In Episode 26 of the Founder's Fire Podcast, Eric Beck sits down with entrepreneur Steven Kozakowski to talk about what it really takes to build a business in today’s unpredictable world.

From starting his first company at 22 years old to navigating multiple economic cycles, Steven shares lessons from the front lines of entrepreneurship. The conversation explores risk, discipline, faith, ownership, and why many entrepreneurs feel called to take a different path than the traditional plan society offers.

Eric and Steven also discuss the massive opportunity emerging in the business world today as millions of baby boomer owned businesses prepare to sell or shut down. For entrepreneurs willing to step in, acquire, and build systems, the next decade may present one of the greatest opportunities in business history.

In this conversation you will learn:

• Why many entrepreneurs are natural contrarians
• The moment Steven decided the traditional career path was not for him
• How calculated risk shapes successful entrepreneurs
• The difference between owning a business and owning a job
• Why relationships and team building matter more than money
• The massive opportunity in acquiring existing businesses
• How discipline, faith, and daily routines anchor entrepreneurs during uncertain times

If you are building a business, thinking about entrepreneurship, or searching for greater purpose in your work, this episode will challenge how you think about ownership, impact, and leadership.

Subscribe for more conversations that help entrepreneurs build businesses with purpose, discipline, and long term vision.

In Episode 25 of The Founders Fire Podcast, Eric Beck sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and community builder Shane Sams for a powerful conversation about identity, transformation, and what it really takes to change.

This is not a tactical episode about scaling funnels or increasing EBITDA. This is about the deeper work behind every successful entrepreneur.

Eric and Shane unpack:

• Why most people never truly change
• The danger of building a business around a false identity
• How small daily actions create real transformation
• Why selling your business can feel like a death and a rebirth
• The emotional side of success that no one talks about
• The difference between chasing money and becoming who you are meant to be
• Why men need brotherhood more than ever

They also discuss grief, ego, legacy, burnout, and the hidden cost of tying your identity to your business.

If you are an entrepreneur feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure what comes next, this episode will challenge you in the best way.

This conversation goes deep.

Subscribe for more episodes that help you grow not just your business, but yourself.

In Episode 24 of the Founders Fire Podcast, Eric Beck sits down with Dave Marx, founder and managing principal of Frontrunner Consulting. Dave operates at the intersection of capital, leadership, and business acquisition, helping founders successfully navigate the sale of their companies.

If you have ever wondered what your business is really worth, how buyers think, or when the right time to sell might be, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What makes a business truly valuable in the marketplace
• Why customer concentration and owner dependency matter
• How institutional buyers differ from individual buyers
• What realistic revenue growth looks like to investors
• How adjusted earnings and add backs impact valuation
• Good reasons to sell and red flags that hurt deals
• What actually happens behind the scenes in an M&A process

Dave also shares what motivates him in this work and why selling a business is often the most emotional financial decision an owner will ever make.

If you are building with the long game in mind or considering an exit strategy, this episode will give you clarity from the other side of the table.