Entrepreneurially Thinking: Recent Episodes
Christy Maxfield
Discover what it takes and what it means to think entrepreneurially from thought leaders throughout the St. Louis region. Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore and Christy Maxfield bring to you the best and most experienced trailblazers around to share insights that can unlock your pioneer potential for creativity, innovation and experimentation.
Visit http://entrepreneuriallythinking.org
Joining us today is Dr. Nadia Shakoor, Founder and CEO of Agrela Ecosystems, an agtech start-up focused on delivering research quality data collection products and services in an effort to accelerate breeding cycle time within agricultural communities. Nadia is a crop phenotyping expert and co-inventor of the PheNode and is speaking with us today to help us better understand the world of agriculture. In this episode: Nadia talks about what sparked her interest in the field of biology and agriculture. Nadia says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means, “actively working on solutions to difficult problems that I am to help leave the world a better place, then we found it and the world of ag-tech helps her to achieve that goal.” Nadia talks about St. Louis' very own Danforth Plant Sciences Center and what attracted her to this state of the art research institute. Nadia says that she self identifies as an Inventor, an Entrepreneur, a CEO and Founder, but says that her passion is trying to develop crops that are healthier and better and improving on current crop technologies. Nadia explains what it means to take discoveries out of a lab and then build a company around them. She says that it takes a lot of hard work and determination to shift gears from developing your product to then selling your product. Nadia talks about what she has learned as a wearer of many hats. She shares with us some valuable advice and says she recommends just sticking with your passions and staying focused on the long term goals. Learn More: Email: shakoor@gmail.com Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Valerie Liddell, Founder and CEO of Grind + Growth, a non-profit co-working space that empowers, educates, and inspires people in underserved communities throughout the St. Louis and Illinois region. Through trial and error, Valerie gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, which inspired her to help other aspiring entrepreneurs like herself. In this episode: Valerie explains that she got her entrepreneurial drive, professional commitment and worth ethic from her Grandfather and her Father. While growing up and being provided with the things she needed and not provided with the 'wants' of a child, she found the drive to allow her as a grown up and entrepreneur to be able to purchase the things she not only needed but that she wanted as well. Valerie says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means being able to take a risk and not getting discouraged when obstacles pop up. Valerie talks about being a serial entrepreneur and the inner joy it brings her on a daily basis. Valerie tells us how Grind + Growth came to be and how she overcame the challenges she faced when acquiring capital. Valerie says she turned the obstacle in front of her into a treasure hunt and through research, the use of resources available to her and her drive until eventually, she found her treasure - aka CAPITAL. She explains that Grind + Growth can be of service to non-profits as well as for-profit organizations such as healthcare agencies, restaurant owners and a variety of other business development agencies. Prospective members can also learn more about day passes and annual memberships. Learn More: Email: vliddell@grindplusgrowth.com Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Elise Miller Hoffman, General partner at Cultivation Capital, a Venture Capital Firm that manages a family of funds focused on early-stage investing. Elise is active in St. Louis' entrepreneurial ecosystem and invests in promising digital health and life sciences start-ups. In addition, Elise was named as a St. Louis Business Journal "30 under 30" awardee in 2018. In this episode: Elise talks about growing up in Texas and what brought her to St. Louis. Elise says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means envisioning what a better world could look like and using your unique talents and relentless drive to make your vision happen. Elise shares with us her adventures and what led her to the Venture Capital field and she says that she was very drawn in by St. Louis' entrepreneurial ecosystem. Elise says that she was able to find the right fit for her amongst many different business options by playing an internship role on all playing fields. Elise describes her experiences with the different ranks she held once entering the Venture Capital game. Elise talks negotiating, board representation, strategic counseling, sales process and analytics. Elise discusses how Cultivation Capital fits into our ecosystem. She explains that there are many different investment focuses such as software and IT, Ag Tech and early stage company formations. Elise gives some advice to women and minorities who are thinking about getting into a male dominated Venture Capital industry. Elise also tells us what is on the horizon for her and her Cultivation Capital team. Elise states that the pandemic has sifted her focus and thinking towards effectively battling and conquering the challenges we currently face during Covid. Learn More: Email: emillerhoffman@cultivationcapital.com Company Website: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Ron Story, Jr., Serial entrepreneur and Founder of PitchDB, a search engine for speaking engagements that saves hours of digging for leads and contacts in just a few clicks. Over the past 20 years, Ron has been instrumental in the creation, development and leadership of over 30 companies with a potential market value of over 200 million. In this episode: Ron explains that while he was born and raised in East St.Louis he took some advice and decided to go where he would be treated best, so with that he took the advice and some research and moved to Medelllin, Columbia. Ron says he is a starter and a fixer at heart and says that entrepreneurial thinking to him means finding a problem and fixing that problem. Ron talks about being an international entrepreneur and why he chose to make Medellin his permanent business home. Ron shares a warm and fuzzy story about employee development and talks about hiring employees that you can trust. Ron explains his take on business development and says that he is fond of the 'buying a business plan' as opposed to the 'building a business plan'. Ron shares with us his experience with being an author of a book titled "The First 100 Miles". Ron says that your brain is just as valuable as your body, so feed your brain with knowledge and do the things you love to do in life. Learn More: Email: ronstoryjr@gmail.com Website: Personal Facebook:
Joining us today is Bob Miller, CEO and Founder of Melio, a company that offers products that harness the power of the sun, all while upcycling plastic bottles for a more sustainable future. Bob followed his passion of design and environment by creating a solar charging back-pack and says he envisions Melio as a lifestyle brand. In this episode: Bob says growing up in a small business environment may have played a role in his desire to become an entrepreneur. Bob also says that entrepreneurial thinking to him means opening your eyes to new opportunities to be able to grow and develop into that individual that you want to be or the organization that you want to have. Bob explains that as a small business owner of a lifestyle brand, he hopes to persuade consumers to think about and to make a conscious effort to learn about the companies that they are buying from. Bob tells us how he discovered, marketed and developed Melio and also talks about where the business name Melio derived from. Bob talks about Melios' flagship product called JUICE, a solar powered backpack designed to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and consumers that are on the go. Bob speaks about the changes in his marketing plan that had to be made in the face of Covid. Bob says that while Covid added some challenges to the marketing of the product, it also helped due to the fact that consumers are participating in more outdoor themed activities. Bob shares with us some of the things he has learned on his journey to entrepreneurship. Learn More: Email: rmiller@meliodesign.com Website: Company Facebook: Company LinkedIn:
Joining us today is Whitney McClendon-Gregory, CEO and Founder of Eemerg.com, a local company that is reinventing how drivers request roadside services. Whitney is ambitious and dedicated to providing an open marketplace platform and has pledged to build a service where her customers can choose a suitable price option for their needs. In this episode: Whitney explains that roadside assistance and businesses of the like, have always been in her blood by way of family entrepreneurs. Whitney says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means having the ability to see differently than the rest of the world and having the inherent trait to make it easier to develop items and innovation. Whitney talks about how the Eemerg app was developed and how it works. Whitney talks about the importance to her of providing a fair marketplace to consumers and says that before Eemerg there really wasn't a fair marketplace. Whitney talks about building a phenomenal customer acquisition strategy. Whitney says she used connections from her family and says attending tow conventions helped her build her company's provider database. Whitney tells us about making the shift from an LLC to a Corporation AND all of the different programs she utilized while working on developing Eemerg.com. She explains that she used Square1, Arch Grants and WEPOWER and talks about the different inputs she received from each program. Whitney shares with us what she has learned on her entrepreneurial journey and gives us some advice to share with our listeners. Learn More: Email: whitney@eemerg.com Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Keith Turner, Serial Entrepreneur and Founder of Happy Doggy Treats. With almost 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and community service, Keith has found his niche in life not only as a businessman but also a community do-gooder. In this episode: Keith gives us some insight into his lifelong passion of being an entrepreneur; from crafting and selling to selling items out of his college dorm room to being a business owner in the present. Keith says that entrepreneurial thinking to him means every time you see an opportunity you realize it, identify the product and target audience, solve the problem and if you can do all of that and make a profit, then you are an entrepreneur. Keith explains how the Happy Doggy Treats concept came to be. He says that after many months of research, he realized that there was not a 'healthy' dog treat, so he set out on a mission to create a product and start a company. Keith talks about how his tech business led to a bunch of research that eventually led him to another business and he tells us how he identifies new opportunities and lists 3 strategies to help you. Keith tells us about how he is involved in the community and also explains how he dovetails entrepreneurship and community service in an effort to produce a win-win for all. Keith gives us some advice on entrepreneurship and says that you must have positive cash flow, make sure you understand your cost and he gives us a few other tips of the trade. Learn more: Email: Support@HappyDoggyTreats.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Debra Corrie, CEO of Acumaxum, LLC, a financial consulting company that helps privately held businesses generate more cash, increase company profits, and scale their businesses. Debra surrounds herself with many other entrepreneurs and is dedicated to helping business owners reap the financial benefits within their company while building personal wealth for themselves. In this episode: Debi talks about the ups and downs of figuring out her life's purpose and passions and says that she ultimately sacrificed herself so that the business she first poured her heart into could survive. Debi explains that she loves working with strategy and says there are always numbers behind the strategy. Debi tells us how Acumaxum came to be and how she developed her team. Debi says that a lot of people are involved in a company and that people are what make or break your company. As an entrepreneur, Debi likes to develop people and says she finds it exciting to watch them learn and grow. Debi talks about the focus of Acumaxum and how her company plans to help other businesses hit their growth goals. Debi says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means always looking for the next tech advance and seeing how you can use it for your business. Debi explains what her launch strategy is and says that one of her tools is a book she authored titled "Loving Failure: Getting Control of your Business Health." This book talks about all things money - Great read! Debi talks about financial indicators within your business and never says ever let failure define you or stop you! Learn More: Email: debi@acumaxum.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Tashara Earl, President and Co-Founder of Techrein, a company that specializes in innovative safety solutions with wearable technology. Tashara is a talented marketing idea generator and business professional implementing ideas to maximize brand exposure and increase sales. In this episode: Tashara talks about growing up as a St. Louis native and tells us about her many passions, from dance to cosmetology to DJing and her newfound tech passion. Tashara talks about pivoting and says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means breaking through barriers by creating innovative solutions. Tashara explains how Techrein came to be. Tashara says that Techrein is a lifestyle brand designed to keep people safe and to look good while doing it. Tashara tells us how her team worked on building a brand and developed a product geared for a certain target audience. Tashara says that Techrein products are not only safe for outdoor enthusiasts but also for police departments and the Department of Defense. Tashara talks about what it has been like to work with a co-founder and to build a team in an effort to pursue one common goal of becoming an entrepreneur. Tashara says working to find each partners' 'superpower' in order to maximize the company's full potential has been very important to her. Tashara discusses creating life balance and says she is working on a public online course so that she can share her learned business nuggets with the rest of the world, and Tashara offers up some advice to other entrepreneurs as well. Learn More: Email: tearl@techreinwst.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Frank Williamson, CEO of STL Black Restaurant Week. Frank is a St. Louis native and loves being involved in the community by serving as Engagement Chair for Urban League-St. Louis and by spearheading STL Black Restaurant Week in an effort to promote restaurants that are owned and operated by African-Americans. In this episode: Frank starts the conversation by explaining that he grew up and went to school in St.Louis, and for college, he went to Lincoln University in Jefferson, MO. Frank says that entrepreneurial thinking to him means “stepping outside of your comfort zone and exceeding. Frank explains how being part of the Urban League Young Professionals of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULYP-STL) helped him connect with others in Memphis, TN., that started the first STL Black Restaurant Week. Frank talks about how STL Black Restaurant Week works and what people can do at the event, and the restaurants involved for the week. He also shares how he promotes the event. Frank shares that UMSL Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) was also a great resource to build and grow the event Frank speaks about the pull of entrepreneurship and having several streams of income to make that possible. He always wants to help the community and give back this year with Covid-19 and also going forward to lessen that impact. Learn More: Email: Company Facebook: Personal Facebook
Joining us today is Nalini Mahadevan, Founder of MLO Law, LLC. As a distinguished attorney, Nalini is helping St. Louis Corporations attract and retain top international talent for the region's growing industries. In this episode: Nalini starts the conversation by explaining that she grew up on three different continents - born in England, grew up in India, and came to the United States, specifically St. Louis, to attend Washington University. Nalini says that entrepreneurial thinking, to her means figuring things out and offering solutions not only for yourself but for the people you serve. Nalini explains how she sowed the seeds to birthing her very own law firm, MLO Law. From starting her business out of her home to a much larger location in Clayton, Nalini says she worked hard to service the clients that walked through the door. Starting with Estate Planning Law, Nalini explains that she quickly found her calling in Immigration Law. Nalini talks about how through her practices in Immigration Law, she is able to attract top talent from all around the world to the region's growing industries. Nalini tells us about her book titled "How to Start A Law Practice and Succeed". She says that 17 years ago when she decided to follow her dreams to open a practice of her own, that there were few tools available to help her get her start, so she took it upon herself to help future law practice owners succeed by writing her book and sharing her learned knowledge. Nalini speaks about the ongoing and never-ending learning process of entrepreneurship and says she recently found herself admitting that she doesn't know everything that there is to know and that's okay! Nalini also says that a podcast may be in her future and that she really is looking forward to empowering other female attorneys in the future. Learn More: Email: nsm@mlolaw.us Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Murielle Gaither, CEO of Venku, the easy way to list and look for unique outdoor experiences across America. Mirielle is a 'do-er' with the ability to transform a vision into a reality through years of experience with strategic planning, goal setting, and rallying her team and stakeholders around a unified calling. In this episode: Murielle says she grew up in a facility full of entrepreneurs and attributes growing up in that world, with helping her with her business experience and the entrepreneur vision. Murielle says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means looking at the world through a new lens, encountering problems, and being able to see them as opportunities. Murielle explains how the concept of Venku came to be. An idea birthed from her Father's mind, placed on hold then handed over to Murielle she says she willingly took over the project and ran with it. Murielle goes into detail just how Venku works. She says Venku provides the tech and the host provides the experience. Murielle also explains how Venku meets everyone in the middle from the host to the customer. Murielle talks about all the different aspects of business she has learned along the way; everything from research and product testing on the tech side of the app and platform development. Murielle loves relying on her long-standing hosts for feedback and loves the long term relationships she has formed through their business. Murielle speaks about her role as CEO and says while it was hard at first, she has learned to ask for help, in an effort to free up some of her time to utilize her personal strengths to push the business to its full potential. Learn More: Email: murielle@venku.com Website: Company Facebook
Joining us today is Michael Fritzius, Chief Technology Officer of Arch DevOps, a software testing and automation provider who amid Covid-19, got edgy and added a few more things to the list of services the company provides. Michael, aka "Fritz" comes from a long line of "nerds" and says that he loves that he gets the chance daily to use technology while blending it with communication, relationship building, consulting, and marketing. In this episode: Michael explains how he entered the life of entrepreneurship. He tells us that after being let go from a contracting job he finally jumped off the cliff and submitted the application for an LLC. Michael says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means looking at the world and instead of asking why, ask why not? He says entrepreneurs are made up of the 'stuff' to change the world. Michael explains what DevOps is and how the process of creating software works to design and everything in between. Michael says that he and his business partner are able to accommodate all sectors of business software and have a database of support companies to back them up. Michael explains how as a business owner, he got edgy in the wake of covid in order to stay on top of the game. He says that his company strives to stick together with everyone who wants to succeed even in these scary times. Michael talks about his own experience with podcasting and talks to us about his very own show titled "The Hot Mic @ Arch DevOps". He says that when he originally started his show that he set out to talk just about DevOps to automation as the sole presenter, but soon realized that there was a need to invite others to speak as well. Michael discusses life lessons- everything from a cancer diagnosis to being a father of four girls and being an entrepreneur. He says that he is thankful for his supporters and for learning the entrepreneurial processes. Learn more: Email: fritz@archdevops.com Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today are Jane Molina and Joy Williams, Co-Founders of Covenant Partners, LLC, and Ninni Co., an online baby product company. Jane and Joy are not strangers to entrepreneurship after running a successful HVAC business. Six years ago, the sisters started an extraordinary mission to create the first truly, 'breast-like' pacifier. In this episode: Jane and Joy talk about their extensive and exciting education careers and early work experiences. After many adventures, both ladies ended up back in St. Louis, working in their Father's HVAC business. Jane says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means to have a passion for something and to go at it with all that you've got until you show up on the other side. Jane and Joy explain their journey and the realization that brought them to their newest business venture, NinniCo.com. Jane says that by child number 5 between the two of them, a fear of her baby successfully weaning off of her natural breast causing confusion and the lack of a breast-like pacifier on the market, once again sparked her inner entrepreneur. Joy says that entrepreneurial thinking to her means pursuing your dreams and not letting people put parameters on what you have to do in this life. Jane and Joy discuss their inner fight between staying in the HVAC business or venturing out to create a legacy of their own. They talk about the many different steps they had to take from hiring an attorney to patent searches, to creating and testing their product. Jane and Joy tell us about what stage their business is currently in. Jane offers her advice and tells other entrepreneurs, creators, and inventors to never ever give up on your product or invention. Jane tells us that it took four times to submit their product before finally being accepted as a patentable product, so if you believe in it, GO FOR IT! Learn More: Email: jane.m.molina@gmail.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Bradley Loyet, Owner of BP Fabrication LLC, a fabrication and manufacturing business located in St. Louis, Missouri whose focus is on the MotorSports industry. Brad, a race car driver at heart, found himself on the wrong side of a freak accident in 2018, however, his determination is allowing him to finish his racing career on his own terms AND as an entrepreneur. In this episode: Brad talks about how his Father has mentored him through all facets of life whether it's his work ethics, race car driving, or entrepreneurship, Brad says in one way or another, his Father played a large role. Brad says that entrepreneurial thinking to him means that luck comes from hard work, so keep working hard! Brad explains how a freak accident while changing a race car tire pushed him to retire from racing and eventually led him to the entrepreneurship side of motorsports with the establishing of BP Fabrication, LLC. Brad discusses business factors such as employee retention and training, machinery upkeep, account sales and retention, and of course manufacturing. Brad says that he hopes to build his business to a point where he can retire at the young age of 45. Brad explains the 'crumb to bakery' process to which he runs his business. Brad says that he is a student entrepreneur and explains to us what inspires him as an entrepreneur - He says that he reads a lot of books that are about entrepreneurship and written by entrepreneurs. Brad's advice to us all is to put the work in and it will return ten-fold. Learn More: Email: bradtheracer@sbcglobal.net Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Lusnail Haberberger, President of LUZCO Technologies, a top-notch electrical engineering consulting firm. Lusnail drew her skills as an Electrical Engineer and seasoned Project Manager for large scale infrastructure projects to deliver best-in-class services and continues to make a name for herself in this modern industry. In this episode: Lus tells us about coming to the states from Venezuela through an exchange program at 16 years of age. Lus says she realized early on the importance of becoming bi-lingual and says she took her schooling very seriously. Lus says her entrepreneurial spirit was conceived while working on her MBA and feels that entrepreneurial thinking to her means having the courage to not let your fears depict who you are. Lus explains that upon moving to St. Louis she was contracted by Ameren to provide her consulting expertise. Lus says Ameren gave her the tools she needed such as training programs and incubators to help her launch her business which is by the way the fastest growing businesses in the St. Louis region with 28 employees in just three years' time. Lus talks about how as a business owner, she has had to pivot business procedures during Covid. She says good computers, good technology, and constant contact with her clients has helped her maintain good relations in an effort to keep the business moving forward. Lus tells us what it means to her to be connected to certain entities in an effort to help her maintain business growth and profitability and explains that the Hispanic Chamber has helped her directly in so many ways. In closing, Lus tells us about a few of the challenges she has faced and how she has conquered those challenges. Learn More: Email: lus@luzcotechllc.com Website: Company LinkedIn: https:
Joining us today is Michelle Robinson, Owner of DEMIblue natural Nails and Creator of DEMIblue 10-Free Vegan-Friendly Nail Polish line. Michelle has serviced the healthcare and education industries for over 18 years and was inspired to incorporate her research, experience, and love for servicing others by providing healthier manicures and pedicures, through her personal nail polish brand. In this episode: Michelle tells us about being a first-time family college graduate and entrepreneur. Michell explains that education was and still is very important to her and says that she started out wanting to make sure that future students had a proper academic future. As an employee of Vatterott College, Michelle says she was thrust into entrepreneurship when the school closed its doors for good. Michelle started working on her plan in 2017 when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Michelle says that it wasn't until her Mother's diagnosis, that she realized that cancer-causing toxins are very prevalent in most beauty products. With that, she set out on a mission to create a healthier, non-toxic alternative - born was DEMIblue Natural Nails. Michelle tells us how she developed her formulations, arranged a business plan & partnered with manufacturers in an effort to grow and launch her business. For Michelle, entrepreneurial thinking means taking your passion, creating a business around it, and giving back to the community. Michelle talks about the process of choosing the nail colors and says that every year she hosts an event called "Name that Color" which allows women in the community to select the seasons' colors and to name them. Michelle loves getting the community involved in her business and her brand. Michelle gives advice to new entrepreneurs and says it is key to do the research and use the resources around you to develop a successful brand. She encourages entrepreneurs to ask for help and listen to your followers. Michelle also talks about a few of the challenges she has faced and how she has overcome those challenges. Learn More: Email: info@demibluenaturalnails.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today are a power couple, Chavelle and Phillip Sangokoya, of BRAND of St. Louis. Chavelle and Phillip created BRAND of St. Louis to serve as a social enterprise whose mission is to co-create, pilot, and fund innovation that promotes collaboration and equitable wealth building. In this episode: Phillip and Chavelle talk to us about how they moved into the world of entrepreneurship. Chavelle explains that she never really pictured herself as an entrepreneur but happened to fall into the path while helping Phillip with daily operations and problem-solving within his established business. Phillip says that entrepreneurial thinking to him means exploring the intersection between what the world needs and what you are good at, passionate about, and what there is a market for. Chavelle says that to her, entrepreneurial thinking means embracing failure and being willing to learn along the way. Phillip explains how BRAND of St. Louis (Business Resource Association for Networking and Development) operates and its mission to help entrepreneurs who need additional assistance getting business loans and getting the financials in order so that they can get their business off to a great start. Chavelle discusses how BRAND of St. Louis has helped business owners trudge through the PPE Loan process during Covid-19. Chavelle says that BRAND of St. Louis has created a program called The Start-Up League Rewards Program and she explains the benefits of the program. Phillip says the goal of BRAND of St. Louis is to uplift St. Louis' business ecosystem through a Theory of Change concept which engages the Black and Latinx business community to partner up with win-win partners to create a positive change within the community. Learn More: Email: partner@brandofstl.com Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter: BRANDofSTL
Joining us today is Olamide Adeboye, Founder and CEO of Wakava Food and Beverage, an organic health-conscious company that provides a better tasting, healthier food, and herbal drink options using herbs from Africa. Ola is a Nigerian immigrant who utilized St. Louis' Business Community resources to bring his vision to life. In this episode: Ola shares with us his early start in entrepreneurship with a Blockbuster type business in Nigeria and an export business in India. Ola says he feels he maybe was inspired to be an entrepreneur by his Mother who was an entrepreneur in the foodservice industry. Ola discusses what brought him to St. Louis (HINT - a girl) and says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means taking the St. Louis entrepreneur to a different level. Ola explains what Wakava is and tells us about the steps he took to create his business and business plan. Ola says that he owes a lot of his business success to St. Louis' own Square One Program. Ola says his mission and purpose in starting Wakava was to innovate African food and to bring an aesthetic to the brand but also flavors to the palate that Americans may not be accustomed to. Ola goes into detail about how his products are made and what fruits and ingredients are used. Ola shares with us his advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs. Ola says that networking is of utmost importance and says it is important to surround yourself with like-minded people. Ola highly recommends the Square One Program and urges others to check it out as well. Learn More: Email: majek001@gmail.com Website: Company Facebook: https: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Minerva Lopez, a small business owner, and non-profit Founder. Minerva returned to St. Louis in early 2020, since then she has been deeply involved in identifying, understanding, and successfully applying for small business COVID relief loans and grants. In this episode: Minerva discusses growing up in California and says that she can remember there always being a need for help in business development throughout the Latina community and minority populations, amongst other needs. Minerva says her passion for community-based programs that focus on making underserved communities a better, more resourceful place to live. Minera says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means being an informative tool for people of all walks of life to become aware of information and to create and lead your business. Minerva talks about her experiences while owning a soccer apparel store on Cherokee Street. A big fan of soccer, Minerva knew in her heart, even before the prospect of a professional soccer team was established, that St. Louis was a soccer city. Upon realizing that there was not a store in St. Louis to purchase soccer apparel, she had to open one of her own. Minerva tells us what she feels would be more impactful for Latina and minority owned businesses in the area. Minerva tells us what her future holds in the business world. She says she has left her mark on St. Louis and is ready to take her talents to other underserved areas that also need resources and a person with the knowledge that can rise them up. Learn More: Email: lopez.minerva@gmail.com
Joining us today is Mena Darre', Owner of Mena Darre' Photography and Video. In 2017, Mena stepped out on faith and quit her teaching job to pursue Mena Darre' full time to focus on professional branding. When Mena is not behind the camera, you can find her in the classroom working with students who have an interest in entrepreneurship and photography. In this episode: Mena talks about her educational background and explains that she took her time figuring out what career really spoke to her soul. Mena says that it wasn't until some friends pointed out to her how well of a photographer she is that she considered making a career of it. Mena says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means building a life and career that you love and being able to provide opportunities for future generations. Mena talks about self-identifying as an entrepreneur and recognizing her gifts and talents as an entrepreneur, which in turn manifests itself into a career and impacts the world. Mena says that her customer interactions with clients in the exercise science field helped her with building a good report and business base for her photography business. Mena tells us how she established her business from its birth to its current state. Mena says she found herself working with a lot of women, who like her, had a dream of creating a life doing what they love. Mena says it was a no-brainer to lean towards the 'Branding' side of photography in an effort to help those women build their brand and their businesses. Mena goes into detail about a new form of experience she has undertaken that consists of classes and workshops that help entrepreneurs learn the ins and outs of branding a business. Mena speaks about her love for working with students in the classroom who have an interest in becoming entrepreneurs or photographers. Learn more: Email: support@menadarre.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Fatimah Muhammad, Managing Director of Apiary @ The Park, a co-working and co-living space located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of St. Louis. Fatimah has had a passion for building communities and self-sufficiency most of her life and continues listening to the community and delivering on her promises, the needs of so many. In this episode: Fatimah shares with us her many business experiences she has ventured on including one that took her to Africa and the inspiring journeys that followed. Fatimah says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means to follow your path, looking inward for your purpose, listening to yourself, trusting yourself, and to be a problem solver. Fatimah tells us about her love for the community and building a stronger support system within that community. It was this passion that led her into her most recent venture Apiary @ The Park and what she calls the 'Queen-Bee Hive'. Fatimah explains the importance of getting organized and getting to know the people in the community. She says with the help of other concerned residents, she started a neighborhood Association. Upon forming the association, and listening to the people, Fatimah came to the conclusion that the neighborhood needed a space that would speak to the culture of black and brown entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. Fatimah discusses affirmations and supportive feedback she has received. Fatimah says she is following her lifes' purpose and feels inspired by the outpouring of love. Fatimah talks about how the build and design is coming along and discusses Covid-19 prep and gives advice to others looking to be engaged with the community. Learn More: Email: Fatimah@ApiaryAtThePark.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Sara Stock, Founder and Managing Partner of Stock Legal and a sponsor of the Entrepreneurially Thinking Podcast. As a Corporate Attorney, Sara advises her clients in all aspects of the business lifecycle including entity formation, financing, general business matters, scaling, and mergers and acquisitions. In this episode: Sarah talks about growing up in the midst of the family business that was run out of her childhood home. Through the ups and downs of business, Sara recalls wanting to be a trusted advisor when she grew up much like the advisors her parents relied upon. Sara discusses the multitude of emotions that come with being a female entrepreneur. Sara says that fear is a huge factor when starting a business or becoming an entrepreneur but you must push past the fear and believe that when you jump, a net will appear. Sara tells us about her concept of building a competitive advantage by getting out of the "office" and getting to know all of the like-minded service providers in the market. In doing so, Sara says that she has had lunch, dinner, drinks, or coffee with over 4000 people. Sarah talks about how during the downtime presented by COVID, she and her team have turned to look inward at the company in an effort to improve on everyday business processes. Sara shares with us her thoughts on entrepreneurship and life lessons. Sara says that to her, entrepreneurially thinking means to think independently, creatively, and strategically and then to have the courage and vulnerability to put that out into the world. Learn More: Email: sara.stock@stocklegal.com Company Website: Company Facebook: Company LinkedIn:
Joining us today is Jeanet Wade, Managing Partner and Certified EOS Implementer of Business Alchemist. As a Certified EOS Implementer, Jeanet has helped businesses struggling with complexity and leadership alignment to be focused as a team on outcome achievement. An entrepreneur for 20 years, Jeanet loves helping companies implement strategic growth initiatives. In this episode: Jeanet tells us about her early years in her career in innovation and the many fun projects she took on. Jeanet says entrepreneurially thinking to her means to become fascinated by people because people are the common denominator between whether you fail or succeed. Jeanet explains what compelled her to leave corporate life in order to venture out on her own journey of entrepreneurship. Jeanet says her specialty lies in the execution of helping companies achieve revenue through product and service development, pricing and placement, or through promotion strategies. Jeanet explains what EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is and fills us in on her pivot from marketing to a Certified EOS implementer. Jeanet tells us what it means to implement EOS and the strategies she uses with the clients she works with. She says that dealing with people in the industry inspired her to write her book The Human Team. Jeanet says that in the last 7 years she has facilitated 438 full day, off-site leadership team sessions to help companies to align the Vision, get traction on that vision, and become a cohesive healthy team. Jeanet says her book The Human Team covers the 6 facts of human needs from the human team and says that she has been approached to write other books regarding needs in other aspects in life such as relationships. Learn More: Email: jeanet@jalepenoconsulting.net Website:
Joining us today is Katie Silversmith, Founding Partner of ThriveCo, a personalized co-working space located in Clayton, MO. Entrepreneurship and a passion for helping others have been in Katie's blood since childhood. Katie completed her Masters' of Social Work at Washington University, St. Louis, and in 2018, Katie and her husband Alex opened ThriveCo with one goal in mind - To help small businesses succeed. In this episode: Katie tells us about growing up in St. Louis and fills us in on some of her earliest business ventures. Katie says as a child, she loved making and inventing and spent a lot of time selling those things door-to-door. Katie says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means having a 'the shy is the limit' mentality. Katie speaks of her lifelong passion for helping others through operations and building communities. Katie explains how ThriveCo works and who she intends to help through having a place for small businesses and entrepreneurs to connect with each other. Katie says that ThriveCo offers a unique 'wrap-around' model service that no other co-working space in St. Louis offers. Katie talks about how Covid-19 has had an impact on ThriveCo. Katie says that the space has remained open through COVID and that she enjoys giving her tenants advice on how to succeed even in the hardest of times. Katie gives us advice on her take on entrepreneurship and says it's important to get out of your own way and to connect with other small businesses and entrepreneurs on social media. Learn More: Email: katie@thrive-coworking.com Website: http://www.thrive-coworking.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveco.stl Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveco-stl
Joining us today is Patrice Johnson, Owner of Patrice J. Bridal, St. Louis' first black-owned bridal retailer. Patrice has over 15 years of sewing experience and creating classic and timeless dresses for weddings, special occasions, and prom for women of all sizes and curves. Patrice says, "Fit is Key" and loves pattern making, drafting, draping, and making even the most curvaceous women feel great on their special day. In this episode: Patrice explains that hurricane Katrina forced her out of New Orleans and straight to St. Louis, Missouri. Patrice states that She learned at an early age how to sew and has always had an eye for fashion. Patrice says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means being able to design the life of your dreams. Patrice talks about forming a relationship with her bridal clients that she works with and the importance of those relationships in order to keep your business performing at its best. Patrice tells us how she conceived the bridal shop concept, built the business and how she conceived her product line. Patrice discusses bridal trends. She explains that COVID has really put a limit on event planning and explains what a micro-wedding is. Patrice talks about making right for her clients that had put deposits down on prom dresses and wedding dresses once COVID took over. Patrice tells us about a new business venture she is starting which consists of a sewing academy that will train future bridal designers. Patrice reflects on being a serial entrepreneur and gives advice such as never quitting and always learning from your mistakes. Learn More: Email: info@patricejbridal.com Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Instagram:
Joining us today is Andre Holman, Production Manager of STL-TV and Creator of MINE, YOUR Biz Networking Events. Andre is an experienced Production Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the government relations industry, Nonprofit organizations, Sales, Event Management, Team Building, and Media Relations. Andre carries a Bachelor's Degree focused on Communications-Electronic Media/Broadcasting from Missouri State University. In this episode: Andre tells us about growing up in St.Louis and how a shocking change in schools turned his interest towards TV and TV production. Andre says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means being a 'super-connector' and says he enjoys connecting people and loves seeing others shine when given the opportunity to do so. Andre talks about finding balance in television coverage in a way that caters to not just one community but all communities and their needs. Andre and his team then took a look at those needs and branded STL-TV as a channel that airs many different topics that would engage a wide audience. Andre tells us about his most recent business venture called MINE, YOUR Biz Networking Events. Andre felt the need to create an event and a space where entrepreneurs or future entrepreneurs could come and have a dialogue with other business owners. Andre explains how he plans to continue his MINE, YOUR Biz Networking events in the midst of COVID. Andre has a plan to gather top young professionals and connect them through zoom networking events. Andre gives some advice to entrepreneurs and says to set yourself apart from the others and find what it is that you do really well - and that you love and stick to that. Learn More: Email: andreholman@att.net Company Website:
Joining us today are Steve Ewing and Danni Eickenhorst of Steve's Hotdogs. Steve is a longtime musician and owner of Steve's Hotdogs located in the Tower Grove East neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. Steve, the lead singer for The Urge, started his business as a hotdog cart in 2008 after realizing St. Louis lacked a place that served fun food before and after live music shows. It didn't take long for St.Louisans' to realize that Steve's culinary creativity was worth coming out for all on its own. The accolades and business growth soon followed. In this episode: Steve and Danni discuss their early journeys into entrepreneurship, Steve with The Urge and Danni in Freelance work. Steve fills us in on how the concept of Steve's Hotdogs came to be. He explains that while playing many of the Urge Shows, He noticed that there was a lack of food to be found outside the music venues - Steve's Hot Dog cart was born. Steve says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means being creative, finding partnership and putting your ideas into play. Steve talks about the challenges he faced while trying to get the proper permits and licenses to sell food within different municipalities. Danni explains how their business relationship formed with Steve's Hotdogs and talks about the importance of having the right team to make a business successful. Danni says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means always looking for new ways to serve people and to fulfill their needs. Steve talks about the love that the community gave them when they announced that Steve's Hotdogs had to close up shop. Danni tells us about how the local community rallied together in an effort to keep Steve's Hotdogs a neighborhood staple. Steve talks about the current momentum building around his business and talks a bit about what the future holds. Learn More: Email: Steveshotdogs@gmail.com Company Website:
Joining us today is Jeffrey Blair, Co-Owner of Eyeseeme African American Children's Bookstore. Jeffrey and his wife Pam opened their brick and mortar store 5 years ago based upon their own experience raising their children and finding it is difficult to find black children's literature. Jeffrey believes that education starts with self and says that he has seen first-hand how the reflective images in a book can resonate with African American children. In this episode: Jeffrey talks about his career in law and what experiences made him transition to be an entrepreneur in a different field. Jeffrey explains his life long passion of being involved in youth programs. Jeffrey says that entrepreneurially thinking to him, means solving problems. Jeffrey goes into detail about the tipping point for him and his wife when it came to their children's schooling and the lack of children's books that included African American culture and history. Jeffrey explains how his legal and tech background and his wife's banking background helped in setting up and maintaining the business. Jeffrey talks about the many different avenues Eyeseeme Bookstore is able to market and sell their African American children's literature. Jeffrey tells us about the many challenges they faced while operating the business and gives us his take on the government-issued SBA assistance during Covid-19. Learn More: Email: jeffrey.blair@eyeseeme.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Johnnica Bolden, Owner of J Star Construction and COO of iJustOrder. Johnnica comes from a family of entrepreneurs, her Grandfather being her driving force. While helping her Grandfather, Johnnica learned everything from filing papers to learn how to process payroll and billing to bidding on contracts. With this vast experience and a love for the business, Johnnica knew that being an entrepreneur herself was a must! In this episode: Johnnica fills us in on her family entrepreneurship background and how she got her start as a business owner. Johnnica says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means thinking differently from the rest of the world and making your vision come to reality even if it means taking risks. Johnnica tells us about her role as the owner of J Star Construction and how that came to be. She also discusses how she runs the North County, St. Louis business from Dallas, Texas. Johnnica tells us about her newest business venture which is an app called ijustorder. She explains that iJustOrder is an app on your phone that allows spectators at arena or stadium events to order food or merchandise without ever having to leave their seats. Johnnica shares with us her reflections on being an entrepreneur and how she has taken on her numerous roles. She explains that the tech business is much faster paced than the construction business and the challenges she faces while trying to keep up with her counterpart. Johnnica discusses how iJustOrder is working on developing a COVID-proof version of the app that ensures all state-mandated safety regulations are followed and that their employees stay safe as well. Learn More: Email: info@jstarconstruction-stl.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Zach McGee, Founder, and CEO of Black Brew Tea, a specialty tea company that blends tisanes and teas to make great tasting herbal products. Zach comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and believes "you are what you drink". Zach was inspired to develop a bottled beverage as a way to set black brew tea apart in the market. In this episode: Zach explains how Black Brew Tea came to be and talks 'Tea Community' jargon. Once a hobby to Zach, Tea Blends, and the science behind it came naturally to Zach so friends convinced him to make his blends available in the retail market. Zach says entrepreneurially thinking to him means putting the right things into your body and putting positive vibes out into the world. Zach discusses some future business projects and fills us in on where Black Brew Teas are available locally. Zach tells us about a product of his that helps with viruses that can brew in your lungs. Zach tells us how his process of creating and making Black Brew Teas happen. As a seasoned Herbalist, Zach has educated himself on 72 herbs, all of which contain healing properties. Black Brew Tea currently offers 22 teas and 'herbal palmers' in flavors such as Honey-Pot, Beehive, Hibiscus Healer, and Vibe Drink. Zach says that St. Louis has given Black Brew Tea a lot of love and support. He explains that sometimes as an entrepreneur you can get caught up in your own mind and hearing how much consumers love his product helps move him out of his head and able to move forward. Zach tells us where Black Brew Tea is made and packaged and explains the challenges he sometimes faces with delayed order fulfillment due to delays in shipping especially now with COVID. Learn More: Email: abbtea15@gmail.com Company Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Kristy Jackson, serial entrepreneur and CEO of DK Solutions Creative Consulting, a firm that offers business inspirational coaching and marketing/media resources. Kristy is also the co-founder of the social synergy project and has been identified as a community connector and a strong advocate for closing the diversity gap in the St. Louis start-up community. In this episode: Kristy talks about the need to shift and pivot in these unsure times as a way to keep her business sustainable. She talks about leaving the field of education after 20 years in order to take DK Solutions to the next level of profitability. Kristy says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means to think and see differently. Kristy discusses how DK Solutions found a new niche of customers in response to Covid-19. She says that a customer asked if DK Solutions could use their expertise to provide a live taping of a memorial service so that loved ones who could not be present in person could also attend in spirit through video. Streaming of memorial services has become a huge profit strategy that without COVID may not have been thought of. Kristy tells us about some amazing projects that DK Solutions is working on such as innovative ways to tell stories and collaboration projects with smaller groups. She also talks about the many ways DK Solutions helps other small business owners stay on track with workshops and on other media platforms. She speaks in volumes about her venture titled Bizperation and what attendees can expect. Kristy fills us in on her book titled 'Girlfriends and God'. Kristy says that she has always been a natural leader and the book is one that follows her entrepreneurship journey. Being an author to Kristy means helping others to become the best entrepreneur that they can be. Kristy tells us that her newest book, titled 'Dream, Synch, Launch', is a high-level view of entrepreneurship so that you can enter it with preparation. Learn More: Email: dksolutions2015@outlook.com Company Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Andrew Dearing, a geospatial entrepreneur and GeoFutures Initiative Project Lead for Spatial STL Advisors. Prior to joining Spatial STL, Andy was the CEO of boundless Spatial where he led the organization in over 200% growth in a 2-year period. Andy serves as an advisor to St. Louis University's GEOSLU program, he is on the advisory board for St. Louis T-Rex/GeoSaurus Innovation Center as well as serves as a co-chair for the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. In this episode: Andrew talks about growing up in a small town on a farm and how his college roommate piqued his interest in spatial technologies, which ultimately caused him to switch his major from Pre-Med to Aviation. Andrew says that Entrepreneurially Thinking means to him is thinking about something completely different and taking that leap and risk, being very passionate about something that you feel needs to be better and putting 100% of your energy into that something. Andrew defines what the geospatial industry is and how geospatial plays a large part in St. Louis communities. Andrew explains that geospatial efforts help with so many things from business development and asset allocation to consumer behavior. Andrew discusses Covid-19 and how geospatial technologies in other countries were used to track, identify and locate where a person had been in the country and decide if they were a risk to others. Andrew also explains security and privacy issues that can be brought about by geospatial technology. Andrew talks about St. Louis' very own geo-future and what the geospatial industry has in store for not only regional advancement but for job opportunities. Andrew tells us about being an entrepreneur and raising capital and the challenges he faced when explaining to institutional investors what the geospatial industry was/is and what the potential was/is. Learn More: Email: andy@spatialadvisors.com LinkedIn:
Joining us today are Dan Schaefer and Pat Barron, Founders of Native Pet, a pet food and nutrition company that makes organic, highly effective and limited ingredient pet supplements for cats and dogs. Pat and Dan are St. Louis natives, friends and passionate pet parents who were discouraged by the declining health of U.S. pets with more pets suffering from obesity, extensive health issues and shorter life spans. In this episode: Dan explains the long-running friendship that he and Pat have shared and explains that they were bouncing business ideas off each other, long before Native Pet was born. Dan tells us how the concept of Native Pet came to be and says that as first-time pet owners, they became very conscious consumers and realized that the marketing of a healthy pet product didn't exactly meet up with the product ingredient list. Dan says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means shining the light on the hardworking, most interesting people in business which are the entrepreneurs in the community. Dan talks about the evolution of Native Pet. He explains the importance of having a 'clean' food for pets and also says that instead of spending a lot of time developing the product, first, they decided to test the brand. Dan explains how they went about with their research to make that part of the phase happen. Pat discusses his ornate skills in market research and his ability to dig deep into the bowels of the internet in an effort to build knowledge necessary for the market of 'clean' eating organic-based pet foods. Pat says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means local support for the small business community. Pat explains what a 'clean label' food means and tells us about Native Pet's product line and what types of products are available for your pets' individual needs. Pat says he hopes that Native Pet is the leader in functional nutrition for pets and wants to become a trusted brand. Dan talks about the importance of making Native Pet a sustainable business and tells us about how friends, family and a few angel investors helped as well as getting involved with Leap Venture Studio, hosted by Mars Petcare, RGA Venture and Nicholson Found Animal Foundation all which landed them the opportunity to be involved in an effort that included a $200,000 investment in Native Pet and a 12-week business mentorship. Learn more: Email: Dan@nativepet.com Company Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Reshaunda Thornton, Founder of Better Vessel Nutrition. Reshaunda is a competent dietician and nutrition expert, a TedX and wellness speaker, consultant and author. Reshaunda prides herself on building a bridge between the desire to live healthy and to feel confident in one breathe as she aligns the connection of nutrition to life, where they can live together and be a better representation of self and purpose. In this episode: Reshaunda tells us about moving to St. Louis from Houston, Texas twelve years ago to attend St. Louis University in their graduate program. Upon completing her studies in dietetics, Reshaunda realized she wanted to help people live healthier lives and says entrepreneurially thinking to her means recognizing you've got one life to live and how important it is to decide how to live that life. Reshaunda enlightens us on the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist. She says that both are great, however, a nutritionist is food-focused practice and does not require a regulatory degree and a dietician is a regulated healthcare professional with a license to access, diagnose and treat nutritional problems. Reshaunda says her private practice allows her to help people meet halfway with their nutrition so they can learn a different way to interact with food and how to change perspective on living healthier and living a happier life as well. Reshaunda talks about how she manifests change as an entrepreneur. She says that in having her private practice and working with clients, she has recognized the things she has learned from them and is taking that and then turning around and helping even more people. This led her to authoring a book titled 'Play to Win the Food Fight'. Reshaunda says she loves to follow her passion of nutrition and helping others find happiness. She tells us about her podcast and live speaking engagements including her TedX Talk. As an entrepreneur, Reshaunda is always looking for new ideas to expand her business and says she is looking forward to starting workshops on a corporate level. Learn More: Email: reshaunda@reshaundathornton.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Julius B. Anthony, Founder and President of St. Louis Black Authors of Children's Literature, an organization committed to ensuring that all children are confident and competent readers by the end of third grade. Julius is a graduate of Howard University and is particularly proud of his current upstart 'The Believe Project'. Julius is also the Founding Principal of City Academy, a highly successful independent day school located in North St. Louis City. In this episode: Julius explains how he got his start in the field of education and his role as Founding Principal of City Academy, the first independent school in North St. Louis. He explains how the opportunity came to be and how he overcame the challenges of starting a school from scratch within Mathews-Dickey Boys' and Girls' Club. Julius talks about establishing a curriculum and the importance of building the education around the student and how that method allows ANY child to thrive. He explains that he felt a need to hire black teachers in a school that served a black community. Julius speaks about his second entrepreneurial act in 2014 as an author of his own book titled "Me: Ten Poetic Affirmations". He says that he was inspired to author this book after another business venture soured. He also says that he took things he had already written and used himself in his teachings and published those pieces. Julius says entrepreneurially thinking to him means understanding your core purpose and why you have decided to use business as a pathway to impact the world. Julius tells us about The Believe Project. He says The Believe Project presents itself as the opportunity to build literacy labs in communities and school and gives black children who may not have access to home reading, the opportunity to have black children's literature readily available. He fills us in on the many partners involved such as PBS Kids and IKEA. He also says that this project is so important to him and many others because when black children read black literature, they become more confident. Learn More: Email: stlblackauthors@gmail.com Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today is Dasha Kennedy, Founder of The Broke Black Girl. Dasha is a millennial Financial Coach whose 'real talk' coaching and strategies are helping women of color to get ahead. Dasha has more than a decade of experience working as an accountant and default counselor. She prides herself on leading women through decisions around different aspects of financial well being. In this episode: Dasha tells us about growing up in St. Louis and attending Lindenwood University. She talks about an 'angel' she met while working at an insurance agency; this 'angel' steered Dasha to a career in accounting. While working in accounting, She realized that while she was keeping the company she was working for financially in line, her own financials were in distress. Dasha says it was this experience that triggered her inner entrepreneur. Dasha explains how she created a safe-space which allowed her to coach others on achieving their own financial freedom. Dasha says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means always being a student, opening your mind to new things, and get started. Dasha discusses how she came up with her business plan, price point, client list and she explains her system and how it works. Dasha typically works with a client for 3 months; During that time, they go over bank statements, expenditures etc. By the end of the 3 months the client has been coached by Dasha and is ready to live a life full of financial freedom. Dasha talks about the book she authored titled 'Out of a Black Girls Heart, Flows Magic'. This book contains an extraordinary collection of her most favorite and most inspirational positive thoughts and affirmations that she relied upon during her creative freedom journey. Dasha says that she challenges women to take action, overcome your greatest fears, boost your self esteem, create success and reclaim your inner peace. Dasha tells us all about her newest adventure called The GirlPreneur Expo which has consistently aided in the advancement of black, female business owners for 2 years now. Attendees are placed with a female entrepreneur that is currently operating a business in their desired industry. Learn More: Email: support@brokeblackgirl.com Website: Facebook: Instagram: Personal Facebook:
Joining us today is Valeria Rodriguez, Artist and Creator of Shine In All Shades, an adult coloring book that celebrates and uplifts women of color in under-represented areas. Valeria is a multi-disciplined artist, graphic, and web designer who is hard-working, dedicated, bilingual, and results-oriented. In this episode: Valeria talks about her journey and life events that led her to the St. Louis region. Valeria says that after her life took an automatic and mundane turn she decided that she needed to re-spark her inner creative. Valeria says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means to be driven by your passions and to actively pursue your dreams with wholeheartedness and without fear. Valeria fills us in on her vision and all the details of Shine in All Shades coloring book. She explains her frustration with the lack of representation of the African-American woman. She says her books include words of hope, poems, affirmations, and quotes from the likes of Maya Angelou, Michelle O'Bama, and Ruby Dee along with other creative women that stand out as exceptional women that inspire other women. Valeria discusses feedback that she has received from those who have purchased her adult coloring book and talks about how she navigated through the business world in order to get her book on the market, on shelves, and her business off the ground. She also talks about her experience with applying for a BALSA grant and the validation that came with her application being accepted. Valeria says her vision for being an entrepreneur is to create a safe space and a creative wellness tool for others. Valeria uses networking and referrals as a way to keep her on the grind and says that some of the challenges she has faced are getting out of her own way, asking others for help, and getting out of her comfort zone. Learn More: Email: info@shineinallshades.com Website: Personal Facebook:
Joining us today are Charlene and Darren Young, Co-Owners of The Fattened Caf, a catering and pop-up restaurant business. What started out as a hobby for these two, has now blossomed into a budding side hustle. Charlene attributes her Filipino heritage and family recipes for the concept of The Fattened Caf, but it is their love of cooking that has made their business an overnight sensation. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore updates us on the ups and downs of Real Cannabis Company and says they have lots of balls in the air right now and are looking forward to them landing in all the right places in the future. Also in this episode: Charlene and Darren discuss how they both ended up in St. Louis after having grown up and living in Los Angeles. Entrepreneurship runs in both families and Charlene feels that her interest in Urban Planning comes from her Grandparents. Charlene says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means understanding and believing you are a part of a community. Darren, a self-proclaimed 'foodie', talks about how the concept Fattened Caf came to be. He says baby steps ensued first by experimentation, then by hosting parties with friends, which quickly turned into friends asking them to cater their parties; born was The Fattened Caf. Darren says that entrepreneurially thinking to him means building a business around your gifts and passions. Darren and Charlene talk about acquiring the proper permits and licenses and explain that they got their start at The Cherokee Community Market with enough food to make 30 plates, which sold out in 30 minutes, to having collaborative pop-up's in restaurants around the St. Louis area. Charlene tells us how a BALSA presentation at St. Louis Cortex helped her realize that her dreams of becoming a minority business owner could become a reality. She went full speed ahead in utilizing the community resources made available to her and other minority business owners. Darren tells us about The Fattened Caf's newest adventure which is a residency at Earth Bound Beer. Charlene is proud that their business has gone from 30 plates at a market to 250 plates at their residency and talks about hiring others to help their progress. Charlene talks about what the future holds for The Fattened Caf and says that the concept includes Filipino baked goods. Learn More: Email: Charlene.kamill@gmail.com Facebook: Instagram:
Joining us today is Bronwyn Morgan, Founder and CEO of XEO Air. Bronwyn is a certified drone pilot and is also the founder of Airversity Drone Academy and Consulting, where she develops strategic business models and disruptive strategies. Bronwyn has worked with companies such as Delta Airlines, Proctor and Gamble as well as The Coca-Cola Company. Bronwyn says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means approaching life with a robust and open viewpoint to see how things look to you and recognize a way to solve problems and sharing that with everyone around you. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore discusses how she has kept REAL Cannabis Company investors interested and vested in the endeavor and recognizing that the team continues to fight the fight so that the business they have invested in can succeed and make a positive impact in the community and in the industry. Also in this episode: Bronwyn tells us about her journey into entrepreneurship and how she found herself working in the innovation sector. She describes being very awestruck by a new form of innovation called UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) also known as Drones. Bronwyn explains what it was like when she took a huge leap of faith as she took the necessary steps to become a certified drone pilot which has lead to her success as a business owner of 2 businesses and a deep rooted reach in the St. Louis Geo-spatial community. Bronwyn says that St. Louis' own T-Rex played a huge role in her planting her entrepreneurial roots in St. Louis. XEO Air is a 'Drones on Demand' company that collects data from the sky for businesses in the area and around the nation. Bronwyn explains the process of being certified as a drone pilot. Rules are extremely important and follow strict FAA guidelines. Brownyn talks about the hazards involved in piloting a drone. Bronwyn tells us how her role as a Female African American drone pilot and entrepreneur presents pathways for other female innovators to also rise up and start to fill the gender and ethnicity void within the spatial community. Bronwyn talks about founding the organization Black Women of STEAM and the movement it has created. Bronwyn discusses her outlook as a business owner and being able to source talent in St, Louis. She talk s about the gap in talent for engineers, development, data sciences, and artificial intelligence not only in St. Louis, but globally. Learn More: Email: bmm@xeoaire.com Company Website: Company Twitter:
Joining us today are Mimo Davis and Miranda Duschak, Co-Founders of Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers, an urban farm located in St. Louis' Dutchtown neighborhood. Together their story is one of land, community, culture and love. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore talks about how she keeps her REAL Cannabis Company teams' morale engaged and staying positive when things don't go as planned. Cheryl says it's important to stay focused and continue to move forward so that your company can move in the right direction. Also in this episode: Miranda explains the history of the location that now houses Urban Buds-City Grown Flowers. The nursery is located in the Dutchtown neighborhood which was founded in the 1870's. As the neighborhood grew, so did the love for the nursery. Miranda and Mimo are production focused and love catering to their community. Miranda and Mimo discuss how they formed a business relationship with the City of St. Louis in an effort to "grow" a successful business. Miranda explains the processes in which they had to go through in order for the farm to be recognized as a farm and be taxed as a farm. This process included things such as many hours at the Business Assistance Office at City Hall to conversations with FEMA and the Dutchtown Alderman. Miranda and Mimo discuss where their flowers are sold and can be found from local farmers markets to local florist shops; they are also a big part of the Bridal community. Miranda states that they also have a love for traveling and teaching others about agriculture. Mimo talks distribution and building existing and long lasting business relationships. Mimo gives some words of advice and says "start small and never stop sowing seeds - literally and figuratively". Miranda's advice is to "Do your homework!". Learn More: Email: citygrownflowers@gmail.com Website: Company Facebook: https:
We round out our April Encore Series with our conversation with Jeff Gamble. Jeff’s company has pivoted again since our conversation in November 2018. Now called Rezilient, they provide care without limits on their virtual healthcare platform. Like many other companies in the healthcare space, they have been working hard since the entire COVID-19 situation started to ensure that doctors and other medical professionals have the resources they need to continue to serve patients remotely. On boarding a small number of new subscribers at a time they are doing their best to rollout their platform in a way that ensures it performs optimally for patients and physicians now and in the future. Hear how Jeff came to partner with Danish Nagda to found a healthcare startup at the heart of our new normal. #staylistening #stayathome #314together In this episode: What led Jeff to create Dynamic Surgical. The Dynamic Surgical platform. How Dynamic Surgical connects the physician experience with that of the patient. Why make an experiential connection? How the investigative scientific mindset is entrepreneurial-like. The methods and thought processes Jeff wants to pass along to others. In the beginning, Jeff worked for a venture while he was building his own…why he made that choice and how he transitioned into full entrepreneurship. Jeff is in the middle of a pivot…hear what prompted the pivot and how he knew a pivot was necessary. Jeff’s lessons to share with other entrepreneurs from his experience. Learn more: Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
Our April Encore Series continues with our interview featuring Gabriela Ramirez – Arellano and Junior Lara – hosts of the Autentico podcast. Gabriela and Junior created their show to provide Latino professionals entrepreneurs with access to information and resources to support them in business success. This mission went into high gear with the Covid-19 crisis as they rapidly set out to address the dearth of Spanish language resources for impacted entrepreneurs. They have been curating and translating resources ever since. At the same time, Gabriela’s husband quickly pivoted to curbside pickup to keep serving patrons at Don Emilianos – their family restaurant. Always on the front lines, Gabriela and Junior are an inspiration. Listen to learn more about them, their podcast and their commitment to the Latino business community. #staylistening #stayathome #314together #takeithome In this episode: Gabriela discusses how she found her voice in her delivery of the vast amount of resources available to minorities. Junior explains how to break electronic barriers in technology. How we can accomplish more together. Gabriela discusses how she connects minority entrepreneurs with the right people to help their businesses get to the next level. Learn more: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Twitter:
This week April Encore Series we are featuring our interview with Jenifer Garcia of Garcia Properties. Garcia Properties has been doing business in and supporting the St. Louis community for 20 years. Noting that our independent, locally owned restaurant community was among the first and hardest hit by the stay at home order they began a gift card give away on Facebook – giving away $100 gift cards to local eateries. This will continue for about 30 days to help support local businesses and employees and encourage those inclined to take out for curbside pickup to checkout these neighborhood treasures. Checkout their favorite places to dine and enjoy your next meal while listening to Jenifer share how it all started. #staylistening #stayathome #314together #stltakeithome In this episode : Jenifer talks about how she started as an entrepreneur at the very young age of 14 and how an infomercial took her by chance down a path that would eventually steer her towards real estate. Jenifer discusses how Garcia Properties got its start with apartment buildings and how that grew into a much larger business model and what her vision for the future is for Garcia Properties. Jenifer explains how a multi-faceted family run business fits under one business umbrella and how they make it work so smoothly. Jenifer gives us advice on business and how to "let your freak flag fly". She says that most importantly, you should trust your gut and do what you love and what makes you happy. Learn More : Email: Company Website: Company Facebook: https:
The first episode we are featuring for our April Encore Series is Tiny Little Monster – customer t-shirt printing. In an immediate response to the stay at home and social distancing orders owners Sloan and Jenny stated the #HereForGood campaign to help keep their team employed and put money into the pockets of other small business owners. Check out their website to learn more about the campaign, how you or a small business you love can take part (or you can replicate in your own area) and buy a t-shirt or two. Then listen to our conversation with Sloan to get their back story and inspiration for your next venture. #staylistening #stayathome #314together
Joining us today is Salman Shah, Co-Founder and designer of JORD Wood Watches. Salman is the creative mind behind the innovative line of wood watches. He has extensive experience working closely with global manufactures throughout the manufacturing process and brings a unique set of flair and personable characteristics that make him a great spokesperson for the JORD brand. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore informs us that unfortunately REAL Cannabis Company did not win the application process from the State of Missouri and she discusses the scoring that REAL Cannabis received in the manufacturing and cultivating licensing process and explains the current application appeals process in which the hope they will be successful so that they can move REAL Cannabis Company to the next level. Also in this episode: Salman discusses his path from college to business owner/entrepreneur. In working with other companies and helping them optimize their SEO's, Salman realized that he too could use his inner entrepreneur and the learned skills he had to create his own products and brands to become a CEO himself. Salman talks about his personal love of watches and how a social media post from an influencer inspired him to try his first ever wood watch. Salman says he was disappointed in the craftsmanship of that particular watch and so he set out on a mission to make the best possible wood watch on the market. Salman speaks about the evolution of JORD Watches from start to present time. He talks about the importance of crafting a timepiece that consists of natural quality and the ability to create an emotional attachment and a passion. He explains the importance of his brand being eco-friendly and forward thinking. Salman discusses how he and his partners are moving towards expanding their brand with even more eco-friendly products such as women's handbags that are made from cork-infused fabric called 'suber-hyde'. Salman says that Entrepreneurially thinking to him Learn More: Email: salman.shah@woodwatches.com Website: Company Facebook: https: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Tamara Keefe, Founder of Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery and self-proclaimed 'Flavor Temptress'. Tamara is one of the lucky ones, she makes a living doing something she loves. Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery is not just a place to get ice cream, Tamara has worked hard to make sure that a visit to her creamery is also an experience. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore discusses marketing and the strategies REAL Cannabis Company is using. She says that they started by building a brand and brand guidelines, website development, designs etc. They have also hired a PR firm that already has scored REAL Cannabis Co. with an interview on NPR. Cheryl discusses the importance of strategic marketing and creating an even balance within the business. Also in this episode: Tamara explains that after unwillingly transferring to St. Louis from Southern California for an employer, that she instantly fell in love with the city, food scene and welcoming neighbors. She goes on to explain how after a minor meltdown while on a weekend retreat within the Ozarks with a group of girlfriends she decided to bestow upon our city her talents of making REALLY good ice cream. Tamara tells us how she used experience in marketing to get her business plan and business up and running. Tamara started her ice cream shop in her kitchen then moved to a kitchen incubator space for food prep and has since moved into a full sized 5000 square foot production facility. Tamara speaks about the importance of networking and building great relationships with the business world. Tamara discusses the sacrifices she has had to make in order to make her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur come true. She speaks of her determination to make the business work no matter what! Tamara tells us that entrepreneurially thinking to her means rising tides, raises all ships. She firmly believes in paying it forward and supporting other businesses and that way everyone wins. She also talks about giving back to the community through being a mentor and by helping other small businesses succeed. Learn More: Email: tamara@clementinescreamery.com Website: m Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Jamila Owens-Todd, Naturopathic Doctor and serial entrepreneur. Jamila started her career path with studying sciences at The University of Missouri-St. Louis. Jamila has a passion for helping others heal themselves and has pledged to educate and provide insight in regaining your innate healing power. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins- Moore discusses raising capital for REAL Cannabis Company and the challenges that come with that. She explains the value of your company plays an important role in fundraising. Key factors in value are a strong business plan, a professional team, and good relationships. Also in this episode: Jamila tells us about a great opportunity she was given in her Senior year of high school to become an analytical student chemist with the FDA. She shares a personal story that took her in the direction of homeopathic cures and tells us the many voyages she has been on in her quest for her Ph.D. Jamila says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means being a solution bearing person. Jamila speaks about her solo projects and a few of the other projects that she works on with other entrepreneurs. She tells us about her tea business called RootBerryLeaf and how the concept came to life. She started by simply blending different teas to not only provide an appeal to the taste buds but to also serve a medicinal purpose. The teas provide a therapeutic remedy that is not only accessible but also affordable. Jamila speaks about self-identifying. She says she doesn't identify as an entrepreneur per se, but rather as a holistic support system. She has had to learn how to deal with customers in a private practice setting with MINT as well as a transactional setting with Golden Grocer. Jamila talks about her new line of CBD products and the reality of what CBD can do for some folks. She tells us about her process of product experimentation, tours of facilities and steps she took in making the best-informed decision for a successful line of products. Learn More: Email: jamila@minthealth.org Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today is Daphne Benzaquen, Creative Designer, CEO and Founder of Daph., a St. Louis based fashion and lifestyle brand inspired by her Peruvian heritage. Founded in 2016, Daph. is one of the only U.S. fashion and lifestyle brands that solely culminates modern, timeless designs with Peruvian resources and handmade craftsmanship. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore discusses how REAL Cannabis Company is using technology in a way that is not obtrusive to future customers but at the same time offers a secure environment for customers and employees as well. Also in this episode: Daphne tells us about her Peruvian heritage and how that has an influence on her designs. She goes into detail about how the concept of her fashion and design business came to be and explains her unique prototype process. Daphne says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means coming up with various creative solutions to everyday problems. Daphne explains that it was while she was completing her MBA that her dreams of one day being her own boss encouraged her to try an entrepreneur course which in turn gave her the fuel she needed to take the leap into starting her own business. Daphne tells us how her collection went from one item to a whole line of accessories, handbags, apparel, and totes. She goes into detail about the design process which can sometimes take up to a year to create and she also tells us what kinds of Peruvian products she likes to use in the design process. Daphne is very focused on her companies values which are: Quality over quantity, sustainability, and giving back. Daphne explains how she got her business off the ground financially and also tells us how she is experimenting with other events such as pop-up shops and social media. She gives us a heads-up on what to expect in the future for Daph. Learn More: Email: daphne@shopdaph.com Company Website: http://www.shopdaph.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopdaph Company Instagram: https://www.instagram/shopdaph
Joining us today is Brandin Vaughn, Owner and Fashion Designer of The Brandin Vaughn Collection, a clothing line that is a 'contemporary bridge' ready to wear line for both men and women. Before launching his business, Brandin was the Director of Development at Create Space. Brandin has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins - Moore updates us on REAL Cannabis Company and the importance of prioritizing and creating a nice 'balance' not only in business but in your personal life as well. Also in this episode: Brandin talks about how his love for fashion and design transpired by first creating cushions for his couch at home. He tells us that he taught himself how to sew and the rest just fell into place. Brandin says that to him, entrepreneurially thinking means never giving up, falling and getting back up but always staying consistent with what you believe. He also explains how his creative visions turned profitable in high school. Brandin discusses the challenges he has faced in his first few years of business. He talks about letting go of some of the business responsibilities and handing those tasks over to a trusted individual or manufacturer. Brandin tells us about how he celebrated his 1000th designed item and what that success felt like and what he plans to do with his future collections. He explains that in his vision the 'working person' has a right to have something made just for them and he loves being able to give that to his clients. Brandin tells us how he keeps himself inspired by going to different functions and keeping an eye on the fashion industry. He discusses how he keeps his business relevant through social media. He feels the importance of connecting with clients and giving them a piece of himself. Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Company Instagram:
Joining us today is Christy Schlafly, CEO, and Owner of STL Foodworks, a culinary incubator located in the Central West End. Christy is a native St. Louis' who loves working with creative culinarians. Christy noticed a need for extra kitchen space for young businesses to ramp up and therefore decided to provide a professional environment for culinary entrepreneurs to work their magic. In this episode: Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore discusses where REAL Cannabis stands post-application process. She fills us in on what strategies they are focusing on in order to also get licensing in other states and how to move the company forward. Also in this episode: Christy talks about her love for the City of St. Louis and she tells us about the long line of entrepreneurs in her family starting with her Grandfather's business called Ford Hotel Supply Company. She talks about how after college, she dug her feet right into the family business by taking a position in the purchasing division and that eventually led to sales. Christy explains that after speaking with some really neat people and entrepreneurs, she decided to take a leap of faith and start her very own business called STL Foodworks. Christy explains how she found the space for her new business and how they transformed an old hardware store to meet all of the needs for future culinary incubator tenants. Christy describes the process a 'foodpreneur' has to go thru I order to become a member/client of STL Foodworks. This list consists of having insurance, training on equipment (which is provided through STL Foodworks), and the future tenant must have their "Serve Safe Hazard" training certification. She also tells us how the STL Foodworks membership works. Christy talks about the challenges she has faced as a new entrepreneur and she says that to her, entrepreneurially thinking means thinking with excitement, passion, motivation, and inspiration! Christy loves showcasing other entrepreneurs and feels like St. Louis has a wonderful pot of 'foodpreneurs' to choose from. Email: Website: Instagram: https;// Facebook:
Joining us today is Sucheta Bhide, Owner of The Resplendent Crow, a small business located in University City. Missouri that refinishes vintage furniture in glossy paint and lacquer. Sucheta is a dynamic entrepreneurial leader with a proven record of achievement and she demonstrates success in leading a franchise with sales close to 1 million dollars while maintaining over 96% customer satisfaction. In this episode: Cheryl Watkins-Moore gives us an update on REAL Cannabis Company and the intense application process they have just undergone in order to get a permit to manufacture, distribute, and infuse cannabis. Also in this episode: Sucheta explains that she moved to the United States from India in 1997. She talks about going to Washington University, St. Louis as an adult and once she qualified to legally hold full-time employment she started in retail. She tells us how The Resplendent Crow was birthed and says that entrepreneurially thinking to her means chasing your dreams and going after them hard. Sucheta talks about what media outlets she uses to promote her pieces. She started by using ETSY and now uses Instagram, Facebook and many other avenues for her business. She also tells us where the name The Resplendent Crow came from. Sucheta talks about the day to day task of running the business and how she makes working with her husband, who is by chance a cabinet maker by trade, an asset not a hindrance. Sucheta talks about where she sees The Resplendent Crow in the future. She talks about the things her customers are asking for and how her team strives on a daily basis to make sure the demands are met. Learn More: Email Website: Facebook: Instagram: https;//www/
Joining us today is Dr. Cheryl Watkins- Moore, Co-Owner and Chief Marketing Officer of REAL Cannabis Company. REAL Cannabis Co. hopes to put their locations in a predominately minority communities in the St. Louis region and hire in those areas. Cheryl says she is encouraged that this strategy should boost its application, which seeks licenses for 5 dispensaries as well as a cultivation and processing center. In this episode: Cheryl tells us what REAL Cannabis Company hopes to do in the future and explains not only how the process came about but how they raised capital and even had folks wanting to give them more than they were needing when it came down to it. Cheryl talks about the intricate and exhausting process of obtaining a cannabis license in the State of Missouri. The first hurdle was to get the cannabis amendment passed. The second hurdle was the tedious task of filling out and writing the applications. Cheryl tells us about the 'capped market' structured around the application process. The State of Missouri only allowed applications for 60 cultivation centers, 80 manufacturing centers, and 194 dispensaries in total. Cheryl talks about the future of REAL Cannabis Company and she shares with us how she manages her busy life schedule from family to entrepreneurship. Learn More: Email: Company Website:
This week we are re-airing our interview with Derek Mays of REAL Cannabis Company and John Payne of Amendment 2 Consultants. You may recall that Cheryl is working with Derek to launch its vertically integrated medical cannabis venture. Next week will feature Christy’s conversation with Cheryl about what it means to build a new business in an emerging market. In the following weeks be sure to listen for the REAL Cannabis in Real-Time in-show mini-series chronicling Cheryl’s adventures in entrepreneurship. REAL Cannabis Company is a St. Louis based group that seeks to open combined cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and dispensing facility. John Payne is Co-Founder of Amendment 2 Consultants which pioneered Missouri's new approach by leading the campaign for medical marijuana in Missouri. In this episode: Derek talks about what motivated him to leap into the field of cannabis amendment support and business development. Derek talks about the lack of access to capital for minority entrepreneurs and how he felt the need to use his skill sets to change that in the cannabis industry. John discusses regulatory requirements to apply for a cannabis license in Missouri. John tells us what needs to be taken into account when entering the cannabis industry. Derek describes all of the different stages of cannabis distribution. John reviews Amendment 2, recently put forth in legislation. Learn More: Email: Derek Mays - John Payne - Company Website: REAL Cannabis Co. - Amendment 2 Consultants: We pioneered Missouri's new approach by leading the campaign for medical marijuana in Missouri.
In this episode we're actually highlighting four amazing female entrepreneurs: Episode 9.8 — Psyche Southwell | Economy Of Style Episode 6.11 — Reine Bayoc | Love and Magic and Purpose and Business Episode 11.8 — Rachel D’Souza Siebert | Gladiator Consulting Episode 10.1 — Lisa Hu | Lux & Nyx Each of whom has a very different business but shares her thoughts on what it means to grow up with different expectations of success, how they've redefined those expectations and what success means to them. How the following their passions, embracing new identities and in some cases being a mom and an entrepreneur. But kids or no kids, being a working woman full-time, managing life and family of all shapes and sizes takes a lot and so we're really excited to highlight a few really powerful clips from our conversations with each of these women and if you find them as powerful as we did you can go and listen to the whole interview because those are pretty awesome conversations themselves.
Joining us today is Michael Dehn Breault, CEO of Gibson & Dehn. In 2017, Michael launched the namesake home fragrance brand Gibson & Dehn, building on his family’s entrepreneurial history in the floral and design business. As a 5th generation business owner, Michael brings over 125 years of family experience in botanicals, scent development and business acumen to his role as CEO. In this episode: Michael tells us about a long line of entrepreneurs in his family starting with his great-great grandparents who emigrated from Europe in 1892 and opened one of the first flower shops in the country in Saratoga Springs, NY. From his early experience in the family business and up-bringing in rural NY to international corporate executive roles, Michael shares how he made the transition to Founder and CEO. He says that Entrepreneurially Thinking to him means the opportunity to make a difference in business and in peoples’ lives through commerce and he explains how his collaboration with two nuns making candles on Long Island lead him to locate his production facility in Clarksville, MO (population ~420) where he's created jobs and supply chain partnerships, while actively working to bridge the urban/rural divide and supporting survivors of human trafficking. Michael shares how his hands-on approach and focus on building business relationships at a human scale allow him to scale globally and create exceptional experiences for wholesale and retail customers through a distinctive home fragrance brand. From placing candle wicks alongside employees and scrambling to relocate operations up hill when the Mississippi flooded the production facility to finding local craftspeople to create wooden candle lids, Michael reflects on what it means to build a business with intention, with an eye on opportunity and a willingness to invest in people who are willing to experiment and quickly learn from mistakes. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Facebook: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibsonanddehn
Joining us today is Cbabi Bayoc, an internationally known Visual Artist and Illustrator. Cbabi's subjects include family, children, music and much more all designed with line, bold color and phunk. Cbabi is the creator of a project titled '365 Days with Dad', a journey that paints a positive image of black fatherhood. Cbabi spends his time working on a variety of projects including community murals, school murals, children's books, illustrations and is always up for a new challenge. In this episode: Cbabi discusses how art became his passion and how that continues to evolve through his everyday life. He talks about how he went from being commissioned to do an art piece for a local company to working in an art gallery in Union Station to doing caricatures at Six Flags to now being a known internationally as an Artist. Entrepreneurially Thinking to Cbabi means authentically sharing himself with the world. Cbabi talks about preparedness and how experience has played a large role in his efforts to further his portfolio which has allowed him to go on and be a Seminole Artist while at the same time picking up on the "entrepreneurial language". Cbabi discusses his project titled '365 Days with Dad' and he also talks about how the artist Prince contacted Cbabi to do album artwork for his 28th album titled 'The Rainbow Children' in 2001. Cbabi tells us how his work has now also shifted to murals and cultural representation with the school communities. Cbabi says he loves to talk with the children at the schools where he is commissioned to do murals; he hopes that they can see with their own eyes that if you have a dream to be an artist or an entrepreneur and you follow that dream, it can come true. Learn More: Email: cbabibayoc@gmail.com Website: http://cbabi.bigcartel.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbabibayocoriginals Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbabibayoc
Joining us today is Lakesha Mathis, Director of Inclusive Business Solutions for the St. Louis Regional Chamber. Lakesha is a practiced Business Consultant with demonstrated history of developing and implementing operational excellence focused growth strategies. Lakesha is skilled in Non-Profit Organizational Management, Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Policy Analysis, Team Building, and Program Development. In this episode: Lakesha explains how her role as Director of Inclusive Business Solutions is helping minority-owned businesses as well as women business owners to identify and implement strategies that move their businesses in a forward direction. Lakeshas' idea of entrepreneurially thinking means to build up the community. Lakesha discusses the challenges that many minority business owners face such as steep learning curves and the lack of knowledge of how to get the right things done. Lakesha talks about the mental preparedness you must have when going into business and when creating a profitability strategy. These things include asking yourself, "What do I want"?, "When do I want it"? and "What am I willing to give up to get it"? Lakesha tells us about a few of her most favorite success stories of minority business owners she has worked with and she explains why it is important to not skimp on the marketing of your business. Learn more: Email: Website:
Joining us today is Marissa Paine, Founder of Painefree Coaching & Consulting. Marissa started Painefree in 2012 as a vehicle for living out her life’s purpose, which is to inspire and support other leaders in realizing their full potential. Marissa Paine and her dynamic team are passionate about serving you and helping you become your best you! In this episode: Marissa talks about the launch of the new brand “Marissa Q. Paine” and reasoning for it, plus putting all the services offered under that umbrella & being a “culture shifter.” Marissa talks about taking a pause from the work she is good at doing with Painefree Coaching & Consulting but not finding the joy in it anymore and get back to self-care habits. Marissa speaks about 25 years of marriage and the next chapters on the home front and shifting of roles of each partner in the marriage. Marissa explains how “shifts” open things for transformation and then allows change to happen. Marissa shares about the new media platforms on the horizon for “Marissa Q. Paine” and importance of vision boarding. Learn More: Email: Website: Linkedin: Twitter: https:twitter.com/Painefreegroup Facebook:
Joining us today is Tami Lange, CEO and Founder of Save the Girls Touchscreen Purses! Tami is a resident of Edwardsville, she is married and has 5 wonderful children as well as 3 dogs and a plethora of cats. Simply put, Tami was fed up! In one week, both of her daughters had mishaps with their phones. One had lost it on a hike and the other sent her phone into the washing machine abyss, by accident of course. Tami’s sister in law suggested the girls carry their phones in their undergarments (bra) to avoid any future mishaps. That just didn’t seem like the solution either. This drove the inner entrepreneur in Tami to the drawing board. It didn’t take her long to come up with the PERFECT solution. Tami created a one of a kind purse that not only carries credit cards, license and our cheaters, but it also has a clear backing pouch that your phone slides into that allows you to fully operate your phone without ever having to take it out of your purse. Just when you thought this concept couldn’t get any better, it does!!! Save the Girls organization, donates 10% of their profits to breast cancer research. In this episode: – Where the purses are manufactured – The products that are used in the making of her purses – Steps Tami took in researching the companies that would manufacture her product – The different styles of the purses she has in her line – What’s in the works for the future? – How Tami promotes her product – Where we can find out more and buy her purses – Why did Tami choose to give a portion of her profits to breast cancer research? Email: Website: Facebook: Instagram: ‘s
ETHINKSTL 153: Khalia Collier | St. Louis Surge 18 December 2019 Joining us today is Khalia Collier, Owner and General Manager of the St. Louis Surge, a women's professional basketball team that plays all home games at Washington University, St. Louis. As the Owner and General Manager of the St. Louis Surge, Khalia has taken on the challenge of building the first sustainable women's professional franchise. A St. Louis native with a deep commitment to the city, Khalia is taking the city by surge! In this episode: Khalia tells us about how entrepreneurship not only runs in her family but also how she got her start as an entrepreneur at an early age, from selling things door-to-door and cold calling to selling cars for Plaza Motors just to name a few to start with. For Khalia, entrepreneurially thinking means to her, creating a vision that you can scan. Khalia explains how she purchased a professional women's basketball team at 23 years old. She talks about the fact that she is fortunate to have the love and support of family and friends as well as the community and the lessons she has learned in the 8 years as owner of the team. Khalia talks about the trials and tribulations of building a brand from scratch. This includes raising attendance records from 50 fans in the beginning to a now record amount per game of 3000, to earning broadcasting rights and sponsorship dollars, along with being more entrenched in the community. Khalia discusses the importance of women investing in women and the struggles women face in business lending and funding ventures. Learn More: Email: khalia.collier@stlsurgebasketball.com Website: http://stlsurgebasketball.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlsurgebasketball Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalia-collier-a7b23240
Dec 11, 2019 ETHINKSTL 152: Janna Westbrook | Provider Pool [Season 12, Episode 8] Joining us today is Janna Westbrook, Founder, and CEO of Provider Pool, an online labor marketplace created for the healthcare industry. Janna is a Registered Nurse and is fueled by her passion for healthcare. She has dedicated her efforts to tackle challenges within the industry. In this episode: Janna talks about her early years of nursing and her concerns with the 'old ways' of nursing technologies as well as her frustration with nurse staffing issues which prompted her inner entrepreneur to start Provider Pool. Janna talks about inviting a co-worker to join her on her new adventure and the process of immersing themselves in the start-up world and how St. Louis' own T-Rex became a home and a family for their new business. Janna explains how Provider Pool streamlines staffing models in healthcare organizations while appealing to the modern-day Nurse. The Provider Pool platform algorithmically matches hospitals to their ideal nursing professional on-demand, virtually creating an 'UBER for Nurses' concept. Janna discusses the Midwest product 'road map' and how Provider Pool is filling nursing needs in the Midwest region. Learn More: Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Instagram:
Dec 4, 2019 ETHINKSTL 151: Jeff and Randy Vines | STL - Style [Season 12, Episode 7] Joining us today are Jeff and Randy Vines, Creators and Owners of STL-Style. Jeff and Randy are identical twins who have a fierce love for everything STL. Together, the two have created STL-Style, A St. Louis inspired graphic design and apparel company that has been featured in publications such as The New York Times and Fast Company. In this episode: Jeff and Randy tell us about how a hobby and a love for city nostalgia turned into a full-time business venture that went from screen printing shirts on a friends kitchen table to a now -much larger scale screen printing operation in their shop located on Cherokee Street on St. Louis' South Side of town. Jeff and Randy talk about getting involved with civic affairs such as historic preservation and urban advocacy. With much support from St. Louis Contemporaries, this caught the attention of The New York Times in 2008. Jeff and Randy discuss the term entrepreneurship and what entrepreneurship means to each of them. They explain the importance of being employers and how their love for the city of St. Louis has sparked a new revolution in making St. Louis a little brighter on the map. Learn More: Email: info@stl-style.com Website: http://www.stl-style.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STylehouseSTL Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/STLstyle
ETHINKSTL 150: Keisha Mabry |heyFRIEND! [Season 12, Episode 6] Joining us today for our 150th episode is Keisha Mabry, Founder of heyFRIEND!, a platform that teaches people how to build authentic relationships. Keisha believes that by connecting people to people and people to resources she can increase movements, access, communication, and progress to get the right people in the right seats to end inequality. She is on a mission to change the world one connection at a time. In this episode: Keisha shares how, after leaving positions at Dot Foods and KIPP, she joined College Bound to manage their technology portfolio. As part of her mission to cultivate strategic partnerships with funders, innovators, techies, and educators to increase college access for under-resourced communities she met 100 people in 100 days – laying the groundwork for what would become the premise behind her book, heyFRIEND! Today, Keisha is an author, national speaker, creator of the Friendworking method and host of the mastHerclass event. From intrapreneurship to entrepreneurship, Keisha shares her perspectives on what it means to think entrepreneurially. Keisha tells us about how in 2016 she embarked on a journey to know herself as a way of finding her place and living into her authentic self, including how she used numerous assessments to hone her abilities, strengths, and passions. Keisha talks about her personal mission, as a millennial woman of color, to help others build networks and connections, bridging the gap between the online and offline world and her efforts to highlight women of color by creating a speaking platform. Learn more: Email: keisha@keishamabry.com Website: Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendKeisha Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keishamabry
ETHINKSTL 149: Britany Sarhage | Rudy’s Flower Truck Joining us today is Brittany Sarhage, Founder of Rudy's Flower Truck. Brittany felt the need to make flowers more accessible to the community by creating a unique flower buying experience. After more than a decade of dreaming, Rudy's Flower Truck can be found all over town. In this episode: Brittany talks about how "click bait" sparked an idea within her to start a mobile business that would bring floral's to the community. Brittany jumped into action by first purchasing a Vintage 1958 FC170 Jeep Truck. Brittany talks about the need and the excitement of building a unique shopping "experience" by teaming up with other small business owners such as one of a kind clothing boutiques and coffee shops. Brittany discusses some of the challenges she faced in starting a mobile flower truck such as maintenance of the vintage 'mobile' part of the business, geographics and placement plans of the truck and of course financials. Brittany talks about getting creative with her business and the techniques she uses to "stand-out" in the world of flower design, mobile delivery, and special occasion floral design. Learn More: Email: hello@rudysflowertruck.com Website: Company Facebook:
ETHINKSTL 148: Charli Cooksey | WePower [Season 12, Episode 4] Joining us today is Charli Cooksey, Founder, and CEO of WEPOWER STL, Executive Director of Inspire STL and the Interim Executive Director of Forward Through Ferguson. Charli is a firm believer that a different St. Louis requires a different kind of leadership. In this episode: Charli talks about coming from a long family line of artists and shares her opinion on the similarities between arts and entrepreneurship as well as creativity and believing in things you can't see tangibly then taking that vision to make it tangible. Charli discusses how she merged entrepreneurship and social injustice through Inspire STL and her newest venture WEPOWER STL. Charlie says she felt the need to introduce the concept of positive performance early on in education by providing college preparatory course and intense college preparatory Summer programs as early as the 7th grade. Charli tells us in detail about WEPOWER and its mission to create solutions that lead towards transformation WE POWER is focused on building political and economical power within the Black and Latinx communities by partnering with those communities and activating change makers. Charlie discusses a new accelerator called Elevate/Elevar, which gives elevation to companies that elevate communities. This accelerator offers 6-month programs that help Black and Latinx based start-ups by giving them access to capital, providing them with connections and coaching that can help them build their capacity in an effort to be investment-ready. Learn More: Email: charli@wepowerstl.org WEPOWER STL Website:
ETHINKSTL 147: Jennifer Garcia | Garcia Properties [Season 12, Episode 3] Joining us today is Jenifer Garcia, Owner, and Broker at Garcia Properties. Jenifer is a mentor to many agents who have become some of St. Louis' Top Realtors. Having been in the industry for 20 years, Jenifer instills in her tribe a focus on making life long customers through integrity and thoughtful service. In this episode: Jenifer talks about how she started as an entrepreneur at the very young age of 14 and how an infomercial took her by chance down a path that would eventually steer her towards real estate. Jenifer discusses how Garcia Properties got its start with apartment buildings and how that grew into a much larger business model and what her vision for the future is for Garcia Properties. Jenifer explains how a multi-faceted family run business fits under one business umbrella and how they make it work so smoothly. Jenifer gives us advice on business and how to "let your freak flag fly". She says that most importantly, you should trust your gut and do what you love and what makes you happy. Learn More: Email: Info@gpstl.com Company Website: Company Facebook: https:
ETHINKSTL 146: Betsy Nacrelli |Collections by Joya [Season 12, Episode 2] Joining us today is Betsy Blancett-Nacrelli, Founder of Collections by Joya. Betsy's lifelong passion for Women empowerment and her 14 years of experience in international retail and design, afforded her many opportunities to travel to amazing places such as Istanbul, Bali, and India where she fell in love with the vast selection of artisan jewelry. Founded in 2016, Collections by Joya continues to grow and inspire women all over the world. Betsy believes fully that when women support each other, incredible things can happen! In this episode: Betsy tells us about how her journey in product development and design in the furniture industry turned into a whole new journey in jewelry design and development which Betsy has since turned into a full-time career and business. Betsy fills us in on the long line of entrepreneurs with her family and how she knew from a very young age that she too wanted to be an entrepreneur. She talks about the long line of leaders who taught her the many principles of business such as retail to product development and supply chain management. Betsy discusses the process of testing the market and the conclusions she reached formed that process and how testing helped her have a better understanding of the needs of the market. She also gives us some insight into the testing timeline. Betsy tells us about the growth of Collections by Joya and how with a lot of support from family and friends she was able to grow from a company of 1 in her home to a company of 12 in a studio here in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn More: Email: betsy@collectionsbyjoya.com Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Instagram:
ETHINKSTL 145: Jeremy Goss | LinkMarket [Season 12, Episode 1] Joining us today is Dr. Jeremy Goss, Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Link Market. Jeremy is an advocate for low-income communities on issues related to food justice, hunger and health. Upon graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, Jeremy took notice to the fact that healthy food options were not available to certain communities in the St. Louis Region. Jeremy's frustration turned into a life changing idea for many St. Louis residents. In this episode: Jeremy discusses the challenges he faced upon his arrival here in St. Louis and how he began to tackle poverty and inequality in the region and how he turned the art of science and healing to a reality for a city that so badly needed it. Jeremy talks about how he reached out to his peers in the medical community to help research how he could best fill the void in the food deserts of of St. Louis and the next steps he took to make his idea take form. Jeremy discusses his very own experience with racism within his own team and the challenges he faced as an out-ofstate entrepreneur. Jeremy talks about the training program set up specifically centered around the community each Link Market serves. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook:
ETHINKSTL 144: Shannon Thompson | Indie Eatery [Season 11, Episode 11] Joining us today is Shannon Thompson, Proprietor of Indie Eatery and Indie 4 Catering. Shannon devoted 12 years of her life to the United States Air Force. Upon returning , she spent a short time in the corporate world. It didn't take long for Shannon to realize that the corporate world just didn't fill her passion within; It was then that she and her husband started Indie 4 Catering and the rest is history. In this episode: Shannon discusses how Indie 4 Catering maintains sustainability not only in the business aspect but also on the menu side of the business with items such as 'compost nachos' and health based all natural juice drinks. Shannon talks about how being laid off from her full-time job thrust her into entrepreneurship by incident and the process of transitioning into the business with her husband by her side. Shannon discusses the difficulties she and her husband faced in trying to find a new form of employment once exiting the Air Force and how she has to teach herself to ask others for help and how through mentoring, she was able to learn how to be 'coachable'. Shannon tells us about where she sees herself and Indie 4 catering in the future through partnerships, collaborations and franchising. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook:
