In this thoughtful and grounding episode of On The Fly!, host Joan Kaup sits down with Joe Vallo, one of Flywheel’s longest-serving subject matter experts and a trusted guide for founders navigating the world of finance.

With decades of experience spanning Big Eight consulting firms, startup leadership, and independent advisory work, Joe brings clarity to a topic many entrepreneurs avoid: money. But as he explains, finance isn’t just about spreadsheets—it’s about operations, customers, and asking the right questions at the right time.

Together, Joan and Joe explore the holistic nature of entrepreneurship and why financial models are really just operational stories told with numbers.

💡 Listen to hear more about:

• Why your customer—not your product—should dictate how you build your business
• How financial models reveal operational blind spots
• Common red flags Joe sees when founders first share their spreadsheets
• Why “everyone is your customer” is almost always the wrong answer
• How iteration, failure, and erasing the whiteboard are part of healthy growth
• The surprising similarities between nonprofit and for-profit financial management
• Why coaching founders has been one of the most rewarding chapters of Joe’s career

Joe also shares why Flywheel’s coaching model works so well—and why experienced business leaders should consider giving back as coaches, mentors, and supporters of social enterprise.

This episode is a must-listen for founders who want to feel more confident about money, coaches who want to ask better questions, and anyone who believes business is as much about listening as it is about leading.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we bring together founders, coaches, and subject matter experts to help social enterprises build strong, sustainable businesses. Learn how Flywheel supports entrepreneurs and strengthens Cincinnati’s impact ecosystem at flywheelcincinnati.org.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of On The Fly! host Joan Kaup sits down with Valda Freeman-Karmo, electrical engineer, mother, and social entrepreneur whose company, AARON Wearable Tech, was born from love, urgency, and lived experience.

Inspired by her sons with cognitive disabilities and the realities families face during interactions with first responders, Valda set out to design technology that could save lives. The result is a wearable system—part hardware, part software—that uses GPS and communication tools to help first responders quickly understand when someone has a cognitive disability or mental health challenge.

Together, Joan and Valda unpack:

• How personal experience sparked a mission-driven tech startup
• Why AARON Wearable Tech operates at the intersection of SaaS and social impact
• The realities of funding a company through grants, bootstrapping, and sheer persistence
• What makes funding tech startups different from funding social enterprises
• How Flywheel’s milestone-based grants helped turn an idea into a viable product
• Why accelerators, advisors, and community are essential for founders building complex solutions

Valda also shares candid insights on patience, humility, and why hearing the basics over and over again—from different perspectives—can be the key to long-term success.

This episode is a must-listen for founders navigating funding, caregivers advocating for safer systems, and anyone interested in how technology can be designed with dignity, empathy, and purpose at its core.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we support founders who build solutions where purpose meets profit. Learn how Flywheel coaches entrepreneurs, funds early milestones, and helps social impact ventures grow at flywheelcincinnati.org.

In this high-energy episode of On The Fly!, host Joan Kaup brings back to the pod two globally minded founders whose paths collided inside Flywheel’s accelerator — and sparked a collaboration grounded in sustainability, product innovation, and a shared history of building businesses across Asia.

Flywheel is excited to welcome back Andrew Bliss, and Lucas Williamson, for a bonus conversation with both amazing founders. 

Andrew is the founder of EcoShell, who turn discarded eggshells into breakthrough materials used in plastics, packaging, footwear, and more. Lucas is the founder of Product Refinery, he is the design and engineering mind behind hundreds of consumer products brought from sketch to shelf.

Though their companies are different, their values align: design with intention, build sustainably, fail forward, and always tell the truth about what it takes to create physical products that last. 

Their work spans continents — from Cincinnati to Asia and back — transforming discarded materials into sustainable plastics and turning bold product ideas into market-ready reality.

💡 Listen to hear more about:

• The unexpected ways Taiwan and China shaped their careers
• What founders get wrong about manufacturing and supply chains
• Why sustainability is a design challenge—not just a materials challenge
• The power of advisory boards, mentors, and diverse support networks
• How Flywheel creates collisions that turn founders into collaborators
• Why Cincinnati is one of the most supportive environments for social entrepreneurs

This episode is a masterclass in global entrepreneurship, product innovation, and the gritty reality of building things that matter.

Learn more at EcoShell.eco and Product Refinery.co!

📣 Call to Action:
 At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in founders who build for both profit and purpose. Explore how we support entrepreneurs, connect coaches, and help social impact ideas grow at flywheelcincinnati.org.

On this episode of On The Fly!, Joan Kaup sits down with Lucas Williamson, founder of Product Refinery and a serial entrepreneur who’s helped creators around the world turn ideas into reality. From electric skateboards to baby gear, Lucas has spent his career helping founders take their ideas from napkin sketches to market-ready products—while learning what it truly takes to build something that lasts.

