The InNOLEvation® Mindset

50 - Jennifer Winegardner: From Law School to Leading a Successful Firm

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees is joined by Jennifer Winegardner, a graduate of the Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program. Jennifer discusses her career journey from her early days in Cleveland to establishing her law firm, Rayboun Weingartner, in Florida. She shares her experiences and challenges in transitioning from a legal practitioner to a business owner, the importance of having mentors, and the benefits of programs like the Jim Moran Institute. Jennifer emphasizes the value of planning in business and her firm's focus on keeping clients out of litigation through careful preparation. Tune in to learn more about her inspiring story and insights into running a successful small business.

49 - The Journey of Christina Lynch: Building Trydent Consulting & Embracing Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees interviews Christina Lynch, CEO and founder of Trydent Consulting. Christina shares her entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind her company's name, and her experiences as a Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program graduate. She delves into her Barbadian heritage, her transition from various accounting roles to starting her firm, and the values that drive her business. Christina also discusses the importance of mentors, the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs, and the significant role played by the Jim Moran Institute in supporting local businesses. Tune in to learn about Christina’s future aspirations and advice for budding entrepreneurs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:00 The Story Behind Trident Consulting
02:19 Christina's Background and Upbringing
03:57 Early Career and Real-World Experience
08:04 Starting Trydent Consulting
10:23 Core Values and Business Philosophy
15:19 Common Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make
16:55 Overcoming Challenges and Building a Supportive Team
18:24 Balancing Family and Business Dynamics
20:27 The Importance of Mentors and Continuous Learning
23:32 Finding Motivation and Long-Term Goals
25:10 Identifying Ideal Clients and Business Strategies
27:16 The Value of Consultants and Accountability
31:10 Experiences with the Jim Moran Institute
36:26 Final Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs

48 - The Journey of Recognition: Sam Varn's Path to Success | Innovation Mindset Podcast

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, CEO Sam Varn of Awards 4U shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Sam details his upbringing, business endeavors, and the challenges he faced to become a successful leader in the awards and recognition industry. He discusses his significant connection to the Jim Moran Institute and the importance of recognizing people's accomplishments. Listen in to hear about the evolution of Sam's business, the value of community and mentorship, and some unique, heartwarming, and humorous stories from his career.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:00 Early Entrepreneurial Journey
03:10 Building a Business from Scratch
07:50 The Power of Recognition
14:15 Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
17:32 Community and Continuing Education
18:15 Building a Business Community
19:05 Discovering the Jim Moran Institute
20:06 Experiences with the Small Business Executive Program
22:52 Peer-to-Peer Groups and Their Impact
25:44 Unusual and Memorable Awards
28:39 Meaningful Moments and Reflections
33:08 Advice to My Younger Self
34:06 Conclusion and Podcast Outro

47 - From Accounting to Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Lifelong Learning

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Rose Walters interviews Brenda Garner, a faculty member renowned for her experience in entrepreneurship and accounting. Mrs. Garner shares her entrepreneurial journey, which started back in 1993 when she and her husband moved to Arkansas to start their own venture. With a background in accounting, she took on the financial responsibilities of their business, learning valuable lessons in entrepreneurship along the way. After selling their venture, Mrs. Garner transitioned into teaching, inspired by her love for accounting and the desire to share critical financial knowledge with students. She discusses her teaching philosophy, the importance of hands-on learning, and how she adapts her curriculum to meet student needs, emphasizing the practical application of accounting in entrepreneurship. The episode highlights the vital role of entrepreneurship education in today’s society and offers advice to young entrepreneurs. Mrs. Garner's story is a testament to the power of continuous learning, adaptation, and the transformative impact of educators on their students' lives.

00:00 Welcome to the Innovation Mindset Podcast
00:34 The Entrepreneurial Journey of Mrs. Brenda Garner
03:23 From Accounting to Entrepreneurship: Brenda's Professional Path
05:22 The Impact of Teaching and Mentorship
11:30 The Essence of Entrepreneurship Education
14:53 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: Embracing Opportunities and Learning from Failure
18:47 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

46 - Fostering Entrepreneurship: Jennifer Kovach's Journey with the Jim Moran Institute

In this episode of The Innovation Mindset, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees welcomes Jennifer Kovach, director of the South Florida region for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State. Jennifer shares her journey from social work to supporting entrepreneurs, her approach to fostering entrepreneurship, and the services provided by JMI in South Florida. Join us as we explore the various programs Jennifer has spearheaded, such as the small business and nonprofit executive programs, and discover the key challenges faced by small business owners today.

45 - Innovation Mindset: Jay Revell's Journey in Entrepreneurship and Storytelling

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset, hosted by Mark McNees from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, special guest Jay Revell of Revell Media shares his extensive experience in the business community of Tallahassee. Jay, a seasoned leader and storyteller, dives into his career path, starting from his college days at Florida State University to founding his successful marketing company, Revell Media. They discuss Jay's notable accomplishments, approach to corporate storytelling, and political journey running for county commissioner. Additionally, Jay highlights his transformative experience with the Jim Moran Institute's Executive Program. Tune in to discover valuable insights on entrepreneurship, effective branding, and the power of storytelling.

