-
The Build #44: Stretch
Managing change isn’t always easy. For industrial engineer and climate change policy expert Shannon Binns, the need to manage change became apparent when he moved to fast-growing Charlotte, North Carolina and observed a major lack of planning in the city’s sustainable growth plans. This observation inspired Shannon to start a journey of a thousand one-on-one…
-
The Build #43: Found
Entrepreneurial inspiration can be found anywhere. Brothers Cody and Colton Tapoler found their inspiration at one of the happiest places on earth — Disney World. Combining Cody’s creative skills and Colton’s operational expertise, the brothers have created park-related merchandise that is more in line with their sensibilities and turned their love of pop culture and…
-
The Build #42: Hospitality
HEX Coffee is a hospitality company that doesn’t just serve coffee. By focusing on unique experiences that exceed customer expectations, Hex Coffee has grown to a brand that is roasting their own beans, managing a physical cafe, and shipping products across the country. These three partners have positioned themselves in a place of growth and…
-
The Build #41: Transition
A Philadelphia high school teacher working with autistic students realized that, with the right approach, she could help her students learn crucial work skills, get good jobs and gain their independence. Michele McKeone has created a business that helps educators prepare neuro-diverse students for a technology-driven, highly social workforce. Michele joins me today to discuss…
-
The Build #40: Hitched
Samie and Ryan Roberts have created a business designed to solve the challenges couples face when planning their wedding day. Based in North Carolina, their company helps connect engaged couples with the vendors and inspiration that will make their wedding day perfect. This husband and wife team join me today to talk about the post-wedding…
-
The Build #39:Path
Every journey in entrepreneurship includes at least one unexpected detour. But the unexpected changes in our paths sometimes lead us toward the greatest successes. AJ Bruno found himself faced with such a situation while scaling a rapidly growing startup company in Austin, Texas. The lessons he learned there turned one of the biggest challenges for…
-
The Build #38: Giving
Making a charitable donation online is now as simple as posting a hashtag comment on your favorite social media post, thanks to the innovative idea behind John Gossart’s startup company Goodworld. Goodworld has eliminated expensive processing fees and security hurdles and kept charitable donations where they belong — within the moment that inspired the generosity…
-
The Build #37: Physical
Many entrepreneurial ideas for new companies are based on the latest technology, but not Pediatric Housecalls. They are redefining the patient experience and bringing back the old-fashioned way to practice medicine, but with a modern twist. This mobile Urgent Care practice takes their medical staff on the road, allowing patients to diagnose and treat common…
-
The Build #36: Workout
After recognizing how hard it is for fitness instructors to scale their business within the walls of a gym, FORTË founder Lauren Foundos built a platform that streams live videos from top trainers directly to students all over the world. FORTË now offers at-home access to boutique gyms all over the country, and the company…
-
The Build #35: Notice
Finding the intersection between advertising, speaking engagements, and social and digital media can be a daunting task in today’s overloaded internet landscape. Rakia Reynolds is tackling the non-traditional media space at Skai Blue Media, a public relations company that provides business development, marketing, and message strategy to a wide variety of companies around the country.…
-
The Build #34: Timing
Gene Godick is the founder of G-Squared Partners, a service designed to help early-stage companies get CFO level support. Gene spent his early career years building experience across a variety of industries and recognized the need for every start-up company to have access to expert financial help. He has created an outsource finance team in…
-
The Build #33: Insecurity
Megha Kulshreshtha took what she learned as a corporate data analyst and focused on the growing problem of food insecurity in America’s urban centers. She launched an organization that is using mobile technology to make it easier to collect food donations on demand so they can reach people who need them the most. Together we…