The InNOLEvation® Mindset

74 - Creating Community Through Cold Plunges with Gerry Gonzalez

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we welcome Gerry Gonzalez, the founder and CEO of Coal Plunge Community. Gerry, a former student and president of the FSU Beach Volleyball Club, shares his journey into the world of cold plunging. He discusses the numerous physical and mental benefits, the social aspects of cold plunges, and how he turned it into a thriving business. Gerry delves into the challenges and successes of organizing cold plunge events, the financial logistics, and his future plans for expanding the business. Whether you're curious about cold plunges or looking for entrepreneurial inspiration, this episode has it all!

 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:50 What is Cold Plunge?

01:29 Personal Benefits of Cold Plunging

03:00 Gerry's First Cold Plunge Experience

05:28 Building a Cold Plunge Community

08:24 Launching the Cold Plunge Business

10:45 First Major Event and Financial Model

19:36 The Buzz Around Peak Pulse Run Club

20:27 Planning the Next Event

21:06 Logistics and Collaborations

22:04 Challenges with Ice and Equipment

23:34 Future Plans and Graduation

24:12 Scaling and Business Ideas

34:43 Reflections and Advice

37:02 Conclusion and Podcast Outro

72 - Rising Rap Star Ash Talks Musical Journey, Inspirations, and Future Goals

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees sits down with emerging hip-hop artist A$H. A$H shares his musical journey from theater and choir in his younger years to seriously pursuing his passion during high school. He talks about creating his first song during the COVID-19 pandemic and how constructive criticism shaped his authentic style. Ash discusses his process for creating music, including how he finds and selects beats. He provides insights on his artistic persona and draws parallels to Eminem's 'Slim Shady.' The conversation also touches on the importance of free speech in music, the impact of social media on emerging artists, and his dual role as a musician and entrepreneur with his clothing brand New Wave. Ash shares his aspirations for the next three years, including wanting his clothing brand to grow and hoping to release a viral song. Tune in for an engaging discussion on art, authenticity, and entrepreneurship.

Social Media:
• Instagram: Nwbash 
• TikTok: Nwbash
• Apple Music : Igobya$h 
• Spotify: Igobya$h
• All music plats:Igobya$h

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast
00:53 Meet A$H: The Musical Journey Begins
01:22 First Steps in Music: From Choir to COVID Creations
02:47 Constructive Criticism and Finding Authenticity
03:24 Homework Assignment: Watch CB4
04:19 Exploring Ash's Music: New Wave and Beyond
06:50 The Creative Process: Beats and Inspirations
10:15 Go Hard: The Motivation Behind the Music
12:04 Alter Egos in Music: Ash vs. Ashton
18:02 The Power of Art and Free Speech
19:23 Rap Rivalries: East Coast vs. West Coast
20:44 The Dangers of Beefing in the Music Industry
21:06 Balancing Art, School, and Business
22:55 Monetizing Music on Streaming Platforms
25:25 The Story Behind 'No Diddy'
27:56 Building an Organic Following on Social Media
31:57 Future Goals and Aspirations
34:40 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

70 Veteran Innovator: Sherman William Jr. on Creating Body Aqua - Game-Changing Hydration Solution

Welcome to another episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship! In this episode, we have Sherman William Jr., CEO and founder of Body Water, joining us remotely from Alabama. Sherman shares his incredible journey from serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to discovering the vital role of hydration and eventually creating Body Aqua, a health beverage line designed to enhance cognitive and physical wellbeing. Hear Sherman’s challenges, including navigating supply chain issues and the competitive beverage market, as he strives to make Body Aqua a nationwide brand. He also discusses the support he received from veteran entrepreneurial programs and offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Don't miss this inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and passion!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:38 Sherman's Journey to Body Water
01:22 The Birth of Body Aqua
04:47 Product Line Overview
11:34 Challenges and Triumphs
16:18 Veteran Entrepreneurship
21:27 Future Plans and Reflections
25:28 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

69 - The Rise of New Wave Boys

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, meet Ashton Colson, Gabriel Brewer, and Nathan Brewer - the co-founders of the streetwear brand New Wave Boys. Hailing from Tampa, Florida, they share their inspirational journey from high school friends to college entrepreneurs at Florida State University. Learn about their brand's focus on innovation and standing out, their unique approach to marketing, and the challenges and triumphs they've encountered along the way. Tune in to discover how they're making a name for themselves on college campuses and beyond. Don't forget to follow New Wave Boys for the latest drops and updates!

Website: Www.Newwaveboyz.com 

Insta: Newwaveboyz_

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:34 Founders' Background and Journey

01:51 Starting New Wave Boys

02:37 Brand Philosophy and Target Market

05:29 Roles and Responsibilities

09:08 Challenges and Aspirations

10:59 Marketing Strategies and Social Media

24:19 School Experience and Influences

26:48 Advice and Conclusion

68 - From Finance to Digital Entrepreneur: Jack Carmignani's Journey with Nextus Digital Solutions

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, host Mark McNees sits down with Jack Carmignani, founder of Nextus Digital Solutions. Jack shares his journey from growing up in Philadelphia and moving to Florida, transitioning from a finance major at the University of Miami to starting his own digital branding and design firm. He discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, his company’s focus on helping brands scale online, and the importance of networking. Jack also offers valuable insights into improving podcast visibility and his plans for the future.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:27 Jack's Background and Company Overview
01:00 Journey into Entrepreneurship
04:53 Clientele and Services Offered
08:34 Support from Jim Moran College
12:23 Challenges and Rewards of Founding a Company
18:17 Identifying Team Resistance
19:41 Podcast Growth Strategies
20:44 Advertising and Brand Identity
25:59 Challenges and Future Plans
32:50 Networking and Final Thoughts

