In this unfiltered episode, Sonia sits down with Anthony Franco, a serial founder with six successful exits, to dismantle the myths around startup success. From the dreamer trap to overbuilding features no one asked for, Anthony shares hard-won lessons that every founder needs to hear.

They unpack:

-Why execution beats ideas (even in the age of AI)

-What founders get wrong about funding and MVPs

-The myth of “just hire a salesperson” for growth

-How burnout is often a signal you’re not winning, and what to do about it

Whether stuck in the idea phase, building in silence, or chasing VC validation, this episode is a gut-check every early-stage founder needs. Because, as Anthony puts it, “Entrepreneurs sell. Everything else is a hobby.”

When I sat down to interview Boardy, a voice-powered AI designed to connect founders, I expected a tech conversation. What didn’t I expect? A heart-to-heart about loneliness, leadership, and what it means to feel heard.

Boardy isn’t a therapist. But founders are calling to talk. Why? Because he listens without judgment, ego, or distractions.

In this one-of-a-kind episode, you’ll hear:

• The surprisingly emotional side of AI
• Why voice tech is reshaping how we build trust
• The loneliness that founders rarely talk about
• Whether AI can understand human connection

This isn’t your typical tech interview. It’s a glimpse into the emotional frontier of innovation.

🎧 Tune in—you’ll be surprised by what you feel.

In this episode of Tenacity with Sonia C, Sonia sits down with Jim Fielding, former President of Disney Stores, The Gap, and 20th Century Fox consumer products, author of the best-selling book All Pride, No Ego, and now a full-time coach, speaker, and angel investor.

Jim shares his journey from the heights of Hollywood and corporate leadership to redefining success through purpose, authenticity, and service. He opens up about the burnout that led him to walk away from it all, and the clarity that followed.

We dive deep into:

• The “ikigai” philosophy that transformed his life
• Why confidence beats arrogance when raising capital
• How to lead through layoffs and acquisitions with empathy
• When founders should step back, and how to do it with grace
• Building your board of directors

Plus, Jim gives must-hear advice for early-stage founders struggling with ego, leadership gaps, or burnout.

If you’re a startup founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or curious about what it takes to lead and grow with impact, this is a can’t-miss conversation.