Jens Heitland speaks with Jeff Helfgott of Boardroom Salon for Men about franchising as a lower-risk way to own a business with more support. Jeff shares the realities of small business ownership that rarely make it to social media, how he vets and guides franchise owners, how his team approaches AI and in-house technology, and why following great people has shaped every step of his career, from a childhood job in a barbershop to leading a 55-location franchise.

Highlights:

00:00 Ep.270_Podcast_Jens_Jeff Helfgott

00:02 Origin Story

06:40 Boardroom Salon & Franchising

14:17 The Vetting Process

19:11 Corporate Leaders to Franchise Owners

22:39 Leading Franchisees to Success

25:55 Mentorship & Personal Journey

31:58 Technology in Franchising

38:47 The Future of Franchising

Guest links:

Connect with Jeff Helfgott

Website: https://www.jeffhelfgott.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhelfgott

Connect with Jens:

https://www.jensheitland.com/links

Stephen Brooks returns for his fourth one-on-one conversation with Jens Heitland, now back in Europe after more than fifteen years in the United States. Together they discuss the difference in business relationships on each side of the Atlantic, Stephen's new book The £10 Business Tool Box: An Entrepreneur's Guide, and why every business should begin with a clearly defined problem. The conversation moves through AI adoption in small and large organizations, how culture is shaped at the top, and the courage it takes both to start a business and to step away from one. Stephen shares the lessons of 38 years in business with characteristic honesty and warmth.

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome back, Stephen Brooks

00:50 Leaving the US after fifteen years

01:59 Doing business in the US compared with Europe

06:55 How relationships are built in European business

07:56 Know what you know

10:08 The £10 Business Tool Box

13:28 Why working nonstop is no badge of honor

14:39 Start with the problem you are solving

17:23 Ideas without problems among students and corporate leavers

19:40 Starting from zero with AI

23:41 The fear factor holding small businesses back

25:01 AI and the human side of business

26:38 Large organizations, Copilot and cautious leadership

30:46 Culture starts at the top

34:23 Leading by example

36:43 Layoffs, courage and leaving corporate life

40:36 Social media and the myth of overnight success

43:45 Why it takes longer than you expect

45:44 Entrepreneurship is not for everybody

47:20 Stephen's next chapter in Europe

48:48 The European Perspective

Guest links:

Connect with Stephen Brooks

Website: https://stephen-brooks.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenabrooks1/

Connect with Jens:

https://www.jensheitland.com/links

In this episode of the Human Innovation Podcast, recorded in The Hague, Jens Heitland sits down with Amit Kasliwal, founder of Dehurdle and former head of corporate sales for Ford Motor Company in India.

Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to the Netherlands

01:04 Networking Mindset Basics

02:14 Introduce Yourself Right

03:23 Energy and Presence

04:57 Teaching Kids by Example

07:31 Work Life as One

09:05 Leaving Corporate Behind

10:11 INSEAD and Self-Awareness

12:39 Resigning After TEDx

14:12 Early Founder Survival

15:47 Finding the Startup Idea

18:10 Pivots and Building Team

19:34 Hiring for Values Fit

19:53 Hiring By Trying

20:43 Going Global Intentionally

22:56 Corporate Lessons Ford

24:56 Drive To Make Impact

27:29 One Minute Product Pitch

30:33 Use Cases And Differentiation

31:55 Growth Targets And Markets

33:35 Cultural Intelligence Feature

36:24 AI Hype Versus Real Demos

38:02 Advice For New Founders

40:43 Closing Thanks And Wrap

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitkasliwalofficial/

Website: www.dehurdle.com

Connect with Jens:

https://www.jensheitland.com/links