Company Stats

Guest: Vladimir Baranov, Founder, Coach & Creator of Human Interfaces

Industry: Leadership Development / Startup Coaching

Company: Human Interfaces

Focus: Coaching technical founders in communication, leadership, and fundraising

Tech Stack: Fintech, aerospace, deep tech, human development, venture-backed scaling

Episode Highlights

✅ Vladimir shares his journey from engineering to finance to space tech—and why none of them felt complete until he stepped into founder coaching.

✅ Learn why many technical founders fail—not because of their product, but because of the “interface” problem: poor communication and leadership skills.

✅ Discover how fear and introversion block startup success—and how to beat both through repetition, improv, and mission-driven outreach.

✅ Vladimir explains the “doctor vs. patient” metaphor for better pitching, and why understanding others’ mental models is key to traction.

✅ Get actionable ideas for building leadership skills outside the office—from organizing birthday parties to leading nonprofit efforts.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins sits down with Vladimir Baranov, a former engineer turned founder coach, to explore the human side of startup success. Vladimir built systems in fintech and aerospace, launched multiple startups, and even helped send instruments into space. But it wasn’t until he started working with people, not just products, that he found his true impact.

Now, through his company Human Interfaces, Vladimir helps technical founders master the one thing most of them were never taught: how to lead, pitch, connect, and communicate. This episode dives deep into his frameworks for building “human interfaces”—skills that unlock fundraising, hiring, team-building, and growth.

Whether you're a shy engineer or a scaling founder, this conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom on how to lead without faking it, pitch without panic, and grow without losing what makes you human.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: What made you shift from building tech to coaching humans?

A: After two startups—one sold, one fizzled—I realized the most valuable leverage wasn’t in code. It was in people. Helping technical minds communicate and lead felt far more impactful.

Q: What’s the biggest communication blind spot for engineers?

A: They often assume others think like they do. But your model of the universe isn’t universal. Learning how others process info is critical to influence.

Q: How can introverts start building soft skills without feeling fake?

A: Practice safely. Toastmasters, improv, side projects—they all give you “reps” without risking your job. Skill comes before confidence.

Q: How much does fear hold people back from stepping up?

A: A lot. But you don’t defeat fear—you out-practice it. Fear shrinks as repetition grows.

Q: What’s your advice for someone who feels stuck on an island?

A: Find your co-travelers. Join communities, meetups, or even run your own event. Progress multiplies when shared.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Vladimir Baranov & His Journey to Founder Coaching

01:40 – From Robotics to Finance to Startups

03:00 – Why Selling His Startup Felt Emotionally Empty

04:00 – Discovering Impact in the Aerospace Sector

05:00 – Where Technical Founders Get Stuck

06:50 – Building “Human Interfaces” as a Framework

08:15 – The Doctor vs. Patient...

Company Stats

Guest: Austin Sun, Co-founder of Clausey

Industry: Legal Tech / AI

Company: Clausey (clausey.ai)

Focus: AI-powered contract intelligence

Tech Stack: AI agents, NLP, legal automation, early-stage SaaS

✅ Austin shares how 10+ years in AI, tech, and energy led him to launch Clausey—an AI tool built to transform contract management.

✅ Hear why his failed 2016 startup taught him that code alone can’t win—and how business acumen changed his trajectory.

✅ Learn about the “four generations” of contract handling, and how Clausey is ushering in the fourth: AI-native contracts.

✅ Discover the three key criteria Austin uses to choose co-founders—and why trust and mindset alignment matter more than money.

✅ Austin offers a grounded take on AI’s future: it’s not here to replace everyone—but it will reward those who learn to wield it.

In this episode of The Innovators Impact, host Darnell Perkins sits down with Bo(Austin) Sun, co-founder of Clausey an AI startup aimed at simplifying contract intelligence for businesses of all sizes. With a background spanning computer science, deep tech, law, and entrepreneurship, Austin has worn many hats—but found his stride at the intersection of automation, legal tech, and practical business use cases.

