The InNOLEvation® Mindset

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Mark interviews Maryam Khazraee, the founder and CEO of RXPharmacist. Maryam shares insights about her upbringing in Florida, her educational journey at the University of Florida, and how she pivoted from engineering to pharmacy. Maryam opens up about the influence of her immigrant parents, her experience with financial independence, and her path to becoming a pharmacist. She explains the startup story of RX Pharmacist, a test prep resource company driven by a personal mission to help others. Maryam also discusses the challenges of balancing multiple roles, the importance of customer-centric product development, and the significance of self-grace and recognizing small wins. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey and valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, we sit down with Giovanna Williams, CEO and founder of Grova Creative. Giovanna, also known as G, shares her journey from the Navy to graphic design and eventually starting her own marketing firm. She discusses the challenges she faced, including overcoming imposter syndrome and dealing with naysayers, as well as the importance of having a strong support network and taking care of mental health. G also talks about her experience with the Jim Moran Institute's executive program and how it helped her business grow. Tune in to learn about her unique approach to client relationships and her advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:37 Giovanna's Background and Navy Experience

02:28 Transition to Entrepreneurship

03:49 Building Grova Creative

07:29 Challenges and Overcoming Doubts

14:56 Imposter Syndrome and Mental Health

23:05 Jim Moran Institute Experience

32:14 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

33:20 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of The InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, Mark McNees interviews Elva Peppers, CEO and founder of Florida Environmental and Land Services. Elva shares her journey from growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, to earning a biology degree from Florida State University and eventually starting her successful environmental consulting firm. She discusses the challenges of her early career, the impetus for starting her own business, and the impact of significant events like 9/11 on her company's launch. Elva also provides insights into her firm's environmental services, the importance of maintaining clean waterways, and the significance of wetlands as natural filters. Additionally, she highlights her experience with the Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program and the benefits of being part of its peer-to-peer network. Tune in for valuable lessons on business, environmental sustainability, and the importance of community and networking for entrepreneurial success.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:33 Elva's Background and Upbringing

01:58 College Years and Early Career

06:03 Starting Florida Environmental and Land Services

08:39 Challenges and Growth of the Business

10:40 Environmental Impact and Services

14:11 Involvement with Jim Moran Institute

20:01 Hiring and Future Plans

24:35 Final Thoughts and Advice

26:00 Podcast Closing Remarks

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees is joined by Jennifer Winegardner, a graduate of the Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program. Jennifer discusses her career journey from her early days in Cleveland to establishing her law firm, Rayboun Weingartner, in Florida. She shares her experiences and challenges in transitioning from a legal practitioner to a business owner, the importance of having mentors, and the benefits of programs like the Jim Moran Institute. Jennifer emphasizes the value of planning in business and her firm's focus on keeping clients out of litigation through careful preparation. Tune in to learn more about her inspiring story and insights into running a successful small business.

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset Podcast, host Mark McNees interviews Christina Lynch, CEO and founder of Trydent Consulting. Christina shares her entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind her company's name, and her experiences as a Jim Moran Institute's Small Business Executive Program graduate. She delves into her Barbadian heritage, her transition from various accounting roles to starting her firm, and the values that drive her business. Christina also discusses the importance of mentors, the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs, and the significant role played by the Jim Moran Institute in supporting local businesses. Tune in to learn about Christina’s future aspirations and advice for budding entrepreneurs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset Podcast, hosted by Mark McNees and powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, CEO Sam Varn of Awards 4U shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Sam details his upbringing, business endeavors, and the challenges he faced to become a successful leader in the awards and recognition industry. He discusses his significant connection to the Jim Moran Institute and the importance of recognizing people's accomplishments. Listen in to hear about the evolution of Sam's business, the value of community and mentorship, and some unique, heartwarming, and humorous stories from his career.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Rose Walters interviews Brenda Garner, a faculty member renowned for her experience in entrepreneurship and accounting. Mrs. Garner shares her entrepreneurial journey, which started back in 1993 when she and her husband moved to Arkansas to start their own venture. With a background in accounting, she took on the financial responsibilities of their business, learning valuable lessons in entrepreneurship along the way. After selling their venture, Mrs. Garner transitioned into teaching, inspired by her love for accounting and the desire to share critical financial knowledge with students. She discusses her teaching philosophy, the importance of hands-on learning, and how she adapts her curriculum to meet student needs, emphasizing the practical application of accounting in entrepreneurship. The episode highlights the vital role of entrepreneurship education in today’s society and offers advice to young entrepreneurs. Mrs. Garner's story is a testament to the power of continuous learning, adaptation, and the transformative impact of educators on their students' lives.

00:00 Welcome to the Innovation Mindset Podcast

In this episode of The Innovation Mindset, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees welcomes Jennifer Kovach, director of the South Florida region for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State. Jennifer shares her journey from social work to supporting entrepreneurs, her approach to fostering entrepreneurship, and the services provided by JMI in South Florida. Join us as we explore the various programs Jennifer has spearheaded, such as the small business and nonprofit executive programs, and discover the key challenges faced by small business owners today.

In this episode of the Innovation Mindset, hosted by Mark McNees from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, special guest Jay Revell of Revell Media shares his extensive experience in the business community of Tallahassee. Jay, a seasoned leader and storyteller, dives into his career path, starting from his college days at Florida State University to founding his successful marketing company, Revell Media. They discuss Jay's notable accomplishments, approach to corporate storytelling, and political journey running for county commissioner. Additionally, Jay highlights his transformative experience with the Jim Moran Institute's Executive Program. Tune in to discover valuable insights on entrepreneurship, effective branding, and the power of storytelling.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:03 Jay Revell's Early Career and Community Involvement

02:27 Leadership Roles and Networking

06:54 Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority

09:23 Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development

12:11 Advice for Young Professionals

18:03 The Power of Storytelling in Business

29:39 Starting a New Business Venture

30:46 The Importance of Being the Best

31:27 Identifying Ideal Clients

32:47 Consistency and Persistence in Storytelling

34:24 Diverse Industry Experience

35:40 The Jim Moran Institute Experience

43:33 Running for County Commissioner

45:07 Lessons from the Campaign Trail

55:00 Final Reflections and Advice

57:41 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast, student host Rose Walters interviews Bennett Spooner, co-founder of Player Wallet. Bennett shares the motivations behind starting Player Wallet, aiming to support overlooked student-athletes in their recruitment process. The company focuses on nurturing athletes' development in sports, academics, and community service from an early age to improve their recruitable prospects. Bennett highlights the difference between Player Wallet and their main competitor, NCSA, emphasizing their holistic approach to athlete development over mere recruitment. Discussing the challenges, future plans, and personal motivations, Bennett provides insight into the experiences that shape the mission of Player Wallet, including expanding beyond their current focus areas of Tampa, Atlanta, and Charleston. Through personalized plans and wearable technology, Player Wallet aims to guide young athletes towards successful athletic recruitment while fostering a team-oriented mindset highly valued by recruiters.

00:00 Welcome to the InNOLEvation®Mindset Podcast

00:21 The Genesis of Player Wallet: A Mission to Empower Student Athletes

02:20 The Heart of Player Wallet: Building Relationships and Fostering Development

05:14 Challenges and Triumphs: Navigating the Startup Landscape

06:45 Expanding Horizons: Growth and Partnerships

07:44 Vision for the Future: Scaling Impact and Innovation

12:18 Personal Insights: Staying Grounded and Motivated

14:43 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude