The Supportedly Podcast

Thom Ruhe is the President of NC IDEA, a North Carolina based private foundation that aids startup ecosystems and entrepreneurs to strengthen and develop their business ideas. NC IDEA offers a variety of free and low-cost programs to entrepreneurs and business owners, such as NC IDEA SEED, NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM, and NC IDEA ENGAGE to help them learn how to take their idea to the next level, raise capital, and find mentorship. Thom is frequently quoted in business publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal and has worked with several major companies such as Jumpstart Inc and the Kauffman Foundation.

Thom re-joins me on today's episode to share the role that entrepreneurship plays in the economy and why it is critically important to support entrepreneurs. He shares the lessons he has learned throughout his career and explains the critical role entrepreneurs and their startups play in building and maintaining a healthy economy.

"You can have world peace through entrepreneurship."- Thom Ruhe

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• The mistakes that Thom wishes he could have avoided and the lessons he learned.
• The secret to good economic development.
• What happens if we don't support entrepreneurs and the decline of startup activity.
• How the rate of startups and entrepreneurship affects how the economy is rejuvenated.
• The effects of corporate concentration and how 1-in-4 North Carolinians are living with economic uncertainty.
• Why Thom believes we can find world peace through entrepreneurship.

Resources Mentioned:

• 020 NC IDEA: Supporting Entrepreneurs Through Grant Funding, Mentorship, and Programming with President and CEO, Thom Ruhe

Free & Low-Cost Programs at NC IDEA:

• NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM
• NC IDEA SEED
• NC IDEA MICRO
• NC IDEA LABS
• NC IDEA SOAR
• NC IDEA ENGAGE

Connect with Thom Ruhe:

• NC IDEA
• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (919) 941-5600

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com

Thom Ruhe is the President and CEO of NC IDEA, a private foundation that helps entrepreneurs strengthen, start, and develop their ideas and achieve their full entrepreneurial potential through a variety of programs such as NC IDEA LABS, NC IDEA SEED, and NC IDEA ENGAGE. Prior to working with NC IDEA, Thom worked with companies such as the Kauffman Foundation and Jumpstart Inc, directing programs to address entrepreneurial education, mentoring, raising capital, and fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He is frequently quoted in major media publications including Forbes, The New York Times,and WSJ.

Dipak Mahato is the Founder and CEO of SeaChange Technologies, a company that provides sustainable solutions for wastewater purification. Dipak is a research and development leader with expertise in developing disruptive and innovative technologies. He is an award-winning entrepreneur with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Irvine.

Thom joins me today to share his journey and how he got involved with NC IDEA. He explains the programs and grants that are available for entrepreneurs and startups and how the programs help entrepreneurs at various stages of their business development journey. He also explains why the organization created NC IDEA SOAR - a program for female entrepreneurs. I also spoke with Dipak to learn what inspired him to start SeaChange Technologies and how vital the NC IDEA programs were for starting and scaling his company.

"It's a privilege to do the work that we do. The status of a non-profit affords you a great freedom to do things and to take risks in the market that nobody else is incentivized to do." - Thom Ruhe

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• Thom's transition to working with NC IDEA and the company's ideology.
• How the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant partner program supports entrepreneurs in North Carolina.
• How the NC IDEA SEED grants help early-stage companies with funding, mentorship, and guidance so that they can scale their companies faster.
• How young companies or entrepreneurs with a concept can be awarded a $10K grant from the NC IDEA MICRO program.
• How the NC IDEA LABS four-week curriculum helps entrepreneurs focus on customer discovery and moving a company forward.
• Why the NC IDEA SOAR program was created for female entrepreneurs.
• The community-focused NC IDEA ENGAGE program that brings like-minded entrepreneurs together.
• The questions entrepreneurs should ask before connecting with NC IDEA.
• What SeaChange Technologies is and what inspired Dipak to start the company.
• How SeaChange Technologies is helping companies deal with contaminated wastewater.
• How he found NC IDEA and what motivated him to participate in the programs.
• How the NC IDEA programs helped SeaChange Technologies and how they became a SEED grant recipient.
• The advice that he would give to a young entrepreneur.

"Be totally open. Trust the process and the people. The folks at NC IDEA know what they are doing. They have seen entrepreneurs fail and succeed. They know what works and what doesn't work." - Dipak Mahato

Free & Low-Cost Programs at NC IDEA:

• NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM
• NC IDEA SEED
• NC IDEA MICRO
• NC IDEA LABS
• NC IDEA SOAR
• NC IDEA ENGAGE

Connect with Thom Ruhe:

• NC IDEA
• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (919) 941-5600

Connect with Dipak Mahato:

• SeaChange Technologies
• LinkedIn

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com

When you are just starting out as an entrepreneur, finding and connecting with your local startup community can be quite challenging. It can be even more difficult when you're new to a community - especially without a previous professional connection or familial ties. So, how does an ambitious entrepreneur start building meaningful, long-lasting connections in an unknown environment? How do you begin networking in your startup ecosystem when you've just moved to a new area and haven't yet made friends or connections?

On today's episode, I spoke with Jeffrey Kaplan, the Director of Venture Asheville; Josh Gershon, the Founder of Startup Island; and Chris Buehler, a Mentor, Advisor, and Board Member of the Hatch AVL Foundation and Meet-the-Geeks. Jeffrey shares a simple yet powerful strategy for breaking the ice at networking events and his process for following up with people after the event has ended. Josh explains the importance of having realistic expectations when attending events and how being authentic, honest, and vulnerable can help entrepreneurs build deeper connections in their startup ecosystem. Chris shares how volunteerism, adding value to the connections and relationships you build, and making a conscious effort to regularly engage with the people in your network and community can lead to powerful, longer-term, and meaningful results in your personal and professional life.

"You can't go to a networking event expecting to walk away with a business deal. You're setting yourself up for disappointment." - Josh Gershon

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• How he began building his network and connections in a new environment.
• How asking icebreaker questions can make networking at events easier and less intimidating.
• How he selects individuals to invite to in-person follow up meetings.
• The importance of follow up emails after meeting new people at a networking event.
• How to learn what you should - and should not -wear to business and networking events.
• Jeffrey's advice for entrepreneurs seeking to get involved in their local startup ecosystem.
• What is Startup Island and how it helps entrepreneurs through personal and professional development.
• The value Josh Buehler found in connecting with the local startup ecosystem.
• The importance of considering not only what you can getfrom a startup ecosystem - but also what you can give.
• Why Josh believes many people feel disappointed after attending a networking event.
• The difference between networking events in larger cities versus smaller communities and what it takes to feel connected in a larger ecosystem.
• Lessons Josh has learned and mistakes he has made while connecting with larger startup communities.
• How being authentic, honest, and vulnerable helps entrepreneurs build deeper connections and meaningful relationships within their local startup ecosystem.
• Josh's advice on building an ecosystem in your area.
• How Chris Buehler began building his network in a new environment.
• Why finding ways to bring value to the relationships you build is essential for forging long-term, meaningful relationships.
• The importance of setting realistic expectations.
• The importance of making conscious efforts to maintain and regularly engage with your network.
• The benefits associated with volunteering.
• Strategies entrepreneurs can use to connect with their local startup ecosystem after moving to a new community.

"You always follow up with an email. You meet when you have something worth talking about." - Jeffrey Kaplan

How to Quickly & Effectively Engage with Your Local Startup Ecosystem:

1. Reach out early: Engage with startup ecosystem leaders early. Let them know you're interested in getting involved even before you're in town or quite ready to start connecting early.
2. Engage with intention: Understand why you want to engage with the ecosystem and maintain that self-awareness as you engage.
3. Be authentic with a "give first" mentality: Be more prepared to listen, hear stories, and engage with those stories than you are to tell yours, first.
4. Volunteer with support providers and ecosystem organizations: Not only does this allow you to give to the ecosystem, it's a great way to know a lot of people early on
5. Be consistent: Show up when you are able and engage on a regular basis.
6. No ecosystem, no problem: Create a means for the individuals and organizations in your area to engage. Whether through a Meetup group, starting a 1 Million Cups chapter or other networking group, help lead the charge to creating an active and vibrant startup ecosystem in your area.

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 008: Connecting Entrepreneurs with Mentors and Investors with Venture Asheville's Director Jeff Kaplan

Connect with Jeffrey Kaplan:

• Venture Asheville
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Josh Gershon:

• Startup Island

Connect with Chris Buehler:

• Hatch AVL Foundation
• Meet-the-Geeks

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com

Dean Bundschu is the Atlantic Regional Executive for Bunker Labs, a company that inspires, equips, and connects veteran entrepreneurs with other entrepreneurs and mentors. Dean is an army veteran who has helped several high-growth business startups. He is the Founder of PrepChamps, a company that has been recognized as North Carolina's 2007 Fast Trac Tech Company of the Year. Dean is a distinguished military veteran and has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Ohio Northern University.

Jessica Harris is the is the Founder of K9 Salute, a company that creates all-natural dog treats in honor of fallen service dogs. A retired army veteran, Jessica has developed her entrepreneurial skills and matured a business that gives back to working dogs across the country. She has been featured in the Pet Food Industry magazine, and during 2018 she was named an American Small Business Champion by Sam's Club and SCORE.

Dean joins me today to share why he wanted to help veterans create and develop businesses. He reveals the programs that are run by Bunker Labs and how veteran entrepreneurs can find inspiration, connections, and training through the Bunker Labs events and programs. I also spoke with Jessica to learn more about her business and how Bunker Labs have played a crucial role in the success of her company.

"The intent is for Bunker Labs to transform North Carolina into the hub of veteran entrepreneurship." - Dean Bundschu

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• Dean's military career, post-army veteran mentorship, and his path to Bunker Labs.
• How Bunker Labs is helping veterans and their spouses start and grow their business.
• Why the number of veteran entrepreneurs has dropped significantly since WW2.
• How the Bunker Brews events connect entrepreneurs with a workshop panel, keynote speaker, and networking.
• The four steps in the Launch Lab Online Program that help veteran entrepreneurs jumpstart their business.
• Bunker Labs's partnership with the coworking organization WeWork.
• How the Veteran in Residence 6-month incubator program helps veteran entrepreneurs build a business.
• How CEOcircle serves the needs of established businesses that are already successful.
• How military veterans can get involved with the programs at Bunker Labs.
• Jessica's journey to creating K9 Salute after transitioning out of the army.
• How K9 Salute shares tributes to fallen service dogs through dog treat products.
• Why K9 Salutes donates 10% of its profits to a canine or veteran organization.
• Jessica's experience of the programs offered at Bunker Labs.
• The advice that Jessica would give to someone starting on the business-creation journey.

"You cannot complete your journey in business alone. Bunker Brews events offer that space where you can meet like-minded people that can help you." - Jessica Harris

Free & Low-Cost Programs at Bunker Labs

• Bunker Brews
• Launch Lab Online
• Veteran in Residence
• CEOcircle

Connect with Dean Bundschu:

• Bunker Labs
• LinkedIn

Connect with Jessica Harris:

• K9 Salute
• LinkedIn

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com

George Glackin is the Chairman of the Board and a Founder of Hatch AVL Foundation, an organization that hosts pitch events and runs programs to help startups and early-stage companies begin their journey and scale-up. George has 35-years of experience in new business creation and innovation. He has led innovation campaigns in all P&G sectors and for brands such as Pantene, Tide, and Pampers. He has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has volunteered for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity International.

Ailis Grosh is the Founder of Burban, an online resource and tool for finding food, drink, entertainment and specials within your local area. Ailis is a web developer and young entrepreneur who has become intimately involved in the entrepreneurial community of Asheville. She is an active organizer of Hatch events and for 1 Million Cups' Asheville chapter.

George joins me today to share how founders and new business startups can gain help and experience through the programs run by Hatch such as their Skinny Dips, Deep Dives, and Demo Days events. He explains how pitch events and workshops help move business ideas forward and highlights the talent pool of mentors who work with the Hatch team. I also spoke with Ailis to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey and how the Hatch pitch events and community of mentors have helped her startup move forward.

"There is no reason not to use the best talent available. Hatch provides that magic, that incubator, and that safe space to be brilliant." - George Glackin

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• How George became one of the founders of Hatch AVL Foundation and how they help entrepreneurs get the job done without going it alone.
• How Hatch's incubator helps founders use the three P's: Place, Partnerships, and Programming.
• How Hatch brings a talent pool of founders, mentors, service providers, and investors together.
• Who can present a pitch at Hatch This, the audience vote, and how nine companies are selected to workshop with people in the audience and talented mentors?
• The seed funding offered to the best founding idea at the end of a Hatch This weekend.
• How to join a Pitch Party and present a one-minute pitch.
• What the Skinny Dips programs are and how they help entrepreneurs identify and address fundamental areas in their business model they may have overlooked.
• How the 90-day Deep Dives programs help business owners strategically plan for success.
• How the Demo Day program allows early-stage businesses to present to Hatch mentors and have a chance to win seed funding.
• What the talent pool of Hatch mentors looks like and the fields in which they specialize.
• Ailis's idea for a map service with category filtering for food, drink, entertainment, and specials.
• Her journey towards creating Burban.
• How Ailis found her way to Hatch and a marketing internship.
• How Ailis helped organize a Demo Day as part of her internship and entrepreneurial development.
• What it feels like to be a Demo Day pitch participant and workshop your business for a day.
• The advice that Ailis would give to a new entrepreneur.

"It's an incredible opportunity to come in, make connections, and dive into the Hatch community of mentors." - Ailis Grosh

The low and no-cost founder support programs offered by Hatch:

• Hatch This
• Skinny Dips and Deep Dives
• Demo Day

Connect with George Glackin:

• Hatch
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Connect with Ailis Grosh:

• Burban
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com

Tom Snyder is the Executive Director of RIoT, a company that delivers programs, mentorship, and connections for Internet of Things (IoT) education for entrepreneurs and new business startups. Tom has two decades of experience in technological incubation and product development and has held leadership roles in companies such as ASSIST Center, a National Science Foundation that creates wearables for healthcare monitoring. He is also a co-instructor at the Product Innovation Lab, which is a Forbes award-winning course on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Crystal Dreisbach is the Founder and Executive Director of Don't Waste Durham and Project Director for GreenToGo. Don't Waste Durham is a non-profit organization with a mission to eliminate trash at its source. GreenToGo is a business that produces reusable containers for use in the restaurant and groceries industries. Crystal is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and has a Master's in Public Health.

Tom joins me today to share how RIoT helps entrepreneurs and business startups learn about the Internet of Things and how it can be used within their business or startup. He defines IoT and how it is affecting the way we live, entertain and do business. He also shares how RIoT's accelerator programs, education courses, pitch nights and meetup events help entrepreneurs build connections, find mentors, and accelerate their business growth. I also spoke with Crystal to learn more about her businesses, how she discovered the RIoT Accelerator Program, and how participating in the program impacted her business.

"RIoT brings people together to educate them about how emerging technologies are fundamentally changing business. The goal is to help people adapt to that." - Tom Snyder

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• How RIoT went from a meetup on the Internet of Things (IoT) to an economic development resource.
• What IoT is and how it is impacting the data economy.
• How IoT is affecting the way we live, do business, and consume entertainment.
• How RAP (RIoT Accelerator Program) helps entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, and corporate teams with coaching, networking, technology, and IoT education.
• How RIoT events showcase corporate partners and business startups to help entrepreneurs get the credibility and recognition they need to attract investors and customers.
• How RIoT is working with the City of Raleigh to offer the Impact Partner Grant and short-form classroom experiences to help businesses futureproof themselves for the IoT.
• How the Founders Round Table helps entrepreneurs build relationships and find support and mentorships with seasoned executives and local government leaders.
• Why Crystal started the non-profit Don't Waste Durham.
• How GreenToGo developed a reusable container service to tackle the use of single-use plastics.
• How IoT technologies have helped GreentoGo be more automated and made asset tracking easier.
• How RAP helped Crystal to expand her network with industry experts and mentors.
• Crystal's advice to entrepreneurs that want to apply for the RIoT Accelerator Program.

"What we gained in the RIoT Accelerator Program cannot be measured. Although it was really intense and we heard lots of things that were hard to hear, we came out a lot stronger." - Crystal Dreisbach

Free & Low-Cost Programs at RIoT:

• RAP (RIoT Accelerator Program)
• RIoT events
• RIoT Ed Courses
• RIoT Pitch Night

Connect with Tom Snyder:

• RIoT
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Connect with Crystal Dreisbach:

• Don't Waste Durham
• GreenToGo
• LinkedIn

Melody Isis Herman is the Lead Organizer at 1 Million Cups Asheville, a company dedicated to educating, engaging and inspiring entrepreneurs over coffee at weekly startup networking and pitch events. 1 Million Cups was founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to help entrepreneurs with big ideas and provide the resources and tools they need to bring it to life. Recently, the company was awarded the Resource Program of the Year Award at Venture Asheville's Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors event. In addition to her work at 1 Million Cups Asheville, Melody is the Founder and Benefits Shaman of Pop Benefits, a financial advisory firm specializing in business insurance, life insurance, and employee benefits. She is also part of the Asheville 40 under 40 class of 2016 and a speaker, counselor, and teacher helping entrepreneurs find excellence and success.

