Business & Bullsh*t: Is the Middle Class Dead? Golden Corral Escape Room, and Zoom Nightmare Stories w/ Don and Steve (EP #65)

2025-12-15

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The Founderz Lounge Episode #65 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.This week, Don and Steve tackle a big question with real bite. Is the middle class dead, or just being redefined? They break down what that shift means for marketers, brands, and everyday buying behavior.Then they go fully Business & Bullsh*t with the fun stuff. A Golden Corral escape room idea that somehow makes too much sense, plus Zoom nightmare stories that prove remote work still has no rules. They wrap with the always-popular Founderz Fast Five.Tune in for an unfiltered...

The Founderz Lounge Episode #65 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.

This week, Don and Steve tackle a big question with real bite. Is the middle class dead, or just being redefined? They break down what that shift means for marketers, brands, and everyday buying behavior.

Then they go fully Business & Bullsh*t with the fun stuff. A Golden Corral escape room idea that somehow makes too much sense, plus Zoom nightmare stories that prove remote work still has no rules. They wrap with the always-popular Founderz Fast Five.

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer

[00:50] Founderz Roundup: Cava and their merch store

[02:37] Vanishing middle class

[06:25] Pop Culture Bull Sh*t: Bruce Dickinson’s aviation company

[08:38] Social media update

[11:32] Strange news: Return of skulls in branding

[12:57] Weekly Mashup: Golden Corral

[16:17] Founderz Hot Takes: Reach and delivery in marketing

[19:55] Founderz Fast Five: Most embarrassing entrepreneurial moment

[22:26] The weirdest buy

[23:32] Dumbest things ever believed in business

[24:07] Most annoying business phrase

[25:26] Zoom call chaos

Key Takeaways:

• “Just because you drop money on a position doesn’t mean it’s going to equate to sales.” ~Steve Bon [17:07]

• “You can do a lot to get in front of the right people, but if you’re dead on arrival with your identity and personality, it doesn’t matter.” ~Steve Bon [19:39]

Connect with Don and Steve…

Don Varady:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145

Steve Bon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8

Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:

Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G