EP 122: Deeper Than Dough - John Sampogna
Wed Jul 30 2025
What if building your dream business… costs more than just your time?
In this episode of Deeper Than Dough, I sit down with John Sampogna, seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and CEO, to unpack what it really takes to scale a company from two people to a 100+ powerhouse.
John co-founded Wondersauce, grew it into one of the fastest-growing companies in America, landed Fortune 500 clients like Nike, Grubhub, and L’Oréal, and led it to acquisition by Project Worldwide.
But behind the headlines? There were decisions that weighed heavy. Identity shifts. Emotional costs. And a constant dance between business ambition and personal fulfillment.
Now, John leads a team of 100+ creatives and shares what he's learned from the inside out.
We dive into the real stories behind the scaling:
🔥 Why scaling doesn’t have to mean burning out
🔥 The underestimated cost of ignoring your mental balance sheet
🔥 How to hire with passion and longevity in mind
🔥 Why money matters but it’s never the whole picture
🔥 What happens after your company gets acquired
Whether you’re a startup founder, a creative leader, or someone trying to build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process, this one’s for you.
You don’t just need better systems. You need better clarity on why you’re building in the first place.
Connect with John Sampogna
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsampogna/
linkedin.com/company/wondersauce/
Website: https://www.wondersauce.com/
Connect with Bennett
Instagram: @bennettmaxwell35
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bennett-maxwell-703717126/
Subscribe to Deeper Than Dough
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/bjozA
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/klE37
🎧 New episodes drop weekly, hit like & subscribe so you never miss a download that actually makes you think.
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What if building your dream business… costs more than just your time? In this episode of Deeper Than Dough, I sit down with John Sampogna, seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and CEO, to unpack what it really takes to scale a company from two people to a 100+ powerhouse. John co-founded Wondersauce, grew it into one of the fastest-growing companies in America, landed Fortune 500 clients like Nike, Grubhub, and L’Oréal, and led it to acquisition by Project Worldwide. But behind the headlines? There were decisions that weighed heavy. Identity shifts. Emotional costs. And a constant dance between business ambition and personal fulfillment. Now, John leads a team of 100+ creatives and shares what he's learned from the inside out. We dive into the real stories behind the scaling: 🔥 Why scaling doesn’t have to mean burning out 🔥 The underestimated cost of ignoring your mental balance sheet 🔥 How to hire with passion and longevity in mind 🔥 Why money matters but it’s never the whole picture 🔥 What happens after your company gets acquired Whether you’re a startup founder, a creative leader, or someone trying to build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process, this one’s for you. You don’t just need better systems. You need better clarity on why you’re building in the first place. Connect with John Sampogna LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsampogna/ linkedin.com/company/wondersauce/ Website: https://www.wondersauce.com/ Connect with Bennett Instagram: @bennettmaxwell35 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bennett-maxwell-703717126/ Subscribe to Deeper Than Dough Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/bjozA Spotify: https://shorturl.at/klE37 🎧 New episodes drop weekly, hit like & subscribe so you never miss a download that actually makes you think.