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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
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we welcome back Junior Re from Road to Open. Junior shares exciting updates on his brand, recounting his first official merchandise drop and the creative marketing strategies he's employing, such as SMS lists, giveaways, and partnerships with tournament directors. He also discusses his content creation journey, from gaining followers on social media to planning long-form YouTube videos. The conversation dives deep into the world of beach volleyball, covering the importance of mental balance, technical skills, and the lessons Junior has learned from his competitive experiences. Tune in for a mix of business insights, personal growth stories, and athletic expertise!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:27 Junior's Recent Activities and Social Media Growth
01:10 Road to Open: Initial Drop and Marketing Strategies
04:21 Sales Class Anecdotes and Lessons
06:29 Challenges in Finding Volleyball Partners
09:27 Road to Open: New Products and Future Plans
11:13 Micro Grant Application and Business Model
17:34 Marketing Strategies and Social Media Presence
19:06 Personal Branding and Future Goals
20:11 Podcast Class and Academic Plans
21:19 Exploring the Podcast Class
22:19 Winning the A Tournament
24:14 YouTube Content Creation
28:19 Balancing Fun and Seriousness in Volleyball
41:44 Practicing Volleyball Techniques
43:49 Upcoming Tournaments and Future Plans
44:22 Conclusion and Farewell
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees sits down with ReNita Bowman, founder and CEO of 'We Maid It Tallahassee.' Renita shares her inspiring journey from working in state government to launching a successful janitorial company during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses her entrepreneurial influences, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned through the Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program. Renita also highlights her company's variety of services and the importance of customer satisfaction, all while reflecting on the impact of recent tragic events on the FSU community.
00:00 Introduction to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast
00:07 Meet Renita Bowman: Founder of We Made It
00:50 The Journey to Entrepreneurship
02:10 Influences and Early Life
03:45 From State Government to Business Owner
06:09 Starting and Scaling the Business
07:22 Challenges and Learning Experiences
10:31 The Jim Moran Institute Experience
12:37 Ensuring Customer Satisfaction
14:13 Customer Compliment That Meant a Lot
15:02 What is Compassionate Cleaning?
15:55 A Heartfelt Customer Story
17:33 Vision for the Future
18:28 Challenges in Business Growth
20:41 Marketing Strategies
23:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
25:45 Condolences and Community Support
29:08 Conclusion and Call to Action
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNeese engages in a lively conversation with Daniel Underwood of Affiliate Edge. Daniel shares his journey of running a TikTok shop and delves into the ins and outs of successful product promotion on the platform. They discuss the intricacies of creating viral content, the importance of analytics, and the concept behind Affiliate Edge. Daniel also reveals how selling products on TikTok Shop can become a profitable venture and provides tips for aspiring creators. Tune in to learn how you can leverage TikTok’s powerful tools to boost sales and become a successful content creator.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:58 Discovering TikTok Shop
01:36 The Viral Gum Video
04:44 Starting Affiliate Edge
08:04 Selling Products on TikTok
11:24 Personal TikTok Experiences
14:25 Social Media Trends and Personal Experiences
15:20 Understanding the Business of Content Creation
16:37 Insights into TikTok Shop and Selling Strategies
19:15 Challenges and Opportunities in TikTok Marketing
20:03 Future Prospects and Personal Reflections
22:28 Practical Tips for Aspiring Content Creators
29:36 Final Thoughts and Podcast Conclusion
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees sits down with social media influencer Ashton Herndon. Ashton shares his journey from a passionate yet introverted teenager to a confident content creator with millions of views on TikTok and YouTube. They delve into Ashton's college experience at Florida State University, the evolution of his content, and how he navigates the challenges of balancing personal life and online presence. Ashton also shares insights on monetization strategies across various platforms, dealing with the weight of public perception, and the emotional impact of a recent tragic mass shooting event on campus at FSU. Don't miss this compelling conversation filled with valuable advice for aspiring influencers and heartfelt reflections on community and resilience.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:36 Ashton's College Journey
02:09 Becoming an Influencer
04:35 First Viral Video and TikTok Success
08:18 Evolving Content and Personal Branding
18:58 Monetization and Revenue Streams
38:51 Unexpected Connections and Earnings
39:16 Navigating Social Media Platforms
39:36 Personal Questions and Relationships
40:52 Balancing Content Creation and Personal Life
50:59 The Impact of the FSU shooting
01:06:44 Reflections and Future Steps
01:21:25 Final Thoughts and Farewell
#FSU #shooting #TikTok #Influencer
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees speaks with Dr. Ashlee Fontes, the founder and head coach of TLH Reckoning. Dr. Fontes shares her journey from a childhood filled with sports, including American football through her father’s coaching career, to becoming a college athlete at Florida State University. She discusses the challenges she faced, including transitioning from college sports to professional aspirations during a time when opportunities for women’s professional soccer were limited. Dr. Fontes explains the founding of TLH Reckoning, aimed at providing pathways for local girls in Tallahassee to reach college and professional soccer. The conversation delves into the importance of mental rigor, family support, responsible coaching, and the potential pitfalls of today's travel sports culture. This episode provides insights into the drive and passion required to establish a successful sports organization dedicated to developing young female athletes.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:36 Early Life and Love for Sports
02:07 College Soccer Journey
03:49 Post-College Challenges and Career Transition
10:02 Founding Tallahassee Reckoning
13:41 Developing Young Athletes
17:50 Balancing Fun and Commitment in Sports
20:46 Understanding the Soccer Landscape in Leon County
21:08 Building Relationships with Schools
22:21 Challenges and Support for Girls' Sports
23:31 Business Model and Funding
24:58 Transition to a Community Ownership Model
26:11 Travel Sports: Pros and Cons
31:32 The Impact of NIL on Student Athletes
38:35 The Meaning Behind Tallahassee Reckoning
40:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections