Fervent Four

Hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down to discuss everything entrepreneurship in the 757. StartWheel Corporation and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative (HRIC), two of the region's most influential players in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, are merging their education programs. Watch this week's episode to find out what this merger means for the region!

Show notes:

(0:00) Zack's Driving Story

(2:03) Innovate Hampton Roads Announcement

(4:54) What is StartWheel and HRIC

(11:20) The definition of evolution

(16:45) Rebranding StartWheel and HRIC

(22:45) Hampton Roads BHAG's

(34:12) What are the top two industries in the region?

(39:27) Starting a movement with small conversations

(48:58) Luxuries of the region + government dollars

(53:44) Being positive about the growth + Conclusion

About Innovate Hampton Roads:

on May 18, StartWheel Corp. and Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative announced they have combined to form Innovate Hampton Roads to better support and grow the region's innovation ecosystem.

StartWheel, which launched in late 2015, has helped to better connect regional entrepreneurs by sharing information and resources through its website, newsletter, job posting service and podcast.

Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative, which launched in 2016 as a rebrand of Technology Hampton Roads, is known for its networking events like its Tech Tuesday education series and Critical Mass meetups and its focus on advancing the region's technology sector.

The organizations have partnered over the past few months to unify the region's entrepreneurial and business footprints. They've hosted HR Bizwheel Quarterly Expos to bring the business community to unique places of business, like The Hive in Virginia Beach or The Mariners' Museum and Park in Newport News. They've helped participants learn from Virginia Beach-based DroneUp, which is helping Walmart implement drone delivery, and Newport News Shipbuilding, a longtime major employer and legacy innovator.

They bring together more than 8,000 businesses in their combined directory. Combining their strengths make sense, the leaders say.

Learn more: https://www.startwheel.org/2023/05/22/innovate-hampton-roads-carries-on-collaborative-efforts-of-regions-entrepreneurial-meetup-scene/

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of Innovate Hampton Roads, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @Innovate757 (https://twitter.com/Innovate757)

Instagram: @InnovateHamptonRoads: https://www.instagram.com/innovatehamptonroads/

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovate757/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Innovate757

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/

Solver Library in Norfolk: https://www.sloverlibrary.com

SVT Robotics: https://www.svtrobotics.com

A.K. Schultz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-k-schultz-9b5b899/

DroneUp: https://www.droneup.com

Tom Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/webteks

Something in the Water: https://somethinginthewater.com

ODU: https://www.odu.edu

EVMS: https://www.evms.edu/about_evms/collaboration_with_odu__sentara/

Mighty Dream Forum: https://mightydreamforum.com

Under Armor: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/

NASA: https://www.nasa.gov

Langley Air Force Base: https://www.jble.af.mil

Start Peninsula: https://www.startpeninsula.com

The NorVa: https://www.thenorva.com

**Add tags (copy and paste general ones listed, add in a few specific to the episode): startups, startup community, startup advice, small business, entrepreneurship, Hampton Roads VA, the757, business, entrepreneur, entrepreneur motivation, entrepreneur podcast, business insider, business story, business ideas, a podcast about business, a podcast about entrepreneurship, a podcast about startups, a podcast about startup advice, a podcast about small businesses, shorts, Silicon Anchor,

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Scott Janney, Co-Founder and CEO of Magazine Jukebox, Inc., the first digital magazine platform that does not require an app. Magazine Jukebox is a subscription service built for waiting rooms, hotels, hospitals, salons, cafes, gyms, or anywhere with stationary customers. A QR code lets customers scan and access a large catalog of magazine titles on a digital magazine rack at no cost to them. Watch this week's episode to hear about how the Magazine Jukebox got started, how they are located in 4000+ locations and growing quickly, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Scott Janney

(5:13) What is Magazine Jukebox?

(9:47) Not being the smartest person in the room + using investor money

(19:06) Growing with an outsourced team

(22:02) Motorcycle riders are geared up to be founders

(26:22) How losing weight translates to business

(33:19) Building founder density + Parking struggles in downtown environments

(40:15) Leveraging LinkedIn + daily advertisement competition

(46:35) Why it's hard for magazines to make money

(51:42) Keeping a competitive edge

(55:01) Is it more difficult to raise money with a product than without

(58:35) What's next + Conclusion

About Scott Janney & Magazine Jukebox, Inc.:

"Scott knows firsthand how to run a successful business, create loyal employees, and maintain strong relationships with customers. Entrepreneurship runs in his bloodline, driving him to build, modernize, and expand multiple thriving businesses. His career in running successful business start-ups is proof of his excellent marketing and sales chops. Scott is the co-owner of several insurance & financial enterprises. As CEO of Magazine Jukebox, he works diligently to bring cutting-edge infotainment into businesses around the nation so that they, too, can create many of their own loyal employees and customers. Scott is a dedicated husband and father, who values his family."

Magazine Jukebox, Inc. is the leading digital magazine distribution company for commercial spaces. They specialize in bringing infotainment such as nationally and regionally known magazines, to commercial waiting rooms, such as but not limited to: Medical Offices, Hospitals, Car Dealerships, Coffee Shops, Resorts, Airbnb's, and so many more verticals.

Magazine Jukebox provides access to these commercial partner clients. Their clients do not have to download an app to gain access to the most current and up-to-date magazines available. They use geo-fencing and time stamping technology to secure that the magazine(s) being read stay in that commercial spaces.

Learn more: https://magazinejukebox.com/about/

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Scott Janney

https://magazinejukebox.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magazinejukebox/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmjb/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magazinejukebox/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Magazinejukebox/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Magazine_Jbox

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Fervent Four Show Episode 60 with Scott Janney: https://www.youtube.com/live/XmE96rl_5jI?feature=share

Fervent Four Show Episode 98 with Scott Janney: https://www.youtube.com/live/JNXl2apC8pU?feature=share

HR BizWheel Quarterly Business Expo and Connection Event May 18th 5:00 - 7:00 pm : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hr-bizwheel-quarterly-business-expo-and-connection-event-tickets-590020566397

Shark Tank: https://abc.com/shows/shark-tank

Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation: https://www.virginiaipc.org/

Simple Thread: https://www.simplethread.com/

Jeff Bezos: https://www.forbes.com/profile/jeff-bezos/?sh=47a9960c1b23

Jeep 4xe: https://www.jeep.com/wrangler/wrangler-4xe.html

Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/

757 Creative Space: https://www.757makerspace.com/

MacArthur Mall: https://www.shopmacarthur.com/

Brothers Norfolk: https://brothersnorfolk.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Elon Musk: https://www.forbes.com/profile/elon-musk/?sh=604b6a387999

Mark Zuckerberg: https://www.forbes.com/profile/mark-zuckerberg/?sh=a3bad753e06d

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Carly Buxton, Co-Founder and CEO of Nessle, a digital health platform that serves both sides of the parent support marketplace. The online platform makes it easy for birth workers, parenting coaches, and other expert consultants to launch, run, and grow their parent-support businesses. Watch this week's episode to hear about Carly's journey, how Nessle had to pivot, connecting parents and experts, the secure Q&A feature, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Carly Buxton

(3:43) What is Nessle?

(7:12) The power of tele-support

(14:05) Supporting parents beyond the first year

(16:41) Pivoting from a one-sided marketplace + utilizing AI technology

(23:55) Founding Nessle + Richmond community

(31:26) Benefits of different accelerators + credibility

(40:27) Go-to-market strategy + domains

(47:15) Bootstrapping Nessle

(52:00) Entrepreneurship and education

(54:56) The future of Nessle + Conclusion

About Carly Buxton Jones & Nessle:

Carly Buxton is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nessle, an online platform that makes it easy for birth workers, parenting coaches, and other expert consultants to launch, run, and grow their parent-support businesses.

