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Unfiltered Founders

Unfiltered Founders

By: Darren Penquite & Andy Baker
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About this listen

Unfiltered Founders is a raw, real, and refreshing podcast for anyone ready to break free from the corporate grind and embrace the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Hosted by Darren Penquite and Andy Baker—two former corporate professionals turned business owners—this show dives deep into the highs, lows, and everything in between of starting and scaling a business.

Each episode features candid conversations about the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship: the wins, the losses, the sleepless nights, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're just considering taking the leap or you're a seasoned business owner looking for perspective, encouragement, or the next big idea, Unfiltered Founders delivers honest insights and practical advice—with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart.

Tune in for stories that inspire, advice you can actually use, and the kind of support every founder needs but rarely finds.

© 2025 Unfiltered Founders
Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Scratch an Itch, Find a Niche: The Mental Game of Entrepreneurship
    Jul 8 2025

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    What if your biggest business obstacle isn't market conditions or competition, but the voice inside your head? In this transformative conversation with mindset expert Collin Henderson, we uncover how entrepreneurs can break free from the mental barriers holding them back from true success.

    Collin shares his remarkable journey from Division I athlete to pharmaceutical sales to founding Master Mindset LLC. His personal struggle with performance anxiety and perfectionism led him to discover powerful mindset techniques that completely transformed his results—techniques he now teaches to entrepreneurs, sales teams, and athletes worldwide.

    The conversation dives deep into practical strategies that any business owner can implement immediately. Collin explains how our brains are "worry machines" designed for survival rather than success, and offers tools to counteract the negative thought patterns that sabotage performance. His mantra "I'm not defined by this" provides a powerful framework for separating self-worth from business outcomes.

    We challenge the glorified "hustle culture" that leaves entrepreneurs burned out and unfulfilled. Instead, Collin advocates for what he calls "grooving rather than grinding"—finding energy-giving activities and delegating the rest. His three-year transition from side hustle to full-time business owner serves as a realistic roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs who want sustainable success without sacrificing wellbeing.

    Whether you're struggling with business fears, decision paralysis, or simply feeling that your work has become a grind, Collin's insights will help you reclaim your entrepreneurial spark. As he powerfully states at the end: "The body has limits, but the mind is limitless."

    Ready to transform your entrepreneurial mindset? Listen now and discover how mastering your internal game might be the most profitable business move you'll ever make.

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    47 mins
  • Betting on Yourself: Why Entrepreneurship Changes Everything
    Jun 26 2025

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    What does it really mean to bet on yourself? In this candid conversation with entrepreneur Cory, co-founder of Synergy Insurance Solutions, we dive deep into the mindset shift required to leave the perceived safety of corporate America for the unpredictable—yet potentially more rewarding—world of entrepreneurship.

    Cory's journey from professional tennis coach to successful business owner offers a fascinating roadmap for anyone considering taking the entrepreneurial leap. He shares how his sports background instilled the competitive drive and resilience needed to thrive in business, particularly when facing rejection. "You're going to have to put in the extra reps," Cory explains, comparing business networking to athletic training. "In the business world, it might be doing a lot of elevator pitches and going to a lot of networking events or conferences."

    Throughout his 24-year entrepreneurial career spanning three different businesses, Cory has discovered the power of strategic partnerships. Rather than trying to do everything himself, he's consistently partnered with people whose operational strengths complement his sales and business development expertise. This approach has allowed his ventures to scale in ways that would have been impossible alone. His story of pivoting from Showtime Marketing to Showtime Golf demonstrates the importance of recognizing when something isn't working and having the courage to change direction quickly.

    Perhaps most compelling is Cory's perspective on freedom versus security. He frames the choice between entrepreneurship and corporate employment as being "a bull or a cow," asking listeners to consider what they truly value. "If I earn less money doing this versus climbing the corporate ladder, I'm okay with that because ultimately I value my time over the money piece of it." In an age where corporate jobs are increasingly vulnerable to disruption, the ability to control your own destiny may be the greatest security of all.

    Ready to reconsider what true security means in your career? Listen now to challenge your assumptions and perhaps find the courage to bet on yourself.

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    47 mins
  • Leap of Faith: From Corporate Job to Entrepreneurial Freedom
    Jun 12 2025

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    What does it really take to break free from corporate America and build a thriving business? In this candid conversation, Andy and Darren strip away the glamorized veneer of entrepreneurship to reveal the raw, unfiltered reality of business ownership.

    Andy shares how he strategically transitioned from corporate life by maintaining his employer as a client while building his marketing consultancy. After discovering his marketing agency was growing into territory that didn't align with his strengths, he pivoted to franchise consulting and brokering, adapting his skills to flourishing opportunities. Darren recounts his dramatic exit from healthcare executive leadership during COVID, when ethical conflicts over patient isolation policies became unbearable. Leveraging his 15-year broadcasting background, he launched a media production company that evolved organically into real estate photography and video—a niche he never anticipated but that provided consistent demand regardless of market conditions.

    Both entrepreneurs emphasize that successful business owners possess an almost obsessive level of self-discipline. "Most entrepreneurs are on the spectrum," two previous podcast guests independently observed—a revealing insight into the unique mindset required. Contrary to popular belief, many service-based businesses can launch with minimal capital investment. The real requirements are clarity about your core competency, willingness to delegate non-essential tasks, and the ability to distinguish between a hobby and a viable business model.

    Perhaps most importantly, they debunk the influencer-promoted myth that business ownership means passive income and beach vacations. The reality? "A successful business becomes a freight train that grabs you by the hair and drags you along behind it." Yet despite the challenges, the freedom to make decisions aligned with your values and the potential to build something meaningful on your own terms makes entrepreneurship worth every obstacle overcome.

    Ready to explore your entrepreneurial potential? Join us weekly for more unfiltered insights to help you survive, thrive, and find clarity on your business journey.

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    1 hr and 1 min

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