Episodes
Friday Oct 11, 2024
55 – TIM - A Holistic Approach to Family Health with Dr. Jenny Quartano
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
In this episode of the Innovation Mindset, host Mark McNees interviews Dr. Jenny Quartano, a dual board-certified physical therapist and the founder of All Together Wellness Doctors. Dr. Quartano shares her journey from growing up in Wisconsin to establishing her practice in Jacksonville, Florida. Her mission is to help patients and families thrive outside traditional healthcare constraints, focusing on holistic approaches. Discover her insights on bridging gaps in healthcare, mentorship's impact, and business growth strategies. Learn about her podcast, 'Women's Wellness Wisdom: Hormones and Beyond,' and her commitment to making healthcare more integrated and patient-centered.
00:00 Introduction to the InNOLEvation® Mindset
00:20 Meet Dr. Jenny Quartano
01:53 Jenny's Journey to Entrepreneurship
02:32 Early Career and Education
04:25 Passion for Holistic Medicine
05:42 Challenges in Traditional Healthcare
10:47 Starting All Together Wellness Doctors
13:47 The Importance of Mentorship
19:54 Marketing and Community Engagement
22:49 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs
25:01 Conclusion and Contact Information
Monday Oct 07, 2024
54 - Community and Entrepreneurship with Bennett Napier
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees speaks with Bennett Napier of Partners and Association Management. Bennett shares insights into the niche industry of association management, which involves managing day-to-day operations for non-profit organizations. The conversation touches on Bennett's educational journey at Florida State University (FSU), involvement with the Jim Moran Institute, and his role in the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Napier discusses the advantages of operating his company from Tallahassee, emphasizing community engagement and support. He also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of networking and utilizing resources. Bennett reflects on his business's growth and successes, including being recognized in the Seminole 100 and the Florida Trend Best Companies list. The episode offers valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, community involvement, and maintaining a passion for business.
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
In this episode of the Innovation Mindset, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Mark interviews Maryam Khazraee, the founder and CEO of RXPharmacist. Maryam shares insights about her upbringing in Florida, her educational journey at the University of Florida, and how she pivoted from engineering to pharmacy. Maryam opens up about the influence of her immigrant parents, her experience with financial independence, and her path to becoming a pharmacist. She explains the startup story of RX Pharmacist, a test prep resource company driven by a personal mission to help others. Maryam also discusses the challenges of balancing multiple roles, the importance of customer-centric product development, and the significance of self-grace and recognizing small wins. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey and valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:23 Guest Introduction: Maryam Khazraee
00:53 Maryam's Background and Upbringing
05:21 Journey to Becoming a Pharmacist
07:28 Founding RX Pharmacist
13:52 Business Growth and Strategy
20:20 Challenges and Advice for Entrepreneurs
22:22 Final Thoughts and Reflections
24:20 Closing Remarks
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we sit down with Giovanna Williams, CEO and founder of Grova Creative. Giovanna, also known as G, shares her journey from the Navy to graphic design and eventually starting her own marketing firm. She discusses the challenges she faced, including overcoming imposter syndrome and dealing with naysayers, as well as the importance of having a strong support network and taking care of mental health. G also talks about her experience with the Jim Moran Institute's executive program and how it helped her business grow. Tune in to learn about her unique approach to client relationships and her advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:37 Giovanna's Background and Navy Experience
02:28 Transition to Entrepreneurship
03:49 Building Grova Creative
07:29 Challenges and Overcoming Doubts
14:56 Imposter Syndrome and Mental Health
23:05 Jim Moran Institute Experience
32:14 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
33:20 Conclusion and Farewell
Monday Sep 16, 2024
Monday Sep 16, 2024
In this episode of The InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, Mark McNees interviews Elva Peppers, CEO and founder of Florida Environmental and Land Services. Elva shares her journey from growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, to earning a biology degree from Florida State University and eventually starting her successful environmental consulting firm. She discusses the challenges of her early career, the impetus for starting her own business, and the impact of significant events like 9/11 on her company's launch. Elva also provides insights into her firm's environmental services, the importance of maintaining clean waterways, and the significance of wetlands as natural filters. Additionally, she highlights her experience with the Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program and the benefits of being part of its peer-to-peer network. Tune in for valuable lessons on business, environmental sustainability, and the importance of community and networking for entrepreneurial success.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:33 Elva's Background and Upbringing
01:58 College Years and Early Career
06:03 Starting Florida Environmental and Land Services
08:39 Challenges and Growth of the Business
10:40 Environmental Impact and Services
14:11 Involvement with Jim Moran Institute
20:01 Hiring and Future Plans
24:35 Final Thoughts and Advice
26:00 Podcast Closing Remarks
Monday Sep 09, 2024
50 - Jennifer Winegardner: From Law School to Leading a Successful Firm
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
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.
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
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
Monday Aug 19, 2024
Monday Aug 19, 2024
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
Monday Aug 12, 2024
47 - From Accounting to Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Lifelong Learning
Monday Aug 12, 2024
Monday Aug 12, 2024
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
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
46 - Fostering Entrepreneurship: Jennifer Kovach's Journey with the Jim Moran Institute
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
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.