Nessle is a digital health platform that serves both sides of the parent support marketplace. Experts rely on Nessle via a CRM-style, SaaS delivery model; they offer HIPAA-compliant video calling, messaging, client document signing and storage, resource pinning, and community support that helps Experts focus on the craft of supporting parents while they cover the fundamentals of running a business. Parents look to Nessle for their highly-filterable listing directory, where they can search for and connect with Experts for tailored support on topics from fertility through toddlerhood and beyond. The B2B2C subscription offering enables employers, health systems, payers, and municipalities to rely on Nessle's network, secure platform, and personalized offerings to support the parents in their workforces and client bases.

Learn more: https://www.nessle.com/

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Carly Buxton

https://www.nessle.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nessle/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessletogether/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nessletogether/

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

HR BizWheel Quarterly Business Expo and Connection Event May 18th 5:00 - 7:00 pm : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hr-bizwheel-quarterly-business-expo-and-connection-event-tickets-590020566397

Nessle Together A Parenting Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/nessle-together-a-parenting-podcast/id1663098614

Apple: https://www.apple.com/

ESPN: https://www.espn.com/

This Week in Startups: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-startups/id315114957

ChatGPT: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

Lighthouse Labs: https://www.lighthouselabsrva.com/

NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/

Jefferson Labs: https://www.jlab.org/

Amazon Accelerator: https://brandservices.amazon.com/ipaccelerator

Wordle: https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

7 Cups of Tea: https://www.7cups.com/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Pamela Rosara Jones, Founder of The Branding Icon, the first Innovation Brand Marketing Consultancy in the Hampton Roads area. The ICONIC Formula is applied to every client's campaign to bring out their brand's authentic and unique DNA. Pamela is giving businesses, organizations, nonprofits, and solopreneurs a complete and comprehensive brand campaign that changes the scope of their vision and their bottom line. Watch this week's episode to hear Pamela's journey, the different ICONIC comprehensive packages, how Pamela can brand your business in a day or in a year, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Pamela Rosara

(4:39) The power branding

(8:54) Talent within the region

(14:33) Helping create a personal brand + education

(22:23) Helping founders start a band

(25:53) How to stand out + saying no to bad branding

(36:42) Allowing time for marketing success

(41:04) Daily advertisement competition

(46:11) Underselling yourself vs. realistic rates

(52:07) Not copying other regions

(59:29) Networking Events + Conclusion

About Pamela Rosara Jones & ICONIC:

ICONIC stands for Integrating, Consistent, Opportunity using Nostalgia Innovation and Cultivation, LLC. It is the first Innovation Brand Marketing Consultancy in the Hampton Roads area. The ICONIC Formula is applied to every client's campaign to bring out their brand's authentic and unique DNA.

Pamela Rosara Jones is the Founder of Iconic. She practices over 45 marketing strategies, 75 publicity tools and techniques, and over 30 branding strategies, and has developed a signature branding and business formula that is bar none. From South Africa to South of the Border, her campaigns are perfect for brands that offer premium services paired with premium prices. Pamela's innovative and futuristic mindset offers businesses new ideas, strategies, and powerful results-heavy and original techniques.

Learn more: https://www.thebrandingicon.com/about-me

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Pamela Rosara Jones

https://www.thebrandingicon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelarosarajones/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrandingicon/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrandingicon

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

HR BizWheel Quarterly Business Expo and Connection Event May 18th 5:00 - 7:00 pm : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hr-bizwheel-quarterly-business-expo-and-connection-event-tickets-590020566397

This Week in Startups: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-startups/id315114957

All in Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-in-with-chamath-jason-sacks-friedberg/id1502871393

Apple: https://www.apple.com/

Something in the Water: https://somethinginthewater.com/

Grow: https://thisisgrow.com/

WTVZ: https://mytvz.com/

Jack Maines Networking Happy Hour: https://jakemainesrealtor.com/networking-happy-hour/

No B.S. Agencies: https://www.google.com/search?q=No+B.S.+branding%3A+agency&oq=No+B.S.+branding%3A+agency&aqs=chrome..69i57.137j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Adam Sledd and Braden Croy, Executive and Program Directors of Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC), an affiliated innovation center of Activation Capital that supports early-stage advanced technology companies by providing them with collaborative space, guidance, and resources needed to accelerate their growth. DEIC supports great ideas across a wide spectrum of industry sectors in addition to its focus on building the alternative, renewable energy sector in Central Virginia. Watch this week's episode to hear about the upcoming SPARK 757 advanced energy micro-conference and pitch competition, the DEIC Accelerate program, how DEIC's supports energy entrepreneurs, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Adam Sledd & Braden Croy

(4:47) How is DEIC different?

(12:47) Launching Spark 757

(20:20) Utilizing technology patents

(24:49) Technology available in the region

(27:16) Partnership with Dominion Energy

(32:10) Taking time + Energy adoption

(41:03) De-risking business ventures

(48:03) Pitching innovation to larger companies

(53:56) The growing workforce

(57:25) Connecting + Conclusion

About Adam Sledd, Braden Croy, & Dominion Energy Innovation Center:

Adam Sledd is the Executive Director at Dominion Energy Innovation Center. Adam is a business and non-profit leader with almost two decades in commercial real estate, investment management, and energy program experience. He has served on the board of the USGBC National Capital Region and as an advisor to multiple technology startups. A Richmond native, Adam earned his Bachelors degree at Pitzer College in Claremont, California and his MBA at American University in Washington, D.C.

Braden Croy is the Program Director at Dominion Energy Innovation Center. Braden is a specialist in entrepreneurship program development and entrepreneurial ecosystem management. Over the past decade, Braden has worked to build more robust entrepreneurship ecosystems at Virginia Tech, Syracuse University, and across Upstate New York. He has worked internationally, traveling to China and Indonesia to consult with large university research parks and local economic developers interested in modeling successful startup programs.

The Dominion Energy Innovation Center, located in Ashland, Virginia, is an affiliated innovation center of Activation Capital that supports early-stage advanced technology companies by providing them with the collaborative space, guidance, and resources needed to accelerate their growth. Founded in November 2009, the DEIC supports great ideas across a wide spectrum of industry sectors in addition to its focus on building the alternative, renewable energy sector in Central Virginia. Founding partners of this program include the signature sponsor, Dominion Energy, as well as Activation Capital, the Town of Ashland and Hanover County.

Learn more: https://www.dominnovation.com/team

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Adam Sledd & Braden Croy

https://www.dominnovation.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dominion-energy-innovation-center

Connect with Adam: [email protected]

Connect with Braden: [email protected]

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Register for Spark 757:

Something in the Water: https://somethinginthewater.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

757 Accelerator: https://757accelerate.org/

Dominion Energy: https://www.dominionenergy.com/

Lighthouse Labs: https://www.lighthouselabsrva.com/

Virginia Tech: https://www.vt.edu/

Old Dominion University: https://www.odu.edu/

Virginia Commonwealth University: https://www.vcu.edu/

Jefferson Lab: https://www.jlab.org/

NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/

Grow Oyster Reefs: https://www.growoysterreefs.com/

VIPC: https://www.virginiaipc.org/vvp

Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium: https://virginia.getintoenergy.com/

Huntington Ingalls: https://hii.com/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Aakash Shah, Founder and CEO of Wyndly, a modern medical practice that specializes in helping allergy sufferers achieve allergy-free lives. Wyndly is replacing antihistamines and nasal sprays that don't solve the underlying problem with accessible allergy immunotherapy, a proven way to train the immune system to ignore allergy triggers. Watch this week's episode to hear about Aakash's journey, how allergies are a fixable condition, the ethos behind Wyndly's care model, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Aakash Shah

(6:36) Validating Demand

(11:04) Solving the allergy problem

(17:25) What is Wyndly?

(21:50) Solving the problem + filling the solution

(27:09) At home kits + timing

(36:36) The staple food of Hampton Roads

(41:05) FAQ'ing everything

(46:51) Lessons learned from Y-Comminator

(54:26) Becoming Tik-Tok famous + Starting now

(1:04:17) Taking opportunity + Conclusion

About Aakash Shah & Wyndly:

Aakash Shah is a founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Wyndly. Aakash holds BAs in Computer Science and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia. After graduating, he helped found and grow a number of startups, helping to navigate two of them through successful acquisitions. In 2020, Aakash joined forces with his cousin, Dr. Manan Shah, to help turn Manan's in-person practice into a 5-star online telehealth experience, using his business expertise to build Wyndly and expand convenient access to allergy immunotherapy.

Wyndly is a modern medical practice that specializes in helping allergy sufferers achieve allergy-free lives. Their team of doctors work with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan offering long-term allergy relief through clinically-proven treatments, all from the comfort and convenience of your home.

Learn more: https://www.wyndly.com/pages/about-us

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Aakash Shah

https://www.wyndly.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67562049/

Instagram: @wyndlyhealth (https://www.instagram.com/wyndlyhealth)

Twitter: @wyndlyhealth (https://twitter.com/wyndlyhealth)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wyndly

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Morning Brew Tik-Tok with Wyndly: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessbarista/video/7110204486890556718?lang=en

The Office: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/

Achievable Dream Academy: https://aadacademy.nn.k12.va.us/

SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/

Cybertruck: https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck

Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/

Elon Musk: https://www.forbes.com/profile/elon-musk/

West Coast Customs: https://westcoastcustoms.com/

Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/

Robinhood: https://robinhood.com/us/en/

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/us/home

Venmo: https://venmo.com/

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/

Y-Comminator: https://www.ycombinator.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/

Plaza Azteca: https://plazaazteca.com/hampton/

Smithfield Hams: https://smithfield.sfdbrands.com/

Something in the Water: https://somethinginthewater.com/

Morning Brew: https://www.morningbrew.com/daily

Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/en/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Howard Hesson, Founder and CEO of Fun1st, an education technology company specializing in integrating technology and wellness practices into schools. Fun1st incentivizes students to achieve academic success by tracking their behavior & performance and rewarding them with tokens that can be spent in Fun1st's digital school store. Watch this week's episode to hear about Howard's journey, the importance of disruptive behavior in classrooms, EdTech Markets growth, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Howard Hesson

(8:19) What is Fun1st?

(10:31) Living in New York City during the Pandemic

(14:28) Rewarding good behavior + Integrating with schools

(25:11) Importance of positive reinforcement

(29:27) Physical fitness + learning

(35:49) Howard's' background + gaining funding

(41:44) Helping teachers

(51:02) The opportunity within the region

(56:38) What's the best local food/drink?

(1:00:10) Creating a common goal + Conclusion

About Howard Hesson & Fun1st:

Howard Hesson is the Founder and CEO of Fun1st. Fun1st is an education technology company specializing in integrating technology and wellness practices into schools. Our programs have brought PK-8th grade educational services to thousands of local students for the past ten years. Supporting healthier students is crucial to supporting healthier schools.

(PBIS) or Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports is a set of ideas and tools that schools use to improve the behavior of students. PBIS uses an evidence and data-based approach to help improve student behavior. Ultimately the goal is to promote student growth and support academic performance. Establishing Positive Behavior Interventions fosters school safety, improves student behavior, and establishes a positive school culture.