Austin breaks down how Clausey isn’t just about “reading contracts”—it’s about shifting how we interact with them altogether. From saving time on post-signature obligations to closing the gap between legalese and business decisions, Clausey is designed to empower teams, not replace them.

Austin also dives deep into his personal founder journey—why his first startup failed, how he spent years finding the right co-founders, and what it means to launch with vision before chasing venture capital. If you’re a founder navigating AI, or a professional looking to adapt to this tech wave, this episode is a roadmap you’ll want to follow.

Q: What does Clausey actually do for contracts?

A: We extract key data from signed contracts—terms, parties, deadlines—and present it in a clean, intuitive UI. It’s like Notion meets Excel for contract ops.

Q: Why didn’t you raise VC early?

A: Because we didn’t need to. We wanted to build proof first—then scale. Rushing into VC too soon can hurt more than help.

Q: How do you pick a good co-founder?

A: Trust, mindset, and unique expertise. You’re basically choosing a marriage partner—only you'll spend more time with them than your spouse.

Q: Is AI going “too far”? Will it take jobs?

A: AI is a tool. Whether it replaces jobs depends more on a company’s financial health than the tech itself. But if you know how to use AI, you’ll stay relevant longer.

Q: What advice would you give to someone nervous about AI?

A: Learn the tool. Learn it now. Not knowing AI in the coming years will be like not knowing how to open a laptop.

00:00 – Meet Austin Sun & His Journey

01:00 – Academic Roots: CS, MBA, and Law

02:30 – What Clausey Actually Does

03:30 – The 4 Generations of Contracts

06:00 – Learning From a Failed Startup

08:00 – Choosing the Right Time to Launch

11:00 – Clausey's Product Timeline & Pilots

14:00 – Why They Delayed VC Funding

15:30 – The 3 Rules for Picking Co-Founders

21:00 – Sweat Equity vs. Financial Buy-In

26:00 – Can AI Go Too Far? Austin’s Take

31:00 – A Call to...

Company Stats

Guest: Aras Sheikih, Entrepreneurial Lead at UCSD, Founder & CEO of Janus Innovation Hub

Industry: Innovation / Education / Tech Incubation

Company: Janus Innovation Hub

Focus: Immigrant-founded startups, interdisciplinary innovation, early-stage incubation

Tech Stack: Distributed teams, startup incubation, cross-border venture building, early-stage mentorship

Episode Highlights

✅ Aras shares his journey across four countries and how each shaped his entrepreneurial playbook.

✅ Learn how Janus Innovation Hub is uniquely designed to support first-gen immigrant founders.

✅ Discover why “mismatch” is the root of most problems—and how reducing it unlocks opportunity.

✅ Hear why global, hybrid teams outperform local-only models in today’s innovation economy.

✅ Aras breaks down why universities must evolve—and what real-world skills matter now.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins sits down with Aras Araie, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Janus Innovation Hub. From his roots in Iran to ventures in Dubai, Australia, and now California, Aras has built and exited companies while navigating the complex challenges of startup life as an immigrant.

Now based in San Diego and working with UC San Diego, Aras is on a mission to equip first-generation immigrant founders with the tools, mentorship, and frameworks they need to succeed. He unpacks why the “mismatch” between talent and opportunity is the root cause of entrepreneurial failure—and how Janus is closing that gap with tailored support.

From distributed team strategies to hard truths about higher education and the future of AI-driven work, Aras brings a global, pragmatic lens to the innovation conversation. Whether you’re scaling your first startup or looking to build more inclusive ecosystems, this episode offers sharp, actionable insight.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: What inspired you to start Janus Innovation Hub?

A: I saw a gap—first-gen immigrant founders had potential but no tailored support. I wanted to build a new kind of playbook for them.

Q: Why San Diego?

A: Culture. UCSD gave me the right vibe, resources, and support. The ecosystem here is collaborative and diverse—perfect for what I do.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you learned during COVID?