Lucas shares how a local litter hackathon sparked his social enterprise Clean Up Collective, why self-awareness matters more than a Shark Tank deal, and how defining your own version of success can reshape the way you work and live.

Listen to hear more about:

• How Lucas took a design hobby and turned it into a global product development company.
• Lessons learned from nearly making it to Shark Tank—twice.
• The creation of Clean Up Collective and how it’s tackling litter with entrepreneurial innovation.
• Why he believes “people over profits” should be the guiding principle for every founder.
• How Flywheel’s accelerator helped refine his pitch, sharpen his business model, and connect him to Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in founders who build for both profit and purpose. Learn how we support entrepreneurs, connect coaches, and help social impact ideas grow at flywheelcincinnati.org

On this fascinating episode of On The Fly!, host Joan Kaup sits down with global entrepreneur Andrew Bliss, founder and CEO of EcoShell, a company transforming agricultural waste into sustainable materials used in plastics. 

Andrew’s journey is anything but ordinary, from teaching abroad in Asia, to launching multiple companies in Taiwan, to discovering an innovative eggshell-based technology that brought him back home to Cincinnati. With humor, humility, and candor, he shares how cultural immersion, language learning, and early failures sharpened his entrepreneurial instincts.

EcoShell’s patented technology is already making waves around the world, replacing a significant portion of traditional plastics with repurposed eggshells—reducing environmental impact without compromising performance.

Andrew talks about what it takes to build trust overseas, why he returned to Cincinnati to launch EcoShell, and how accelerators like Flywheel helped him translate a breakthrough material into a viable business.

💡 Listen to hear more about:

• How a “life reset” launched Andrew into global entrepreneurship and shaped the creation of EcoShell
• Why eggshells are a powerful agricultural waste with massive sustainability potential
• What makes EcoShell’s patented material different from typical fillers
• How major brands are exploring EcoShell’s eggshell-based innovation
• How Flywheel’s Sustainability Accelerator helped refine Andrew’s pitch, financial story, and U.S. market strategy
• Why Andrew believes connections—not ideas—are the most powerful fuel for entrepreneurs

🗓️Since the Podcast EcoShell has skyrocketed forward. Andrew and his team have:

• Joined the competitive MassChallenge accelerator in Switzerland, building global partnerships and expanding EcoShell’s international reach
• Launched a collaboration with a leading plastics manufacturer to create sustainable films and trays designed to extend product shelf life
• Entered large-scale trials with a major global footwear brand using EcoShell’s material innovations
• Spoken on a Startup Cincy Week panel about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the new entrepreneurial landscape

EcoShell is quickly becoming an international force in sustainable material innovation, and Flywheel is proudly part of its origin story. You can learn more and connect with EcoShell at EcoShell.eco or on their LinkedIn. 

📣 Call to Action:
 At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in entrepreneurs building for both profit and purpose. Explore how we support founders, invest in big ideas, and strengthen Cincinnati’s innovation ecosystem: flywheelcincinnati.org

In this special bonus episode of On The Fly!, host Joan Kaup flips the script and sits down with Joey Scarillo—the producer of the show and a Flywheel coach—to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to make a podcast.

From his early days stage managing theater productions and curating road-trip podcasts, to launching award-winning branded podcasts in New York, Joey shares the journey that led him to Cincinnati and to producing On The Fly! for Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub. Along the way, he offers practical advice for founders considering podcasting as part of their storytelling toolkit.

✨ Listen to hear more about:

• Joey’s path from theater to advertising to podcasting.
• Lessons from producing Grey’s Matter and #5Things podcasts—both recognized with Webby and Adweek Awards.
• Why Flywheel needed a podcast and how On The Fly! was born.
• Practical tips for entrepreneurs: when to start a podcast, when to hold off, and why guesting on shows can be just as powerful.
• The importance of clarity, consistency, and avoiding “podfade.”

📌 Learn more about Joey’s work at joeyscarillo.com. Check out other podcasts: Grey Matter, #5Things, and the 4-part fiction podcast: The Box. 

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in the power of storytelling to amplify social entrepreneurs, coaches, and investors driving change in Cincinnati. Explore how we support founders and fuel impact: flywheelcincinnati.org.

Recorded LIVE at StartUpCincy Week 2025, this episode of On The Fly! brings together leaders from city government, business, and the social impact ecosystem to explore how collaboration powers innovation in Cincinnati.

Host Joan Kaup moderates a lively conversation with Cincinnati Council Member, Evan Nolan, First Financial Bank’s CMO, Jenny Powell, and Flywheel’s Program Director, Samuel Baker about how social entrepreneurship, civic partnerships, and creative problem-solving are transforming the region—from filling potholes to fueling startups.

💡 Listen to hear more about:

• How the Pave the Way Innovation Lab helped Cincinnati rethink infrastructure using entrepreneurial talent.
• The role of collaboration between the city, local businesses, and Flywheel in tackling community challenges.
• Examples of startups creating tangible social and economic impact from affordable housing to renewable energy.
• Why coaching and mentorship are vital to building a thriving innovation ecosystem.
• How social enterprises strengthen local economies, create jobs, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

📣 Reach out: 

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we connect social entrepreneurs, coaches, and community partners to drive double-bottom-line impact across Cincinnati. Learn more about how we support founders and fuel innovation for good at flywheelcincinnati.org

📢 Shout out: 

The producers of On The Fly! would like to thank Evan Garcia, and the team at StartUp Cincy Week for their support and contributions to making this episode possible! 

In this energetic episode of On The Fly! host Joan Kaup sits down with Shailah Maynard, co-founder and CEO of Sew Valley, alongside Madeleine “Maddie” Tepe Misleh and Aubrey Krekeler, co-directors of operations. Together, these three women are reshaping what apparel manufacturing can look like, based in Cincinnati.

From providing living-wage jobs in a historically exploitative industry to innovating zero-waste solutions and creating custom stage jackets for the Cincinnati Pops, Sew Valley proves that clothing can be designed, produced, and celebrated in ways that honor both people and planet.

Listen to hear more about:

• Why Sew Valley launched as a nonprofit and how it sustains its mission in a tough industry.
• The power of collaboration and co-leadership in running a small but mighty team.
• Tackling sustainability challenges with creative solutions, from fabric scrap recycling to thoughtful design practices.
• How Sew Valley supports students, entrepreneurs, and brands through education, incubation, and cut-and-sew services.
• What it takes to rebuild an industry that barely exists in the U.S.—and why they’re ringing a thrift-store bell to celebrate wins along the way.

Explore Sew Valley’s workshops, services, and mission at sewvalley.org or follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @sewvalley.

Since the podcast: Sew Valley’s craftsmanship reached an international stage at New York Fashion Week in September. Partnering with designer Gabe Gordon and his team, Sew Valley transformed recycled gray T-shirts into a striking dress that appeared in Gordon’s Autoerotic collection, garnering praise from Vogue and spotlighting Cincinnati’s role in pushing sustainable fashion forward.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we believe in the power of social entrepreneurs like Sew Valley to drive equity and impact in our neighborhoods. Learn how Flywheel supports founders, invests in big ideas, and helps social enterprises thrive: flywheelcincinnati.org

On this episode of On The Fly!, Flywheel board member and Inclusion Building Solutions founder Byron Stallworth steps in as guest host for a conversation with Brooke Foley, CEO of Jayne Agency and Donna Zaring, Executive Director of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub. Together, they explore the art and science of brand clarity—and why mastering your pitch matters more than perfecting your slides.

From her early career in Chicago’s high-powered ad world to building a methodology that brings clarity to Fortune 500s and startups alike, Brooke shares her insights into how entrepreneurs can refine their message, practice with intention, and deliver a pitch that resonates—whether it’s to investors, customers, or neighbors at the zoning board.

Listen to hear more about:

• Why your brand’s position and promise form the foundation of every pitch.
• How practice (yes, in front of the bathroom mirror!) transforms nerves into confidence.
• What investors are really listening for when you pitch—and how they assess risk.
• The role of mentorship, coachability, and feedback in winning investment.
• How staying true to your brand strategy protects against scope creep and burnout.

Learn more about Brooke’s work at Jayne Agency and explore her Clarity University offerings at jayneagency.com You can also connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Information about Jonathan Preedom can be found at  www.jonathanpreedom.com.

At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we know that brand clarity and storytelling are powerful tools for founders balancing profit and purpose. Explore how Flywheel supports social entrepreneurs through coaching, mentorship, and accelerator programs: flywheelcincinnati.org

What exactly is a Philanthropreneur—and why are they so important to Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem? In this inspiring episode of On The Fly!, host Joan Kaup sits down with Flywheel Executive Director Donna Zaring along with seasoned philanthropreneurs Melisse May, Sandy Hughes and Bob Ziek to explore how combining the mindset of an entrepreneur with the generosity of a philanthropist is transforming our community.

From milestone-based funding for social impact startups to deep mentoring relationships and hands-on board involvement, this is impact investing with heart. You’ll hear how Philanthropreneurs help early-stage founders scale their ideas into sustainable enterprises—and why you don’t need to be a millionaire to make a difference.

 Listen to hear more about:

• The origins of Flywheel’s trademarked Philanthropreneur® program
• How $500 “Changemaker” opportunities open the door to impact investing
• Why milestone stipends are game-changers for early-stage founders
• Success stories like Last Mile Food Rescue and Cincinnati Recycling & ReUse Hub
• The personal rewards of seeing your investment multiply through community impact

Call to Action:
At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we connect social entrepreneurs with the coaches, investors, and resources they need to thrive. Whether you want to be a $500 ChangeMaker or a $5,000 Philanthropreneur, there’s a seat at the table for you. Learn more at flywheelcincinnati.org.