Have you ever wanted to explore a new skill, hobby, or craft—just to see where it might lead?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes an entrepreneur who turned curiosity into craftsmanship: Lee Hedgmon, Owner of The Barreled Bee.

Lee brings a unique blend of experimentation, tradition, and creativity to the world of home-brew, mead making, and honey-based beverages. What started as a passion for learning and hands-on experience has evolved into a small business producing liquid gold—barrel-aged honey and innovative honey-based creations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How experimentation fuels entrepreneurship

• The craft of mead making and home-brewing

• The process behind barrel-aging honey

• Lessons from turning a creative passion into a business

• How curiosity and exploration can shape an entrepreneurial path

If you're into craft beverages, fermentation, experimentation, small-batch products, or simply love stories of makers who create something extraordinary from simple ingredients—this episode is for you.

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Curious about what it takes to build and scale a business in one of the fastest-growing and most highly regulated industries in the world?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with serial entrepreneur and Chief Technology Officer of Unrivaled, Colin Landforce.

Colin brings years of hands-on experience navigating the evolving cannabis industry—from legalization challenges to mergers and acquisitions, IPO preparation, tech enablement, and building brands in a rapidly shifting landscape. His entrepreneurial journey is filled with lessons in resilience, innovation, compliance, and strategic thinking—insights valuable to any entrepreneur, regardless of industry.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How emerging industries evolve and what opportunities they create

• The role of technology in scaling cannabis businesses

• What entrepreneurs need to know about regulation-heavy markets

• Lessons from mergers, acquisitions, and taking companies public

• How to stay adaptable in fast-changing environments

If you're interested in the cannabis sector, tech product development, scaling startups, or simply learning from a seasoned entrepreneur who has built multiple companies, this episode has something for you.

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What would you ask if you had the chance to sit down with a business mind like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Warren Buffett?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Carl Gould, Founder of 7 Stage Advisors—a globally recognized business coach who has helped thousands of entrepreneurs scale, stabilize, and strengthen their businesses.

Carl shares his insights on how to build a rock-solid business foundation, the core principles behind scaling successfully, and the patterns he has seen across high-performing companies worldwide. Whether you’re launching a startup, stabilizing your business, or preparing for growth, this episode will give you actionable strategies to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

Key insights from this episode include:

• The essential elements of a strong business foundation

• Common mistakes entrepreneurs make in the early stages

• Step-by-step strategies for scaling a business using the 7 Stages methodology

• How business coaching accelerates clarity, confidence, and growth

• Lessons Carl learned from advising companies across 70+ industries

If you’re interested in leadership development, strategic planning, growth frameworks, or simply becoming a better entrepreneur, this conversation with Carl Gould is packed with value.

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How do you turn a passion for food into a thriving small business while reshaping the dining experience?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Donovyn Collins and Mikey Williams, Owners of Black Seed Burger Cult, to discuss their journey of building a customer-focused restaurant that celebrates individuality and innovation.

Donovyn and Mikey share insights on entrepreneurship in the food industry, the challenges of running a small business, and the strategies they use to deliver memorable dining experiences. This episode is perfect for aspiring restaurant owners, entrepreneurs, and food enthusiasts looking for inspiration in small business ownership.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Strategies for building and growing a small business in the food industry

• Creating a customer-centric experience that drives loyalty

• Lessons in entrepreneurship, operational management, and brand building

• Overcoming challenges unique to restaurant ownership

• Turning passion into profit while innovating in a competitive market

Donovyn and Mikey’s story demonstrates that entrepreneurship in the food industry is about more than great recipes—it’s about vision, creativity, and delivering exceptional experiences to every customer.

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How do you turn a creative idea into a functional app while navigating intellectual property challenges?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with David Straub, Founder of 4Sight Model, to explore his journey creating an app designed to help people manage their thoughts and ideas.

David shares insights on app development, entrepreneurship, and the complexities of intellectual property—including copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone looking to understand how to protect their ideas while bringing them to market.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Steps for developing and launching a successful app

• Understanding copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets

• Lessons in innovation, idea validation, and entrepreneurship

• Strategies for transforming ideas into market-ready products

• Navigating the challenges of intellectual property protection

David’s story demonstrates that entrepreneurial success requires creativity, technical know-how, and a strong understanding of legal protections to bring innovative ideas to life.

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How do you leverage collaboration and communication to build a successful business and community impact?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Dan Bruton, Founder of Agate Communications and PDX Forum, to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and podcaster shaping Oregon’s business community.

Dan shares insights on collaboration, community engagement, and the power of storytelling through media and communications. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone interested in building networks, podcasts, or communication-driven ventures.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Strategies for leveraging collaboration in business and community projects

• Lessons in communications, branding, and entrepreneurial storytelling

• Insights from hosting and producing podcasts to engage audiences

• Building local community connections through business and media

• Turning personal passion and expertise into entrepreneurial ventures

Dan’s story demonstrates that entrepreneurship thrives on communication, collaboration, and creating platforms that connect people, ideas, and communities.

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How do you start a small business and create a welcoming space in your community?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Joël Flores, Co-Owner of Wallflower Coffee Co, to explore the journey of a first-time entrepreneur launching a coffee shop in Southeast Portland’s Richmond neighborhood.

Joël shares the challenges, surprises, and strategies he encountered while starting his business, providing insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in building a local business that connects with its community. This episode highlights the early stages of entrepreneurship and what it takes to turn a vision into reality.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Lessons from launching a small business and coffee shop startup

• Overcoming the unknowns and challenges of first-time entrepreneurship

• Building a business that serves and engages the local community

• Planning for sustainable growth and long-term success

• Insights into customer experience, branding, and neighborhood engagement

Joël’s story demonstrates that small business ownership requires vision, perseverance, and a strong connection to the community to succeed.

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How do entrepreneurs collaborate to create meaningful social impact while growing their businesses?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Iwa Hooe, CEO of Sock-it-to-Me, and Kara Frazier, Founder of Fighting Pretty, to explore a unique collaboration aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer.

Iwa and Kara discuss how their partnership originated from this podcast, combining entrepreneurial innovation with nonprofit initiatives and giving campaigns. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and socially conscious business owners seeking inspiration on how to use business as a force for good.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Building social impact through business collaboration and partnerships

• Strategies for nonprofit initiatives and awareness campaigns

• Lessons from combining entrepreneurship with philanthropy

• Developing campaigns that engage communities and drive change

• Inspiring action and raising awareness for breast cancer through business

Iwa and Kara’s story demonstrates that entrepreneurship is not just about profit—it’s about purpose, collaboration, and leveraging business to make a meaningful difference in society.

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Have you ever started a business and thought to yourself: how do I classify this industry? Join me as I welcome the creator of Burnside Knives as we discuss the journey of building a brand in an industry that doesn't quite align. If you are just starting a business come listen to an artist turn entrepreneur try to rebrand an established industry.

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How do you take a product and make it better while creating a thriving business?

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Kevin Fallon and David Dombrow, Co-Creators of Speedland, to discuss their journey of designing extreme footwear for extreme conditions.

Kevin and David share insights from over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry, highlighting the importance of research, development, and continuous innovation. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, product designers, and adventure enthusiasts looking to understand how to combine passion, expertise, and innovation in building a successful business.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Strategies for product innovation and improving existing products

• Lessons from designing extreme footwear for mountain climbing and outdoor sports

• Balancing technical expertise with entrepreneurship and business growth

• Research and development best practices for niche markets

• Turning a passion for sports and design into a thriving business

Kevin and David’s story demonstrates that innovation, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence are essential for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt markets and create high-performance products.

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Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠theshadesofe.com⁠⁠⁠