The InNOLEvation® Mindset

#35 - Behind the Scenes with Jim Moran College's Academic Advisors

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Kailee Gordon talks with three staff members from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship: Lisha Stafford, the mapping coordinator; Erin Jones, an academic advisor for freshmen and sophomores; and Wil Joiner, the advisor for juniors and seniors. They discuss their roles in guiding students through their academic journeys, from selecting the right courses and majors to graduate certification. The guests also shared their paths to working at the College of Entrepreneurship. They advised students to make the most of their college experience, emphasizing the importance of research, engagement, and not fearing to miss out.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:23 Meet the Team: Roles and Responsibilities

02:29 Journeys to Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

04:51 The Advisor Experience: Challenges and Rewards

08:57 Mentoring Future Entrepreneurs: Strategies and Stories

15:28 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs and Students

19:01 Closing Thoughts and Goodbyes

#34 - Innovating Female Firefighter Gear: A Deep Dive with Dr. Meredith McQuerry

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees speaks with Dr. Meredith McQuerry, Carol E. Avery associate professor at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, about her groundbreaking research in textile science, particularly focusing on enhancing the design, comfort, and safety of personal protective equipment (PPE) for female firefighters. McQuerry discusses her journey in academia and research, detailing her contributions to developing market-ready prototypes for women in the fire service, addressing the unique challenges female firefighters face with current PPE, and her work with the dynamic sweating thermal manikin named ANDI. As someone passionate about improving firefighter safety through better gear design, Dr. McQuerry shares insights into the challenges and successes of her research, including securing federal grants for her projects and the impact of her work on industry standards and practices.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:14 Meet Dr. Meredith McQuerry: Textile Science and Firefighting Gear Expert

01:16 The Evolution of Female Firefighting Gear: Challenges and Innovations

04:52 The Importance of Anthropometrics in Designing PPE

09:56 From Research to Real-World Impact: Meredith's Journey in Textile Science

15:10 Funding the Future of Firefighting Gear: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

21:44 Meredith's Personal Journey: From Kentucky Farms to Textile Science

27:50 Entrepreneurship and Education: Shaping the Future of Textile Science

30:15 Advice to Younger Self and Closing Thoughts

#33 Finding Your Niche: A Journey in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast by Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Jamie Cantone interviews Totu Sativa, a finalist in the InNOLEvation® Challenge. Totu discusses her startup, Highlighter Cosmetics, emphasizing its focus on high-quality neon makeup for niche markets like the rave and music festival communities. She shares her journey through the InNOLEvation® Challenge, from initial application spurred by a friend’s encouragement to becoming a finalist and winning funding. Despite initial doubts and the challenge of presenting her business to judges, Totu emphasizes the growth in confidence she experienced throughout the competition. She plans to use the prize money to work with a chemist on her product formulas, aiming to eventually reach a wider market through strategic partnerships and influencer marketing. Totu’s story is a testament to the power of confidence, passion, and persistence in turning an innovative idea into a potential business success.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:28 Introducing Totu Sativa: A Journey from Makeup Artist to Entrepreneur

00:42 The Birth of Highlighter Cosmetics: Filling a Gap in the Neon Makeup Market

01:53 Targeting Niche Markets: From Rave Enthusiasts to Art Museums

03:29 Navigating the InNOLE®vation Challenge: A Surprise Journey to the Finals

05:10 The Pitch: Presenting Highlighter Cosmetics to the Judges

09:51 Future Plans: From Formula Development to Market Expansion

14:01 Empowering Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

16:59 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

#32 Innovating Entrepreneurship Education: A Conversation with Dr. Eric Liguori

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees welcomed Dr. Eric Liguori, Associate Dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at FSU, to discuss entrepreneurship education, research, and practical experiences. Eric shared his academic journey, his role in enhancing entrepreneurship education through his previous position as the president of USASBE, and his research focus on entrepreneurship pedagogy, ecosystems, and public policy. He also talked about the unique structure and opportunities at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, his entrepreneurial experiences, and best practices in teaching entrepreneurship. Eric's perspective on the importance of community support, policy-friendly environments for entrepreneurship, and the advantages of interdisciplinary collaboration in entrepreneurship education were highlighted. The conversation also covered personal motivations and advice for students interested in entrepreneurship.

 

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:30 Meet Eric Liguori: The Journey to Jim Moran College

01:39 Exploring the World of Entrepreneurship Education

03:05 Diving Deep into Entrepreneurship Research

04:42 The Impact of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

11:54 Eric's Entrepreneurial Ventures and Insights

18:01 Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught? Insights from FSU

20:20 The Future of Entrepreneurship Education at FSU

21:51 Getting Personal: Life Beyond Academia

23:23 Advice for Students and Future Entrepreneurs

25:09 Parting Wisdom: A Message to Younger Self

26:37 Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Tease

Empowering Entrepreneurs: The Journey of Wild Hippie Cosmetics

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, entrepreneur Jeannie Castro shares the story behind her business, Wild Hippie Cosmetics. Founded in March 2023, Wild Hippie Cosmetics offers a range of all-organic, locally-made beauty products, including candles, bath salts, soaps, and a popular stretch mark oil. Jeannie discusses the origins of her business name, her business model, her experience selling in various markets and online platforms, and the challenges and successes she has faced. She also delves into her journey as a senior in commercial entrepreneurship at the Jim Moran College, highlighting the significant support from faculty members and valuable resources such as microgrants that have helped her business grow. Furthermore, Jeannie shares her plans for the future and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

 

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:17 Introducing Jeannie Castro and Wild Hippie Cosmetics

00:30 The Origins and Products of Wild Hippie Cosmetics

01:48 Business Model and Customer Engagement

03:48 Popular Products and Customer Favorites

06:30 Jeannie's Journey: Student, Mom, and Entrepreneur

07:17 Leveraging Jim Moran College Resources

14:52 Exploring Future Plans and New Ventures

17:08 Final Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up

 

Empowering Student Entrepreneurs: The Student Made Journey

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we dive into the inspiring world of Student Made. This organization supports student entrepreneurs by providing a platform for them to sell their products and organize pop-up events. Co-managers Kara Artz and Natalie Medina share their experiences of launching and managing the organization at Florida State University, detailing their challenges and successes. From assisting creators with sales strategies to navigating the complexities of product licensing, the discussion sheds light on the incredible support system Student Made offers to budding entrepreneurs across various campuses in the United States. The hosts also explore future aspirations for the organization, including community outreach and further expansion. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring student entrepreneurs looking for guidance, inspiration, and a community that champions creativity and business acumen.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:43 Introducing Student Made: Empowering Student Entrepreneurs

03:00 The Roles and Impact of Managers in Student Made

03:59 Diverse Backgrounds of Student Made Creators

06:19 Expanding Student Made Across Universities

13:11 The Founding Story of Student Made

14:35 Marketing Strategies and Community Outreach

26:28 Joining Student Made: A Guide for Student Entrepreneurs

30:11 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

 

S5e11 - Navigating Entrepreneurship and Education with Shelly Griffin

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Jamie Cantone interviews Shelly Griffin, a seasoned entrepreneur, and educator at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Shelly shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting with her first business, Wolf Tan, which she co-owned with her former husband. She discusses the business's challenges and rewards, including legislative hurdles, operational responsibilities, and the decision against franchising. Additionally, Shelly talks about her transition into teaching, emphasizing the importance of leveraging educational opportunities, learning from mistakes, and the qualities necessary for successful entrepreneurship. The conversation also highlights the resources and support available to students at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:23 Shelly Griffin's Entrepreneurial Journey

04:44 The Challenges and Decisions of Franchising

10:05 The Hardest Parts of Being an Entrepreneur

13:19 Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Educator

18:06 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

20:47 Closing Remarks and Thanks

 

S5e10 - Empowering College Sustainability: A Chat with Hand Me Dorm's Johanna Rubin

This episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, hosted by Mark McNees from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, features Johanna Rubin, a finalist in the innovation challenge and the founder of Hand Me Dorm. Hand Me Dorm is an online marketplace designed for college students to buy and sell used dormitory items, aiming to reduce waste and make the move-out process more affordable and efficient. Johanna discusses the inspiration behind her business, stemming from her personal experiences with the inefficiencies of dorm move-outs and the unnecessary waste generated. The conversation covers key aspects of Hand Me Dorm, including its business model. It involves taking a percentage of transactions made through the platform and providing on-campus pick-up and drop-off stations. Rubin also touches on the challenges faced in the process, the importance of sustainability, and her plans to expand to colleges nationwide. Additionally, she shares her journey through the innovation challenge, highlighting the value of feedback and setting measurable goals for startup development.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast

00:21 Introducing Johanna Rubin and Hand Me Dorm

01:02 The Inspiration Behind Hand Me Dorm

02:25 Exploring the Business Model of Hand Me Dorm

03:07 The Seasonality and Market for College Dorm Items

04:06 Johanna's Experience with the Innovation Challenge

05:16 The Future Vision for Hand Me Dorm

06:40 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Environmental Concerns

08:28 Understanding the Operational Process

10:21 Evolving the Business Idea and Addressing Challenges

13:02 Marketing Strategies and Campus Engagement

14:40 Support and Feedback from the FSU Community

17:45 Reflecting on the Entrepreneurial Journey

19:09 Closing Remarks and Thanks

Unveiling Aqua Insights: Transforming Fashion with AI - Chris Cyrille

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, the spotlight shines on Chris Cyrille, the CEO and founder of Aqua Insights. Fresh from winning one of the InNOLEvation Challenge awards, the Growler Country's Most Scalable Business award Chris discusses the journey of his AI-powered brand strategy software, which originated from a need to understand fashion trends for his menswear styling business. By integrating AI, Aqua Insights aims to revolutionize how apparel brands capture market trends and customer sentiments, providing them with actionable insights for brand strategy, marketing, and product improvement. Chris shares his vision for Aqua Insights, discusses the challenges and successes of starting a business, and even delves into broader conversations on AI's future in various industries, highlighting healthcare and the emergent discussions around the ethics of AI in human life.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation

00:35 Discussing the Innovation Challenge Experience

01:07 The Inception of Aqua Insights

02:18 Understanding the Ideal Customer and Value Proposition

05:00 The Role of AI in Aqua Insights

05:45 The Journey from Stylist to Programmer

08:17 The Potential and Challenges of Aqua Insights

17:06 The Future of Aqua Insights and AI

21:00 Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Journey

24:47 Closing Remarks and Future Expectations

S5-E8 Insights from the Internship Experiences of Jim Moran Students

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset podcast, student host Jamie Cantone invites three students from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Gabriel Mustaciuolo, Liana Ocampo, and Francisco Villa to share their recent internship experiences. The trio discusses their roles at companies including Chanel, Macy's, and Zing Drones and discusses the importance of networking and applying entrepreneurial skills professionally. They also highlight the value of their college's internship prep course and how it prepared them to make the most out of their internships. The discussion concludes with advice for future interns.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:41 Internship Experiences: Frankie's Journey at Chanel
01:06 Internship Experiences: Liana's Role at Macy's
01:34 Internship Experiences: Gabe's Time at Zing Drones
02:07 How They Landed Their Internships
04:50 Impact of Internships on Entrepreneurship Views
06:55 The Role of the Internship Prep Course
13:05 The Internship Course Experience
17:16 Advice for Future Interns
21:51 Conclusion and Farewell