ETHINKSTL 143: Alexces Bartley | MO SourceLink [Season 11, Episode 10] Joining us today is Alexces Bartley, Director and Network Builder of Missouri SourceLink. At her core, Alex is a connector with a deep passion for helping communities and individuals grow through access to entrepreneurial opportunities. Prior to her work with Missouri SourceLink, Alex served as Outreach Programs Manager at Oklahoma State University Riata Center for Entrepreneurship. In this episode: Alexces talks about how she fills her role as a Network Builder and the idea of the concept that entrepreneurship is a team sport wherever you go and how social networks are extremely valuable to the growth of a business. Alexces talks about the importance of unlocking the talent that Missouri holds within it many territories and accepting that what is good for Missouri is good for its towns and what is good for our towns is good for Missouri. Alexces explains how Missouri SourceLink connects rural communities who may not have the ability to connect otherwise, with the tools the need to get their business to the next step. Alexces gives a detailed summary of the resources available to small business owners and start ups through Missouri SourceLink such as a hotline number, referrals, a personal action plan and a Resource Navigator that gives you access to 500 business resource organizations with the click of just one button. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
ETHINKSTL 142: Collective STL | Healing Mind, Body and Spirit in North St. Louis [Season 11, Episode 09] Joining us today are Terry and Ericka Harris and Alonzo Nelson, Jr., Co Founders of Collective STL. This team of amazing yogi's create a healthy and safe experience catered to African Americans by offering compassionate wisdom that helps heal the mind, body and spirit through techniques of yoga mindfulness and culturally relevant self-strategies. In this episode: Ericka and Terry talk about how their love for yoga transformed into the thought of bringing African American communities together through the Collective STL environment by creating a space that helps heal the mind, body and spirit. The trio talks about the need and importance of accessibility not just for some but for ALL in terms of financial and economics. Before the Collective STL, North St. Louis had no yoga studios. Alonzo discusses the platforms used to bring awareness to the African American communities about the healing qualities of yoga and the results that can be achieved thru a healthy mindset. Ericka explains how the team goes above and beyond to make the space a welcoming one through creating a family environment, various classes and a donation based model so that even low income families can participate. Learn more: Company Website: Company Facebook:
ETHINKSTL 141: Rachel D'Souza Siebert | Gladiator Consulting [Season 11, Episode 08] Joining us today is Rachel D'Souza Siebert, Founder and Principal of Gladiator Consulting. Rachel is at her best when she's starting, fixing or leading. In 2015, Gladiator Consulting came to life offering Core Values and Guiding Principles to our communities. In this episode: Rachel talks about how a need to have her voice heard and having a way to fulfill her interest in social justice led her to the nonprofit sector. Rachel discusses the importance of breaking down the barrier of being a mom and an entrepreneur and how she makes that work. Rachel talks about the power dynamic that exists in philanthropy between the people that fund and the people who need the funds and how Gladiator Consulting seeks to obtain their goals. Rachel explains abundance in the non-profit world and forging a new path for future organizations. Learn more: Email: Company Website:
ETHINKSTL 140: Jessica Hitchcock | Following Her Entrepreneurial Heart for Art [Season 11, Episode 07] Joining us today is Jessica Hitchcock , owner of Jessica Hitchcock, LLC. Jessica paints from her home in St. Louis, Missouri and it's her bold colors that give her a signature look. She only recently quit her day job in Finance and Human Resources to devote her efforts full-time to her art business. Following a recent trip to Mexico to work with an expert to discuss a business plan, she is off to a great start and getting her name out there. In this episode : Jessica tells us where and how her artistic story started in 2015 and how her mom’s entrepreneurship story may have had a little influence on her becoming an entrepreneur. Jessica explains how she went from being an artist as a hobby to having her paintings on display at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. She tells us how it all happened very naturally for her. Jessica tells us how the transition of working full time in the Finance and Human Resource field into a full time artist happened and how other full time artists sparked a flame in her to make the jump from corporate to the world of entrepreneurship. Jessica talks about Instagram and how the Instagram platform has made a tremendous contribution to the growth of her business model not only locally but internationally. Jessica also talks about the power of social media in general. Learn More : Email: Website: Company Facebook:
ETHINKSTL 139: Nick Dunne | Marketing M.A.D.E. Man [Season 11, Episode 06] Joining us today is Nick Dunne, Communications Director For MADE, Third Degree Glass Factory and The Delmar Maker District. A 2011 graduate of Webster University with a B.A. degree in Public Relations, Nick brings a culmination of marketing experience to all three businesses while using his background as a professional communicator to elevate the community of artists, makers and other entrepreneurs in the St. Louis area. In this episode: Nick talks about how a collaborative idea turned into an evolution of a multifaceted studio for creating, making and selling; all the while building a social network. Nicks explains where the name M.A.D.E came from and its meaning;M-Makers, A-Artists, D-Designers, E-Entrepreneurs and he tells us how the MADE concept works. Nick talks about the lack of resources for children to learn, make and create and how MADE and The Magic House have collaborated to make a space for children to learn, grow and express themselves through art and design. Nick discusses the future of the maker district and his hopes of development which will help cultivate a community including the joining of a credit union and the possibility of a food truck park . Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Nick Dunne Twitter:
ETHINKSTL 138: De Nichols | De-Signing Creative Cultures of Impact [Season 11, Episode 05] Joining us today is De Nichols, Principal of Design and Social Practice at Civic Creatives. As a cultural producer, De organizes artists to develop digital media and visual artworks that extend the impact of her design practice. In this episode: De speaks about the current challenges she faces and how she and her team at Civic Creatives rise to those challenges in an effort to bring awareness to these issues. De tells us about her projects such as designing the St. Louis Metro Market, The Artistic STL Collective; which mobilizes artists and creators across the region, the Unites Stories Summit and how she likes to create a vulnerable and brave space for people to express themselves in a safe environment. De describes how she came to the decision to be involved in Social Entrepreneurship. De speaks about how being an artist molded the social side and how her studies solidified the entrepreneurship side. De fills us in on how she manages to separate herself from a personal vantage point of a person from the person that fuels the business. De discusses what it was like to be the visioning artist of The Mirror Casket; currently on display at the Smithsonian. The Mirror Casket is a sculpture and performance piece created as protest art during the 2014 Ferguson uprising. Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
ETHINKSTL 137: Claire Flowers | Durable, Comfortable, Stylish Shoes for Professional Women [Season 11, Episode 04] Joining us today is Claire Flowers, Founder and Designer of Claire Flowers, LLC. Claire has a passion for making things better. While working in sales and constantly traveling for her work, Claire found herself rapidly going through pairs of heels. In a effort to make women's lives easier, Claire decided to make a change. In December of 2014, Claire quit her full-time technology career to make this idea a reality by forming Claire Flowers, LLC. In this episode: Claire tells us how Claire Flowers, LLC evolved from a self-servicing idea to a much larger production of a full-line of women's shoes. Claire talks about the many different phases of getting her idea from her mind, to a CAD file, to a designer, to manufacturing, then finally to promotion. Claire tells us the 5 things that set Claire Flowers shoes apart from the competition. Claire discusses company growth and where she sees Claire Flowers, LLC in the future. Claire talks SEO and brand accountability. Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook:
ETHINKSTL 136: Amy Slaughter | Aims Moon Paperie [Season 11, Episode 03] Joining us today is Amy Slaughter, Owner of Aims Moon Paperie. Founded in 2016, Aims Moon Paperie is a stationery company dedicated to providing women with tools for self-reflection and organization. Amy always wanted to create and to become an entrepreneur. A writer for many years, Amy found journaling was a way to de-clutter her thoughts. Compelled by her passion for writing, she started her own business. Aims Moon Paperie is a chic, handcrafted-gifts brand that allows you to write your thoughts in style. In this episode: Amy describes her inner entrepreneur and how it took form. She discusses the various outlets she discovered and the experiences she encountered in her first year. Amy discusses her design process and her quality control initiatives for offering the BEST product to her clients. Amy talks about becoming an entrepreneur and how it helped her learn more about herself and gave her a reasons to believe in herself. Amy discusses her dreams and goals and where she sees her company in the future and how she plans to obtain those goals. Amy tells us how she organically developed her business connections and how she maintains those connections. Amy also gives advice to future entrepreneurs on how they can best showcase their inner entrepreneur. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
ETHINKSTL 135: Devon Moody Graham | #CEOMOM [Season 11, Episode 02] Joining us today is Devon Moody-Graham, CEO and Founder of CEO MOM. Devon is a Wife, Mother, CEO, Community Leader and Serial Entrepreneur. Devon is passionate about creating solutions to ease the journey of pulling off all of the above. Devon created CEO MOM as a platform to help mothers who are entrepreneurs make their dreams come true. CEO MOM provides 'empire building' assistance, kid-friendly meet ups and opportunities for women to connect with other women while improving their businesses and grow together. In this episode: Devon discusses how CEO MOM came about through her own experiences as a mom and entrepreneur and seeing other moms struggle to achieve CEO status. Devon explains the importance of motherly figures inspiring their children to do better and to reach for and obtain their goals by leading by example. Devon also talks about a new term called 'Momager' and how inspiration goes both ways. Devon describes in detail what CEO MOM events, such as meet-ups and seminars, entail and what to expect when attending a CEO MOM event. Devon explains how she uses delegation in order to accomplish her long list of daily tasks and business development. Learn more: Email: Business Website:
ETHINKSTL 134: Leslie Gill | Rung for Women [Season 11, Episode 01] Joining us today is Leslie Gill, Executive Director of Rung for Women. Having served in leadership capacities for several profit and non-profit organizations, Leslie has been deeply involved in a wide range of social welfare issues. Before joining Rung, Leslie served as the Chief Executive Officer of Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. In this episode: Leslie discusses how Rung got its start as a high-end consignment shop for the benefit of The Women's Foundation of Greater St. Louis and how through the years it evolved into its current state ASA program of holistic self sufficiency for women. Leslie tells us about the vision of Rung for Women and its goal to not only change the landscape of the St. Louis community, but to also help women remove barriers to success and help them to achieve higher financial goals. Leslie talks about how Ali Hogan, Founder of Rung for Women, took a pause in her efforts in order to make a successful pivot into a new organization with a broader scope. Leslie talks about the four pillars on which Rung for Women is built upon - Wealth Building, Family Stability, Well-Being and Career. Learn More: Email: Company Website: .org Company Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/RUNGSTL Company Twitter:
Joining us today are Rita Childers and Candi Haas, Co-owners of Core + Rind. Both are certified Culinary Nutrition experts and together have created Cashew Cheesy Sauce to make your journey to health not only easier, but tastier as well. In this episode: Rita and Candi talk about how similarities and struggles with their own health, motivated them to create and market a product that would not only benefit them, but others as well. Rita and Candi talk about the process of taking their product from something personal to a product of scale and the difficulties of 'letting go of the reigns' per say in order to grow to the next level. This 'cheesy duo' discuss how the Ignite program helped them move through the development phase of Consumer Product Goods. Candi talks about how opportunity turned into preparedness and how Cashew Cheesy Sauce ended up on Whole Foods shelf space. Candi tells us about the different events and ways they promote their product line and what the future has in store for Core + Rind. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Joining us today are Jacob Resch and Kevin McCulloch, Founders of FLOAT STL. FLOAT STL is St. Louis' first float center and was opened in February of 2015. FLOAT STL has facilitated over 42,000 floats and continues the mission to help create a better access to healing modality. In this episode: We learn what the craft of floating is and the experience of floating. -Jacob shares about his RN & Psyche background and the role it played to help build their float center experience. -Kevin gives light on how helping people with eating disorders and working at a treatment center led to meeting and working with Jacob. -Both talk about a weekend trip in 2012 to Chicago leading to conversations on opening a float center in St Louis. -Kevin describes what a float tank actually is, how it works, and the experience for an individual. He adds why they decided to focus only on the float craft instead of adding other services like massage for self-care. -Jacob describes their hiring and training of employees to maintain their float experience vision for Float STL guests. -Both Jacob and Kevin talked about the importance of partnership and financial backing for their unique business concept. Then they finish up about their own self-care besides just floating. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook:
Joining us today are Kate Loar of Venture For America and Chisom Uche, Alumnus of Venture For America and current Senior Associate at SixThirty. Kate works with Venture For America Fellows, company partners, donors and support systems in St. Louis and Kansas City. Chisom serves on numerous boards, one of which empowers students to direct their own lives and learning. In this episode: Kate discusses her many roles with Venture For America Chisom tells us how he became a "fellow" with Venture for America and how he fills his role as an alumni of the program. Kate talks about the criteria Venture For America looks for in the "fellow" selection process and what strategies they use in choosing the perfect candidate. Kate tells us about a few benchmark milestones that Venture For America recently hit. Chisom discusses the diversity within Venture For America community. Chisom goes into detail just how exactly the "fellows" of Venture For America contribute to the start-up community. Learn More: Kate Email: Chisom Email: Venture For America Website:
Joining us today is Sloan Coleman, Business Development Director, AKA Monster Marketer, of Tiny Little Monster. Sloan, A lifelong entrepreneur with a background in art and graphic design, began her entrepreneurial career by co-founding a graphic and web design business at the age of 26. Through learning about marketing, networking and SEO while in the graphic design industry, Sloan stumbled into the screen printing industry, the seed was planted; Tiny Little Monster was born in her basement and the rest is history. In this Episode: Sloan talks about how her inner entrepreneur skills started when she was a child. Sloan tells us about how her start in the SEO/Website development business led her to an interest in the screen printing business. Sloan talks about how opportunity met preparedness with the name Tiny Little Monster and a preexisting SEO database. Sloan gives great feedback for staff and new growth practices. Sloan explains what makes Tiny Little Monster different from all the other screen printing shops in St. Louis and how she and her business partner troubleshoot ways to keep them on top of the business game. Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
Today, enjoy some of the best ETHINKSTL episodes of the season. Each show is filled with unique and valuable insight, experience and perspective. Check out this highlight episode for your must have entrepreneurial punch-list and be sure to come back for more in the full episodes of your favorites!! We are celebrating our favorite moments from practitioners, coaches and wise women. In our PRACTITIONER segment: Jeremy Nulik, lead futurist and strategist from Big Wide Sky gives us some tips on how to work through a major future change. Learn More: Diego Abente, Vice President of Economic Development of the International Institute and President of the International Institute Community Developmental Corporation, discusses how he helps immigrants achieve the American Dream. Learn More: . Maria Meyers and Kate Pope-Hodel of KC SourceLink talk about how to build relationships and the importance of making the correct network connections. Learn More: In our COACHING segment: Quentin Ortega, President of QCO Consulting, tells us how to be 'coach-able' and how to take feedback and turn it into a positive. Learn More: Nicci Roach and Lorie Jackson, Founders of Mosiac Ceiling, talk about the joys of having a business partner to help even the playing field. Learn More: or Erin Joy, Founder of Black Dress Partners, talks about finding the right cultural fit within your organization. Learn More: In our WISE WOMEN segment: Rebeccah Bennett, Founder and Principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC and its subsidiary InPower Institute, talks about the importance of responsible transformation while acquiring your personal goals. Learn More: Phyllis Librach, President and Founder of Sydney's Closet, discusses the importance of research and using past skills to better your business. Learn More: Ronke Faleti, Founder and CEO of Korede, discusses the importance of a strong mindset in order to have a strong business. Learn More:
Joining us today is Steve Epner. Steve has over 40 years of consulting experience. He served as “Entrepreneur in Residence” at Boeing and founded and manages the St. Louis Innovation Round table. Steve currently works with The Gateway Venture Mentoring Service, St. Louis Regional Entrepreneurship Educators and he teaches Corporate Entrepreneurship in the MBA program at St. Louis University. It has been said that Steve’s playful approach to business has allowed him to create supportive mentoring communities throughout his career. In this episode: Steve discusses his feelings on how higher education could better include entrepreneurship in it's curriculum. Steve tells us how he uses Venture Cafe in St. Louis as a lesson tool for the students enrolled in his classes. Steve gives us an idea on how to best get an advantage against competitors by thinking outside of the box. Steve explains the importance of getting out of our 'old ways' of thinking and start thinking outside of the box in a world that is evolving ever so quickly. Learn More: Email: Website:
Joining us today is Marissa Paine, Founder of Painefree Coaching & Consulting. Marissa started Painefree in 2012 as a vehicle for living out her life's purpose, which is to inspire and support other leaders in realizing their full potential. Marissa Paine and her dynamic team are passionate about serving you and helping you become your best you! In this episode: Marissa talks about the launch of the new brand "Marissa Q. Paine" and reasoning for it, plus putting all the services offered under that umbrella & being a "culture shifter." Marissa talks about taking a pause from the work she is good at doing with Painefree Coaching & Consulting but not finding the joy in it anymore and get back to self-care habits. Marissa speaks about 25 years of marriage and the next chapters on the home front and shifting of roles of each partner in the marriage. Marissa explains how "shifts" open things for transformation and then allows change to happen. Marissa shares about the new media platforms on the horizon for "Marissa Q. Paine" and importance of vision boarding. Learn More: Email: Website: Linkedin: Twitter: https:twitter.com/Painefreegroup Facebook:
Joining us today is Derek Mays of REAL Cannabis Company and John Payne of Amendment 2 Consultants. REAL Cannabis Company is a St. Louis based group that seeks to open a combined cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and dispensing facility. John Payne is Co-Founder of Amendment 2 Consultants which pioneered Missouri's new approach by leading the campaign for medical marijuana in Missouri. In this episode: Derek talks about what motivated him to leap into the field of cannabis amendment support and business development. Derek talks about the lack of access to capital for minority entrepreneurs and how he felt the need to use his skill sets to change that in the cannabis industry. John discusses regulatory requirements to apply for a cannabis license in Missouri. John tells us what needs to be taken into account when entering the cannabis industry. Derek describes all of the different stages of cannabis distribution. John reviews Amendment 2, recently put forth in legislation. Learn More: Email: Derek Mays - John Payne - Company Website: REAL Cannabis Co. - Amendment 2 Consultants: We pioneered Missouri's new approach by leading the campaign for medical marijuana in Missouri.
Joining us today is Grady Phelan, a St. Louis based serial creative and entrepreneur. Grady founded Pro-XR, LLC in 2013. The Pro-XR bat has a grip technology that helps athletes achieve their most powerful swing while preventing injury. Grady worked to achieve a patented design of an angled knob that works with the batters' hands to increase coverage, protection, precision and power. In this episode: Grady talks about how a near accident in his own back yard drove him to make a 'better', more safe wooden baseball bat. Grady fills us in on the 3 year process of prototyping, patenting, testing and approval from Major League Baseball. This approval is the first major design change allowed by MLB in 135 years. Grady talks about how a partnership with Old Hickory allowed him to take the Pro-XR bat to the next level of production and wide-range marketing efforts. Grady tells us about how he saw a need for a change in other sports equipment such as hockey sticks and golf clubs and how his new design is now helping the world of hockey. Grady talks about the challenges he faced in group-funding to grow his business after he self-funded for so many years. Learn more: Email: Company website: Facebook: Twitter:
Joining us today is Lawanda Brooks, Award winning Licensed Cosmetologist, Entrepreneur, Educator, Author and Cosmetic Chief. Lawanda is the Owner of 3 local salons by the name of SweetHead Naturals. SweetHead Naturals salon is a natural salon and a distributor of Lawanda's very own line of toxic free products. In this episode: Lawanda talks about 'the moment' she knew she wanted to be a stylist. Lawanda discusses her business plan and talks about the reason she chose the business model she chose. Lawanda talks about her passion for creating not only a safe product for her clients but a safer product and work environment for her employees as well. Lawanda tells us about how using her harmful chemical free products in her salon on just her clients, grew to a whole new level and a manufacturing/distribution business. Lawanda talks about the ingredients she uses in all of her SweetHead Naturals products. Learn More: Company Website: Facebook: Instagram:
Joining us today is Emily Zwilling, Founder of EZ Wellness. Emily is a Wellness Coach, Nutritional Counselor, Speaker and a cross-fit gym owner. Through EZ Wellness, Emily dedicates herself to encouraging and empowering others to make their realizations and to develop healthy habits, routines and mindsets that will genuinely change their lives for the better. In this episode: Emily talks about how a start up job motivated her to pull her inner will out and how to run with it. Emily tells us about the struggles she faced in starting her own business and what she did to overcome those struggles. Emily discusses how she and her business partner share the responsibilities in the business and how each person fits into each role. Emily explains the difference between Integrative Nutrition and Precision Nutrition. Emily talks about how she got over her fear of speaking in front of large groups and how she hopes to one day speak in front of even larger groups at major conventions. Learn more: Email: Company Website: Facebook: Instagram:
EP #1XX-S10-E01-Lisa Hu Joining us today is Lisa Hu, founder and designer of Lux and Nyx. Lux and Nyx is a line of luxury handbags designed with the working female in mind. Lux and Nyx handbags are a line of 'work and play' bags that take women from Yoga class in the morning through drinks on the rooftop at night with style. In this episode: Lisa shares her experience with jumping from the corporate world into entrepreneurship. Lisa explains how her need for a multi-functional handbag pushed her to the drawing board and then to Asia for prototype design efforts. Lisa talks about how her connections have manifested and how she chooses to tie in Women in History to her line of handbags. Lisa describes in detail the difference between a Lux & Nyx bag and other handbags on the market. Learn more: Email: Website: Facebook: Twitter:
ETHINKSTL--S9-E13-Katie Petty | Wild Heart Joining us today is Katie Petty, president of Wild Heart, LLC and inventor of The Brushless Paw Wash. In 2002, Katie came up with a thought that later turned into the invention of The Brushless Paw Wash. Katie used her 6th grade Science Fair as a way to test this new product and after rave reviews, Katie developed and patented her well-thought out invention. In this episode: Katie talks about the need for The Brushless paw Wash after her childhood dog tracked mud into her home when she was 12 years old. Katie states that she is the first Inventor in a family full of entrepreneurs. Katie discusses the problems she encountered with patent infringement and knock-off products and she talks about how she was able to go after those folks for royalties. Katie talks about the importance of resilience in the wake of challenges she faces as an entrepreneur. Learn More: Website: Facebook: Instagram: @wild_heart_co
EP #121-S9-E12--Justin Barr | STL from Above Joining us today is Justin Barr of STL from Above. In 2017, Justin added an aerial photography drone to his equipment kit to bring new dimensions to his usual business of wedding photography. Little did Justin know the fame he would gain from his drone work. In just 2 short years, Justin' s photos taken via drone, have landed on numerous book and magazine covers, commissioned pieces, articles and a fan base that continues to grow. In this episode: Justin talks about how a hobby turned into a full-blown photography business. Justin discusses the ins and outs of drone photography including FAA Regulations, permits and licensing protocol. Justin talks about how he handles a family, a full-time job and the new found fame he has found himself in with the drone scene and business opportunities it poses. Learn more: Email: STL From Above Website: Justin Barr Photography: Company Facebook: Company Instagram:
EP #120-S9-E11--Quentin Ortega Joining us today is Quentin Ortega. Quentin is an S&T graduate whose entrepreneurial journey started at a young age and put him on a path of serial entrepreneurship and in a prominent role as a mentor and advisor in the St. Louis entrepreneurship ecosystem. Among his roles, IT Track Leader for CET's SQ1 Boot Camp Program, Entrepreneur in Residence at ITEN and Executive VP of Business Development at Great Data Lake. In this episode: Quentin talks about how his dream of becoming an entrepreneur started at the ripe age of 5 years old. Quentin discusses his involvement in multiple tech companies and how he has evolved in the tech industry. Quentin explains how he got involved in business mentoring through multiple outlets such as Square 1 and ITEN. Quentin mentions the importance of an entrepreneur spending time learning about all aspects of a business even the ones you may not be handling on a day to day basis. Learn more: Email: LinkdIn: Twitter: @quentinortega #business, #cet, #cheryl watkins-moore, #christy maxfield, #entrepreneur, #, #innovation, #podcast, #raregem productions, #st. louis, ethinkstl
Joining us today is Tami Lange, CEO and Founder of Save the Girls Touchscreen Purses! Tami is a resident of Edwardsville, she is married and has 5 wonderful children as well as 3 dogs and a plethora of cats. Simply put, Tami was fed up! In one week, both of her daughters had mishaps with their phones. One had lost it on a hike and the other sent her phone into the washing machine abyss, by accident of course. Tami’s sister in law suggested the girls carry their phones in their undergarments (bra) to avoid any future mishaps. That just didn’t seem like the solution either. This drove the inner entrepreneur in Tami to the drawing board. It didn’t take her long to come up with the PERFECT solution. Tami created a one of a kind purse that not only carries credit cards, license and our cheaters, but it also has a clear backing pouch that your phone slides into that allows you to fully operate your phone without ever having to take it out of your purse. Just when you thought this concept couldn’t get any better, it does!!! Save the Girls organization, donates 10% of their profits to breast cancer research. In this episode: - Where the purses are manufactured - The products that are used in the making of her purses - Steps Tami took in researching the companies that would manufacture her product - The different styles of the purses she has in her line - What's in the works for the future? - How Tami promotes her product - Where we can find out more and buy her purses - Why did Tami choose to give a portion of her profits to breast cancer research? Email: Website: Facebook: Instagram: 's
EP #118-S9-E09--St. Louis Hop Shop Joining us today are brothers Justin Harris and Ryan Griffin, Co-Owners of St. Louis Hop Shop. STL Hop Shop is a one-stop shop that carries a wide range of craft beers as well as numerous other types of liquors. Located on the city's South Side, this business offers a communal atmosphere within a learning environment. Their motto: Good People, Good Beer, Good Times. In this episode: We learn how opportunity met opportunist. Justin talks about how he saw a gap in the St. Louis brewery scene and how he made an active decision to fix the gap. Ryan tells us about the 'experience' that St. Louis Hop Shop offers. Just and Ryan both discuss the ups and downs of learning about business growth and development strategies and how they applied their lessons learned to each experience. How St. Louis Hop Shop uses Social Media to promote business and customer interaction. Learn more: Website: Facebook: Instagram:
EP #117-S9-E08--Psyche Southwell Joining us today is Psyche Southwell, Creator and Editor of the Economy of Style Blog. Psyche is a Social Science Researcher and Educator who credits her fashion inspiration on her Caribbean roots. Psyche has been featured in several publications including Cosmopolitan and RedBook and has also been named as a winner of RedBooks' 'Real Women of Style' award. In 2018, Psyche was named Best Beauty Blogger in St. Louis! In this episode: Psyche talks about how her student financial woes gave her the idea to create a fashion blog that would help others in her financial situation feel and look their best. As an entrepreneur, Psyche discusses the business strategies she used to get her start in the influencer world. Psyche talks about how she uses social media to 'reach' brands and companies to grab their interest and she discusses how she uses that interest to build her own brand. Psyche gives advice to other entrepreneurs on how to develop a business and how to keep it growing. Learn more: Email: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram:
EP #116-S9-E07--Perry Drake MDMC Joining us today is Dr. Perry Drake, Professor of Digital and Social Media Marketing at The University of Missouri, St. Louis. Perry is also the founder of the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference, the largest Digital Marketing Conference hosted right here in St. Louis. The MDMC boasts an attendance of over 1,500 attendees and hosts 130 speakers with topics ranging from Data, Digital, Social Media and E-Commerce. In this episode: Perry discusses the MDMC and the topics it covers such as artificial intelligence, content creation and Facebook live stream operation. Perry tells us about the new advances coming in the future for LinkedIn. Perry discusses the difference between social media and digital marketing. Perry explains the many different courses offered through UMSL to assist with digital marketing education. Learn more: Email: Midwest Digital Marketing Conference info:
EP #115-S9-E06--Kesha Kesh Joining us today is Kesha Kent, Owner and Founder of MrsKeshSpeaks, LLC. Kesha is a passionate speaker, emcee and loves helping individuals learn how to 'sell' themselves and teaching them about the power of relationships. She is a master at mentoring women and young ladies on how to overcome life's obstacles. In this episode: Kesha talks about the importance of networking. Kesha talks about her involvement with Venture Cafe St.Louis. Kesha shares a story on how a high school teacher changed her mindset and helped her refocus on who she really could be. Kesha gives advice on how to WAKE UP, SHOW UP and KEEP IT MOVIN' in the world of networking. Learn more: Email: Facebook: Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/kesha-kent-ba-maol Twitter: Instagram:
EP #114-S9-E05--Kameel Stanley Joining us today is Kameel Stanley. Kameel co-hosts the award-winning 'We Live Here' Podcast, is a brunch club organizer, storyteller and yogi. Kameel and other members of her journalism team, use the podcast for an in-depth exploration of how systemic racism impacts people as well as the well-being of our region. In this episode: Kameel discusses her journalism journeys across the United States We learn what it means to undertake a new concept and the tasks involved in promoting a new concept. We discussed the struggles of jumping into the discussion of racism. Kameel talks about breaking down her identity as a journalist and redefining herself. What events are out there that help build the female support system. Learn more: Email: Website: Linkedin: Twitter:
EP #113-S9-E04--Autentico Podcast Joining us today is Autentico Podcast Hosts, Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano and Junior Lara. The co-hosts discuss how the Autentico podcast came to be and how the hosts create opportunity and value to the Latino community. In this episode: Gabriela discusses how she found her voice in her delivery of the vast amount of resources available to minorities. Junior explains how to break electronic barriers in technology. How we can accomplish more together. Gabriela discusses how she connects minority entrepreneurs with the right people to help their businesses get to the next level. Learn more: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Twitter:
Joining us today is Lindy Drew and Elaine Cha of Humans Of St. Louis. Lindy Discusses how her background in social work, public health and photography led her on a journey to tell the stories of the humans of St. Louis and Elaine Cha talks about her interactions with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. In this episode: Lindy tells us about her travels to Chile. Elaine discusses her love for working with a local non-profit. Lindy discusses the birth of the concept of Humans of St. Louis book. The struggles of getting a person to opening up and telling their 'story' to a complete stranger. What it means to be 'working artist'. Learn more: Email: Lindy Drew: Elaine Cha: Website: Lindy Drew: Elaine Cha: Company Facebook: Lindy Drew: Elaine Cha:
Joining us today is Jonathan Allen, President of Longneck & Thunderfoot, a 2016 Arch Grant recipient company. Jonathan discusses his passion for sharing the journey and best practices of start-ups and entrepreneurship. London born, Jonathan jumped the pond in 9 years ago and acquired a local publication titled EQ in 2017. EQ Magazine focuses on St. Louis' entrepreneurial scene. In this episode: Jonathan tells us about how a special girl landed him here in St. Louis. What is takes to become an Arch Grant recipient. Why Jonathan feels networking is so important? What it means to build a Brand-Ads company. Jonathan talks about time management for serial entrepreneurs. Traditional advertising models verses new advertising models. Email: Website:
ETHINKSTL-110--Episode 9.1 Joining us today is Kathryn Finney, founder and managing director of DigitalUndivided (DID). Founded in 2013, DID is a social enterprise that takes an innovative, transformative approach to economic empowerment by encouraging Black and Latina women to own their economic security through entrepreneurship. DID accomplishes this goal by boldly empowering Black and Latina women to think BIG through the BIG Innovation Center, a 4,000 square foot space located in downtown Atlanta and the BIG Incubator program for high growth companies led by Black and Latina women. DID has impacted over 2000 people and helped companies raise over $25 Million in Investment. In this episode: What is Digital Undivided? How her dad, a senior system engineer at Microsoft introduced Kathryn to tech. Why Kathryn describes herself with the words Founder, Traveler and Innovator. When Kathryn became interested in social entrepreneurship. What was the genesis of The Budget Fashionista blog. How did Kathryn transition from hobby to business to exit. What is the FOCUS Fellowship and the BIG Innovation Center? What is a technology-enabled company? What did the #Project Diane research project tell us about the “real unicorns”, Black and Latina entrepreneurs? What we can do to encourage Black and Latina entrepreneurs see the opportunities for themselves in tech vs. other types of entrepreneurship. Learn more: Website: digitalundivided
Joining us today is Ronke Faleti, Founder and CEO of korédé. korédé supports women through innovative design with modular bags that are customized to the needs of the individual woman. Women can experience the freedom of carrying one beautiful bag that's not only functional but also stylish - from boardroom to playdates and weekends away. Ronke has worked in leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo Advisors and believes in the existence of harmony in work, life and all the dimensions of womanhood.
