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Welcome to Florida State University's official entrepreneurship and innovation podcast, The InNOLEvation® Mindset! Hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. This podcast features audio and video versions of our podcast, which highlights student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators from FSU.
Get inspired by the next generation of young business leaders and hear their inside stories. Learn from faculty who teach entrepreneurship and innovation courses at FSU as they share key insights.
On this channel, you'll find:
-Full video episodes of our podcast conversations with founders of startups born at FSU
-Business advice and thought leadership from FSU professors focused on entrepreneurship
-Fireside chats and interviews recorded live with enterprising alumni making their mark
-Special segments and speaker events at FSU focused on innovation
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a current business owner, or you just love hearing success stories - subscribe now to see inspiring individuals daring to turn ideas into reality. With new episodic content added regularly, The Innovation Mindset podcast tells tales of vision, grit, failure, and triumph straight from the FSU community.
This channel visually brings the podcast to life with photos, graphics, and video. Join us by subscribing if you bleed garnet and gold!
Episodes
Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Saturday Oct 04, 2025
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees chats with Emily Saras, CEO of Knowli, a data research firm. Emily shares her journey from a middle-class upbringing and an opera singing background to becoming a data science leader. They delve into her educational achievements, her work at Knowli, and the company's growth and impact on health and public policy through data analytics. Emily also discusses the critical skills needed for data science careers and her insights on AI's role in the industry. Tune in to learn about the intersections of data, storytelling, and innovative research aimed at improving health outcomes and policy decisions.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:38 Emily's Background and Early Life
01:49 Educational Journey and PhD Experience
02:46 Merging Arts and Data Science
03:55 Founding and Growth of Knowli
05:17 Client Work and Impact
09:39 Current Trends and Public Health Focus
11:20 Community Projects and Local Impact
14:31 Expanding Beyond Florida
15:41 Skills and Education for Aspiring Data Scientists
18:37 Career Trajectory: From Data Scientist to CEO
19:46 Navigating COVID-19: Data Science in Action
20:53 AI Innovations at Knowli
23:05 Concerns About AI and Communication Skills
24:54 The Importance of Communication and Networking
28:59 Knowli's Growth and Future Prospects
33:28 Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Welcome to another episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Host Mark McNees is joined by Craig Saxton, second-generation CEO of Professional Building Services. They discuss the origins of Craig's company, transitioning into leadership, and the significance of his FSU connections. Craig shares the valuable lessons he learned growing up in a family business, the importance of honesty and integrity, and how the industry has evolved over the years. They also delve into the challenges faced by service businesses and the impact of policies and technological advancements. Craig talks about his involvement in the JMI Executive Program and the Dean's Development Council, emphasizing the value of steady growth and strong relationships in business. Tune in to hear insightful advice for entrepreneurs and a glimpse into the future of Professional Building Services.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:49 Craig Saxton's Early Entrepreneurial Journey
01:25 Founding and Evolution of Professional Building Services
02:22 FSU Experience and Family Legacy
02:51 Joining the Family Business
03:37 Leadership Transition and Company Growth
05:01 Challenges and Strategies in the Janitorial Industry
06:31 Expansion Plans and Service Diversification
09:03 Business Ethics and Success Factors
12:16 Future Challenges and Workforce Issues
15:44 Technological and Environmental Changes
18:06 Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
21:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Sunday Sep 21, 2025