The InNOLEvation® Mindset

The InNOLEvation® Mindset (S5E3): Hunter Sharp, Co-Founder and CEO of DogConnectors

In this episode of The InNOLEvation® Mindset, Mark McNees welcomes top dog entrepreneur Hunter Sharp to yap about his journey co-founding DogConnectors. Hunter shares the origin story of his startup as a young pup at JMC, where he first had the idea to connect Instagram influencers with dog treats and toy companies.

He discusses the early days when DogConnectors was still teething and struggling with growth and scale issues. Hunter reflects on pivoting from helping social media dogs to more direct forms of marketing and lessons learned in delegating tasks to his pack and managing his time between naps.

Despite obstacles and a few proverbial mail carriers along the way, DogConnectors has proven to be the best in show. He still has his eye on expanding his territory in the future, especially in supplements to keep his startup lean and healthy.

This tail-wagging discussion offers insightful bones for young pup entrepreneurs and startups, straight from a doggone entrepreneur who knows the joy and challenge of a dog-eat-dog industry. A must-listen for any entrepreneurs looking to get their paws wet in their own ventures!

 

00:06 Introduction and Guest Arrival

00:33 Discussion on the 7 Under 30 Event

01:54 Hunter's Journey at Jim Moran College

02:21 The Birth of DogConnectors

02:59 Understanding DogConnectors

03:13 The Evolution of DogConnectors

05:29 The Growth and Challenges of DogConnectors

06:21 The Pivot and Future Plans of Dog Connectors

08:38 Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Journey

16:36 The Importance of Time and Perseverance in Business

22:12 Conclusion and Farewell

S5E2 The InNOLvation® Podcast -Michael Markie - Founder of Campus Waffle

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we interview Michael Markie, the founder and CEO of Campus Waffles. Michael discusses his journey of turning his love for waffles into a promising food startup while being a college student. The session houses experiences from his initial setbacks name change challenge, to becoming a regular vendor at Crunch and an accomplished seller at numerous events.

The podcast also delves into Michael's business model, his vision of potentially franchising to other schools or selling the business in the future, along with his marketing strategies, primarily over Instagram and word of mouth. Watch out for Michael as he shares his inspiration, vending experience, responsibilities, and aspirations with a food trailer, inventive waffle products, and an energetic spirit!

S5E1 InNOLEvation® Podcast: Raide

InNOLEvation® Podcast: Season 5 Episode 1: Raide

Website: raideapp.com
Instagram: @raideapp 

Mark McNees sits down with the founders of RAIDE, Noah Romo and Kennedy Joy Forstall. RAIDE is a mobile app designed to serve as a marketplace for college students to rent out and borrow clothing, aiming to provide a financially sustainable and eco-friendly solution to event-specific attire requirements. The guests shed light on the inspiration, development, and evolution of RAIDE, describing how it fits into the FSU student community's needs. They also discuss their marketing strategies, revenue model, and their plans for growth and expansion in the future.

Founders info:
Kennedy Joy Foristall- Commercial Entrepreneurship Major graduating Spring 2024
Noah Romo- Computer Sciences Major graduating Spring 2024
Wesley White- Computer Sciences Major graduated Spring 2023

S4E1 Morgan Rogers Founder of Morgan Madonna

Morgan Rodgers is a small business owner who specializes in Luxury Pajamas for everyone with her brand Cool Silk by Morgan Madonna, as well as a custom clothing designer for womenswear exclusively through Morgan Madonna the Brand. Morgan started her first business back in 2011 with a family partner at the time and it was called Abandoned Threads where they thrifted and revamped gently used clothing to provide a new fashion flare. This ultimately became too overwhelming for the two undergrads, and they eventually parted ways.  In 2019 Morgan picked back up where she left off and started designing ladies’ apparel launching Morgan Madonna LLC that same year! When the pandemic hit in 2020 Morgan switched gears from custom clothing and designed, created, and donated hundreds of custom masks. She quickly met the demands of her customs and gained new customers during this time. Like most Morgan was working from home during the pandemic which gave her the idea for her latest line and launch, Cool Silk  which launched June 2021. Cool Silk is a luxury sleepwear line for women, men, and children that provides fashion forward sleepwear. Cool Silk provides Luxury you can see, and Comfort you can feel. Today Morgan is focusing more and more on growing her Fashion House (Morgan Madonna the Brand) as well as researching cooling technologies to keep her Cool Silk sleepwear line innovative, eco, and fashion forward. To contact Morgan please visit the website www.morganmadonnathebrand.com or send an email at morganmadonna2019@gmail.com.

