Founderology Forum

1 question every Founder should ask (Most never do)

In our latest Founderology podcast episode, Ellis Winstanley and I discuss his Founder’s journey, from being an 18-year-old who refused to accept he couldn't bartend to building one of the most innovative hospitality brands in the country.

January 6, 2026

Almost a year ago, I stood on a plot of land in Austin with Ellis Winstanley. He pointed to an empty space and said, "Here's my vision. I'm going to have an event center there."

I remember thinking: yes, of course, you are and I was so confident it would happen we recorded our first podcast together announcing that the 2026 Founderology Growth Summit would be hosted at the new El Arroyo event center.

That's exactly what Ellis does. He sees what others don't. He asks the questions others won't. And he builds what others say can't be done.

Ellis is the Founder of NAR Ventures, Axial Shift, El Arroyo and several other groundbreaking companies. Here's what makes him different from most serial entrepreneurs/Founders I know: He doesn't just solve problems for himself. He invites others in to solve them together, and the solution ends up helping an entire industry.

In our latest Founderology podcast episode, Ellis and I discuss his Founder's journey, from being an 18-year-old who refused to accept he couldn't bartend ("Why not? I can legally do it") to building one of the most innovative hospitality brands in the country.

When someone told him something couldn't be done a certain way, he didn't argue. He just kept working it until he found a solution. Then he did the hard work of making it real.
Ellis's Founder's mindset has driven everything he's built:

• El Arroyo's transformation from a local Austin icon into an international phenomenon.
• A bold vision for rethinking casual dining at a time when the entire industry is under pressure.
• An approach to community development and experiences that meets people where they are, at an approachable price point.
• Developing technology that drives performance at every level of a restaurant.

Ellis shared something in our conversation that every Founder needs to hear right now. It's about what happens when you stop trying to figure everything out yourself and start asking the right people the right questions. I won't give it all away here. You need to hear him say it.

I will share: The advice he gives is the same approach that took him from running numbers on a 10-key calculator behind a bar to building a portfolio of companies that are genuinely changing how people experience hospitality.

If you're a Founder navigating 2026, wondering how to grow, how to scale, how to solve the problems that feel impossible right now, this episode is for you. Ellis' mindset inspires us all to ask "why not". Listen to the full episode of Founderology: Built to Break Through wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you want to connect with Ellis and 100 more Founders building businesses to break through, join us at the Founderology Growth Summit, Feb. 2-4, 2026, at the brand-new El Arroyo Event Center in Austin. Ellis will be delivering a keynote, "From Tacos to Tech: A Founder's Journey," and trust me, you don't want to miss it.

As Ellis consistently highlighted, it only takes one insight to change everything. One question. One room full of the right people. That's what the Founderology Growth Summit is all about.

Register now at www.founderologysummit.com - Let's make 2026 your year to break through

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