In this episode of “From Spark to New Venture” , we explore the journey of Roy Choi, a pioneering chef who turned a simple idea into a food movement that redefined American cuisine. After losing his job during the 2008 recession, Choi embraced risk and creativity by combining Korean short ribs with Mexican street tacos, this fusion gave birth to the iconic Kogi BBQ food truck. More than just a business, Kogi became a cultural phenomenon, blending flavors, communities, and innovation, all driven by resourcefulness and social media. 

We’ll uncover how Choi transformed obstacles into opportunities, challenged industry stigmas, and built an authentic brand rooted in the community. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a student seeking inspiration, Roy’s story demonstrates that resilience, creativity, and action can spark revolutions even from the side of the street.

In this episode, we talk about the story of Kaitlin Smith, the CEO and Founder of Simple Mills, a health focused food brand with premium ingredients. We talk about her journey from the start of the business to the struggles along the way to her eventual success. Her story exemplifies the traits of how she succeeds as an entrepreneur, with resilience, vision, and creativity.

In this episode of The Glow-Up Journey, the host, Maria, will be sharing the inspiring story of Christina Hoy, owner of River House Day Spa in Fredericksburg. Starting with only $2,000 and a dream, Christina built her spa from the ground up, navigating the challenges of launching a new business during a recession while balancing life as a young mother. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and determination. From handing out business cards door-to-door to creating a welcoming space that keeps clients returning, Christina proves that success isn’t about having the most glamorous setup but about consistency, service, and heart. Tune in to hear valuable lessons on motivation, overcoming obstacles, and why passion is the foundation of lasting success.

https://www.riverhousedayspa.com/

Eric McDaniel is a UMW student and former baseball player who has developed a unique side hustle. In his free time, Eric runs an eBay business, digging through local thrift shops and bin stores to find products he can resell online for a profit.

We talked to Eric about how he got started in reselling, the methods he uses to identify profitable items, and some of the stories he’s collected over the years of running his business. Eric is very business-minded and shared his framework for determining the viability and profitability of reselling, as well as some helpful tips for anyone interested in starting a reselling side hustle.

In this episode, Brooke interviews Jon Simmons, founder and CEO of Simmons Security and Consulting, about his journey from wrestler to entrepreneur. Jon shares how the discipline he learned on the mat prepared him for the risks, sacrifices, and setbacks of building multiple businesses from the ground up. From starting with no funding to enduring a $100,000 loss in his first year, he explains how resilience, integrity, and a focus on lifestyle over money helped him secure long-term success. His insights on leadership, motivation, and learning from loss offer valuable lessons for students and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

In this episode of From Spark to New Venture, hosts Elizabeth Stribling and Josh Fowler sit down with entrepreneur Katie Stribling. She is the founder of Nova Field Hockey Xtreme, a nonprofit youth field hockey club. Katie shares her journey from player to program creator, highlighting the inspiration behind starting an organization that makes field hockey more accessible to young athletes. She talks about the challenges of launching a nonprofit, the importance of community support, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership and growth along the way. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or aspiring entrepreneur, Katie’s story offers valuable takeaways about building something meaningful from the ground up.

Our podcast goes into the story of Walt Disney, a true visionary and entrepreneur who turned imagination into one of the world’s greatest legacies that we all know and use today. The episode talks about his journey from a small-town childhood and early business failures to creating Mickey Mouse, Snow White, and Disneyland. Throughout the podcast we looked into Walt facing betrayal, bankruptcy, and doubt, but he always pushed forward with resilience and creativity. His risks, from building the first animated film to opening a groundbreaking theme park all redefined entertainment. This episode highlights his lessons on perseverance, vision, and innovation that did a great job reminding us that even small ideas can grow into something huge.

In this episode, I sit down with Reggie, a former Boston University quarterback who has applied the lessons he learned on and off the football field to building his own tech company. From discipline and leadership to vision, Reggie shares how his life experiences and sports experiences have shaped his entrepreneurial journey.

In this podcast, we explored Diya's pastry business, from its humble beginnings to become a recognized business. A cake artist and business owner who has been turning sugar, flour, and a whole lot of love into beautiful creations. We talked about the challenges of starting out, including balancing creativity with business strategy, and the importance of consistency in quality. Ultimately, the conversation focused on growth, resilience, and how passion can turn sweet dreams into a successful

In this podcast, I talk with Mikey Barnes, who started a business called Get Rid of It Fredericksburg, which was just a finalist in the Best of the Burg, which is a big deal around the Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg area. In this, we ask him questions about what it’s like to start a business and what the pros and cons of starting your own business are. He talks about how he started from nothing to where he is now and where he wants to be. At some point in this episode, he offers valuable advice to young entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own businesses one day.

The website of Get Rid of It Fredericksburg: https://getridofitfred.com/