Learn more: https://www.fun1st.org/about-us

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Howard Hesson

https://www.fun1st.org/

Instagram: @fun1st_school_store (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-hesson-611143197/)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-hesson-611143197/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fun1st.ed

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Fun1st: https://www.fun1st.org/

Jake Maines: https://jakemainesrealtor.com/

The Wire: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/

An Achievable Dream: https://achievabledream.org/

WWE: https://www.wwe.com/

Backyard Wrestling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_Wrestling:_Don%27t_Try_This_at_Home

Three Notch'd Brewing Company: https://threenotchdbrewing.com/

Untappd: https://untappd.com/

B-Force Accelerator: https://blackbrand.biz/b-force-accelerator/

757 Startup Studios: https://757startupstudios.org/

Something in the Water: https://somethinginthewater.com/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Drew Keever, Co-Founder of AdvisorFinder, an online marketplace to help people find a financial advisor. AdvisorFinder makes financial advice more accessible by helping people understand what financial advisors do, how much they cost, and more, giving them more confidence in choosing the right advisor. Watch this week's episode to hear about Drew's journey, how financial advisors help the average person, what makes AdvisorFinder different, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Drew Keever

(6:21) What is AdvisorFinder?

(11:11) Financial Advisors Reputation + Regulations

(16:53) Operating in a two-sided marketplace

(19:07) Positive matching for customers and advisors

(25:43) Fractional Share Companies + Young Advisors

(32:44) AdvisorFinder's Team + Bootstrapping

(43:27) Best local food spots + visiting all 50 states

(56:35) What's next? + Conclusion

About Drew Keever & AdvisorFinder:

Drew Keever is a Co-Founder of AdvisorFinder. Drew is a former Data Analyst at a credit union and joined the AdvisorFinder team in September of 2022.

AdvisorFinder is the stress-free way to connect with financial professionals that you want to meet. The platform empowers you with the resources and information that you need to feel confident about who manages your money. AdvisorFinder's team launched an online marketplace in December 2022 where you can freely search for a financial advisor based on your specific wants and needs. Connect with an advisor that can relate to your unique background. AdvisorFinder helps people feel more confident about choosing a financial advisor.

Learn more: https://www.advisorfinder.com/about-adfi

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Drew Keever

https://www.advisorfinder.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisorfinder/

Instagram: @advisorfinder (https://www.instagram.com/advisorfinder)

Twitter: @find_advisors (https://www.twitter.com/find_advisors)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvisorFinder

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

WWE: https://www.wwe.com/

Wordle: https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

Robinhood: https://robinhood.com/us

Wealthfront: https://www.wealthfront.com/

Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/us/home

Intuit: https://www.intuit.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/

Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/

Start Peninsula: https://www.startpeninsula.com/

Paul Graham: http://www.paulgraham.com/index.html

Doumar's: https://www.doumars.com/menu/

Yellowstone: https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

Something in the Water: https://somethinginthewater.com/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Jeanette Prophyl, Founder and CEO of The B.O.B.O. Collective, a supply chain collective and brokerage for black owned consumer packaged goods businesses looking to grow their distribution. Watch this week's episode to hear about Jeanette's journey, how black consumers disproportionately outspend on products in the consumer packaged goods space, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Jeanette Prophyl + Silicon Valley Bank

(8:20) What is B.O.B.O.?

(15:13) Lack of Black Manufactures

(24:10) DEI in 2023

(28:26) Pricing Strategies

(32:57) Improving from Start Peninsula

(41:52) Buying from early-stage founders + local companies

(48:37) Uncovering false labeling + being transparent

(54:25) What's next? + Conclusion

About The B.O.B.O. Collective:

Jetty Prophyl is the Founder and CEO of B.O.B.O., the Black Owned Black Operated Collective. B.O.B.O certifies companies as Black Owned and markets them to companies looking for DEI Procurement.

B.O.B.O. is a supply chain collective offering an accessible full-service ecosystem by providing sourcing, manufacturing, sales, and distribution for Black-owned businesses. They help Black Owned CPG companies scale their production through our Collective of Black Owned Supply Chain Professionals.

