and props for giants like The Tonight Show, Disney, and Nickelodeon. They discuss the critical ‘Bend, Don't Break’ mindset that saved Paul’s career when technology threatened his first business, and his ‘Say Yes, Figure It Out Later’ approach that landed him a high-stakes project building a life-size LEGO Seinfeld set. KEY TAKEAWAYS When the market shifts or technology renders your product obsolete, you must be willing to pivot immediately. Standing rigid like a redwood will only lead to the collapse of your business; flexibility is the key to longevity. Growth often comes from accepting challenges you aren't fully prepared for. Whether it’s building a trophy for a worm-charming competition or a LEGO set for Jerry Seinfeld, trusting your ability to learn on the fly can open massive doors. Perfectionism kills momentum. Don't wait until a product is flawless to release it. Get it to a ‘done’ state, ship it, and refine it through future iterations based on real-world feedback. In the age of social media vanity metrics, entrepreneurs often obsess over viral fame. Paul argues you don't need millions of followers; you need 100 true fans who resonate with your specific passion to build a sustainable business foundation. In a crowded marketplace, your product is often just a commodity. The true differentiator is your story and your identity. When you sell who you are, the money becomes an exchange of value for your unique magic, not just a transaction for goods. BEST MOMENTS "You'll never be satisfied with perfect, you just gotta be satisfied with done." "Bend, don't break. I know too many people who stand as redwoods with their ideas, their ideologies, and their products. And what happens is when the seasons change, they can't adjust." "Quit selling your sh*t, sell yourself. You are the wizard. You are the magic item maker." "If you can run a lemonade stand, you can run a business. You just need to understand scaling. It's all it is." "There's 8.3 billion people on this planet. If you can find those 100 people [who love what you do], they will be your fans." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    49 Min.
  • Recruit Top Talent to Your Team - with EA Clarke

    Recruit Top Talent to Your Team - with EA Clarke
    Jan 13 2026
    In this episode of the Durable Entrepreneur Show, host Sean O'Hara welcomes EA Clark, founder of Pivot and Edge, to discuss the critical importance of hiring the right talent for early-stage companies. With decades of experience in recruitment and a successful entrepreneurial journey of his own, EA shares insights on how to attract, hire, and retain team members who align with a company's culture and vision. He emphasizes the need for a marketing-first approach in recruitment, highlighting the significance of storytelling in attracting candidates who are genuinely passionate about the mission of the organization. EA also introduces the innovative "hub" technology that amplifies a company's message and engages potential hires, ultimately leading to a stronger foundation for sustainable growth. Tune in to learn valuable lessons on perseverance, the role of culture in hiring, and how to build a team that drives success beyond the critical early years. KEY TAKEAWAYS Early-stage companies should prioritise hiring individuals who not only possess the necessary skills but also align with the company's mission and culture. This cultural fit is crucial for long-term success and retention. Traditional recruitment often overlooks the importance of storytelling and marketing in attracting candidates. By amplifying the company's vision and culture through marketing strategies, organisations can attract candidates who are genuinely interested in their mission. Engaging potential candidates with compelling stories about the company's vision, mission, and culture can create a stronger connection. This approach helps candidates understand the organisation better and fosters a sense of belonging. Implementing tools like AI can enhance the recruitment process by streamlining tasks such as interview summaries. However, it's essential to ensure that technology adds value without replacing the personal touch that storytelling provides. Retaining talent is closely tied to employees' motivation and curiosity about the company's mission. When employees feel connected to the organisation's goals, they are more likely to stay engaged and committed, even during challenging times. BEST MOMENTS "I think the term durable... all of us had to have that kind of component piece to it before we would have gone to that step." “If you find those people, those are the people that are going to work tirelessly to solve it. They’re going to be the ones that wake up thinking about the organization." "You're looking for the people that have the same fire in their belly that the founder has." "I think AI has a place. I think it will continue to have more places. But the question needs to get asked, is that going to provide more value to us?" "Don't you want to work for a company that... you know, maybe you don't want to work for a company that does certain things against what you like?" HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    45 Min.
  • Nichole Daher's Recession-Proof Franchise: Success on the Spectrum

