In this interview, host Jacob O'Connor sits down with Susayn Brandes. Susayn is the President of Great Plains Ventures. In this exciting interview, Susayn shares how her father started this company after losing his job and how their family has turned it into the success that it is today. Jacob & Susayn discuss handling high stress situations and how Susayn got to where she is today.

Check us out:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wsu-ventures/

Check Susayn out:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susayn-brandes-03839b34/

In this interview, host Jacob O'Connor sits down with Jennifer McDonald. Jennifer is the Founder and CEO of Jenny Dawn Cellars winery. In this exciting interview, Jennifer shares how she started a winery in the middle of Kansas and has grown it into the remarkable brand it is today. Jacob & Jennifer discuss using "training wheels" in entrepreneurship and what it was like to host the Governor of Kansas in her winery. 

Check us out: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wsu-ventures/ 

Check Jenny out: https://www.jennydawncellars.com/

In this episode of the Shock Talk podcast, host Jacob O'Connor sits down with Wichita St. University senior, Madeline Shonka. Madeline knows the array of difficulties that come from growing up with a chronic illness. Now she’s on a mission to help others through the process. She is the Founder of the 501c3 Nonprofit: The Co-Immunity Foundation and an inspiration to all she meets. In this interview, Madeline shares her journey and what it's like running a Nonprofit while still being in college.

Click the link below to learn about The Co-Immunity Foundation:

https://www.coimmunityfoundation.org/about-us

Connect with us on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wsu-ventures/

In this interview, host Jacob O'Connor sits down with Christina Long. Christina is a Wichita St. University Alumni, as well as the founder of Create Campaign & CML Collective. In this exciting interview, Jacob & Christina discuss taking the "jump" from a steady job to a world of entrepreneurship. Later in the episode, Christina touches on the importance of having a supporting community to help historically underrepresented groups succeed in business.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it.

Connect with Christina Online:

https://www.cmlcollective.com/cml

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-long-05221555/

Connect with us on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wsu-ventures/

In this interview, host Jacob O'Connor sits down with Roy More III. Roy is an aerospace engineer and CEO and Founder of STEMusic. STEMusic uses the power of music to get younger kids interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. Roy has used this company to target a unique group of kids in hopes of having a larger chain effect on the work force as a whole. Tune in to find out more!

Use the code for your GoCreate membership: 

https://gocreate.com/membership.php

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, & review the podcast with the link below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shock-talk/id1495072561?uo=4

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Check Roy Out: 

https://www.thestemusic.com

In this episode of the Shock Talk podcast, Host & WSU student Jacob O'Connor sits down with the Assistant Director of GoCreate, Kim McCollum. GoCreate is a makerspace that allows inventors and hobbiests to make whatever they can imagine- from Wood Working to T Shirt presses to Sewing- GoCreate has everything. In this episode, Jacob dives in depth about the inception of GoCreate and the opportunities it's brought to the Wichita community. Jacob and Kim discuss the various businesses that have started from people making things at GoCreate and how anyone can monetize their skills. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, & review the podcast with the link below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shock-talk/id1495072561?uo=4

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Connect with Kim:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-mccollum-marketing/

GoCreate Website:

https://gocreate.com

In this episode of the Shock Talk podcast, Jacob and Rob sit down with Derek Sorrells. Derek is a local serial entrepreneur who started and sold his first business at age 19 and is now the Co Founder of The Arcade, Founder of Sweet 'n Saucy, & Owner of Papa's General Store. In this interview we discuss how Derek got his start in entrepreneurship, how he came up with each business idea, and what it has meant to him to run businesses in the city of Wichita. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, & review the podcast with the link below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shock-talk/id1495072561?uo=4

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Check Derek out on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dereksorrells/

Link to Sweet 'n Saucy:

https://sweetnsaucywichita.com

In this exciting episode of the Shock Talk podcast, host Jacob O'Connor and co host Rob Gerlach sit down with Jesse Marks. Jesse is a WSU graduate and local entrepreneur who has made a business around your trash- or rather compost. Jesse is the Founder and CEO of Nudge Compost. His business collects food scraps from Wichita locals and composts them, similar to how the garbage collection service works- except it's good for the environment. In this episode, Jacob and Rob discuss how Jesse came up with this eco-friendly business and why Wichita is the perfect place for it to thrive.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, & review the podcast with the link below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shock-talk/id1495072561?uo=4

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Connect with Jesse: 

https://www.instagram.com/nudgecompost/

https://www.nudgecompost.com

Welcome back to Shock Talk! In this episode, hosts Jacob O'Connor & Rob Gerlach sit down with local entrepreneur Luke Luttrell. Luke is the Co Founder and CEO of two different businesses; Next LED & Project Content. Jacob and Rob dive deep into Luke's story; from working for his fraternity after college to making a name for himself in the SAAS industry. One common theme we noticed from this interview is the importance of moving forward even though you don't know how things will work out. As Steve Jobs said, you can only connect the dots looking backwards. Tune into this interview to hear the full story!

Have a guest recommendations for an interview? Email us:

[email protected]

Connect with us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wsu-ventures/

In this exciting episode of the Shock Talk podcast, Host Jacob O'Connor and Co Host Rob Gerlach sit down with the local successful entrepreneur, Steve Hayes. While attending Wichita St. University, Steve Co-Founded the Hayes Company with his father. What started as a small family operation transformed into an international business with 500+ employees and working with corporate titans including Walmart, Target, & Home Depot.  Tune into this episode to hear Steve's incredible journey as well as what advice he'd offer to his younger self.  

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, & review the podcast with the link below:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shock-talk/id1495072561?uo=4

Connect with us on LinkedIn: