Entrepreneur Conundrum

Episode Title: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Better Engineering Teams with Thanos Diacakis
Guest: Thanos Diacakis
Host: Virginia Purnell
Podcast: Entrepreneur Conundrum

Links & Resources:

• Website: https://www.cosmicteacups.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanosd/
• Download: 7 Mental Models for Software Development

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Thanos turned early startup experience into a career of helping software teams scale
• Common misconceptions about engineering productivity
• The four types of work all software teams should balance
• Why going “faster” often starts with doing less
• Thanos’ ABCD framework: Iteration, Quality, Complexity, Planning
• The truth about burnout, identity, and finding joy in software again
• Best advice Thanos has ever received—and given
• His favorite book (Changing on the Job) and favorite movie (A Few Good Men)

Ideal For:

• Startup founders with growing engineering teams
• CTOs and engineering managers facing team burnout or delivery delays
• Anyone curious about the intersection of software development and team health

Subscribe & Review:
Love what you hear? Subscribe to Entrepreneur Conundrum and leave a review to help more founders find their flow.

Key Questions

(01:12) How did you end up on this journey and where you are today?

(02:32) Who's your ideal client today?

(04:00) How do you get in front of these people?

(08:12) What are a couple of big goals that you're looking to achieve in the next year or two?

(09:00) How would that affect your business?

(09:41) So I think you've already touched on all of the questions about how to deliver software faster by doing less. I think we talked about that with time allocation, right? Is there anything else that you wanted to touch on?

(15:36) Is working with you an ongoing long term aspect, or is it for a certain time It will usually start with some engagement to the tune of six months.

(17:52) Is it hard to find where the bottleneck is in the software?

(20:16) What is the best advice that you have ever received?

(21:30) What's the best advice you've ever given?

(23:35) I have that question, too, because you've done quite a few startups, and you have a family and stuff like So do you have any tips on how you were able to try to have that balance?

(25:57) Is there anything else that you would like to talk about that we haven't yet?

(26:10) What is your favorite book and movie?

(29:21) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do?

Thanos Diacakis

https://www.cosmicteacups.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanosd/

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

In this episode, we discuss:

• Kash's entrepreneurial journey from cutting lawns to building an $11M insurance agency
• How Transcendental Meditation and spiritual practices shaped his business success
• The difference between intellect and intelligence in decision-making
• Why emotional and energetic alignment are crucial for scaling
• How Kash defines success beyond just money
• Building systems to “fade out” of the daily grind and elevate leadership
• The power of customer experience and spiritual alignment in client attraction
• Risk-taking from an intuitive, whole-brain approach
• Kash’s philosophy: “Water the root, enjoy the fruit.”
   

Connect with Kash Fadaie:
🌐 Website: https://fadaieinsurance.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Kash Fadaie
📧 Email: kash@fadaieinsurance.com

Key Questions

(01:00) Can you give us a little bit of a backstory about how you got to where you are today?

(02:35) What insurance do you sell?

(04:05) Do you do travel insurance, too?

(12:37) So today, who would you say are your ideal clients?

(15:38) How do you get in front of those people?

(21:15) How have you found merging spirituality and business together?

(28:55) What are some big goals that you have next year or two?

(36:53) I think you've already touched on it, but is there something that you can share with us about the art of risk? Is there risk-taking and how to evaluate and embrace opportunities?

(43:07) What is the best advice that you have ever received?

(50:28) What's the best advice you've ever given?

(53:14) We've covered a bunch of things. Is there something that we haven't touched on yet that you would like to?

Kash Fadaie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/khashayar-kash-fadaie-95488434/

https://fadaieinsurance.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k56eMgEck0U

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

Guest: Mel McSherry
LinkedIn: @melmcsherry
Instagram: @mel_mcsherry

Episode Highlights:

• Mel’s entrepreneurial origin story and the transition from fitness to business coaching
• Why honoring your energy is essential for sustainable success
• How human design can validate your instincts and simplify decision-making
• The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when trying to follow copy-paste business advice
• The difference between “coach” and “guide”—and why Mel prefers the latter
• Her dream of hosting or joining more in-person retreats
• Simple energy management tips you can start using today

Want a safe, no-pressure chat with Mel?
👉 Book a complimentary virtual coffee: virtualcaffeewithmel.com

🔗 Listen to the full episode

Key Questions

(00:54) Can you share with us how you ended up where you 

(10:09) So who do you serve now?