Samantha Winogrond is a financial advisor at JSK Financial, a company that provides services and advice for individuals and businesses. Samantha gained experience working with the 5th largest accounting firm in the country. Before moving to Asheville, North Carolina, Samantha lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands where she owned, operated, and successfully sold a sailing charter company. She has a Masters in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and is a member of the NCACPA and AICPA.

Melody joins me today to share how 1 Million Cups Asheville is helping entrepreneurs and business startups connect, learn, and build confidence through presentation events. She explains the value of presenting at an event and how experts, CEOs, past entrepreneurs, and investors make guest appearances to provide value, inspiration, and education. I also spoke with Samantha to get her perspective as a regular 1 Million Cups attendee, how attending the events have impacted her business, and what inspires her to continue attending the weekly events.

"More than anything, 1 Million Cups is about providing entrepreneurs with information in different ways." - Melody Isis Herman

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• How networking events for small businesses and entrepreneurs paved the way for Melody to attend the 1 Million Cups Asheville weekly events for startups, and eventually run the event.
• The inspiration behind the creation of 1 Million Cups Asheville.
• How the 1 Million Cups weekly events helps entrepreneurs build confidence to pitch their ideas.
• How the networking events are structured, including startup presentations and audience Q&A.
• The valuable information and education entrepreneurs can expect by attending the 1 Million Cups weekly events.
• The company's spin on "fireside chats" and how they help new entrepreneurs and startups gain insight from seasoned entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, and previous 1 Million Cups presenters.
• How the quarterly open pitches provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and students to pitch their business ideas that may not fit the weekly pitch events criteria.
• How to get involved with 1 Million Cups Asheville's weekly events.
• How to organize and start a 1 Million Cups event near you.
• Samantha's financial background, operating her own sailing company and working with JSK Financial.
• The services that JSK Financial offer to businesses and individuals, including tax planning and preparation and investment management.
• How Samantha discovered 1 Million Cups and what new attendees can expect.
• What keeps Samantha coming back to the 1 Million Cups Asheville events each week.
• The advice that Samantha would give to entrepreneurs who are just starting out.
• Melody's advice for new entrepreneurs.
• Mistakes Melody has made throughout her entrepreneurial career that became a blessing in disguise.

"The 1 Million Cups events are inspiring and motivational and a big part of Asheville. The atmosphere is welcoming, and there is a sense of empowerment among the entrepreneurs that are presenting." - Samantha Winogrond

The 1 Million Cups Asheville startups presentation event:

• Apply to Present at 1 Million Cups

Connect with Melody Isis Herman:

• 1 Million Cups Asheville
• Pop Benefits
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Connect with Samantha Winogrond:

• JSK Financial
• LinkedIn

Subscribe, Rate, & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own great podcast – faster and easier – at Podcraft.com

On the Supportedly podcast, I always need to cut material from interviews that I wish I could include in the podcast. This material is often packed with valuable insight, tips, and funny stories from inspiring entrepreneurs - like you - but needed to be cut for time.

On this bonus episode, I want to share some of the highlights of the previous discussions I had with some of the inspiring entrepreneurs I have featured on the show, such as No Evil Foods Co-Founder Sadrah Schadal, Patchd Medical CEO Robert Quinn, Foothills Digest Editor-In-Chief Carmen Eckard, and Toybrary of Asheville's Chief Play Officer Susan Dobroski. Some of these conversations were funny, some were informative - but all were inspiring and well-worth sharing. I am confident you will enjoy this bonus episode as much as I enjoyed creating it.

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• What led Sadrah Schadel to start No Evil Foods.
• The best entrepreneurial mistake Sadrah has made.
• Robert Quinn's background and what led him to create Patchd Medical.
• Robert's advice for new entrepreneurs just starting out.
• How driving for Uber helped Robert master the art of the 60-second pitch.
• What led Carmen Eckard to create Foothills Digest.
• Carmen's one piece of advice for new entrepreneurs.
• What inspired Susan Dobroski to create the Toybrary of Asheville.
• What the Asheville community can do to help Toybrary grow and reach the next level of success.
• What is the Toybox Fund and how it helps Toybrary offer free programs throughout the Asheville community?