A: How to lead distributed teams. That experience became a core strength—it’s now one of our competitive advantages.

Q: Where do companies go wrong with remote work?

A: They force returns because they don’t know how to manage people virtually. It’s a communication issue, not a productivity one.

Q: What’s your best advice for founders just starting out?

A: Find your tribe. People don’t invest in your pitch—they invest in your story and your mission. Find those true believers early.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Meet Aras Sheikhi

01:30 – A Global Entrepreneur’s Journey: Iran to Dubai to Australia

05:00 – Founding Janus Innovation Hub: The Immigrant Founder Gap

08:40 – UCSD & Choosing San Diego Over the Bay Area

11:30 – Team Building Across Time Zones: Lessons from COVID

14:30 – The Remote Work Debate: Why Hybrid Wins

17:20 – Culture, Trust & the San Diego Startup Ecosystem

20:00 – The “Mismatch” Theory: Root Cause of Most Business Problems

23:00 – Innovation as Problem-Solving for Real People

26:10 – The Future of Work: Virtual, AI-Driven

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of

Company Stats

Guest: Jim Bramlett, Founder, Author, Entrepreneur

Industry: Business Strategy / Product Innovation

Company: Multiple Startups + Author of Stop the Hassle and The Unconventional Thinking of Dominant Companies

Focus: Customer-centric growth, startup innovation, psychological drivers of buyer behavior

Tech Stack: SaaS, product strategy, early-stage scaling, team building, traction frameworks

Episode Highlights

✅ Jim breaks down the four drivers of customer behavior that every product team should master.

✅ Learn why simplifying user experience is the fastest path to traction—and investment.

✅ Hear the origin story behind Stop the Hassle and the insights that inspired it.

✅ Discover why trust and psychology—not just pricing—make or break your business.

✅ Jim reveals what separates dominant companies from the rest (hint: it's not just vision).

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins welcomes seasoned entrepreneur and author Jim Bramlett, whose no-nonsense frameworks are helping startups scale smarter and faster. Drawing from decades of experience launching and leading early-stage companies, Jim shares why removing friction is the key to converting customers—and keeping them.

Jim unpacks the psychological blueprint behind Stop the Hassle, his bestselling guide to cutting through noise and delivering what people actually value: ease, confidence, and meaningful experience. He dives into the four universal drivers of buyer behavior—convenience, price, experience, and trust—and shows how businesses can design for these traits from the ground up.

If you’re a founder stuck in the traction gap, or a leader rethinking your growth strategy, this conversation is your shortcut to clarity. From product-market fit to customer retention, Jim offers candid, field-tested wisdom that applies whether you're bootstrapping or venture-backed.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: What inspired you to write Stop the Hassle?

A: I kept seeing great products fail because they were just too hard to adopt. Hassle is the hidden killer of good ideas.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake founders make early on?

A: They focus on what they think the product is, not what the customer actually experiences. That disconnect is lethal.

Q: What’s your favorite metric for traction?

A: Retention. If they keep coming back, you’re doing something right.

Q: Why is trust such a big deal in growth?

A: Trust compresses the sales cycle. It lets people take action faster. Without it, your best pitch won’t land.

Q: How do you keep innovating after product-market fit?

A: Make “reduce the hassle” a standing goal. Always ask: where’s the friction today?

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Meet Jim Bramlett

01:10 – Why He Wrote Stop the Hassle

03:00 – Hassle as the Silent Killer of Traction

05:20 – The Four Customer Drivers: Convenience, Price, Experience, Trust

08:10 – Startup Lessons from the Field

10:30 – What VCs Actually Want: Traction + Differentiation

13:00 – Simplicity Wins: The Psychology of Repeat Use

15:40 – Designing for Ease, Not Just Wow

18:00 – Founder Blind Spots & Course-Correction Tips

21:00 – Why Retention > Growth Hacking

24:30 – Building Culture Around Customer Experience

27:00 – What’s Next: More Tools, More Teaching, More Impact

Thanks so much for...

