The Founders Sandbox

Author: Brenda McCabe

The Founder's Sandbox, produced and sponsored by Next Act Advisors, is now in its fourth season. Hosted by NAA founder Brenda McCabe, each episode features in-depth conversations with founders of small and midsized, owner-operated companies, and operators that support the ecosystem including board of directors and service providers. Together, they explore how to build scalable, resilient, purpose-driven businesses underpinned by strong governance. You'll discover: - Inspiring origin stories and pivotal "aha" moments - Strategies for scaling without sacrificing your company's core values - Techniques to cultivate mission-aligned, engaged teams - Tips for balancing ambitious growth with genuine fun Intro music by Daphne Willis Artwork and graphics by Whitney Otte Learn more at https://nextactadvisors.com
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Language: en

Genres: Business, Education, Management

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Season 4, #5- Be Curiously Different
Episode 5
Tuesday, 10 February, 2026

What happens when you're tasked with reinventing an economy—and later find yourself building investment systems in countries where the rulebook doesn't exist? That's the story of Thomas Nastas, this month's guest on the Founder's Sandbox. His journey from Michigan's automotive belt to the front lines of the former USSR is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and leadership under pressure. In this episode, host Brenda McCabe interviews Thomas Nastas, a seasoned board director with over 30 years of experience in international markets. They discuss Thomas's journey from Michigan to various emerging markets, his innovative approaches, and the differences in governance roles between the U.S. and international markets. They also touch on the importance of scaling businesses through customer revenue, the concept of resilience in entrepreneurship, and the significance of purpose-driven enterprises.