William and Mary Entrepreneurial Thinkers

Tune into this episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" featuring Kate Thomas, a masterful fine artist who captures the essence of light, shadow, and emotion through her watercolor landscapes and abstract works. After a hiatus due to motherhood, Kate rekindled her passion for art, influenced by life’s trials and the legacy of her father’s support. Her creations reflect her journey through learning, grief, and growth, aiming to evoke peace and joy in every viewer. Join us as Kate shares how her openness to risk has shaped her artistic and personal life, making her art a true invitation to presence and wholeness.

Tune into this episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" featuring Walt Smithers, CEO of Romulus Media. Discover how Walt's journey from a college student at William and Mary to founding Romulus Media showcases the power of self-direction in entrepreneurship. Learn about his innovative approach to leveraging student influencers for authentic marketing that connects brands with the college demographic. Walt's story offers invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial mindset and the critical role of proactive decision-making in building a successful business.

In this "Grit" episode, we welcome back Mike Descher, founder of MediaGroup and mentor at William and Mary. With a career starting in the retail garment industry and evolving through significant roles at tech giants like Apple and Adobe, Mike brings a wealth of experience in embracing risk and demonstrating grit. Listen as Mike delves into the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning in entrepreneurship. Gain practical insights and inspiration from his journey of overcoming challenges and fostering growth in various industries.

On the William & Mary Entrepreneurial Thinkers podcast, we believe that Entrepreneurial Thinking isn’t just for start-ups, but it’s a mindset and a learnable set of skills that can be leveraged by anyone, anywhere.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" with Tessa Hall Duquette, the creative force behind Tessa Hall Designs. Tessa electrifies the VA Beach community with her vibrant murals and brings her passion for art and creativity into every project. In this episode, Tessa shares her journey, exploring the importance of grit in her entrepreneurial path. Discover how she balances her artistic vision with perseverance, turning challenges into opportunities, and making a lasting impact on her community through her art. Tune in for practical insights and inspiration from Tessa's experience.

Join us for an insightful episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" with Mike Descher, founder of MediaGroup and a seasoned entrepreneur. Mike's diverse career spans retail, digital imaging, and key roles at Apple, Adobe, and Logitech. Now, as a mentor at William and Mary, Mike shares his expertise in entrepreneurship, focusing on the theme of grit. Discover how his passion for learning, resilience, and willingness to take risks have shaped his journey and provided valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
On the William & Mary Entrepreneurial Thinkers podcast, we believe that Entrepreneurial Thinking isn’t just for start-ups, but it’s a mindset and a learnable set of skills that can be leveraged by anyone, anywhere.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" with Luvenia Hankins, affectionately known as "Luv." As the founder and CEO of Culture Vegan Joint (CLTRE VGN JNT) in VA Beach, Luv has transformed her passion for plant-based cuisine into a vibrant culinary haven. In this "Openness to Risk" episode, she shares her journey of embracing risk to create a unique business that celebrates diverse cultural influences while fostering community connection. Tune in to learn how Luv navigates the intersection of food, culture, and entrepreneurship.

Join us for an engaging episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" featuring Rebecca Scheetz, CEO of The 25th Hour. Rebecca is an operations expert dedicated to helping entrepreneurs gain clarity and direction through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and team leadership. She highlights the importance of leveraging time and resources effectively, emphasizing that leaders shouldn't try to do it all alone. In this "Failing Wisely" episode, Rebecca shares valuable lessons on optimizing operations and navigating setbacks. Tune in to learn how to harness the power of effective operations management.

In this episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers," we explore the theme of "Openness to Risk" with Brian Forrester and Tom Powell from Genie Jar Digital.

Openness to risk is vital for entrepreneurial growth, fostering innovation by embracing uncertainty. We discuss how Brian and Tom's willingness to take calculated risks has driven their success in the marketing world.

Brian Forrester, co-founder of Genie Jar Digital, is known for simplifying marketing through storytelling. He teaches at Old Dominion University and organizes the 757 Executive Luncheon. Tom Powell, co-founder of Genie Jar Digital and founder of The Addison Group, has been a leader in marketing innovation since 1996.

Tune in to hear practical insights and behind-the-scenes stories of their entrepreneurial journeys.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "W&M Entrepreneurial Thinkers" with Seth Caddell, co-owner of Coastal Fermentory in Newport News. Seth, also a General Manager at Coastal and a teacher in the Beer Brewer Professional Program at the University of Richmond, shares his journey from homebrewing in a garage to running a successful brewery. Despite opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, Coastal Fermentory has achieved impressive growth and raised over $40,000 for local and national non-profits. Known for their hazy IPAs and innovative beer recipes, Coastal Fermentory exemplifies the blend of passion, innovation, and community impact. In this episode, we explore the concept of "Failing Wisely" and how Seth's experiences offer valuable lessons in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. Tune in to discover the keys to balancing success and setbacks in the world of craft brewing.
On the William & Mary Entrepreneurial Thinkers podcast, we believe that Entrepreneurial Thinking isn’t just for start-ups, but it’s a mindset and a learnable set of skills that can be leveraged by anyone, anywhere.

This is a segment of the full Entrepreneurial Thinkers podcast featuring Neil McLean from Navattic used for the Opportunity Discovery module of the Innovator's Toolkit.