Company Stats

Guest: Shruthi Desai, Founder

Industry: Child Wellness / Education / Mindfulness

Company: Mudita Circles

Focus: Yoga-based emotional wellness tools for children and families

Tech Stack: In-person + digital curriculum, community workshops, breathwork, movement-based learning

✅ Shruthi shares how personal burnout and motherhood sparked the vision for Mudita Circles.

✅ Learn how yoga, storytelling, and movement help children regulate emotions and build resilience.

✅ Discover why emotional safety is the foundation for confident, compassionate kids.

✅ Explore Shruthi’s unique approach to "circular leadership" and co-creating with communities.

✅ Get inspired by the idea that joy is not a luxury—it’s essential for healthy development.

In this heartfelt episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins welcomes Shruthi Desai, founder of Mudita Circles, a wellness education initiative that’s helping children and families reconnect with joy, regulation, and emotional literacy.

Shruthi opens up about her journey from corporate business roles to a soulful mission: helping the next generation feel safe, seen, and supported. She explains why emotional safety is non-negotiable for children—and how mindful movement, storytelling, and breathwork can empower kids to handle stress, express themselves, and thrive.

The conversation explores how Shruthi blends ancient yoga practices with modern child development insights, why parents must first model emotional health, and how community—when rooted in empathy and kindness—can transform how we support children and each other.

Q: What sparked the creation of Mudita Circles?

A: My burnout as a mom led me to yoga, and what I learned there became the foundation for how I now support children’s emotional wellness.

Q: What does “emotional safety” look like in real life for a child?

A: It’s knowing that you can cry, laugh, or be unsure—and still be loved and accepted.

Q: How does yoga help children build resilience?

A: Through breath, movement, and playful awareness, kids learn how to feel what they feel without shame. That’s powerful.

Q: Why is community so essential in your work?

A: Healing and learning don’t happen in isolation. Mudita is about circles—everyone has a role.

Q: What’s next for Mudita Circles?

A: Expanding our tools into schools, training educators, and making emotional wellness accessible to every child, no matter their background.

00:00 – Meet Shruthi & The Mission of Mudita Circles

01:45 – From Burnout to Breakthrough: A Mother's Journey

04:00 – What Is Emotional Safety (And Why It Matters)

06:30 – Movement, Breath, and Regulation for Kids

09:00 – The Role of Parents in Modeling Calm & Connection

11:15 – Circle Thinking: Teaching as Co-Creation

14:00 – Why Joy and Play Belong in Emotional Learning

17:00 – Mudita in Schools: Bridging Wellness & Education

20:00 – Shruthi’s Leadership Philosophy: Purpose Over Pressure

23:00 – Tools for Parents, Educators & Communities

25:30 – Looking Ahead: Spreading Joy Through Circles

Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of The Innovator’s Impact. Want to stay inspired by more tech-forward business stories? Subscribe to the show on

Guest: Randy Pulayya, Founder

Industry: Food & Beverage / Consumer Packaged Goods

Company: West Indies Pepper Sauce (WIPS)

Focus: Caribbean-inspired premium hot sauces rooted in family tradition

Tech Stack: DTC e-commerce, culinary branding, event marketing, food media (Hot Ones: Caribbean Edition)

✅ Randy shares how a childhood steeped in Caribbean culture inspired the bold flavors of West Indies Pepper Sauce.

✅ Discover how he turned local farmers markets and BBQs into a national brand with real cultural resonance.

✅ Go behind the scenes of Hot Ones: Caribbean Edition—and what it meant for WIPS to be featured.

✅ Randy explains why flavor-first sauce is the key to repeat customers (and not just heat seekers).

✅ Learn how storytelling, community ties, and legacy drive his long-term vision.

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins dives into a spicy success story with Randy Pulayya, the founder of West Indies Pepper Sauce (WIPS). What began as a family tradition and neighborhood favorite has now become one of the most buzzworthy new brands in the hot sauce market.

