What if the biggest risk in your business wasn’t the idea—but the people you partner with?In this raw and practical episode of Ambition Aligned, Nickolaus Violin, founder & CEO of Konnekted, shares the behind-the-scenes journey of launching a flexible workspace business—and what nearly destroyed it. From real estate deals gone wrong to navigating ruthless landlords and delayed permits, Nick opens up about trust, betrayal, startup resilience, and the lessons he wishes he learned sooner.We also unpack:Why you should never trust a handshake (and what to do instead)How to protect yourself in business partnerships—even with friendsWhat makes or breaks a co-working startupWhy lawyers are non-negotiable (and no, ChatGPT can’t replace them)How to recognize the line between optimism and delusion as a founderThis is a masterclass in calculated risk, humility, and building something that actually serves the modern professional.🔗 Learn more about Nickolaus and Konnekted: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickolausviolin/📣 Want more founder stories & practical leadership insights? Like, comment, and subscribe.Website: https://devoncoombs.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/#StartupLessons #RealEstateDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPartnerships #AmbitionAligned

AI writing tools are flooding professional workflows—but what if they’re silently making your legal and financial docs worse?In this episode of Ambition Aligned, I sit down with Ray Sang, CPA, CISA, CITP—founder of Inkwise.ai and Chipmunk Robotics, former Revenue Director at Elastic and Deal Controller at Google, and current law student at Fordham.Ray is building the most human-centered AI writing platform for professionals in law, accounting, and finance—and he’s here to explain why most AI-generated memos, contracts, and reports are deeply flawed.We cover:Why AI can't yet replace expert writers (and how it can assist)How Inkwise gives you precision, sourcing, and human-first controlThe biggest red flags in AI-generated writingWhat professional-grade drafting with AI should actually look likeLIVE demo: Watch Ray draft a real ASC 606 memo using AIThis is the episode for you if you work in legal, accounting, finance, or compliance and want to use AI without sacrificing quality or ethics.🔗 Try Inkwise: https://inkwise.ai🔗 Connect with Ray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raysang🔗 Learn more from Devon: https://www.devoncoombs.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/Subscribe for more deep-dive convos at the intersection of purpose, leadership, and innovation.#LegalTech #FinTech #AItools #Accounting #AmbitionAligned

She was denied stress leave. Her workplace gaslit her. Now she's a bestseller and a top coach.In this powerful episode of Ambition Aligned, nurse leader-turned-entrepreneur Sara Fung shares how she walked away from a toxic healthcare system, built a thriving business from scratch, became a top podcast host (The Gritty Nurse), and hit #1 on Canada’s bestseller lists—all while raising kids and recovering from burnout.We unpack:Why leaving for less money can give you more lifeThe dark reality of healthcare work culture (pump rooms on toilets, toxic “leadership”)How Sara used podcasting and community to rebuild her careerTurning burnout into a platform for change—and profitPractical mindset shifts for stuck professionals (in any industry)If you're a high performer trapped in a job that’s breaking you—this conversation will shift something in you.🔗 Connect with Sara:Website: www.sarafung.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramfung/Career coaching: https://www.thernresume.com/Podcast: www.grittynurse.comBook: http://harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/🔗 Connect with Devon:devoncoombs.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/👇 Like, comment, and subscribe if this resonated with you.#Leadership #BurnoutRecovery #CareerChange #Nursing #AmbitionAligned

Everyone knows the numbers are off. But no one’s talking about why.In this explosive conversation, Blake Oliver — CPA, founder of Earmark CPE, and host of the #1 accounting podcast in the world — joins Devon Coombs to expose the hidden crisis destroying trust, ethics, and sustainability in the accounting profession.We unpack:Secret time sheets and the lies firms rewardHow burnout is built into the system by designWhy CPE and training have become a jokeRevenue recognition games that inflate earningsThe cultural rot infecting public accounting—and how to fix itThis isn’t just for CPAs. If you’ve ever worked in a broken system, felt punished for telling the truth, or wondered why honest people burn out… this episode will hit home.🎧 Watch, share, and subscribe for more truth-driven leadership convos.🔗 More at: devoncoombs.com🔗 Connect: linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs#accounting #burnout #leadership #cpa #ethics

Get a 25% discount on TABot's AI Software using the code DEVON25.In this episode of Ambition Aligned, I sit down with Nina and Harton—two high-achievers who left lucrative careers at Google and Big 4 firms to build TA Bot, an AI-powered co-pilot for technical accountants.We talk about:Why they walked away from stability to chase purposeHow they’re using fine-tuned AI to save hundreds of hours in audit and memo prepThe shocking truth about AI hallucinations in accounting (and how they fixed it)What it really takes to start a lean startup in a regulated spaceHow Series B+ CFOs and controllers are using their tool for real ROITheir journey is equal parts practical, emotional, and inspiring—a must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship in the AI era.📩 Interested in partnering or joining the beta? Visit https://www.tabot.info🌐 Learn more at: devoncoombs.com🔗 Connect with me: linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs#Leadership #AccountingAI #StartupLife #AuditTech #AmbitionAligned

Most promotions come with a dangerous lie: you’re ready.In reality? You're stepping into a role you were never trained for.In this episode of Ambition Aligned, executive coach Kent Frazier (ex-Korn Ferry, Cargill, Buffalo Wild Wings) breaks down why top performers often fail upward—and what to do instead.We explore:Why being good at your job makes you a bad managerThe invisible shift from contributor to leaderOptics vs. outcomes: the trap of trying to “look” successfulHow to win influence before you “need” itThe 90-day playbook every new leader should followIf you've been recently promoted—or are gunning for it—this is the conversation you can’t afford to skip. No fluff. No theory. Just real talk from the trenches of leadership development.🎧 Subscribe, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share with a new leader who needs this!📍More from Kent: kent.coach.com🌐 More from Devon: devoncoombs.com🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs#leadershipdevelopment #newleaders #promotiontrap #executivecoaching #ambitionaligned

How do you go from losing your eyesight and sleeping in a freezing buildings in the fetal position... to becoming a global tech leader and bestselling author?In this unforgettable Ambition Aligned episode, Ravi Prakash shares the raw truth behind his rise—from arriving in the U.S. with $0 and no family, to leading $8M+ digital transformation programs at Salesforce, and writing Safar, his powerful book on resilience and self-mastery.A Harvard Executive Leadership alum, Ravi has worked in 15+ countries, built high-performing teams, and inspired thousands as a keynote speaker. But his story begins with hunger, humiliation, and relentless hope.We cover:How to lead when the odds are stacked against youWhy executive presence is often BS—and what actually mattersThe hidden power of libraries, discomfort, and real human connectionWhy joy comes before money—not the other way aroundHow to turn your worst winters into your strongest weapons📘 Grab Ravi’s book Safar: www.journeywithravi.com🔗 Connect with Ravi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravi-prakash1/🎯 Connect with Devon: devoncoombs.com🙏 If this story moved you, please like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs it.#leadership #resilience #immigrantstory #ambitionaligned #careerjourney

AI can write your pitch—but it can’t fix your people problems.In this episode of Ambition Aligned, I sit down with Vladimir Baranov, a founder coach and former CTO/COO who helps technical founders get unstuck and lead with clarity. Vladimir has mentored YC and TS startups, and he specializes in helping brilliant engineers grow past their blind spots—before they burn out or stall their companies.We cover:Why tech founders cap their own growthHow AI is being misused as a crutch instead of a coachThe power of emotional intelligence in scaling teamsWhy self-awareness is the most underrated founder advantageWhat to do when your team hits 10, 50, or 100—and starts breakingWhether you lead a startup or a scaled org, this is a masterclass in real leadership—not just technical skill.🎯 Subscribe for raw conversations on ambition, leadership, and impact.🌐 devoncoombs.com🌐https://humaninterfaces.co/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/🔗https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimirbaranov/#TechLeadership #FounderCoach #AIinBusiness #EQvsIQ #AmbitionAligned