    Nichole Daher's Recession-Proof Franchise: Success on the Spectrum
    Jan 6 2026
    To kick off the new year, Sean interviews Nichole Daher, the founder of Success on the Spectrum, a ground breaking franchise dedicated to providing essential care for children with autism. Nicole shares her personal journey, which began as a quest to find adequate support for her own autistic daughter, leading her to create a thriving business model that has expanded to 78 locations across 20 states since its inception in 2018. They delve into the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlights the unique advantages of the franchise model, including its recession-resistant nature and the strong community of franchisees. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey began with a personal need to find quality care for an autistic child, which led to the realisation of a larger demand for such services. This highlights the importance of recognising and addressing unmet needs in the market. The business model proved to be recession-resistant, thriving even during the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting services to meet the needs of families and school districts. This demonstrates the value of flexibility and innovation in business. The decision to franchise the business model allowed for rapid expansion, enabling others to participate in a proven system while helping to meet the growing demand for autism services across the country. The commitment to providing high-quality, one-on-one care sets the business apart from competitors. This focus on quality not only benefits the children receiving services but also builds trust with families and enhances the brand's reputation. Building a supportive community among franchisees fosters collaboration and shared learning. This network allows franchise owners to help each other solve problems and improve their operations, creating a positive environment for growth and success. BEST MOMENTS "I discovered that 80 to 90% of all ABA therapy places across the country only accept and treat kids up to age seven. And then they just push them off into the school system." "We were very fortunate that my business model is an essential healthcare service. So we were able to technically stay open, but we also flipped the script a little bit." "It seemed like a dark moment for you, but it actually turned out to be kind of a proving point where you got right through it." "I came into this prepared to lose money. It was going to be a tax write-off from my daughter. And when we made money, I was like, 'Oh!'" "We have served over 6,000 families since the inception of Success on the Spectrum. And so that is very impactful." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    50 Min.
  • The AI LinkedIn Advantage - with Al Kushner

    The AI LinkedIn Advantage - with Al Kushner
    Dec 30 2025
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-kushner/ Today, Sean sits down with Al Kushner, founder of LinkedVantage and author of "The AI LinkedIn Advantage." They delve into the transformative power of AI in enhancing LinkedIn strategies for early-stage entrepreneurs. Al shares insights on optimising LinkedIn profiles, creating impactful content, and the importance of personalised outreach. He emphasises the shift from quantity to quality in building relationships and highlights the value of video content and newsletters in establishing thought leadership. KEY TAKEAWAYS Utilise AI tools to enhance your LinkedIn strategy, but always ensure that the final content reflects your authentic voice and perspective. AI should assist in content creation, not replace personal input. As connection rates flatten, prioritise building genuine relationships over simply increasing your number of connections. Personalised outreach and authentic engagement are crucial for standing out. Short, engaging video snippets are essential for increasing visibility on LinkedIn. Use video to share insights and then repurpose the content into written posts or newsletters. Create a newsletter to establish a direct line of communication with your audience. This allows you to maintain relationships outside of LinkedIn's platform and ensures you have access to your subscribers' emails. Regularly post valuable content and engage with your audience to build trust and authority. Consistency in your posting schedule is more important than aiming for viral content, as it fosters long-term relationships and visibility. BEST MOMENTS "LinkedIn is transforming from a professional resume repository into an AI-powered business operating system. Entrepreneurs who master AI-enhanced relationship building will have an unfair competitive advantage." "AI as a copilot, not autopilot. Never publish AI content directly. Instead, use it as a starting point and inject your voice, stories, or unique perspective." "It seems really important because I've seen posts on LinkedIn that are using AI in the wrong way. It looks like they threw a prompt into chat GPT and posted it." "The key is consistency. Posting sporadically and expecting momentum won't work. LinkedIn rewards consistency." "Every post, connection, and engagement should ladder up to one or more of your business objectives. Newsletters and short-form videos are crucial." HOST BIO Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist. With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it. Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    42 Min.