Randy opens up about growing up in a Caribbean-American household, where his father’s cooking and cultural pride laid the groundwork for the flavors that now define WIPS. He shares the journey from early days at pop-ups and local tastings to being featured on Hot Ones: Caribbean Edition, a pivotal moment that supercharged the brand’s visibility.

More than a story about sauce, this episode explores authentic branding, cultural heritage, and generational impact. Randy gives insight into how he’s scaling without selling out, building customer loyalty through storytelling, and using food as a bridge between past and future.

Q: What’s the origin story of West Indies Pepper Sauce?

A: It started in my dad’s kitchen. I just put a brand around the legacy he built with every Sunday dinner.

Q: How did being on Hot Ones: Caribbean Edition change the game for you?

A: It was surreal. It gave us validation, exposure, and a boost we couldn’t have engineered.

Q: What makes WIPS different in a crowded market?

A: Flavor, not just fire. We want people to finish the bottle—not just survive it.

Q: How do you stay true to your roots as you grow?

A: I keep my dad’s picture in the kitchen and his voice in my head: “Make it with love, or don’t make it.”

Q: What’s next for the brand?

A: Going global while staying grounded. Expanding into retail and international shipping—but always keeping the culture at the center.

00:00 – Intro & Meet Randy

01:20 – Childhood Flavors & Cultural Foundations

03:00 – From Farmers Markets to Food Media

05:30 – The Hot Ones Effect: Hype Meets Heritage

08:00 – Why Flavor > Fire in Product Design

10:00 – Building a Brand with Soul, Not Just Strategy

13:00 – The Legacy of Reggae Randy & Father-Son Roots

15:30 – Selling Sauce, Sharing Story

18:00 – Scaling with Authenticity in CPG

21:00 – Food as Cultural Currency

24:00 – Future Visions: From Small Batch to Global Shelf

26:30 – Final Advice for Founders with a Mission

Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of The Innovator’s Impact. Want to stay inspired by more tech-forward business stories? Subscribe to the show on

Company Stats

Guest: Robert Hendrix, CEO

Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing / Systems Engineering

Company: N+1 Process Engineering Solutions LLC

Focus: Modular, GMP-compliant drug production systems

Tech Stack: AI diagnostics, predictive maintenance, digital compliance, lean manufacturing frameworks

Episode Highlights

✅ Robert reveals how N+1 Process Engineering Solutions LLC is making pharmaceutical manufacturing scalable and affordable for startups—without compromising compliance.

✅ He explains how his systems engineering background helps him navigate strict regulations while still driving innovation and speed.

✅ Learn how N+1 Process Engineering Solutions LLC integrates AI to improve documentation, automate audits, and reduce downtime through predictive maintenance.

✅ Robert shares his unique leadership philosophy: hiring engineers who can think like businesspeople—and train like operators.

✅ Hear why courage, not just compliance, is the secret to thriving in highly regulated industries.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins sits down with Robert Hendrix, the founder and CEO of N+1 Process Engineering Solutions LLC. With a vision to make GMP-compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing faster, cheaper, and smarter, Robert is building modular systems that empower drug startups to scale safely.

Robert shares how his team uses a systems thinking approach to reduce cost, improve time to market, and design manufacturing solutions that serve both large enterprises and early-stage biotech teams. He dives into how AI tools help automate compliance and maintenance, and why traditional views on pharma operations need to evolve fast.

From engineering culture to startup grit, this episode delivers powerful insights for any founder, builder, or executive operating in a high-regulation space—from pharma to food to aerospace.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: How do you innovate when regulation is non-negotiable?

A: You design smarter systems. Innovation isn’t just what you build—it’s how you build it inside the rules.

Q: What kind of engineers do you hire at N+1 Process Engineering Solutions LLC?

A: Engineers who think like operators. People who understand the business and can train customers—not just code or model.

Q: How are you using AI right now?

A: For compliance, predictive maintenance, automated documentation, and QA—we treat AI like a system, not a gimmick.