Joining us today is Markey Culver, Founder and Co-Director of The Women's Bakery. Markey sees bread as nutrition and as a business model for sub-Saharan villagers. Her social enterprise operates by the simple yet powerful mantra of, “we can, therefore we must.” The Women's Bakery teaches women how to make and sell nutritious, affordable breads and manage profitable bakeries in their communities. Markey oversees operations, manages personnel, implements strategic partnerships in the US and abroad. She manages business development initiatives to advocate for the success of the women she works with and the bakeries they launch. In this episode: - How Markey came to create The Women's Bakery - More about her work in the Peace Corps and Rwanda - Markey is creating access to opportunity for women around the globe..How? Why? - Her fundamental business philosophy - More about her five-step model. How it is scalable and adaptable? - How Markey adjusts to fit the needs of the communities she serves - How she helps women build financial independence for themselves - The importance and inclusion of nutrition as a key focus of her work - Opportunities for her business model for women in St. Louis - Lessons for social entrepreneurs who are listening ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more: Website: TEDx: Guidestar: Facebook: Instagram: @womensbakery Hashtags: #breadpower #togetherwerise
Joining us today is La'Crassia Wilderness, creator and owner of Butter Love by L.C. La’Crassia took her love for mixing and her love for nature and created an organic skin care line. Before becoming an entrepreneur, La’Crassia worked in customer service in corporate America. She studied marketing and advertising at Columbus College, Chicago. She began her holistic journey while experimenting with natural oils, Shea butter and organics in search of the right products for herself. Butter Love offers organic, handmade and crafted products to heal and soothe the skin. Butter Love features holistic healing, detoxifying and rejuvenating products to aid in the removal of toxins within the body. In this episode: - La’Crassia started mixing things in secret when you were young. What was she mixing? - What she loved about it and where it led her. - What were the challenges La’Crassia experienced as a young woman that impacts her entrepreneurial mission and approach. - La’Crassia transition from corporate employment to entrepreneurship. How did she step out of her comfort zone? - How did she discover the alchemy she needed to create the products she features? - How did she figure out: What she needed? Where to get it? How to process it? How to package, sell then scale it? - What is the most rewarding part of your work? - La’Crassia emphasizes the beauty and harmony in relationship between skin, spirit, and the natural world. Why is this important to her? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more Website: Company Facebook : Personal Facebook: Personal Hashtags: #butterlovebylc
Joining us today is Sherita Love, manager at EdHubSTL. Sherita holds bachelor’s degree in Education Studies with a minor in Non-Profit Management and African-American Studies from UMSL. She was a national trainer with the YMCA of the USA in Leadership and Diversity and Inclusion courses for professional staff. She’s led diversity and inclusion trainings for schools, organizations and corporations in the region. Sherita currently serves as the Founder and Executive Director of ExpandED Learning Collaborative where she works in collaboration with community partners to close the education opportunity gap, as the Co-Founder of GLAMM (Girls Lead and Make Moves) to promote education and empowerment for young women of color. EdHub STL is powered by Venture Cafe St. Louis and provides a platform for educators to collide in an inclusive, collaborative and multi-disciplined co-working community. In this episode: - Sherita identifies as an “Education Catalyst”. What does that mean? - Where her passion for education began and where that journey proceeded from there. - How Sherita supports young women of color through education, entrepreneurship and empowerment. - Sherita's entrepreneurial focus and mission. - More about Education Equity Consultants. - How to define equity? - Sherita's vision for equity in education, entrepreneurship and for young women of color. - How to engage conversations around Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism? - How to educate uninformed individuals. - More about Innovation Hall and EdHubSTL. - A deeper understanding of the entrenched educational challenges in our region. Learn more: Email Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn Personal Hashtags #closethegap #edhubstl
On the show today is Melissa Douglas, Founder and Distance Counselor of Goal Driven Counseling, a fully online counseling practice serving teens and young adults going through transitions. Melissa is a licensed, clinical Social Worker and counsels clients via their smart phones and computers.
Last year we introduced you to two young innovators who were starting tech-focused companies in the healthcare marketplace. Melanie Igwe, the co-founder of Ilerasoft, and Rachel Simon-Lee, CEO and Founder of Heartwork Videos. Ilerasoft is a digital health company developing software that centralizes healthcare systems’ medical equipment assets data on one platform. Heartwork Videos is a unique resource for surgeons that captures and edits raw surgical footage into a high-quality educational video content. It’s time to get an update on their progress and see how business is going! In this episode: How have things been going? What they have learned in a year. What things have changed from their initial startup idea? What challenges have they faced as they build their business? How did they overcome? What feedback are they getting from the market about their technologies? What advice would they give for people who want to start a business in healthcare? Listen to their original interview here Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn Website Personal LinkedIn
Today we return to BioSTL's Vision 2018, St. Louis' annual conference aimed at building a wholly-inclusive, diverse innovation community. VISION is for anyone wanting to learn more information about the many small business and entrepreneurship opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. This is part 2 with keynote speaker and special guest Arlan Hamilton, Founder of Backstage Capital in a candid conversation with host Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore.
Today we tune-in from BioSTL's Vision 2018. VISION is St. Louis' annual conference aimed at building a wholly-inclusive, diverse innovation community. VISION is for anyone wanting to learn more information about the many small business and entrepreneurship opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. This is part 1 of 2 with keynote speaker and special guest Arlan Hamilton, Founder of Backstage Capital in a candid conversation with host Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore.
Joining us is Shayba Muhammad, Designer and Owner of Mahnal Jewelry. Mahnal is a collection of handcrafted contemporary brass jewelry. Taking inspiration from nature, architecture and texture, Mahnal seeks to shed light on diversity, Islam and the Arabic language. Shayba began studying design and fashion while at the Institute of Art in Chicago. She relocated back to St. Louis to study metalsmithing and jewelry full time. Shayba focuses her efforts on growing Mahnal and adding to the local small business economy. In this episode: - Shayba takes us along her design journey...it began with a love for art at an early age. - How she came to metalsmithing as her discipline of choice. Why did she choose Brass? - Shayba's creative philosophy and how this connected to her broader vision. - Shayba incorporates a personal message to women and a message of diversity with her work. What does she want to communicate to the community and to others? - More about the Makers Mart. - Details about entrepreneurial work she is building for underserved communities. - What is her greatest accomplishment and creation? - Lessons for other artists and entrepreneurs from her experience. Learn more: Website Company Facebook
Joining us today is Estrella (Estie) Cruz-Curoe, Manager and Owner of del Carmen Foods, LLC. In her other life, Estie worked for a national insurance company in Chicago. She met her husband there and their lives took them to Kansas City where Estie and Mike started a family. As a stay-at-home mom, Estie found the kitchen and started cooking Cuban food for her family. All was well except for the black bean staple in Cuban food. Having tried to season them from the canned bean without success, Estie dared make them from the dry bean. After some trial and error, Estie mastered the process. After being encouraged by family and friends to do something with them, she started paying attention to the, discovering a niche and del Carmen Foods was born. In this episode: - How did Estie go from your kitchen to the shelves of grocery stores with the launch del Carmen Foods? - Estie's unique business advantage of her authentic Cuban-style beans. - More about her tag-lines, “Peace, Love and Beans” and “AN ENLIGHTENED STATE OF BEAN” - What her personal life has been like as an entrepreneur. - The rapid growth of her businesses. - What are/were some of Esie's challenges? - What are the goals and plans for del Carmen Foods? Learn more: Website: Personal LinkedIn: Personal Facebook: Twitter: delcarmenbeans
Joining us today is Laura Tromben, Co-Owner of the international tattoo convention, “Tattoo The Lou”. “Tattoo The Lou” is an annual event that welcomes the world of tattoo to St. Louis with over 100 booths and more than 100 attending artists. In this episode: Where the idea for “Tattoo The Lou” originated. The world of tattoo...the culture and the scope. Laura is connecting talent from all over the globe. She shares the opportunities of this conglomeration. The Tattoo Convention as a business model. How Laura's background supports her entrepreneurial endeavor. The growth of the convention. How things are different from last year until now. Goals and plans for Tattoo The Lou. Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn Personal Hashtags #tattoothelou #stlclassictattooexpo #stlouisclassictattooexpo #1904labs #lifeat1904withlaura
St. Louis is making the lists among the top startup and innovative cities. Articles and news outlets report that the region's startup scene is booming and St. Louis is ripe for attracting entrepreneurial capital. Our guest today asks the question: "When there is a huge gap in diverse startup funding, can we really call our ecosystem "booming"? Joining us is Christian Johnson, Managing Partner at MultiPass Ventures. Johnson is a US Army veteran, former St. Louis police officer, and community leader. MultiPass Ventures, the venture capital arm of MultiPass, is dedicated to investing in startups led by women and underrepresented minorities. In this episode: More about the multi-faceted, MultiPass Ventures. Christian's overarching vision for this community and its people. How his lifetime of service contributes to his broader vision for this region. Why Christian is creating funding opportunities for women-owned and underrepresented minorities. How MultiPass Ventures helps entrepreneurs secure funding. The need for diverse start up funding in our region. What have been the challenges for Christian and MultiPass The opportunities for thriving minority-led businesses in St. Louis. More about Innovative Workspaces Week. Learn more: Website Company Facebook Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
Joining us today is Diego Abente, Vice President of Economic Development of the International Institute and President of the International Institute Community Development Corporation. The mission of the International Institute is to strengthen the St. Louis community by: 1) helping immigrants and their families become secure and successful; and 2) promoting the value of ethnic diversity in the social, cultural and economic life of the region Diego also leads the International Institute Business Solutions Center (IIBSC), which provides interpretation, translation services, as well as cultural competency training. In this episode: - Diego has been active in the support and success of people and community from Paraguay to St. Louis. What led him to pursue this work in the first place? - Diego's work in Africa and Washington, DC. - How Diego is bridging the divide between immigrants and the economic system of this region and Why? - How Diego helps entrepreneurs build up the credentials and business savvy required to secure funding. - The need for ethnic diversity in business and culture in our region. - Lessons for entrepreneurs. - The opportunities for thriving immigrant businesses in St. Louis Learn more: Phone Number: (314) 773-9090 Address: 3401 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63118 Email: Website:
Joining us is Jeff Gamble, CTO & Founder of Dynamic Surgical. He strives empower healthcare consumers with access to low-cost technological innovations and the knowledge to TRULY incorporate them into their everyday lives. His company, Dynamic Surgical, implements technology to integrate the physician's workflows with the patience’s experience and care without adding an administrative burden. In this episode: - What led Jeff to create Dynamic Surgical. - The Dynamic Surgical platform. - How Dynamic Surgical connects the physician experience with that of the patient. - Why make an experiential connection? - How the investigative scientific mindset is entrepreneurial-like. - The methods and thought processes Jeff wants to pass along to others. - In the beginning, Jeff worked for a venture while he was building his own...why he made that choice and how he transitioned into full entrepreneurship. - Jeff is in the middle of a pivot...hear what prompted the pivot and how he knew a pivot was necessary. - Jeff's lessons to share with other entrepreneurs from his experience. Learn more: Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
Joining us is Colleen Mulvihill, Client Support Manager with SLEDP. As the Client Support Manager for the St. Louis Partnership Business Centers, Colleen works with entrepreneurs to find the right space, resources and support to assist each client in the advancement of their business. Also with us is Charleen Hoskins, a SLEDP client. She is the Founder, President & CEO of TPAS, LLC, a property & casualty insurance education firm established to create transparency of the insurance claim process. In this episode: - Discover the magnitude of the SLEDP - In Colleen's 25 years of experience, what she sees as the greatest challenge and advantage facing entrepreneurs - SLEDP is a one-stop-shop….where do we begin to take advantage of the full offerings and benefits? - More about the innovation centers? - What’s the outlook for our area small businesses? What’s needed? - How Charleen connected and utilized the SLEDP - The difference the SLEDP made in Charleen's business from the services and support she received - How Charleen is different as a business owner after the services and support she received - Lessons Charleen wants to share with other entrepreneurs from her experience Learn more: Website Company Twitter Personal LinkedIn Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
Joining us is Elaine Queathem, the founder of Savvy Coders . Savvy Coders began with a vision of reaching out to people traditionally underrepresented in the technology field. Partnering with several non-profit groups, they endeavored to give back to communities by increasing tech talent and expanding business opportunities. They designed a comprehensive curriculum that would allow students to expand their professional horizons within 7 weeks. In 2009, Elaine was working for a small software technology company and became acutely aware of the shortage of qualified programming resources which were essential for a small company to grow and thrive. Now, several years later, she helps people develop those important and sought after skills. Her firm, Savvy Coders, has a passion for teaching technology skills to underserved communities. Offering coding and programming training in St. Louis, Nashville and Chattanooga, Savvy Coders believes that knowing how to code is more than just a cool hobby. In this episode: Elaine's background with coding and how she came to the idea of SAVVY CODERS. Savvy Coders' instructional approach? More about Savvy Coders support of underrepresented people in tech. What is necessary to support the success of new coders. Lessons for other entrepreneurs from Elaine's experience. Learn More: Website Company Facebook Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
Joining us today is Rebecca Brian Pan, CEO of Covo Coworking, a coworking model that enhances how you live, as well as how you work. Located in downtown, St. Louis, Covo STL is one of two locations of the family-founded company. Rebecca is a 7x serial entrepreneur, with a bicoastal graphic design firm, children's literacy non-profit, design association, and of course coworking, on her list of successful ventures.
Joining us today is Raullo Eanes, Managing Partner with Capaha Partners. Capaha Partners is a small, boutique investment firm that helps clients tell “THEIR” story in a language which is best suited for financing and capital growth. Capaha offers assistance with loan origination, loan structuring, underwriting and credit presentation for investment consideration. Raullo provides strategic business consulting, coaching and mentoring services to small and middle market companies. In this episode: Background and more about Capaha Partners. How to craft the “story” that needs to be heard by investors. The “hands-on” approach Capaha utilizes. Raullo's strategy for connecting funders to entrepreneurs. Common misunderstanding of smaller or early stage firms have when it comes to capital. More about these successful minority business enterprises that are earning millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. How do they do it? What makes it work? Access: how Capaha Partners is finding and creating pathways where there were none. Learn more: Website capahapartners.com Personal LinkedIn
Joining us today are Nicci Roach and Lorie Jackson, founders of Mosaic Ceiling. Mosaic Ceiling is a Midwest based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization building a global community to drive social change for women of color and culture, inclusive to all women. Their mission is to “Empower Women One Ceiling at a Time” with personal and professional development programming and research efforts in six key areas: Education Attainment Entrepreneurship Health & Wellness Leadership Development Political Participation Wage Gap & Economic Security In this episode: Lori's corporate background and the challenges she faced with equity. Where she found answers and support? What she learned along the way? What does executive leadership need to understand? Mosaic Ceiling's key areas of focus for women. Nicci's corporate experience and the things she observed with diversity. What changed Nicci's direction to pursue the change rather than to press forward? What are the tools they use to empower women? The importance of the terms "color" AND "culture" and why they emphasize both. Common challenges or areas women of color and culture. Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter @mosaic_ceiling Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter @NicciRoach Personal LinkedIn Personal Hashtags #PlaceToPosition #NicOfTime
Joining us today is Jermey Nulik. He is the Evangelist Prime and Futurist at Bigwidesky. Jeremy applies his strategic and irreverent mind to design FUTURES for associations, brands and the constituents they serve. Bigwidesky was established to help companies navigate a radically unpredictable future. Their favorite challenges usually have to do with communications, work culture, technology and strategic vision. In this episode: - What led Jeremy to Bigwidesky? - What does it mean to be an Evangelist Prime? - What does it mean to think like a futurist? - How do you make a brand more human and how does thinking that way make a difference? - What is the difference between creating vision and exploring what you could know? - Comparison and contrast of a brand that is more effectively human than one that is not. - How is every entrepreneur is a futurist? - More about the Be Human Project. Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook
Joining us today is Steve Knight, Director of COCAbiz. He designs and facilitates experiential workshops to foster collaborative creativity, design-thinking and business storytelling using the power of the arts. Also with us is Rob Morgan, a production designer, teacher at Washington University and serves as a Teaching Artist for COCAbiz. COCAbiz is the business training division of St. Louis' renowned Center of Creative Arts (COCA), the fourth largest multi-disciplinary community arts institution in the nation. The mission COCAbiz is to build a more creative, engaged and effective work-force by delivering innovative workshops and events that employ authentic arts teaching to deliver business results. In this episode: - Where the idea to integrate art into the workplace as a tool for training originated - Steve's artistic background - An exercise for business professionals that helps to shift their mindset and approach - Tapping into your creative energy - What are the main challenges for business leaders? - As an arm of the COCAbiz art institute, how much of the arts does COCAbiz integrate into teaching? - More about the key competencies of focus (leadership, communication, collaboration and ideation) - Where does inspiration come from? Rob:
Joining us today is Danielle Elise, Founder and Curator of All Black Creatives. She formed this international network to unite and celebrate creatives of color in their various disciplines and passions. Hers is a vision to speak truth, illuminate the images of color and spark challenging conversations with art. She is passionate about relationships, creativity and community. She is drawn to entrepreneurship as a way to express her creativity, and build with people she loves and admires. All Black Creatives empowers and draws together creatives of color from all around the world. They create physical manifestations of the digital communities they've built, as a way to celebrate and strengthen all creatives of color. In this episode: - What inspired Danielle to begin All Black Creatives. - What is the narrative of the collective. - How All Black Creatives has evolved from its origins to today. - The vision for All Black Creatives going forward. - How All Black Creatives addresses racial dysfunction in our community. - How Danielle steps outside of her comfort zone to press the boundaries for others. - What most inspires the creative? Learn more: Website Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn Personal Hashtags #wildflwrmusic #AllBlackCreatives
Joining us today is Sebastian Mueller-Soppart, EVP and Executive Creative Director with Manifest. Manifest makes brands unmistakable to the core of their audiences. They specialize in content creation that garners interest and fuels loyalty, on platforms that deliver distinct experiences with precisely-measured value. Sebastian is motivated by the power of good ideas. He's held creative leadership positions in Europe, Latin and North America, where he’s built highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments. Pushing creative teams beyond mediocrity is his most significant expertise. In this episode: - How did Sebastian create Manifest? The story behind the name. - Sebastian has a voracious entrepreneurial drive. What fuels that hunger? What satisfies it? - How does he approach brand building? What makes a brand unmistakable? Inspiring? - What makes an idea great and worth exploring or investing in? How is success measured? - What is the value of highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments? How does Sebastian create them? - What does it mean to be “channel-agnostic”? - How should we measure value? - What are common branding challenges? How does Sebastian help them overcome? - The role of content and the most effective kind of content for building a remarkable brand. - Which platforms create the best experiences? - Sebastian is coaching and cultivating leadership. What are the core competencies every leader in training should know? - What to do when you reach idea drought or overload/drain. Learn more: Website Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
Joining us today is Desiree Coleman, Founder & CEO at Good Multiplier. Good Multiplier is mobilizing the next generation of leaders, change makers and innovators who will multiply community good and create neighborhood level change. Through an intensive, customized, 10-month training program, Good Multiplier accelerates the effectiveness of organizations that solve issues in communities of color. Fellows are challenged to stretch their own leadership and extend themselves in a peer-learning community. They are pushed to actively develop themselves and their organizations through practical application of the experience. In this episode: - Where the idea of Good Multiplier originated. - Desiree's overall vision. - The characteristics of the leaders Good Multiplier to invests in. - More about the intensive training and coaching. - What are the missed areas of many non-profit organizations? - What are the challenges for the leaders she plans to stretch? How can they overcome them? - Desiree is a St. Louis native. What does the St. Louis she dreams of look like? - More about the 10-week program. - Where her inspiration comes from. Learn more: Website Company Twitter Personal Facebook Personal Twitter
Joining us today is Gibron Jones, founder of HOSCO Foods. The acronym stands for Holistic Organic Sustainable Co-Operative. HOSCO features hydroponics (growing plants in water), aeroponics (growing plants in the air) and aquaponics (hydroponic plants supplied with nutrients from fish waste) systems. He aims to provide co-operative members with complete farming skill sets that will enable them to work in a variety of food-related fields, with the eventual goal of owning their own co-operative business. In this episode: - Gibron has been named an “AgriTech genius”. He shares how he acquired these talents and knowledge. - Gibron's experience and skill in block chain technology, agronomy, and biotechnology. - The plans to develop a sustainable infrastructure for the North St. Louis community. - Where did his passion for this work start? - Gibron shares about the influence and inspiration of Will Allen. - What does Gibron hope to inspire? - Will hip-hop be incorporated in his strategy? - He is passionate about this work. In a previous article he was quoted saying, “We are in a dire situation as it relates to our food.” Learn about the urgency and the breadth of the story of the future our food. - The tenets of Gibron's company focus: FOOD PRODUCTION, JOB TRAINING and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - What kinds of partnerships are needed to sustain his vision? How did he establish the ones he has? - What have some of the biggest challenges been? - How does Gibron approach and manage risk? - What is his advice for the people he is training to start and run their own businesses? - Off the script question: Why does he still have a MySpace Page? Learn more: Company Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company Instagram
Joining us today are Jamey Edgerton and Ched Wagner from Nvestd. Jamey is the CEO and Ched is the manager. Nvsted is unique, as it is the ONLY Regulation Crowdfunding marketplace SPECIFIC to the St. Louis region and the FIRST in the nation organized by an economic development agency. Nvestd seeks to connect the region's thriving community of startups to a wider range of capital. The online portal creates investment opportunities for everyday investors. It allows people to invest in companies for as little as $100. With Jamey and Ched is Jeff Stevens. He is the founder of WellBeing Brewing Company, the country's very first brewery solely dedicated to brewing Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer.
Joining us today is Antionette D. Carroll, Founder and CEO of Creative Reaction Lab. Creative Reaction Lab is a nonprofit social enterprise designing healthy and racially equitable communities for Black and Latinx populations through education and training programs, community engagement consulting, an online national platform, and open-source resources. Creative Reaction Lab is creating a community-centered, collaborative movement led by youth to challenge racial inequities in education, media, health and healthcare, government and public service. One of Essence’s 100 Woke Women and was recently named an Echoing Green Fellows. Throughout her career, Antionette has worked for non-profits working for social justice, human rights, and diversity and inclusion. Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn
Joining us is Steph Nissen, Executive Partner and Director of Digital at Atomic Revenue. She manages the company’s digital marketing programs including social media, web development, search engine optimization, content marketing, and graphic design. Atomic Revenue grows small to mid-size businesses through Revenue Operations. From lead generation to sales conversion and customer loyalty, Atomic Revenue aligns all the parts of business to make it easier to achieve desired results. Steph has worked in corporate America as well as in the start-up culture. She has worked on campaigns for big brands including Toyota and TJMaxx as well as small business and solopreneurs in every industry. In this episode: - How Steph became a part of the digital marketing world. - What it means to be digital in marketing. - The difference of the digital marketing mindset and approach compared to previous marketing generations. - How to understand SEO. - What are the blind spots of many business owners? - What makes for effective content? - What is necessary with data? What’s relevant? How do we find the golden ticket for success? - What are the trends? What’s next? What’s out? - Hacks for the entrepreneur. - Steph has a life outside of the fast-paced, highly-connected digital world. How does she manage it all? Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn
Joining us today is Reine Bayoc, Creator and Owner of the thriving SweetArt Bake Shop in St. Louis. SweetArt Bakeshop is a from-scratch bakery specializing in traditional, vegan, and gluten-free American baked goods. The cafe also serves a plant-based breakfast and lunch menu that has a loyal following of meat eaters. Along with operating the bakeshop, Reine is the founder and creator of the Love and Magic Kitchen, a blog where she shares recipes, stories, and inspires all the culinary-timid to trust their intuitive internal cooks. In our conversation with Reine: Where did her passion for cooking originate? What have her travels contributed to Reine's “food-venture”? Her philosophy as well as strategy? What is "Intuitive cooking"? Who were Reine's entrepreneurial influencers. How she finds balance. Reine emphasizes self-care. She shares her methods and recommendations. Reine's encouragement to women who have a passion for something that may be intimidating to pursue. Some of the entrepreneurial lessons Reine wants to pass along. What is Love & Magic? Reine is working on her next venture: and it is a big deal..."Love & Magic", a dessert and wine lounge. What are the plans for SweetArt? Learn more, connect and patron: Website Company Facebook &Cafe Company Twitter Personal Facebook
Joining us today are Tiffany and Ronnie Notch, founders of Notes For Life Arts & Technology. Notes For Life Arts & Technology exists to provide no-cost, innovative lessons in arts education to every student, everywhere. Their mission is to empower each participant in a hands-on learning culture, which encourages peer-to-peer collaboration, creative storytelling, entrepreneurship, and provides access to cutting-edge technological advancements. They started out in 2014 with 6 students and wanted to provide an entertaining yet educational platform that kept each student first. Since then, they have grown to a national student impact of over 400,000 and their mission hasn't changed.