FSPEI S3E3 Gerard LaMothe Founder of Superior Painting and the Over Under Bar

Gerard LaMothe has created a brand that is associated with excellence in service and results. Gerard earned an  FSU degree in Psychology class of 1998, Leadership Tallahassee Class 28. President of Superior Painting 1998-present.   I started a painting business with a classmate at FSU during my junior year.  Upon graduating I separated from my partner and asked my father to move up from New Port Richey and be my partner.  We started Superior Painting in June of 1998.  I am responsible for the day to day activities of the business.  I am married to Beth La Mothe who is an RN at Select Specialty Hospital and we have three children.  I enjoy playing, watching and coaching sports.  I spend most of my weekends with the Tallahassee Parks and Rec coaching and watching my kids play soccer, baseball, football, and softball.

FSPEI S3E2 Drip Drop Fitness, with Founder Summer Griffith

Summer Griffith opened Drip Drop Fitness in May 2017 after seeing a need a place where women could enjoy fun, high energy group workouts in Tallahassee. Three years and one pandemic later and she’s still going strong. 

FSPEI S3E1 Dominick J. Ard'is Founder of the Act House - 2% Better

Dominick Ard'is is known as “The Facilitator of Human Potential,” is passionate about helping organizations and the people that empower them to grow. For over 3 years, Dominick has supported the launch of 22 startups that have collectively raised over $550k in early seed-stage funding. In addition, he has accelerated the growth of 5 second-stage tier companies through optimization consulting and leadership development.

Join Dominick and Mark McNees in a conversation about the ACT House, a network of co-living spaces where students live in one house, to create one startup, in one year. We combine affordable communal living with a team-centered incubation model to reduce startups failure rates and accelerate the ethnic diversity in the world of startups and entrepreneurship.

FSPEI S2E4 Michael Benarde Co-Founder and CEO of NightCap

In this episode of FSPEI Mark McNees sits down with the 2020 winner of the Florida State University, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship InNOLEvation Challenge, Michael Benarde, co-founder and CEO of NightCap. NightCap combines a protective drink cover with a stylish hair scrunchie that can also be worn as a wristband. The cover fits tightly over most glasses and solo cups making it much more difficult for drinks to be tampered with. The NightCap is ultra-convenient, reusable, and stylish.

FSPEI S2E3 Rebecca Cunningham the illustrator and creative behind Cunning Co

On this episode of FSPEI, Mark McNees has a conversation with Rebecca Cunningham the illustrator and creative behind Cunning Co (www.cunningco.com). Her expertise ranges from watercolor illustration, to product development, to creative project management. Founder of www.cunningco.com, Rebecca's illustrations and surface pattern designs can be found at major national corporations such as Anthropologie and Terrain. She lives in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta with her french bulldog, Louise.

FSPEI S2E2 Kris Izquierdo Co-Founder and CEO of Breezy Swim

In this episode of the Florida State Podcast of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Mark McNees sits down with Kris Izquierdo the Co-Founder and CEO of Breezy Swim. Breezy Swim is a Miami, Fl based brand. Their mission is all about female empowerment! At Breezy Swim they want females to feel confident in any swimwear, regardless of age or body shape. Breezy Swim caters to all shapes and sizes inspired by women globally. They say their swimwear gives women the chance to feel their best and to take on the world, no matter where they come from! Everything they provide is influenced by our millennial generation, from social media, popular culture, to the latest trends. Allowing the staff at Breezy Swim to curate the perfect products for women worldwide.