 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:03 Jay Revell's Early Career and Community Involvement

02:27 Leadership Roles and Networking

06:54 Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority

09:23 Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development

12:11 Advice for Young Professionals

18:03 The Power of Storytelling in Business

29:39 Starting a New Business Venture

30:46 The Importance of Being the Best

31:27 Identifying Ideal Clients

32:47 Consistency and Persistence in Storytelling

34:24 Diverse Industry Experience

35:40 The Jim Moran Institute Experience

43:33 Running for County Commissioner

45:07 Lessons from the Campaign Trail

55:00 Final Reflections and Advice

57:41 Conclusion and Farewell

#44 - Empowering Young Athletes: The Player Wallet Journey

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Rose Walters interviews Bennett Spooner, co-founder of Player Wallet. Bennett shares the motivations behind starting Player Wallet, aiming to support overlooked student-athletes in their recruitment process. The company focuses on nurturing athletes' development in sports, academics, and community service from an early age to improve their recruitable prospects. Bennett highlights the difference between Player Wallet and their main competitor, NCSA, emphasizing their holistic approach to athlete development over mere recruitment. Discussing the challenges, future plans, and personal motivations, Bennett provides insight into the experiences that shape the mission of Player Wallet, including expanding beyond their current focus areas of Tampa, Atlanta, and Charleston. Through personalized plans and wearable technology, Player Wallet aims to guide young athletes towards successful athletic recruitment while fostering a team-oriented mindset highly valued by recruiters.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation®Mindset Podcast

00:21 The Genesis of Player Wallet: A Mission to Empower Student Athletes

02:20 The Heart of Player Wallet: Building Relationships and Fostering Development

05:14 Challenges and Triumphs: Navigating the Startup Landscape

06:45 Expanding Horizons: Growth and Partnerships

07:44 Vision for the Future: Scaling Impact and Innovation

12:18 Personal Insights: Staying Grounded and Motivated

14:43 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

#43 - Exploring Entrepreneurship: Insights from Dr. Susana Santos

In this episode of the inNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, host Gabriel Mustaciuolo interviews Dr. Susana Santos, a new faculty member with a rich background in teaching entrepreneurship. Dr. Santos shares her journey from Portugal to the U.S., her experiences in academia, and her passion for researching and teaching entrepreneurship, particularly in contexts of adversity and poverty. The conversation delves into the teachability of entrepreneurship, the importance of experiential learning, and Dr. Santos's current research interests. A central theme of the discussion is the transformative power of entrepreneurship education in various social and economic contexts, challenging the notion that successful entrepreneurship is limited to a few. Dr. Santos also reflects on her personal journey, highlighting the significance of open-mindedness, confidence, and the willingness to embrace change and opportunities. 00:00 Welcome to the inNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast 00:09 Meet Dr. Santos: From Portugal to Entrepreneurship Expert 03:32 The Spark of Entrepreneurship: A Personal Journey 09:07 Exploring Entrepreneurship in Adverse Conditions 18:39 The Impact of Teaching and Research on Entrepreneurship 20:38 Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught? Unpacking the Debate 22:59 Comparing Entrepreneurship Education: US vs Europe 25:28 Mentorship and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 29:49 Reflecting on a Journey of Growth and Opportunity

#42 - Navigating Changes in Education and Entrepreneurship with Christie Hand

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Liana from Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship welcomes Christie Hand, a faculty member at FSU since 2016, initially part of the Human Sciences Department and now involved in developing a retail program. Christie shares her journey from working in retail with Banana Republic to becoming a passionate educator, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes in both retail and educational landscapes. She discusses the transition from teaching traditional subjects to integrating new technologies like AI into the curriculum, the challenges of overcoming imposter syndrome as a new professor, and the value of both successes and failures in learning. The episode encapsulates the dynamic shifts in retail entrepreneurship education and Christie's personal growth and insights into teaching and the industry.

 

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:27 Meet Christie Hand: A Pioneer in Retail Entrepreneurship

00:57 Transforming Education: The Evolution of Retail Programs

04:20 Adapting to Change: The Shift Towards a More Flexible Curriculum

06:41 Staying Ahead: The Challenge of Keeping Up with Entrepreneurship Trends

08:28 Navigating the New: Incorporating AI into the Curriculum

13:05 Christie's Journey: From Retail to Academia

19:19 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Authenticity in Teaching

22:45 Advice for Jim Moran Students: Embrace Experimentation

24:31 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement to Engage

#41 Empowerment Through Hoodoo and Entrepreneurial Journey with Kimasia Ayers

In this episode of the InNOLEvation Mindset® podcast, host Totu Seitieva talks with entrepreneur Kimasia Ayers about her journey into entrepreneurship, her challenges, and how her Hoodoo practice influences her businesses, Soulfully Organic and The Ultimate Muse. Kimasia shares her personal experiences with Hoodoo, a religion of enslaved Africans, and discusses how it has shaped her ventures into creating products and services that blend spirituality, beauty, and wellness. She also touches on topics like finding one’s divine power, showing up for oneself, and fostering a community that supports and inspires creativity and spiritual growth. Throughout the conversation, Kimasia emphasizes the significance of using one’s talents to contribute positively to the community, creating a symbiotic relationship between her personal beliefs and her entrepreneurial endeavors.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:18 Kimasia's Entrepreneurial Journey and Hoodoo Practice

01:43 The Birth of Soulfully Organic and Entrepreneurial Spirit

02:48 From Skincare to Spiritual Work: The Evolution of a Business

03:25 Tarot Readings and Psychic Gifts: A Personal Revelation

05:05 Launching Soul Family Sessions and Embracing Community

10:15 The Ultimate Muse: Merging Creativity with Business

12:37 Creative Dysmorphia and Authenticity in Art

18:16 Challenges and Triumphs of a Creative Entrepreneur

19:37 Kim's Corner Podcast: Debunking Creative Dysmorphia

22:10 Exploring Business Boundaries and Societal Constructs

23:26 The Impact of Socioeconomics on Education

25:20 Creating Terminology and Theories for Social Awareness

26:01 Navigating Business with a Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

28:04 The Importance of Empathy and Community in Business

30:40 Empowering Creativity and Building Symbiotic Business Relationships

35:58 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Creatives

41:22 Closing Thoughts and Social Media Promotion