
169 Million Dollars Can’t Buy You Happiness E10
In this episode, Chris Yap featured the Founder of Founders First, Aaron Houghton. Aaron described what prompted him to establish Founders First despite having a $169 million dollar exit with one of his tech companies back in 2012. Aaron articulated how Founders First Community can help entrepreneurs and business leaders optimize themselves as human beings while optimizing the growth of their companies.
This episode will remind all business leaders and business owners that we can be a successful entrepreneur while being happy by being mindful of our emotions, our energy, and our body.
The Founders First System is a one of a kind framework which optimizes the performance of entrepreneurs, rather than the companies they run. Our exclusive training and peer support program transforms entrepreneurs into happy, healthy and successful founders who are strong enough to face the challenges of building great companies that change the world. 
Aaron Houghton believes it is possible for entrepreneurs to be healthy and happy while they build great companies that change the world.
Since starting his first business at age 17, he’s built and launched more than eleven tech startups, scaling one from conception to 350 employees and $50M in annual subscription revenue. Aaron sold two companies to private buyers and one to a publicly traded company for $169M before his 30th birthday.
Aaron was selected as an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008 and was listed to Inc Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list in 2010. He’s shared his story and his thoughts on personal growth, digital marketing, and startup leadership with hundreds of audiences, including Harvard University, Entrepreneurs Organization, and StartupNation.
Looking back, Aaron can see his success came with the hidden costs of long term stress; including panic attacks, debilitating anxiety, and a cancer diagnosis in 2009. He had a habit, like many of us, of pushing himself to the absolute limit. He was trading sleep to hit deadlines, trading nutrition to save pennies, and enduring chronic stress year after year so he could chase his dreams.
Aaron knew there must be a better way. He spent five years studying how entrepreneurs manage stress, and personally tested techniques for achieving high performance while maintaining mental and physical health. Aaron then created the Founders First System, manifesting two decades of experience and years of research into a simple set of processes, disciplines, and metrics designed to improve the experience of founders and business leaders around the world.
Follow Founders First on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About From Zero 2 Revenue
FROM ZERO 2 REVENUE is an avenue for successful entrepreneurs around the world to tell their stories on how they transformed their vision into reality. We’ll learn about their products and services; and, the passion and character behind the leadership of the organization. The show is designed to inspire and encourage struggling and future entrepreneurs to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
At the end of each episode, our listeners can expect plenty of takeaways! As the late Stephen Covey said, “All things are created twice – first in the mind, then in reality”.
About Our Host
Chris Yap is a seasoned BPO executive with over 17 years experience in the industry. Chris came to the US in 2005 to actively promote the Philippines, a preferred outsourcing destination of the world. In doing so, Chris was able to help generate over 40,000 jobs in the Philippines for companies like Dell, Covergys and West Teleservices, which are now consolidated with other large BPO companies in the world.
Chris has been happily married to Eizel for over 16 years and is blessed with 3 wonderful boys. In addition to his passion for business, Chris is also very passionate about helping to solve the child poverty problem. He is doing this by partnering with Food For The Poor where his company sponsors the feeding of children ages 5 and below on a monthly basis.
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn.
About Our Sponsor
Gabtech Global is a business process outsourcing company based in Glendale, Arizona with a fulfillment center in Bohol, Philippines. 
Gabtech Global specializes in providing affordable outsourced customer support, after hours and overflow call center services, link building and Virtual Assistant Services.
They work with companies making $100,000 a year in revenue to companies making $100,000 a day in revenue.





Rose Boerner retired from a multinational pharmaceutical company in 2004, after 28 years, in International Marketing, QA Labeling, and as Associate Director in Regulatory Affairs.
Joshua Rivedal—speaker, actor, playwright, innovator, social entrepreneur—is the creator and founder of Changing Minds: A Mental Health Based Curriculum and The i’Mpossible Project. He has spoken about suicide prevention, mental health and nutrition, and diverse experiences across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
Camilla Ross is the President and Chairman of Emerson Theater Collaborative, Inc., Producer and Actress (Portray’s Harriet Tubman – Harriet Tubman’s Dream written by Lisa Giordano). She is also the President and Chairman of the Sedona Arts Academy.
Karen Loomis, Oracle and Founder of 



Mitzi Krockover, MD is Principal and Senior Consultant of 
Center for Vein Restoration’s Physician Liaison Jessica Homicki is a dedicated team member of physician educators.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen and work-life balance.
Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 15 years of business-ownership experience. She is also a certified project management professional.









Denise Denlsow is business and technical professional whose life experience led to Co-Founding The JEM Foundation whose mission is to prevent youth suicide. Denise lost to her son to suicide and faced many obstacles getting her son Jake basic mental health care.
Blessed, proud father of two and stepfather of two. Ben Denslow married his best friend three years ago and he is an AZ native. He has nearly 30 years experience in the banking industry.
Nikki Kontz is Clinical Director at 
As the U.S. Director for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Susan Todd brings a unique blend of expertise in the areas of non-profit management and strengthening health systems as well as a passion for community involvement.








Daniel Folk is the founder and CEO of Hundred Life Design.
Darleen Santore, better known as “Coach Dar,” is a Licensed and Board-Certified Occupational Therapist, sought after motivational speaker, Mental Edge coach, and CEO & Founder of Performance Meets Purpose Consulting.
Along with being a Spartan racer, past animal trainer and magician’s assistant, Kindra Maple has experience working with diverse crowds of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds to support them with engagement opportunities.













