UMuseUs is a focused social platform for musicians and music lovers — all the best parts of your favorite networks, without the noise and drama. Founder Justin Whitman shares his vision for building community through music. 🌐 Learn more about UMuseUs: https://umuseus.com/ #AmplifiedCEO #Entrepreneurship #StartupMindset #Leadership #FounderLife #CEOInspiration #MusicIndustry #Musicians…
What powers one of North Carolina’s most active startup hubs? Not money—people. Heather McWhorter, Director of UNC Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, explains how 200+ volunteers, mentors, and community leaders fuel programs like 1 Million Cups, mentor networks, and the Blue Economy Alliance. 📺 Full episode: @ #AmplifiedCEO #StartupEcosystem…
The #1 mistake early-stage founders make? Underestimating time. Heather McWhorter, Director of UNC Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, shares why most “overnight successes” actually take 7 years—and why personal and financial runway are essential to survive. 📺 Full episode: @ #AmplifiedCEO #StartupFounders #Entrepreneurship #FounderLife #StartupTips #BusinessReality
What if the whole band got the spotlight, not just the singer? That’s the vision behind UMuseUs — a platform created by Justin Whitman to empower musicians, support artists, and connect communities through music. 🎧 Watch the full episode: @ #AmplifiedCEO #Entrepreneurship #StartupMindset #Leadership #FounderLife #CEOInspiration #MusicIndustry #Musicians #IndieMusic #MusicCommunity…
Sometimes as a founder, you get horse blinders. At the Elevate Conference, Justin Whitman realized he needed to shift his mindset — from founder mentality to what it would be like running a billion-dollar company. That’s the mindset fueling his journey with UMuseUs, a new platform for musicians and music…
Justin Whitman went from touring musician to tech founder. Now, as Founder & CEO of UMuseUs, he’s building a platform that gives musicians and fans a new way to connect. In this episode of Amplified CEO, host Richard Stroupe talks with Justin about his journey from music to entrepreneurship, the…
n this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with Heather McWhorter, Director of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a board member at NC IDEA. Heather shares her journey from Penn State to southeastern North Carolina—and how she’s helping shape Wilmington’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. They discuss: •…
One of the biggest mistakes early-stage founders make? Building the solution before talking to a single customer. 🎙️ In this clip from Amplified CEO with Richard Stroupe, Heather McWhorter at at UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship breaks down: ✅ Why testing your idea first is critical ✅ Why MVPs…
“The warfighter needs it now—but bureaucracy slows it all down.” Former Marine and AWS leader Giles Walger explains why innovation struggles to reach the battlefield — and what must change to fix it.
What if breaking into the federal market didn’t have to be a bureaucratic nightmare? In this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with Giles Walger — retired Marine, former AWS mission engineering lead, and founder of OODAx — to talk about what it really takes for startups to…
Can AI help fix inefficiency in government? From wasted payroll to a culture of complacency, Richard Stroupe and Chris Hornbecker share real stories and real hope for change.
After selling a company, the celebration fades fast. What follows? Doubt. Guilt. Imposter syndrome. Richard Stroupe and Chris Hornbecker discuss the mental shift that hits high achievers once the momentum stops — and the drive to prove it wasn’t just luck.
Chris Hornbecker and Richard Stroupe discuss how mentorship, storytelling, and learning from real entrepreneurs shaped their journey. The best business education comes from those who’ve walked the walk.
AI is coming—whether we like it or not. Chris Hornbecker and Richard Stroupe explore the bigger picture: population trends, national competitiveness, immigration, and the urgent need to create jobs in an AI-powered future.
Chris Hornbecker and Richard Stroupe talk about the rapid changes AI is bringing to the workforce. From cloud computing to e-commerce, every tech wave created new opportunities. But are we moving fast enough this time?
Chris Hornbecker — What Comes Next: Founders, Exits, and the Future of AI In this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with Chris Hornbecker, a serial founder and former tech CEO with multiple successful exits, including companies like Xgility and Solutions Developers. Together, they explore what life looks…
Tyson Nargassans didn’t just play to win — he played to grow. In this clip, he shares how his time as a college basketball player shaped his leadership style, taught him how to build culture, and prepared him to lead in business. Because sometimes, the real win isn’t on the…
When Tyson Nargassans told his coach he might transfer, he was met with a calm but pivotal challenge: “I won’t beg you to stay.” That moment — and his decision to stick it out — shaped how he faces adversity in business and in life. From near quitting to leading…
Tyson Nargassans shares why the real power lies in listening to the market — and proving people actually want what you’re building.
Tyson Nargassans explains how taking too little money — just to avoid dilution — can cripple your vision. If you’re fundraising, listen up.
Bootstrapping sounds brave. Until it bleeds you dry. Tyson Nargassans shares what he tells other founders: - Set a funding cap - Treat yourself like a VC - Prove it — or walk away
What does it really take to build a $10M ARR company, survive a financial crash, pivot through a recession, and still come out on top? On this episode of Amplified CEO, Richard Stroupe sits down with Tyson Nargassans — Operating Advisor at Jurassic Capital and Founder and former CEO of…
Robin Cowie shares the real-world impact of Skillmaker.ai—from saving careers to opening doors for those who were previously overlooked. It’s more than tech—it’s about giving people a future. 🎧 Catch the full episode + links to your favorite podcast platforms → @plifiedceo/ #AI #XR #FutureOfLearning #AmplifiedCEO #RobinCowie #SkillmakerAI #ImmersiveTech
What used to take two years to learn can now be mastered in just 25 days. Robin Cowie, Founder & CEO of Skillmaker.ai, explains how immersive technology and smart glasses are revolutionizing workforce training—especially in the skilled trades. 📍 Full episode + links to your favorite podcast platforms → @plifiedceo/…