<p>The Founderz Lounge Episode #65 with Don Varady and Steve Bon.</p><p>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.</p><p>Then they go fully Business &amp; 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.</p><p>Tune in for an unfiltered conversation.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p>[00:00] Trailer</p><p>[00:50] Founderz Roundup: Cava and their merch store</p><p>[02:37] Vanishing middle class</p><p>[06:25] Pop Culture Bull Sh*t: Bruce Dickinson’s aviation company</p><p>[08:38] Social media update</p><p>[11:32] Strange news: Return of skulls in branding</p><p>[12:57] Weekly Mashup: Golden Corral</p><p>[16:17] Founderz Hot Takes: Reach and delivery in marketing</p><p>[19:55] Founderz Fast Five: Most embarrassing entrepreneurial moment</p><p>[22:26] The weirdest buy</p><p>[23:32] Dumbest things ever believed in business</p><p>[24:07] Most annoying business phrase</p><p>[25:26] Zoom call chaos</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways: </strong> </p><p>• “Just because you drop money on a position doesn’t mean it’s going to equate to sales.” ~Steve Bon [17:07]</p><p>• “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]</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Don and Steve…</strong></p><p><strong>Don Varady:</strong></p><p>Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections"><u> </u></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/"><u>https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/</u></a> </p><p>Instagram:<a href="http://www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/"><u> </u></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/</u></a> </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145</u></a> </p><p><strong>Steve Bon:</strong></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon</u></a> </p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/stevebon8"><u>https://instagram.com/stevebon8</u></a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform:</strong> </p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/"><u>https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/</u></a> </p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge"><u>https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge</u></a> </p><p>Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G"><u>https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G</u></a> </p><p>Apple Music: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349"><u>https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349</u></a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:</strong></p><p><strong>Clean Eatz:</strong></p><p>Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections"><u> </u></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/"><u>https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/</u></a> </p><p>Instagram:<a href="http://www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/"><u> </u></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/</u></a> </p><p>Website:<a href="https://www.realbusinessconnections.com/"><u> </u></a><a href="https://cleaneatz.com/about"><u>https://cleaneatz.com/</u></a></p><p>Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA"><u>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA</u></a> </p><p><strong>Bon’s Eye Marketing:</strong></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing"><u>https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing</u></a> </p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon&#39;s-eye-marketing/</u></a> </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon&#39;s-eye-marketing/</u></a> </p><p>Website: <a href="https://bonseyeonline.com/"><u>https://bonseyeonline.com/</u></a> </p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477"><u>https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477</u></a> </p>