The Reluctant Entrepreneur
The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast
Every entrepreneur has a story—but not every story starts with a dream of owning a business. Many founders fall into entrepreneurship through twists of fate, unexpected opportunities, or sheer necessity.
Hosted by Mike Konrad, founder, author, and podcaster, The Reluctant Entrepreneur dives into the real journeys of business owners who never set out to be entrepreneurs, yet built thriving ventures anyway. Each episode explores the highs and lows, lessons learned, and the human side of building a business—without the sugarcoating.
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a current founder, or simply someone who loves authentic stories of resilience and innovation, you’ll find inspiration and practical insights here.
New episodes drop twice a month. Subscribe and join us as we uncover what it really means to be a “reluctant entrepreneur.”
Blood, Sweat & Warm Marketing: The Entrepreneurial Story of Billy Sammons - Episode 36
From Family Bankruptcy to Profit First: Christian Brim’s Financial Redemption - Episode 35
Humans First, Tools Second: Finding Balance in the Age of AI with Wes Towers - Episode 34
Capital, Culture, & Connection-The Essentials of Small Business Success w/ Chip Higgins - Episode 33
Leading with the Heart: Meghan Cathlin’s Journey from Backstage to Business Episode 32
What Happens After You Lose Everything? Jim Koetting on the Power of Starting Over - Episode 31
The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast Introduction
Exit Without Exiting - How to Build a Business that Runs Without You with Jason Duncan - Episode 30
Making the Leap into Franchising: Tim Parmeter on Risk, Reward, and the Right Fit - Episode 29
The Science of Flourishing: Ally Meyers on Building Resilience at Work and in Life - Episode 28
Leadership Without the Overhead: Forrest Derr on the Rise of Fractional Executives - Episode 27
The Intersection of Influence and IP. A Conversation with IP Attorney & Influencer - Ana Juneja
Former Nuclear Submarine Officer Now Corp Exec, Author, & Leadership Strategist - Matt DiGeronimo
From Lawsuit to Legend - The Dirty Dough Story with Bennett Maxwell - Episode 24
A Conversation with Fractional CTO, Bill Boulden - Episode 23
Episode 22: A Conversation with HR and Compensation Expert, Scott Trumpolt
Founder of Career Collective, Career Coach, & the Host of the Wine After Work Podcast - Bryce Batts
A Conversation with Health and Human Potential Specialist, Dr. Kyle Hulsebus - Episode 17
A Conversation with epicbnb Founder, Steph Utterback About the Short-Term Rental Market - Episode 16
A Conversation with Funny Sales Videos Founder, Joseph Wilkins - Episode 15
A Conversation with Contracting Guru, Dominic Rubino - Episode 14
Episode 13 - A Conversation with Take it Easy Group Founder, Tarra Stubbins
A Conversation with Rep Methods Founder - Alison Mullins - Episode 12
Running a Business with Family Members with Cathy Rinne
A Conversation with Kristin Zhivago - Founder of Zhivago Partners
A Conversation with Mind Meld Founder & CEO Jonathon Narvey
A Conversation with Dr. Kristin Wild - Handling Stress and Avoiding Burnout
A Conversation with Philip Portman, Founder & CEO of Textdrip
Episode 3: Founding a Purpose Driven Non-Profit Organization - Genevieve Piturro