67 - Inspiring Perseverance: Journey of Junior Reed & Road to Open | Innovation Mindset Podcast

Join host Mark McNees in this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, as he sits down with Junior Reed, the founder and CEO of 'Road to Open.' Junior shares his journey from high school football injuries to becoming a passionate beach volleyball player and entrepreneur. Learn about the origins of his athletic brand aimed at inspiring athletes to love the progression process. Junior talks about his experiences, challenges, and goals with his company, as well as his future plans and involvement with the Jim Moran College. Don't miss his insightful advice on perseverance and stacking small wins for entrepreneurial success!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:28 Junior Reed's Athletic Brand Journey
01:05 The Origins of 'Road to Open'
01:32 Meeting Junior Reed and Beach Volleyball
02:21 Junior's Volleyball Journey
03:50 Leadership and Skills Development
05:06 Road to Open: Vision and Challenges
06:50 Upcoming Product Launch and Goals
11:45 Entrepreneurial Support at FSU
17:03 Junior's Future Plans and Reflections
26:20 Conclusion and Farewell

66 - Unveiling the Success Story of Tallulah: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Growth with Ashley Guy

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Ashley Guy, CEO and founder of Tallulah, shares her inspiring journey from a teacher to a successful entrepreneur. Ashley discusses her move from Seattle to Tallahassee, her foray into the CBD industry, and the evolution of her business. Listeners will learn about the diverse range of products offered at Tallulah, including CBD, THC, kava, kratom, and the latest addition, mad honey. Ashley also talks about her unique hiring practices, her rapid growth strategy, and the challenges faced in the political and banking landscape. This episode is a testament to innovation, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of success. Tune in to discover how Ashley navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and what the future holds for Tallulah.

 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:43 Ashley's Background and Journey to Tallahassee

01:51 Starting Tallulah: From Idea to Reality

04:09 Tallulah's Product Range and Market

06:47 Diving into Specific Products: CBD, THC, and More

14:55 Hiring and Training at Tallulah

17:52 Exploring the Mushroom Market

20:42 Trade Shows and Latest Trends

20:55 Customer Success Stories

21:24 Popular Products and Innovations

22:11 Business Evolution and Strategy

22:48 Expanding the Tallulah Brand

25:57 Navigating Challenges and Regulations

28:44 Personal Growth and Business Insights

38:44 Future Plans and Online Expansion

40:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

65 From College Idea to Successful App: The Story of RAID with Co-founder KJ Forrestal

Welcome back to the InNOLEvation Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. In this episode, student host Alana Espenship sits down with KJ Forrestal, co-founder of the popular clothing rental app, RAID. KJ shares her journey from college student at FSU to successful entrepreneur, discussing how she got her start in women's fashion with a failed e-commerce venture which led to valuable lessons about manufacturing and sustainability. They delve into the creation and expansion of RAID, a user-driven marketplace app that empowers students to rent and lend clothing locally, fostering sustainability and reducing waste. KJ emphasizes the importance of learning from failures, the impact of supportive entrepreneurship communities, and encouraging others to take risks and innovate. Join us to hear exclusive insights into the world of collegiate entrepreneurship and the future of sustainable fashion.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:30 KJ's Entrepreneurial Journey
03:31 The Birth of RAID
07:47 Challenges and Lessons Learned
15:32 Future Plans and Expansion
22:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

64 - How FSU's Innovation Hub is Transforming Education | Featuring Ken Balduff

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset, with Student Host, Meadow Manfredini and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we dive deep into the story of the Innovation Hub at Florida State University (FSU) with Ken Balduff, its founding director. Ken shares his journey from music theory to computer science and eventually to establishing the Innovation Hub. He discusses how the Hub provides students access to emerging technologies such as 3D printers and virtual reality headsets, and courses in Design Thinking and Systems Thinking. The episode also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the Hub, the valuable resources it offers, and the various events, including design sprints and ideathons that foster creativity and problem-solving skills among students. Ken also provides insights into the future goals for the Innovation Hub and offers valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs. Don't miss out on discovering how this unique space is pushing the boundaries of innovation and education! 00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset 00:31 Ken Balduff's Journey to the Innovation Hub 02:36 Courses and Resources at the Innovation Hub 09:08 Events and Activities at the Innovation Hub 17:48 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 20:36 Future Goals and Impact of the Innovation Hub 24:16 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

63 - Meet the Innovators Behind Bebop: Revolutionizing Music Discovery

In this episode of InNOLEvation(r) Mindset powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, student host Menno Manfredini interviews FSU students Hugo Davies and Ryan, who share their entrepreneurial journey and current project, Bebop. Hugo, a STEM entrepreneurship major, and Ryan, a computer science major, discuss their backgrounds, how they met, and the innovative idea behind Bebop—an app aimed at enhancing music discovery by integrating AI and social connections. They delve into their goals for the app, strategies for marketing, and their participation in the FSU Innovation Challenge. This episode is a deep dive into the entrepreneurial spirit and the future of personalized music experiences. 00:00 Welcome 00:32 Meet Hugo and Ryan 00:43 Hugo's Journey in Entrepreneurship 02:14 Ryan's Path to Computer Science 03:15 The Birth of a Partnership 05:22 Introducing Bebop: The Music Discovery App 09:47 Marketing Strategies for Bebop 11:42 Competing in the Innovation Challenge 16:03 Future Goals and App Development 20:24 Differentiating Bebop from Spotify 24:47 Supporting Independent Artists 26:18 Conclusion and Launch Details