Q: What’s your leadership style in a high-risk field?

A: Bold, clear, and strategic. You need courage to innovate—but discipline to build things that actually work.

Q: What’s the next frontier for N+1 Process Engineering Solutions LLC?

A: Making advanced pharma tools as accessible as 3D printers—so early-stage drug developers can build safely from day one.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Meet Robert Hendrix

01:30 – Pharma Manufacturing Meets Systems Engineering

03:00 – Why Startups Struggle with GMP Compliance

05:00 – Building Smarter Systems vs. Bigger Facilities

07:00 – The Role of AI in Modern Pharma Ops

09:00 – Predictive Maintenance, QA & Audit Automation

11:30 – Balancing Speed, Safety & Scalability

14:00 – Hiring Engineers Who Think Like Entrepreneurs

16:30 – Operating in a Regulated World with Innovation

19:00 – From Aerospace to Pharma: Lessons on Systems Thinking

21:30 – Courage, Discipline &...

• Guest: Ivan Martinez, COO
• Industry: Automotive Parts Distribution / Supply Chain
• Company: Second-largest collision parts distributor in the U.S.
• Scale: 45 locations, 800+ employees
• Tech Stack: Power BI, Python, ERP integrations, ChatGPT

✅ Ivan shares how his team scaled from 25 to 45 locations and doubled headcount, all while modernizing warehouse and delivery operations.

✅ He discusses the difference between managing and predicting—a Deming-inspired philosophy that drives his leadership style.

✅ Ivan reveals how he retrained himself through Harvard’s Business Analytics Program, bringing coding, forecasting, and deep BI dashboards into every layer of the business.

✅ From Python to ChatGPT, Ivan shows how AI and analytics help automate decisions, guide hiring, and even manage building leases.

✅ A candid take on leadership, mentorship, and how to keep both feet planted in data and daily operations.

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, Darnell Perkins sits down with Ivan Martinez, Chief Operating Officer of the second-largest distributor of collision parts in the U.S. With over 800 employees and 45 warehouses, Ivan has led the company through rapid growth—powered by tech, data, and a hands-on management style.

Ivan shares how he shifted from manual spreadsheets to Power BI and Python, becoming a predictive operations leader who can see trends before they become bottlenecks. From warehouse layout optimization to managing container overflow, his approach blends data precision with field-level awareness.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on AI adoption, re-skilling leadership teams, and building a scalable workforce culture. Ivan also opens up about using ChatGPT daily—not just for data science, but even to support communication for his multilingual team.

Q: What does leadership mean to you in operations?

A: It means making decisions based on data—and teaching your team to read and act on it intuitively.

Q: How do you integrate technology into your role as COO?

A: From dashboards to predictive models, I use tools like Power BI and Python to track performance and forecast outcomes—daily.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson from scaling fast?

A: Distribution issues hit harder than development. Dashboards saved us from being blindsided by space and inventory issues.

Q: How do you approach training?

A: I trained myself in data analytics through Harvard, and now I mentor others—including my 14-year-old daughter—to embrace Python and AI.

Q: Where are you on the AI adoption curve?

A: All in. From writing code to analyzing leases to improving emails—ChatGPT is part of my workflow every day.

00:00 – Intro & Meet Ivan Martinez

01:00 – Collision Parts, Supply Chain & Scale

02:00 – Last-Mile Logistics and Data Precision

04:00 – Leadership and Data-Driven Hiring

06:00 – Managing Warehouse Defects with Analytics

08:00 – From Excel to Power BI & Python

09:30 – Harvard’s Business Analytics Program

10:30 – Why “Management is Prediction”

12:00 – AI in the Day-to-Day Workflow

14:00 – Onsite vs. Hybrid Teams

16:00 – Real-Time Dashboards & Forecasting Tools

18:00 – Lessons from Inventory Overflow

21:00 – Retooling the Workforce with Modern Tech

23:00 – ChatGPT for Code, Contracts &...