(11:43) How do you get in front of those people?

(13:04) You had mentioned LinkedIn earlier. Do you still use that platform today?

(15:28) What are some common mistakes that people tend to be doing when they first come to work?

(20:06) You had mentioned the readings in the charts a couple of times. What are some of the areas that get covered.

(25:28) Do I fill out a questionnaire? Is that how we would do it?

(27:20) So what are some big goals that you are looking to achieve in the next year?

(28:44) How would that affect your business?

(31:39) Do you have any tips or things that you can share with us in regards to being profitable, mentally, emotionally, and financially every day?

(33:21) What's the best advice that you have ever received?

(34:27) What about the best advice you've ever given

(34:53) Is there something that we haven't touched on that you would like to talk about?

(35:19) Sounds good. Speaking of which, where can we go to learn more about you and what you do?

Mel McSherry

https://www.melmcsherry.com
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmcsherry/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mel_mcsherry

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

Guest: Jhana Li
Company: Spyglass Ops
Platforms:
📸 Instagram
📘 Facebook
💼 LinkedIn
📺 YouTube

Topics Discussed:

• The real reason most entrepreneurs stall out
  
   
• How operations can make or break your ability to scale
  
   
• When to hire operations help (hint: not when the house is already on fire)
  
   
• The three pillars of intrinsic leadership
  
   
• What founders get wrong about delegation
  
   
• Why Jhana loves operations (and why you don’t have to)
  
   
• Her system to resist shiny object syndrome
  
   
• How to build A-player teams—remotely
  
   

📩 DM “entrepreneur conundrum podcast” to @thejhanali on IG for free training and support

Key Questions
(00:58) Can you tell us a little bit about how you got to where you are?

(02:17) Who would you say are your ideal clients these days?

(02:43) When you say operations side, what are you meaning?

(04:03) How do you get in front of these people?

(04:52) Are there any common mistakes or pitfalls that clients tend to have when they start working with you?

(06:45) So in an ideal situation then, when would I know that right now it's a really good time to come and see you?

(08:07) Are some of those people, or a lot of those people, scared to, let's say, give up the power?

(09:34) What are some big goals that you're looking to achieve in the next year or two?

(10:34) Can you share with us a little bit about building A teams, especially ones that are remote?

(12:51) Do you think that they don't hire up because they have that subconscious fear, or could it be like a money thing? Oh, they're too expensive.

(15:03) Intrinsic leadership. How can we lead even if we're not the smartest one in the party?

(20:44) Don't just set goals, hit them. What can you tell us about that?

(23:08) How do you go down the track with blinders on and not get distracted by the shiny?

(25:01) So then you just make a list of them all, and then when the next quarter comes up, you reevaluate that list and see if there's any that are still interesting?

(26:11) What is some of the best advice that you have ever received?

(28:29) So did it happen just because of conversations you had with them with like, I'm expecting this to be different, or was it just the energy that you brought to the table?

(29:42) What's the best advice you've ever given?

(33:30) We did cover a variety of things, but is there something that we didn't touch on that you would like to?

(35:02) Where can we reach you at and learn more about what you do?

Jhana Li

https://spyglassops.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejhanali
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejhanali/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhana-li/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theJhanaLi/

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

Show Notes

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Colleen’s caregiving journey led to her business
   
• The biggest planning mistakes solopreneurs make
   
• The four pillars of business safety: Money, Insurance, Succession, and Legal Prep
   
• What a “Knock Box” is—and why you need one
   
• The real cost of not planning for emergencies
   
• Her tips on getting in front of the right clients
   
• Why LinkedIn is her platform of choice
   

Links & Resources:

• Website: www.centuryplantbusinessservices.com
   
• LinkedIn: Colleen Watson
   
• Book a session with Colleen: calendly.com/centuryplant
   

Follow Virginia:

• Website: entrepreneurconundrum.com
   
• Instagram: @entrepreneurconundrumpodcast
   
• Facebook: @entrepreneurconundrumpodcast
   
• Twitter: @EnConundrumPod
   

Key Questions

(00:53) Can you tell us a little bit about your entrepreneurial journey?

