Real businesses. Real stories. All from right here in Columbus, Georgia.
Hosted by the team at Momentum Wealth, Fountain City Founders dives into the true stories behind the businesses shaping our city. From makers and manufacturers to service pros and startups, we talk with the people who’ve built something from the ground up—and lived to tell the tale.
These are unfiltered, honest conversations about what it really takes to run a business. The wins. The losses. The big decisions. And the stuff no one prepares you for—like partnerships, taxes, growth, and risk.
If you’re a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone who loves seeing the heart behind local success, this is your show.
Columbus is building something. Meet the people behind it.
TikTok Won’t Save You: Scott Sullivan on Second Chances, Tax Traps, and the Truth About Business
Scott Sullivan didn’t follow the traditional path to becoming a CPA — he got kicked out of college, rode the mortgage boom, and rebuilt from the ground up. Along the way, he learned what every founder eventually discovers: money tells the truth, whether you want to hear it or not.
In this episode, Scott shares his unfiltered journey from failure to financial expertise — and the lessons business owners can’t afford to ignore. We talk about tax myths that go viral for all the wrong reasons, when an S-Corp actually makes sense, and why mixing business and personal spending can wreck your company faster than you think.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re getting the right answers about your business finances — or just the easy ones — this conversation is for you.
8 Oct 2025
Blood, Sweat, and Barre: Beth Anne and Ellen on Building Novo and Nurturing Community
Beth Anne Kennedy and Ellen Cobb didn’t just build a fitness studio — they built a community. In this episode, the sisters behind Novo Fitness share how a one-year lease, $1 classes, and a lot of late nights grew into one of Columbus’s most beloved local brands.
From balancing family and business to creating a culture where people feel they belong, Beth Anne and Ellen reveal how Novo became more than a place to work out — it became a movement rooted in connection, confidence, and care.
24 Sept 2025
Riskier Not to Try: Hudson Terrell on Entrepreneurship, Food, & Finding His Path
Opening a restaurant is tough. Keeping it open is even tougher.
In this episode of Fountain City Founders, we sit down with Hudson Terrell, owner of The Animal Farm and Gabagool in Columbus, GA, to talk about the realities of life in the restaurant business. Hudson shares his journey from dishwasher to entrepreneur, the lessons he learned from renovating historic buildings, and how he built a culture that keeps his team together.
Along the way, he explains why sales “heal everything,” why the so-called safe path can sometimes be the riskiest, and how resilience and leadership have guided him through challenges and growth. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a restaurant regular, or someone chasing your own dream, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone building something that lasts.
10 Sept 2025
Document, Don’t Create: Jake Koehler on Lost iPhones, Found Purpose
Jake Koehler — Scuba Jake — turned lost iPhones and forgotten treasures in the Chattahoochee River into a global audience of 14 million. In this episode, he shares how “document, don’t create” became his mantra, why purpose often shows up in unexpected places, and what it takes to reinvent yourself (and your content) year after year.
It’s a conversation about risk, resilience, and finding meaning beneath the surface — in business, in life, and in the river.
27 Aug 2025
Side Hustle to Storefront: Lexiee Campbell on Creativity, Reinvention, & the Business of Flowers
From sweeping flower shop floors to designing luxury weddings, Lexiee Campbell has grown Campbell Creative Floral Co. and Flowers on 10th into two thriving floral businesses. In this episode, she shares how she turned a side hustle into a storefront, built her brand through social media, and reinvented her business to reach the luxury wedding market. It’s a story of grit, creativity, and resilience every entrepreneur can learn from.
13 Aug 2025
Sleep-Deprived but Determined: Lindsay DeOliveira on Safety, Storytelling, & Soothe Beginnings
Most people don’t launch a company with a sketch in Microsoft Paint. But that’s exactly how Lindsay deOliveira started Soothe Beginnings—a baby brand built around safety, sustainability, and solving a real problem for new parents.
In this episode, Lindsay shares how postpartum struggles, sleepless nights, and frustration with existing pacifiers led her to design a better one from scratch. We talk about her experience with Startup Columbus, raising money through Kickstarter, pitching her idea on a business reality show, and finding a factory that could bring her vision to life.
If you've ever wondered how a parent becomes a product founder, or what it really takes to build something from the ground up, this episode is for you.
30 Jul 2025
Built from Desperation: John Anker on Risk, Reinvention & Results
John Anker didn’t set out to start a business — he needed a way forward. With no income and no backup plan, he started Ankerpak from his garage, driven by grit, faith, and a desire to solve real problems. In this episode, he shares what it takes to build through uncertainty and lead with purpose.
16 Jul 2025
Built to Last: Steve Smithwick on Culture, Continuity & the Founder’s Mindset
What starts in a garage doesn’t always stay there.
In this episode of Fountain City Founders, Steve Smithwick shares how he built Master Wall from a small local operation into a national brand. We talk about early risks, outgrowing your beginnings, navigating partnerships, and the quiet discipline it takes to grow something that lasts.
This is a story about more than success—it’s about building with intention.
2 Jul 2025
Running Toward Purpose: Reggie Luther on Community, Coffee & Going All In
Reggie Luther discusses transitioning from tech to opening a running store and coffee shop, emphasizing community building and purpose-driven business in an interview.
23 Jun 2025
Introducing Fountain City Founders
The Fountain City Founders podcast introduces its mission to share honest conversations with Columbus entrepreneurs about the realities of building businesses.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
11
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Fountain City Founders
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Fountain City Founders?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