Inspring Advice for New Entrepreneurs

• "Cherish those early days when things are kind of cool and casual. It's going to get a lot more crazy - so hold on!" - Sadrah Schadel, No Evil Foods Co-founder
• "Make sure everyone is investing - even if you're best friends." - Robert Quinn, Patchd Medical CEO
• "Write more stuff down. The most important thing is to keep really good records." - Carmen Eckard, Foothills Digest Editor-In-Chief

Related Content:

• Episode 002: A-B Tech Small Business Center: Sparking the Entrepreneurial Fire
• Episode 005: Building Viable Businesses Through The Edison Project with Catawba County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lindsay Keisler
• Episode 006: Supporting Small Business Development Through Collaboration with Mountain Bizworks' Entrepreneurship Program Manager Kimberly Hunter
• Episode 008: How Entrepreneurs Should Tackle Acquiring Investment with KdT Ventures Founder Dr. Cain McClary

Connect with Sadrah Schadel, Robert Quinn, Carmen Eckard, and Susan Dobroski:

• No Evil Foods
• Patchd Medical
• Foothills Digest
• Toybrary of Asheville

Disclaimer: During his 60-second pitch for Patchd Medical, Robert stated "you can entirely prevent sepsis." Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition caused by the body's response to an infection. Robert recently requested we clarify his pitch statement, explaining that he meant to state "in theory, one should be able to entirely prevent sepsis."

Subscribe, Rate & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own greatpodcast - faster and easier - at Podcraft.com

Since its foundation, the Supportedly podcast and website has engaged with entrepreneurs, sharing essential information that will help them on their journey. Supportedly has successfully highlighted the support programs that are out there for entrepreneurs to help them start and develop businesses. Your valuable feedback helps us change the way that we support entrepreneurs. On today's episode, Tom and I take a look at the future of Supportedly. We answer questions surrounding the software and backside of the company and share how we envision the next couple of years to look. We share our goals, ideas, and projects that are underway, in addition to our personal goals. We also highlight where Supportedly will go in 2019 and how it will help more entrepreneurs find support and success over the coming years.

"A focus of Supportedly in 2019 is to broaden our range and get out into the state and region to connect with other support providers that are good examples and models." - Stephanie Kissel

This week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• The improvements and enhancements that will be made to Supportedly over the next year.
• How new content will be presented to entrepreneurs in a way where they can easily see how it will work for them.
• How the Supportedly software will be used by other partnerships to create portals for entrepreneurs.
• How the feedback we have received will be used to improve Supportedly in 2019.
• Our personal goals for 2019, including our fitness goals and possible Supportedly 10K.
• The things that Tom would love to do and considering for 2019.
• The focus of Supportedly in 2019.
• Where we would like to see the Supportedly podcast go in the new year and how we would like it to be more user/listener driven.
• Why we would like to engage with and highlight other experts and support platforms for entrepreneurs.
• What Tom is excited about for Supportedly and how it will help more entrepreneurs be successful.

"We are establishing some partnerships, such as with universities, where we can take the Supportedly software and allow others to use that engine to create their websites and portals for their entrepreneurs." - Tom Ryan

Subscribe, Rate & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own greatpodcast - faster and easier - at Podcraft.com

Christmas and New Year are the perfect time for reflection. Business owners and entrepreneurs often take time to look back at the past year. The holiday season gives entrepreneurs a rare moment when they can pause, enjoy the festivities, and spend time with family. They also spend time thinking about the successes and failures of 2018 and consider the lessons they can learn to improve their business. On today's special Christmas episode, Tom and I take time to think about the past two years at Supportedly. We share a behind the curtains glimpse of Supportedly and the lessons we have learned since starting the company. We also take turns pulling questions out of a hat to share stories that have made our year truly rewarding as well as the funniest and most challenging aspects of our partnership.

"Being an entrepreneur can be hard and lonely, but through Supportedly, we have realized just how much help is out there to support the growth of new businesses and entrepreneurs." - Stephanie Kissel

The questions we answer this week on the Supportedly Podcast:

• The best and most challenging aspects of our partnership.
• How working on Supportedly has impacted our views of entrepreneurship.
• A common misperception about entrepreneurship and how Supportedly helps address this issue.
• When Steph has laughed the hardest about with Tom.
• The one thing Tom hopes everyone knows about Steph.
• The easiest aspects of our partnership.
• Lessons learned from the past two years while working at Supportedly.
• How our views of Supportedly have changed since we started it.

Resources Mentioned:

• You Made It Weird Podcast with Pete Holmes

"There is terrific help out there with millions of dollars being invested in support programs for entrepreneurs who may not be aware of them." - Tom Ryan

Subscribe, Rate & Share

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the Supportedly podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest review. Don't forget to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and share your favorite episodes on social media!

The Supportedly Podcast is produced by Podcraft. You can create your own greatpodcast - faster and easier - at Podcraft.com