Joining us today is Mindy Mazur, Executive Director of Brazen St. Louis. Brazen St. Louis encourages women at all stages of business and industries to join a like-minded community and feel supported on their entrepreneurial journey. The organization is designed for entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, presidents, and CEOs who are not part of a parent company. Through the years, Mindy has worked to empower women and girls by advancing issues such as pay equity, civil rights, and voting rights, and appointing more women to public boards and commissions. She’s dedicated to electing more women to public office, mentoring and sponsoring women inside and outside the workplace, and volunteering time in women’s leadership groups. In this episode: Where did Mindy's passion for women entrepreneurs begin. How did her career path lead to Brazen St. Louis as Executive Director. How Mindy leveraged her background in her current role. What did she do for support? Where are the disparities? How do things look for lady bosses? How policy influences and impacts the advancement of women entrepreneurs. How do we respond to the woman who says, "I'm scared to death" about starting a business or other aspects of entrepreneurship? Mindy's encouragement to the woman who says "I can't wait”, while they are in circumstances that cause her to wait. Where are some of the blind spots for women entrepreneurs when it comes to achieving the next level? Mindy's best-practice tools for women entrepreneurs. What is the “Sister CEO” concept and how is it incorporated? What are the kinds of resources Brazen provides for members? How Mindy encourages women entrepreneurs to discover entrepreneurial opportunities they haven’t considered yet. How do women become members? Learn more:
Joining us today is Jean Scholtes, Founder and CEO of KIND soap company. KIND soap company creates truly natural bath, body, and beauty products with a mission to always be KIND to your skin, KIND to the earth, and KIND to others. Recently, KIND soap company was selected by Capital Innovators to be one of six companies in their Business Accelerator program. KIND was selected from nearly 500 applicants from 56 countries. In this episode: How did she go from BASEMENT to becoming a solid BRAND? What Jean has discovered in her evolution from corporate career to entrepreneurship. What Jean's marketing and design background contributes to your current role and business. Jean's approach to branding. Jean has extensive experience with market research and new product development. How does approach those areas with her own company. How her life changed personally since she's become a full-time entrepreneur. As well as the surprises. Jean's experience with Capital Innovators. How she became a candidate. Jean's encouragement for other entrepreneurs to find and pursue opportunities. Learn more: Website Company Facebook
Joining us today is Phyllis Librach, president and founder of Sydney’s Closet. Sydney's Closet designs and manufactures plus-size special occasion dresses for women ages 16 to 60 who wear sizes 14 to 40. The Wedding, Evening and Prom Collections created by Sydney's Closet are sold online, in bridal salons and dress shops across the USA and around the world. International sales include Canada, UK, Germany, Poland, Australia, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The company's fashion-forward designs have been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Teen Prom, and Seventeen. Designs have been featured on television on Dr. Phil and The Today Show as well as seen in newspapers, magazines and blogs. Full-Figured Fashion Week (FFFWeek) named Sydney's Closet the retailer of the year in 2015. In this episode: Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Phyllis was a successful journalist. What prompted her to trade-in deadlines for hemlines. What it took for Phyllis to make such a seemingly substantial transition. How life is different for Phyllis. What would Phyllis lend to the entrepreneur who desires something different? Phyllis has had excellent media exposure. How did she build her brand and attract that recognition. What did her journalism background contribute to her current role. How Phyllis expanded and now conducts business internationally. The encouragement Phyllis has for other entrepreneurs to discover entrepreneurial opportunities in their lives. Learn more: Website Company Facebook Company Twitter
Joining us today is Kathryn Finney, founder and managing director of DigitalUndivided (DID). Founded in 2013, DID is a social enterprise that takes an innovative, transformative approach to economic empowerment by encouraging Black and Latina women to own their economic security through entrepreneurship. DID accomplishes this goal by boldly empowering Black and Latina women to think BIG through the BIG Innovation Center, a 4,000 square foot space located in downtown Atlanta and the BIG Incubator program for high growth companies led by Black and Latina women. DID has impacted over 2000 people and helped companies raise over $25 Million in Investment. In this episode: What is Digital Undivided? How her dad, a senior system engineer at Microsoft introduced Kathryn to tech. Why Kathryn describes herself with the words Founder, Traveler and Innovator. When Kathryn became interested in social entrepreneurship. What was the genesis of The Budget Fashionista blog. How did Kathryn transition from hobby to business to exit. What is the FOCUS Fellowship and the BIG Innovation Center? What is a technology-enabled company? What did the #Project Diane research project tell us about the "real unicorns", Black and Latina entrepreneurs? What we can do to encourage Black and Latina entrepreneurs see the opportunities for themselves in tech vs. other types of entrepreneurship. Learn more:
Joining us today are Darren Jackson and Jon Alexander, founders of Creo Agency. Darren is the visionary Executive Producer. Jon is the Chief Creative. Creo Agency wants to work with minority and underrepresented creatives to tell stories through their lens and create experiences that speak their language. They are a collection of creative directors, journalists, filmmakers, photo journalists, designers, social engineers, influencers, and makers. In this episode: How to build social influence. Where philanthropy become part of Creo's story. How they create and bring their voices and perspectives to life. Creo's approach to solve unemployment and other social and economic challenges. What touring across the country as an Independent HipHop/Soul Artist contributed to Darren's narrative. What does Darren most want underground urban creatives to know and have. Why does Creo focus on underground in particular? What has been their greatest surprise/discovery of entrepreneurship. How Jon came into film production and creative media originally. What it means to be “Chief Creative”. What changes does Jon seek to strike with his audiences? What this community looks like through Jon's lens. What did Jon learn from his work with the Nine Network of Public Media and as an adjunct professor at Webster University? Why Jon transitioned into entrepreneurship from work that supported his passion. Learn more:
Looking for something fun to do in St. Louis? You can get an up-close look at downtown St. Louis, the Gateway Arch, Forest Park or the Soulard/Lafayette Square area from the comfort of a three-wheeled, motorized machine called an Elekktric Trikke vehicle. Trikke tours are the newest way to explore the city’s most popular sites with ease. A completely new riding and touring experience that's fun, functional and perfect for groups, couples and families. The founder knows how to create a good time!! Joining us today is Bill Smith, who affectionately goes by the name “SHOE” from his days in morning radio and radio image production. He was the recipient of numerous industry awards and he’s worked with talent at Premiere and Westwood One. His phenomenally fun franchise provides engaging and entertaining tours and event facilitation in the St. Louis Region! Website Company Facebook Company Twitter Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn Personal Hashtags #WannaGoForARide #FunThingsToDoInStLouis #tinywheelsBIGFUN Entrepreneurially Thinking is another positive production of RareGem Productions. Thanks for listening!!
What better way to have deep, meaningful conversation and exchange than over a cup of coffee? Our guest today has created the space for courageous conversations as well as for coffee. He has also created a space for underrepresented voices and unspoken dialogue to be heard. Cheryl and Christy sit down with entrepreneur, husband, father and newly elected first ever African-American member of the Clayton School District Board of Education, Jason Wilson today on #ETHINKSTL In this episode: In an article it noted that when people found out that Jason was an African-American man, business began to decline. He said “that doesn’t stop me from wanting to be in the game”. - What the real “game” is that folks don’t want to talk about. - How Jason is changing the way the game is played. - Why coffee? How Jason emerged into entrepreneurship. - The little whispers and conversations that were taking place were fuel for Jason. What was his response. - The challenges and obstacles he's encountered as a business owner. - How Jason approached those challenges to overcome them. - How he stepped out of his comfort zone through previous ventures until today. - Jason's greatest discoveries in life, politics and business. - Opportunities and advice for other business owners. Website Company Facebook Entrepreneurially Thinking is another positive production of RareGem Productions. Thanks for listening!!
Joining us today are Phillip Sangokoya and LaTonya Thompson. Phillip is the Management Consultant & Vice President of the Business Resource Association for Networking & Development (BRAND) of St. Louis & the BRAND of St. Louis Foundation. Latoya Thompson is a client of BRAND of St. Louis. She is the CEO & Founder of Heritage1933. Heritage 1933™ serves women and children affected by homelessness. Thompson has inspired customers to join the Heritage 1933™ initiative by donating hair care products to women children living in shelters. BRAND of St. Louis aims to leverage innovative, collaborative strategies to solve urban economic challenges and bring accelerating solutions to communities. In this episode: How BRAND of St. Louis defines branding. - What inspired the creation of BRAND of St. Louis. - The contrast and comparison of higher education principles or approaches of marketing to those of the corporate marketplace. - The contrast and comparison of higher education principles or approaches of marketing with that of small businesses and entrepreneurs. - How minority-led businesses and non-profit organizations with low budgets can best reach their target market. - What did you learn from your years in the field in Business Banking and Commercial Lending? - Phillip has a background in psychology. What psychology lends to brand and marketing strategy. - More about the non-profit arm of BRAND of St. Louis. Learn More: Website - Company Facebook - Company Twitter - Company LinkedIn Page - Instagram - Entrepreneurially Thinking is another positive production of RareGem Productions. Thanks for listening!!
Visionary strategist, master communicator, top-notch trainer and facilitator Rebeccah Bennett joins us today! She is the Founder and Principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC. With InPower Institute, a division of Emerging Wisdom, she offers hundreds of programs and events that spur human growth. She teaches participants how to unlock their personal power to create extraordinary lives. Her life and journey is extraordinary as well. The lessons that she shares of her path to entrepreneurship have given her an awareness and experience that will literally stir your soul. Rebeccah led a successful career in public policy consulting, organizational and community planning and public engagement for over 20 years prior to launching Emerging Wisdom. Emerging Wisdom LLC is a forward thinking social enterprise that helps individuals live empowered lives; assists leaders to build impactful organizations and promotes communities to generate brighter futures. She founded Emerging Wisdom to facilitate shifts with individuals, consciousness and behavior to improve community conditions. In this episode: - How Rebeccah defines personal empowerment. - Rebeccah was born at the end of the Civil Rights era and raised in a community committed to social justice and equal opportunity. She talks about how empowerment was introduced and defined for her early on and how it evolved. - How she connected her worldview with her career pursuit. - What she learned from her years in the field. - When/how did entrepreneurship enter as an option. - More about the Inpower Institute. - Where does she start with her participants. What do many of us need to understand? Embrace? - Rebeccah has been a consultant, a corporate career woman as well as an entrepreneur with long-standing success with strategy. She was part of the Ferguson Commission and part of St. Louis equity entrepreneurship collective with BioStL and more. How does she connect them all? - How does Rebeccah Bennett think outside of the box? - What have been some of her entrepreneurial challenges. Lessons learned (emerged wisdom). - How can an entrepreneur discover and unleash their personal power? How can we use this power to create extraordinary lives? Learn more: Website Company Facebook Personal LinkedIn Entrepreneurially Thinking is another positive production of RareGem Productions. Thanks for listening!!
Joining us today is Dr. Jennifer Silva, an Associate Professor in Pediatric Cardiology at Washington University School of Medicine. She founded SentiAR with her partner and husband, Jonathan Silva who is an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Wash U. SentiAR is developing the first intra-procedural use of augmented reality in this space. Using the Microsoft HoloLens, they can display a patient-specific heart hologram with the real-time catheter locations to better guide minimally invasive catheter based procedures. In this episode: - What is cardiac electrophysiology. - Dr. Silva's personal journey to cardiac medicine. - How she emerged into entrepreneurship. - Some of the challenges she experienced along the way and how she stepped outside of her comfort zone. - What has been the greatest surprise in entrepreneurship. - How she finds balance with family, work, and community. Learn more: Website: Company Twitter: Company LinkedIn Page: Personal Twitter: Personal LinkedIn: Entrepreneurially Thinking is another positive production of RareGem Productions. Thanks for listening!!
Joining us today are Kevin Bryant, Chair of the Kingsway Merchant's Association with James Buchanan, the Commercial District Manager with the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). The Kingsway Merchant's Association has been working since 1983 to support and improve the business vitality in one of our largest districts. The district is comprised of member businesses and other concerned residents, who are all working together for the continued support and sustainability of the business community. Kevin Bryant is the Founder and CEO of Conversions Global Marketing, a creative marketing firm that tackles the growing impact of diversity on brands by merging local action with global thinking. The SLDC is the economic development arm for the City of St. Louis, Missouri. In this episode: - What inspired this redevelopment plan. - How KMA overcame the multiple challenges faced with this plan. - The vision for the district. What success would look like. - What it means that the KMD is “Making Dreams A Reality”. - How Kevin stepped out of his comfort zone. - Kevin's greatest surprise in entrepreneurship. - James and his work with St. Louis Development Corporation. - The personal journey of Kevin and James to this project. - What the opportunities are in the Kingsway Merchant's District for business owners and entrepreneurs. - What it means to be the “Driving Force for Economic Development”. - James Buchanan's personal driving force. Learn more: KINGSWAY MERCHANTS DISTRICT - A driving force for economic development: Conversions Global Marketing: St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) Entrepreneurially Thinking is another positive production of RareGem Productions. Thanks for listening!!
Joining us today are Maria Meyers and Kate Pope Hodel of Sourcelink, a program of the University of Missouri- Innovation Center with a single mission: to make entrepreneurship easier. Maria is Founder Executive Director. Kate is with Special Projects. Together they run the network that builds entrepreneurial communities and stacks the cards in your favor! SourceLink has helped communities transform fragmented economic development organizations into vibrant and vital ecosystems. Developed through support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, SourceLink connects resources to each other and to a national network of best practices to help communities create jobs, accelerate business and strengthen local economies. In this episode: - How Maria became known as “the queen of entrepreneurship” throughout the Midwest. - The origins of SourceLink. - The biggest challenges for business owners. - Where business owners are least effective...Most effective...Seeking direction... - How Sourcelink establishes the ecosystems and networks. - Kate is a master of data. What stories do the numbers tell. - How an entrepreneur should find and use data. - What sources and kinds of data are best indicators. - Breakthrough programs with the Kauffman Foundation - How Sourcelink creates a pathway for success with clients. - What Kate learned from the best in the field and thought leaders. - What we can learn from the “on-the-ground implementers”. - Kate's advice for businesses owners to step outside of their comfort zone. Learn more: @joinsourcelink (Twitter) @joinsourcelink (Facebook)
Meet the dynamic husband-and-wife team that blends engineering excellence with enterprise. They do so while dedicating their lives toward the advancement of young and emerging engineering talent. They are community leaders and pace-setters for our region's growth. Abe and Nicole Adewale of ABNA Engineering are with us today. Abe and Nicole Adewale, founders of ABNA Engineering, a civil and structural engineering firm. They design for industrial, educational, healthcare and commercial projects and provide surveying, Geotech, construction management, testing & inspection and planning for major public works projects. Abe and Nicole founded ABNA Engineering in 1994 after a decade of service at the Illinois Department of Transportation working on major roadway and bridge construction projects. In this episode: -What engineering represents to each of them. -How and why did it engineering emerge into entrepreneurship for the Adewales. -What is their overarching business philosophy. -What are some of the challenges they've experienced along the way. -How did they step out of their comfort zones. -The importance of minority inclusion in business development. -What does that mean for the Adewales to be leaders in the community and what that involves. -How they find balance with family, work, community. -The lessons they've learned that they want to infuse in emerging engineers. Learn more: - HEADQUARTERS - 4140 Lindell Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108 P: [314] 454-0222 F: [314] 454-1235 A Full Service Civil Engineering Firm - St. Louis and Chicago.
Joining us today is Erin Joy, founder of Black Dress Partners--a business consulting and coaching organization that helps emerging and evolving women business owners strategize, prioritize, and execute organizational growth as well as effectiveness. After 15 years of selling and consulting in the real estate industry, she founded Black Dress Partners in 2011. Erin is a third-generation female entrepreneur. She understands the rewards and challenges of starting a company and fueling its success. It is her life’s mission to provide female business owners with the resources, services, and support they need to be successful in business and life. In this episode: - Details about the Midwest Women Business Owners Conference. - Erin has entrepreneurial lineage. Did her matriarchs face challenges similar to the ones of the women she works with today? - What trends are specific to women-owned businesses across industries. - Where women business owners are most effective. Least effective. Seeking direction. - "Hidden dangers” for women business owners. - Erin's overarching business philosophy. - How Erin creates pathways for success with her business. - How Erin creates pathways for success with her clients. - What has been the greatest surprise in entrepreneurship. - What’s her advice for women businesses owners to step outside of their comfort zone. Learn more Website Company Facebook Company LinkedIn Page Personal Facebook Personal LinkedIn
At the intersection of Medicine, Entrepreneurship, and Design is MEDLaunch. MEDLaunch is a non-profit biomedical incubator that solves healthcare problems with interdisciplinary teams of students at St. Louis University. Joining us today are: John Hardin, a phenomenal business man and the executive director of MEDLaunch and Lucas Rydberg, a previous team leader (Phas3). In this episode: - About the MEDLaunch program and how it was inspired/founded - The development and overall success of MEDLaunch as a whole - What the teams and work with university students entail. - What the university students learned. - Who the key role models or examples of success are. - What is Demo Day
On this episode of #ETHINKSTL you will gain insights, wisdom and inspiration from the man who engaged our audience as our guest for our BioStL Inclusion Initiative, "An Evening With...". He launched his multi-million dollar, St. Louis-based pharmaceutical and medical service company from a stellar career in pharmaceutical sales...How could he? How did he? In the studio with us is Eric Bailey. He is the founder and CEO of EMED Medical Company. Bailey oversees the strategic direction of the St. Louis based multi-million dollar pharmaceutical and medical service company. With a national distribution presence, EMED is a viable provider of pharmaceuticals, medical products, managed care and specialty pharmacy services. Bailey founded EMED in January 1999. Before that, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry, serving in the areas of sales, national accounts management and products management. Bailey worked for several Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson and Johnson, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Roche Labs and Sun Pharma. Bailey currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Mid-States MSDC and has served as a member of t he MBEIC committee of the St. Louis Minority Business Council since 2008. He is the Chairman of the Training and Education sub-committee, a member Prince Hal l Masons. He also served as a Deacon Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Eric is a native of Fayetteville, Tennessee. Bailey earned a B.A. degree from the University of Memphis and is a recipient of Executive Curriculums Certificates from Tuck School of Business and St. Louis University. He is married with two children. He enjoys golf, cycling, hiking and current debate.
With us on the show today is Dr. Perry Drake. He founded the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference, which is named by Forbes as one of the top marketing conference to check out in 2018. He is currently the Assistant Professor of Digital and Social Media Marketing in the College of Business Administration at the University Of Missouri – St. Louis. He is responsible for the creation and instruction of the digital and social media marketing courses and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in addition to noncredit curriculums and certifications. He also serves as the faculty advisor to the UMSL Marketing Advisor Board and the UMSL Marketing Club. He also teaches in the UMSL International MBA program located in Germany and Finland. According to a survey of 4,000 marketers by Econsultancy, the top two digital trends in 2020 are going to be focused on customer experience (24%) and personalization (23%). This reflects a shift from the previous one-to-many marketing strategy to more of a one-to-one, data-driven approach. Even the industries that once failed to keep pace are starting to utilize the made-to-order benefits that digital marketing provides with securing customers in unpredictable times. In this episode: - What marketing really means from the vantage of Perry who teaches marketing internationally and exhaustively. - How marketing differs from university to the world. - What entrepreneurs need to understand and embrace. - Where are business owners least effective with marketing. Most effective...Seeking direction... - How Perry establishes and connects them all. - How the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference “followed him home” to St. Louis from New York. - How does Dr. Drake think outside of the box. - How an entrepreneur should find and use marketing data. - How does UMSL create pathways for success for its students. - What we can learn from thought and industry leaders attending the conference. - Event details and line-up of the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference. Learn more: Company Facebook Company Twitter Personal Facebook Personal Twitter Personal LinkedIn Personal Hashtags#MDMC18
New high-end male grooming salons and barbershops are popping up in cities around the country. Men are paying premium prices at these places to get everything from a haircut and a shave to a wax and mani-pedi. According to research company, Statista, this global male "pampering" and grooming culture is a market that is estimated to be worth about 29.14 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. Joining us on #ETHINKSTL today are identical twins Eugene and Erik Potts of Original Gents Menswear. They are natives of St. Louis and grew up in Walnut Park.They attended Cardinal Ritter College Prep HS and graduated from Beaumont HS to answer the customary St. Louis "Where'd you go to HS" question. They served in youth organizations and were active in the community. In their early years, people knew them as hard workers and entrepreneurs. They also earned notoriety as rising stars in modeling. They have built upon their positive community reputation to create successful and lucrative men's product line and premium grooming businesses. In this episode: - How early childhood "twin talk" influenced their entrepreneurial partnership - Who were their entrepreneurial role models - Their backgrounds include cosmetology, chemistry as well as business. How those experiences shaped the businessmen they are today. - What is their business philosophy - Why they utilize organic and locally sourced materials for their products - What is the "Gentlemen's Mindset" - Challenges they experienced along the way - How did they step out of their comfort zone - They are expanding their business to include a service line - What are the plans for the future and growth - What it means to be serial or multitudinal-entrepreneurs Learn more and contact: Email: Website: Company Facebook:
The conversation around entrepreneurship is expanding more and more to create space at the table for young business people. Youth entrepreneurship programs and training have been created for children in high school, middle school and now even in elementary school. In this episode we meet a couple of young entrepreneurs who are gaining invaluable lessons and experience from THE organization that has been training and grooming young women for over 100 years. Joining us is Bonnie Barczykowski. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. With Bonnie is 9-year-old Girl Scout Brownie, Aria Pelikan and 13-year-old Girl Scout Cadette, Taylor Boaz. Both are extraordinary examples of the legacy of leadership, adventure, and success. In this episode: - How the Girl Scouts offer every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. - How entrepreneurship is integrated in programs. - How the CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri approaches the effort to give every girl an opportunity to become a leader. - What are the considerations of the CEO and how does she think out-of-the-box to keep this 100-plus year organization thriving. Were you a Girl Scout? - Cadette and Brownie advice for other little girls. - What can Girl Scouts teach about business. Learn More: Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:
There are millions of minority-owned businesses in the United States. While the number of minority-owned businesses is on the rise, many are often faced with challenges when it comes to clear plans of action to achieve their major goals. How do minority-firms know what to do when a standard or design has never existed? In this episode of #ETHINKSTL, we will learn more about the St. Louis Minority Business Council. This business development organization focuses on assisting minority owned businesses to develop strategic relationships and partnerships with major sourcing organizations. The result is mutually beneficial business relationships that facilitate measurable regional economic prosperity and equity. Joining us is Lakesha Mathis. She is the Program Manager with the St. Louis Regional Chamber. Lakesha was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Arkansas. She received a BA from the University of Missouri, St. Louis in Political Science. Later she returned to UMSL to continue her studies this time focusing on Public Policy Administration with an emphasis on Urban Planning. After 10 years with Missouri American Water, she transitioned to become a full-time entrepreneur working alongside her husband to build List Towing Service, LLC, a tow trucking company, in 2016. Lakesha is married with two. They reside in St. Louis metropolitan area. Additionally, she is the author of two self-published books ͞If Pluto Isn’t a Planet͟ a memoir and "The Conspiracy of You", a self-help guide. She is currently working with the St. Louis Regional Chamber as the St. Louis Minority Business Council’s Programs Manager. In this episode: - The mission of the St. Louis Minority Business Council - How partnerships are initiated and developed - How the MBC is working on policy changes - What are the primary benefits of membership with the St. Louis Minority Business Council Learn more:
Meet the dynamic Genera Moore, founder and CEO of Motorparts Nation. If you look at Genera Moore’s LinkedIn profile you might not know that she is a St. Louis native. In fact, she is a global citizen. She’s journeyed from Atlanta to Dubai to Africa and back to St. Louis through industries ranging from entertainment to government to motor parts. She’s produced global entertainment events for the likes of Janet Jackson and Snoop Dogg. She cut her international business chops with a brokerage firm that obtained the rights for various luxury brands and brought their franchises into the Dubai market. She introduced the first Lexani luxury motorcar to the market and LXR&CO for women's vintage hand bags. She moves mountains from whatever port she calls home. Cheryl and Christy catch up with her when she was in town for a little while. We get to take a ride with her as she shares her inspiring entrepreneurial story. In this episode: - How she entered into her line of work - How to find a co-owner - How to move into the African market - What people are missing by staying out of the international market - Why she returned to St. Louis when she could work from anywhere in the world - What have some of the biggest challenges been of starting her own company - How to approach and manage risk - Advice for women working in male dominated industries like motor parts
In May of 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed to the Negro American Labor Council stating, "there must be a better distribution of wealth within this country for all God’s children." From then to now our nation’s economic divide continues to widen. In his Nobel Peace Prize address he asserted, “There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it.”. In this episode, we will learn more about the National MBA Association of Metro St. Louis. The organization who leads in the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African Americans through programs, partnerships and career opportunities in management. Joining us today is Carrie Sanders, President and Desiree Adeboye, the Entrepreneurship Co-Director/ VP of Recording with National Black MBA Association of Metro St. Louis.Carrie creates and implements marketing strategy development, risk mitigation & program analysis with LHHCII. Desiree is the owner of Prime International, business consulting firm and Cultural Xpressions, diversity and cultural training . Cultural Xpressions provides an authentic cultural experience through the introduction of ethnic, food, art, traditions and trips. In this episode: - How has the National Black MBA Association the need and impact changed from its inception? - Why is the NBMBA's emphasis on intellectual as well as economic wealth. - How partnerships are arranged and implemented. - How are pathways in St. Louis being created? - What people are gaining through membership in NBMBA. - How the workplace is changing where corporate structure and culture is rapidly changing. - Advice for African-American workers pursuing their careers and opportunities. - Recommendations for listeners interested in becoming a member. - How can people learn more about NBMBA. Visit
CHAMPIONS ARE WHAT ENTREPRENEURS ARE MADE OF…#ethinkstl Our primary focus for doing a LIVE show is to bring BioSTL’s, “Evening With” series to you. In this series, Cheryl normally interviews entrepreneurs discussing their personal and professional stories of how they built or are building their ventures. They step outside of their comfort zones, and as we always state, this podcast is all about stepping out of your comfort zone. So, we are truly stepping outside of our zone by hosting this episode in front of a live audience! We have with us three entrepreneurs that were high performing athletes in their career, that all love sports, and have turned their passions into successful entrepreneurial pursuits. Our first guest discovered her passion for basketball at her local YMCA at the tender age of 5 years old. She dreamed of becoming a star athlete. Recruited for Division I basketball, she excelled at the sport, however, when an injury sidelined her basketball career, her new path involved a communications and business focus. We will speak with Khalia Collier and learn more about her path to becoming one of the youngest owners of a pro women’s basketball team—the STL Surge. Our next guest is a bestselling author and creator of The Model Health show, featured as the #1 Health podcast on iTunes with millions of listener downloads each year—this is what we aspire to for our E-Think podcast! A graduate of UMSL with educational focus in business, biology, and kinesiology—he took this knowledge and founded Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide. I am pleased to introduce to you, Shawn Stevenson— we are going to hear his story and how he turned a potentially devastating diagnosis into a new mission for his life, which ultimately propelled him towards his entrepreneurial pursuits. Cedric Cobb completes our triad of this group of dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs in our midst tonight! Cedric had a passion for basketball but focused on attaining his business degree from Pittsburg State University. He grew his knowledge in business by working for various organizations as well as founding his own ventures. Currently, Cedric is the owner of Best Wardrobe Solutions, an International Men’s Fashion Tech Company and also the President and CEO of EDGE Business Solutions. In this episode : -More about Shawn, Khalia and Cedric and their personal journeys, triumphs and challenges -The difference between the value-extraction paradigm and the value-creation paradigm with your time and work -What is a transformational mindset? -Embracing the hurdles and daring people to underestimate you -How being a “level 10” person helps you handle a “level 4” problem with ease and how to grow higher -How innovation emerges from being authentic -Shawn’s advice for how to stand out in competitive niches and crowded environments -What are the core characteristics that take you beyond your competition as well as your comfort zone? -How and why Khalia changed the way things are done by defining and designing her own roles -Are Plan A, B and C still necessary? -How do dreams resemble license plates? -How critical it is to “copy and paste” your skill sets? -Discovering and defining your entrepreneurial identity shapes your entrepreneurial path -How to handle the naysayers -What Cedric means by living and working like an immigrant -The ultimate value of relationships To connect and learn more about our guests friend, follow and subscribe: Shawn Stevenson - @shawnmodel - Khalia Collier @stlsurgebasketball - Cedric Cobb @bestpocketsquareholder -
Agriculture is a changing landscape—and Monsanto is leading the way with technologies that are digitizing the farm and thereby digitizing agriculture. Today Cheryl and Christy are speaking with Jim Swanson, the Chief Information Officer of Monsanto to learn more about how he is using technology and innovation to impact and grow their business. A scientist by training, Swanson joined Monsanto because it allowed him to continue to pursue opportunities at the intersection of science, technology, and intellectual property innovation. As cited in Forbes, he has thought about the role of CIO much more strategically than most and is leading a digital revolution in the world’s oldest industry. We also have Mr. Malcom Mathis, an IT Business Architect at Monsanto and the President of the executive board of the St. Louis chapter of Black Data Processors Association (BDPA), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in IT. Jim and Malcom share how Monsanto is using innovative technologies and how the organization is supporting diversity in IT inside and outside the company.
If you classify yourself as a small business owner, an entrepreneur or someone with a side hustle looking to grow it into your full-time dream, you are in for a treat. We are joined by two fabulous women— Lynn Haynes, Director of MBE Services and Rhonda Carter Adams, the Executive Director for Central Illinois and Eastern MO — representing the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council. In this episode of "Entrepreneurially Thinking", discover more about what the Mid-States MSDC organization is and why they are important for you! Joining the conversation is the MBE, Regents Maintenance & Supply. President, Lamonte Sowell shares his story of how this organization has impacted him and his company. The Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and 1 of 23 regional councils operating in the U.S. Mid-States MSDC was created by the Indianapolis business community in the mid ‘70s to address and support minority business development. Headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, the primary mission of the Mid-States MSDC is to promote and cultivate successful minority enterprises within the Central Illinois, Indiana and Eastern MO business communities. It serves as an advocate for the economic well-being & growth of certified MBEs while also providing a direct connection for corporations who are committed to purchasing products & services from MId-States MSDC-certified MBEs.
For established, revenue positive companies, there is often nothing harder for founders than to make time to work on their business rather than in their business. Linda and Steve Hanlon know that challenge first-hand. And at first, they almost let the GVMS Flip Zone program pass them by. Thankfully, despite concerns about the time commitment, the Hanlon’s doubled down on their desire to grow LangeTech. That investment of time, money and energy is already paying off and they joined us along with GVMS Program Manager Hayley Johnston to talk about their experience and the other ways GVMS, one of the area’s oldest entrepreneur support organizations, helps startups and scale ups grow.
Today, we are bringing you a guest we had on several seasons ago—Jared Arms, Founder and CEO of Kylar.io. We recently ran into Jared out and about at one of our incubators and as he was beginning to tell us all about the wonderful things happening for him and his company. We said “STOP” don’t tell us anymore—We want you to update our listeners so they can share in the progress and good news! As a reminder when we first chatted with Jared on this show, we learned about his background and how his mother, who sacrificed food and rent to buy him a computer at the age of 5, set him on his path to technological success. In his teen years, after seeing so many of his friends being killed, he used his interest and technological gift to develop a web-based way for folks to memorialize the dearly departed. In his 20’s, Jared then went on to create and launch his company, kylar.io, after identifying untapped problems within underserved communities and providing tech-based solutions. Jared and his company has been recognized as one of Android’s top app developers. In 2014, Jared launched kylar.io for Kids, to provide the best summer tech experience for children—instilling enthusiasm in STEM learning while all the while sparking their interest in related careers. To date, over 3,000 students have benefits from this great program! In this episode are going to learn more about what Jared has been up to and all the great things happening to kylar.io. We will also be speaking with Freddie Mosley from Lincoln Middle School and he’ll give us insights into the impact that the Kylar for Kids program is having with his students.. so stay listening…
How close do you live to your local grocery store? Most of us don't know. As long as it's close to home, it's not a problem. But when you don't have a local grocery store, or you have one but it's too far away to get to without transportation, figuring out how you'll buy your groceries becomes a big problem. For the past decade, Americans have driven an average of 6 miles between home and their closest grocery store. For rural Americans, especially those in the South, the trip can be much longer. This phenomenon is called a food desert. Food deserts aren't mere inconveniences to the people who live within one; they're an example of food insecurity and they negatively affect public health. Today, we are joined by Peter Webb, inventor of Food Computer kits and an avid supporter of OpenAg. We discover more about OpenAg and how Peter is providing solutions to those living in food deserts.
Change is inevitable. And, as we’ve noted, on several occasions, St. Louis’ entrepreneurship ecosystem is in the midst of change – new leadership, new organizations and new funding challenges. So what does that mean for one of the oldest entrepreneur support organizations in the City? ITEN’s new Executive Director, Mary Louise (ML) Helbig and Entrepreneur in Residence Jane Vancil visit with Christy and Cheryl to share how they are targeting their resources for maximum impact and having fun along the way. ML and Jane are accomplished business women, entrepreneurs and CEOs in their own right. With experience in nearly a dozen industries ranging from manufacturing and financial services to accounting and healthcare they have provided hundreds of regional startups with thousands of hours of mentoring and technical support. And they’re not done yet. During this conversation we get a better understanding of the frameworks for success ITEN has created, its plans to deliver these services beyond St. Louis and what it means to be a practicing entrepreneur. Jane shares how her new startup, IncentiLock, was inspired by a corrupted Excel file, the importance of mentors having mentors and what’s possible when the right resources and preparation reach the right startup at the right time. Learn more:
From the early days of high performance computing to the cutting edge of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things - a lot of things have changed. And much of that change is happening right here in St. Louis. Fueled by his own personal passion for technology and desire to bring together a learning community, Gary Stiehr created StampedeCon in 2012. Now, five years later, StampedeCon includes three conferences annually – the newest is StampedeCon AI on October 17, 2017. Each conference features an array of talented presenters and attracts top talent in the fields of data generation, analysis and application. It’s also a great place for those new to the field, offering them a place to learn about the latest advancements and trends, and expand their network. Gary spent some time with us to explore the changes in computer and data science, as well as the ways in which StampedeCon has put St. Louis on the map, attracting presenters from local startups like 1904Labs and Ariel Insights and experts from Monsanto, Boeing and Shutterstock, among others. We contemplate what it is like to analyze the data being collected and create new technologies that create data that never existed before…think about what it means to take tens of trillions of data points and combine them with the amazing minds that know how to create, capture and unlock the knowledge from the noise. Really cool!
The World Economic Forum at Davos is where leaders from around the world gathered to discuss the implications of a new industrial revolution—the 4th industrial revolution (after the revolutions brought about by steam power, electricity and electronics). The 4th Revolution uses digital technology to revolutionize almost every part of our life at an unprecedented pace, from self-driving cars to AI-enabled assistants. One of the biggest implications outlined in The Industry Gender Gap report that was referenced in this meeting, is just how harmful this revolution may be to the progress of women because they are underrepresented in tech. As market forces transform industries to favor technological skills, women only hold 26% of all tech jobs. Worse yet, they only stand to gain 1 new STEM job for every 20 that are lost in other disrupted industries. For men, that ratio is a much more favorable 1 to 4. The reports makes clear, “If current industry gender gap trends persist and labor market transformation towards new and emerging roles in computer, tech and engineering related fields continues to outpace the rate at which women are currently entering those types of jobs, women are at risk of losing out on tomorrow’s best job opportunities. Today, we will be speaking with Crystal Martin from LaunchCode’s CoderGirl program, Delia Chassaing a CoderGirl and Helena Converse, a mentor with CoderGirl to learn how they are helping to change this dire prediction of women in tech. Don’t miss this discussion so stay listening….
An estimated 60 percent of formerly incarcerated individuals remain unemployed one year after their release, raising the risk of recidivism and resulting in lost lifetime earnings. This cycle has major implications for American families as nearly half of all U.S. children have at least one parent with a criminal record. In 2015, SBA expanded its Microloan Program to small business owners currently on probation or parole. In 2016, The leaders of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and micro-lender Justine PETERSEN formed the Aspire Entrepreneurship Initiative, a groundbreaking new $2.1 million partnership to expand access to entrepreneurial education and microloans for formerly incarcerated individuals, with a specific focus on those who are parents. The program launched in St. Louis in the fall of 2016 and rolled out in 2017 in Chicago and Detroit. Today, we are speaking with Galen Gondolfi, the Chief Communications Officer with STL based Justine Petersen, a nationally recognized asset development organization and micro-lender. We will learn more about this program and the impact it is having in our region.
Did you know, St. Louis is home to the largest Promise Zone in the country? Covering most of North St. Louis City and North County the Promise Zone is a special Federal designation created during the Obama administration to draw investment to distressed and urban communities that have been neglected for generations. Since its inception, Promise Zone director Erica Henderson, has brought together 150 partners and thought leaders to coordinate activities in order to maximize impact and successfully compete for funding from 13 Federal agencies. The result is more than $60m in program funding for activities in the Promise Zone in addition to the billions of dollars connected with the NGA site selection. Erica joined us to talk about her 14 years of economic development experience and explain how the Promise Zone’s approach to creating authentic, meaningful and well-coordinated programs, services and developments in the Zone is creating opportunities for business owners, entrepreneurs and job seekers, not to mention the residents who call these neighborhoods home.
Who knew that in addition to an elevator pitch you might one day find yourself making a pitch on The StartupBus!? Theresa Hines, St. Louis’ StartupBus conductor, describes it as a hack-a-thon on steroids…and wheels! She joined us in studio with Austin Murdock to tell us all about what happens on the Bus. This year, 100 participants were on 7 buses from 7 cities. They drove over 8,000 miles and visited 32 cities on their way to New Orleans. The St. Louis bus had 9 riders and two teams. Austin was part of the team - sponsored by Maritz – that made it to the top 5 out of 22 teams in the final round in the pitch competition. Needless to say, it’s amazing what can happen in 5 days with enough gas and energy drinks! We’re excited to learn more about this annual event and hear some stories about the people and ideas along for the ride on this special road trip. Get on the Bus!
Healthcare today is changing! We have technologies that are helping patients and physicians effectively manage chronic illnesses that years ago would severely impact and shorten the lives of those with illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Today, we are speaking with Virta Health, a company that is using technology, a treatment plan that is geared specifically for each patient and a team approach that has been clinically demonstrated to reverse type 2 diabetes safely and sustainably WITHOUT the risks, costs, or side effects of medications or surgery. In studio today, we have Dr. Jim McCarter, MD, PhD and Head of Research for San Francisco-based Virta Health. Jim is an experienced biotech entrepreneur, adjunct professor of Genetics at Washington University School of Medicine (STL) and EIR with the Venture Fund BioGenerator here in STL. He is also the recipient of the Innovation Award from the Academy of Science (STL) and a Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute. What an impressive individual, good friend and great colleague! We also have by phone, Mike Halle, a Virta Health patient who will provide his perspective on this groundbreaking technology and treatment management system that has positively impacted his life. If you have type 2 diabetes, of if you know someone that has this chronic illness, you don’t want to miss this episode—this can be a life changer! So, stay listening…
On the heels of the National Urban League Conference in St. Louis and the third anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, we are reminded that the events in Ferguson on August 9, 2014 are not past tense, nor should they be. In the intervening years there have been a wide range of protests, activism, engagement and change movements – all trying to change the status quo. Ferguson 1000 is one way people have reacted locally to the need for economic equity for people of color in St. Louis. Likewise, the “Blacks in Tech” platform is a targeted effort to demystify, de-stigmatize and drive toward diversity, inclusion and equity in the St. Louis tech scene. Ricky M. Wilson, Director of Business Development for Ferguson 1000 and facilitator of “Blacks in Tech” joins us to talk about his move from “inspirational thinking” to “inspirational doing”. From a middle child of five and a serendipitous encounter with a self-made millionaire from his neighborhood to a successful military career and luxury car sales position, Ricky has traveled many roads. In the process his path crossed with Dr. Lance McCarthy and today he is helping to bring the Ferguson 1000 model to Baltimore and other cities. Together we reflect on how this effort is different from other economic empowerment initiatives and what it means to foster entrepreneurship in the Black community through role models, peers and shared lived experiences.
Agriculture is an $88B industry for Missouri. In St. Louis alone, there are more than 1,000 plant scientists – it is arguably the epicenter of world-class professionals in this field. In this episode we spend time with Janet Wilding, Vice President of Major Projects at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Janet is leading the master planning of 39 North, the region’s newest and largest innovation community. On 600 acres at the western end of what some call the innovation corridor - from T-Rex in downtown through Cortex and out 64/40 –39 North is being built in the heart of AgTech activity in St. Louis. 39 North joins thriving agricultural innovation hubs in Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City and St. Joseph where "from seeds to steers", Missouri is on the cutting edge of AgTech. This means local innovators and entrepreneurs have another option among the variety of locations, communities and support organizations to choose from when deciding where to build their companies. It also enhances the existing infrastructure - roadways, bike paths and walking trails, among other things – that benefit the residents and companies that already call Creve Coeur and Olivette home. In order to ensure that 39 North meets the needs of current tenants, facilities like The Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, Helix and Monsanto attract exceptional talent from far and wide. Janet has teamed up with Tyler Mathews, Executive Director of Venture Café to bring a monthly Venture Café gathering to the 39 North footprint from day one. Tyler is in the studio too and shares how this unique partnership supports the place making and community building on which entrepreneurship thrives.
Accenture Consulting recently reported that the value of the Internet of Health Things will top $163 billion by 2020. Within the next five years the healthcare sector is projected to be #1 in the list of top 10 industries for Internet of Things app development. This kind of high-stakes, leading-edge industry development attracts brilliant young minds! Among those, Elizabeth Russell, co-founder and CEO of DataDog Health and Daniel Kapper, co-founder of MediModo, whose companies are riding this wave. Fueled by a deep curiosity and love of learning, Elizabeth and Daniel, respectively, have parlayed what started out as side projects into full-time entrepreneurial endeavors. They share how their corporate jobs influenced their desire to find technological solutions to the profoundly human conditions that affect our health and wellness.
In this episode we are continuing our Ethnic Chambers of Commerce conversation. Cheryl and Christy are joined by Segun Babalola, President of the newly formed St. Louis African Chamber of Commerce and Gabriela Ramierez-Arellano, Business Counselor at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce St. Louis—a thriving institution that has served hispanics in our region since 1982. We learn more about these organizations, how they support new and existing business owners in our region, the types of programs they offer and their overall impact in our region. We also meet two entrepreneurs, Angel Jimenez-Gutierrez and Patrick Thimangu, learn about their ventures and how they are involved with each Chamber.
ETHINKSTL-041-Ilerasoft and Heartwork Video...Two Health Tech Companies with Heritage and Heart If you live here in the St. Louis region, then you should know that our city has been recognized as one of the top start-up cities in the nation. I think that this recognition is not only for the vast resources we have to assist those in starting their new ventures, but also for the different types of ventures being started in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, fashion, agriculture and life science—just to name a few. Today, we have invited two individuals starting tech focused companies in the healthcare market. Melanie Igwe is co-founder of Ilerasoft, a digital health company developing software that will centralize a healthcare system’s entire medical equipment assets data on one platform to allow for shared use and to improve equipment utilization across all facilities. A modified lo-jack system for medical equipment! We also have Rachel Simon-Lee, CEO and Founder of Heartwork Videos. A very unique resource for surgeons—taking and editing raw surgical footage into a concise, polished video with annotations and voice-over narration thereby creating high quality educational video content. You will hear their stories of how they found a need in the marketplace and are creating their companies. Learn more at and
ETHINKSTL-040- LIVE PODCAST with Cedric Cobb, Khalia Collier, Shawn Stevenson CHAMPIONS ARE WHAT ENTREPRENEURS ARE MADE OF…#ethinkstl Our primary focus for doing a LIVE show is to bring BioSTL’s, “Evening With” series to you. In this series, Cheryl normally interviews entrepreneurs discussing their personal and professional stories of how they built or are building their ventures. They step outside of their comfort zones, and as we always state, this podcast is all about stepping out of your comfort zone. So, we are truly stepping outside of our zone by hosting this episode in front of a live audience! We have with us three entrepreneurs that were high performing athletes in their career, that all love sports, and have turned their passions into successful entrepreneurial pursuits. Our first guest discovered her passion for basketball at her local YMCA at the tender age of 5 years old. She dreamed of becoming a star athlete. Recruited for Division I basketball, she excelled at the sport, however, when an injury sidelined her basketball career, her new path involved a communications and business focus. We will speak with Khalia Collier and learn more about her path to becoming one of the youngest owners of a pro women’s basketball team—the STL Surge. Our next guest is a bestselling author and creator of The Model Health show, featured as the #1 Health podcast on iTunes with millions of listener downloads each year—this is what we aspire to for our E-Think podcast! A graduate of UMSL with educational focus in business, biology, and kinesiology—he took this knowledge and founded Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a company that provides wellness services for individuals and organizations worldwide. I am pleased to introduce to you, Shawn Stevenson— we are going to hear his story and how he turned a potentially devastating diagnosis into a new mission for his life, which ultimately propelled him towards his entrepreneurial pursuits. Cedric Cobb completes our triad of this group of dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs in our midst tonight! Cedric had a passion for basketball but focused on attaining his business degree from Pittsburg State University. He grew his knowledge in business by working for various organizations as well as founding his own ventures. Currently, Cedric is the owner of Best Wardrobe Solutions, an International Men’s Fashion Tech Company and also the President and CEO of EDGE Business Solutions. In this episode : -More about Shawn, Khalia and Cedric and their personal journeys, triumphs and challenges -The difference between the value-extraction paradigm and the value-creation paradigm with your time and work -What is a transformational mindset? -Embracing the hurdles and daring people to underestimate you -How being a “level 10” person helps you handle a “level 4” problem with ease and how to grow higher -How innovation emerges from being authentic -Shawn’s advice for how to stand out in competitive niches and crowded environments -What are the core characteristics that take you beyond your competition as well as your comfort zone? -How and why Khalia changed the way things are done by defining and designing her own roles -Are Plan A, B and C still necessary? -How do dreams resemble license plates? -How critical it is to “copy and paste” your skill sets? -Discovering and defining your entrepreneurial identity shapes your entrepreneurial path -How to handle the naysayers -What Cedric means by living and working like an immigrant -The ultimate value of relationships To connect and learn more about our guests friend, follow and subscribe: Shawn Stevenson - @shawnmodel - Khalia Collier @stlsurgebasketball - Cedric Cobb @bestpocketsquareholder -
Supplier diversity is a business strategy that ensures a diverse supplier base in the procurement of goods and services for any business or organization. Research show that companies that embrace diversity are more profitable than companies that don’t. “On average, supplier diversity programs add $3.6M to the bottom line for every $1M in procurement operation costs” according to a 2015 study by The Hackett Group. The high return on investment is undeniable! Monsanto embraces and is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity in all areas of its business. To affirm this strategy with its suppliers, in 2014, they formally launched their “Growing Together” Initiative in the form of their Supplier Diversity Mentoring Program. This is a 12-month development program which includes mentoring from Monsanto’s executive leadership team, on-site training sessions with their subject matter experts, assessment evaluations and access to an external professional coach! Wow! The goal is to develop diverse certified suppliers who have the ability, capacity and skills necessary to grow their business in profitability, business development and business management skills. Today, we have joining us, Dr. Damion Jones, Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Daphanie Pointer, North American Supplier Diversity Lead and creator of this new mentoring program. We are also joined by 2 recent graduates of this program—Mercedes Enrique, President, CMS Corporation and Lisa Nichols, CEO, Technology Partners.
There is a new business incubator in our city and if you weren’t there for the grand opening in December you missed a treat! In December 2016, Better Family Life located in the city of St. Louis opened a beautiful, new Business Development Center to support people who want to start a small to mid-size business or get help with an existing business. Cheryl and Christy are joined by the leadership team of this new venture, Eddie Davis, Neelu Panth and Rasheed Ingrim. They are sharing about this exciting new venture and the impactful partnership developed with Carrolton Bank which together they have created the new Better Family Life Micro Loan Fund. Also joining the conversation is Bianca Jackson, an entrepreneur they are working with who talks about her business and how Better Family Life has impacted and supported her new venture. Connect and learn more at betterfamilylife.org/
It’s hard to believe that this fall CET will be hosting its 4th Square One Boot Camp program. This 10-week intensive gives early stage IT, bioscience and consumer/manufactured product entrepreneurs 30 hours of core business competency curriculum and an additional 20 hours of coaching and mentoring to help them validate their business model and take the next steps in advancing their venture. Applications open in July for the September cohort. We’ve asked Clint Matthews and Kyle Rood of StartRight Foods and Kathleen Lodes from Send Well Wishes to join us to talk about the SQ1 Boot Camp experience, give us an update on their businesses and share some of their insights about being entrepreneurs. "Being entrepreneurial means having sweaty pits", so says Kathleen Lodes co-founder of Send Well Wishes. Sweaty pits are a sure sign that you are stepping outside your comfort zone and thinking about your business ideas in new ways. Kathleen shared this and other pearls of wisdom in this episode. Kathleen, Clint and Kyle are graduates of CET’s SQ1 Ignite and Boot Camp programs, respectively. It wasn’t always easy to balance the demands of class with the daily grind of starting a new venture, nonetheless they found a way to do both. From wearing many hats to launching new products, they were eager to give our listeners a glimpse into what their startup journey has been and where they are headed. Learn more about these SQ1 alum and their businesses from their websites: and
Most of us don’t realize that every branch of the U.S. military is represented in St. Louis. Or that the Veteran’s Business Resource Center (VBRC) is based here and served a region that includes Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. For active service members, veterans and military families, resources like the VBRC are important to their success while enlisted and when they transition back to civilian life. Needless to say, keeping talented military professionals in our region, especially as business owners, is a good thing for St. Louis. To learn more about what VBRC does and the people it serves, we’ve invited Executive Director Darcella Craven and Donovan Foster CIO, Principal Consultant, at Brinex to talk about the agency’s programs and services and what that means to the men and women who participate in programs like Boots to Business.
Cheryl and Christy with Charlie Wallace, a serial entrepreneur, whose product helps basketball players improve their shot. It’s called the “Qube Basketball Trainer System”—a patent pending product and system that touts immediate results!! Their slogan, The Qube…re-shaping the way the world shoots a basketball, one player at a time. His unique invention is a breakthrough in teaching basketball players how to become great shooters! We’re going to find how how this is possible! Charlie Wallace, former all-state high school football player and recognized fitness center developer and personal trainer. As an entrepreneur, Charlie has always had a unique ability to turn his dreams and visions into reality. Charlie was the founder/owner of Magna Fitness Center in St. Louis. He was also the strength and conditioning coach for St. Louis University's Men's and Women's Basketball teams from 1995-1999. During his time in St. Louis, he developed a very successful sports training program where he and his staff trained middle school, high school, college and professional athletes. The QUBE has now been sold throughout world. You can find the QUBE internationally in Spain, Australia, Germany, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, as well as the Dominican Republic and over 40 states here in the US. The QUBE has been featured on: Discovery Channel Canada – The Daily Planet show KSDK channel 5 - NBC affiliate St.Louis, MO WDRB channel 41 – Fox news Louisville, KY The QUBE is being used by hundreds of players and teams across the country and the world…it is truly re-shaping the way the world shoots a basketball, one player at a time.
TWC Constructors and Atelier3 Design are Redefining Design and Changing the Landscape Of Construction. An industry that will always be relevant and remain in demand is engineering and construction. Projections for the St. Louis region place the industry at over 4 billion dollars in the next few years. Despite the surplus of capable young men and women in this region there is a workforce shortage that threatens the industry. Today we meet two very accomplished design and construction entrepreneurs who are making tremendous impact while creating opportunities. They are as committed to community as they are their businesses. Each one of these CEO’s is giving back, changing the landscape of the industry and building pathways for minorities within their design. At 11 years old, Todd Weaver came to construction and design on a dare to find work in order to help his mother out. his unique story is likened to “The Blind Side” movie. As if it were divine design, his serendipitous collision with Clayco CEO, Bob Clark laid an unimaginable foundation of opportunity for his life to develop from an entirely different blueprint. Admo Ogun was taken over by a love for the diverse landscape of this country while in America as an exchange student in college. This American site survey overwhelmed him and lured him back to St. Louis where he builds communities for and with the people it serves. Both men were guided and influenced by men of standard and strength in their lives. Today, they both strive to strengthen the young men and women who follow. Their journeys have paralleled one another to find themselves grounded and invested in the future of underserved individuals, this community and the industry as a whole. In this episode: What are the personal philosophies of these successful entrepreneurs? What perspective do they bring to this work? How has their experience in the industry shaped their commitment to community? Why the emphasis on minority contractors? As an entrepreneur, what hurdles or challenges did Todd and Admo overcome to be where they are today? What was the turning point for them in their businesses? What challenges and opportunities are there in the design, engineering, mechanical and construction industry? What advantages and opportunities are there for minority entrepreneurs in engineering and construction in our region? What do they want to create with their work and/or the way they operate their businesses? Their encouragement for those who are rethinking what’s possible with their entrepreneurial endeavors? Learn more:
Today, we will be chatting with an organization that is already impactful in our region with a long-standing history of changing the conversation about disabilities in St. Louis. Paraquad is the organization that works with people with disabilities of all ages, empowering them to increase their independence through choice and opportunity. We have Paraquad’s CEO, Aimee Wehmeier who is only the 3rd Executive Director and CEO in the organization’s 47-year history, Beth Jantz, their grant writer, and Dennis Kouo a Paraquad board member joining us to talk about their organization and a new social enterprise they are developing that will engage their constituents and be a great gathering place for all of our community! If you love finding new Cafes, stay listening so you can hear all about this new innovative service offering from Paraquad! Learn more:
Does your calendar revolve around professional sports seasons? Are you the designated sports expert among your friends? Were you the one who organized the office-wide fantasy football league this year? If you answered yes to these questions, you might want to consider launching a sports-related startup.If you start that business, we have a new offering in our region that can potentially it and you to the next level. Today, we have Tim Hayden, co-founder of Stadia Ventures, a very unique offering that is a Sports Innovation Hub for entrepreneurs, industry partners and investors created to solve the pain points ofthese distinct voices. According to them—they help entrepreneurs navigate the entrepreneurial path and immediately connect them to their network, they help investors by educating, validating and driving deal flow directly to the best sports business opportunities available, and they help Industry partners byacting as their innovation brokers to maximize deal flow and minimize risks. All of this is accomplished through their Stadia Accelerator and Stadia Academy aspects of the Hub organization they created. They’ve also introduced a couple of new offerings to the mix, Stadia Next and StadiaFirstLook. Talk about always innovating—these guys are staying on the innovative cutting edge!
You know we have a bias for good food and great company – this episode delivers on both! Annie Magny, founder of One Dish Wonders, joins Alyce Wilson, Director of the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center, to share her entrepreneurial journey. After retiring from a major telecommunications company with nearly 30 years of service, Annie realized that there was more to do than be retired – she just didn’t realize how much work it would take! Thankfully, with the help of the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center, The BALSA Foundation and great mentors she is now well into her second act as a food entrepreneur. Despite all the hard work, Annie is excited to be on this personal and fulfilling journey. And you can be a part of the experience from your own dining room table. One Dish Wonders makes it easy for families to eat delicious meals together again. Need to figure what’s for dinner tonight or what’s on the menu for your next corporate or family event – Annie has what you need. Inspired by her story and eager to write your own? Alyce shares how Grace Hill Women’s Business Center provides the 16-week WIBO program, one-on-one counseling and speaker series to help entrepreneurs learn the ropes. The list of industries represented among WIBO graduates includes beauty, construction, finance, energy, retail, transportation, food and fitness industries – among others – what sector will you revolutionize?! In this episode: -How Grace Hill serves entrepreneurs with courses, training, resources and exposure -What is it to be “Entrepreneurially Curious” and how it can expand your business ventures -How your foundational business mission can open the door for even greater opportunities -How is Annie Magny found answers, accountability and success with the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center MORE INFO
We are very lucky to have a wealth of resources in our region to help individuals create and build new businesses. That includes the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce as well as the newly formed local chapter of the US Black Chamber. Collectively, our local Chambers help business owners thrive and create a strong, supportive environment that attracts new businesses and helps local firms expand their footprint. At the heart of what they do is build community and connect people in meaningful ways that lead to success. During this episode, we have a full house of Chamber representatives in studio to help us better understand how they add value to and stimulate growth in our local economy. From promoting international trade and helping immigrant entrepreneurs grow their businesses to connecting their own varied constituencies with each other as well as the larger business community, these Chambers are hard at work recruiting and promoting the business leaders who are shaping economic growth and prosperity in our region. Hear from guest Al Li, Veta Jeffrey, Marvin Steele and Sarah Arnosky about how their organizations are advancing racial equity, creating minority business growth accelerators and increasing entrepreneurial success through networking and connectedness. In this episode: -How are the Chambers of Commerce great conduits for your business if you are looking to start, expand or enter new markets -What is the vantage point of businesses from the Chamber level -What attracts new people to our region -Where does creativity creates opportunity Resources mentioned: Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber 314-244-8841 Asian American Chamber St. Louis Regional Chamber Marvin Steele Urban Labs 314-539-4477
Cheryl and Christy are passionate about connecting people – great ideas, companies, invention and progress don’t happen in isolation. It is important to connect with a community of like-minded people for the support and inspiration you need to make your dreams a reality. It just so happens that there are two new places in St. Louis where you can find those people and resources. We invited Kristy and James Jackson with DK Annex and the Social Synergy Project, and Marc Bowers with Brick City Makes to tell us more about the new facilities and communities they are building. While their projects are separate and distinct, both are in the City (they are neighbors) and are bringing new life to old buildings, as well as the Fox Park and Benton Park neighborhoods. Our conversation explores how serving entrepreneurs outside the advanced technology ecosystem helps create a vibrant community of creatives, small business owners and scale-ups. There are hidden manufacturing gems in industrial parks throughout the region and solo-entrepreneurs toiling in isolation. Folks like Kristy, James and Marc are the business of creating new opportunities for individuals to connect, grow and thrive. Find out how you can become part of their vibrant networks and take advantage of their collective expertise! In this episode: - Build or buy? There are options - Manufacturing space that makes sense - Finding mentors, resources and solutions - The advantage of having a “wing man” for networking - How they strive to create the “corner bar that looks like me” Learn more:
We live in a very diverse city with hard working people. Many of the folks in our region are hard working immigrants who are helping to make St. Louis a great city and region to LIVE, WORK and PLAY. The St. Louis Mosaic Project is a wonderful organization that helps to ease the transition for many of these individuals as they make St. Louis home. A couple of episodes ago, we had Betsy Cohen, Executive Director for Mosaic on the podcast with Julie Li, Founder of Create Space Generator and Lulu Fresh Express. On this episode, Christy and Cheryl welcome Vin Ko, a friend and colleague from Mosaic and Cuong Dang, an energetic and ambitious entrepreneur who hails from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and is a graduate of Maryville University. Cuong is founder and CEO of the St. Louis based tech company, Enliven, and owner of Lac Brewing, a craft brewery in Vietnam. In 2015, Cuong received the Diverse Business Leader award from the St. Louis Business Journal and in early 2016 was inducted into the Regional Business Council’s Leadership 100 network. Cuong’s drive to support fellow immigrant entrepreneurs in the St. Louis region fits with his philosophy of adding meaning and value to society. In addition to volunteering as an ambassador to immigrant entrepreneurs for St. Louis Mosaic Project, he currently serves as the Vice President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). It is through both organizations that Cuong and Vin have the opportunity to work together. Spend some time getting to know Vin and Cuong - spoiler: they are smart and FUNNY - and find out how each is helping make St. Louis a wonderful place to do business and build a fulfilling life. In this episode: - Finding unique business opportunities - Doing business overseas - Beyond the contracts: Trust and its vital role i - Work-Life Balance - Goal Oriented vs. Time/Task Oriented business strategy - Risk tolerance and Fear - The need for a collaborative team and/or co-founder with complimentary skills and shared values - You don't have to and can't know it all, nor do this by yourself - The problem with multiple priorities
Persistent, Intellectually Curious, Courageous, Entrepreneurial, Innovative—these are all familiar entrepreneurial terms that are used by our guests to describe folks that are engineers. Mr. Ronald Moore and Dr. Terrence Freeman represent the St. Louis Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers or NSBE. NSBE’s mission is the same today as it was over 40+ years ago—to help improve the recruitment and retention of black engineering students who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. NSBE is a highly respected, premiere African-American organization that is community focused with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming. They create opportunities for children as young as elementary school all the way through post-graduate studies. In this conversation, hear about the positive impact they have had on entrepreneurs they’ve worked with as well as the the millionaires and billionaires that are NSBE members. What’s even more exciting is their 43rd Annual NSBE Conference that will be held March 29-April 2nd in Kansas City MO. At events like these, they have had great speakers and notables such as Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Cruise Line; General Darren McDew, Transcom, Commander US Airforce; Richard Mark, CEO of AmerenUE Illinois; Lieutenant General Joseph Ballard; former Corps of Engineers Commander and many other community figures that attend and participate. Dr. Freeman shares his personal journey where instead of basketballs or bicycles he received chemistry sets and telescopes from parents who were determined to expose him to science at an early age. He became exceptional in his field with full scholarships and opportunities to some of the nation's most exceptional institutions for engineering. Mr. Moore not only served this country with the National Guard but his strong engineering background is presently a significant contribution to the region's infrastructure that's right below our feet. Entrepreneur's Inspiration is in their true engineer's stories but also in the key take aways they share in this conversation. In this episode: - Encouragement if you've ever felt like you might not be right for the job or particular opportunity. - Inspiration to overcome deeply engrained fears or apprehensions that you may have picked up in childhood. - Entrepreneurship is about problem solving, but what's a step beyond that? The importance of problem recognition. - How engineering employs the same tactics as entrepreneurship. - Two things entrepreneurs and engineers can't leave home without-persistence and resilience. - Engineering touches on so many industries, disciplines and perspectives that you could throw a rock in any direction at the huge annual NSBE national convention and would certainly hit someone along the engineering spectrum. - The awe-inspiring details and highlights of the previous and 2017 NSBE national convention. - How to connect with NSBE and NSBE STL. From K-Post Grad. - Inspiration to become "entrepreneurially courageous" just as NSBE students are prompted to become "academically courageous". NSBE Annual Convention #NSBE43 Kansas City Convention Center MARCH 29 - APRIL 02, 2017 Kansas City, MO "ENGINEERING YOUR FOUNDATION" You MUST see this For more visit:
Entrepreneurs are driven to identify and solve problems. In the entrepreneurial ecosystem it’s called the “pain” point of customers. Shay Gillespie and Jared Arms created their businesses out of distinctly different sources of personal pain. Coincidentally, each had a passion and focus to improve opportunities for African-American children in the technology sector with coding and programming instruction. Shay, the founder and owner of “Color Coded Kids” knows the impact of technology on a global scale and from a corporate vantage place, while Jared, at just 23 years old, founded “Kylar for Kids” and entered into the IT space from a very different and unlikely point of origin. Shay needed a practical and accessible source for IT instruction for her young son and discovered most of the mothers she knew shared that need. Jared got started while responded to the pain of losing friends and loved ones to gun violence. Each of them stumbled onto very viable answers to a common community need—access to resources and information. Both now have not only created opportunities for themselves, they have changed the landscape for generations to come. This is not an average conversation. Join Cheryl and Christy with Shay and Jared in this episode that will change the way you view entrepreneurship, your roadmap and unforeseen business opportunities. In this episode: How finding the answer to the unasked questions can become your great business idea! How important the role of a mentor and partnership can be in getting your idea off the ground. What do you do if you don’t know all there is to know about your business, industry or market? Where you can find great programming instruction for your kids, yourself and the elders. How you can earn a significant living in the IT sector with unlimited opportunities. Where to find Shay and Jared Shay Gillespie Jared Arms
We’re all basically starting from the beginning-Square One. CET, the state’s oldest and largest Innovation Center celebrates nearly 20 years of entrepreneur training programs! CET has been working to find, support and grow entrepreneurial ventures and they’re succeeding with the Square One Boot Camp and Square One Ignite programs. Originally, CET focused on bioscience entrepreneurs. Many great startups including Nanopore Diagnostics, Immunophotonics, Kypha and MediBeacon participated in what was then CET’s Bio Entrepreneur Development (BED) program, which debuted in 2011. In 2014 the BED program expanded its focus to include IT and consumer/manufactured products as well as bioscience and renamed it Square One. Sarah Badahman, founder of HIPAATrek and Brad Postier, co-founder and CEO of Spectrum Perception – both Square One Boot Camp graduates doing phenomenal things – join Christy and Cheryl for a conversation about being a startup founder, their Square One experience and their personal journey as entrepreneurs. In this episode: - Learn their true business stories of how having a great and well-matched co-founder can mean the difference between success and disaster. -What to do if you crash and burn? Sarah and Brad both survived pretty hard hits and share how they picked up and moved on. Listen for Sarah and her "Parachute" and Brad’s first failed start up experience. Yes, they’re still standing. - How Square One helped each of them to start thinking like a “business person”. Resources mentioned: STL TechShop look for universities and capstone projects that work with businesses
How does having $500-$1000 to start your business sound to you? That’s what winning a BALSA Foundation grant can do. This organization helps to change lives for many early stage entrepreneurs by not only providing financial support but also mentoring and other resource assistance. Today, Christy and Cheryl will be speaking with Matthew Wyczalkowski, Executive Director of The BALSA Foundation and Arriel Biggs, Founder of Young Biz Kids, a grant finalist last summer. Young Biz Kidz is a non-profit organization that uses positive, diverse and creative ways to teach business and equip youth with the knowledge and skills to live productive lives. In this episode: Hear more about The Foundation and how it has impacted this entrepreneur and her business. How BALSA meets entrepreneurs where they are. What is idea support and how to access the help? What is the BALSA grant award? How Arriel created Young Biz Kidz and how BALSA made a “huge” difference. How mentorship, direction and idea support can transform your business dream to reality.
If you look under the hood of startup action in the “information technology” space, some of what you find is the IoT, blockchain (think Bitcoin), Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Augmented Realty and Virtual Reality. This is where action and innovation is taking place across dozens of industries. This is a trend you need to pay attention to. Welcome to the infinite and imaginative world where the power of technology is interwoven with the human experience Christy and Cheryl recently visited with Nathan Pettyjohn CEO of Aisle411 and founder of the VR/AR Association. St. Louis is the world HQ for the VR/AR Association – a global industry group for Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality, connecting leading solution providers with brands & customers. This technology is already radically changing education, medicine, commerce and might result in a new opportunity. The conversation includes Aisle411's startup story, as well as the cultural impact of disruptive technologies that are redefining what we define as the "real world." It is what will change the world for you as an entrepreneur, subject matter expert, mentor as well as an employee. In this episode: How virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality are light years beyond just gaming. How VR, AR and MR are defined and how they impact industries and opportunities. What is the VR/AR association and what are the key benefits to membership? Scared to talk about your ideas? Hear why you don’t need to keep your idea completely to yourself and the reason why you don’t need to worry about somebody else“ stealing” your idea. How “It’s all about the execution”. The two key indicators of interest to investors. Why you can take heart and not get frustrated about raising money. What you must look for and consider when selecting board members and funders. What is the conversation, opportunity and future revenue potential of the VR/AR industry? Learn more and visit
Christy and Cheryl get to meet a lot of interesting people. After a particularly fun and productive meeting with Stacey Fowler from SLATE and Kevin Wilson from the SBTDC, they knew they had to have them on the show. Get ready to take some notes - you won’t believe the golden opportunities and hidden gems out there to help you get training, tap new talent or pursue your startup dream. Some of you who grew up in St. Louis may remember SLATE - the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment - as the place to get a summer job. As Stacey Fowler shares, it is so much more. From apprenticeships that benefit both workers and employers to employment services and an entrepreneurship training program offered in partnership with SBTDC and Legal Services of Eastern MO, there is something for everyone who wants to build a business or career in St. Louis. Kevin Wilson from SBTDC is in studio alongside Stacy to explain how their partnership works, how they created a new nonprofit to create the Small Business Empowerment Center and the City's Project Connect Action Plan that connects development projects north of downtown, including NGA. He also gives listeners some insider tips on how to prepare their company to do business with NGA. ETHINKSTL-022 -SLATE AND SBDC-Connecting Earners with Owners
Working to change the world? Not all entrepreneurs are motivated by profit - some see earned revenue as a way to finance the social change they want to see. What are the nuts and bolts of creating social change? Well, your tax status comes secondary to what you are trying to do. Establishing a non-profit is not the “be-all-end-all” solution to achieve your mission. Social entrepreneurship leverages market forces to “do good” while “doing well”. Students at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University are learning strategies that can make social change work. Dr. Heather Cameron is the inaugural Michael B. Kaufman Professor of Practice in Social Entrepreneurship at the Brown School. It is there that she is creating a climate of change-making where MSWs, MBAs, other students and community members can explore new business models aimed at creating positive systemic change while adding value to the bottom line. She shares her personal intriguing journey to St. Louis, which includes international travel experience, boxing and trailblazing youth programs in Berlin! In this episode: -What is social entrepreneurship? -How does social entrepreneurship differ from not-for-profit models? -Why is social entrepreneurship considered an effective “hybrid”? -Why entrepreneurs MUST examine their relationship with money. -How too much focus on “pitching” can distract from the plan. -What is the Wash-U SEIC MVP competition?
“Pivot on Your Plan” is a term we use in the innovation community. In the lives of these two resilient entrepreneurs, “pivot” played a critical role. So did mentorship, a solid team and being aware of and ready for change. Today, we are speaking with two innovative entrepreneurs who found success and futures in the home healthcare market sector —one is considered the “queen” of the industry and the other a “rising princess”. Meet Ada Joyce Taylor, owner of Deer Valley Home Health and Dacia Betts, owner of Integrity Home Health Services. Each are visionaries with real world experiences in the home health care industry and insight that only those who have been in the trenches could profess. Ada Joyce Taylor, founder and CEO of Deer Valley Home Health Care, began her journey as a teenager. With her vision, team and a plan she has grown Deer Valley to be one of the largest, most visible and successful service providers in the region. Listen to Mrs. Ada tell her story and begin building on new ventures in the studio! Dacia Betts, founder and owner of Integrity Services, owns and operates multiple complimentary businesses that all have a mission toward empowering the community. Her no-limits approach is how she’s worked with some of the best in industry and found untapped opportunity. Key to this conversation are the vast opportunities that exist in and around home healthcare. The ladies give insight into person-centered care, veteran and cancer support services. Where they found obstacles, they found motivation and new ways to solve problems. No boundaries for these dynamic women who both believe in loving your work, working hard and not waiting until the “end” to enjoy life today. We gleaned from their wise perspectives on business growth and development. Join Cheryl and Christy in discovering the trends, challenges and opportunities in home health care.
According to the most recent Kauffman Foundation Index of Startup activity, about 17% of entrepreneurs in Missouri and 29% in St. Louis where unemployed before starting their business. This suggests that some entrepreneurs are starting businesses out of necessity. This has implications for the number and types of businesses that are created, the founders’ access to capital and the potential to scale, as well as the potential to employ others and create generational wealth. It also reflects the reality that for those with limited career choices - due to education, experience and in some cases, involvement in the justice system - entrepreneurship can be a pathway to prosperity. We've invited Jason Watson, the Director of the Beyond Jobs program at Mission: St. Louis and former state senator, Jeff Smith, Executive Vice President of Community Engagement and Policy with Concordance Academy of Leadership to talk about how their programs help men and women tap into their inherent leadership skills, innate creativity and personal aspirations to be part of a thriving workforce and job creation in our region. We'll talk about how employers can unlock the transferable skills in this underutilized talent pool to help grow their businesses, as well as how mentors and volunteers can help individuals cultivate their entrepreneurial mindset as a way of envisioning a new tomorrow.
Healthcare businesses are doing well in our region and many entrepreneurs are building strong businesses in this industry. Today, we are speaking with two entrepreneurs in this market sector —one building a new venture, DEAL-C2, focused on diabetes home care and another seasoned and successful entrepreneur, chiropractor, and business partner in Proficient Chiropractic. Sonia Deal, CEO of DEAL-C2, is a new business owner in our region building and scaling her business to include a three-phase system for diabetes care—the first phase will include community education and home care, the next phase will focus on building a diabetes care clinic and lastly, a skilled nursing home facility focused on diabetes is Sonia’s ultimate goal for her venture. Listen to Sonia tell her story of how and why she feels she is uniquely capable of “changing the face of diabetes care”! Dr. Edgar Everett III, a partner in Proficient Chiropractic, was introduced to the chiropractic field when he was a teenager and instantly knew, this was the profession for him. He and his business partner, Dr. Xaivier Tipler, have built two thriving practice locations in our region. They are both dedicated to their profession and also to the community with their mission simply stated, “to create a reality of Oneness in the hearts and souls of our Community”. Hear Dr. Everett describe how he and his partner built their successful practice, engaged the community and utilized mentors to help them “think entrepreneurially” and reach new heights of achievement.
ETHINKSTL-017-From farmers to physicists, AgTech is one of St. Louis' fastest growing industries From farmer to physicist, the trends in AgTech run the gamut! Tune in to find out what's hot and how you can be part of one of St. Louis' fastest growing industries with Connie Bowen is the Program Manager at Yield Lab, Kristina Menn from Arvegenix and Betsy Boedeker, Sr. Research Scientist, CRO Coordinator at St. Louis Community College. In her role at Yield Lab, Connie is familiar with the trends such as big data, precision farming, crop yield technology and animal health that are exciting investors while working to solve global issues related to alternative energy, hunger and environmental sustainability. Arvegenix, one of Yield Lab’s portfolio companies, exemplifies the local opportunity for startups to capitalize on these global trends. As new companies are formed to commercialize new technologies, new jobs are created, too. We learn more about the opportunities for job seekers in our conversation with Kristina who was Arvegenix's "employee #1!" A local startup, Arvegenix found the capital and other resources, including home-grown talent, it needed to grow. Likewise, Kristina used her local resources - the St. Louis Community College Plant and Life Sciences bio-technician training program and the internship program Betsy administers - to get the technical training and hands-on experience she needed to be part of the region's startup ecosystem. One might say St. Louis has created fertile soil in which new ideas, visions and innovations can grow! This virtuous circle of innovation, entrepreneurship, technical training and personal drive are creating a fly-wheel that is energizing our region! ETHINKSTL-017-From farmers to physicists, AgTech is one of St. Louis' fastest growing industries (Episode 2.4)
Today Cheryl and Christy are with Lynette Watson from our local Small Business and Technology Development Center – also known as SBDC or SBTDC - and Michael O’Brien from Prosperity Connection. Like many organizations in the St. Louis entrepreneurship ecosystem, these two work very closely together to help promote financial empowerment and entrepreneurship in the community. From Prosperity Connection's Excel Centers and Red Dough Money Center to SBTDC's Innovate HER and the Fantasy Food Fair Business Competition, there is a lot going on in Old North and throughout the City for aspiring entrepreneurs. Lynette, a small business owner herself, give us insights on moving from "hobby to hustle" and the importance of initiatives like the Look Like Me Mentor Project that works to engage people of color as mentors and subject matter experts. Michael explains how having access to a nonprofit alternative to payday lending, credit building programs and support from financial counselors strengthen local businesses and their customer base. Once again, our guests remind us of the myriad ways you can get engaged in and benefit from the economic growth of our region - the goal is to make sure no one is left behind. With each new episode we invite you believe in yourself, then find the people and resources to help you transform your life. Let's go!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! During the holidays, many entrepreneurs experience a lull in their businesses. We want you to keep thinking about your businesses in the best most innovative ways! So we are bringing you some of our best episodes of ETHINKSTL. Here's one that makes the top of the list to keep the possibilities for your businessness and options top of mind. Enjoy! --------- Today we are speaking with Steve Epner, a true entrepreneur. Steve has started multiple businesses, sold some, closed others. Each was a learning experience that Steve shares with others. Steve was the Entrepreneur in Residence for the Boeing Company, is on the faculty of the Graduate School of Business at Saint Louis University teaching innovation and entrepreneurship, is a current Board Member and volunteer for the Gateway Venture Mentoring Service (providing free mentoring services to early stage companies), and is the founder and current director of the St. Louis Innovation Roundtable. Steve is also the founder of The Startup WithIN, LLC, a consulting practice that helps existing companies ignite and manage their innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors () This is a special discussion for all of you corporate folks looking for new, different and innovative ways to move your organization forward. We are speaking with Steve about his great experience with corporate innovation teams and how he has supported many of these teams to find entrepreneurial paths. He will also be offering our listeners a very special gift—you don’t want to miss this discussion! ETHINKSTL010-The Entrepreneur Inside. Corporate Entrepreneurship with Steve Epner
Today we are speaking with Betsy Cohen, Executive Director for the Regional Immigration & Innovation Initiative, the St. Louis Mosaic Project and Julia Li, Founder and Executive Director, Create Space Generator and Executive in her family’s business, JX Restaurants, which includes the famous LuLu Seafood restaurant. Betsy leads the St. Louis Mosaic Project, an outstanding organization focused on supporting foreign-born populations in our region. You will learn about this organization’s impact in our region and how she and her team have made great strides supporting entrepreneurial endeavors for many foreign-born individuals. Julia and her family are great examples of the success made by foreign born entrepreneurs. You don’t want to miss her family’s story and Julia’s personal journey which starts in Shanghai, takes her to Washington University and stops she made along the away at Nickelodeon, The Walt Disney Company and Scratch Music Group before coming back home to St. Louis and running her family’s business and then starting her new venture, Create Space Generator. This is an experience you don't want to miss!
Sometimes it takes someone (or a few someones!) from the outside to see the potential in your own backyard. Enter the East St. Louis Initiative (ESLI.) You may not know it but for the last two years graduate students from Washington University have been listening to and talking with business owners and folks with startup ideas in East St. Louis. Their goal – to change people’s lives one small business at a time. What that looks like today is a year-long intensive program that matches the passion and enthusiasm of individuals who have a new or existing business with the expertise of graduate students - MSW, JD, MBA and MPH candidates from the university. Gülcan Yayla, originally from Turkey, joins us to tell us more about the ESLI founding story and how Ferguson played a role in its creation. She is joined by her current cohort of entrepreneurs, Brandon Walker, founder of Positive & Productive Innovations and Devon Moody Graham, founder of The Biz Spot. Spend time with us learn what inspires these entrepreneurs and how they are poised to grow their businesses. Brandon is a locally grown ambitious and resilient individual in East St. Louis. He always aspires to grasp what he sees for his future and to do his best to bring awareness to the reduction of our greatest natural resources. Brandon’s idea is to bring a minority-owned energy efficiency services company to the city of East St. Louis and the surrounding areas. The business will bring awareness about the benefits of "Going Green" for the homes, schools, and businesses in the community. Emphasizing the importance of energy-efficiency, implementing energy-efficient strategies for clients, and getting recognized for those achievements are the goals of the business. Devon is a “serial” social entrepreneur and founder of The Biz Spot. She is an entrepreneur at heart with a concentration in economic development and helping small businesses. She graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 2001 and majored in consumer and textile marketing at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Then she received her MBA degree at the University of Phoenix. She has recently founded the Biz Spot, an incubator with office space in East St. Louis. The Biz Spot offers consulting services to people who want to successfully run a business in their community. It also works with East St. Louis District 189 students and students in other schools on both sides of the river to build their interest in entrepreneurship. ETHINKSTL-014-East St. Louis Initiative: Transforming A Community Through Entrepreneurship #esli #ethinkstl
Christy and Cheryl with Ralph Thompson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Mind Safety Management, LLC, a St. Louis information technology company headquartered in our CORTEX Innovation District. Ralph has been an entrepreneur since he was a young child, earning extra money where he saw opportunities in his community—from selling candy to shoveling snow! He hails from a long line of entrepreneurs in his family—he learned by example! Ralph has an interesting career path that led him to co-found Mind Safety Management (MSM)—a locally recognized “Top 25 African-American Owned Business” honored for stellar leadership and business growth six years in a row (2008-2014) by the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Organization, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the St. Louis American Foundation. Most recently, MSM was notified that they have been accepted into the 2016 Inner City Capital Connections St. Louis Class which is a highly competitive program that positions small businesses for immediate and long term growth through executive education, personalized business coaching, networking and access to growth capital. Listen to how Ralph built the business including their customer base, attracted large private industry and government contracts and how he is looking to expand the business even further. This is another episode you don’t want to miss!!
A recap of the Vision! We broadcast LIVE from the Vision 2016 regional symposium presented by BioSTL, ITEN and St. Louis Makes. This marks the second annual event with the goal of building a wholly-inclusive, diverse innovation community. Entrepreneurially Thinking podcast producer, Jade Harrell, speaks with participants prior to the symposium in a pre-show to highlight the event and bring the symposium to the broader community. Seeking to learn more about opportunities in bioscience, IT and advanced manufacturing? Learn about the numerous opportunities in these growing industries and find your fit! This event featured diverse professionals, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial resource support organizations, start-up organizations and corporations in a multi-track format. In this on location edition of ETHINKSTL: Meet the founder, Mary Stillman, and the young ladies of the Hawthorn School of Leadership. Hear what makes them love their all girls school and what they aspire to be and do when they grown up! Meet keynote speaker, Dr. Ainissa Ramirez - former Yale engineering professor, named one of the world's Top 100 Young Innovators and host of a popular podcast, Science Underground. Hear why says the next Einstein will most likely be a little black girl. A personal invitation from the partners of ITEN join the innovative, collaborative community. Hear why they need you to connect and get involved. Learn more and visit , and of course .
Sharon Echols found her sweet spot in entrepreneurship after working 25years in the mortgage banking business. She and her husband responded to industry changes by reviving their fond childhood memories with a new venture. With the underlying goal of having something to fall back on, they opened up a neighborhood candy store for the community to rely on. With no prior retail or business experience, Lee and Sharon undertook the hardcore planning, drew from their corporate backgrounds and launched into the unique venture of confectionery. Within 5 years of offering not only a large variety of candy, chocolate, taffy and nostalgia treats, Miss M’s Candy store is ready for expansion. A second location in the Grand Center has big plans for event space and candy catering. Both stores will continue to create experiences of confectionery delight for all ages with candy apparel, novelty and accessories. Sharon shares more of the challenges they faced as new business owners as well as the exciting plans for new iterations of their original thriving business. Discover the reality behind this family-owned business named for their “sugar babies” Megan and Morgan. Christy discovers appropriate justification in her new found candy sophistication as she learns more about candy buffets, novelty throw pillows and catering. A realistic account of a new entrepreneurs journey that inspires and rises above the competition.
Today we are speaking with Steve Epner, a true entrepreneur. Steve has started multiple businesses, sold some, closed others. Each was a learning experience that Steve shares with others. Steve was the Entrepreneur in Residence for the Boeing Company, is on the faculty of the Graduate School of Business at Saint Louis University teaching innovation and entrepreneurship, is a current Board Member and volunteer for the Gateway Venture Mentoring Service (providing free mentoring services to early stage companies), and is the founder and current director of the St. Louis Innovation Roundtable. Steve is also the founder of The Startup WithIN, LLC, a consulting practice that helps existing companies ignite and manage their innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors () This is a special discussion for all of you corporate folks looking for new, different and innovative ways to move your organization forward. We are speaking with Steve about his great experience with corporate innovation teams and how he has supported many of these teams to find entrepreneurial paths. He will also be offering our listeners a very special gift—you don’t want to miss this discussion! ETHINKSTL010-The Entrepreneur Inside. Corporate Entrepreneurship with Steve Epner
It's hard to spend time with Zim and not know that optimism is in his DNA. So too is his intuition for identifying and capitalizing on emerging product and technology trends. Not a fan of following the rules, he started at Washington University in the architecture program, jumped into the Hatchery capstone class with no prior business or entrepreneurship experience and graduated with a degree in psychology. Listen to find out how his experience as an 8-year old immigrant shaped his ability to adapt through introspection and led him to hone his skills as a divergent thinker, fluid learner and someone for whom entrepreneurship is an extension of the scientific method- a series of experiments. In this episode Christy and Cheryl hang out with Zim Hang, CEO and Co-Founder of Chrona Sleep. Zim is a self-described neuroscience entrepreneur and product development Swiss Army Knife. Together they explore the technical and human sides of building a business. Be inspired by this young entrepreneur's approach to learning, processing failure and connecting the dots. ETHINKSTL009-Zim Hang's Entrepreneurial Insight, Introspection and Intuition
From finance and financing to technical assistance, Eddie can tell you first-hand what it takes for entrepreneurs to succeed and flourish. "I started as a car washer." From there, Eddie Davis went into public relations at Union Electric (Ameren) where he managed the company's charitable trust - deploying capital in the St. Louis region. This was just the start of a long and interesting career that pioneered minority business development policies in the St. Louis region. Creating value. Making intentional business decisions. Creating positive impact for individuals and businesses in our community. These are the things Eddie does. Eddie knows where the money comes from. Today you'll find him nurturing minority business owners at The Center for the Acceleration of African-American Business (CAAAB). CAAAB is a non-profit civic organization established to support the growth and development of businesses owned by minority populations, primarily African Americans. The Center’s goal is to advance economic development in the St. Louis and metro East Illinois regions by elevating the status of African American businesses and their workforce. Eddie also serves as chairman of the board of trustees at Justine Petersen. Spend some time with Christy, Cheryl and Eddie to learn more about his amazing career and the work he does everyday to make St. Louis a place where minority entrepreneurs can thrive.
What do Redwood Trees and a machine shop have in common? Emily Woods! Spend some time learning how Emily's upbringing took her from making her own tools to do field research to her role as Senior Member Ambassador for TechShop St. Louis where she supports and manages the member service and experience department. Emily is a San Francisco Bay Area native with a BA in Environmental Studies and a long history in the maker movement and continues to support the maker community outside of TechShop. Emily sits on the Board of Directors for Autistry, a therapeutic makerspace for people with Autism in San Rafael, California and is focused on helping the organization to expand into the Silicon Valley. Feeling inspired!? TechShop is a community-based workshop and prototyping studio on a mission to democratize access to the tools of innovation. You can get your makerspace, prototyping, experimentation groove on from 9am to midnight every day. Packed with cutting-edge tools, equipment, and computers loaded with design software featuring the Autodesk Design Suite, we offer the space to make, and the support and camaraderie of a community of makers. Learn more and visit
Few people get the chance to earn an MBA while doing a startup with their grandfather. Fewer still then move from a PhD program in Strategic Management into a faculty position at Lindenwood University in the same year! Today, Dr. Karl Kammerer is the Director of the Duree Center for Entrepreneurship at Lindenwood’s Hammond Institute for Free Enterprise. Among other things, The Duree Center runs a program called Who Owns the Ice House? The program - based on the book of the same name - was created by the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative and uses the inspiring real-life story of Clifton Taulbert and the lessons he learned from his Uncle Cleve - a black man in Jim Crow Mississippi - to explore eight life lessons from this unlikely entrepreneur. Like the Entrepreneurially Thinking podcast, the Who Owns the Ice House? program is focused on exploring and inspiring the mindset of the entrepreneur. Christy, Cheryl and Karl discuss the way entrepreneurs think and how that thinking can lead to inspiration and action. A deep belief in oneself, personal integrity and an innate sense of worth are among the traits in so many of us that are at the heart of successful entrepreneurial endeavors - not just for a chosen few, but for everyone and anyone who has the vision and passion to strive beyond their current circumstances. Karl earned an MBA in 2009 and a PhD in Management in 2016, both from the University of Kansas. During his PhD program, Kammerer was a fellow in the Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship – a distinct honor among PhD students at KU as students are chosen for the fellowship because they “demonstrate the promise to make significant contributions to their fields of study and society as a whole.” Prior to entering the PhD program, Kammerer co-founded a small family business. The company, Professional Toxicology Services, Inc., continues its operations to this day providing products and services to organizations to ensure their compliance with state and federal laboratory testing regulations.
ETHINKSTL005: What's on your plate? Busy Mompreneur Producer Jade Harrell talks balance, systems and priorities. As an entrepreneur, your life and business can get pretty hectic. Cheryl and Christy sit with Entrepreneurially Thinking's producer Jade Harrell. She's a mom, wife, radio personality, producer and entrepreneur. She understands busy. However, she's learned how to make it all work together for good. Getting out of your own way - explore the importance of prioritizing your opportunities, honing your skills and harnessing your passion to grow your department, business, side-hustle - whatever project or venture has taken hold of your heart and mind. Jade Harrell comes to the other side of the production as a guest to talk about her personal journey. As Jade grows into her role as an independent producer, emcee and media personality she shares the books, mentors and other resources that have helped her embrace her passion and live her dream. Jade Harrell is the charismatic creator and executive producer of RareGem Productions, a positive media production, promotion and creative consultation company. Named "Positivity's Greatest Promoter" by "Who's Who Publishing," Jade's voice reverberates globally through multiple platforms of strictly positive programming. She recently was inducted to the Grace Hill Women's Business Center Wall of Fame, featured in the St. Louis American, The St. Louis Business Journal and her contributing work recognized for Focus St. Louis, 19th Annual "What's Right with the Region!" Awards.
ETHINKSTL004: Not Just Quitting Your Job w/ Maurice Foxworth and Jane Quartel Today we are speaking to the entrepreneurs who are also wage earners, salaried, employees...the folks on the grind and on the job. Think you’re ready to take the big plunge? That leap of faith? Well before you turn in your two-weeks notice, make sure you listen closely today!! You can be an entrepreneur while you are working within an organization. We want you to start thinking about stepping into who you are as an Entrepreneur within the workplace and we have with us two exceptional guests to share their insights. Cheryl and Christy with Maurice Foxworth, Principal at InnovationWorks and Jane Quartel, Global Strategic Product Lead - Food Protection Business at DuPont Nutrition & Health.
Cheryl and Christy sit down with Marissa Paine, Founder of the Paine Free Coaching and Consulting Group with ways of uncovering your success while nurturing your personal growth. More at
Cheryl and Christy with Keith Turner, TurnGroup Technologies L.L.C. and Seqwana Pryor, Prycor Technologies, LLC sharing insights from their seasoned successful careers as entrepreneurs.
Meet Christy Maxfield with Cheryl Watkins-Moore, hosts of this all new terrific podcast called "Entrepreneurially Thinking". The show designed to change the way you approach new ventures to put you on a pathway to success with your business. Are you ready to start thinking entrepreneurially? Here we go! #ethinkstl