(04:23) Who are your ideal clients?

(06:34) How do you get in front of those people?

(08:28) Do you do you social media as well to help get in front of those people to have those conversations?

(10:56) Is there someone that you refer them to or just help them find their own person to help them.

(14:10) Do you help people just in the US or do you go other places as well?

(16:05) What are some of the safety So it's the safety net or the four pillars that people should have.

(20:57) So do you have all your ducks in a row?

(24:03) What are some big goals that you have in the next year or two?

(30:03) What's the best advice that you have ever received?

(31:58) What's the best advice you've ever given?

(33:34) Is there anything that we haven't talked about yet that you would like to touch on?

Colleen Watson

https://www.centuryplantbusinessservices.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-watson/

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

Show Notes

• Guest: Chris Vance, CEO of Playground Sessions
• Website: playgroundsessions.com
• Socials:
  
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Threads
• Key topics:
  
  • Chris’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship
  • How Playground Sessions revolutionizes music learning
  • Building a global brand with strong retention rates
  • Marketing strategies: SEO, app store optimization, PR, and influencer collaborations
  • Importance of balance, personal growth, and lifelong learning
  • The evolving world of digital piano learning and gamification
• Chris’s best advice: Stay focused, learn deeply, and lead with integrity
• Connect with Chris: LinkedIn
• Check out Playground Sessions: playgroundsessions.com

Key Questions

(00:59) How did you end up where you are today?

(04:12)  Who is your ideal avatar nowadays?

(05:31) So do schools utilize you guys as well?

(06:24) Is it just piano or do you have other instruments, too?

(06:35)  How do you get in front of your customers?

(09:20) Do you do anything for referrals?

(10:40) You mentioned a goal being expanding to other instruments like guitar Are there any other big goals that you have in the next year or two?

(12:33) What do you feel is your number one roadblock from reaching that? Is it just customer retention or do you think it's more?

(14:20) Can you talk to us a little bit about bootstrapping and scaling and some lessons that you've learned along the way?

(17:14) How has it been for you to intersect, combine your music and the technology and your community all together?

(19:30) Can you walk us through? I want to learn how to play. I have a keyboard, piano. I get your app, then what? How does it work?

(22:36) What's the best advice that you have ever been given, that you've ever received?

(25:47)  What's the best advice you have ever given?

(30:35) Is there something that we haven't touched on yet that you did want to talk about?

(31:42) How do you manage or balance your time?

(33:37)  Where can we learn about you and what you do?

Chris Vance

playgroundsessions.com
https://www.instagram.com/playgroundsessions/profilecard/?igsh=d3p1dGpjbWFla3Bp

https://www.tiktok.com/@playgroundsessions?_t=8qxYEpPo5nD&_r=1

https://www.threads.net/@playgroundsessions

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

SHOW NOTES

Guest: Andrew Amann
Website: ninetwothree.co
LinkedIn: Andrew Amann
X/Twitter: @andrewamann

Key topics:

• Andrew’s pivot from mechanical engineering to AI and software development
  
   
• Early experiments with digital transformation, including VBA-coded automations
  
   
• Founding 923 Studio and delivering 150+ innovative AI and ML products
  
   
• Ideal clients: established brands with innovation labs and funded startups
  
   
• How Andrew and his team win business through SEO, conferences, and LinkedIn outreach
  
   
• Stabilization and growth goals for 923 Studio in 2025
  
   
• How AI can be implemented in enterprise businesses, starting with a knowledge base
  
   
• Balancing business growth with a holistic lifestyle for employees
  
   
• Andrew’s best advice: become an apprentice, learn from both good and bad bosses
  
   
• The 923 Studio name: inspired by their early days working 9 PM to 3 AM
  
   
• Tips for building AI solutions that truly solve real-world problems
  
   

Key Questions

(01:19) Can you tell us a bit about how you ended up where you are today?

(03:15) Who would be your ideal client these days?

(04:03) How do you get in front of these people?

(04:35) Do you have repeat customers?

(05:55) What are some big goals that you'd like to achieve in the next year?

(06:45) Do you use AI within your business?

(08:07) So your goals that you have, how would that affect your business?

(08:55) What do you feel is the number one roadblock from you guys getting there?.

(09:20) Can you talk a little bit about successful AI transformation in enterprise companies?

(11:33) Do you have any tips or anything about how to build AI solutions that will solve our real problems like you were talking about?

(12:55) How about running a holistic agency that uses profit to enhance the lifestyle of all employees?

(13:49) What is the best piece of advice that you've ever received?

(15:13) How did you come up with the business name?

(15:54) What's the best advice you have ever given?

(17:54) Is there anything else that you would like to touch on?

(18:02)  Where can we go to learn more about you and what you're doing?

Andrew Amann

www.ninetwothree.co

Andrew Amann | LinkedIn

x.com/andrewamann

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

Guest: Angela Fowler
Website: www.reallifeaccess.com

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why accessibility is a business growth strategy, not a compliance issue
• The shocking $2 trillion in buying power you're likely overlooking
• Common accessibility mistakes on websites and how to fix them
• How inclusive hiring can become your competitive advantage
• Angela’s personal story of transforming frustration into impact
• Tips to audit your website from a user’s perspective
• Why clear feedback is more helpful than polite compliments

Resources Mentioned:

• WebAIM Contrast Checker
• Angela’s Accessibility Jumpstart Kit (available via newsletter signup)

Connect with Angela:
🔗 www.reallifeaccess.com

Key Questions

(02:05) How did you end up where you are today?

(04:08) Who do you say is your ideal client?

(04:41) How do you get in front of them?

(05:39) You had mentioned taking courses for blog posts and stuff like that. Do you do anything on social media?

(09:20) What are a couple of big goals you're looking to achieve in the next year or two?

(11:49) How is implementing all that stuff into your business? How would that affect your business?

(12:17) What do you feel is the number one roadblock for you reaching those goals?

(13:59) What are some of the things I need to put on my website to be able to help people with disabilities, visual disabilities, to be able to access my website?

(17:03) Are there any stats or numbers or anything that you can share with us on how having accessibility aspects the business's revenue has increased? Like their profit was there?

(18:40) What are some of the other aspects? Because we did touch on website, but what are some other things, other examples?

(20:29) What is some of the best advice that you have ever received?

(21:42) Well, what's the best advice you have ever given?

(23:04) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do?

Angela Fowler

http://www.reallifeaccess.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-fowler-69540135

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

Guest: Michelle Wilson
Business: Wilson Legal
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wilsonlegal
Instagram: @wilson.legal
YouTube: @wilsonlegal164

Topics Discussed:

• Michelle’s surprising path to law (it all started with a speeding ticket)
  
   
• Launching her firm with $10K and no heating
  
   
• The impact of the BRCA1 gene on her business operations
  
   
• How she stepped away for 12 weeks—and had her best month ever
  
   
• Using mindset coaching and systems to scale
  
   
• Her vision to reach $10M in revenue and serve 10,000 Georgia families
  
   
• The role of letters, legacy, and emotionally intelligent estate planning
  
   
• What makes an “A” client—and why she lets the “F” ones go
  
   

Book Mentioned:
So I Can Love You Longer: A Mother’s Message to Her Daughter
Available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible.

Key Questions

(01:05) How did you get to be where you are?

(06:49) Have you stepped yourself out of your business?

(09:29) How does that make you feel? Mixed emotion?

(10:37) Who would you say are your ideal people to work with? Your ideal clients?

(13:17) How do you get in front of these people?

(16:19) To work with you, do I need to live near you?

(20:52) What are some big goals we have for the next year or two?

(22:08) What do you think is the number one roadblock that's stopping you from getting those goals?

(27:25) One of the things I was going to ask is, how have you found overcoming financial obstacles?

(31:04) Did you find that you went online more? That your business went online?

(34:48) What is some of the best advice that you have ever received?

(38:31) What's the best advice that you have ever given?

(42:21) Anyway, is there anything that we haven't talked about yet that you would like to?

Virginia Purnell

Funnel & Visibility Specialist

Distinct Digital Marketing

(833) 762-5336

virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co