Their Beta, the 100 Black Businesses initiative, is an accelerated program where they help Black businesses already making products scale up their production and list so that B.O.B.O. can certify and market them.

Learn more: https://bobocollective.com/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobocollective/

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Jeanette Prophyl

https://bobocollective.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobocollective/

Instagram: @thebobocollective (https://www.instagram.com/thebobocollective)

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Silicon Valley Bank: https://www.svb.com/

Bank of America: https://www.bankofamerica.com/

Black BRAND: https://blackbrand.biz/

Budweiser: https://us.budweiser.com/

757 Startups: https://757startupstudios.org/

BLM: https://blacklivesmatter.com/

This Week in Startups: https://www.youtube.com/c/thisweekin

Uber: https://www.uber.com/

Start Peninsula: https://www.startpeninsula.com/

Super Size Me 2: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7215262/

Truly: https://trulyhardseltzer.com/

Coca-Cola: https://us.coca-cola.com/

This week hosts Tim Ryan and Zack Miller sit down with Adquena Faine, Founders of Bäro My Keys Inc., an on-demand key-exchange solution using a web app integrated with an intelligent locker system. The app allows guests to safely and conveniently reserve various types of rentals, whether a car or a house, in one place and pick up all keys at any time of the day. Watch this week's episode to hear about Adquena's journey, how Bäro is helping people manage short-term rentals, and much more!

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Adquena Faine

(6:24) Knowing your audience

(12:40) What is Bäro My Keys Inc?

(15:38) Helping short-term rental owners

(19:25) How does Bäro work?

(25:23) Bäro's MVP

(31:45) Naming the company

(34:53) Customer discovery

(45:04) Target Market

(49:30) Helping hosts save time and money

(52:31) What's next? + Conclusion

About Bäro My Keys Inc:

Tired of delivering the keys to your guests at inconvenient times? Bäro lets you list all of your rentals on one single app, and automates the key pickup/drop-off process with our secure machines located in airports. Uniquely generated QR codes grant your guests access so you don't have to be disturbed.

Bäro My Keys Inc. is an on-demand key-exchange solution using a web app integrated with a smart locker system. The app allows guests to reserve various types of rentals whether it's a car or a house, in one place, and pick up all keys at any time of the day. Strategically placed smart locker systems give peace of mind to each party in the rental experience. Key exchange can happen safely and conveniently.

Animated Explanation: https://youtu.be/lAxG7I4uewI

Learn more: https://www.baro-usa.com/

About the hosts:

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Adquena Faine

https://www.baro-usa.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/81528737/

Instagram: @locker4keys (https://www.instagram.com/locker4keys/)

Twitter: @Baro_USA (https://twitter.com/Baro_USA)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082944206324

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startwheel-org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartWheel

Zack Miller

https://www.zackmillersays.com

Twitter: @zackmillersays (https://twitter.com/zackmillersays)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zackmillersays

Thanks to our Sponsors:

StartWheel – https://www.startwheel.org

Companies Mentioned:

Bäro My Keys Inc.: https://www.baro-usa.com/

Start Peninsula: https://www.startpeninsula.com/

757 Startup Studios: https://757startupstudios.org/

ICAP: https://www.virginiasbdc.org/programs/icap/

1 Million Cups: https://www.1millioncups.com/s/

DoorDash: https://www.doordash.com/

Postmates: https://postmates.com/

GrubHub: https://www.grubhub.com/

757 Accelerator: https://757accelerate.org/

Turo: https://turo.com/

Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/

Vrbo: https://www.vrbo.com/

Outdoorsy: https://www.outdoorsy.com/

Facebook Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace

eZverifi: https://www.ezverifi.com/

The Wire: https://www.hbo.com/the-wire

IBM: https://www.ibm.com/us-en/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/

Ups: https://www.ups.com/us